Articles

The Interrelation among Obesity, Climate Change and the Food Industry

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Climate change poses a significant threat to natural ecosystems and human societies, while the global obesity pandemic constitutes a major public health challenge. These two phenomena are increasingly recognized as interconnected, with both influencing and being influenced by the food industry. The present study investigates the interrelationship among obesity, climate change, and the food industry, examining the interactions and mutual dependencies among these three domains. Their interlinkages are analyzed separately and their systemic interactions are highlighted. The results indicate that obesity, climate change, and the food industry are strongly interconnected and mutually influential. Consequently, changes in one of these domains can produce significant effects on the others. The findings suggest that the development of sustainable, low-carbon and climate-resilient agricultural systems capable of producing sufficient and nutritious food with minimal environmental impacts is urgently required. Furthermore, a strategic reorientation of the food industry toward the production of healthier food products with lower environmental footprints is necessary. Finally, the promotion through public policies of healthy dietary patterns with low greenhouse gas emissions could simultaneously reduce obesity prevalence and contribute to climate change mitigation. The findings of this study may be useful to policy makers, climate scientists, medical professionals, the food industry, farmers, and civil society organizations seeking to address these major challenges of the 21st century.

Determinants of Sustainable Bond Yield among IDX-Listed Companies

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This study analyzes the development of sustainable bonds among IDX-listed companies in the post-Covid period of 2022 and identifies the factors influencing sustainable bond yields. The research observes 749 sustainable bonds issued by 93 IDX-listed companies. Multiple regression analysis is employed to explore the relationship between the bond yield as the dependent variable and sustainability factors—Number of Company-Supported SDGs, ESG Risk Ratings, CSR Funds, and GHG Emissions—as independent variables, along with control variables including three bond characteristics (Modified Duration, Issuance Size, Term to Maturity) and eight company characteristics (Board of Commissioners and Directors Diversity, Company Size and Age, ROA, Current Ratio, Industry, State-owned Enterprise status). The findings reveal positive correlations between the Number of Company-Supported SDGs and ESG Risk Ratings with bond yields, while CSR Funds and GHG Emissions show negative correlations with bond yields, indicating complex relationships between sustainability performance and sustainable bond yields. The study results suggest strategic recommendations for companies, investors, policymakers and regulatory bodies, as well as educational institutions to enhance the effectiveness and appeal of sustainable bonds in Indonesia.

Investment Analysis on the Development of Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) Production Plant to support the building of Indonesia Infrastructures

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Indonesia is one of the countries that focuses on infrastructure development to support the areas of connectivity and accelerate economic growth while maintaining the global commitment to GHG emission reduction. In order to support the above objectives, competitive bitumen prices with less GHG emissions are foreseen for the infrastructure’s development. Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) is one of the materials that is used for the pavement application that could provide 16.99% less GHG emissions compared to the unmodified bitumen due to their capability to provide similar performance with the thinner pavement layer requirement. There are 3 common PMB production processes recognized in the industry, such as Low Shear Mill Technology, High Shear Mill Technology, and Mobile PMB Plant. The Capital Budgeting technique (NPV, IRR, Profitability Index, Payback Period), internal and external analysis such as PESTEL and Porter’s five forces analysis are used to support the decision making for the right technology selection for the PMB processing plant in order to stay competitive in the Bitumen market. The economic analysis has shown that the low shear technology generates an NPV of IDR 186.573.816.286 with an IRR of 75,90%, the high shear technology generates an NPV of IDR 179.179.736.676 with an IRR of 62,39% and the mobile PMB plant generates an NPV of IDR 243.276.282.784, with an IRR of 68,37%. In addition to the highest NPV, the mobile PMB plant has the full flexibility to be mobilized to any project location, especially in remote areas where other production technologies are not available. Based on the above analysis, the mobile PMB plant is the right technology to be selected for the PMB provision to support the infrastructure development in Indonesia.