Towards ecovillages: Insights from environmental ethics in selected countries

Abstract

Climate change, driven by increasing greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, has triggered a multidimensional global crisis encompassing climate-related disasters, food insecurity, and socio-economic inequality. This condition underscores the importance of sustainable development approaches that are not only macro and top-down in nature but also grounded in environmental ethics and community engagement. This study aims to analyse how community practices and ethics within ecovillages could complement government policies that are typically top-down, sectoral, focused on physical aspects, and often less responsive to local needs. The research employs a comparative literature study and bibliometric analysis using Scopus data from 2021–2025, analysed through VOSviewer. A descriptive analysis was then conducted to compare ecovillage practices in Austria, Brazil, Turkey, and Indonesia through the lens of environmental ethics. The findings reveal that each ecovillage embodies distinctive community ethics shaped by its respective social, cultural, and political contexts. These differences create opportunities for mutual learning and knowledge exchange. The study concludes that ecovillages can strengthen governmental policies through approaches rooted in awareness, local values, and community ethics. Active community participation supported by solidarity, spirituality, social justice, and gender inclusivity emerges as the key to sustainable transition. The novelty of this research lies in integrating community ethics into sustainable policy implications, positioning ecovillages as grassroots practices that enhance the effectiveness of achieving the SDGs.