Review
Environmental Sciences
Enrico Lucca, Jerome El Jeitany, Giulio Castelli, Tommaso Pacetti, Elena Bresci, Fernando Nardi, Enrica Caporali
Summary: The water-energy-food-ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus approach is crucial in the Mediterranean region due to water scarcity, climate change, and ecosystem degradation. Most research in the region focuses on water-energy interdependences, while the expansion to other components is limited. The research is primarily conducted in isolated case studies, lacking large-scale assessments and representation from certain countries. Further research is needed to understand the economic implications of WEFE Nexus interactions and harmonization in design objectives to achieve comprehensive sustainability.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Zhaofeng Guo, Wiebke J. Boeing, Edoardo Borgomeo, Yaoyang Xu, Ying Weng
Summary: Reservoirs account for about 10% of the freshwater stored in lakes worldwide. Reservoir ecosystems have both positive and negative implications for sustainable development, supporting a majority of UN SDGs, but also leading to negative trade-offs for some targets. Exploration of linkages between reservoir ecosystems and SDGs is crucial for guiding sustainable management and integration into the UN framework.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Anka Trajkovska Petkoska, Anita Trajkovska-Broach
Summary: The Mediterranean diet aligns well with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, making it a healthy and sustainable way of living.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Muhammad Hamza Latif, Muhammad Amjad, Zia Ur Rehman Tahir, Adnan Qamar, Muhammad Asim, Waqar Mahmood, Waqas Khalid, Abdur Rehman
Summary: Pakistan is contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its 'Vision 2025', but the current sectoral approach leads to resource inefficiency. This study proposes a nexus strategy and conducts onfield assessments in Punjab, showing that the nexus approach improves implementation and reduces resource duplication.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shin Ying Foong, Yi Herng Chan, Adrian Chun Minh Loy, Bing Shen How, Arularasu Muthaliar Tamothran, Andrew Jun Kit Yip, Rock Keey Liew, Wanxi Peng, Aage KO. Alstrup, Su Shiung Lam, Christian Sonne
Summary: The increasing global population and demand for agroforestry-derived products have led to a rise in pesticide use, particularly in biofuel production. However, studies have shown that the toxic effects of pesticides pose a severe threat to human health and freshwater ecosystems. This calls for sustainable solutions to ensure the viability of biofuel production while considering government benefits, environmental concerns, and human health. Efforts are being made to upscale biofuel production from non-food-crops based feedstock, and a sustainable nexus between biofuels, pesticides, and agroforestry is crucial in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yujie Liu, Qinghua Tan, Jie Chen, Tao Pan, Josep Penuelas, Jie Zhang, Quansheng Ge
Summary: Global food security is crucial for human health and sustainable development. This study analyzes national food consumption and SDG performance in 2017 and predicts food demands and SDG index scores in 2030 under three different healthy dietary patterns. The results show that high-income nations perform well on most SDG indicators but struggle with food waste and environmental issues. Food demand varies among regions depending on the dietary pattern. Transitioning to healthy diets is projected to improve SDG scores for most countries.
Article
Business
Jan Anton van Zanten, Rob van Tulder
Summary: This paper introduces a nexus approach to corporate sustainability, emphasizing the need for companies to assess and manage their interactions with the Sustainable Development Goals in an integrated manner in order to improve their societal and environmental impacts and avoid trade-offs. Such systematic corporate sustainability strategies are essential for driving progress towards achieving the SDGs and preventing companies from engaging in SDG-washing.
BUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Entomology
Roberta Moruzzo, Simone Mancini, Alessandra Guidi
Summary: The SDGs aim to achieve global peace and prosperity, with edible insects identified as a potential solution for sustainable development. Through insect farming, benefits such as food security and reduced environmental impact can be achieved, contributing to the realization of SDGs.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sergej Lisowski, Jonas Bunsen, Markus Berger, Matthias Finkbeiner
Summary: The private sector plays a crucial role in achieving the SDGs, but there is a lack of practical methods to assess its impact and low implementation of SDGs into corporate strategies. This paper identifies influencing factors on SDG indicators and develops a method to quantify industry footprints on SDGs. The results show that the private sector has a high impact on the SDG indicators, with large industries having the highest footprints. The findings highlight the importance of responsibility in achieving SDGs and provide support for companies in decision-making and strategy implementation.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
Fabiano A. N. Fernandes, Sueli Rodrigues
Summary: This review highlights the contributions of ultrasound technologies to fruit drying and its correlation with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Different ultrasonic technologies used for fruit drying, their advantages, disadvantages, and limitations are discussed. The effects of ultrasound on water diffusivity in fruits, its impact on drying time and energy cost, and its potential for producing healthy foods are presented. Ultrasound-assisted fruit drying also contributes to reducing wastewater toxicity, improving energy consumption, and enhancing productivity, leading to potential improvements in workplaces and salaries.
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Business
Hannah Smith, Roberta Discetti, Marco Bellucci, Diletta Acuti
Summary: This research examines the understanding and involvement of SMEs in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through face-to-face interviews and identifies power dynamics as a major obstacle to their implementation. The study provides actionable insights for SME managers on implementing SDGs and suggests a research agenda for institutions and stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of SDGs by SMEs.
JOURNAL OF BUSINESS RESEARCH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Caichun Yin, Paulo Pereira, Ting Hua, Yanxu Liu, Jing Zhu, Wenwu Zhao
Summary: The interwoven relationship between food, energy, and water, known as the FEW nexus, has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This article aims to find solutions to recover the FEW nexus. It discusses the challenges faced, observes the nexus' responses, and proposes solutions based on related Sustainable Development Goals.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Abiy S. Kebede, Robert J. Nicholls, Derek Clarke, Cristina Savin, Paula A. Harrison
Summary: Climate and socio-economic change impacts are likely to have cascading indirect effects, particularly in the FWLE nexus. An integrated assessment for Europe reveals that food production is likely to be a key driver of future landscape change dynamics in the region.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Luis Ospina-Forero, Gonzalo Castaneda, Omar A. Guerrero
Summary: An increasing number of researchers and practitioners advocate for a systemic understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through interdependency networks. However, the burgeoning network-estimation literature seems neglected by this community. Through a comparative study, we find important differences in the estimated network structures as well as in synergies and trade-offs between SDGs. Finally, we provide some guidelines on the potentials and limitations of estimating SDG networks for policy advice.
INFORMATION & MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Development Studies
Nicolai Abramovich, Alexandru Vasiliu
Summary: This article explores the legitimate uses of sustainability in general and in business practices from a normative perspective. Stakeholder theory is often seen as a solution to integrate sustainability into business strategies, while an argument based on Rawlsian justice as fairness provides a more logical and consistent justification for sustainability.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yui Kawasaki, Sayaka Nagao-Sato, Misa Shimpo, Kahori Fujisaki, Emi Yoshii, Rie Akamatsu, Petra Warschburger
Summary: This study qualitatively describes sustainable dietary behaviors (SDBs) that Japanese and German adults can implement in their lives, and quantitatively compares the similarities and differences in understanding SDBs between the two samples. The study found that Japanese participants were more focused on food waste prevention, while German participants were more focused on solving environmental problems.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kechun Chen, Yuan Ding, Liming Yang, Zhihao Wang, Haoxuan Yu, Difan Fang, Yufa Feng, Liying Hu, Chenxi Xu, Penghui Shao, Xubiao Luo, Liang Chen
Summary: This study proposes a targeted repair scheme for the recovery of graphite anodes from spent LIBs by systematically characterizing and analyzing the structure and composition of spent graphite (SG). The results show that the repair scheme achieves effective SG repair and the repaired graphite anode displays excellent lithium storage performance.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Takao Ueda, Shigeki Koyanaka, Tatsuya Oki
Summary: Fires caused by accidental crushing of batteries are a serious issue in the e-waste recycling process. A new in-line sorting system that uses X-ray scanning and deep learning has been developed to accurately detect batteries. Through a validation study, the system achieved higher accuracy compared to other existing programs.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hannes Geist, Frank Balle
Summary: Research on circular economy often lacks empirical data, especially in the theory of circular process design and design for remanufacturing. This study systematically collected and analyzed engineering data on seven remanufacturing processes in the European automotive remanufacturing industry for the first time, providing empirical support for circular engineering challenges, potentials, and solutions.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaojing Li, Fan Lue, Nanlin Liao, Hua Zhang, Na Yang, Pinjing He
Summary: This study assesses and predicts the greenhouse gas emissions on the timeline as waste treatment technologies develop in Shanghai from 1991 to 2025 using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The findings demonstrate that GHG emission has reached net-zero in 2019 owing to the application of alternative technologies and waste segregation.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bingchun Liu, Haoyang Wang, Xiaoqin Liang, Yibo Wang, Zijie Feng
Summary: The expansion of the photovoltaic market has resulted in a significant increase in PV waste. Therefore, conducting scientific research to determine the importance of the circular economy for sustainable growth in the PV industry is essential. The study demonstrates that accurate prediction of PV installed capacity and quantifying the importance of recycling in balancing the supply and demand of raw materials can be achieved through a multi-factor installed capacity prediction model and recovery potential prediction.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Chuanzhen Zhang, Baojing Gu, Xia Liang, Shu Kee Lam, Yi Zhou, Deli Chen
Summary: Reactive nitrogen is crucial for agriculture and human nutrition, but mismanagement can have detrimental effects on human health and ecosystem services, hindering the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Progress towards nitrogen-related targets varies across countries, highlighting the need for integrated management to achieve overall synergies.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alessandro Gatto, Marijke Kuiper, Corina van Middelaar, Hans van Meijl
Summary: This study examines the economic and environmental effects of transitioning towards more circular food systems in the European Union (EU27) by feeding animals with low-opportunity-cost feed and better utilizing local feed resources. The results show that providing subsidies for circularity and promoting the use of low-cost feed can increase animal production, but also have negative impacts on land use and emissions. On the other hand, promoting domestic feed sourcing through import tariffs can decrease animal production and greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. However, complementary policies are needed to mitigate drawbacks and enhance benefits of a more circular agri-food system.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinbo Zhang, Liu Chen, Yulei Xie, Pingjian Yang, Zheng Li, Huaicheng Guo, Yang Zhang, Lirong Liu
Summary: This study examines the impact of carbon taxes on low-carbon development and climate change mitigation. By constructing a cross-system bi-layer model, the study finds that reasonable carbon taxes can promote the stability of the energy network, reduce carbon emissions and air pollutants, and optimize production efficiency and the structure of the energy system. This study contributes to a better understanding of the effects and implementation pathways of carbon taxes.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Konstantin Born, Mehmet Metehan Ciftci
Summary: Increasing recycling of metals is important for reducing reliance on mining, but it cannot fully meet future metal demand. Primary production of metals is expected to continue rising, highlighting the need for alternative circular economy strategies such as demand reduction and mitigating harmful impacts of primary metal production.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yinqiu Ma, Lin Huang, Jiahui Li, Wei Cao, Yumei Cai
Summary: Afforestation and reforestation, such as China's Grain for Green Program, have shown to effectively mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to carbon sink capacity. This study highlights the significant carbon potential of the program and its potential application in other countries to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Arlind Dervishaj, Kjartan Gudmundsson
Summary: This paper reviews digital tools for supporting the Circular Economy (CE) in the built environment and provides suggestions. The study identifies limitations in the functionalities of current tools, including a lack of representative data for LCA and underdeveloped circularity indicators. Further development is needed in terms of interoperability aspects, integration of more sources of data for LCA and circularity, and possibilities for a comprehensive evaluation of design choices.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mohamadreza Y. Azarfam, Anuj Maheshwari, Frank D. Blum, Siddhesh Chaudhari, Clinton Switzer, Ranji Vaidyanathan, Jay C. Hanan, Sudheer Bandla
Summary: This study introduces a feasible method for manufacturing recycled composites using post-consumer carpets and recycled resin. The resulting composites have impressive strength and modulus, surpassing commercial thermoplastics and making them suitable for structural applications. This research presents a promising approach to address carpet landfilling and reduce reliance on additives.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pujiang Shi, Tianle Huang, Hong Kit Lim, Chiew Kei Tan, Jong-Min Lee, Chor Yong Tay
Summary: This study developed a highly porous bioadaptive 3D sponge-like construct from plastic materials in discarded keyboards for advanced in vitro applications. The findings demonstrate the potential of using discarded keyboards as a waste-to-resource feedstock to achieve waste reduction and maximize value-capture.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kuo-Jui Wu, Hailing Qiu, Caiyan Huang, Anthony S. F. Chiu, Ming-Lang Tseng
Summary: Government resource allocation practices for achieving carbon neutrality should be guided by dynamic system theory to identify potential dynamics. Carbon intensity control dynamics have a significant influence on other dynamics.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)