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Environments
Special Issues
Balancing Energy and Environmental Sustainability: Innovations, Impacts, and Pathways
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Balancing Energy and Environmental Sustainability: Innovations, Impacts, and Pathways

A special issue of Environments (ISSN 2076-3298).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2025 | Viewed by 3471

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tamíris Da Costa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Biosystems & Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
Interests: life cycle assessment; environmental analysis; bioenergy production; biomass feedstock; food residues; waste valorisation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Nick Holden

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Biosystems & Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
Interests: life cycle assessment; sustainability of food systems; livestock production; dairy processing; agricultural waste valorization; resource depletion; carbon footprint; water quality; soil quality and social impacts
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Daniele Costa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
VITO—EnergyVille, Unit Smart Energy and Built Environment (SEB), Thor Park 8310, 3600 Genk, Belgium
Interests: life cycle assessment; life cycle sustainability assessment; energy systems; renewable energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Mateus Guimarães da Silva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Environmental Modeling & Monitoring Laboratory (LAMMAM), Federal University of Pampa, UNIPAMPA, Caçapava do Sul, RS, Brazil
Interests: life cycle assessment; carbon footprint; GHG inventory; biofuel, biomass feedstock; coal mining
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The world stands at a crossroads where our choices profoundly impact the planet's future. Climate change, driven by human activities, has led to more frequent and severe weather events, disrupted ecosystems, and rising sea levels. Simultaneously, biodiversity loss, deforestation, and pollution are undermining the Earth's natural resilience. Amid these challenges, the quest for sustainable energy sources and practices has emerged as a linchpin in our efforts to mitigate and adapt to these environmental crises. In this context, this Special Issue aspires to delve deep into the confluence of energy and environmental sustainability, offering a fresh perspective through the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) prism. By adopting the life cycle perspective, we can unearth hidden trade-offs, uncover sustainable alternatives, and chart a course toward a more resilient and ecologically harmonious future.

We warmly invite researchers, academics, and practitioners from a wide spectrum of fields, encompassing qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, and modeling approaches to engage in a dialogue that transcends disciplinary boundaries. We invite you to share your expertise, findings, and innovative ideas in this Special Issue, where your work will reach a global audience of researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals.

The Special Issue will seek papers that examine applications, impact, and implications of multi-disciplinary approaches that explore the dynamic relationship between energy and environmental sustainability, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Renewable Energy Technologies;
  • Solar and Wind energy;
  • Hydrogen systems;
  • Waste-to-Energy;
  • Bioenergy and Biomass ;
  • Bioenergy Feedstocks ;
  • Thermochemical conversion;
  • Biofuels for Transportation;
  • Energy Efficiency Measures;
  • Energy Storage Systems and Batteries;
  • Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS);
  • Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Systems;
  • Socioeconomic Aspects in the LCA of Energy Systems;
  • Policy and Regulation.

Together, we can illuminate pathways toward cleaner energy production, resource-efficient consumption, and a regenerative relationship with our environment.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Energies.

Dr. Tamíris Da Costa
Prof. Dr. Nick Holden
Dr. Daniele Costa
Prof. Dr. Mateus Guimarães da Silva
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Environments is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable energy
  • life cycle assessment
  • environmental impact
  • carbon footprint
  • climate change
  • resource efficiency
  • circular economy
  • case studies
  • modeling approaches
  • cleaner production

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 2995 KB  
Article
Photovoltaic System for Residential Energy Sustainability in Santa Elena, Ecuador
by Angela García-Guillén, Marllelis Gutiérrez-Hinestroza, Lucrecia Moreno-Alcívar, Lady Bravo-Montero and Gricelda Herrera-Franco
Environments 2025, 12(8), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12080281 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1024
Abstract
The instability of the energy supply, growing demand and the need to reduce carbon emissions are priority challenges in developing countries such as Ecuador, where power outages affect productivity and generate economic losses. Therefore, solar energy is positioned as a sustainable alternative. The [...] Read more.
The instability of the energy supply, growing demand and the need to reduce carbon emissions are priority challenges in developing countries such as Ecuador, where power outages affect productivity and generate economic losses. Therefore, solar energy is positioned as a sustainable alternative. The objective of this study is to evaluate a pilot photovoltaic (PV) system for residential housing in coastal areas in the Santa Elena province, Ecuador. The methodology included the following: (i) criteria for the selection of three representative residential housings; (ii) design of a distributed generation system using PVsyst software; and (iii) proposal of strategic guidelines for the design of PV systems. This proposed system proved to be environmentally friendly, achieving reductions of between 16.4 and 32 tonnes of CO2 in the first 10 years. A return on investment (ROI) of 16 years was achieved for the low-demand (L) scenario, with 4 years for the medium-demand (M) scenario and 2 years for the high-demand (H) scenario. The sensitivity analysis showed that the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) is more variable in the L scenario, requiring more efficient designs. It is proposed to diversify the Ecuadorian energy matrix through self-supply PV systems, which would reduce electricity costs by 6% of consumption (L scenario), 30% (M scenario), and 100% (H scenario). Although generation is concentrated during the day, the net metering scheme enables compensation for nighttime consumption without the need for batteries, thereby improving the system’s profitability. The high solar potential and high tariffs make the adoption of sustainable energy solutions a justifiable choice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Balancing Energy and Environmental Sustainability: Innovations, Impacts, and Pathways)
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21 pages, 1908 KB  
Article
Energy Footprints, Energy Sufficiency, and Human Well-Being in Iceland
by Kevin Joseph Dillman, Anna Kristín Einarsdóttir, Marta Rós Karlsdóttir and Jukka Heinonen
Environments 2025, 12(7), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12070238 - 11 Jul 2025
Viewed by 823
Abstract
In the intersecting field of energy consumption and human well-being, many macro-level studies link national energy use with well-being. These studies often rely on aggregate data, however, limiting insights into intra-national inequities and diverse well-being outcomes. To bridge this gap, this study used [...] Read more.
In the intersecting field of energy consumption and human well-being, many macro-level studies link national energy use with well-being. These studies often rely on aggregate data, however, limiting insights into intra-national inequities and diverse well-being outcomes. To bridge this gap, this study used a single Nordic survey that allowed for the calculation of consumption-based energy footprints alongside well-being measures, focusing on Icelandic participants. A factor analysis of well-being responses identifies four factors: Eudaimonic, Financial, Housing/Local, and Health-related well-being. We found that well-being in Iceland largely remains decoupled from energy footprints across income and consumption groups, except for financial well-being. However, these groups differ significantly in consumption lifestyles and associated footprints, with only a small fraction of consumers maintaining energy use within global sufficiency thresholds. Most exceed these levels, suggesting that Iceland could reduce energy consumption without significantly harming well-being. Future research should explore strategies to lower consumption without triggering negative social reactions or declines in well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Balancing Energy and Environmental Sustainability: Innovations, Impacts, and Pathways)
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14 pages, 2110 KB  
Article
Exploring Lignocellulose-Based Renewable Diesel’s Potential for Texas Freight
by Hongbo Du and Raghava R. Kommalapati
Environments 2025, 12(5), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12050157 - 8 May 2025
Viewed by 1176
Abstract
The abundant availability of crop waste and forestry residues in Texas provides great potential for producing renewable diesel in the local towns of Texas. This study aims to evaluate the environmental impacts of renewable diesel use in Texas transportation and the potential of [...] Read more.
The abundant availability of crop waste and forestry residues in Texas provides great potential for producing renewable diesel in the local towns of Texas. This study aims to evaluate the environmental impacts of renewable diesel use in Texas transportation and the potential of renewable diesel production in Texas. The GREET model was used to customize the life cycle pathway of renewable diesel and evaluate its environmental impacts. The models of renewable diesel produced from forestry residue and corn stover were built to calculate life cycle gas emissions of combination short-haul heavy-duty trucks fueled with renewable diesel. Life cycle GHG emissions of renewable diesel are much lower than those of low-sulfur diesel. However, with respect to renewable diesel derived from corn stover, life cycle PM10 and PM2.5 emissions were almost double those of low-sulfur diesel in 2024, and both emissions will be reduced by 37–38% in 2035. The life cycle emission trends of SOx, black carbon, and primary organic carbon are very similar to those of PM10 and PM2.5. The total cost of ownership (TCO) of heavy-duty trucks using renewable diesel produced from forestry residues or corn stover would be 10.3–14.8% higher than those consuming regular low-sulfur diesel in Texas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Balancing Energy and Environmental Sustainability: Innovations, Impacts, and Pathways)
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