Adaptation and Regional Resilience in the Context of Sustainable Development: Challenges, Perspectives, Disparities, and Dynamics

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the topics of adaptation and regional resilience in the context of sustainable development, with particular attention to challenges, regional disparities, innovation dynamics, as well as theoretical and practical perspectives. The green transformation, which shifts economies and societies toward environmentally sustainable pathways, requires technological, social, and organizational innovations, as well as close intersectoral and inter-regional collaboration. The success of this process depends on the effective implementation of green technologies in energy, industry, agriculture, and transport, while simultaneously reducing deep regional disparities (exclusion from resources) in access to human capital, infrastructure, and technology. Despite challenges such as high investment costs, the need for workforce reskilling, social resistance, and unequal access to resources, green transformation creates significant opportunities: new jobs, improved quality of life, energy security, and increased regional resilience to climate and economic changes. Social acceptance, ecological education, and the development of an innovation culture in regions are key elements of success. The green transformation process is dynamic and influenced by technological progress, global trends, climate policies, and geopolitics. It requires flexible policies, continuous monitoring, and readiness to adapt in order to ensure fair, long-term, and sustainable development that mitigates rather than deepens existing regional disparities. International and inter-regional cooperation, as well as knowledge and technology exchange, can significantly accelerate adaptive processes and support regional cohesion.

Aim

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the interrelations between green transformation, innovation, and sustainable development, with a particular focus on the impact of these processes on regional disparities, adaptability, regional resilience, and the dynamics of change. The Special Issue seeks to identify key challenges and perspectives for sustainable development in the context of ecological transformation, while exploring strategies that promote regional cohesion and socio-economic resilience. Additionally, special attention will be given to practical aspects, including monitoring transformation progress, evaluating the effectiveness of public policies and innovative regional strategies, and formulating recommendations for policymakers, local authorities, and the private sector.

Research Questions:

• How do innovations (technological, organizational, social) contribute to the progress of green transformation and sustainable development in different regional contexts?
• How does the green transformation affect existing regional disparities? Does it exacerbate them or create new opportunities for less-developed areas?
• Which challenges (economic, social, political, environmental) are most significant to achieving sustainable development, considering regional specificity?
• What perspectives and opportunities does the green transformation offer for regional development and the reduction of disparities, including in the context of new business models and economic sectors?
• How does the dynamics of change (technological progress, political shifts, global trends) shape the processes of green transformation and innovation development while simultaneously affecting regional disparities and resilience?
• Which strategies and public policies can effectively support green transformation and innovation development to reduce regional disparities and achieve sustainable development at all levels?
• Which indicators and monitoring methods can evaluate the effectiveness of the green transformation and levels of regional resilience?

Topics:

• The role of eco-innovations in accelerating green transformation in coal-dependent regions.
• The impact of green digital technologies on reducing regional disparities in Europe.
• Sustainable urban development strategies in the context of green transformation and innovative urban solutions.
• Financing green transformation: Challenges and perspectives for regional investments.
• Public policies supporting innovations for sustainable development and reduction in regional disparities.
• Social aspects of green transformation: Just transition and inequalities in access to new opportunities.
• Risk management and adaptation to climate change dynamics in the context of regional green transformation.
• Innovative business models in the green economy and their potential for regional development.
• The role of education, human capital, and innovation culture in driving green innovation and sustainable regional development.
• Energy transformation as a driver of innovation and its impact on regional disparities.
• The circular economy as a catalyst for innovation and a tool for regional sustainable development.
• Social innovations supporting green transformation and reducing disparities at the local level.
• Legislative and regulatory challenges for implementing green innovations in diverse regions.
• Future scenarios for regional development in the context of green transformation and innovation progress.
• Innovation clusters and collaborative networks as tools for supporting green transformation and enhancing regional resilience.
• Monitoring and evaluating transformation progress: Indicators of effectiveness and regional cohesion.

Dr. Paweł Dziekański
Prof. Dr. Grzegorz Drozdowski
Dr. Piotr Prus
Dr. Laura Smuleac
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• green transformation
• innovations (technological, social, organizational)
• sustainable development
• regional disparities
• regional cohesion and resilience
• economic, social, and governance challenges
• development perspectives
• dynamics of change
• eco-innovations
• public policies
• just transition
• regional adaptability
• collaborative networks and innovation clusters