Innovating for the SDGs: Scientific and Technological Pathways to Sustainable Development

Dear Colleagues,

This special issue aims to explore the role of scientific research, emerging technologies, and interdisciplinary innovation in the practical and concrete implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative intends to provide a space for academic discussion that brings together scholars and researchers from disciplines such as natural sciences, engineering, information technology, economics and social sciences, with the common goal of promoting original and high-level scientific contributions that are capable of demonstrating how current innovation can be translated into practical and tangible results in terms of sustainability.

Attention is paid in particular to studies and research that adopt systemic and integrated approaches, capable of transversally addressing the complexity of modern environmental, economic, and social challenges. Research that analyzes the potential of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, data science, the Internet of Things, renewable energy, and technologies for sustainable production, in supporting development paths oriented towards the SDGs, while considering the interactions, synergies, and trade-offs between different objectives, will be enhanced.

In addition to technical analysis, contributions that reflect on aspects related to practical implementation, scalability of the proposed solutions, relevance for public policies, and ethical and institutional implications are encouraged. It is desirable that articles highlight the transformative potential of science and technology in helping to overcome structural barriers such as inequalities, environmental degradation, and complexity in governance mechanisms.

The final goal of this special issue is to be able to stimulate critical and constructive reflection on how scientific innovation can be strategically aligned with global sustainability priorities, and how, as a consequence, it is possible to generate lasting impacts and guide collective action towards even more equitable, resilient, and inclusive development models.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Artificial intelligence and data science for SDG monitoring and decision-making
• Clean and sustainable energy technologies
• Smart infrastructure, urban systems, and IoT for sustainable cities
• Climate modeling and early warning systems
• Circular economy and sustainable production innovations
• Technological solutions for sustainable agriculture and water use
• Interdisciplinary approaches that integrate innovation with implementation
• Analysis of trade-offs and synergies among different SDGs

We welcome original and impactful contributions that advance the scientific and technological frontiers of sustainable development and help define the future trajectory of innovation in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Barbara Marchetti
Dr. Cristian Randieri
Guest Editors

Dr. Tommaso Mancia
Guest Editor Assistant

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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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.

• sustainable development goals
• life cycle assessment
• mitigation
• adaptation
• clean energy