Sustainability

36 pages, 6429 KB

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning for Energy Management in Fuel Cell Vehicles with Integrated Temperature Control

by Pengyi Deng, Yingjie Ji, Jibin Yang, Huaixiang Hu, Xingwei Xiao, Xiaohua Wu, Anlin Shen, Wenlong Wang, Yiqiang Peng and Yu Liang

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8844; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178844 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

The coupled effects of power distribution and stack temperature strongly influence hydrogen economy, durability, and operating stability in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) vehicles. This study proposes an integrated energy–thermal management strategy based on the multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient (MADDPG) algorithm [...] Read more.

The coupled effects of power distribution and stack temperature strongly influence hydrogen economy, durability, and operating stability in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) vehicles. This study proposes an integrated energy–thermal management strategy based on the multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient (MADDPG) algorithm for a PEMFC hybrid bus. The energy management agent regulates PEMFC power using vehicle demand, battery state of charge, and stack temperature, while the thermal management agent controls coolant and air mass flow rates using temperature errors and commanded PEMFC power. Under the unseen CHTC-C cycle, MADDPG reduces equivalent hydrogen consumption by 0.49% and 1.79% compared with SAC and DDPG, respectively, while remaining 2.92% above the offline dynamic programming benchmark. Under an independent real-world bus cycle, MADDPG reduces the maximum stack outlet temperature deviation by 98.56% and 98.07%relative to SAC and MPC, respectively. Additional tests under ambient temperature and aging variations show bounded thermal responses without retraining, and HIL experiments confirm real-time execution at a 1 s control period. Overall, the proposed strategy improves energy economy, thermal regulation, adaptability, and real-time applicability through coordinated power–temperature information exchange. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI and Data-Driven Solutions for Sustainable and Resilient Energy Systems)

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31 pages, 3773 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bouncing Forward or Locking In? Crisis-Era Decisions and Transformative Resilience in Istanbul’s Housing Development Sector

by Seyma Oztas and Sevkiye Sence Turk

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8843; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178843 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

This study addresses organizational adaptation under conditions of prolonged market instability within capital-intensive real estate sectors. It investigates the multidimensional alignment between crisis-era decisions and reported post-crisis organizational actions among 144 active housing developers in Istanbul. A two-stage analytical method was employed: nonlinear [...] Read more.

This study addresses organizational adaptation under conditions of prolonged market instability within capital-intensive real estate sectors. It investigates the multidimensional alignment between crisis-era decisions and reported post-crisis organizational actions among 144 active housing developers in Istanbul. A two-stage analytical method was employed: nonlinear canonical correlation analysis (OVERALS) evaluated the global association between the two action sets, while co-occurrence network analysis and bridge centrality identified the structural positioning of individual practices. The findings indicate a non-random pattern of association that is broadly consistent with evolutionary resilience perspectives, without implying direct causal relationships or testing temporal performance shifts. Knowledge-oriented and relational practices—specifically corporate social responsibility, R&D and new market activity, and consultant reports—exhibited the highest cross-set connectivity with reported post-crisis adjustments. Defensive actions displayed more heterogeneous cross-set positions: project suspension was non-bridging under the baseline threshold, whereas budget control retained a comparatively prominent position in the bridge-strength ranking. This pattern suggests that defensive actions were not uniformly peripheral within the observed network. Overall, this study offers an exploratory framework for understanding how crisis-era action configurations correspond to reported organizational practices in highly volatile urban property markets. Full article

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30 pages, 394 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Development and Quality of Democracy: 2002–2016, Exemplified Contemporary Historical Global Model in Interdisciplinary Transdisciplinarity (New IT)

by David F. J. Campbell

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8842; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178842 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

The analysis investigates how governance, policymaking, and democracy connect within the framework of sustainable development (as a manifestation of sustainability). It argues that sustainable development should be treated as a core standard for evaluating quality of democracy, alongside freedom, equality, and control, by [...] Read more.

The analysis investigates how governance, policymaking, and democracy connect within the framework of sustainable development (as a manifestation of sustainability). It argues that sustainable development should be treated as a core standard for evaluating quality of democracy, alongside freedom, equality, and control, by this expanding democracy into a four-dimensional (Quadruple) model. A key issue is balancing sustainability with existing democratic principles and managing trade-offs. Using data from 2002 to 2016, a relatively stable period in world development, the model shows how democracy and its quality can be assessed globally. Because it offers practical guidance for governance, policy, and strategy, the model is considered transdisciplinary, described as a form of “New IT” (Interdisciplinary Transdisciplinarity). Full article

19 pages, 782 KB

Open AccessArticle

Facilitating the Sustainable Development of VR Technology in Cultural Heritage: Setting Precise Adoption Goals

by Fan Yang, Yang He, Haiqing Tang, Chi Zhang, Yizhuo Li, Wenkuan Li and Yixin Shao

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8841; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178841 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

Cultural heritage serves as a vital driver for achieving sustainable development goals, and the application of virtual reality (VR) technology in this domain can effectively advance these objectives. However, the rapid development and iteration of VR technology have spawned diverse VR types, yet [...] Read more.

Cultural heritage serves as a vital driver for achieving sustainable development goals, and the application of virtual reality (VR) technology in this domain can effectively advance these objectives. However, the rapid development and iteration of VR technology have spawned diverse VR types, yet no research has clarified the advantages and disadvantages of different VR technology types when applied to cultural heritage. Misuse of VR technology may negatively impact the development of cultural heritage. Therefore, this study provides application guidance by evaluating the performance of three mainstream VR technology types—depth-image VR (DVR), panoramic VR (PVR), and 3D reconstruction VR (3DVR)—across five dimensions in cultural heritage contexts: user engagement, intrinsic motivation, presence perception, creativity, and learning outcomes. Findings indicate that DVR, with its superior operability and high fidelity to the real world, is recommended for tourism applications. PVR, characterized by higher attention retention compared to other VR forms, is better suited for educational sectors focused on learning outcomes or skills training. For cultural heritage contexts prioritizing creativity development, both DVR and PVR are more appropriate. The findings of this study provide a reference guide for cultural heritage practitioners and VR technology developers, helping researchers understand the strengths and weaknesses of different VR technologies across various metrics to achieve the sustainable development of cultural heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI-Driven Sustainability in Heritage Science)

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21 pages, 2697 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Cultivated Land Multifunctionality and Their Responses to Cultivated Land Quantity Change in Sichuan Province

by Xingyu Chen, Youhan Wang, Qian Li, Kun Zeng, Julin Li, Qin Liao and Chanjuan Zan

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8840; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178840 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

Scarcity of cultivated land resources and socioeconomic expansion have diversified cultivated land utilization modes. This research takes 183 county administrative units across Sichuan Province as research samples to build a three-dimensional (production, living, ecological) evaluation framework for cultivated land multifunctionality. Entropy weight method, [...] Read more.

Scarcity of cultivated land resources and socioeconomic expansion have diversified cultivated land utilization modes. This research takes 183 county administrative units across Sichuan Province as research samples to build a three-dimensional (production, living, ecological) evaluation framework for cultivated land multifunctionality. Entropy weight method, multifunctionality index and sensitivity model are applied to quantify the spatiotemporal evolution of cultivated land functions across 2013–2023, and to detect the response intensity of multifunctionality to cultivated land quantity variation. Results indicate the following: (1) During 2013–2023, Sichuan’s cultivated land production function (PF) maintained stability, showing a contiguous east-high–west-low spatial pattern. The living function (LF) experienced moderate growth with scattered high–low values but shared identical spatial differentiation rules; the ecological function (EF) declined slightly with a decelerated decreasing rate in the late research phase, and its high- and sub-high-value areas agglomerated in the Eastern Sichuan Basin and mountainous area of Southwest Sichuan. (2) Provincial cultivated land area slightly increased initially then declined, yielding a slight total reduction while the overall spatial layout remained consistent. (3) Comparison between 2013–2018 and 2018–2023 reveals that production function sensitivity decreased sharply, LF sensitivity fell moderately, and ecological function sensitivity climbed upward. Investigations into spatiotemporal evolution and sensitive responses of cultivated land multifunctionality deliver vital theoretical and practical implications for mitigating conflicts between regional cultivated land protection and exploitation, as well as advancing efficient land resource allocation and coordinated promotion of multifunctions. Full article

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23 pages, 1148 KB

Open AccessArticle

Internet Use and Food Production: The Moderating Role of Institutional Quality in a Global Panel of 139 Countries

by Tuğçe Kaya

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8839; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178839 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

Internet connectivity has expanded rapidly across countries, but its relationship with food production may depend on institutional conditions. This study examines Internet use, institutional quality, and food production using a balanced panel of 139 countries from 2002 to 2022. The analysis uses Fixed [...] Read more.

Internet connectivity has expanded rapidly across countries, but its relationship with food production may depend on institutional conditions. This study examines Internet use, institutional quality, and food production using a balanced panel of 139 countries from 2002 to 2022. The analysis uses Fixed Effects models with country and year effects and Driscoll–Kraay standard errors. The direct coefficient of Internet use is not statistically significant. Government Effectiveness is positively associated with food production, while the direct coefficient of Control of Corruption is not statistically significant. The interactions of Internet use with both institutional indicators are negative and statistically significant. Marginal effects also vary across the institutional distribution. They are more positive at lower institutional levels, become insignificant at intermediate values, and turn negative at higher levels. The interaction results remain significant in several robustness checks, including models using mobile subscriptions, but are not reproduced with fixed broadband, first-difference models, CS-DL, or CCE-MG estimation. The findings indicate a conditional relationship between Internet use and food production, but this pattern is sensitive to the measure of connectivity and estimation method. The results are interpreted as associations rather than causal effects. Full article

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26 pages, 2176 KB

Open AccessReview

Investigating the Circularity Potential of Electric Vehicle Motors for Microgrid Applications in Sub-Saharan African

by Oreoluwa I. Olubamiwa, Stefan Botha, Nkosinathi Gule, Olayiwola Alatise and Udochukwu B. Akuru

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8838; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178838 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is surging globally as more EV units are bought year on year. As many EVs reach their end of life (EoL), there is a high probability that traction EV motors are still in working condition. Therefore, in [...] Read more.

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is surging globally as more EV units are bought year on year. As many EVs reach their end of life (EoL), there is a high probability that traction EV motors are still in working condition. Therefore, in this paper, the technical considerations around the repurposing of EoL EV motors for microgrid applications in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are discussed. The circular economy (CE) approach can help reduce the environmental impact of producing EV motors, and it can also enable renewable energy power generation in SSA, all of which closely align with sustainable development goals (SDGs) 7, 12, and 13. Firstly, commonly used motor topologies used in EVs are highlighted and differentiated by their features. Potential second life microgrid applications are outlined with off-grid wind power generation identified as being particularly suitable for the repurposed motors. Applicable electrical setups are discussed, after which electromagnetic performances of three selected EV motors in wind turbine environments are evaluated using finite element analysis (FEA) models. Finally, technical challenges facing the redeployment of these EV motors are discussed with recommendations for effective project implementations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microgrids, Electrical Power and Sustainable Energy Systems)

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34 pages, 23826 KB

Open AccessArticle

Risk Pathway Identification and Hierarchical Management of Water Mud Inrush in a Complex Urban Tunnel Group Beneath a Water-Rich Spoil Disposal Landfill: Implications for Sustainable Tunnel Construction

by Zhongsheng Tan, Baojin Zhang, Qinglou Li, Zhenliang Zhou, Zhanxian Li and Dawei Chen

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8837; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178837 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

When urban underground interchange tunnels pass beneath a water-rich spoil-disposal landfill, water–mud inrush risk is jointly controlled by artificial fill, geological conditions, tunnel-group construction disturbance, and environmental constraints. This study investigates the section beneath the Bujiuwo spoil-disposal landfill in the North Extension Project [...] Read more.

When urban underground interchange tunnels pass beneath a water-rich spoil-disposal landfill, water–mud inrush risk is jointly controlled by artificial fill, geological conditions, tunnel-group construction disturbance, and environmental constraints. This study investigates the section beneath the Bujiuwo spoil-disposal landfill in the North Extension Project of Qiaocheng East Road, Shenzhen, and aims to identify key risk factors and reveal their hierarchical transmission mechanism. Based on engineering investigation data, design documents, construction risk sources, and expert questionnaires, an indicator system containing 18 risk factors was established. The decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory method was used to calculate the influence degree, affected degree, centrality, causality, and centrality-derived weight of each factor. Adversarial interpretive structural modeling was then introduced to extract the topological hierarchy and identify key coupling loops. The results show that structural fissure water pressure, vertical clearance, landfill water level, emergency pumping and drainage capacity, and spoil-fill thickness act as key nodes in the DEMATEL risk-relation network. Two key loops were identified: the landfill water level–structural fissure water pressure loop and the vertical clearance–additional stress of tunnel group–damage rate of anti-seepage membrane loop. A hierarchical control strategy is proposed, including source control, channel blockage, construction disturbance control, monitoring, early warning, and emergency management. From a sustainability perspective, the proposed framework supports groundwater protection, pollution prevention, maintenance of landfill containment integrity, and reduction in construction-induced environmental risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Studies on Natural Hazards and Sustainable Civil Engineering)

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39 pages, 3242 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Acceptance Mechanism and Gender Differences in Urban Air Mobility in China Based on an Extended Technology Acceptance Model

by Youqian Zhu, Zehan Wu, Zhe Li and Haibo Wang

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8836; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178836 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

As a potential contributor to urban sustainability, the commercialization of Urban Air Mobility depends on social license rather than mere technical feasibility. To address the limitations of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in high-risk contexts, this study integrates trust, perceived risk, personal innovativeness, [...] Read more.

As a potential contributor to urban sustainability, the commercialization of Urban Air Mobility depends on social license rather than mere technical feasibility. To address the limitations of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in high-risk contexts, this study integrates trust, perceived risk, personal innovativeness, and governance expectation to construct an extended acceptance model tailored to China’s policy-driven institutional environment. Based on 567 valid samples analyzed via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Multi-Group Analysis (MGA), the results reveal three core mechanisms. First, perceived risk positively enhances perceived usefulness (β = 0.765, p < 0.001) via risk-induced cognitive reframing, indicating that the public rationalizes threats by amplifying the technology’s functional value. Second, trust exhibits a strong compensatory effect on perceived ease of use (β = 0.885, p < 0.001) and directly drives behavioral intention (β = 0.549, p < 0.001), serving as a heuristic to reduce perceived complexity in risky decisions. Third, governance expectation directly drives behavioral intention (β = 0.225, p = 0.004) and attitude (β = 0.201, p = 0.007), confirming the primacy of institutional trust in China. The model explains 50.5% of the variance in behavioral intention (R² = 0.505) and 48.6% in attitude (R² = 0.486). Notably, the direct effects of perceived ease of use on intention were non-significant, redefining TAM boundaries where safety supersedes efficiency. Finally, gender moderates the covariance between innovativeness and governance expectation (female β = 0.765 vs. male β = 0.720, C.R. = 3.196, p = 0.001), revealing higher institutional dependency among females. These findings elucidate the risk–trust institution nexus in UAM, offering empirical evidence for differentiated sustainable transport policies and marketing strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Transportation)

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32 pages, 10935 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Patterns of Urban Shrinkage and Growth in Selected Western European Countries

by Géza Tóth

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8835; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178835 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

This study analyses demographic processes within the Western European urban network using grid data from 2011 to 2021. The findings indicate that all countries in the region experience both urban shrinkage and growth, albeit to varying degrees. These processes differ significantly from the [...] Read more.

This study analyses demographic processes within the Western European urban network using grid data from 2011 to 2021. The findings indicate that all countries in the region experience both urban shrinkage and growth, albeit to varying degrees. These processes differ significantly from the European average. Belgium represents the extremes in population growth within urban grids, while Austria exemplifies the most pronounced population decline. Based on these demographic processes, five categories are proposed to classify the spatial patterns of city centres and agglomerations. Western European countries are also classified according to the extent to which urban growth and shrinkage determine their urban structure. Significant urban growth is evident in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Austria, while significant urban shrinkage is observed in France. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Sustainable Urban Planning and Urban Development)

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18 pages, 737 KB

Open AccessArticle

A System Function Perspective for Evaluation of College–Industry Cooperation Sustainability: Evidence from China’s Higher Vocational Education

by Xuan Cai and Yanli Xu

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8834; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178834 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

College–industry cooperation is an important means of promoting the sustainable development of both education and the economy. This study evaluates the current conditions and capacities of college–industry cooperation in 120 higher vocational colleges in China on the dimensions of input-output efficiency, structural coordination [...] Read more.

College–industry cooperation is an important means of promoting the sustainable development of both education and the economy. This study evaluates the current conditions and capacities of college–industry cooperation in 120 higher vocational colleges in China on the dimensions of input-output efficiency, structural coordination and behavioral capabilities, and identifies the main influencing factors, with a view to supporting educational and economic sustainability. It found that the overall efficiency score of 0.719 is at an above-average level, but some colleges are at a low level due to poor management technology in resource construction. The structural coordination score of 0.162 indicates a serious imbalance, and the weakness of cooperation modes between colleges and enterprises is a primary obstacle. The behavioral capabilities of college–industry can be divided into an advanced execution-oriented pattern and an emerging dynamic capability pattern based on the influence and characteristics of different aspects of capabilities, with most colleges still being underdeveloped in dynamic capability building. The capacities of college–industry cooperation that may support sustainability in “Double High–level Plan” colleges are better than those of ordinary colleges, indicating that the former aligns more closely with national policy programs. This study provides a new perspective to evaluate college–industry cooperation based on multiple criteria. These insights are of constructive significance for researchers, policymakers and practitioners to improve future development in college–industry cooperation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Advanced Methodologies for Sustainability Assessment: Theory and Practice)

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37 pages, 2747 KB

Open AccessArticle

Different Paths to Success, but a Common Source of Failure: The Configuration Path of Green and Low-Carbon Development for Large Mining Groups in China

by Dan Qiu and Bangjun Wang

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8833; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178833 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

China’s “Dual Carbon” goals impose rigid constraints on high-emission industries, yet why similarly endowed large mining groups exhibit divergent green and low-carbon performance remains poorly understood. The existing literature predominantly relies on single-factor net-effect analyses, failing to capture the configurational complexity and causal [...] Read more.

China’s “Dual Carbon” goals impose rigid constraints on high-emission industries, yet why similarly endowed large mining groups exhibit divergent green and low-carbon performance remains poorly understood. The existing literature predominantly relies on single-factor net-effect analyses, failing to capture the configurational complexity and causal asymmetry underlying transformation outcomes. To address this gap, we extend the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework by integrating a green practice dimension, constructing a TOE-P configurational model. Using balanced panel data of A-share listed mining companies from 2015 to 2025, we combine Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) with dynamic fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to identify the multiple conditions and combinational paths driving high green and low-carbon development. Our findings reveal three key insights. First, no single condition constitutes a necessary condition; high performance is inherently configuration-driven, requiring synergistic coordination among technology, organization, environment, and practice. Second, three equivalent paths, which are innovation breakthrough, regulation–innovation–practice synergy, and innovation-substitution-for-investment, emerge with green invention patents as the sole core condition shared across all paths, underscoring technological innovation as the foundational capability. Third, pronounced causal asymmetry exists between high and non-high outcomes; non-high performance stems from distinct mechanisms such as resource–practice decoupling rather than simply lacking success conditions. These results support differentiated, technology-driven transformation strategies and tailored policy designs for mining enterprises with varying resource constraints. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Transition and the Collaborative Governance for Reduction of Pollution and Carbon Emissions)

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24 pages, 8788 KB

Open AccessArticle

KD-PH-YOLO: Low-Power Infrared Defect Detection for Sustainable Photovoltaic Edge Inspection

by Feng Xing, Yuchuan Yang, Zhiying Yuan and Caiyan Qin

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8832; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178832 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

Infrared defects in photovoltaic (PV) modules captured during unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) inspection are typically small and low-contrast, while onboard edge platforms are constrained by memory, logic resources, and power consumption. To address these challenges, this paper proposes KD-PH-YOLO for PV infrared defect [...] Read more.

Infrared defects in photovoltaic (PV) modules captured during unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) inspection are typically small and low-contrast, while onboard edge platforms are constrained by memory, logic resources, and power consumption. To address these challenges, this paper proposes KD-PH-YOLO for PV infrared defect detection and deployment on the Zynq-7020 platform. Based on YOLOv8, PH-YOLO removes redundant deep-layer computation and introduces a P2 detection head to preserve fine-grained information for small defects. Hardware-friendly Weighted Feature Fusion (HWFF) and Lightweight Attention-CBAM (LA-CBAM) are incorporated to enhance multiscale feature fusion and defect responses. Soft-label and multiscale feature distillation are further employed to improve the lightweight student model without increasing inference complexity. For edge deployment, INT8 quantization and hardware-aware acceleration are applied to map the model onto the Zynq-7020. Experimental results show that KD-PH-YOLO achieves an mAP@0.5 of 92.4% with only 1.48 M parameters and 6.9 GFLOPs. After hardware deployment, the model retains an mAP@0.5 of 91.8%. The Zynq-7020 implementation achieves an average latency of 184.3 ms per frame and a throughput of 5.43 FPS, with power consumption of 3.2 W and an energy efficiency of 1.7 FPS/W. The proposed method therefore provides a favorable accuracy–complexity–energy-efficiency trade-off for resource-constrained PV edge inspection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Solar Power Systems and Applications)

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18 pages, 5105 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Road Solar Thermal Collectors Coupled to Borehole Thermal Energy Storage for Annual Climatization of a Multiplex Cinema in Italy: An Energy and Economic Analysis

by Liying Zhao, Elena Buoso, Riccardo Da Re, Luca Doretti, Giovanni Giacomello, Amir Maghssudipour, Marco Noro and Giorgia Dalla Santa

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8831; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178831 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

The European Union has set an ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and 90% reduction by 2040, through its Green Deal policy. A promising solution to this challenge lies in the adoption of Fifth-Generation District Heating Networks (5GDHNs) that operate at [...] Read more.

The European Union has set an ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and 90% reduction by 2040, through its Green Deal policy. A promising solution to this challenge lies in the adoption of Fifth-Generation District Heating Networks (5GDHNs) that operate at low temperatures, collecting and distributing heat from diverse sources (energy geostructures, asphalt pavement solar thermal collectors, industrial waste heat and waste heat from buildings’ cooling plants). The system’s design allows for heat storage underground, primarily during summer months, with distribution occurring via pipelines during winter. As part of the REHEAT project, a study has been conducted focusing on a simulation model developed using TRNSYS software. This model incorporates solar thermal collectors installed beneath the parking area asphalt pavements as a thermal energy source, coupled with a borehole thermal energy storage system. The setup is designed to meet the heating and cooling demands of a multiplex cinema situated in Northern Italy. The study presents the optimization of the system, reporting the monthly and annual data on energy balances and system efficiency. The findings demonstrate significant energy savings when compared to traditional heating and cooling systems (50.6% non-renewable primary energy reduction) and even greater CO₂ emission reduction (63.2%). Also, the economic analysis reveals positive results both from the point of view of operating costs and taking into account investment costs, highlighting the potential of 5GDHN as a sustainable solution for urban energy needs for a real case as the main novelty of this study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)

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46 pages, 53861 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Model Coupled Flood Risk Evaluation of Huaihe Anhui Reach for Sustainable Disaster Risk Reduction

by He Li, Chaojie Zheng, Yao Zhang, Lan Yang, Mi Wu, Hui Zhang, Benle Liu, Dandan Song, Yanfang Wang and Xin Li

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8830; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178830 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

The Anhui reach of the Huaihe River Basin features low-lying terrain, dense river networks, and high flood risk spatial heterogeneity, restricting regional socio-ecological sustainability. Traditional flood risk assessments suffer from incomplete indicators, subjective grading, and one-sided outputs when adopting single empirical or unsupervised [...] Read more.

The Anhui reach of the Huaihe River Basin features low-lying terrain, dense river networks, and high flood risk spatial heterogeneity, restricting regional socio-ecological sustainability. Traditional flood risk assessments suffer from incomplete indicators, subjective grading, and one-sided outputs when adopting single empirical or unsupervised clustering models. Based on disaster system theory, this study constructed a 14-indicator evaluation system covering hazard susceptibility, environmental sensitivity, and hazard-bearing vulnerability. Subjective-objective weights from Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and entropy weight were fused via game theory equilibrium to build the Game Theory-AHP-Entropy Weight Coupled FCE Model (GAE-FCE Model) for comprehensive flood risk quantification. Meanwhile, principal component analysis (PCA) was utilized for indicator dimensionality reduction, and two unsupervised clustering models, namely, K-Means and Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), were developed. Confusion matrix, Adjusted Rand Index, and correlation analysis were used to compare four model outputs. Individual models display weak correlation due to distinct risk characterization mechanisms; the ensemble scheme compensates single-model defects, achieving AUC = 0.9161, Recall = 0.9231, and F1 = 0.8889 under optimal weights, and a multi-model coupling framework was further proposed to obtain integrated flood risk zoning. Results show that five dominant factors (Distance to rivers, Topographic Roughness, NDVI, Distance to lakes, and Population Density) contribute over 59.6% of total weight. GAE-FCE reflects inundation characteristics yet lacks natural-factor comprehensiveness; clustering methods capture natural background differentiation but ignore socio-economic vulnerability, whereas ensemble coupling offsets individual model defects. High-risk zones are concentrated along major rivers, and low-risk areas mainly distribute in southern mountainous regions. This multi-model framework provides scientific support for flood prevention and territorial spatial optimization, advancing sustainable disaster risk reduction for the Huaihe River Basin and similar plain basins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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22 pages, 495 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainability Committees and Corporate Green Innovation: Evidence from Chinese A-Share Listed Firms

by Di Wu and Chao Wang

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8829; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178829 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

Does setting up a board sustainability committee change firms’ substantive operations, or does it merely attach a formal label to existing governance arrangements? The question is difficult to address, as committee adoption and innovation outcomes are both driven by unobserved firm traits. We [...] Read more.

Does setting up a board sustainability committee change firms’ substantive operations, or does it merely attach a formal label to existing governance arrangements? The question is difficult to address, as committee adoption and innovation outcomes are both driven by unobserved firm traits. We exploit the staggered establishment of sustainability committees among Chinese A-share listed firms from 2007 to 2023 to identify its causal impact. Using a difference-in-differences (DID) framework with 41,189 firm-year observations, committee establishment is associated with a meaningful rise in corporate green innovation, captured by the natural logarithm of granted green patent volumes. This result remains robust to a battery of alternative specifications, including dynamic event-study regressions that show no significant pre-treatment trends, a Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood (PPML) estimator that accommodates the count nature of patent data, a stacked difference-in-differences design that mitigates bias from heterogeneous treatment timing, high-dimensional industry-year fixed effects, sample adjustments that exclude the 2023 adoption cohort and heavy-polluting industries, entropy balancing, and alternative outcome measures based on green invention patents and a green transformation index. Three channels appear to underlie this effect. Committees promote formal environmental management and lower carbon intensity, elevate the firm’s green strategic emphasis and green transformation, and attract greater scrutiny from financial analysts and investors. The positive effect concentrates among firms located in regions with strong government environmental attention, firms with sound internal controls, and firms facing low financing constraints. The effect is statistically indistinguishable from zero for firms with weak environmental attention, weak internal controls, or severe financing constraints. The effect does not differ significantly between heavy-polluting and non-heavy-polluting industries, suggesting that it is not driven by industry-specific pollution characteristics. Overall, sustainability committees deliver tangible green innovation benefits, yet such improvements only materialize when external oversight alongside internal governance capacity and resource availability jointly support committee mandates. Full article

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28 pages, 940 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Intelligent Application to Green Performance: How Artificial Intelligence Reshapes the Carbon Emission Pathways of Energy Enterprises

by Xuelong Zhang, Xiaoling He, Mei Li, Jiuying Liang, Linrong Wu and Yunqi Yang

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8828; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178828 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

Against the combined backdrop of intensifying global climate governance, China’s carbon-peaking and carbon-neutrality goals, and the rapid deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) for low-carbon development, this study examines how AI adoption affects the carbon emission intensity of energy firms. Using panel data for [...] Read more.

Against the combined backdrop of intensifying global climate governance, China’s carbon-peaking and carbon-neutrality goals, and the rapid deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) for low-carbon development, this study examines how AI adoption affects the carbon emission intensity of energy firms. Using panel data for listed Chinese energy firms from 2010 to 2023 and fixed-effect models, we find that AI adoption significantly reduces carbon emission intensity; this result remains robust to alternative variable measures, lagged specifications, and other sensitivity tests. Executive digital background strengthens this effect, while the low-carbon city pilot policy provides a complementary institutional incentive that generates additional emission reductions when combined with AI. Mechanism tests indicate that AI lowers carbon emission intensity by increasing capacity utilization, improving supply-chain efficiency, and raising production efficiency. The effect is stronger in eastern and central China, state-owned enterprises, conventional energy firms than in western China, non-state-owned enterprises, and new-energy firms. These findings provide firm-level evidence on how AI facilitates the low-carbon transition of the energy sector and offers actionable implications for policy design and corporate strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Accelerating Decarbonization Through Sustainable Supply Chains and Energy–Transport Systems)

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23 pages, 950 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Preparing Learners and Teachers for an AI-Driven Future: Emerging Trends, Pedagogical Challenges, and Critical Perspectives in Pre-University AI Education: A Systematic Literature Review

by Inmaculada Caruana, Raquel Gilar-Corbí and Manuel Palomar

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8827; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178827 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into pre-university education has emerged as a priority area for educational research and development, prompting renewed attention to teacher preparation, curriculum design, and digital literacy. Motivated by Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) and the principles of [...] Read more.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into pre-university education has emerged as a priority area for educational research and development, prompting renewed attention to teacher preparation, curriculum design, and digital literacy. Motivated by Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) and the principles of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), this study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) examining research trends in AI education within pre-university educational settings. Following PRISMA guidelines, the review analysed 42 studies published spanning the period from 2009 to May 2026, although most were published from 2019 onwards. The findings identify four major thematic areas: teacher education, curriculum development and pedagogical foundations, AI literacy and ethical competencies, and the educational implications of generative AI. The evidence indicates that effective AI integration depends on teacher preparedness, structured curricular frameworks, and critical and ethical approaches that promote responsible digital citizenship and inclusive educational practices. The review also highlights the need to strengthen institutional policies, regulatory frameworks, and professional development. Research gaps include the scarcity of longitudinal studies, limited classroom-based empirical evidence, and the lack of standardised instruments for assessing AI literacy. Overall, the findings may inform inclusive, interdisciplinary, and pedagogically grounded educational models that enable the critical and responsible integration of AI, aligned with the development of equitable, resilient, and sustainable educational systems. Full article

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30 pages, 5409 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of PCB E-Waste, Microsilica, and Polypropylene Fibers on the Mechanical and Durability Performance of Concrete: An Experimental and Statistical Approach

by Srinivasan Krishnan, Rahesh Hari, Sai Gopal Krishna Bhagavatula, Krishna Prasad Rajan, Jayanarayanan Karingamanna and Mini K. Madhavan

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8826; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178826 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026

Abstract

This study focuses on the mechanical properties and durability performance of polypropylene (PP) fiber incorporated into M25-grade concrete using sustainable waste materials such as microsilica (MS) and grounded e-waste (EW). Cement is partly replaced with varying proportions of MS starting from 0 to [...] Read more.

This study focuses on the mechanical properties and durability performance of polypropylene (PP) fiber incorporated into M25-grade concrete using sustainable waste materials such as microsilica (MS) and grounded e-waste (EW). Cement is partly replaced with varying proportions of MS starting from 0 to 15% in the concrete mix. Ground waste printed circuit board (PCB) is utilized as the partial replacement for fine aggregate with varying content from 0 to 45%, addressing a major environmental issue related to EW disposal. Additionally, PP fiber content is varied from 0 to 0.6% to improve the strength and toughness characteristics of concrete. The mechanical properties and durability analysis of the samples are conducted to assess the performance of concrete containing MS, EW, and fibers. Optimization of these ingredients was carried out through design of experiments (DoE). The experimental validation mix (MEV) achieved a 28-day compressive strength of 33.66 MPa comparable to the control mix (M0) (35.76 MPa), exceeding the target design strength. The MEV mix exhibited enhanced durability, with the reduction in RCPT value attributed to the low chloride ion penetrability. Meanwhile, sulphate-induced compressive strength loss was diminished by 38% for MEV compared to the control mix, indicating improved stability against acid attacks. This work sheds light on the inclusion of these sustainable materials as a potential pathway to achieve superior mechanical and durability properties for concrete, providing a sustainable solution to the recycling of PCB e-waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Waste and Recycling)

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