Search Results (249)

Climate change poses an escalating threat to cultural heritage (CH), driven by intensifying climate-related hazards and systemic vulnerabilities. In response, risk assessment frameworks and methodologies (RAFMs) have emerged to evaluate and guide adaptation strategies for safeguarding heritage assets. This study conducts a state-of-the-art (SotA) review of 86 unique RAFMs using a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-guided systematic approach to assess their scope, methodological rigor, alignment with global climate and disaster risk reduction (DRR) frameworks, and consistency in conceptual definitions of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Results reveal a growing integration of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)-based climate projections and alignment with international policy instruments such as the Sendai Framework and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). However, notable gaps persist, including definitional inconsistencies, particularly in the misapplication of vulnerability concepts; fragmented and case-specific methodologies that challenge comparability; and limited integration of intangible heritage. Best practices include participatory stakeholder engagement, scenario-based modeling, and incorporation of multi-scale risk typologies. This review advocates for more standardized, interdisciplinary, and policy-aligned frameworks that enable scalable, culturally sensitive, and action-oriented risk assessments, ultimately strengthening the resilience of cultural heritage in a changing climate. Full article

Non-point source (NPS) pollution continues to pose threats to ecosystems and NPS pollution control represents a significant global challenge. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of 1328 studies on the assessment of NPS pollution control, collected from the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection database for the period between January 1993 and April 2025. The analysis encompassed multiple dimensions, including annual publication volume, most prolific authors and journals, top funding organizations, and keyword co-occurrence. Results reveal a consistently accelerating publication trend, with China and the United States emerging as the most prominent contributors. The findings highlight a distinct evolution in research focus—from early efforts centered on pollutant source tracing and model-based simulations of best management practices (BMPs), such as SWAT and AnnAGNPS, to more holistic, multidimensional assessments that integrate economic, environmental, ecological, and social dimensions to support multi-objective optimization. Future directions are expected to emphasize non-structural measures and promote the development of globally standardized evaluation frameworks for NPS control strategies, thereby enhancing cross-regional comparability and aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Full article

The European Union (EU) is striving to achieve its goal of being climate-neutral by 2050. Aligned with the European Green Deal and in search of means to decarbonize its urban environments, the EU advocates for smart positive energy districts (PEDs). PEDs contribute to the United Nations’ (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs) of “Sustainable Cities and Communities”, “Affordable and Clean Energy”, and “Climate Action”. PEDs are urban neighborhoods that generate renewable energy to a higher extent than they consume, mainly through the utilization of innovative technologies and renewable energy sources. In accordance with the EU 2050 aim, the PED concept is attracting growing research interest. PEDs can transform existing energy systems and aid in achieving carbon neutrality and sustainable urban development. PED is a novel concept and its implementation is challenging. This study aims to present the emerging technologies enabling the proliferation of PEDs by identifying the main challenges and potential solutions to effective adoption and implementation of PEDs. This paper examines the importance and utilization of cyber-physical systems (CPSs), digital twins (DTs), artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing, and blockchain technologies, which are all fundamental to the creation of PEDs for enhancing energy efficiency, sustainable energy, and user engagement. These systems combine physical infrastructure with digital technologies to create intelligent and autonomous systems to optimize energy production, distribution, and consumption, thus positively contributing to achieving smart and sustainable development. Full article

This study examines the establishment of a Hub for Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis (HUB-CEIS) centred on a forest biomass waste plant in Fundão, Portugal, presenting an innovative model for rural industrial symbiosis, circular economy governance, and sustainable waste management. Designed as a strategic node within a reverse supply chain, the hub facilitates the conversion of solid waste into renewable energy and high-value co-products, including green hydrogen, tailored for industrial and agricultural applications, with an estimated 120 ktCO₂/year reduction and 60 direct jobs. Aligned with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, this initiative addresses global challenges such as decarbonization, resource efficiency, and the energy transition. Employing a mixed research methodology, this study integrates a comprehensive literature review, in-depth stakeholder interviews, and comparative case study analysis to formulate a governance framework fostering regional partnerships between industry, government, and local communities. The findings highlight Fundão’s potential to become a benchmark for rural industrial symbiosis, offering a replicable model for circularity in non-urban contexts, with a projected investment of USD 60 M. Special emphasis is placed on the green hydrogen value chain, positioning it as a key enabler for regional sustainability. This research underscores the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in achieving scalable and efficient waste recovery processes. By delivering practical insights and a robust governance structure, the study contributes to the circular economy literature, providing actionable strategies for implementing rural reverse supply chains. Beyond validating waste valorization and renewable energy production, the proposed hub establishes a blueprint for sustainable rural industrial development, promoting long-term industrial symbiosis integration. Full article

The United Nations (UN) framework defines indicator 13.1.1 as the number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected individuals due to disasters per 100,000 population. This indicator is associated with target 13.1, which calls for urgent actions against climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. However, there is a lack of official data providers and well-established methodologies for assessing the resilience of populated areas to natural disasters. Earth observation (EO), geospatial technologies, and local data may support the estimation of this indicator and, as such, enhance the resilience of specific communities against hazards. Thus, the present study aims to enhance the capacity to monitor Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) using the abovementioned technologies. In this context, a methodology that integrates ecoregion-specific model training and flood potential related geospatial datasets has been developed to estimate the number of houses affected by floods. This methodology relies on disaster-related databases, such as the UN’s DesInventar, and flood- and exposure-related data, including precipitation and soil moisture products combined with hydro-modelling based on digital elevation models, infrastructure datasets, and population products. By integrating these data sources, different machine learning regression models were trained and stratified by ecoregions to predict the number of affected houses and, as such, provide a more comprehensive understanding of community resilience to floods in the Sahel region. This effort is particularly crucial as the frequency and intensity of floods significantly increase in many areas due to climate change. Full article

The anthropogenic deployment of plastic waste, especially petroleum-based plastics with toxic hydrocarbons, presents a significant environmental and health threat in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Herein, the high demand and rapid plastic production, coupled with improper disposal and inadequate waste management, have led to widespread contamination of air, water, and soil. Conventionally, plastic waste management, such as incineration and recycling, provides limited long-term solutions to this growing crisis. This necessitates urgent, sustainable, and eco-friendly remediation techniques to mitigate its far-reaching environmental implications. This comprehensive review focused on sustainable and eco-friendly techniques by exploring strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of plastic waste management. Bioremediation techniques were found as potential solutions for addressing plastic waste in SSA. This paper examines advancements in physiochemical methods, the challenges in managing various plastic types, and the role of enzymatic and microbial consortia in enhancing biodegradation. It also explores the potential of genomic technologies and engineered microbial systems to convert plastic waste into valuable products, including bioenergy via bio-upcycling. These bioremediation strategies align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), offering a promising path to reduce the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution in the region. This paper also considers future directions of integrating AI-powered recycling systems to facilitate the development of a circular economy in SSA. Additionally, this paper provides progress and future perspectives on bioremediation as a sustainable solution for plastic waste management in SSA. Full article

Millets, often known as “nutri-cereals”, have garnered renewed global interest due to their numerous health benefits, rich nutritional composition, resilience to extreme climatic conditions, and minimal environmental footprint. The advent of rice and wheat as staple foods in the 1960s led to drastic decline in millet cultivation worldwide. Recognizing the importance of millet, the United Nations (UN) declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets in an effort to accomplish Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG-2), i.e., zero hunger, by increasing millet production and fostering research and development to improve the integration of these grains into mainstream food systems. In recent years, global production of millets has surged, with India leading as the top producer. Millets are nutritionally advantageous, consisting of carbohydrates, antioxidants, and biologically active compounds such as flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acids, minerals, and vitamins. Incorporating millets into a balanced diet can help control and prevent diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammation, and malnutrition due to their enriched vital nutrients, low glycemic index, and gluten-free nature. This indicates a transition of millets from an “orphan crop” to being used as ingredients for products (with or without fermentation) that are nutrient-rich, climate-resilient, sustainable, and health-promoting. Full article

Cities’ role as major hubs of human activity and economic development is essential in attaining sustainable development, fostering a balance between economic, social, and environmental development, especially in light of the growing concern over Anthropocene-induced environmental issues like global warming and climate change. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a historic call for coordinated international action in this area, with SDG 11 specifically identifying “Sustainable Cities and Communities” as a primary objective. Therefore, it is clear that a paradigm shift in our approach to these challenges in terms of our thinking, sensibility, behavior, and responses is necessary. Implicitly, in view of their pivotal role in environmental sustainability, development of “smart” cities as healthy, citizen-friendly, economically viable, and sustainable cities for our future generations in today’s globally integrated world, as predominant centers of human settlement and activity with multinational enterprises driving economic growth, gains the immediate attention of researchers. In this light, this study aims to identify and thereafter prioritize key indicators of a smart city using the structured and consistency-focused best–worst multi-criteria decision-making (BWM) method, suitable for expert-driven decision-making with limited comparisons. While the UN’s SDG 11 promotes safe and resilient cities, our findings suggest a disparity in how local officials prioritize certain dimensions such as safety or recreation. This disconnect warrants closer examination of localized policy drivers. The findings of this study indicate that according to experts, among others, the priority themes are, in order, water and sanitation, wastewater, health, the environment, and the economy. Thus, these represent a key take-away for multinational enterprises for identifying and assessing significant thrust domains and areas of opportunity for intervention and contribution to the UN SDGs. It also enables a replicable framework for synergy between the public and private sectors towards contrastive intervention in other cities across the globe. Full article

The proliferation of electronic goods manufacturing and the subsequent rise in electronic waste (e-waste) generation necessitate the establishment of efficient Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) reverse logistics systems, fostering collaborative efforts among manufacturers, retailers, and government agencies. Given its importance, this theme has received considerable attention in recent literature. This study focused on investigating the relationships between socio-spatial characteristics and the distribution of WEEE collection points in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. To this end, data mining (DM) techniques were applied to generate rules representing knowledge that explains the relationship among the considered variables. The results achieved (accuracy 81.25% and Kappa statistic 74.71%), indicating consistent patterns, demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach to aid WEEE reverse chain management. From a practical point of view, the knowledge produced is an important support for decision-making on the installation of new collection points, considering the socio-spatial characteristics of the target locations. In addition, this research contributes to the responsible management of solid waste recommended by the Brazilian National Solid Waste Policy (NSWP), as well as to the advancement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), by fostering sustainable practices in waste management and resource utilization within urban contexts. Full article

As bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect and destroy bacterial cells, they can be considered natural bactericides that can either directly or indirectly contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) on health and well-being, food production and food security, as well as environmental protection and climate change mitigation, thus contributing to the success of the European “One Health” strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance in humans, animals, plants, and the environment. The biological activity of lytic bacteriophages can operate in the fields of microbiology and biotechnology for clinical, veterinary, agricultural, and industrial applications, among others, to achieve the proposed goals, mainly because the phages can help increase crop productivity by reducing bacterial diseases; constitute alternative therapies against infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria; can reduce populations of pathogenic bacteria that contaminate soil and water, therefore ensuring healthier and safer food production; and they can help reduce environmental pollution caused by the presence of agrochemicals and antibiotics. Phage-based therapies developed through research and innovation have the potential to promote greater global food security and health in a more environmentally friendly and eco-sustainable way. Full article

Pakistan’s water quality and water management are at a crucial juncture, especially in the underdeveloped province of Baluchistan. The fifth most populous country, which ranks fifth in the global climate vulnerability index, confronts evolving water security challenges, which are complicating its national security matrix. Water shortages are escalating swiftly due to increasing demand across all sectors that utilize water. The burgeoning population, increasing from 175 million in 2010 to an estimated 247 million in 2025, and the adverse impacts of climate change are seriously affecting water quality and availability. This is exacerbated by persistent political instability and internal security issues, disincentivizing potential investors in the water sector in Pakistan in the short to medium term. The quality of water for drinking purposes is declining fast due to scarcity and contamination from various sources. The political promise of ensuring safe drinking water for the residents of Baluchistan remains an election slogan due to the persistent disparity between promises and implementation. The study involves a physical examination of water samples collected from various sectoral geographical zones of Baluchistan in the laboratory testing process to ascertain the quality of water. To develop a comprehensive picture, the samples were collected from both rural and urban areas in designated zones, ensuring that samples were representative of the entire province. In the last stage of the investigation process, the sample results have been compared with minimum safe standards instituted for drinking water by national and international organizations. Laboratory testing results indicate a significant decline in the quality of drinking water in Baluchistan; in most cases, the samples could not meet the permissible safe ranges outlined in Pakistan’s National Quality Standard (NQS) framework for drinking water and WHO guidelines. The persistent decline in water quality and water availability poses serious challenges to the attainment of UNSDG number 6 regarding the provision of clean drinking water to the inhabitants by 2030. The study provides incisive analysis and actionable recommendations as a policy input to facilitate relevant ministries and organizations in mitigating the vulnerabilities of climate change, providing clean drinking water to inhabitants of Baluchistan, and addressing critical issues of water sustainability in Baluchistan as an evolving national security challenge. Full article

Higher education institutions (HEIs) primarily serve as centers of knowledge, capacity builders, and policy influencers and choose to voluntarily engage with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) as they are not mandated to implement them. In this paper, we examine the role of Saudi Arabian higher education institutions (HEIs) in sustainability efforts through their participation in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (THE IR) from 2019 to 2024. Also, the strategic alignment of HEIS with sustainability frameworks is assessed, emphasizing their contributions beyond ranking participation. Using the European University Association (EUA) and the UN-KSA Cooperation Framework (2022–2026), this study identifies both achievements and strategic gaps in HEIs’ contributions. Additionally, a comparative analysis with the Saudi Arabian Sustainable Development Report (SDR) of 2024 explores HEIs broader contributions. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) is applied to classify HEIs based on SDG engagement, identifying leading, partnering, and supporting HEIs for potential collaboration. The findings reveal a significant increase in HEI participation, rising from 4% in 2019 to 49% in 2024. However, persistent gaps exist, particularly in SDGs 1–2 and 12–15 (addressed by fewer than 10% of HEIs) and SDGs 7, 9–11, and 16 (targeted by fewer than 25% of HEIs). This study highlights the need for a structured strategic alignment beyond rankings, positioning HEIs as enablers of sustainability driven education, research, and institutional governance. Full article

Fermented products represent ecological niches for developing microorganisms of interest as bio-resources for improving human well-being. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are frequently associated with food fermentations and represent relevant biotechnological resources for enhancing the overall quality of foods and beverages. Among the other potential applications, LAB isolated from traditional fermented foods can play a significant role in addressing malnutrition in developing countries, positively modulating the finished products’ nutritional quality. Nigeria represents an excellent model region to explore this topic as (i) it is a country where the magnitude of phenomena associated with malnutrition is high; (ii) there is a significant effort linked to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN); and (iii) there is an interesting diversity of traditional fermented foods and beverages. In nations such as Nigeria, fermented foods are integral to infant and young child nutrition, often serving as complementary foods. This review proposes a detailed overview of traditional Nigerian fermented products, including ogi, gari, fufu, lafun, kunu-zaki, masa, wara, kobele, abacha, pito, and burukutu. An overview of the microbial diversity associated with these matrices is also provided, considering a specific focus on LAB responsible for the spontaneous fermentation of various Nigerian foods. We underlined the potential of different LAB species/stains to produce vitamins naturally, particularly B-group vitamins, suggesting strategies that can be followed for in situ biofortification, enhancing the nutritional value of fermented products. In general, the review, summarizing data on microbial diversity presented in principal traditional fermented foods and beverages in Nigeria, supports future studies to exploit the potential of LAB species/strains from fermented foods to combat micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries, such as Nigeria, with the objective to mitigate hidden hunger and alleviate malnutrition in vulnerable populations. Full article

Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) has been widely adopted in construction and emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional natural aggregates in the construction industry. However, the study of holistic perspectives in recent literature is lacking. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of RCA, highlighting its properties, applications, and overall sustainability benefits to facilitate the comprehensive points of view of technology, ecology, and economics. This paper explores the manufacturing process of RCA, examines its mechanical and durability characteristics, and investigates its environmental impacts. Furthermore, it delves into the various applications of RCA, such as road construction materials, pavement bases, and concrete materials, considering their life cycle performance and economic considerations. This review reveals that there is a need for systemic data collection that could enable automated concrete mix design. The findings concerning various mix concrete designs suggest that increasing the 1% replacement level reduces the compressive strength by 0.1913% for coarse RCA and 0.2418% for fine RCA. The current critical research gaps are the durability of RCA concrete, feasibility analyses, and the implementation of treatment methods for RCA improvement. An effective life cycle assessment tool and digitalization technologies can be applied to enhance the circular economy, aligning with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (UN-SDGs). The equivalent mortar volume method used to calculate the RCA concrete mix design, which can contain chemical additives, metakaolin, and fibers, needs further assessment. Full article

The motivation for this research stems from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), specifically SDGs 7, 11, 12, and 13, which focus on the mitigation of climate change and sustainable economic development. This study examined the impact of renewable energy use, institutional quality, and production expansion on consumption-based carbon dioxide (CCO₂) emissions in BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) from 1996 to 2020. To achieve this, we applied advanced econometric techniques, including second-generation cointegration and unit root tests, along with the novel panel method of moments quantile regression (MMQR). The Westerlund cointegration test confirmed the presence of a long-run co-movement among renewable energy usage, economic growth, institutional quality, and environmental quality, suggesting a stable equilibrium relationship between these variables. The results from MMQR reveal that GDP has a positive and statistically significant effect on CCO₂ emissions across all quantiles, indicating that economic expansion contributes to environmental degradation. In contrast, renewable energy consumption and institutional quality show negative and significant impacts on CCO₂ emissions, indicating their mitigating effect on environmental deterioration. As a robustness check, the findings from fixed-effect OLS (FE-OLS), generalized method of moments (GMM), and common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG) estimations broadly confirm the results of MMQR. These findings underscore the importance of renewable energy consumption and strong institutional frameworks in promoting environmental sustainability. Full article