Search Results (84)

Waste-to-energy (WtE) are clean technologies that support a circular economy by providing solutions to managing non-recyclable waste while generating alternative energy sources. Despite the promising benefits, technology adoption is challenged by financing constraints, technical maturity, environmental impacts, supporting policies, and public acceptance. A growing number of studies analyzed the acceptability of WtE and identified the factors affecting the adoption of WtE technologies. This study aims to analyze these research hotspots, technologies, and acceptability factors by combining bibliometric and systematic analyses. An initial search from the Web of Science and Scopus databases identified 817 unique documents, and the refinement resulted in 109 for data analysis. The results present a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art, providing researchers a basis for future research directions. Among the WtE technologies in the reviewed literature are incineration, anaerobic digestion, gasification, and pyrolysis, with limited studies about refuse-derived fuel and landfilling with gas recovery. The identified common factors include perceived risks, trust, attitudes, perceived benefits, “Not-In-My-BackYard” (NIMBY), awareness, and knowledge. Moreover, the findings present valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and WtE project planners to support WtE adoption while achieving sustainable, circular, and low-carbon economies. Full article

Environmental problems, along with the increasing energy demand and high electricity costs in the agricultural sector, justify the need to explore renewable energy sources in order to improve irrigation efficiency and sustainability. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyse the feasibility of installing floating photovoltaic panels in the irrigation ponds of irrigation communities (ICs) in the province of Alicante. To this end, a practical case study based on the operating data of a photovoltaic installation on an irrigation pond, which shows 31% self-consumption and a 27% reduction in energy costs, is presented. Based on these results, this type of installation has been considered for the rest of the ponds in the province of Alicante, with an estimated total investment of EUR 130 million and annual savings of EUR 23 million in energy costs. Additionally, barriers such as the initial investment and the need for public financing for large-scale implementation are identified. Finally, it is concluded that the adoption of floating photovoltaic energy represents a key opportunity to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, mitigate environmental impact, and promote the circular economy in the agricultural sector. Full article

The transition to a circular economy is essential for enhancing sustainability and resource efficiency, particularly in forestry-dependent regions. This study examines circular economy business models (CEBMs) in Kouvola, Finland, focusing on the utilization of forestry by-products. It compares two case studies: Keltakangas Waste Station, which processes wood waste into biogas, and Koumet, a forestry company producing biochar. Using a comparative case study approach, this research integrates financial analysis (2020–2023), interviews with managers, and policy reviews to assess economic performance, scalability, and environmental impact. Additionally, this study introduces a generalizable framework—Scalability Path Dependency (SPD)—which theorizes how early strategic decisions shape the long-term growth trajectories of circular business models. The findings reveal that Keltakangas follows a capital-intensive model with declining profit margins, while Koumet operates a resource-efficient model with stable but low profitability. Their scaling strategies diverge: Keltakangas relies on external financing for expansion, whereas Koumet emphasizes cost efficiency and market diversification. Despite ongoing challenges related to infrastructure, regulation, and financial viability, both models contribute meaningfully to circularity. This study offers actionable insights for policymakers and businesses aiming to support sustainable forestry practices. Full article

Under China’s dual-carbon strategy, the construction sector still lacks a systematic quantitative view of what drives its shift to a circular economy. This study couples the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) with Total Adversarial Interpretive Structural Modeling (TAISM) to build a weighted, multi-layer model of the policy–market–organization–technology chain. DEMATEL measures causal strengths, and TAISM arranges the variables into five levels without subjective thresholds, revealing a five-stage activation pathway. Fiscal incentives and regulations start the cascade; market demand amplifies their effect into a “resonant resilience” mechanism that improves cost performance. Robustness tests show 87% hierarchy stability and causal variation within ±0.6%. Sensitivity checks indicate that policy support must supply at least 30% of total network weight, because market capital alone cannot meet circular-construction costs. A three-tier intervention—policy incentives, financial amplification, and digital decomposition via green finance, BIM, and material passports—is therefore recommended. Full article

From reviewing the literature, there was still a scarcity of research about direct and indirect relationships between fintech adoption (FA) and banks’ environmental performance (BEP), particularly in developing countries. Therefore, this is a pioneering study that empirically explored the impacts of FA on BEP in the Middle East (ME) region, considering the mediating role of green accounting practices (GAPs)—such as green banking practices (GBPs), green finance (GF), and circular economy practices (CEPs)—based on legitimacy and ecological modernization (EM) theories to address these research gaps. Based on a structured survey and convenience sampling technique, the primary data were obtained from a sample of 500 members of staff from banks in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, Iraq, and Jordan. The structural equation model (SEM) was utilized to investigate the relationships among this study’s variables. The findings indicated that FA positively and significantly impacts GBPs, GF, CEPs, and BEP, which answered the first research question. Furthermore, the linkage between FA and BEP is positively and significantly mediated by GBPs, GF, and CEPs; thus, the second research question was answered. The findings provide bank executives and policy makers with valuable understanding and suggestions to deploy more investments in eco-friendly practices to enhance the environmental performance (EP), societal legitimacy, and achieve competitive advantage. Additionally, collaboration among the banking institutions, governments, and international firms is essential to promote FA and GAPs and enhance the EP. Full article

The management of asbestos-containing waste (ACW) presents a significant environmental challenge due to the material’s widespread historical use and persistent toxicity. While landfilling remains the primary disposal method, it poses long-term environmental risks and conflicts with circular economy principles. Across Europe, large quantities of asbestos remain in building stock, including approximately 15 million tons in Poland, 4.5 million tons in Lithuania, and 1 million tons in Latvia. This study examines Latvia’s ACW management challenges and opportunities, combining theoretical analysis with empirical research. A large-scale survey (n = 2005) revealed significant gaps in public knowledge, with 28% of respondents willing to reuse asbestos-containing roofing despite recognizing its hazards, highlighting a critical disconnect between awareness and behavior. The study also assessed Latvia’s pilot Asbestos Removal Program, demonstrating high public demand but limited funding capacity. Thermal treatment, particularly plasma vitrification, was identified as the most mature alternative to landfilling, though implementation barriers include high capital costs and specialized expertise requirements. Findings emphasize the need for sustainable financing mechanisms, such as a differentiated landfill tax, to ensure the long-term viability of asbestos removal initiatives. Latvia’s experience provides valuable insights for other nations seeking to mitigate ACW-related health and environmental risks through improved policy frameworks and practical management solutions. Full article

This paper explores how bioeconomy-specialized clusters function as systemic intermediaries that support innovation, coordination, and business transformation in the transition to a circular bioeconomy. Using a qualitative case study methodology, we analyze how bioclusters in Romania enable SME development, knowledge transfer, and cross-sector innovation, ultimately strengthening regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. Findings highlight the role of clusters in supporting innovation management, access to financing, and policy alignment in the transition toward a circular bioeconomy. By fostering entrepreneurial networks, facilitating skill development, and supporting SME-driven innovation, clusters act as catalysts for inclusive and resilient business growth. This study highlights how clusters create an enabling environment by providing access to financing, technology, and market expansion opportunities. Although focused on a specific regional biocluster ecosystem, the findings underscore the scalability and replicability of this model across Europe, reinforcing its contribution to entrepreneurship, innovation, and regional economic development. This study contributes to the literature on entrepreneurial ecosystems and circular bioeconomy governance, emphasizing the role of clusters as intermediary organizations that facilitate business-led sustainability transitions. The findings offer practical insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers, outlining strategies to strengthen cluster-based innovation, enhance SME competitiveness, and embed circular practices into national and regional bioeconomy strategies. This paper’s added value lies in combining the Technological Innovation Systems (TIS) framework with empirical evidence from Romanian clusters—a context underexplored in current literature on circular bioeconomy transitions. Full article

Sustainable finance is critical for solving global concerns such as climate change, social inequality, and fostering a circular economy, which seeks to decouple economic progress from resource extraction and waste production. This study explores how sustainable finance tools, such as green bonds, microfinance, and impact investing, can advance financial inclusion and sustainable development in developing countries. Employing a mixed-methods approach that encompasses financial analysis alongside case studies from Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the study discerns both successful initiatives and ongoing challenges in reconciling CE objectives with financial accessibility. The results indicate that the global green bond issuance exceeded $575 billion in 2023, while efforts toward financial inclusion have enabled mobile money access for over 70% of the adult population in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nevertheless, the uptake of CE remains constrained, with merely 7.2% of materials within the global economy being classified as circular. These findings emphasize the necessity for integrated policies and innovative financial instruments to dismantle systemic obstacles and amplify sustainable finance solutions in resource-limited contexts. The study contributes to the literature by building on the existing frameworks and offering an integrated approach that provides empirical insights and pragmatic strategies for policymakers and financial institutions to enhance sustainable development and foster equitable economic growth, addressing gaps in traditional finance and regulatory frameworks to support circular economy adoption in resource-constrained nations. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) is considered an essential enabler of a circular economy (CE) in the construction industry. AI can significantly enhance the efficiency of applying innovative CE practices in other construction projects. However, it has not yet been fully integrated into the application of CE principles and has explicitly been overlooked in the context of timber construction. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining the potential contributions of AI applications to achieving CE in timber construction, as well as identifying the associated benefits and challenges. Through a mixed-methods approach, the research utilizes both qualitative data, collected through timber construction industry interviews, and quantitative analysis to explore professional construction perspectives and uncover actionable insights. The findings highlight the transformative potential of AI to enhance sustainability and operational efficiency in timber construction. Moreover, six potential benefits and 11 challenges for integrating AI and a CE in timber construction are identified that can act as an accelerator for advancing circularity in timber construction. Based on the results, the reduction in construction waste and facilitating the deconstruction and reuse process emerge as the most important benefits. Data obstacles, technological integration, finance and resources, and organizational and industry are determined as the main challenges. This study makes novel contributions to the field by providing empirical evidence in the form of qualitative and quantitative data, in addition to practical recommendations for advancing the integration of AI to promote CE goals and improve sustainability in the timber construction sector. Full article

Waste is a complex challenge that requires collaboration between multiple stakeholders to achieve a circular economy. In this context, there is a growing demand for digital solutions that integrate physical and digital infrastructure to create digital waste governance systems. Analog management, without accurate data, is becoming increasingly unfeasible in light of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Tools such as online geographic information systems (WebGIS) allow the collection and integration of large volumes of physical and human data and the establishment of a digital governance structure that brings together different technologies, tools and methods in the same environment. This article aims to present the State of the Art on the topics of zero-waste cities, WebGIS, and disruptive innovation. The article starts from the hypothesis that only a process of disruptive and systemic innovation in the value chain and urban solid waste management (MSWMS), supported by the principle of zero-waste cities, circular economy and webGIS, can effectively help to solve this problem. The research uses an exploratory literature review on the concepts of zero-waste cities, systemic innovation and webGIS applied to waste management, linking them to the theoretical framework of sustainability as a science and to Brazilian public policies, such as the National Solid Waste Policy (Law 12.305/2010), the National Circular Economy Policy (Law 1.874/2022) and the National Digital Government Strategy of Brazil 2024–2027 (ENGD). As a result, scientific publications on zero-waste cities increased from 2018 to 2023 and several countries have adopted zero-waste guidelines in waste management policies. WebGIS, remote sensing, geoprocessing and different technologies are increasingly being incorporated into waste management, generating significant impacts on the diversion of resources from landfills, mitigating climate change, and generating and/or adding value to the useful life of waste and garbage resources, in addition to the optimization and efficiency of collection operators and citizen engagement in public policies. Disruptive innovation has proven to be a concrete process to enable the transition from obsolete sociotechnical systems (such as the linear economy), where sustainable finance and environmental entities play a fundamental role in orchestrating and coordinating the convergence of private, public and civil society actors towards this new sustainable development paradigm. The case study proved to be fruitful in proposing and encouraging the adoption of such methods and principles in municipal waste management, allowing us to outline a first conception of a digital government structure and digitalization of public services for zero-waste cities, as well as pointing out the difficulties of implementing and transforming these systems. This digital governance structure demonstrates the possibility of being replicable and scalable to other cities around the world, which can materialize an important tool for the implementation, articulation and development of a long-term sustainable development paradigm, based on the vision of the circular economy and zero-waste cities. Full article

The greenhouse effect and global warming, driven by the accumulation of pollutants, such as sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and CO₂, are primarily caused by the combustion of fossil fuels and volcanic eruptions. These phenomena represent an international crisis that negatively impacts human health and the environment. Several studies have reported novel carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, promising solutions. Notable methods include chemical absorption using solvents, and the development of functionalized porous materials, such as MCM-41, impregnated with amines like polyethyleneimine. These technologies have demonstrated high capture capacity and thermal stability; however, they face challenges related to recyclability and high operating costs. In parallel, biodegradable polymers and hydrogels present sustainable alternatives with a lower environmental impact, although their industrial scalability remains limited. This review comprehensively analyzes CO₂ capture methods, focusing on silica-based porous supports, polymers, hydrogels, and emerging techniques, like CCUS and MOFs, while including traditional methods and a bibliometric analysis to update the field’s scientific dynamics. With increasing investigations focused on developing new CCUS technologies, this study highlights a growing interest in eco-friendly alternatives. A bibliometric analysis of 903 articles published between 2010 and 2024 provides an overview of current research on environmentally friendly carbon capture technologies. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and India are leading research efforts in this field, emphasizing the importance of scientific collaboration. Despite these advancements, implementing these technologies in industrial sectors with high greenhouse gas emissions remains scarce. This underscores the need for public policies and financing to promote their development and application in these sectors. Future research should prioritize materials with high capture capacity, efficient transformation, and valorization of CO₂ while promoting circular economy approaches and decarbonizing challenging sectors, such as energy and transportation. Integrating environmentally friendly materials, energy optimization, and sustainable strategies is essential to position these technologies as key tools in the fight against climate change. Full article

This paper examines the complex interplay between environmental management (EM) and decarbonization, highlighting how these domains can be seamlessly integrated to create a comprehensive framework for sustainable futures in the energy sector. The framework emphasizes the adoption of green technologies, energy efficiency measures, and innovative carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies and infrastructures. Central to this approach are circular economy principles, low-greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions production processes, and CCUS strategies. A conceptual model of the EM–decarbonization nexus, comprising six enablers, was developed and illustrated with practical examples from various countries and regions worldwide. The findings reveal significant progress in advancing EM and decarbonization efforts. However, additional support from governments and the private sector is imperative in areas such as research and development, equitable transfer of renewable energy technologies, infrastructure for energy transitions, energy storage systems, green financing mechanisms, public education and community outreach, public–private partnerships, international cooperation, active engagement in global organizations, and the deployment of digital solutions. By addressing these areas, a sustainable future for the energy sector can be realized. Full article

The production process of extra virgin olive oil, which is a strategic asset of the Italian agrifood sector, can be innovated in its impact on the environment, according to a dual approach: (a) with a view to a circular economy, acting on the waste it produces, either correctly disposing of it or effectively reusing it, and (b) with a view to emissions, reducing the carbon footprint that it generates, starting from the supply chain. This dual approach, clearly contributing to the circular economy paradigm and the achievement of a zero-emission economy, requires the sector to make significant investments in technological innovation. To this end, this study highlights the importance of the financial resources that can be obtained either through financial intermediaries, in particular banks, now able to provide green loans with a positive environmental impact, or through the financial markets and the use of securities issues, such as green bonds. Full article

Investigating the experience and improvement measures for China’s distinctive land supply participation in macro-control processes holds significance for full utilization of land policy. However, the spatial heterogeneity and its theoretical and comprehensive analysis of drivers are still poorly revealed. This paper uses spatial analysis methods and micro-scale big data on land transactions to depict the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of land supply, and analyses its driving mechanisms via an endogenous–exogenous factor framework and regression models. Land supply experienced fluctuating “growth–decline–growth” trends in 2001–2021, spatially showed a large cluster in the east, a small cluster in the center and scattering in the west, with the gravity center relocating southwest, and formed a multi-core, hierarchical, circular structure of high density in core cities, density in peripheral cities and sparseness in districts. Endogenously, total land resources and road accessibility facilitated land supply, while topographic relief and urban proximity showed inhibitory effects; land supply positively correlated with land finance dependence, officials’ appraisal pressure, local government competition and officials’ corruption but negatively related with fiscal tax revenues and fiscal transparency; construction land indicators directly determined land supply, while the intensity of use control restricted the conversion of arable land and weakened land supply. Exogenously, urbanization, industrialization, capital investment, technological innovation and marketization level promoted land supply, while the substitution of human capital reduced the demand for land; economic fluctuations showed non-significant relationships with land supply. Differentiated impacts of multiple factors on land supply pattern are emphasized and should be integrated into formulating land policy and optimizing land allocation. Full article

This systematic review critically examines the diverse applications of Blockchain technology in the food supply chain and identifies areas where its potential remains underutilized. By analysing 60 Blockchain-based frameworks, the study highlights the most frequently employed drivers such as transparency, traceability, and security within food supply chains. Additionally, underexplored applications such as food donation and redistribution, supply chain financing, animal welfare, food waste management, and data analysis are identified, revealing opportunities for further innovation. The research employed NVivo 14 to analyze the extent of Blockchain’s implementation in various food supply chain drivers, and the findings informed the development of a more diverse framework for Blockchain integration. Key insights demonstrate Blockchain’s transformative potential, particularly in enhancing data integrity, trust, and operational efficiency through its immutable ledger and smart contracts, which streamline transactions, cut administrative costs, and reduce fraud. In terms of sustainability and safety, Blockchain improves traceability, accelerates safety responses, promotes environmental sustainability by tracking resource usage, and enhances humanitarian efforts with transparent, efficient resource distribution. Additionally, Blockchain facilitates food waste reduction by optimizing inventory and distribution, while ensuring surplus food reaches those in need. The study concludes by offering a roadmap for future research, pointing toward untapped dimensions of Blockchain’s application in food traceability, sustainable supply chain management, and environmental & social impact. While the review provides a comprehensive understanding of Blockchain’s current usage in food supply chains, the scope is limited by the systematic review process and specific inclusion criteria. This study serves as a foundation for exploring Blockchain’s broader potential in shaping the future of food supply chains. Full article