Search Results (3)

This study focuses on the shift to a circular economy (CE) in the textile, apparel, and fashion (TAF) sectors, which generate tons of waste annually. Thus, embracing CE practices is essential for contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating PRISMA for systematic literature selection, BERTopic modeling and AI-driven SDG mapping, and case study analysis to explore emerging CE themes, implemented circular practices, and systemic barriers. Machine-learning-based SDG mapping reveals strong linkages to SDG 9 and SDG 12, emphasizing technological advancements, industrial collaborations, and circular business models. Moderately explored SDGs, namely, SDG 8, SDG 6, and SDG 7, highlight research on labor conditions, water conservation, and clean energy integration. Reviewing 655 peer-reviewed papers, the BERTopic modeling extracted six key themes, including sustainable recycling, circular business models, and consumer engagement, whereas case studies highlighted regulatory frameworks, stakeholder collaboration, and financial incentives as critical enablers. The findings advance institutional theory by demonstrating how certifications, material standards, and regulations drive CE adoption, reinforcing SDG 12 and SDG 16. The natural resource-based view is extended by showing that technological resources alone are insufficiently aligned with SDG 9. Using the Antecedents–Decisions–Outcomes framework, this study presents a structured, AI-driven roadmap for scaling CE in the TAF industry, addressing systemic barriers, and supporting global sustainability goals, highlighting how multistakeholder collaboration, digital traceability, and inclusive governance can improve the impact of CE. The results recommend that CE strategies should be aligned with net-zero targets, carbon credit systems, and block-chain-based supply chains. Full article

In this work, we compare the air quality benefits of a variety of future policy scenarios geared towards controlling EGU (electricity generating units) emissions between the present-day conditions and 2050. While these policies are motivated by reducing CO₂ emissions, they also yield significant co-benefits for criteria pollutants, such as ozone and PM_2.5. An integrated set of clean energy policies were examined to assess the time-varying costs and benefits of a range of decarbonization strategies, including business as usual and the Affordable Clean Energy plan, with a primary focus on others that look to achieve very low, if not zero, CO₂ emissions from the EGU sector by 2050. Benefits assessed include mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions as well as air quality co-benefits. In this introductory work, we describe the potential air quality changes from various clean air policies, to set the stage for upcoming work looking at health and monetized benefits. Emission changes for key pollutants are forecast using the Integrated Planning Model (IPM), which are then transformed into emission inputs for the Community Multiscale Air Quality Model (CMAQ). For all primary scenarios considered that achieve large greenhouse gas decreases, significant reductions in ozone and PM are realized, mainly in the eastern US, and all policies produce air quality benefits. Full article

With the recent shale gas boom, the U.S. is expected to have very large natural gas resources. In this respect, the key question is would it be better to rely completely on free market resource allocations which would lead to large exports of natural gas or to limit natural gas exports so that more could be used in the U.S.. After accounting for the cost of liquefying the natural gas and shipping it to foreign markets, the current price difference leaves room for considerable profit to producers from exports. In addition, there is a large domestic demand for natural gas from various sectors such as electricity generation, industrial applications, and the transportation sector etc. A hybrid modeling approach has been carried out using our version of the well-known MARket ALlocation (MARKAL)-Macro model to keep bottom-up model richness with macro effects to incorporate price and gross domestic product (GDP) feedbacks. One of the conclusion of this study is that permitting higher natural gas export levels leads to a small reduction in GDP (0.04%–0.17%). Higher exports also increases U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and electricity prices (1.1%–7.2%). We also evaluate the impacts of natural gas exports in the presence of a Clean Energy Standard (CES) for electricity. In this case, the GDP impacts are similar, but the electricity and transport sector impacts are different. Full article