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Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach
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Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Development Goals towards Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 27019

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Idiano D'Adamo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Computer, Control and Management Engineering Sapienza University of Rome, Via Ariosto 25, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: bioeconomy; biomethane; circular economy; e-waste; economic analysis; photovoltaic; renewable energy; sustainability; waste management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Massimo Gastaldi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics, University of L’Aquila,Via G. Gronchi 18, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Interests: green economy; real options; strategic managemen; managerial economics; economics analysis; energy economics; econometrics; supply chain; sustainable development goals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Manoj Kumar Nallapaneni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Interests: building-integrated photovoltaics; circular economy; sustainability and resilience; energy management; life cycle assessment; technoeconomic analysis; modeling and performance investigation of energy systems; solar for smart cities applications; advances in solar energy installations; microgrids; blockchain technology; Internet of Things
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The trend of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is strongly growing. Our task is to show how our work can cover the gaps in the literature and provide answers to current problems. These challenges must be met by starting with young people. It is up to them to build our confidence, so universities are called upon to provide the necessary tools to create a winning mix between new generations, public administration, and business. The concept we want to express in this Special Issue is to counteract non-doing, that is, those choices that do not lead to improving current situations. At the same time, we are aware that, sometimes, ideological approaches only look at specific aspects of sustainability without considering its three dimensions. Sustainable choices aim at stakeholder involvement, maintaining a balance of ecosystems. In this context, this Special Issue goes against sustainable washing practices. There are many challenges to overcome and all countries, developed and undeveloped, can contribute. In addition, the interdisciplinary approach needed to solve complex problems must be considered.

Reference

D’Adamo, I.; Gastaldi, M. Perspectives and Challenges on Sustainability: Drivers, Opportunities and Policy Implications in Universities. Sustainability 2023, 15, 3564.

Prof. Dr. Idiano D'Adamo
Prof. Dr. Massimo Gastaldi
Dr. Nallapaneni Manoj Kumar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • circular economy
  • economic analysis
  • environmental analysis
  • green economy
  • innovation
  • social analysis
  • stakeholder engagement
  • sustainable development goals
  • sustainable education

Published Papers (15 papers)

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Research

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54 pages, 1498 KiB  
Article
Achieving the 2030 Agenda: Mapping the Landscape of Corporate Sustainability Goals and Policies in the European Union
by Florentina Madalina Perevoznic and Voicu D. Dragomir
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2971; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su16072971 - 02 Apr 2024
Viewed by 615
Abstract
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) were introduced in 2015 to advance the 2030 Agenda of sustainable development in all supporting countries. The SDGs are applicable to countries, non-governmental organizations, industries, and companies. In this article, we focus on the contribution [...] Read more.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) were introduced in 2015 to advance the 2030 Agenda of sustainable development in all supporting countries. The SDGs are applicable to countries, non-governmental organizations, industries, and companies. In this article, we focus on the contribution of listed companies headquartered in the European Union (EU) to the SDGs. The EU intends to be the front-runner in the race for sustainable development and has adopted comprehensive strategies that mirror the UN SDGs. For this reason, we collected relevant data points from the Refinitiv Eikon database for 1156 companies headquartered in EU countries for the financial year 2022. The data collected refer to contributions to each SDG and the adoption of corporate sustainability policies. Data were statistically analyzed per country and sector to generate a comprehensive image of industry contributions to the SDGs in the EU. By applying a comparative analysis of country-level achievements and policies, the results point to four EU countries that are significant contributors to the SDGs through their economic activities. At the same time, other EU countries are still facing significant challenges in this domain. The socioeconomic considerations for these cases are laid out in the Discussion section. The present article offers a snapshot of corporate contributions to the SDGs as climate and geopolitical challenges become more prominent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)
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20 pages, 9576 KiB  
Article
Fuzzy Logic Method for Measuring Sustainable Decent Work Levels as a Corporate Social Responsibility Approach
by Alma Nataly Abundes-Recilla, Diego Seuret-Jiménez, Martha Roselia Contreras-Valenzuela and José M. Nieto-Jalil
Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 1791; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su16051791 - 22 Feb 2024
Viewed by 852
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to propose an interactive computer system that utilises the MATLAB Fuzzy Logic Designer to measure the level of implementation of SDG 8, which focuses on sustainable decent work (SDW) and economic growth. This study used policies and [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to propose an interactive computer system that utilises the MATLAB Fuzzy Logic Designer to measure the level of implementation of SDG 8, which focuses on sustainable decent work (SDW) and economic growth. This study used policies and laws as parameters to determine the presence or absence of SDW. The fuzzy method was implemented in car windshield manufacturing in the auto parts industry as a case study to define and quantify work conditions and to determine the level of sustainable decent work (SDWL). The study described environmental conditions, such as noise, lighting, and heat stress; ergonomic factors, such as exposure time, the mass of the object manipulated, and lifting frequency; and organisation at work, such as workplace violence, salary, and workday, as linguistic variables. The level of the presence or absence of SDW was defined as their membership functions. The resulting vectors determined the absence of SDW with a score of 1.5 in two linguistic variables: environmental conditions and ergonomic factors. Some features of SDW in the linguistic variable organisation at work had an SDW score of 5. The SDWL vector determined a final score of 1.24, indicating the absence of decent work in production areas. This study found that the workers suffer a lack of long and healthy lives and a bad standard of living without economic growth due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders and work illnesses, increasing their out-of-pocket spending and catastrophic health expenses. As a CSR approach, assessing SDWLs helped managers improve policies and work conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)
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18 pages, 1828 KiB  
Article
A Business Case for Climate Neutrality in Pasture-Based Dairy Production Systems in Ireland: Evidence from Farm Zero C
by Theresa Rubhara, James Gaffey, Gavin Hunt, Fionnuala Murphy, Kevin O’Connor, Enda Buckley and Luis Alejandro Vergara
Sustainability 2024, 16(3), 1028; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su16031028 - 25 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1154
Abstract
Agriculture in Ireland is responsible for producing and exporting healthy, nutritional food pivotal for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as global food security, economic development and sustainable communities. However, the agricultural sector, dominated by a large bovine population, faces the challenge [...] Read more.
Agriculture in Ireland is responsible for producing and exporting healthy, nutritional food pivotal for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as global food security, economic development and sustainable communities. However, the agricultural sector, dominated by a large bovine population, faces the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to reach climate neutrality by 2050. The objective of the current study was to model the environmental and economic impact of simultaneously applying farm-level climate change mitigation strategies for a conventional grass-based dairy farm in Ireland. An average farm of 52 ha with a spring-calving herd of 93 was used as a reference scenario to create a business case. Partial budgeting was used to calculate the annual net benefit. A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to model the reduction in GHG emissions, which was expressed as kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of fat- and protein-corrected milk (kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM). The baseline for average emissions was 0.960 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM. An average farm would reduce its annual emissions by 12% to 0.847 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM in Scenario 1, where climate change mitigation strategies were applied on a minimal scale. For Scenario 2, the emissions are reduced by 36% to 0.614 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM. In terms of annual savings on cash income, an increase of EUR 6634 and EUR 18,045 in net savings for the farm are realised in Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. The business case provides evidence that farms can move towards climate neutrality while still remaining economically sustainable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)
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17 pages, 856 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Impact of the Sustainable Development Goals on Sustainability Trends
by Eduardo Ordonez-Ponce
Sustainability 2023, 15(24), 16647; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su152416647 - 07 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2378
Abstract
The SDGs have made a significant contribution to the sustainability movement, being used by many organisations from across sectors all over the world as their sustainability framework. However, have they impacted the previous trend of sustainability challenges just because of their existence? This [...] Read more.
The SDGs have made a significant contribution to the sustainability movement, being used by many organisations from across sectors all over the world as their sustainability framework. However, have they impacted the previous trend of sustainability challenges just because of their existence? This article aims to contribute to answering this question by statistically comparing the trends in the sustainability performance of the SDGs before and after they were launched in 2015. Data were collected for every SDG and their trends were quantitatively assessed using non-parametric tests, finding that most of the SDGs have not significantly improved and that most of the sustainability indicators are still performing poorly in developing countries. While this research is exploratory and does not assess the direct impact of the SDGs on sustainability, it suggests that for the most part, the SDGs have not significantly changed sustainability trends since they were launched in 2015, which is a concerning finding. This article should serve as a wake-up call to design more suitable sustainability frameworks as the SDGs expire in 2030, and for those using them to be more critical of their reach rather than being satisfied with a framework that although helping will not achieve its main goal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)
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25 pages, 2867 KiB  
Article
Advancing Biodiesel Production System from Mixed Vegetable Oil Waste: A Life Cycle Assessment of Environmental and Economic Outcomes
by Farayi Musharavati, Khadija Sajid, Izza Anwer, Abdul-Sattar Nizami, Muhammad Hassan Javed, Anees Ahmad and Muhammad Naqvi
Sustainability 2023, 15(24), 16550; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su152416550 - 05 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1239
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of biodiesel production from mixed vegetable oil waste using the life cycle assessment (LCA) model. Due to its huge potential, Pakistan is taken as a case study. It produces 468,842 tons of vegetable [...] Read more.
This study aims to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of biodiesel production from mixed vegetable oil waste using the life cycle assessment (LCA) model. Due to its huge potential, Pakistan is taken as a case study. It produces 468,842 tons of vegetable oil waste annually. As no biodiesel production plant exists to process it, the environmental performance of biodiesel prototypes has not been investigated. Therefore, the current study is conducted to support the design of a plant to produce biodiesel from mixed oil waste. An attributional LCA was conducted using ReCiPe (H) and found that 400 kg of biodiesel can be produced from 1 t of mixed oil waste. The results, based on a functional unit of 1 ton, showed that biodiesel production from mixed vegetable oil waste is more eco-friendly than the existing landfilling practices with a global warming potential of 1.36 × 10−4 kg CO2 eq, human toxicity of 5.31 kg 1.4 DB eq, ozone depletion potential of 0.00271 kg CFC-11 eq, eutrophication potential of 0.0118 kg P eq, acidification potential of 123 kg SO2 eq, and photochemical ozone formation of 51.4 kg NOx eq. Scenario modelling was conducted using electricity from photovoltaic solar cells, which decrease fine particulate matter formation from 44.5 to 0.725 kg PM2.5 eq, instead of using electricity from a grid to the plant. Hotspot identification was carried out to highlight the effects of individual impact categories. An economic analysis showed that 638,839 USD/year revenue would be generated. Generating energy from discarded vegetable oils through biodiesel production presents a sustainable and economically viable approach. This process benefits the environment and contributes to cost savings by reducing waste disposal in landfills. Furthermore, it aligns with the principles of a circular economy, in which resources are reused and recycled. It also supports the pursuit of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG-7, which focuses on affordable and clean energy, and SDG-12, which emphasizes responsible consumption and production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)
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22 pages, 6918 KiB  
Article
A Bibliometric Analysis of Circular Economies through Sustainable Smart Cities
by Ernesto D. R. Santibanez Gonzalez, Vinay Kandpal, Marcio Machado, Mauro Luiz Martens and Sushobhan Majumdar
Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15892; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su152215892 - 13 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1185
Abstract
The rapid pace of urbanization has presented cities worldwide with a range of complex issues pertaining to the management of resources, reduction of waste, and promotion of sustainable practices. The concepts of circular economies and sustainable smart cities have arisen as viable solutions, [...] Read more.
The rapid pace of urbanization has presented cities worldwide with a range of complex issues pertaining to the management of resources, reduction of waste, and promotion of sustainable practices. The concepts of circular economies and sustainable smart cities have arisen as viable solutions, converging to establish a revolutionary framework for the future of urban living. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis using literature focusing on the past ten years (2013–2022) of research on the circular economy and smart cities using VOSviewer. The most frequently used Scopus database was used to extract bibliometric data. 163 articles were considered for the analysis. This study utilizes co-authorship, co-occurrence, citation analysis and bibliographic coupling of author keywords while grap0hically mapping the bibliographic material using VOS viewer software Version 1.6.19. The bibliographic analysis reveals that the significant themes published in journals revolve around “circular economy”, “Sustainable development”, “sustainability”, “smart city”, “waste management”, “recycling”, “Sustainability”, “climate change”, “smart technologies”, “municipal solid waste”, “renewable energy”, and “planning”. The results would provide a robust base for more research in this area. The research work paves the way for future research in the related areas and issues of the domain, as it is an emerging issue in research, and many problems are untapped. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)
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18 pages, 1347 KiB  
Article
How to Shape Local Public Acceptance of Not-in-My-Backyard Infrastructures? A Social Cognitive Theory Perspective
by Wenling Bao, Yu Chen, Caiyun Cui, Bo Xia, Yongjian Ke, Martin Skitmore and Yong Liu
Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15835; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su152215835 - 10 Nov 2023
Viewed by 959
Abstract
Acceptance by the local public is the key determinant for the successful implementation of NIMBY (Not-In-My-Backyard) infrastructures and may be shaped in different ways among different infrastructure types. Based on social cognitive theory (SCT), this study clarifies the specific mechanism shaping local public [...] Read more.
Acceptance by the local public is the key determinant for the successful implementation of NIMBY (Not-In-My-Backyard) infrastructures and may be shaped in different ways among different infrastructure types. Based on social cognitive theory (SCT), this study clarifies the specific mechanism shaping local public acceptance of NIMBY facilities with two types of hazardous effects (i.e., pollution and psychological exclusion) using a large-scale questionnaire survey and structural equation model. The results reveal that, firstly, SCT provides a solid theoretical basis for exploring the mechanism under the joint action of environmental and personal factors. Secondly, it is verified that self-efficacy indirectly predicts local public acceptance by influencing perceived risk. The effect of the positive affect tag is mediated by perceived risk in shaping acceptance of polluting facilities but not of psychologically excluded facilities. In general, people tend to have a lower perceived risk, higher perceived benefit, stronger sense of self-efficacy, and more positive attitude when faced with the siting of psychologically excluded NIMBY facilities over polluting ones. These findings are helpful for planning and decision-making of NIMBY facilities with different types of hazardous impacts, reducing NIMBY conflicts and promoting the construction of NIMBY infrastructures. Furthermore, it contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 (promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development) and (SDG) 11 (building inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)
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28 pages, 6697 KiB  
Article
Prediction of Battery Remaining Useful Life Using Machine Learning Algorithms
by J. N. Chandra Sekhar, Bullarao Domathoti and Ernesto D. R. Santibanez Gonzalez
Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15283; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su152115283 - 25 Oct 2023
Viewed by 3028
Abstract
Electrified transportation systems are emerging quickly worldwide, helping to diminish carbon gas emissions and paving the way for the reduction of global warming possessions. Battery remaining useful life (RUL) prediction is gaining attention in real world applications to tone down maintenance expenses and [...] Read more.
Electrified transportation systems are emerging quickly worldwide, helping to diminish carbon gas emissions and paving the way for the reduction of global warming possessions. Battery remaining useful life (RUL) prediction is gaining attention in real world applications to tone down maintenance expenses and improve system reliability and efficiency. RUL forms the prominent component of fault analysis forecast and health management when the equipment operation life cycle is considered. The uprightness of RUL prediction is vital in providing the effectiveness of electric batteries and reducing the chance of battery illness. In assessing battery performance, the existing prediction approaches are unsatisfactory even though the battery operational parameters are well tabulated. In addition, battery management has an important contribution to several sustainable development goals, such as Clean and Affordable Energy (SDG 7), and Climate Action (SDG 13). The current work attempts to increase the prediction accuracy and robustness with selected machine learning algorithms. A Real battery life cycle data set from the Hawaii National Energy Institute (HNEI) is used to evaluate accuracy estimation using selected machine learning algorithms and is validated in Google Co-laboratory using Python. Evaluated error metrics such as Mean Square Error (MSE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), R-Squared, and execution time are computed for different L methods and relevant inferences are presented which highlight the potential of battery RUL prediction close to the most accurate values. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)
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19 pages, 1941 KiB  
Article
Monitoring the Performance of Sustainable Development Goals in the Italian Regions
by Idiano D’Adamo and Massimo Gastaldi
Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14094; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su151914094 - 22 Sep 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2194
Abstract
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a shared agenda among countries but also a rallying point for forward-looking policy dialogue. Analysis and monitoring of the SDGs are decisive steps in evaluating possible corrective actions. This paper aims to reach two research objectives: (i) [...] Read more.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a shared agenda among countries but also a rallying point for forward-looking policy dialogue. Analysis and monitoring of the SDGs are decisive steps in evaluating possible corrective actions. This paper aims to reach two research objectives: (i) providing methodological insights for the application of multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) in the evaluation of the SDGs and (ii) emphasizing the relevance of monitoring the outcomes of the SDGs by evaluating the Italian regions. For the first objective, an online survey among twenty academics is used, while for the second, an MCDA is proposed that compares the temporal performance of a sustainability score for each Italian region. The results, based on 27 targets, show that in 2021 the northern regions showed better performance, with the province of Trento topping the list. This is followed by Valle d’Aosta and the province of Bolzano, confirming the trio that emerged in the previous year. A very interesting fact is the growth of the central regions, which overall tend to reach a value close to that of the northern regions. In particular, Toscana, Marche and Lazio stand out for a good performance. It is also confirmed that the southern regions occupy the last places in the ranking with the only exception of Abruzzo. The implications of this paper suggest collaboration between different regions in order to achieve a social community in which resources and skills can be enhanced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)
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18 pages, 1966 KiB  
Article
Decent Work and Economic Growth in EU Countries—Static and Dynamic Analyses of Sustainable Development Goal 8
by Beata Bieszk-Stolorz and Krzysztof Dmytrów
Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 13327; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su151813327 - 05 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1450
Abstract
The goal of this research is a static geographic comparison of the degree of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG8) implementation and to compare its dynamics for the European Union (EU) in the period of 2002–2021 with the consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The [...] Read more.
The goal of this research is a static geographic comparison of the degree of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG8) implementation and to compare its dynamics for the European Union (EU) in the period of 2002–2021 with the consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The level of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development objectives is monitored both jointly and individually. This research uses the COPRAS, the Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) and the hierarchical clustering methods. The study confirmed the geographical diversity in the degree of SDG8 implementation. Nordic countries have the highest degree of implementation, while Greece, Spain, Italy, Romania and Slovakia have the lowest. Some less-developed countries (Czechia, Poland and Malta) were in the cluster where the implementation improved, and some well-developed countries (France, Luxembourg and Portugal) were in the cluster in which the situation did not improve or improved at a low degree. It was not possible to identify geographical diversity in the dynamics of changes in the degree of SDG8 implementation. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the decline in the degree of SDG8 implementation. The added value of the study consists of comparing the dynamics of the degree of implementation of SDG8 using the DTW method. The obtained conclusions may help to create policies for EU countries in this regard. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)
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12 pages, 2227 KiB  
Article
Chemical Engineering beyond Earth: Astrochemical Engineering in the Space Age
by Vassilis J. Inglezakis, Donald Rapp, Panos Razis and Antonis A. Zorpas
Sustainability 2023, 15(17), 13227; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su151713227 - 04 Sep 2023
Viewed by 2043
Abstract
The Space Race in the second half of the 20th century was primarily concerned with getting there and back. Gradually, technology and international collaboration opened new horizons, but human activity was mostly restricted around Earth’s orbit, while robotic missions were sent to solar [...] Read more.
The Space Race in the second half of the 20th century was primarily concerned with getting there and back. Gradually, technology and international collaboration opened new horizons, but human activity was mostly restricted around Earth’s orbit, while robotic missions were sent to solar system planets and moons. Now, nations and companies claim extraterrestrial resources and plans are in place to send humans and build bases on the Moon and Mars. Exploration and discovery are likely to be followed by exploitation and settlement. History suggests that the next step is the development of space industry. The new industrial revolution will take place in space. Chemical engineers have been educated for more than a century on designing processes adapted to the Earth’s conditions, involving a range of raw materials, atmospheric pressure, ambient temperature, solar radiation, and 1-g. In space, the raw materials differ, and the unique pressure, temperature and solar radiation conditions require new approaches and methods. In the era of space exploration, a new educational concept for chemical engineers is necessary to prepare them for playing key roles in space. To this end, we introduce Astrochemical Engineering as an advanced postgraduate course and we propose a 2-year 120 ECTS MEng curriculum with a brief description of the modules and learning outcomes. The first year includes topics such as low-gravity process engineering, cryogenics, and recycling systems. The second year includes the utilization of planetary resources and materials for space resources. The course culminates in an individual design project and comprises two specializations: Process Engineering and Space Science. The course will equip engineers and scientists with the necessary knowledge for the development of advanced processes and industrial ecologies based on closed self-sustained systems. These can be applied on Earth to help reinvent sustainability and mitigate the numerous challenges humanity faces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)
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18 pages, 324 KiB  
Article
Implications of Land Grabbing and Resource Curse for Sustainable Development Goal 2 in Africa: Can Globalization Be Blamed?
by Samuel Chukwudi Agunyai and Lere Amusan
Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 10845; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su151410845 - 11 Jul 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1985
Abstract
Globalization, as described by Joseph Stiglitz in his books Globalization and its Discontents and Making Globalization Work, draws on both pains and gains. These two seemingly incompatible positions, where globalization is used as a platform to partner or collaborate with other countries [...] Read more.
Globalization, as described by Joseph Stiglitz in his books Globalization and its Discontents and Making Globalization Work, draws on both pains and gains. These two seemingly incompatible positions, where globalization is used as a platform to partner or collaborate with other countries by grabbing lands for sustainable developmental initiatives such as the attainment of SDG 2, but ends up dispossessing the host communities of their lands, form the crux of this paper. Although not all land grabbing is illegal, especially if lands are leased within the confines of a country’s land tenure laws, the reality in some African countries shows that lands are grabbed without following land tenure laws. This partly limits the capacity of African countries to effectively control and monitor the activities of foreign land grabbers or investors on leased lands. This loophole in the governance of arable lands in Africa has made many foreign partners use Africa’s arable lands for their own benefit at the expense of Africa’s food sovereignty initiative. It has partly made Africa appear to be a resource-cursed region, where it can hardly feed its population despite its global partnerships and huge land resources. Drawing on systematic desktop reviews of the literature, this study asks if globalization is contributing to Africa’s hunger index and resource curse. The findings expand the discussion on how Africa is still not able to feed its population and end hunger, despite the potential offered by globalization. It suggests approaches through which Africa can optimize globalization in ways that support determined efforts at ending hunger in Africa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)

Review

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19 pages, 2178 KiB  
Review
Exploring Circular Economy Practices in the Healthcare Sector: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis
by Carlotta D’Alessandro, Katarzyna Szopik-Depczyńska, Małgorzata Tarczyńska-Łuniewska, Cecilia Silvestri and Giuseppe Ioppolo
Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 401; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su16010401 - 02 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1591
Abstract
The healthcare sector produces 2 gigatons of CO2. To address this impactful trend and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the adoption of circular economy (CE) practices could represent a strategic target. In this context, the present article provides a [...] Read more.
The healthcare sector produces 2 gigatons of CO2. To address this impactful trend and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the adoption of circular economy (CE) practices could represent a strategic target. In this context, the present article provides a systematic and bibliometric literature review of CE practices applied in the healthcare sector by considering the collected case studies. This study aims to analyze the state of the art in CEs in the healthcare sector in order to identify CE practices in healthcare, examining how they contribute to sustainability goals and the critical issues in their implementation. A final selection of 36 articles from reputable databases, Web of Science and Scopus, was obtained and analyzed using VOSviewer. By systematically examining these papers, the study investigates the key CE practices implemented within the healthcare sector and their respective areas of application, which help the broader mission of achieving SDG 12, and also, to a lesser extent, SDG 9. Although the research criteria impose some limitations, this study offers a comprehensive review of successful circular practices adopted in the healthcare sector while shedding light on existing gaps and providing valuable insights for relevant stakeholders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)
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26 pages, 3294 KiB  
Review
Impact of Power Interruption on Buildings and Neighborhoods and Potential Technical and Design Adaptation Methods
by Caroline Hachem-Vermette and Somil Yadav
Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15299; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su152115299 - 26 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3211
Abstract
This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of the impact of energy interruptions on people, buildings, and neighborhoods and discusses some technological and design strategies to mitigate some of these impacts. An exhaustive literature review was carried out employing keyword searches in the ScienceDirect [...] Read more.
This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of the impact of energy interruptions on people, buildings, and neighborhoods and discusses some technological and design strategies to mitigate some of these impacts. An exhaustive literature review was carried out employing keyword searches in the ScienceDirect and Scopus databases. The literature focuses mainly on 37 keywords, which occurred in more than two sources. Based on this literature survey, the paper highlights that, depending on their duration, power outages can have a severe impact on people, buildings, and neighborhoods. The lives of vulnerable individuals dependent on electrical medical devices can be threatened even in short-term power interruption scenarios. Longer-term power outages affect multiple aspects of daily life, such as communication, thermal comfort, life quality, transportation, health, and security, in addition to potential damage to buildings and their contents. The paper identifies and discusses various methods that can be implemented to reduce vulnerability and improve adaptation to climate-related power interruptions. These methods range from simple, low-tech solutions that enable users to temporarily cope with hours of interruption to more sophisticated methods requiring advanced planning. These adaptation and coping methods are classified according to various criteria, including their ease of implementation, accessibility, potential cost, ease of use by occupants, and their potential to address various needs. The paper finally discusses the impact of building and neighborhood design on improving adaptation to energy interruptions. High-performance building design can extend the time that a building can passively operate without reliance on mechanical systems for heating and for cooling. Building shape and geometry, as well as the spatial design of the neighborhood, can maximize solar access and therefore facilitate the implementation of PV and solar technologies. In addition, the design of mixed-use neighborhoods with access to various facilities and basic amenities assists in prolonging the self-reliance of the community as a whole. This work aligns with the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals: by identifying methods and technologies to reduce the impact of power interruptions and improve the energy resilience of urban areas around the globe, this work can contribute to the direct and indirect fulfillment of several Sustainable Development Goals (e.g., SDGs 7, 11, 13, and others). Although the work is performed in a North American context and specifically refers to the Canadian climate, the methodology can be implemented in other climatic and regional conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)
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24 pages, 1289 KiB  
Systematic Review
An Overview and Categorization of the Drivers and Barriers to the Adoption of the Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review
by Carina Pasqualotto, Daniela Callegaro-De-Menezes and Cornelius Stephanus Lodewyk Schutte
Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10532; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su151310532 - 04 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1701
Abstract
The adoption of the circular economy (CE) can help to solve the dilemmas of food, economic and social crises, environmental pollution, and continuous decreases in non-renewable resources, caused by the continuous increase in the size of the global population. Identifying drivers of and [...] Read more.
The adoption of the circular economy (CE) can help to solve the dilemmas of food, economic and social crises, environmental pollution, and continuous decreases in non-renewable resources, caused by the continuous increase in the size of the global population. Identifying drivers of and barriers to the CE is important for the implementation of the CE. In this context, this study aims to identify and categorize the drivers of and barriers to the adoption of the CE through a systematic literature review. In doing this, ten categories of drivers and barriers were identified: environmental, supply chain, economic, information, legal, market, organizational, public, social, and technological. The results of this study may contribute to the development of circular processes, the promotion of sustainability, and may encourage the implementation of the CE in many areas. The CE’s implementation can be a way to achieve some of the Sustainable Development Goals from the 2030 Agenda. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Goals: A Pragmatic Approach)
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