Articles tagged with Sustainable Development
Researchers at Kyushu University discovered a lipid-rich banana peel coating that effectively preserves cherry tomatoes' freshness by reducing moisture loss and ripening. The coating, containing lipids, polysaccharides, and proteins, showed the most effective preservation performance, maintaining marketable quality for over 20 days.
Four established hybrid methods can be reduced to just two, combining detailed process data with global economic data to capture environmental impact. This simplification enables analysis without requiring in-depth mathematical knowledge, making life cycle assessment more accessible.
A decade of climate reporting scores from 8,959 firms reveals that gains among consistently disclosed companies improve more than the overall average, despite a widening reporting population. Detailed analysis of CDP scores finds that sustained reporting, governance, and data systems contribute to improved disclosures.
A Concordia study proposes a neighbourhood-scale framework to increase local resource self-sufficiency and reduce carbon footprint in Pointe-St-Charles. The model combines urban agriculture, solar power, rainwater harvesting, and local food-sharing networks, producing up to 30% of the neighbourhood's food demand and 14% of its building...
Researchers investigate Japan's first climate transition bonds, finding that investors demand higher returns due to uncertainty about environmental improvements. The study highlights the importance of clear transition plans and transparent reporting to strengthen investor confidence and reduce financing costs.
A new University of Melbourne-led study suggests that reducing battery sizes, extending lifetimes, and promoting shared mobility can help reduce predicted global carbon dioxide-equivalent LIB emissions to around half by 2050. Cleaner production methods, such as switching battery chemistries and greener factories, are also essential, bu...
Despite 143 countries having National Adaptation Plans, implementation is hindered by institutional capacity, project preparation, and finance issues. The 'missing middle' between planning and project development is a major challenge, requiring a country-driven process to strengthen an integrated delivery chain.
Concordia researchers found that mixing red mud with dredged sediment can reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from cement by 25-50%. The approach uses heated red mud to compensate for limitations in dredged sediment, producing stronger materials.
Researchers found that combining scientific monitoring with local knowledge can help inform conservation strategies in Indonesia's coral reef ecosystems. The study suggests that integrating local ecological knowledge with scientific monitoring can enhance community participation and development of conservation strategies tailored to th...
Researchers developed a fluorescent probe that changes color from red to green when detecting uranyl ions, a form of uranium contaminating water. The probe measured low concentrations accurately and showed promise for portable water monitoring, but further testing is needed.
Reforms to EU chemicals legislation create both opportunities and challenges for the green transformation in the pharmaceutical sector. Stakeholders view regulations as supporting sustainable practices, but also pose challenges, such as diverting resources away from sustainability measures.
The OS10 programme aims to develop open science infrastructure in accordance with UNESCO's Recommendation on Open Science. The collaboration between National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and PLOS will explore cooperation in sharing scientific research and open science resources.
The Groningen Sustainability Conference 2027 will bring together civil society, policymakers, and business to discuss the future of the SDGs. Key experts will contribute to formulating a core message for the final SDG Summit.
Piezocatalysis, a process that converts mechanical energy into chemical driving forces, can break down biomass's complex lignocellulosic structure under mild conditions. The review highlights the potential of piezocatalysis to drive cleaner biomass conversion, with promising applications in fuels, resins, and biodegradable polymers.
Nagoya Institute of Technology researchers develop ionic liquid membrane-based separation of nitrogen compounds from hydrocarbons in liquid fuels. The study demonstrates affinity-driven membrane-based separation, which selectively enriches pyridine and reduces hydrogen consumption.
Research shows that weather information alone won't shield poor livestock farmers from climate change impacts, highlighting the need for paired climate forecasts and risk-smoothing measures
The Frontiers Science House roadshow brings together world leaders and climate experts to address unresolved scientific disputes and policy bottlenecks in governance of climate intervention technologies and power, rewired: building the climate-energy future. The event aims to facilitate discussions and find solutions to pressing issues...
The study assesses the social, environmental, and economic sustainability of transporting green hydrogen internationally using liquid organic hydrogen carriers. The researchers emphasize the importance of balancing social, environmental, and economic aspects across the entire supply chain.
The Urban Mining Screener tool helps assess the potential resources within existing buildings, enabling recycling, reuse, and more accurate planning of building material flows. By analyzing geodata and building archetypes, the tool estimates materials used in buildings, providing valuable information for demolition contractors, manufac...
Researchers at The University of Osaka developed a light-responsive adhesive that can selectively detach from an illuminated surface without residue. The adhesive can be reused after heating, demonstrating reversible interfacial switching
A €8 million Horizon Europe grant will fund a project to develop practical tools and a transferable framework for creating sustainable neighborhoods. The Regenerative Neighbourhood Design Tool will help communities play a more active role in planning decisions, using immersive AR and VR tools to model and evaluate designs.
The study provides a practical framework for choosing biodiesel feedstocks by weighing climate impact and air pollution, offering solutions for climate change mitigation. Waste-derived feedstocks demonstrated lower GHG emissions, while plant-based options had varying pollution levels, highlighting the importance of considering air-poll...
A recent HKUST study found that inter-city collaboration on emission reduction can improve overall sustainability performance by more than 10% through improved regional and global strategies. The study analyzed 4,116 cities and 11 years of data, highlighting the importance of cross-city cooperation in reducing pollution and greenhouse ...
Engineers at Texas A&M University, NASA, and Purdue University create algorithms for managing spacecraft traffic around Gateway, a lunar spaceport. The system balances fuel efficiency and operational demands to reduce the risk of collisions during space missions.
A new study from IITGN and UFZ suggests that restructuring cereal cropping around nitrogen surplus can lower water use and farm emissions simultaneously, while maintaining food output steady. The approach averted an estimated ₹10,000 crore a year in pollution damage and reduced agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by 8.7%.
The team created a tile that captures, holds, and slowly evaporates water, cooling surfaces without fans or compressors. The tile's unique design, inspired by African elephant skin, allows it to maintain a stable temperature of 89.6° Fahrenheit under infrared heating and periodic watering.
Climate researchers have discovered a significant increase in neighborhood-level hurricane warnings, widespread wildfires in the US, and unprecedented changes in Earth's energy budget. These findings suggest that greenhouse gases are driving these trends, with smoke and fire-related carbon emissions rising due to increased aridity.
Researchers found that Indigenous land restitution empowers communities to influence land use, but may not automatically yield environmental benefits. The study revealed that traditional land uses like pasturage increased, while non-native forest plantations decreased in restituted lands.
The REMADE project aims to transform building renovation in Europe through a neighbourhood-centred Renovation-as-a-Service model, combining design for adaptability and disassembly with advanced digital tools. The project will develop energy-efficient technologies and circular economy construction processes that support the EU's sustain...
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology have developed a greener alternative for fire-resistant concrete using waste-based geopolymer mortars. These materials retain high compressive strength even after exposure to extreme heat, making them ideal for construction applications where high temperatures are present.
A new study suggests that future mobility infrastructure can be designed to minimize resource use and carbon emissions. By combining high-resolution global infrastructure mapping with integrated assessment frameworks, researchers found that optimizing infrastructure and production technologies can cut embodied emissions by up to 63%. T...
This study found that households in metropolitan areas with higher population density and income levels show stronger voluntary water conservation during drought. The AI-based scenario analysis showed that increased drought-related news coverage leads to significant water savings in these regions, but has a limited impact on rural areas.
The University of Stuttgart is ranked first worldwide for its innovative capacity in the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings. The institution has achieved the highest possible score in the Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure category, reflecting its research and teaching's impact on sustainable development.
A EU research project has found that reducing average living space per person can lead to significant CO2 emission reductions in the European building sector. By minimizing living spaces, emissions can be reduced by up to 90%, meeting the EU's 2.0-degree climate target by 2050.
Researchers aim to develop reliable power generation in harsh environments, including space and underwater settings, using perovskite solar cells. Advances in material composition and device engineering can overcome instability issues, enabling long-term reliability and performance.
The UN has launched an initiative calling on AI companies to publicly disclose their environmental impacts, including carbon, water and land footprint. The move comes after a report highlighted the massive electricity demand and environmental impacts of AI systems.
A Concordia University study analyzed 43 Canadian national parks and found that more than a third experienced faster infrastructure growth than in surrounding areas. The researchers estimated effective mesh size to assess wildlife movement, finding that protection was only partly successful at preventing fragmentation.
Researchers unveil a rigorous framework to fix global forest carbon credit systems, addressing methodological defects and promoting biodiversity conservation. The new standards aim to produce high-integrity climate assets while safeguarding community interests.
A University of Göttingen study reveals that traditionally farmed landscapes can produce food while protecting nature and preserving cultural traditions. The research highlights four key strategies for adapting these systems to local environments and markets.
The TSESOM framework proposes a dynamic service ecosystem approach to manage sustainable operations in botanic gardens, integrating biodiversity research and ecosystemic thinking. It offers a flexible tool for transformative collaboration and innovation, supporting planetary health and global sustainability transitions.
A study by Southeast University and Korea University provides a roadmap for converting biomass into renewable energy and chemicals. The researchers highlight the potential of biomass chemical looping (BCL) for producing hydrogen, methanol, and other low-carbon products.
Researchers warn that open-source AI could increase environmental pressures, deepen technological inequalities, and spread misinformation. To mitigate these risks, the authors propose four governance actions to ensure AI contributes positively to the Sustainable Development Goals.
The global data centers powering artificial intelligence are projected to consume nearly triple the combined annual electricity use of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria by 2030. AI's environmental cost is being systematically mismeasured, with its water footprint equaling the basic annual domestic water needs of all 1.3 billion people ...
A new study suggests that commercial marketing logics can hinder the effectiveness of promoting degrowth, a concept proposing an equitable reduction in production and consumption. Instead, non-commercial messaging led by institutions empowering communities is proposed as a more effective approach to shaping values and worldviews.
A study of Rwandan young adults reveals modest strengths in some areas of digital financial literacy but significant gaps, particularly in cybersecurity practices and use of financial products. Disparities were found by gender and education level, with men and higher-educated individuals showing more knowledge and skills.
A team from Graz University of Technology has developed a prefabricated brick wall system that can be dismantled and re-used without being destroyed. The system reduces CO2 emissions by up to 60% compared to conventional construction methods, offering significant environmental benefits.
Researchers at the University of Bath discovered that a fungus can break down hard-to-recycle construction waste and turn it into sustainable insulation. The resulting biomaterial has comparable thermal performance to conventional insulation products with significantly lower carbon emissions.
The publisher achieved a 35% reduction in supply chain emissions through sustainable digital publishing, plastic-free packaging, and optimized book supply chains. Taylor & Francis trained over 70,000 researchers in low-income regions to publish their work, enhancing access to research and knowledge.
A new type of concrete made from sugarcane waste shows improved mechanical performance and reduced carbon emissions. The study finds that replacing fly ash with sugarcane bagasse ash improves compressive strength by 41% and reduces CO2 emissions by 25-30%.
A new study from the University of Surrey shows that firms celebrated for strong financial performance may actually be inefficient when environmental impact is included. The research developed a new way to measure sustainable corporate efficiency, combining traditional financial metrics with environmental data.
A new study estimates that urban agriculture in European cities could produce up to 20 million tons of vegetables annually, representing roughly one-third of the region's current vegetable production. This could supply around 28% of Europe's vegetable demand for 190 million Europeans.
Researchers found that improved lighting design combined with modern LED technology can reduce household energy use and enhance comfort. The study showed a 15.3% reduction in energy consumption by optimising lighting planning and positioning using software-based approaches.
A new report by the UN University finds that critical minerals extraction is causing severe environmental and health crises in vulnerable communities, while benefits accumulate mainly in wealthy nations. The investigation highlights intense water requirements, contaminated water, lost livelihoods and serious health consequences.
Researchers found that integrating a mix of shade trees improves soil health and plant physiology, leading to stronger plant growth and consistent early fruit development. Proper management through spacing, pruning, and natural mulch can also make cacao farms more resilient to climate stress.
A new study calls for tripling energy efficiency, electrification and action against extreme energy consumption by 2035. This would accelerate the spread of efficient technologies and generate revenue to expand energy access and support low-carbon investment.
A Princeton-led study examines the complexities of translating natural resource wealth into economic prosperity. Higher social and human capital, as well as institutional safeguards, are critical in avoiding the 'resource curse,' a phenomenon where extraction leads to limited growth and unstable institutions.
A global paradigm shift is needed to protect intact ecosystems and prioritize Nature Positive framework, integrating Indigenous knowledge and finance. The webinar series on May 28, 2026, will explore effective actions for people and nature, guided by the Three Conditions Framework.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed energy-efficient geometries for elastocaloric cooling elements using 3D printing. The technology uses shape-memory alloys to release heat when stretched and absorb it when released, promising a cleaner alternative to traditional cooling methods.
A new study explores potential options for Venice to adapt to sea-level rise, including relocating the city, movable barriers, ring dikes, and closing the Venetian Lagoon. The research suggests that no single approach is optimal, requiring a balance of factors such as resident wellbeing, economic prosperity, and cultural heritage.
A new paper warns that halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 is urgent to avoid destabilizing the Earth's vital systems. The authors call for a unified 'Nature Positive' approach to global environmental goals and governance.