Resource-efficient Economy Research Articles

Closing the Loop between Plastic Waste Management and Energy Cogeneration: An Innovative Design for a Flexible Pyrolysis Small-Scale Unit

This study proposes a simplified unit that can be employed in an industrial facility for the utilization of its own abundant plastic waste, primarily from discarded packaging, to achieve full or partial energy autonomy. By converting this waste into synthetic pyrolysis oil equivalent to 91,500 L, the industry can power a combined heat and power generation unit. The proposed unit was designed with a focus on maintaining high temperatures efficiently while minimizing oxygen exposure to protect the integrity of hydrocarbons until they transform into new compounds. Pyrolysis stands as a foundational procedure, paving the way for subsequent thermochemical transformations such as combustion and gasification. This study delves into the factors affecting pyrolysis and presents analytically the mathematical formulations and relevant calculations in order to effectively design and apply a real-life system. On this basis, fuels from plastic waste can be produced, suitable for utilization in typical equipment meant to produce heat, estimated for six months’ operation and 800 MWh of electricity. This study enhances the transition towards a more circular and resource-efficient economy with technologies that unlock the latent energy contained within the discarded matter. Additionally, it demonstrates the feasibility of a moderate investment in a co-generation system for industries utilizing 568 tonnes of plastic waste per year. The design and accurate calculations of this study highlight the theoretical potential of this technology, promoting environmental sustainability and resource conservation.

How to get green with agricultural footprint: A global analysis of carbon emissions, environmental taxes, and agrochemical use

The agriculture sector, being highly vulnerable to climate change, plays a pivotal role in achieving green and sustainable economies. As the 2030 Agenda emphasizes the integrated development of environmental, social, and economic dimensions, it is crucial to understand how agricultural practices affect sustainability. This study investigates the environmental impact of the agricultural sector on the green economy by examining key environmental factors, such as agricultural energy emissions, environmental taxes, irrigated water use efficiency, fertilizer use, and pesticide application. The analysis is conducted using the Panel Quantile Autoregressive Distributed Lag (QARDL) model, with robustness checks performed through the comparison with the Panel ARDL model, using data from 2000 to 2020. To assess the green economy, an index is constructed based on 20 indicators related to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The results show that agricultural energy emissions, despite their environmental cost, are positively associated with green economy development, highlighting the trade-off between high productivity and environmental degradation in a resource-efficient economy. Improved water use efficiency is found to enhance agricultural sustainability and production. Additionally, environmental taxes and regulations exert a significant positive effect on both environmental preservation and social welfare. Contrary to the belief that reducing agricultural production will lower carbon emissions, the study suggests that adopting environmentally friendly practices and imposing targeted taxes are more effective strategies. The findings also reveal a negative relationship between excessive fertilizer use and the green economy, indicating the need for minimal fertilizer application to promote sustainability. The study concludes with specific policy recommendations. Governments, particularly in countries that have not yet adopted sustainable agricultural practices, should implement environmental taxes and regulations to promote carbon neutrality and support the Sustainable Development Goals. These measures are essential to balancing economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social equity in the agricultural sector.

Development and Characterisation of a New Die-Casting Die Cooling System Based on Internal Spray Cooling

Against the backdrop of climate policy goals and the EU’s aim for a resource-efficient economy, the foundry industry must rethink product range, energy consumption, and production technologies. Light metal casting, which is performed through processes like gravity die casting and high-pressure die casting, requires effective thermal management, which is crucial for optimising mould filling, solidification, cycle times, and part quality. Against this background, this study presents the development and characterisation of a cooling system that completely dispenses with energy-intensive heating/cooling devices. The system is based on a mask shape combined with internal spray cooling. This paper shows the simulation workflow for developing the mould mask and the design of the cooling system and compares the performance with conventional temperature control using channels. In the tests, an 82% higher cooling rate was achieved with Cool-Spray than with conventional temperature control, which was approx. 2.5 mm below the cavity surface. In addition to the more dynamic temperature control, the potential for process control was utilised, and the component quality of the test part was significantly improved compared to conventional temperature control.

Uranium mining effluents: What about the re-use of mining wastes to improve the bioproduction of industrially relevant bioactive compounds?

The shift towards a circular economy, where waste generation is minimized through waste re-use and the development of valorization strategies, is crucial for the establishment of a low carbon, sustainable, and resource-efficient economy. However, there is a lack of strategies for re-using and valorizing specific types of waste, particularly those containing naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), despite the prevalence of industrial activities that produce such waste due to their chemical and radiological hazards.Living organisms, including fungi, are valuable sources of bioactive compounds with various industrial applications. In this study, we assessed the growth and metabolic profile changes of three white rot fungi species in response to low concentrations of a uranium mine effluent containing NORM and metals to explore their potential for producing biotechnologically relevant bioactive compounds. The growth rate was assessed in three different culture media, with and without the uranium mine effluent (1% V/V)), and the metabolic profile was analyzed using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy.Results suggested an improvement in growth rates in media containing the uranium mine effluent, although not statistically significant. T. versicolor showed promise in terms of bioactive compound production. The production of droplets during growth experiments and significant metabolic changes, associated with the production of bioactive compounds like laccase, melanin, and oxalic acid, were observed in T. versicolor grown in mYEPDA with the uranium mine effluent. These findings present new research opportunities for utilizing waste to enhance the biotechnological production of industrially relevant bioactive compounds and promote the development of circular economy strategies for re-using and valorizing NORM-containing waste.

Optimal design and experimental validation of emulsified cosmetic products: A multiscale approach

There is an increasing demand for sustainable and cost-effective chemical products, such as eco-friendly emulsified products, contributing to a resource-efficient economy and a reduction in our ecological footprint. This new paradigm challenges the chemical industry due to a lack of accurate predictive models and understanding of emulsified systems. This study presents an optimization strategy to design cosmetic emulsions through a multiscale approach, which represents an opportunity to boost and improve the design of these products. The study employs a model-based design approach considering operating conditions, product formulation, economic performance, consumer preference, and the emulsions properties at different scales. At the macroscopic scale, rheological and textural properties are considered and coupled with a Population Balance Model, which estimates the drop size distribution (i.e., microscopic scale). The optimal emulsion formulation is established for consumer preference and product profit maximization scenarios. According to the economic model, a higher level of consumer preference is expected to lead to increased product sales. However, the results also indicate that consumer preference maximization may not necessarily correlate with higher profits. Thus, the profit maximization scenario offers a better balance between consumer preference and economic performance. Also, experimental validation was performed for the product properties and operating conditions.

Upskilling trades for a low carbon future: a case study of gasfitting and hydrogen

ABSTRACT A global transition to low-carbon, resource-efficient economies is occurring in response to risks posed by climate change and environmental degradation. Hydrogen is proposed as a zero-carbon substitute for natural gas with the potential to reduce carbon emissions in homes and businesses. Trades, including gasfitting, will be affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy and require upskilling to develop competencies to work with hydrogen to ensure safety and support domestic uptake. Understanding the training needs of trades practitioners is essential to the successful transition to a zero-carbon economy. This paper presents findings from a qualitative study of Australian gasfitters, exploring what motivates gasfitters to participate in training, what informs their ongoing learning and what their preferences are for hydrogen training. Most gasfitters are either self-employed or work in small businesses, and, as such, this context presents both challenges and opportunities to consider in upskilling strategies. Drawing on interview findings and literature on small business learning, the paper presents considerations to inform training approaches and policies in the transition to hydrogen and also, more broadly, for upskilling other small trade businesses similarly affected by a shift to low-carbon and green technologies.

МЕТОДИЧНІ ПІДХОДИ ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ТА ОЦІНКИ РЕСУРСНОГО ПОТЕНЦІАЛУ КРИТИЧНОЇ МІНЕРАЛЬНОЇ СИРОВИНИ УКРАЇНИ

Industrial and technological interest in critical (strategic) mineral raw materials, given their natural scarcity, is of key importance in the global economy. A country's (or region's) supply of raw materials is a factor of economic security, autonomy and an insurance against global crises. Global and regional analytical researches on the mineral resource assessment in the context of circular and resource efficient (low-carbon) economy development have revealed a number of problematic issues related to different methodological approaches to the assessment, classification, accounting and management of critical mineral raw materials (CRM). The standardization of such approaches for economically related regions is the way to create reliable critical mineral raw material supply chains and ensure sustainable economic development. In order to complete the outlined tasks, a wide range of studies has been used, including general scientific and special methods of scientific and applied research. In addition to general theoretical methods of analysis, statistics and systematization, a complex of methods of geological and technical-economic study of mineral raw materials has been used to achieve the set goal and complete specified tasks. Authors have attempted to define the concept of critical mineral raw materials by using basic criteria and methodical approaches of the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC). Various classification systems used for the assessment and management of critical mineral raw materials have been considered. Practical experience of the UNFC application during the assessment of CRM resource potential in Ukraine (excluding hydrocarbons and groundwater) based on the list of the European Union has been presented. Considering the current state of the mineral raw material resource base of Ukraine, authors have suggested methodological tools for bringing the State Balance into compliance with the integrated systematic accounting in accordance with the UNFC. The analysis of the State Balance of Ukraine using the UNFC approaches has revealed primary prospects for the mineral and raw material base development, which are related to potential and perspective projects on 22 elements from the EU list of critical mineral raw materials. Ukraine possesses all the prerequisites to participate in European Union programs designed to create sustainable models of supply chains for various resources for the transition to closed-cycle zero waste consumption.

Maximizing natural resource rent economics: The role of human capital development, financial sector development, and open-trade economies in driving technological innovation.

Technological innovation is considered one of the most significant production variables. The influence of natural resource rents on this factor is crucial to the success of nations' sustainability with abundant natural resources. Driven by a theoretical argument, this research investigates the impact of natural resource rents on technological innovation by engaging the "instrumental variable fixed-effect method." With "Driscoll-Kraay's robust standard errors," the research accounts for "cross-sectional dependency" in a panel of 79 economies from 1995 to 2021. The empirical results confirm that natural resource rents positively and significantly impact innovation measured with trademark and patent applications. The findings also indicate that the components of natural resource rents, such as oil and natural gas rents, significantly promote technological innovation. The findings also indicate the roles of human development, financial development, and trade economies in the impact of natural resource rents on technological innovation. Due to heterogeneity, the analysis categorizes countries based on their economic development into "developed," "transition," and "developing" economies. The article finishes with policy implications, arguing that natural resource rent support a more resource-efficient economy and move toward a more circular economy targeted for sustainability. Therefore, emerging markets that initiate natural resource rents can support human capital and financial services through financial sector development and trade in maximizing technological innovation.

The EU policy on climate change, biodiversity and circular economy: Moving towards a Nexus approach

The EU has traditionally adopted a ‘silo approach’ in the policy areas of climate change (CC), biodiversity (BIO) and circular economy (CE), which does not reflect the actual interlinkages between these different domains. The European Green Deal (EGD), in contrast, has been shaped as an integrated growth strategy, which aims at transforming the EU into a climate neutral and resource efficient economy, while protecting, conserving and enhancing the EU's natural capital. The present article carries out an in-depth qualitative analysis to investigate whether the ambition of making the EU environmental policy more consistent with the ‘Nexus thinking’ has been really embedded in the policy design of the whole EGD strategic framework (which currently comprises almost 30 strategic documents). It emerges that, while many CC-BIO-CE interlinkages have been addressed, others that may be critical to meeting the EGD goals still need to be fully understood and managed. Among trade-offs, a special attention should be paid to the planned use of the maritime space according to different objectives that seem difficult to reconcile, the ‘substitution process’ triggered by the large-scale deployment of zero-emission vehicles, and the potential effects on biodiversity of the increasing use of biomaterials. With regard to synergies, the CE-BIO connection may be strengthened through a stricter focus of the CE concept on how resources are extracted (which could include the implementation of regenerative practices). Moreover, in order to truly incorporate CE into CC policy, the real impact of the former on GHG emissions should be better demonstrated and measured.

Climate and energy targets under Europe 2020 strategy and their fulfillment by member states

European member states have taken several systematic steps on the way to become low-carbon and resource-efficient economies since the adoption of the Europe 2020 Strategy. The long-term targets in the field of climate and energy challenges is currently being continued and developed through the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. In order to assess the current situation and progress in the given area, it is necessary to consistently analyze the results that the member states have achieved during the validity of the Europe 2020 Strategy. Therefore, the aim of the article is to analyze and assess the degree of fulfilment of Europe 2020 targets by EU member states in the field of the environment with a subsequent link to the targets of the 2030 Agenda. We compared the values of the selected indicators (Share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption (RER), Final energy consumption (FEC), Primary energy consumption (PEC) and Net greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the EU Member States with the national goals of the selected countries by application of multivariate comparison methods, namely, the ranking method, the scoring method and the distance method. Among the countries that achieved the best results in the evaluation were Greece, Romania and Estonia. On the other hand, in the sample of countries, there were four, namely, France, Ireland, Austria and Belgium, which did not meet the targets and based on the prediction, they will not achieve them even by 2025.

Product-Services for a Resource-Efficient and Circular Economy: An Updated Review

The development of product-service systems (PSSs) has become one of the most prominent ways in which to promote a circular and resource-efficient economy. These systems shift the focus from selling products as commodities to offering solutions that fulfil customers’ needs and provide added value. PSSs have gained attention due to their potential to foster sustainability, particularly in the context of the circular economy and resource efficiency. This review article analyzes the literature on PSSs for the period of 2016–2022, aiming to explore the links between PSSs, sustainability, circular economy, and resource efficiency. Close to 160 relevant articles were identified and examined. The overall findings reinforce contributions from previous studies, which denote a tendency towards sector-specific studies, barriers, and stimuli to implementation and adoption, and PSS design methodologies in specific industries and sectors. The overall results show a steady growth of PSS literature, as well as consistency in its definition, despite variations according to the perspective from which the topic is analyzed. This study focuses on eight main trends in PSS research, along with eight challenges that arise in its design, implementation, and adoption, identifying avenues for future research.

Stimulating circular economy in the food industry: a comparative analysis of the governance strategies in Greece and Armenia

The success of transformation to a circular economic model mainly depends on effective government interventions. The objective of this paper is to reveal the implementation schemes, actors in charge, and funding mechanisms of the circular economy action plan in Greece. Additionally, a comparison has been made concerning the waste management governance practices in Armenia given a few distinct political, social, economic and behavioral characteristics common to both countries. Special emphasis was put on the food industry, since it generates a large amount of waste annually with limited by-product valorization and recycling rate. A comprehensive document analysis has been conducted with deductive or concept-driven approach using the software Atlas.ti. Research results highlighted several deficiencies existing within the policy papers and a set of recommendations covering critical success factors such as education, finance, cooperation, market development, monitoring, and evaluation related to the system change were offered. By addressing these deficiencies, policymakers may ensure an environment conducive to circularity practices and facilitate the transition to a more sustainable and resource-efficient economy.

The rate of use of the Circular Economy in individual sectors

Although the concept of the circular economy as a term was first mentioned in 2015, when the "Action Plan for the circular economy" was adopted at the European level, it is still not possible to speak of a sufficient knowledge base in this area. The Action Plan (COM (2015) 614) can be seen as an initial strategic document that sets out a concrete and ambitious roadmap for implementing the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030. However, the European Green Agreement cannot be left out in this context either (COM(2019) 640). It is seen as a new growth strategy to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society with a modern, competitive, resource-efficient economy, with net greenhouse gas emissions expected to be zero by 2050 and economic growth independent of resource use. A new EU circular economy action plan - Towards a cleaner and more competitive Europe was also adopted in 2020 (COM(2020) 98). The main priority areas are measures focusing on the value chains of key products electronics and ICT (information and communication technologies), batteries and vehicles, plastics, textiles, packaging, construction and buildings, food, water and nutrients measures covering all links in the value chain from production to consumption, repair and refurbishment, waste management up to the return of raw materials back to the economy and their use in the production cycle in the form of secondary raw materials. The transition to a circular economy also includes a revision of the European waste directives: on waste, on packaging and packaging waste, on landfills, on batteries and accumulators and used batteries and accumulators, and on waste electrical and electronic equipment. In order for all of this to be possible, it is necessary to know the amount of waste produced by individual sectors, which is also dealt with in our article.

Experimental evaluation of black liquor carbonation for carbon dioxide capture

Carbon dioxide is one of the main if not the most potent greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. Scientists put great efforts to tackle this problem and carbon dioxide capture seems to be a promising solution. The present study proposes a novel method of carbon dioxide capture using black liquor, a side stream from the paper and pulp industry. Its content in sodium hydroxide makes it an attractive candidate for carbon dioxide capture via carbonation. The black liquor was prepared from oat husks, a non-woody biomass, using the soda-pulping process. To estimate its carbon dioxide absorption capacity, a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide (70:30%) was sparged into a bubble column reactor and computational fluid dynamics simulations of this setup were used to evaluate the mixing process. The formation of carbonate and bicarbonate ions throughout the carbonation process was followed using a Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) probe and a pH meter. The absorption capacity was measured from the weight increase of the reactor. It was found to be around 30 g of carbon dioxide/L of black liquor. The carbonate and bicarbonate species in black liquor before and after carbonation were further characterized with 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and optical microscopy. Using industrial side-streams might enable an economically feasible process without the need for production of virgin absorbents or their recovery. Furthermore, this capturing process, which is performed at atmospheric conditions might reduce the overall energy consumption. The results demonstrated that black liquor could be an attractive absorbent for carbon dioxide, paving the way for a circular and resource-efficient economy.

New data regarding the identification of critical raw materials recoverable from raw, processed and the waste mining industry materials from Romania.

Several EU initiatives focused on renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure and green transport require a sustainable supply of a wide range of raw materials. The increase in the population and, implicitly, the increasing demand for necessary resources led to accelerated degradation of the environment, a pressing issue which the contemporary world faces. The mining activities produced huge amounts of waste, which may now become a potential secondary raw materials source that offer the potential to extract critical mineral elements of current interest. This study is intended as a historical literature data processing combined with recent analyses according to modern test methods to confirm the presence of selected critical raw materials (CRMs). The aim of the work was an integrated approach to identify the presence of Ga, In, Ge, Bi, Co and Te in ore, ore concentrates, tailing ponds and ore dumps from some Romanian historical mining regions: Apuseni Mountains (5 deposits) and the northern part of the Eastern Carpathians (Baia Mare area 2 deposits and Fundu Moldovei area 1 deposit). The consulted literature data highlighted that the tailing ponds and dumps from Romania contain a noticeable quantity of secondary resources of critical elements, respectively, an average of 2172mg/kg Bi, 1737mg/kg Co, 691mg/kg Ga, 667mg/kg In, 74mg/kg Ge and 108mg/kg Te in ore and 1331mg/kg Ga, 1093mg/kg Co, 180mg/kg Bi, 72mg/kg In and 35mg/kg Ge in tailings. The overall statistics for the 2008-2018 period show a decrease in the amount of hazardous waste produced by the extractive industry in Romania. The older literature data (from about 50years ago) for the investigated deposits was confirmed by the laboratory analysis of selected CRMs from several samples collected from known former and current mining activities. Furthermore, the optical microscopy investigations coupled with modern electronic microscopy and quantitative and semi-quantitative techniques have provided further details regarding the sample nature and constituents. High levels of Bi (35,490mg/kg) and Sb (15,930mg/kg) were determined in samples from Băița Bihor and Coranda-Hondol ore deposits (Apuseni Mountains), and the presence of some rare elements such as Te was also detected. The recovery of critical elements present in the mining waste significantly contributes to the transition to a circular economy that is essential for the development of a sustainable and resource-efficient economy. This study enables future research focused on the recovery of critical elements present in the mining waste, with benefits for the environment, economy and society.

Development of Greenhouse Gas Emission and Evaluation of Carbon Resource Use in Chosen EU Countries

The EU presently orientates its policy to a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy. In this paper, we evaluate the current situation and the developments in greenhouse gas emissions, and we will evaluate carbon resource usage in chosen EU countries from the viewpoint of greenhouse gas emission per capita, energy production in the EU, energy dependence of EU countries, and final energy consumption. We will analyze and evaluate the data available from the Eurostat database through regression and cluster analysis using JMP 15 statistical software. The results show significant differences in the individual countries, and they can be used for determination of the energy policy in the individual states.

End-of-life decision support to enable circular economy in the automotive industry based on digital twin data

With the EU Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Developments Goals, the vision of a greenhouse gas-neutral and resource-efficient economy is already firmly anchored in world politics. In this context, the automotive industry faces many challenges including the increasing scarcity of natural resources, a rising demand in terms of sustainable vehicle design, production and materials sourcing. Due to all this, end-of-life decisions regarding dismantling have become increasingly important. A high proportion of secondary materials will be required in the vehicles of the future. To response to these challenges, companies have turned their focus towards the circular economy as a central approach to close material loops. In the German research project “Catena-X” a new data ecosystem with digital twins is one enabler that is being developed. The digital twins represent a promising approach to the circular economy by ensuring transparent, product-specific and end-to-end data exchange throughout the entire product lifecycle, from the material sourcing to the eventual dismantling and recycling. As one particular and unique solution, a decision framework that facilitates the best circular strategy at the end of a vehicle's life is developed and presented in this paper. The underlying data-driven decision support framework is based on circular economy KPIs. This includes material, components and specific vehicle KPIs to best identify the most suitable circular strategy. The framework was methodologically developed by an interdisciplinary team of partners, who are stakeholders throughout the value chain and participants in the Catena-X project. An integrated approach of user-centered design, an adapted version of the V-model and the Scaled Agile Framework were used for the methodology in the development of the solution. The paper presents the concept of a digital twin for a decision support system, that includes a central decision logic that also includes the relevant KPIs and a survey for evaluating the decision logic utilised with a chosen dismantling company.

PREREQUISITES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE IN THE USE OF ASH-SLAG MATERIALS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAYS: А REVIEW

The European Green Deal is the latest climate and environmental protection program launched by the EU. This is a strategy to transform the EU into a resource-efficient economy, in which in 2050 there will be zero greenhouse gas emissions and economic growth will be decoupled from the use of natural resources. After approving the National Economic Strategy for the period until 2030, Ukraine joins and focuses on the European Green Deal and aims to achieve climate neutrality in 2060 (Natsionalna ekonomichna stratehiia, 2021). Such ambitious goals can become a huge challenge for our country, in particular, in environmental projects of recycling in construction. Popularization of the principles of the circular economy and the introduction of the best European experience in the reuse of industrial waste is not only a requirement for the successful accession of Ukraine to the EU, but also a prerequisite for the effective implementation of infrastructure projects, especially the post-war reconstruction of the country.

Green Public Procurement and the circularity of the built environment

The case study presented in this paper is a demonstration of the success of a green public procurement (GPP) model that allows to build buildings in accordance with the principles of the circularity by ensuring sustainable consumption and production.The relevance of green procurement has lately become a focus of research because of public institutions’ growing interest in circularity for built environment investment. The case study of a school gym presented in this paper is emphasising the role the public authorities are playing in promoting the transition to the circularity of the built environment through sustainable procurement. Despite being a voluntary instrument, GPP also plays a significant part in the global efforts to develop a more resource-efficient economy. It can help to develop a critical mass of demand for more sustainable buildings that would be difficult to bring to the market otherwise.The challenge of convincing public-sector institutions to use GPP across nations, to become ‘normal practice’ continues and will drive the market for environmentally friendly buildings. The case study presented demonstrate that the GPP model is widely replicable and leads to positive outcomes. It has already been applied for the Brancati secondary and high school project built in Pesaro, Italy, that has been awarded by the International Jury of the Green Solutions Awards 2020-21, Construction 21, the Prize for the Energy for the Temperate Climate International Platform category.

Regional green economy and community impact on global sustainability

PurposeThis study aims to explore the impact of regional green economies and communities on global sustainability. This study attempts to show if the empirical results align with the regional sustainable development policy and practices.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical analyses are conducted through time-varying correlations, structural break tests and volatility modeling. As a public health indicator, the community variable is proxied by the daily COVID-19 cases.FindingsAccording to the results, the US green economy and global sustainability relationship exhibit a greater variety than that of Europe and Asia regions. Volatility modeling reveals that green economies are significant variables for each region in accounting for the changes in global sustainability. Europe and Asia have the highest and lowest effects in this interaction, respectively. The results are consistent with the carbon emission statistics of the regions studied and the government’s efforts to promote sustainable development. Furthermore, this study supports the efforts of the European Union to tackle climate and environmental issues, as well as create a resource-efficient economy and truly prosperous society.Originality/valueThis study presents empirical findings concerning global sustainability by providing evidence from three regions. The outcomes on the extent of regional contribution to global sustainability may lead the policymakers to develop new strategies in the management of turmoil periods such as a pandemic.