Sustainability Science Research Articles

Selective hydrolysis of traditional Chinese medicine residue into reducing sugars catalysed by sulfonated carbon catalyst and application of hydrolysate

The conversion of waste into high-value products has long been a focus point of research in green and sustainable chemistry. In this study, a novel value-adding strategy was devised to not only facilitate the resource utilization of biomass waste like Chinese medicine residue (CMR) and pomelo peel but also contribute to the advancement of microalgae cultivation. Sulfonated biochar PP-700-S was synthesized from pomelo peel waste, and its morphology and structural characteristics were analyzed. An effective method for the hydrolysis of CMR using PP-700-S as a catalyst in the aqueous phase was then explored, with a thorough investigation of the process and key influencing factors. Under the reaction conditions of 130 °C, 24 h, 20 mL H2O, CMR: PP-700-S = 1: 1, a 51.87 % yield of reducing sugars was directly obtained from the CMR, with PP-700-S exhibiting the selectivity of glucose production. Subsequently, the hydrolysate (HL-CMR) was utilized as a growth medium for microalgae, revealing that the presence of HL-CMR enhanced the nutrient balance in the medium, creating a more conducive environment for microalgae growth. Overall, this study presents a sustainable and efficient pathway for the utilization of lignocellulosic waste, facilitating the conversion of waste into higher-value products and contributing to the development of a green and sustainable science.

Developing a Strategic Methodology for Circular Economy Roadmapping: A Theoretical Framework

In response to the pressing need for effective implementation of the Circular Economy (CE), this research introduces a comprehensive theoretical framework for CE roadmapping. This study addresses the prevalent issue of fragmented and inconsistent CE strategies that often hinder the successful translation of long-term goals into achievable KPIs. Through a carefully designed methodology, this framework incorporates strategic management, systems thinking, sustainability science, and other disciplines, providing a structured approach to navigating the complexities of long-term planning for CE. The foundation for this framework is laid through an extensive review of the literature, which identifies theoretical gaps and guides its development. Practical insights are gained through an examination of various CE roadmaps, including sectoral, municipal, national, and regional strategies, thereby enhancing this framework’s applicability and robustness. This research highlights substantial variations in current CE roadmapping methods, emphasizing the need for a standardized approach. While acknowledging limitations due to the diverse contexts of the case studies, this study offers significant implications for policymakers, business leaders, and sustainability practitioners by presenting a versatile tool for strategic CE planning. Its interdisciplinary construction mirrors the multifaceted nature of CE, rendering it exceptionally adaptable across various disciplines and levels, reflecting the diverse reality of CE applications.

Recyclability and self-healing capability in reinforced ionic elastomers

This study presents a comparative analysis of different sustainable alternatives for producing reinforced ionic elastomers that are not just mechanically robust but also excellent in recyclability and self-healing, marking a significant advancement in sustainable materials science. Ionically crosslinked carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) was combined with conventional (carbon black and silica) and sustainable (cellulose and ground tire rubber) fillers. The sustainable fillers not only enhanced the mechanical performance (reinforcing character) but also maintained high healing efficiencies (>80 %). Notably, the incorporation of just 10 phr of waste-based ground tire rubber (GTR) produced by water jet grinding (WJ-GTR) resulted in a material capable of complete repair and recycling (100 % efficiency) after temperature-driven protocols, with mechanical properties and a reinforcement index comparable to those of conventional fillers such as silica. This achievement represents a major breakthrough in the field of sustainable composites, as it offers a unique blend of robust mechanical properties and environmental sustainability.

Preface

1st Global Summit on Sustainable Science and Technology (GS3T) Duration: 15th – 16th September, 2022 Venue: Online Mode (Adamas University, Kolkata, India) About the Conference: In a landmark decision, the United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed the year 2022 as the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. This resolution underscores the vital role of basic sciences in advancing sustainability and addressing global challenges. In alignment with this global initiative, Adamas University was proud to host the inaugural Global Summit of Sustainable Science and Technology (GS3T 2022). This summit aims to foster international collaboration and drive sustainable research outcomes. With over 350 participants from around the world, GS3T 2022 has served as a pivotal platform for enhancing national and international research funding and producing impactful scholarly articles. A key focus of the summit was to establishment of long-term, multidisciplinary research networks, facilitating enduring partnerships that will contribute significantly to sustainable development goals. Join us at GS3T 2022 as we unite the global scientific community in a concerted effort to create a more sustainable future through the power of basic sciences. The Global Summit on Sustainable Technology 2022 (GS^3T 2022), held from 15th to 16th September 2022 at Adamas University, Kolkata, India, was a landmark event organized by the School of Basic and Applied Sciences (SOBAS). This summit, conducted in a hybrid mode due to Covid-19 restrictions, brought together a distinguished assembly of researchers, scientists, and scholars from around the globe to share their insights and advancements in the field of sustainable science and technology. List of Notable Speakers, Scientific and Organizing Committee, Conference Secretary, Editorial Board, Participation Details and Acknowledgement are available in this Pdf.

Identifying and Analyzing Factors and Obstacles Affecting Sustainable Employment Iranian Sports Science Graduates

Identifying and Analyzing Factors and Obstacles Affecting Sustainable Employment Iranian Sports Science Graduates

Evaluating the Sustainable Development Science Satellite 1 (SDGSAT-1) Multi-Spectral Data for River Water Mapping: A Comparative Study with Sentinel-2

SDGSAT-1, the first scientific satellite dedicated to advancing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, brings renewed vigor and opportunities to water resource monitoring and research. This study evaluates the effectiveness of SDGSAT-1 in extracting water bodies in comparison to Sentinel-2 multi-spectral imager (MSI) data. We applied a confidence thresholding method to delineate river water from land, utilizing the Normalized Differential Water Body Index (NDWI), Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI), and Shaded Water Body Index (SWI). It was found that the SWI works best for SDGSAT-1 while the NDWI works best for Sentinel-2. Specifically, the NDWI demonstrates proficiency in delineating a broader spectrum of water bodies and the MNDWI effectively mitigates the impact of shadows, while SDGSAT-1’s SWI extraction of rivers offers high precision, clear outlines, and shadow exclusion. SDGSAT-1’s SWI overall outperforms Sentinel-2’s NDWI in water extraction accuracy (overall accuracy: 90% vs. 91%, Kappa coefficient: 0.771 vs. 0.416, and F1 value: 0.844 vs. 0.651), likely due to its deep blue bands. This study highlights the comprehensive advantages of SDGSAT-1 data in extracting river water bodies, providing a theoretical basis for future research.

Ethnobiology's Contributions to Sustainability Science

Progress toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is insufficient at a global scale. A thorough and interdisciplinary understanding of barriers and levers to sustainability, including synergies and trade-offs between SDGs, is utterly important but still limited. Ethnobiology is often advocated as a key discipline to address this research gap. We conducted a systematic literature review to explore (i) the visibility of ethnobiology within sustainability science, (ii) how ethnobiology understands the notion of sustainability, (iii) if ethnobiology literature on sustainability issues engages differently with nonacademic knowledge and people compared to other types of ethnobiology research, and (iv) which SDGs are addressed (explicitly or implicitly) by ethnobiology. Our study reveals a minimal overlap between sustainability science and ethnobiology literature. The articles reviewed never mention the SDGs explicitly, but often address them implicitly. Reviewed ethnobiological articles addressed themes of relevance to almost all SDGs, especially the linkages between SDGs 1–3 and 15, but always implicitly. Biodiversity's understanding (SDG 15) provides the basis for culture and Indigenous and local knowledge and ensures communities’ food security (SDG 2), health and well-being (SDG 3), and prosperity (SDG 1). We found that ethnobiology does not examine sustainability through the lens of the global sustainability agenda, and that knowledge coproduction processes are rarely reported. While ethnobiology demonstrates its relevance to address SDGs and contribute to transformative change, this potential is not fully realized because of a persisting decoupling between place-based research and global sustainability frameworks.

Pursuing multifaceted-disciplinarity to enrich the future of justice in sustainability science

Although sustainability issues disproportionately affect disenfranchised populations, justice considerations are often left to social scientists in sustainability research. As early-career researchers pursuing doctoral degrees in diverse disciplines focusing on sustainability, we reflect on the unintentional exclusion of justice in sustainability research. Building on our individual and collective research experiences, we propose a critical multifaceted-disciplinary perspective, advocating for the holistic creation of interdisciplinary academic teams involving scholars from diverse racial, social, cultural, and economic contexts. By embracing multifaceted-disciplinarity, we can step toward establishing and nurturing spaces that enrich justice considerations in sustainability science, forming a more comprehensive understanding of sustainability predicaments and building sustainable and humane futures for all.

Navigating the future of megaprojects sustainability: a comprehensive framework and research agendas

PurposeMegaprojects can play a crucial role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and tackling Global Challenges. However, they are often criticized for their massive resource consumption, poor cost/time performance and significant social-environmental impacts, including irreversible environmental damage. This study aims to chart the evolution of research on megaprojects sustainability and to offer a roadmap for future developments.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a systematic literature review (SLR) to identify emerging themes and gaps. This study follows a three-step process of planning, conducting and reporting, based on the Tranfield approach. The overview of megaprojects sustainability research was captured through bibliometric analysis. In addition, content analysis was carried out to reveal the development of this field and get an insight into the future directions towards sustainability transition.FindingsThis study provides a longitudinal, in-depth analysis of megaprojects sustainability studies. Drawing on sustainability science and project management theories, we introduce a three-dimensional analytical framework consisting of sustainability, scope and stakeholder. This framework explains the evolution of megaprojects sustainability research from sustainability of megaprojects, to sustainability for megaprojects and then to sustainability by megaprojects. Three future avenues are proposed: (1) SDGs orientation at multi-level; (2) scope enlargement at temporal and spatial scales and (3) inclusive development for stakeholders.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive and forward-looking analysis of megaprojects sustainability research. The framework and three research agendas provide a comprehensive picture of megaproject sustainability research; the agenda for future research is intended to inspire more studies and disruptive actions towards sustainability transition.

Navigating causal reasoning in sustainability science

When reasoning about causes of sustainability problems and possible solutions, sustainability scientists rely on disciplinary-based understanding of cause–effect relations. These disciplinary assumptions enable and constrain how causal knowledge is generated, yet they are rarely made explicit. In a multidisciplinary field like sustainability science, lack of understanding differences in causal reasoning impedes our ability to address complex sustainability problems. To support navigating the diversity of causal reasoning, we articulate when and how during a research process researchers engage in causal reasoning and discuss four common ideas about causation that direct it. This articulation provides guidance for researchers to make their own assumptions and choices transparent and to interpret other researchers’ approaches. Understanding how causal claims are made and justified enables sustainability researchers to evaluate the diversity of causal claims, to build collaborations across disciplines, and to assess whether proposed solutions are suitable for a given problem.

Exploring the influence of native minerals in coal gangue on CG/PE composite manufacturing and performance: Examining SiO2's role in interfacial compatibility

AbstractThis study delves into the influence of inherent minerals within coal gangue (CG) on the preparation and performance of coal gangue /polyethylene (CG/PE) composites, focusing on the role of SiO2 in interfacial compatibility. A systematic examination unveils the consequences of varying SiO2 content on physical, mechanical, thermal, and microstructural attributes of the composites. SiO2 incorporation significantly improves physical properties, boosting density and hardness but impacting tensile strength negatively. It enhances bending strength and modulus while diminishing tensile strength. Judicious SiO2 addition enhances thermal stability, but excess SiO2 may compromise thermal decomposition. Microstructural analysis, including SEM and FTIR, elucidates SiO2‐PE interactions, primarily through physical entanglement. SiO2 introduction promotes more ordered PE molecular chain arrangements, elevating composite crystallinity. In summary, this study provides in‐depth insights into SiO2's mechanistic impact on CG/PE composite properties, laying a robust foundation for designing environmentally friendly composites. These findings hold promise for advancing sustainable materials science and engineering. Future research may explore SiO2 optimization for specific applications and synergistic effects with other fillers in composites.Highlights SiO2 greatly improves the properties of CG/PE composites with detailed exploration. Reveals the specific SiO2‐PE interaction mechanism for a better comprehension. Performs structural analysis via XRD with valuable findings presented. Promotes pioneering advancements in eco‐friendly materials with broad significance.

Mapping manufactured capital in mainland China with harmonized night‐time light images between 1992 and 2018

AbstractThe manufactured capital, usually denoted as material stocks from an industrial ecology perspective, has thus far received wide attention in sustainability and circularity science. Sustainable resource management should be rooted in detailed knowledge of manufactured capital accumulation in society at a high spatial resolution. Previous studies demonstrated that night‐time light (NTL) data provide a great opportunity for monitoring material stocks dynamics at a higher spatial resolution on the regional and global scale. However, the potential of historical–geographical refined material stocks has not been fully analyzed and explored because of the inconsistency of NTL images detected by the different satellites. In this study, based on a new set of material stocks data in China and harmonized NTL images (1992–2018), we map the national stocks of 13 bulk materials (including cement, gravel, wood, brick, sand, asphalt, glass, lime, plastic, rubber, copper, aluminum, and steel) at a 1 × 1 km resolution from 1992 to 2018. The results find that the total material stocks increased from 190,000 to 460,000 t/km2 between 1992 and 2018. Among the five end‐use sectors, buildings have the highest density of 430,000 t/km2, while domestic appliances have the lowest density of 140 t/km2. Four manufactured capital clusters, including the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei, and Chengdu–Chongqing agglomerations, possess 38% of the national total stocks in 2018, revealing an unbalanced distributed pattern of manufactured capital across China. Our results provide valuable support for policymakers and business decision‐makers on efficient resource management and urban mining.

Utilizing rubber plant leaf petioles derived activated carbon for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes

This research introduces a novel and sustainable method that exploits the untapped potential of waste biomass, specifically converting dead leaf petioles from Ficus elastica, an industrial crop commonly known as rubber plants, into high-performance activated carbon (AC) for supercapacitor electrodes through a straightforward pyrolysis process. The prepared AC is used as an electrode substance to construct symmetrical supercapacitors. It underwent detailed morphological and structural analyses through various analytical instruments to assess the AC's performance and quality. Electrochemical assessments using a two-electrode configuration with 1 M KOH as the electrolyte revealed that the AC electrodes display exemplary characteristics of electric double-layer capacitance. This conclusion was drawn from observing cyclic voltammetry curves that were rectangular and symmetrical across scan rates ranging from 10 to 100 mV/s. Remarkably, at a scan rate of 10 mV/s, these AC electrodes achieved a specific capacitance of 128 F/g. The superior performance of the AC, when compared to other biomass-derived electrode materials, can be attributed to its extensive surface area and significant porosity. Moreover, electrodes crafted from AC derived from rubber plants showed remarkable durability over 10000 charge-discharge cycles, maintaining 89 % of their original capacitance and achieving a Coulombic efficiency of up to 87 %. During prolonged discharge periods, these electrodes exhibited a high specific capacitance, which contributed to achieving a power density of 200 W/kg and an energy density of 11.4 Wh/kg. This study highlights the viability of rubber plant waste in advanced energy storage systems and significantly contributes to sustainable material science. By offering an eco-friendly approach for supercapacitor electrode fabrication, this research aligns with global efforts towards sustainable energy storage technologies, demonstrating the practicality of environmentally benign materials in high-performance applications.

Mapping the evolving research landscape of sustainability science from 2006 to 2023: unveiling its transformation

Mapping the evolving research landscape of sustainability science from 2006 to 2023: unveiling its transformation

Lessons for Sustainable Science Education: A Study on Chemists’ Use of Systems Thinking across Ecological, Economic, and Social Domains

This paper explores how concept maps can be structured based on researcher narration as a systems thinking (ST) approach in science education to portray the systemic nature of developmental work by chemists on solutions related to sustainability. Sustainability cannot be achieved without a systemic approach that considers all the domains of prosperity and well-being—ecological, social, and economic. Science education must respond to this challenge accordingly and find effective ways to include the ST approach. Data were collected from three semi-structured, in-depth interviews with chemists. The analysis was carried out using qualitative content analysis and modelling the systemic structures in concept maps as articulated by the chemists. The results show that authentic narratives of chemists’ developmental work can be used as material in a concept mapping exercise to reveal several ST elements and learning objectives, including leverage points and delays, that have not been presented in previous exercises. The chemists’ descriptions were also found to address the challenge of sustainability education by depicting a holistic and multidimensional picture of the reality where the developmental work is conducted. Furthermore, all three domains of sustainability were identified. The economic and industrial perspectives were especially valuable from the science education viewpoint.

Mapping scholarly publications of energy conservation and emission reduction in support of the sustainable development goals (SDGs)

In light of continuous advancements in science and technology, the global economy is experiencing rapid growth. However, this growth has been accompanied by significant depletion of natural resources and environmental degradation. Consequently, there is a burgeoning global emphasis on energy conservation, emissions reduction, and sustainable development. In this study, based on the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) and Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) databases from 1990 to 2022, a statistical analysis of energy conservation and emission reduction in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-related publications was undertaken using biblimometric methods. The findings reveal that (1) In recent years, there has been a discernible increase in global research on this subject, especially since 2009, with a sustained trend of exceeding 100 publications per annum. China prominently contributing to this domain, the proportion reached 34.2%, reflecting a growing emphasis on eco-friendly development trends. (2) Due to the burgeoning significance of energy conservation and emission reduction, there has been a notable escalation in research efforts pertaining to “Energy and Fuels,” “Environmental Science” and “Green and Sustainable Science and Technology” and other related subjects. (3) Regarding the keyword analysis, “renewable energy” as the most frequently encountered term, often paired with “CO2 emissions.” This association underscores the pivotal role of renewable energy technologies in advancing green development initiatives and mitigating emissions. (4) China, United States and United Kingdom occupy central positions in terms of both paper publication volume and collaborative networks, collectively accounting for about 54.7%, and these countries are pivotal contributors to the scholarly discourse on sustainable development and environmental conservation. (5) From 1990 to 2022, the top 20 cited articles predominantly address diverse sub-goals of Sustainable Development Goal 7, with a common emphasis on enhancing energy efficiency, sustainability and renewable energy. These findings furnish valuable analytical insights for subsequent researchers investigating energy conservation and emission reduction as well as sustainable development endeavors.

Integrating Cellulose Microfibrils and Ellagitannins from Rambutan Peel with Gelatin for Production of Synergistic Biobased Hydrogels.

The pursuit of renewable and eco-friendly raw materials for biobased materials is a growing field. This study utilized ellagitannin and cellulose microfibrils derived from rambutan peel waste alongside gelatin to develop eco-conscious hydrogels. The cellulose/gelatin hydrogels were formulated in two weight ratios (0.5:1 to 1:1), and the influence of gelatin on the chemical composition and rheology was studied. Composite hydrogels, functionalized with an ellagitannin-rich extract, exhibited a remarkable enhancement of up to 14-fold in compressive strength. The hydrogels also demonstrated antimicrobial properties, reducing the Staphylococcus aureus colony count within 24 h. The hydrogel, derived from rambutan peel waste, is biocompatible and could potentially be explored for biomedical applications such as drug delivery systems, and wound dressings. This suggests that it might offer significant value for sustainable materials science, although specific applications have yet to be tested.

New perspective on sustainable practices in the events industry

PurposeThe aim of this study is to systematically review scientific research on sustainability in the event industry to understand the current state of affairs and provide a roadmap for future studies. By combining the topics of the event industry and sustainability, it aims to thematically analyze the scientific literature in this area.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzed 1,710 studies in the Web of Science (WoS) database as of June 1, 2024. The keywords “event industry” and “sustainability” were used to search for academic articles, review articles, and conference proceedings. The data were analyzed geographically, thematically, and temporally. Cross-national research contributions, document types, researcher profiles, and interdisciplinary relationships were examined in detail.FindingsThe analysis shows that sustainability is an increasingly important issue in the events industry, with countries such as the USA, China and Australia leading the way. Most research is in the form of articles, with conference proceedings and reviews playing an important role. There is a particular concentration in categories such as “management,” “hospitality, leisure, sport and tourism” and “sustainability science.” Even during the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in research activity, underscoring the importance of this topic on a global scale. Researchers have made significant scientific contributions in this area. These interdisciplinary studies have revealed important intersections between environmental sustainability and event management.Originality/valueThis study provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on the event industry and sustainability, illustrating the interdisciplinary nature of the field and the geographical distribution of research activity. A systematic review of the literature consolidates the body of knowledge in this field and provides directions for future research. This study highlights the need for more in-depth and comprehensive research on sustainability, and provides an important framework for strengthening the links between event management and sustainability.

Tourism Sustainomics: A New Application of Sustainomics in Tourism

This short communication presents “Tourism Sustainomics”,” an adaptation of the scientific concept of Sustainomics, which was originally presented at the World Development Summit in Rio and is specifically tailored to the field of tourism. As an emerging meta-science, Tourism Sustainomics integrates the dimensions of sustainability, stakeholder well-being and the implementation of sustainability principles to provide a comprehensive approach to sustainable tourism development. This paradigm shift advocates for a holistic, interdisciplinary framework that not only recognises the complexity of sustainable practices, but also aims to redefine the science of sustainable tourism to make it fit for the 21st century. By exploring the theoretical underpinnings and practical implications of this new paradigm, this communication aims to advance the academic discourse and promote an actionable science of sustainability in tourism. Tourism Sustainomics strives to influence universal sustainable tourism practices and contribute to a universally sustainable approach that applies to all forms of tourism throughout the physical realm of planet Earth and beyond.

Versatile Hyper-Cross-Linked Polymers Derived from Waste Polystyrene: Synthesis, Properties, and Intentional Recycling.

Waste polystyrene contributes considerably to environmental pollution due to its persistent nature, prompting a widespread consensus on the urgent need for viable recycling solutions. Owing to the aromatic groups structure of polystyrene, hyper-cross-linked polymers can be synthesized through the Friedel-Crafts cross-linking reaction using Lewis acids as catalysts. In addition, hyper-cross-linked polystyrene and its carbonaceous counterparts can be used in several important applications, which helps in their efficient recycling. This review systematically explores methods for preparing multifunctional hyper-cross-linked polymers from waste polystyrene and their applications in sustainable recycling. We have comprehensively outlined various synthetic approaches for these polymers and investigated their physical and chemical properties. These multifunctional polymers not only exhibit structural flexibility but also demonstrate diversity in performance, making them suitable for various applications. Through a systematic examination of synthetic methods, we showcase the cutting-edge positions of these materials in the field of hyper-cross-linked polymers. Additionally, we provide in-depth insights into the potential applications of these hyper-cross-linked polymers in intentional recycling, highlighting their important contributions to environmental protection and sustainable development. This research provides valuable references to the fields of sustainable materials science and waste management, encouraging further exploration of innovative approaches for the utilization of discarded polystyrene.