Sustainability Science Research Articles

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.

Exploring a process‐relational approach to qualitative research methods for sustainability science

Abstract As sustainability scientists increasingly put forward the relevance of process‐relational approaches to make sense of social‐ecological phenomena, an inquiry on which methods would fit a process‐relational approach is necessary. This paper discusses how a process‐relational approach can be applied to traditional qualitative research methods, namely interviews and coding and the tensions associated with it. Process‐relational perspectives share commonalities with interpretative approaches but also present specific characteristics, such as the importance of material aspects and the understanding of the phenomenon as a moment in which different elements become defined respective to each other. The paper uses data and researchers' experiences from an action research project seeking to support collective action among coastal communities affected by environmental changes in Kenya and Mozambique. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

What Do We Know about Age Management Practices in Public and Private Institutions in Scandinavia?—A Public Health Perspective

In view of global population ageing and of policies that support longer working lives, especially in developed countries, it is important to achieve diversity in organisations through age management. Age management is the “management of human resources, [often] with an explicit focus on the requirements of an ageing workforce.” Through age management practices, organisations will be better able to change their human resource management policies and practices towards accommodating their ageing workforce. Little is known about age management practices in Scandinavian organisations, considering the region’s high prevalence of workers beyond the age of 50 across both private and public organisations. There are indications that Scandinavian business organisations are already practicing age management for all ages, including older workers. Their age management practices include the dimensions of job recruitment, training, lifelong learning, development, and promotion. However, there is a dearth of knowledge on how the health and well-being of workers is ensured in the context of age management practices in these organisations. Given the current and future importance of age management for all organisations globally, public health and other health science professionals need to collaborate with other disciplines, such as management and sustainability science, to better understand how they can contribute to an aged and healthier workforce as well as workplace health promotion. This paper aims to contribute to the discussion concerning age management in public and private institutions in Scandinavia through the public health lens.

Research on Integration of the Sustainable Development Goals and Teaching Practices in a Future Teacher Science Education Course

This study aims to investigate the levels of pedagogical competencies and ESD competencies in a group of future primary school teachers when integrating teaching practices and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into a science education course. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used. Eighty-eight of the student teachers demonstrated pedagogical and ESD competencies, as evidenced by the self-rated scores and course instructor-rated scores of their teaching practices which were collected and analyzed. In addition, the lesson plans designed by the student teachers were coded and scrutinized to identify their ESD-specific competencies related to designing primary science instruction. Furthermore, the student teachers responded to the questionnaires about their views and attitudes towards the integration of the SDGs and teaching practices. The findings reveal a difference between the participants’ self-rated scores and the instructor-rated scores for pedagogical competencies during the teaching practices, whereas the scores for general ESD competencies were closely aligned. Content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, and motivation and value related to sustainable development and science education were well represented in the lesson plans, and the student teachers generally held a positive attitude towards the integration of the SDGs and teaching practices. This study offers practical insights into the effective integration of pertinent topics and knowledge regarding sustainable development into teacher education and science education curricula.

Developing Standards for Educational Datasets by School Level: A Framework for Sustainable K-12 Education

As artificial intelligence (AI) and data science education gain importance in K-12 curricula, there is a growing need for well-designed sustainable educational datasets tailored to different school levels. Sustainable datasets should be reusable, adaptable, and accessible to support long-term AI and data science education goals. However, research on the systematic categorization of difficulty levels in educational datasets is limited. This study aims to address this gap by developing a framework for sustainable educational dataset standards based on learners’ developmental stages and data preprocessing requirements. The proposed framework consists of five levels: Level 1 (grades 1–4), where data preprocessing is unnecessary; Level 2 (grades 5–6), involving basic data cleaning; Level 3 (grades 7–9), requiring attribute manipulation; Level 4 (grades 10–12), involving feature merging and advanced preprocessing; and Level 5 (teachers/adults), requiring the entire data science process. An expert validity survey was conducted with 22 elementary and secondary school teachers holding advanced degrees in AI education. The results showed high validity for Levels 1–4 but relatively lower validity for Level 5, suggesting the need for separate training and resources for teachers. Based on the CVR results and expert feedback, the standards for Educational Datasets were revised, particularly for Stage 5, which targets teachers and adult learners. The findings highlight the importance of expert validation, step-by-step experiences, and an interdisciplinary approach in developing educational datasets. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of educational datasets and provides practical implications for teachers, students, educational institutions, and policymakers in implementing effective and sustainable AI and data science education in K-12 settings, ultimately fostering a more sustainable future.

IOP journal sustainability science and technology (sus sci tech) in 2024 and beyond: equitable publishing aligned with United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs)

IOP journal sustainability science and technology (sus sci tech) in 2024 and beyond: equitable publishing aligned with United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs)

A link between evolution and society fostering the UN sustainable development goals.

Given the multitude of challenges Earth is facing, sustainability science is of key importance to our continued existence. Evolution is the fundamental biological process underlying the origin of all biodiversity. This phylogenetic diversity fosters the resilience of ecosystems to environmental change, and provides numerous resources to society, and options for the future. Genetic diversity within species is also key to the ability of populations to evolve and adapt to environmental change. Yet, the value of evolutionary processes and the consequences of their impairment have not generally been considered in sustainability research. We argue that biological evolution is important for sustainability and that the concepts, theory, data, and methodological approaches used in evolutionary biology can, in crucial ways, contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We discuss how evolutionary principles are relevant to understanding, maintaining, and improving Nature Contributions to People (NCP) and how they contribute to the SDGs. We highlight specific applications of evolution, evolutionary theory, and evolutionary biology's diverse toolbox, grouped into four major routes through which evolution and evolutionary insights can impact sustainability. We argue that information on both within-species evolutionary potential and among-species phylogenetic diversity is necessary to predict population, community, and ecosystem responses to global change and to make informed decisions on sustainable production, health, and well-being. We provide examples of how evolutionary insights and the tools developed by evolutionary biology can not only inspire and enhance progress on the trajectory to sustainability, but also highlight some obstacles that hitherto seem to have impeded an efficient uptake of evolutionary insights in sustainability research and actions to sustain SDGs. We call for enhanced collaboration between sustainability science and evolutionary biology to understand how integrating these disciplines can help achieve the sustainable future envisioned by the UN SDGs.

Exploring the Evolution of Sustainability Paradigms: From Linear to Circular Economy Models

Abstract As a response to the urgent environmental degradation and depletion of resources, this article analyzes the historical evolution from linear to circular economy models as a response for achieving sustainability. Tracing back to sustainable forest use proposed in 17th-century and evolving towards modern circular economy principles, there is a paradigm shift of decoupling economic growth from resource consumption. Moving through the landscape of sustainability, the paper criticizes the linear economy model that originated during industrialization period and was incapable of addressing sustainability. Key milestones, such as sustainable development, closed-loop-systems, and biomimicry, demonstrate the journey to current business models. An extensive literature review proves the interdisciplinary importance of circular economy research, exploring domains such as Sustainability Science, Management, and Bioengineering. The present research combines bibliometric analysis and systematic review on articles published between 2000 and 2023. These methods were chosen to assess the main directions of research for development of circular economy models, and recent trends. Research is centered around dynamics and trajectory of scholarly outputs on the topic, mainly those published in the past five years. A sharp rise in the number of publications regarding circular economy models is found, characterized by three notable inflections in 2017, 2018 and 2021. Two pivotal articles emerge as influential contributions. The interdisciplinary landscape of circular economy research is observed, covering diverse research areas such as Supply Chain and Logistics, Bioengineering, or Social Psychology. The cooccurrence analysis reveals 6 thematic clusters for which we propose a conceptual framework. The clusters are: environmental impact, sustainable development, interdisciplinary connections (niche sciences), circular supply chain, climate change, and IT-centric approaches that have emerged in research in the past five years. Insights from recent trends provide valuable guidance to researchers, professionals, and policymakers by using an interdisciplinary lens in the transition to a circular economy.

Education for Sustainability Through Field Activities and Game-Based Tasks

Abstract There is a consensus that the content of education for sustainability should be integrated into the curriculum, engaging students in activities that promote awareness and practice of sustainability. To achieve this goal, it is essential to adopt a student-centered approach that involves creative, stimulating, and challenging activities. This research reports a case study in which 8th grade students had the opportunity to develop these types of activities. Field activities were conducted on a local river combined with a game-based task focused on the role of benthic macroinvertebrates in ecosystems. These activities enabled collaborative learning and the social construction of knowledge, which are pivotal for more sustainable education. It should be noted that students learned how to collect, observe, describe, organize, and classify species to make inferences about water quality. The main issue we intended to address was how to improve and integrate scientific activities into the students’ curriculum to foster a more sustainable education. The specific research questions were put forward: a) Do the implemented activities instigate collaboration for a more sustainable education? b) Do the implemented activities increase scientific curiosity and develop critical thinking and attitudes? c) Do the implemented activities increase students’ knowledge concerning aquatic resources, such as benthic invertebrates? The results confirmed the important role of student-centred activities, in this particular case fieldwork and game-based tasks, in the development of knowledge and scientific thinking skills, which could be scaffolded through feedback, rewards and flow states. This study provides a more holistic perception of local river ecosystems, their role in improving environmental attitudes, and promoting a more sustainable science education.