Circular Cities, E-Mobility and the Metals Industry—A World in Transition

Every year, humanity is increasingly faced with a shortage of electricity on the one hand, and with an increase in greenhouse gas emissions after the generation of electricity at thermal power plants (TPPs), on the other. Energy is the dominant driver of climate change and accounts for about 60 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. The article is devoted to the analysis of renewable energy development in the Republic of Buryatia and Mongolia over the past 10 years. The constantly growing demand for electricity and relatively small energy capacities are forcing the Republic of Buryatia (to a greater extent) and Mongolia, which are limited in some types of economic activity, to look for new sources of energy. One of these restrictions is the ban on the construction of hydroelectric power plants on the rivers of the Baikal Lake basin. Therefore, Buryatia and Mongolia have embarked on the path of building environmentally friendly power plants and have succeeded in many ways. In last years, in connection with the UN Sustainable Development Goals on the development of infrastructure for the provision of affordable and clean energy (Goal 7), there has been a need to develop renewable energy sources. One of the priority areas for the development of renewable, including alternative, energy in Buryatia and Mongolia is solar, wind, hydro and geothermal energy. UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 aims to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. As part of the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7, solar and wind power plants have been actively built in Buryatia and Mongolia over the past 10 years. Despite the high costs of their creation, the contribution to alternative energy is a long-term and profitable investment in infrastructure. At least investors (including foreign ones) investing in a seemingly lowprofit project look far into the future. Smart investors do not run after «quick money», realizing that the constructed power plants will pay off for a long time, since at the moment of development they have a relatively low efficiency. Despite the criticism, they are investing in green energy, modern infrastructure, and a future without emissions (CO2, NO2, SO2 and other Greenhouse gases) from burning coal, fuel oil and firewood. For the qualitative development of the economy, it is necessary, first of all, a balanced development of generating and network capacities, therefore, it is possible to solve the problem of shortage of electricity without a heavy burden on the environment only by developing alternative energy (renewable energy sources).

Although gold mining multinational or transnational companies continue to profit from their activities in resource endowed developing countries, the gap between company profits and social and environmental justice in these resource rich developing countries is a subject of intense debate. This debate is especially heightened when the gap is examined in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper employs the Environmental Justice concept to assess the activities of the Goldfields Damang mining company in Ghana vis‐à‐vis the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Drawing on primary data from semi‐structured interviews (n = 22) and secondary sources, the paper finds that the negative impacts of gold mining do not conform with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially goals 2, 6, 14 and 15. The study makes two recommendations: First, policies on land tenure and the Mineral and Mining Act need revisions to incorporate more rights for indigenous people; second, existing structures and legislation that spells out compensation and land dispossession practices must be revised thoroughly to align with the UN sustainable development goals. The paper concludes by considering the theoretical and policy implications of the findings for strengthening mining laws and policies in Ghana.

Significance. World Health Organization correlates breastfeeding with at least eight out of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. However, in the Russian Federation breastfeeding issues are not reflected in any of the Federal programs of the national projects “Demography” and “Health Care”. Purpose of the study: to scientifically substantiate the need for including measures to encourage and maintain breastfeeding in the Russian national programs related to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, based on the analysis of modern literature. Material and methods. The study included sources available from the English-language database PubMed. A total of 57 sources were selected out of 317 findings by keywords “human milk composition and bioactivity”, “breastfeeding and Sustainable Development Goals”, “breastfeeding short-term and long-term benefits” and “breastfeeding and potential lives saved”. Results. The study revealed unique biologically active components of the human milk and mechanisms of their impact on prevention of infectious and non-communicable diseases as well as programming of health in adult life. Breastfeeding has a positive impact on mothers’ and children’ health. The increased rate of breastfeeding could globally prevent 823,000 or 13.8% of deaths among children under 2 yearly and 22216 deaths from breast cancer among women. Lack of breastfeeding is associated with lower intelligence and higher economic costs adding up to about $ 302 billion annually, or 0.49% of the world's gross national income. There are unfavorable trends in prevalence and duration of breastfeeding worldwide. The healthcare has a leading role to play in implementing measures to encourage and maintain breastfeeding. Conclusion. It is necessary to incorporate measures to encourage and maintain breastfeeding in the Russian national programs related to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Implementation and further development of the WHO/UNICEF “Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative” in the Russian Federation can become the cornerstone in increasing the level of breastfeeding with the participation of the health sector. Scope of application. Executive and health authorities at all levels, mother and child health facilities, national programs

Possible directions of transformation of the state policy in the field of education of nurses in a narrow issue of end-of-life nursing care in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals are identified. The 70th UN General Assembly where civic society organizations actively participated adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as part of the Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2015, which included 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals. Global Goal 4.7 stated: «By 2030 ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development». This Goal also applies to medical education (in particular, for nurses). The improvement of the content of this education is actual in the context of the implementation of medical reform in Ukraine. A content analysis of the international curriculum for nurses and its comparison with teaching documents implemented in medical colleges in Ukraine has been made. The program developed in the United States with active participation of civil society organisations has been found to be consistent with UN Sustainable Development Goal 4.7. Comparing these documents, we can easily see Ukrainian curricula inconsistency with both international standards of nursing training and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These curricula form only a generalized understanding of the value of cultural diversity and human rights and do not include issues of social justice, inclusion, multidisciplinary cooperation etc. A content analysis of the Strategy for the Development of Medical Education in Ukraine, approved by the Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 27th February, 2019, № 95-r, revealed that the document does not provide for the inclusion of aspects set out in Global Goal 4.7. Participation of citizens in development of national educational policy is the obligatory precondition for forming of the democratic society and encourages better compliance of educational programs with the needs of the population. It is argued that in the context of medical reform, it is necessary to change the approach to the content of medical education and the formation of the competence of nurses, in particular, in the field of end-of-life care in undergraduate education. Cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary cooperation is needed to develop quality training programs for nurses in line with international standards; this could be done in particular by involving civil society institutions in the process.

Social Impact Statement Plant biostimulants are substances that are obtained from a variety of sources and are applied in minute quantities to enhance plant growth and vigor. In this review, we detail how the use of plant biostimulants may contribute to efforts to achieving a number of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We describe how the incorporation of plant biostimulants could have both environmental and societal benefits, from increasing food security, potentially improving soil health, and enhancing economic cooperation. However, to fully exploit the potential of plant biostimulants, consistency in performance as well as a broader awareness is essential to their adoption and integration into common agricultural practices. Summary Plant biostimulants (PBs) have been shown to increase crop yield, quality, improve nutrient uptake and tolerance to abiotic stress. They have previously been proposed as innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture, with the global market currently exceeding $3 billion and projected to triple within the next decade due to climate change challenges and growing awareness of their potential. The Sustainable Development Agenda, adopted by world leaders in 2015, set out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 targets and 330 indicators to be achieved by 2030, providing a blueprint for a fairer and more sustainable society. Interest in PBs has expanded significantly in recent years, and they are increasingly described as environmentally friendly tools that can be integrated into conventional agricultural practices to improve crop performance. Their use can directly support societal‐based SDGs: Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and environmental SDGs: Climate Action (SDG 13), Life Below Water (SDG 14), and Life on Land (SDG 15). They may also indirectly contribute to Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). PBs promote a more sustainable approach to agriculture by mitigating abiotic stress, increasing nutrient use efficiency, and enhancing soil health. This article highlights how PBs can contribute to achieving some of the SDGs and international climate targets such as the Paris Climate Agreement while also underscoring the need for more systematic and coordinated research to strengthen the evidence base, optimize their effectiveness, and support wider adoption.

Smart technologies have emerged as transformative tools for addressing pressing sustainability challenges through real-time monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and enhanced connectivity. Core innovations such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics underpin new models of resource optimization, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship. These technologies are reshaping pathways to sustainable development by aligning economic, social, and environmental objectives. Yet adoption remains uneven, particularly in low-income economies facing infrastructural and capacity limitations. This article situates smart technologies within key theoretical frameworks — the Triple Bottom Line, the Circular Economy, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals — and explores their applications in energy, agriculture, urban planning, and waste management. It argues that inclusive adoption requires equitable access, participatory approaches, and sustained capacity-building. By bridging theoretical debates with practical strategies, the article contributes both to academic scholarship and actionable policymaking.

Imagine a world where businesses thrive by regenerating resources, fostering equity, and prioritizing innovation to protect the planet. This vision is made possible by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a framework of 17 global targets addressing challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change. The SDGs urge businesses to move beyond profit as a sole measure of success, embracing environmental stewardship, social inclusion, and ethical governance. This study examines two key aspects: how businesses are transforming their ecosystems by adopting sustainable models aligned with SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 9 (Innovation & Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), and SDG 13 (Climate Action); and the role of innovation and collaboration in these efforts. These goals guide businesses to balance profitability with positive global impact, demonstrating that sustainability is not a cost but an investment in long-term success for businesses, communities, and the planet.

Sustainability from an economic and environmental perspective is linked to the manner in which we extract and consume the earth's finite resources and is implicit in the definition of a circular economy (CE) as a model of production and consumption designed to retain value within the economic system. This can include conserving natural resources, making sustainable products by incorporating recyclability in product design, changing consumption behaviour, and adopting more sustainable business models. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of objectives for improving health and education, reducing inequality, and protecting our shared environment globally. The CE is a key enabler to achieving these objectives. The Circular Economy explores how the concepts of CE can help address and meet targets linked to the SDGs. Taking a broad view across different industries and areas, and looking at specific SDGs, this book discusses current activities, standards, policy and legislation and challenges to achieving the SDGs as well as opportunities for enhancing circularity and sustainability.

Purpose This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of affordable and clean energy literature. The push for sustainable energy has intensified global focus on renewable investment in vulnerable regions like small island developing states (SIDS). Despite the growing academic interest in UN sustainable development goal (SDG) 7 - “affordable and clean energy”, there remains a lack of comprehensive science mapping that evaluates the intellectual structure, research evolution and thematic trends specifically aligned with UN SDG 7, and more precisely, Target 7.b. Design/methodology/approach This study addresses this gap through rigorous bibliometric analysis of 5,242 peer-reviewed journal articles from Scopus using a meticulously constructed search protocol on renewable energy, economic viability and infrastructural development in SIDS. Biblioshiny (R package) and VOSviewer performed performance analysis, co-occurrence mapping and thematic clustering. Findings There were four key research clusters: (1) advanced renewable energy conversion technologies and efficiency innovations; (2) environmental and socio-ecological contexts of renewable energy deployment; (3) socio-technical governance and community acceptance in renewable energy transitions; and (4) economic structures, financial mechanisms and urban planning for renewable integration. Originality/value This study offers an overview of knowledge domains and provides targeted directions for future research. These insights have implications for researchers, policymakers and stakeholders aiming to advance energy resilience and investment in SIDS to achieve the UN SDG 7 and Target 7.b.

Open educational resources (OER) and some of the United Nations sustainable development goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) constitute a framework of guidelines including social, environmental, and economic aspects of development on a global scale. Their effective implementation at the national level requires adaptation in accordance with national development strategies and priorities. There is a lack of research addressing the prioritization of specific SDGs for Russia under the current circumstances. This article focuses on assessing the degree of alignment between Russia`s National Development Goals (NDGs), revised in the spring of 2024, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as on developing a system of key national sustainability indicators. The research methods include comparative analysis, statistical analysis, a classification method based on ranking, economic and legal analysis. The results indicate that although the level of correspondence between the NDGs and SDGs is increasing, just over half of the 169 SDGs align with Russia’s NDGs. This is due to the fact that some globally oriented SDG targets are either not adapted to the national level or not considered as Russian priorities. A detailed analysis shows that within the “core” of the overlapping SDGs and NDGs, the economic aspect of development tends to prevail over environmental and social aspects. Among the specific gaps between the SDGs and NDGs are the lack of attention to energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy in Russia. The proposed set of 14 key sustainability indicators will allow us to move on to the scenario modeling of the joint implementation of the SDGs and NDGs. Additionally, an extra “cross-cutting” indicator—energy intensity of gross domestic product — is proposed. This indicator reflects important aspects of sustainable development and can contribute to achieving several NDGs simultaneously

This paper considers noise and its control in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainable development involves the simultaneous pursuit of economic prosperity, environmental quality, and social equity, and the UN SDGs describe the major development challenges in these pursuits. The SDG Framework comprises 17 broad goals, that cover a wide range of issues including poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water, clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, climate, responsible consumption, and production, amongst others. Although noise and its management are not clearly identified in any of the 17 goals, this paper posits that noise is an issue cross-cutting through almost all of the goals. Through the lens of the SDGs, this paper summarizes how a failure to adequately address noise presents a significant challenge to the realization of sustainable development. This paper considers noise and its control, in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainable development involves the simultaneous pursuit of economic prosperity, environmental quality and social equity, and the UN SDGs describe the major development challenges in these pursuits. The SDG Framework comprises of 17 broad goals, that cover a wide range of issues including poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water, clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, climate, responsible consumption and production, amongst others. Although noise and its management are not clearly identified in any of the 17 goals, this paper posits that noise is an issue cross-cutting through almost all of the goals. Through the lens of the SDGs, this paper summarizes how a failure to address noise presents a significant challenge to the realization of these goals.

Towards a low-carbon society: A review of lithium resource availability, challenges and innovations in mining, extraction and recycling, and future perspectives

The construction industry accounts for approximately one-third of the total waste generation globally. With the United Nations projecting a population increase of 2 billion within the next three decades, there is a heightened demand for building stock, generating unprecedented volumes of construction and demolition waste (CDW). To combat this, circular economy strategies are purported to help alleviate the prevailing situation. But a number of challenges are jeopardizing their implementation in the construction industry and preventing from achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, net zero carbon and zero avoidable waste targets. This paper systematically analyzes 54 research articles, published in the past decade within major peer-reviewed English-language scholarly publications in the form of a systematic research review. In doing so, it aims to identify and classify the challenges that prevent improved CDW management by assimilating previous research results in support of a circular economy. The classification and analysis using a PESTLE model offers insights into gaps and differences between categories, as well as regions and countries. This initial step could contribute to a better understanding of these barriers, along with associated solutions, which could result in a significant reduction on the impact of construction activities, therefore facilitating the development of an effective circular economy in the sector.

Circular Economy (CE) has the potential to tackle many of the challenges we are facing nowadays. It represents nothing less than a paradigm shift, as closing and shortening material loops means adopting completely new ways of producing and consuming. In the European Union, CE is a key strategy to achieve climate neutrality target by 2050, to face the biodiversity crisis, to guarantee economic growth and social wellbeing, within planet boundaries, in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Stakeholders’ engagement is a crucial point of the transition pathway based on a systemic approach through a co-creation process. Urban areas are the main field of the circular transition process in which all the urban actors, i.e., public institutions, academic and research bodies, economic operators, citizens and civil organizations, are involved. An effective operational tool to realize stakeholders’ involvement and co-creation processes is the methodological approach of Urban Living Labs (ULLs). Although ULLs have already been tested and implemented worldwide, there is no description of a step-by-step methodology to implement ULLs aimed at co-creation of project ideas on CE, to be realized in a specific territory. This paper aims to define a methodological framework for implementing ULLs focused on co-designing CE activities. The proposed methodology is based on four main phases: (i) scouting and analysis of the territorial context, (ii) listening and exploration, (iii) participation, (iv) execution. A detailed description of each phase as well as the first application of this framework in different urban communities are presented.