Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Radical changes are needed for transformations to a good Anthropocene

This paper argues that achieving a sustainable future requires radical changes to financial, legal, political, and governance systems, not just incremental improvements. The researchers present five key principles involving fundamental shifts in how societies think about growth, efficiency, government, shared resources, and justice. The study emphasizes that these transformations must happen together across neighborhoods, cities, and regions to stay within planetary boundaries.

2021 npj Urban Sustainability 226 citations
Article Tier 2

The (in)compatibility of the Ecological Modernization Theory and Consumer Society

This review examines the compatibility between ecological modernization theory and consumer society, critically assessing whether economic growth and environmental protection can coexist through technological progress and green industry development. The authors find inherent tensions between the theory's assumptions and the consumption patterns that drive ecological degradation.

2024 Facta Universitatis Series Philosophy Sociology Psychology and History
Article Tier 2

A systems thinking approach to understanding the challenges of achieving the circular economy

This paper used a systems thinking approach to identify the challenges blocking implementation of circular economy principles, going beyond the commonly discussed benefits to analyze the structural and societal barriers. It found that complex interdependencies between economic actors, infrastructure, regulation, and consumer behavior collectively obstruct circular economy transitions.

2020 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 272 citations
Article Tier 2

Fundamental Challenges and Opportunities for Textile Circularity

Researchers conducted qualitative research with textile industry stakeholders to identify fundamental challenges in transitioning to a circular economy. The study highlights urgent needs including standardized definitions to prevent greenwashing, improved sorting and recycling systems for post-consumer textiles, and innovations in mechanical recycling to maintain material value and reduce environmental pollution from textile waste.

2024 Sustainability 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Can fashion be sustainable? Trajectories of change in organizational, products and processes, and socio-cultural contexts

This article provides a comprehensive framework for understanding sustainability in the fashion industry across three key dimensions: organizational change, innovation in products and processes, and socio-cultural transformation. Researchers analyzed how shifts in management practices, materials science, and consumer behavior collectively shape the industry's sustainability efforts. The study highlights that meaningful progress requires coordinated action across all three dimensions rather than isolated initiatives.

2024 Sustainability Science Practice and Policy 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Challenges and opportunities for green transitions adoption in Kenya's textile manufacturing industry

This study investigated the challenges and opportunities for adopting green practices in Kenya's textile manufacturing industry, a sector responsible for roughly 56% of the country's industrial pollution. Researchers examined two Kenyan textile mills and found that while workers and management recognized the need for sustainability, barriers including cost and infrastructure gaps slowed progress. The findings highlight how textile manufacturing contributes to environmental contamination, including microplastic-generating waste.

2025 Frontiers in Sustainability 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Sustainability Challenges of the Textile Industry

This review examines the environmental, social, and economic sustainability challenges facing the global textile industry, including high water consumption, chemical pollution, labor exploitation, and the compounding effects of fast fashion on waste generation and resource depletion. The authors argue that addressing these interconnected challenges requires a multidimensional approach spanning supply chain transparency, regulatory reform, and shifts in consumer behavior.

2025 IntechOpen eBooks
Article Tier 2

Forecasting technological disruptions in plastic waste management

Researchers explored current and emerging technologies disrupting plastic waste management from an operations perspective, reviewing incremental innovations and forecasting future disruptions. With global plastic production at 350 million tonnes/year and only 9.7% recycled in 2021, the study identifies technological gaps and economic constraints that must be addressed to meaningfully reduce plastic and microplastic pollution.

2025 UPCommons institutional repository (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya)
Article Tier 2

Forecasting technological disruptions in plastic waste management

Researchers explored current and emerging technologies disrupting plastic waste management from an operations perspective, reviewing incremental innovations and forecasting future disruptions. With global plastic production at 350 million tonnes/year and only 9.7% recycled in 2021, the study identifies technological gaps and economic constraints that must be addressed to meaningfully reduce plastic and microplastic pollution.

2025 QRU Quaderns de Recerca en Urbanisme
Article Tier 2

Moving Towards a Holistic Approach to Circular Cities: Obstacles and Perspectives for Implementation of Nature-Based Solutions in Europe

Researchers surveyed experts across Europe to identify obstacles and opportunities for implementing nature-based solutions in cities transitioning toward circular economies. They found that while interest in green infrastructure is growing, inconsistent policies, lack of interdisciplinary collaboration, and limited citizen engagement remain major barriers. The study underscores the need for holistic urban planning that combines environmental, social, and economic perspectives.

2024 Sustainability 8 citations
Article Tier 2

A critical review on sustainable hazardous waste management strategies: a step towards a circular economy

Researchers review global strategies for managing hazardous industrial and household waste — including chemicals, heavy metals, and electronic waste — with a focus on aligning disposal practices with circular economy principles that minimize environmental and health harm. The review finds that prevention, recycling, and advanced treatment technologies must work together, guided by stronger international policy frameworks.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 74 citations
Article Tier 2

Modelling the significance of strategic orientation on green innovation: mediation of green dynamic capabilities

This study modeled how strategic orientation influences green innovation in companies through the mediating roles of green dynamic capabilities, finding that environmental strategy commitment is a key driver of effective corporate environmental innovation.

2023 Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 22 citations
Article Tier 2

‘Solutions’ versus sustainability

This chapter examines societal, financial, and geographic barriers to sustainable plastic behavior change, analyzing the tension between technological waste management solutions and the behavioral shifts needed to reduce microplastic pollution at source.

2024 Microplastics
Article Tier 2

(Un)Sustainable transitions towards fast and ultra-fast fashion

Researchers developed a framework to analyze the sustainability tensions within the fashion industry, showing that while established brands are adopting green initiatives and new business models, the simultaneous rise of ultra-fast fashion is creating major negative environmental and social impacts that offset these gains. The study highlights the complexity of achieving genuine sustainability transitions in an industry driven by competing institutional pressures.

2023 Fashion and Textiles 61 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

A systematic review of industrial wastewater management: Evaluating challenges and enablers

This systematic review of 66 studies on industrial wastewater management found that while treatment technologies are advancing, major challenges remain in regulation enforcement, cost-effectiveness, and integration of circular economy principles. The research highlights that inadequate industrial wastewater treatment is a significant source of environmental pollutants, including microplastics, entering waterways.

2023 Journal of Environmental Management 458 citations
Article Tier 2

Innovations for sustainable chemical manufacturing and waste minimization through green production practices

This review examined green production practices and technologies for sustainable chemical manufacturing, covering recyclable materials, waste minimization, and energy reduction strategies. The paper addressed growing plastic and electronic waste challenges and evaluated industrial approaches to minimizing environmental impact through greener production processes.

2024 High Temperature Materials and Processes
Article Tier 2

Green Supply Chain Coordination with Considering Carbon Emissions and Product Green Level Dependent Demand

Researchers developed a green supply chain coordination model that incorporates carbon emission costs and product green-level dependent demand, finding that green development policies and cost-sharing mechanisms can incentivize enterprises to adopt more sustainable supply chain operations.

2023 Preprints.org 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Analyzing The Implementation of Green-Economy Inclusive Strategy in East Java Province Through Urban Good Governance in Green-Economy Framework: The Case of Surabaya

Researchers analysed the implementation of a green-economy strategy in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia using a qualitative-descriptive approach and thematic analysis, evaluating four dimensions — decision-making, implementation capacity, green economy systems, and socio-ecological factors — to derive a replicable development strategy.

2024 East Java Economic Journal
Article Tier 2

New Technologies for the Transition to a Circular Economy in the Plastic Materials Value Chain

Researchers conducted a systematic literature review using the ReSOLVE framework to analyze how emerging technologies enable the transition to a circular economy in the plastics value chain. They found that four technology sets — Industry 4.0, distributed economy models, biological systems, and chemical recycling — act as complementary enablers rather than individual solutions, and that systemic governance changes are needed to overcome adoption barriers.

2024 Economic scope
Review Tier 2

Technology integration to promote circular economy transformation of the garment industry: a systematic literature review

This systematic literature review examines how Industry 4.0 technologies can help transform the garment industry from a linear to a circular economy model. Researchers found that digital technologies can address environmental pollution and excess supply issues while enabling market digitization, consumer personalization, and supply chain transparency. The study highlights both the advantages and remaining challenges of integrating technology for sustainable garment industry development.

2023 Autex Research Journal 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Introduction: possibilities and limits of innovation management

This introduction to the Elgar Encyclopedia of Innovation Management outlines the scope and structure of the resource, which covers science and technology management, open and collaborative innovation, creativity and diversity, and responsible and sustainable innovation across private, public, and third sectors. The piece frames innovation management as a field requiring integration of classic approaches with emerging perspectives including sustainability.

2025 Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks
Article Tier 2

A Review of Environmental, Social and Governance Frameworks in Sustainable Disposal of Waste from Renewable Energy Resources

This review examines the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges associated with disposing of waste from renewable energy infrastructure, including components that frequently contain hazardous materials. The study uses industry case studies to illustrate successful ESG-integrated disposal frameworks and recommends technical innovation, global collaboration, and stakeholder accountability as pathways toward sustainable renewable energy waste management.

2023 Journal of Digital Food Energy & Water Systems 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Why Environmental Pollution Remains Unresolved Despite Efforts to Mitigate It?

This review examines why environmental pollution persists despite mitigation efforts, identifying industrialization, technological cost barriers, weak regulatory enforcement, regulatory capture by industrial lobbies, and insufficient public awareness as the primary systemic reasons that pollution control remains ineffective, particularly in developing nations.

2025 DIROSAT Journal of Education Social Sciences & Humanities
Article Tier 2

Environmental Blindspots: Identification and Mitigation using Technologies, Education, and Policies

Researchers define the concept of environmental blindspots -- pollution problems deprioritized due to corporate interests, consumer preferences, or regulatory inertia -- and propose technology, education, and policy approaches to address them.

2024 Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers