Ecosystem Services, Green Innovation and Sustainable Development

Dear Colleagues,

Ecosystem services, green innovation, and sustainable development are intricately linked concepts that underscore humanity’s need to balance environmental conservation with economic progress. Ecosystem services refer to the benefits that humans derive from nature, including clean air and water, pollination of crops, climate regulation, and recreational opportunities. These services are vital for human well-being and economic prosperity. However, they are often taken for granted and undervalued, leading to their degradation through activities such as deforestation, pollution, and overexploitation of natural resources. Green innovation encompasses the development and adoption of technologies, practices, and policies that minimize environmental impact and promote sustainability. This includes renewable energy sources, eco-friendly materials, waste reduction strategies, and efficient resource management techniques. Green innovation drives economic growth by fostering new industries, creating jobs, and enhancing competitiveness while reducing ecological footprint. Sustainable development seeks to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It integrates economic, social, and environmental considerations to ensure long-term viability and equity. Sustainable development recognizes the interdependence of ecological health, human well-being, and economic prosperity, emphasizing the need for holistic and integrated approaches to decision-making. The relevance between these topics is clear: ecosystem services provide the foundation for human prosperity and well-being, but they are threatened by unsustainable practices. Green innovation offers solutions to mitigate these threats by promoting resource efficiency, reducing pollution, and enhancing resilience to environmental change. Sustainable development provides the framework for integrating these solutions into policy and decision-making processes, ensuring that economic growth is pursued in a way that preserves and enhances ecosystem services for current and future generations. In essence, ecosystem services, green innovation, and sustainable development are interconnected pillars of a holistic approach to addressing the complex challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between human society and the natural world.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research keywords may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Assessment of Ecosystem Services in Urban Environments;
• Technological Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture;
• Impact of Climate Change on Ecosystem Services;
• Circular Economy Models and Green Innovation;
• Ecosystem-Based Approaches to Coastal Zone Management;
• Green Infrastructure for Urban Resilience;
• Innovation in Renewable Energy Technologies;
• Socioeconomic Impacts of Ecosystem Services Degradation;
• Policy Instruments for Promoting Green Innovation;
• Integration of Indigenous Knowledge and Practices in Sustainable Development.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Ronnie Figueiredo
Dr. Eleonora Santos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• ecosystem services
• green innovation
• sustainable development
• climate change
• renewable energy
• biodiversity conservation
• circular economy
• urban resilience
• policy instruments
• socioeconomic impacts