Synergistic Approaches to Energy Transition, Circular Economy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to submit your research to this Special Issue of Sustainability on 'Synergistic approaches to energy transition, circular economy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)'.

Global challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, and resource depletion have led to a growing recognition of the need for integrated approaches that address multiple sustainability goals. The energy transition and the circular economy are critical to this, providing pathways to decarbonise economies, improve resource efficiency, and minimise environmental impacts.

These strategies play a key role in advancing several SDGs, particularly:

• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

Transitioning to renewable energy sources (SDG 7) while implementing circular economy practises (SDG 12) can also support climate action (SDG 13) by reducing emissions and promoting sustainable industrial practises (SDG 9). The research in this field is essential for shaping policies, guiding investments, and providing the foundation for a sustainable future.

This Special Issue aims to explore the synergies between energy transition, circular economy principles, and the achievement of specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will focus on how sustainable energy solutions and circular economy models can jointly contribute to the global SDG targets, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The issue will provide actionable insights into how policy frameworks, technological innovations, and integrated strategies can advance a more sustainable, low-carbon future.

We welcome original research articles and reviews on topics that may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Renewable energy integration and SDG 7: Innovations in clean energy technologies and infrastructure for affordable and sustainable energy access.
2. Circular economy models in production and consumption (SDG 12): Strategies to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, and implement closed-loop systems.
3. Climate action and decarbonization pathways (SDG 13): Exploring the intersection of energy transition and circular economy in mitigating climate change.
4. Sustainable industrialization and innovation (SDG 9): How circular economy principles can enhance sustainability in industries and infrastructure.
5. Policy frameworks supporting the synergy between energy transition and circular economy: Regulatory and policy analyses for integrating these strategies with SDG targets.
6. Life cycle assessment of energy and material systems: Assessing environmental impacts of transitioning to renewable energy and circular economy models.
7. Case studies on community-led energy transition initiatives: Lessons from grassroots efforts in energy and resource sustainability.
8. Barriers and opportunities for integrating circular economy principles into national energy policies: Analysis of global and regional frameworks.
9. The role of technological innovation in achieving SDGs 7, 12, 9, and 13: Emerging technologies that support sustainable transitions.
10. Sustainable urban and rural energy systems: How cities and rural areas are driving progress toward energy sustainability and circular economy adoption.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and, together, we aim to contribute valuable insights into how these critical transitions can support the achievement of the SDGs.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mohammad Fazle Rabbi
Dr. Sándor Kovács
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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.

• energy transition
• circular economy
• sustainable development goals
• renewable energy
• climate action
• resource efficiency
• decarbonization
• responsible consumption
• sustainability innovation
• resilient infrastructure