Integrated Waste Biorefineries: Achieving Sustainable Development Goals, 2nd edition

Abstract

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are designed to revolutionize societies to prepare for the future challenges. However, the practical implementation of such goals in many domains is are yet to be achieved despite of unique essence. Sustainable energy production (aligned with SDG 7), clean water and sanitation (aligned with SDG 6), sustainable waste services (aligned with SDG 11), and mitigating climate change impacts (aligned with SDG 13) have been the prime focus of SDGs. Moreover, much attention is being paid to research and development activities on waste prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse to achieve responsible consumption and production (aligned with SDG 12). Waste biorefineries have emerged as a sustainable environmental management solution to achieve not only the aforementioned SDGs, but also to accomplish no poverty (aligned with SDG 1) and zero hunger (aligned with SDG 2) and to maintain well-being and good health aligned with (SDG 3) and decent work and economic growth (aligned with SDG 8) worldwide. This is true because integrated waste biorefineries can efficiently and sustainably produce fuels, heat, energy, power, and multiple value-added products and chemicals. It can further facilitate the transition from linear to circular economies and mitigate the major challenges faced, including environmental pollution, climate change, and adverse effects on public health. This Research Topic will focus on different types of waste biorefineries, current status, practical implications, optimization of waste-to-energy technologies, detailed life assessment studies, and future opportunities with a vision to achieve SDGs in the areas of sustainable energy generation, waste management, circular economies, and climate change mitigation. The editorial team of this special issue, consisting of world-renowned scientists including Highly Cited Researchers, welcomes submissions of original research articles, review articles, short communications, industrial and/or country/region case studies that covers the following enlisted topics: • Waste biorefineries (e.g., organic waste biorefinery, agricultural and forestry waste biorefinery, etc.) • Integration of different types of biorefineries • Sustainable development goals • Waste to energy technologies • Energy and resource recovery from biomass and other waste • Renewable and sustainable energy systems • Biomass and waste supply chain • Sustainable waste management systems • Mitigation of environmental pollution and climate change • Life cycle assessment • Sustainable circular and bio-based economies.