In recent years, bioeconomy strategies have been implemented and adapted internationally. In the bioeconomy, materials are to a certain extent circular by nature. However, biomaterials may also be used in a rather linear way. Lately, a transition towards a circular economy, a more restorative and regenerative economic model, is being promoted worldwide. A circular economy offers an alternative model aiming at “doing more and better with less”. It is based on the idea that circulating matter and energy will diminish the need for new input. Its concept lies in maintaining the value of products, materials, and resources for as long as possible and at the same time minimizing or even eliminating the amount of waste produced. Focused on “closing the loops”, a circular economy is a practical solution for promoting entrepreneurial sustainability, economic growth, environmental resilience, and a better quality of life for all. The most efficient way to close resource loops is to find value in the waste. Different modes of resource circulation may be applied, e.g., raw materials, by-products, human resources, logistics, services, waste, energy, or water. To that end, this Special Issue seeks to contribute to the circular bioeconomy agenda through enhanced scientific and multidisciplinary knowledge to boost the performance efficiency of circular business models and support decision-making within the specific field. The Special Issue includes innovative technical developments, reviews, and case studies, all of which are relevant to green, closed-loop, circular bioeconomy.

In recent years, bioeconomy strategies have been implemented and adapted internationally. In the bioeconomy, materials are to a certain extent circular by nature. However, biomaterials may also be used in a rather linear way. Lately, a transition towards a circular economy, a more restorative and regenerative economic model, is being promoted worldwide. A circular economy offers an alternative model aiming at “doing more and better with less”. It is based on the idea that circulating matter and energy will diminish the need for new input. Its concept lies in maintaining the value of products, materials, and resources for as long as possible and at the same time minimizing or even eliminating the amount of waste produced. Focused on “closing the loops”, a circular economy is a practical solution for promoting entrepreneurial sustainability, economic growth, environmental resilience, and a better quality of life for all. The most efficient way to close resource loops is to find value in the waste. Different modes of resource circulation may be applied, e.g., raw materials, by-products, human resources, logistics, services, waste, energy, or water. To that end, this Special Issue seeks to contribute to the circular bioeconomy agenda through enhanced scientific and multidisciplinary knowledge to boost the performance efficiency of circular business models and support decision-making within the specific field. The Special Issue includes innovative technical developments, reviews, and case studies, all of which are relevant to green, closed-loop, circular bioeconomy.

The book offers a unique overview of the circular bioeconomy and its potential contribution to fostering sustainability globally.

Environmental Nexus Approach: Management of Water, Waste, and Soil establishes linkages between environmental resources, such as water, waste, and soil, in order to facilitate sustainable management of these resources. It shows the nexus approach as a policy-relevant means of environmental management by focusing on integrated management of water, waste, and soil resources. It synthesizes interdisciplinary theory, concepts, definitions, models, and findings involved in complex global sustainability problem-solving, making it an essential guide and reference. It includes real-world examples and applications making the book accessible to a broader interdisciplinary readership. Features: Explores cutting-edge developments in the environmental nexus approach of water, waste, and soil. Introduces the key mechanisms regarding antibiotic resistance genes, microplastics, and other emerging contaminants in the water, waste, and soil nexus. Investigates the fate and behavior of heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, plastics, and pesticides in soil systems and their risk assessment. Provides insights into the latest developments, current research perspectives, technology development, critical thinking, and societal requirements of the environmental nexus between water, waste, and soil. This book is aimed at graduate students and researchers in environmental science and engineering, environmental engineering, and waste management.

This book presents possible solutions for a circuler economy (CE) in the water and wastewater sector through an inventory of multidisciplinary knowledge with high scientific and practical importance which can contribute to support the transition to the CE model in water and wastewater sector. Water in modern studies exceeds being an important source for irrigation and drinking. It is now a significant source of renewable energy and a catalyst in most industrial and manufacturing products. The protection and sustainable management of water resources and water-based waste (as wastewater, sewage sludge, or sewage sludge ash) are important aspects of the CE, which is defined as a regenerative growth model that gives back to the planet more than it takes. Our book, entitled "Water in Circular Economy", delivers a comprehensive overview of the latest research covering the following aspects of water management from the perspective of the CE implementation: · Water as a key resource in the circular economy; · Innovative solutions in transition to the circular economy in water and wastewater sector; · Monitoring of circular economy implementation in water and wastewater sector.

This book is an essential reading for students, researchers and non-academic experts dealing with environmental, economic and social science aspects of the circular bioeconomy and with sustainability in general.

This book interprets the economic benefits and social benefits brought about by zero waste. Beginning with the general history of waste, its mechanism and different categories, this book first explores waste management and resourcing technology around the world nowadays. It then elaborates on the concept and practices of zero waste, discussing about the relationship between zero waste and eco-design, and about relative international standards. At last, it points out that zero waste could be the pathway from linear economy to circular economy, backed up by theories and practices. This book offers a clear direction for companies and organizations about environment. It can also be used as a sustainable development strategy handbook for executives in companies and organizations.

Sustainable and Circular Management of Resources and Waste Towards a Green Deal highlights the importance of resource recovery, phosphorus management, climate action, clean energy transition, and a circular economy. The world is facing significant challenges, including climate disruption, environmental changes, pollution, and population explosion. Sustainable management of finite natural resources within the carrying capacity of the bio-geo-hydrosphere is the crux of transforming the global economy for a sustainable future. Moreover, keeping raw materials in circulation as long as possible and minimizing the amount of waste generated has grown in significance as a part of transitioning to a circular economy (CE) model. - Introduces innovative solutions in green energy transition - Provides case studies as examples of a circular economy implementation in selected sectors of the economy, including water and wastewater, raw materials, and construction - Suggests actions to counteract climate change and its consequences for people and the planet

In the COVID 19 post-pandemic era, sustainable financial systems are increasingly getting the attention they deserve, and policymakers are now moving toward investment and financing decisions based on sustainable development. Green finance plays an important role in mobilizing financial resources and hedging against environmental risk to achieve financially sustainable systems. Moreover, green financial instruments offer viable alternatives for investors and regulators with regard to portfolio management and risk minimization. Over the last few years, financial technology (FinTech) has grown to become one of the most topical areas in the global financial services industry. The development of distributed ledger technology, big data, smart contracts, peer-to-peer lending platforms, biometrics, and new digital has sparked innovation in the financial services industry and the development of new financing and investment strategies. The combination of sustainability and FinTech can help policymakers to achieve ESG targets when making investment and financing decisions. This book showcases a collection of recent advances in green finance and FinTech and explores their impact in achieving sustainable finance, investment strategy-making, and portfolio management. Presenting theoretical frameworks and the latest empirical studies in the field of green finance and FinTech, it offers a valuable asset for academics, professionals, policymakers, regulators, and investors who want to understand in-depth the impact of green finance and FinTech on future investment and financing strategies in the post-pandemic era.

This volume is the last (IV) of four under the main themes of Digitizing Agriculture and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The four volumes cover rapidly developing processes including Sensors (I), Data (II), Decision (III), and Actions (IV). Volumes are related to ‘digital transformation” within agricultural production and provision systems, and in the context of Smart Farming Technology and Knowledge-based Agriculture. Content spans broadly from data mining and visualization to big data analytics and decision making, alongside with the sustainability aspects stemming from the digital transformation of farming. The four volumes comprise the outcome of the 12th EFITA Congress, also incorporating chapters that originated from select presentations of the Congress. The focus in this volume is on the directions of Agriculture 4.0 which incorporates the transition to a new era of action in the Agricultural sector, represented by the evolution of digital technologies in 4 aspects: Big Data, Open Data, Internet of Things (IoT), and Cloud Computing. Under the heading of “Action,” 14 Chapters investigate the implementation of cutting-edge technologies on real world applications. It will become apparent to the reader that the penetration of ICT in agriculture can result in several benefits related to the sustainability of the sector and to yield the maximum benefits, successful management is required. The entire discussion highlights the importance of proper education in the adoption of innovative technologies starting with the adaption of educational systems to the new era and moving to the familiarization of farmers to the new technologies. This book covers topics that relate to the digital transformation of farming. It provides examples and case studies of this transformation from around the world, examines the process of diffusion of digital technologies, and assesses the current and future sustainability aspects of digital agriculture. More specifically, it deals with issues such as: Challenges and opportunities from the transition to Agriculture 4.0 Safety and health in agricultural work automation The role of digital farming on regional-spatial planning The enrollment of Social Media in IoT-based agriculture The role of education in digital agriculture Real-life implementation cases of smart agriculture around the world