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187 Sustainability Topics For Research Papers In 2023

sustainability topics

If you are a student of environmental science or even technology, sustainability is a very important topic for your research papers. These topics help you study the impact of mankind on the environment and different options that are available to prevent further deterioration of the planet. There is a lot of scope for research on this subject, making it one of the most common topics for dissertation or thesis writing. Here is a list of some of the best environmental sustainability research topics that will help you get started on your research paper and project.

The topics below are practical and easy because you can find a lot of information about them. Whether you are writing an informative or argumentative paper, these topics are the perfect starting point for you.

Environmental Sustainability Research Topics

These sustainability research topics are suitable for in-depth data and analysis. They are ideal for lengthy writing assignments.

  • Draw a comparison between different non-profit groups that are dedicated to improving sustainability.
  • Can custom sustainable designs for classrooms improve learning?
  • Is adding better natural lighting a sustainable way of saving on energy costs in large organizations?
  • What are the different technological innovations that are focused on reducing environmental pollution?
  • Does veganism help protect the environment?
  • Are hand dryers instead of paper towels a good idea for public restrooms?
  • How is pollution related to a country’s GDP?
  • Why do developing nations find it difficult to start recycling programs?
  • What are some political challenges that the environment faces globally?
  • Is American politics affecting the environment?
  • What are the benefits of choosing a vegan diet?
  • Do developed countries have the responsibility of helping third-world nations become more sustainable?
  • Are your current local environmental policies effective enough?
  • Should high schools and colleges ban the use of plastic?
  • How does food consumption affect the environment?
  • Why is Sweden so different from other countries when it comes to protecting the environment?
  • What are some technological advancements that help us reduce waste?
  • Why have we failed to reduce food wastage across the globe?
  • Is better recycling technology the solution to reducing waste in landfills?
  • How are plastic straws a threat to the environment of the Earth?
  • Can increased taxes items meant for single-use reduce waste from piling up in landfills?
  • Why do some states succeed in banning plastic bags while others fail?
  • How is overpopulation related to pollution?
  • In the next fifty years, how will the population impact the environment?
  • Do we have enough natural resources to support the exploding population across the globe?
  • What role does the government play in improving food resources?

Easy Sustainability Topics For Research

These sustainability topics for research are commonly used by students because they are practical in terms of research and the availability of data.

  • Is banning plastic a suitable solution to reduce environmental pollution?
  • What are the options available to make cutlery sustainable?
  • Should metros ban the use of plastic straws completely?
  • Why is our ecosystem so dependent on sea life?
  • Does any carbon footprint come from farm animals and how?
  • Why is it the need of the hour to prevent waste from being dumped into oceans?
  • How does getting fair-trade certificates to benefit university campuses?
  • Why should we increase the consumption of local produce?
  • How does supporting local businesses improve sustainability?
  • Should food donation programs be imposed in cities?
  • How has the emergence of farmers’ markets helped various communities?
  • Is buffet-style dining beneficial or harmful for efforts toward sustainability?
  • How can taxes be used to improve sustainability efforts?
  • How can leftovers from hotels and restaurants be disposed of sustainably?
  • What are the various benefits of food programs for the community?
  • Explain the process of growing vegan produce and its effect on the environment
  • How have sustainability efforts been affected globally as a result of the pandemic?
  • Is zero-waste living ideal?
  • What does sustainability mean in the 21st century?
  • How is supporting local food markets sustainable?
  • How does the greenhouse effect change as a result of less meat consumption?
  • Does eating red meat improve the quality of the air?
  • What are some benefits of switching to a plant-based diet?
  • Should school cafeterias increase the options for vegan food?
  • How do slaughterhouses impact the environment negatively?
  • What if all restaurants switched to buffet-style meals?

Best Sustainability Topics For Research Papers

Looking for sustainability topics for research that can ensure better grades. Here is a list of some of the best topics on sustainability that you can choose from.

  • Give a detailed plan for a sustainable restaurant.
  • Why do large cities struggle with reducing air pollution?
  • Should cities make it mandatory to reduce food waste in community gardens?
  • What are some of the primary benefits of improving public transportation systems?
  • Should rainwater harvesting become compulsory for large buildings?
  • Has technology benefited or harmed the environment?
  • Will reducing our dependence on technology help sustain the environment?
  • Are smaller classrooms beneficial or harmful to the environment?
  • How has the pandemic affected the environment positively?
  • What is the negative impact of the pandemic on the environment?
  • Can reducing the number of school days improve sustainability efforts?
  • How do school campuses contribute to environmental deterioration? How can it be reduced?
  • What are the best ways to teach children about non-renewable and renewable resources?
  • What are some immediate changes that you can make in your life to become more sustainable?
  • Create a detailed sustainability plan for your family
  • Can maintaining a constant temperature at home reduce energy costs? Support your argument with data.
  • Chart out a detailed zero-waste living plan that can be implemented easily.
  • What is the relationship between community health and the environment?
  • Case studies of the impact of pollution on the health of people.
  • How do developing nations improve their access to water resources?
  • Can government policies truly help the environment?
  • Will creating better public spaces like riverbeds and parks improve sustainability?
  • What are some measures that can be used to improve access to clean water in developing nations?
  • What are some measures taken by Denmark to reduce food waste?
  • Discuss Sweden’s efforts to use waste for heating and energy.
  • How can we reduce pollution and improve the quality of care at the same time?

Environmental Research Topics for College Students

These sustainability topics for research papers are perfect for college students as they are most relevant and extremely interesting as well.

  • What are the best ways to deal with medical waste?
  • How has awareness about recycling improved sustainability efforts?
  • Is global warming false as some world leaders claim?
  • What are some ecological challenges that the US will face in the coming decades?
  • Will green universities improve students’ mental health?
  • How can growing your food help in improving sustainability?
  • What are the best measures that communities can take to prevent waste
  • What are the best ways to use landscaping sustainably?
  • Is gardening around the house a good way of improving the quality of air amidst growing pollution rates?
  • Should fireworks be banned?
  • How can we raise cattle sustainably?
  • How is the fashion industry impacting the environment?
  • Discuss the importance of sustainable fashion in the world we live in.
  • How can community gardens help cities become more sustainable?
  • How can you measure the success of a smart city by the well-being of its inhabitants?
  • What are smart cities? Can you provide examples?
  • How can digitization be used to pursue a sustainability agenda?
  • What are the various ecological dimensions of sustainability?
  • Should governments provide more grants for research on sustainability?
  • Discuss some sustainable measures that we can learn from our ancestors.
  • What is the impact of America’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement?
  • What are the Paris Climate Agreement and its important terms?
  • How can changing policies from a macro level to a micro level improve sustainability efforts?
  • What are the best measures taken by the UN to improve sustainability?
  • Greta Thunberg: The poster child of climate change or a publicity stunt?
  • The most impactful environmentalists over the last decade.

Sustainability Topics for All Levels

These sustainability research paper topics are perfect for you whether you are writing a high school paper or a college paper. They are versatile and easy to compile.

  • How will our carbon footprint impact the generations to come?
  • What are the different types of sustainability?
  • What does sustainability education mean?
  • How can your school or college improve its regulations to make the campus sustainable?
  • Are there any sustainability programs that have been implemented in your school or college?
  • Do solar panels on buildings help reduce energy costs?
  • What are the benefits of including sustainability education in the school curriculum?
  • How does non-plastic waste in the oceans impact the environment?
  • How to prevent the greenhouse effect from agriculture?
  • Should governments support and invest in more solar technologies?
  • How can a home become energy efficient with solar energy?
  • How does an improved ventilation system improve sustainability?
  • What are the measures taken by modern schools and colleges in improving sustainability?
  • How can modern classrooms make use of natural light for better sustainability?
  • How can we save on energy by setting systems off when they are still idle.
  • What are the various benefits of changing classroom timings to optimize the use of natural lighting?
  • Is it possible to apply a game theory to manage challenges with sustainability?
  • What is the difference between biocapacity and carbon footprint in various regions?
  • What are some challenges faced by companies when it comes to conserving energy?
  • Can you name some environmental groups that have been most effective in cleaning up plastic from the oceans and how they have achieved their goals?
  • What are some positive effects of reducing computer screen brightness?
  • Name some countries with the poorest environmental laws?
  • A case study of the most sustainable nations in the world.
  • The effect of plastic on the environment in detail.
  • What are some effective measures of saving water?
  • A study of oil spills and their effect on marine life over the last decade.

Environmental Project Topics

Have an environmental sustainability topic due? This sustainability topics list is all you need to present projects that grab the attention of your audience.

  • What are some barriers and drivers of sustainability research?
  • How does on-campus sustainable research help increase practical solutions for environmental sustainability?
  • Provide a business case to install new lighting systems
  • What are some lighting systems available today that are most sustainable?
  • Needs luxury led to an unsustainable environment?
  • What are the benefits of using electric cars?
  • The most impactful evidence to prove that global warming is real.
  • Do political agendas suppress sustainability efforts? How?
  • What are some of the major threats of climate change?
  • The importance of teaching children about sustainability
  • What are some of the most common examples of wasteful living that you see around you?
  • The relationship between undernutrition, obesity, and climate change.
  • Why has ice loss across the Himalayas become rapid over the last 40 years?
  • How quickly are we depleting natural resources?
  • How does the medical industry contribute to global warming?
  • What is the Lancet Countdown on climate change and health?
  • Does climate change impact the health of newborn children?
  • How has industrialization helped and harmed the environment?
  • The use of heating and cooling systems and their impact on the environment.
  • The harmful impact of the film industry on the environment
  • Celebrities who have successfully endorsed anti-climate change campaigns
  • KFC and the Amazon Rainforests: What was the chaos about?
  • How has the fast-food industry impacted the environment?
  • The contribution of the aviation industry toward global warming
  • What is a carbon tax and how can it help improve efforts towards sustainability?
  • Write about the development of waste streams over the last few decades.
  • Are newspapers viable in times of sustainability?
  • The importance of enhancing biodiversity to reduce environmental deterioration.
  • Can improving safety regulations for cyclists contribute to sustainability?
  • What are some of the most sustainable multi-national companies? Discuss their strategies.

Sustainable Development Topics

Development is a very important topic for research paper writing for students of environmental studies. Here are some sustainability topics for research related to development to help you get started.

  • How has economic globalization impacted the environment?
  • What is the relationship between autocracy, democracy, wars, and natural resources?
  • How does a finite environmental capacity impact political and economic development?
  • Changing human behavior and the use of natural resources.
  • Adaptation and mitigation policies to solve environmental issues.
  • The difference between the approach of a political institution and market-based requirements towards sustainability.
  • How has the automobile industry taken steps towards sustainability?
  • What are some effects of Green Technology on the economy?
  • What is the advantage of using Green Technology in organizations?
  • A detailed study of the Global Environmental Sustainability Framework to technology.
  • How can digitization be used to improve awareness about sustainability?
  • Is it practical to implement Green technology in developing countries? What are the best measures that can be taken?
  • How can construction become sustainable?
  • How can Green Thinking help improve sustainability?
  • What is the perception of green energy and sustainability in multinational organizations?
  • What are some sustainability policies that have helped developing nations?
  • The impact of digitization on sustainability
  • What are the current trends in Green Technology?
  • Should builders receive incentives for constructing sustainable structures?
  • Incentives for sustainability in industrial settings.
  • The most effective option for disposing of electronic waste.
  • How advancement in medical technology has impacted the environment
  • The relationship between motorsports and the environment.
  • Do large public events like concerts and sports events impact sustainability?
  • The impact of styrofoam cups on the environment.
  • Advancements in technology have contributed to sustainability.
  • Scientists who have contributed effectively towards sustainability.

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80 sustainability research topics for students to explore green campus issues

You’re planning your thesis, paper or capstone? You want to do a student research project with impact. We have outlined a range of sustainability research topics for you. The list specifically focuses on how to green your campus . Take action to make your university more sustainable!

Our list of sustainability research topics helps students investigate green campus issues.

Sustainability research topics: Education

Some sustainability research topics on education for sustainable development :

  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of different definitions of sustainability education? Which definition could your university adopt?
  • To what extent is sustainability education already implemented in the curriculum of your university?
  • What are the strengths and limitations of advancing sustainability education within your curriculum?
  • Where does your university stand with regards to sustainability education compared to other institutions of higher education?
  • What is the demand among students for more, different or better sustainability education?
  • How can existing sustainability projects on campus be used for educational purposes, e.g. visit solar cells on rooftops as part of engineering classes?

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  • What definition of sustainability research should your university embrace?
  • To what extent is sustainability research already practised at your university?
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the institution’s sustainability research portfolio compared to other institutions of higher education?
  • What are the drivers of and barriers to sustainability research at your university?
  • How could sustainability research help students to study sustainability issues on campus and inform practical change projects?
  • What are the opportunities and costs associated with promoting sustainability research? What could a plan of action look like to strategically advance it?

Some sustainability research topics on community engagement and awareness:

  • What are the perceptions of and attitudes towards sustainability by students and staff?
  • What are ways to promote sustainable lifestyles among students?
  • To what extent are students and staff aware of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ?
  • How aware are students and staff about the institution’s sustainability ambitions?
  • What are the benefits and disadvantages of approaches to communicate the university’s sustainability efforts better?
  • What are the challenges to involve students and staff in the university’s sustainability efforts?
  • Which ways to increase the engagement of the campus community exist, for example by organising sustainability events ?

For inspiration, read our post on 10 projects to engage students on the SDGs .

Explore sustainability topics for research papers on different issues related to greening campus operations:

  • What are the opportunities and costs of improving the building insulations to save energy?
  • What lighting systems exist on the market that are more energy efficient?
  • What would a business case look like to install a new lighting system?
  • Where are the main consumers of energy on campus?
  • What innovative energy technologies are developed at the institution itself? To what extent could those be directly installed and tested in buildings?
  • What lux values are sufficient for work and study places so that places are appropriately lit without wasting too much electricity?
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of different sustainable building standards?
  • Which building standards would be most appropriate to inform the institution’s sustainable building policy?
  • What are the costs and benefits associated with different types of green roofs?
  • On which buildings could green roofs be installed?
  • To what extent are catering and food products certified as organic or fair trade food?
  • How much and why do students attach importance to organic and fair trade products sold in the cafeteria?
  • How can students and employees be made more aware of the multiple benefits – e.g. health, environment, economics – of sustainable (organic, fair trade, local) food ?
  • How much are students willing to pay for more organic or fair trade products?
  • What types and amounts of waste are produced by whom and where at the institution?
  • How did waste streams develop over the last years?
  • What are innovative practices in reducing waste going to landfill or incineration? How could those be applied?
  • What are the costs and benefits associated with waste recycling ?
  • What options exist to switch from paper-based to more digital forms of working and studying to reduce paper consumption?
  • What are the environmental, economic, and social benefits and disadvantages of different options to advance more digital working and studying?

More sustainability research topics on campus operations:

Biodiversity

  • What species live at different campus locations?
  • To what extent do students, faculty and staff value this biodiversity?
  • What are ways to enhance biodiversity on campus?

Greenhouse-gase (GHG)

  • What are the pros and cons of different GHG accounting standards?
  • Which standard should the institution use to develop a GHG emissions inventory ?
  • Where are GHG emissions released at the institution?
  • How big is the institution’s GHG footprint?

Procurement

  • What does sustainable procurement mean in the context of a university?
  • How is procurement currently organised? To what extent are sustainability criteria already applied in tenders?
  • To what extent could the university implement sustainability criteria that go beyond the legal minimum to advance the environmental, economic and social benefits of tenders?
  • What are the largest consumers of water?
  • What is the direct and indirect water-footprint of the institution?
  • What are opportunities and costs to reduce water usage?

Transportation and mobility

  • How do students and staff currently travel to the university and as part of their study or work?
  • What is the environmental impact of these travel behaviours? How could the impact be reduced?
  • What best practices exist among companies and other institutions of higher education to reduce staff travel or incentivize different travel behaviours?

Behaviour change

  • What is the potential to reduce resource consumption through behaviour change?
  • What are the best practices of behaviour change interventions at institutions of higher education?
  • To what extent could these projects be also applied at your university?

Sustainability research topics on governance, strategy and reporting

Sustainability research topics on governance issues:

  • What does sustainability mean for institutions of higher education?
  • How does a comprehensive concept of a sustainable institution of higher education look like?
  • How could the university’s long-term sustainability vision look like? How could this vision be realized through a roadmap?
  • What are innovative ways to develop sustainability strategies for a university through a bottom-up approach?
  • What ethical imperatives would demand that institutions of higher education care for their impact on the planet, people and profit?
  • What are the responsibilities of institutions of higher education to contribute to global challenges, such as poverty, gender inequality, and climate change?

Monitoring and reporting

  • What data is important to monitor the institution’s environmental impact? How can this data be collected and analysed?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of different sustainability reporting standards?
  • Which sustainability reporting standards should the university adhere to?
  • What are efficient ways to organize sustainability reporting within the organization?
  • What is the best way to communicate results among students, staff and outside actors?
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies (e.g. payback or Net Present Value) to calculate the financial costs and benefits of sustainability investments?
  • Which methodology should the institution apply?
  • To what extent could sustainability projects be financed through a revolving loan fund?
  • What are the possibilities to involve outside organizations through energy contracting?
  • What subsidies are available at the European, national and city level to develop a green campus?
  • How could the university use these financing options to advance its energy transition?
  • What are approaches to integrate negative externalities into the accounting schemes of the university?
  • What would be the opportunities, benefits and risks associated with establishing an energy company that’s owned by the university?
  • What are the best practices to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at public institutions around the world?
  • How can incentive schemes be changed so that energy end-users directly benefit from reductions in energy usage?

We hope this list inspired you to find a sustainability topic for research papers.

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  • 12 sustainability teaching resources about green campuses

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Research Topics & Ideas: Environment

100+ Environmental Science Research Topics & Ideas

Research topics and ideas within the environmental sciences

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. Here, we’ll explore a variety research ideas and topic thought-starters related to various environmental science disciplines, including ecology, oceanography, hydrology, geology, soil science, environmental chemistry, environmental economics, and environmental ethics.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the environmental sciences. This is the starting point though. To develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to develop a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Environmental Topics

  • Ecology /ecological science
  • Atmospheric science
  • Oceanography
  • Soil science
  • Environmental chemistry
  • Environmental economics
  • Environmental ethics
  • Examples  of dissertations and theses

Topics & Ideas: Ecological Science

  • The impact of land-use change on species diversity and ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes
  • The role of disturbances such as fire and drought in shaping arid ecosystems
  • The impact of climate change on the distribution of migratory marine species
  • Investigating the role of mutualistic plant-insect relationships in maintaining ecosystem stability
  • The effects of invasive plant species on ecosystem structure and function
  • The impact of habitat fragmentation caused by road construction on species diversity and population dynamics in the tropics
  • The role of ecosystem services in urban areas and their economic value to a developing nation
  • The effectiveness of different grassland restoration techniques in degraded ecosystems
  • The impact of land-use change through agriculture and urbanisation on soil microbial communities in a temperate environment
  • The role of microbial diversity in ecosystem health and nutrient cycling in an African savannah

Topics & Ideas: Atmospheric Science

  • The impact of climate change on atmospheric circulation patterns above tropical rainforests
  • The role of atmospheric aerosols in cloud formation and precipitation above cities with high pollution levels
  • The impact of agricultural land-use change on global atmospheric composition
  • Investigating the role of atmospheric convection in severe weather events in the tropics
  • The impact of urbanisation on regional and global atmospheric ozone levels
  • The impact of sea surface temperature on atmospheric circulation and tropical cyclones
  • The impact of solar flares on the Earth’s atmospheric composition
  • The impact of climate change on atmospheric turbulence and air transportation safety
  • The impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on atmospheric circulation and climate change
  • The role of atmospheric rivers in global water supply and sea-ice formation

Research topic evaluator

Topics & Ideas: Oceanography

  • The impact of ocean acidification on kelp forests and biogeochemical cycles
  • The role of ocean currents in distributing heat and regulating desert rain
  • The impact of carbon monoxide pollution on ocean chemistry and biogeochemical cycles
  • Investigating the role of ocean mixing in regulating coastal climates
  • The impact of sea level rise on the resource availability of low-income coastal communities
  • The impact of ocean warming on the distribution and migration patterns of marine mammals
  • The impact of ocean deoxygenation on biogeochemical cycles in the arctic
  • The role of ocean-atmosphere interactions in regulating rainfall in arid regions
  • The impact of ocean eddies on global ocean circulation and plankton distribution
  • The role of ocean-ice interactions in regulating the Earth’s climate and sea level

Research topic idea mega list

Tops & Ideas: Hydrology

  • The impact of agricultural land-use change on water resources and hydrologic cycles in temperate regions
  • The impact of agricultural groundwater availability on irrigation practices in the global south
  • The impact of rising sea-surface temperatures on global precipitation patterns and water availability
  • Investigating the role of wetlands in regulating water resources for riparian forests
  • The impact of tropical ranches on river and stream ecosystems and water quality
  • The impact of urbanisation on regional and local hydrologic cycles and water resources for agriculture
  • The role of snow cover and mountain hydrology in regulating regional agricultural water resources
  • The impact of drought on food security in arid and semi-arid regions
  • The role of groundwater recharge in sustaining water resources in arid and semi-arid environments
  • The impact of sea level rise on coastal hydrology and the quality of water resources

Research Topic Kickstarter - Need Help Finding A Research Topic?

Topics & Ideas: Geology

  • The impact of tectonic activity on the East African rift valley
  • The role of mineral deposits in shaping ancient human societies
  • The impact of sea-level rise on coastal geomorphology and shoreline evolution
  • Investigating the role of erosion in shaping the landscape and impacting desertification
  • The impact of mining on soil stability and landslide potential
  • The impact of volcanic activity on incoming solar radiation and climate
  • The role of geothermal energy in decarbonising the energy mix of megacities
  • The impact of Earth’s magnetic field on geological processes and solar wind
  • The impact of plate tectonics on the evolution of mammals
  • The role of the distribution of mineral resources in shaping human societies and economies, with emphasis on sustainability

Topics & Ideas: Soil Science

  • The impact of dam building on soil quality and fertility
  • The role of soil organic matter in regulating nutrient cycles in agricultural land
  • The impact of climate change on soil erosion and soil organic carbon storage in peatlands
  • Investigating the role of above-below-ground interactions in nutrient cycling and soil health
  • The impact of deforestation on soil degradation and soil fertility
  • The role of soil texture and structure in regulating water and nutrient availability in boreal forests
  • The impact of sustainable land management practices on soil health and soil organic matter
  • The impact of wetland modification on soil structure and function
  • The role of soil-atmosphere exchange and carbon sequestration in regulating regional and global climate
  • The impact of salinization on soil health and crop productivity in coastal communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Chemistry

  • The impact of cobalt mining on water quality and the fate of contaminants in the environment
  • The role of atmospheric chemistry in shaping air quality and climate change
  • The impact of soil chemistry on nutrient availability and plant growth in wheat monoculture
  • Investigating the fate and transport of heavy metal contaminants in the environment
  • The impact of climate change on biochemical cycling in tropical rainforests
  • The impact of various types of land-use change on biochemical cycling
  • The role of soil microbes in mediating contaminant degradation in the environment
  • The impact of chemical and oil spills on freshwater and soil chemistry
  • The role of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in shaping water and soil chemistry
  • The impact of over-irrigation on the cycling and fate of persistent organic pollutants in the environment

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Economics

  • The impact of climate change on the economies of developing nations
  • The role of market-based mechanisms in promoting sustainable use of forest resources
  • The impact of environmental regulations on economic growth and competitiveness
  • Investigating the economic benefits and costs of ecosystem services for African countries
  • The impact of renewable energy policies on regional and global energy markets
  • The role of water markets in promoting sustainable water use in southern Africa
  • The impact of land-use change in rural areas on regional and global economies
  • The impact of environmental disasters on local and national economies
  • The role of green technologies and innovation in shaping the zero-carbon transition and the knock-on effects for local economies
  • The impact of environmental and natural resource policies on income distribution and poverty of rural communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Ethics

  • The ethical foundations of environmentalism and the environmental movement regarding renewable energy
  • The role of values and ethics in shaping environmental policy and decision-making in the mining industry
  • The impact of cultural and religious beliefs on environmental attitudes and behaviours in first world countries
  • Investigating the ethics of biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species in palm oil plantations
  • The ethical implications of sea-level rise for future generations and vulnerable coastal populations
  • The role of ethical considerations in shaping sustainable use of natural forest resources
  • The impact of environmental justice on marginalized communities and environmental policies in Asia
  • The ethical implications of environmental risks and decision-making under uncertainty
  • The role of ethics in shaping the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future for the construction industry
  • The impact of environmental values on consumer behaviour and the marketplace: a case study of the ‘bring your own shopping bag’ policy

Examples: Real Dissertation & Thesis Topics

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various environmental science-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

  • The physiology of microorganisms in enhanced biological phosphorous removal (Saunders, 2014)
  • The influence of the coastal front on heavy rainfall events along the east coast (Henson, 2019)
  • Forage production and diversification for climate-smart tropical and temperate silvopastures (Dibala, 2019)
  • Advancing spectral induced polarization for near surface geophysical characterization (Wang, 2021)
  • Assessment of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter and Thamnocephalus platyurus as Tools to Monitor Cyanobacterial Bloom Development and Toxicity (Hipsher, 2019)
  • Evaluating the Removal of Microcystin Variants with Powdered Activated Carbon (Juang, 2020)
  • The effect of hydrological restoration on nutrient concentrations, macroinvertebrate communities, and amphibian populations in Lake Erie coastal wetlands (Berg, 2019)
  • Utilizing hydrologic soil grouping to estimate corn nitrogen rate recommendations (Bean, 2019)
  • Fungal Function in House Dust and Dust from the International Space Station (Bope, 2021)
  • Assessing Vulnerability and the Potential for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Sudan’s Blue Nile Basin (Mohamed, 2022)
  • A Microbial Water Quality Analysis of the Recreational Zones in the Los Angeles River of Elysian Valley, CA (Nguyen, 2019)
  • Dry Season Water Quality Study on Three Recreational Sites in the San Gabriel Mountains (Vallejo, 2019)
  • Wastewater Treatment Plan for Unix Packaging Adjustment of the Potential Hydrogen (PH) Evaluation of Enzymatic Activity After the Addition of Cycle Disgestase Enzyme (Miessi, 2020)
  • Laying the Genetic Foundation for the Conservation of Longhorn Fairy Shrimp (Kyle, 2021).

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. To create a top-notch research topic, you will need to be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you’ll need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

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Climate change, energy, environment and sustainability topics research guide

What is climate change.

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. The world is now warming faster than at any point in recorded history, which disrupts the usual balance of nature and is a threat to human beings and other forms of life on Earth. This topic guide includes sample keywords and search terms, databases to find sources, and samples of online books.

Example keywords and subtopics

Example keywords or search terms:  

  • Climate change
  • global warming
  • greenhouse effect or greenhouse gas
  • climate crisis
  • environmental change
  • clean energy
  • alternative energy or renewable energy
  • green energy or renewable energy or clean energy
  • Low carbon or carbon neutral
  • Carbon offsetting
  • sustainability environment or sustainability
  • environmental protection
  • pollution or contamination
  • impact or effect or influence
  • cost or price or expense or money or financial
  • fossil fuels or coal or oil or gas

Tip: This is a big topic with lots written so you can often focus on one or two subtopics. This will help to find more relevant sources, more quickly and be a better fit for an assignment. 

Possible subtopics ideas:  Pick one or two subtopics and then add those words to your search.

  • Health impacts of climate changes (e.g. air pollution, water pollution, etc.)
  • impacts on a specific city, state, region or country
  • political impacts (e.g. voting, government policy, etc.)
  • impact on specific population or culture (e.g. children, elderly, racial or ethic group, country, etc.)
  • specific types of renewable or alternative energy (e.g. solar, wind, bio, etc.) 
  • example of new technology (e.g. electric cars or electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles
  • economic impacts (e.g. business, employment, industry (e.g. oil, coal, etc.)
  • weather and impacts (e.g. rising sea levels, flooding, droughts or heat waves, etc.)
  • media aspects (e.g. news coverage, advertising, misinformation, movies, music, etc.) 
  • Tutorial: Creating an effective search strategy

Creating an effective search strategy tutorial video. 3 minutes 24 seconds.

  • Use meaningful keywords to find the best sources
  • Apply search strategies like AND and OR to connect keywords
  • Tutorial: What is a library database and why should I use one?

What is a library database and why should I use one tutorial video. 3 minutes.

  • Identify what a library database is
  • Recognize the two main types of library databases
  • Know why you should use them
  • Understand why searching a library database is different than searching the general internet

Databases for finding sources

Article Databases - 

Use articles to find new research, specific information and evidence to support or refute a claim. You can also look at the bibliography or works cited to find additional sources. Some articles give an overview of a specific topic -- sometimes called "review articles" or "meta-analyses" or "systematic review." Databases are like mini-search engines for finding articles (e.g. Business Source Premier database searches business journals, business magazines and business newspapers). Pick a database that searches the subject of articles you want to find. 

  • Agricultural & Environmental Science Database Search journals and literature on agriculture, pollution, animals, environment, policy, natural resources, water issues and more. Searches tools like AGRICOLA, Environmental Sciences & Pollution Management (ESPM), and Digests of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) databases.
  • GreenFILE Collection of scholarly, government and general-interest titles. Multidisciplinary by nature, GreenFILE draws on the connections between the environment and agriculture, education, law, health and technology. Topics covered include global climate change, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling, and more.
  • Ethnic NewsWatch Ethnic NewsWatch is a current resource of full-text newspapers, magazines, and journals of the ethnic and minority press from 1990, providing researchers access to essential, often overlooked perspectives.
  • Opposing Viewpoints in Context Find articles on current issues, including viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, magazine and newspaper articles.

Sample of online books

Below are a selection of online books and readings on the broad topic. We have more online books, journal articles, and sources in our Libraries Search and article databases.  

Cover Art

  • A climate policy revolution : what the science of complexity reveals about saving our planet by Roland Kupers ISBN: 9780674246812 Publication Date: 2020 "In this book, Roland Kupers argues that the climate crisis is well suited to the bottom-up, rapid, and revolutionary change complexity science theorizes; he succinctly makes the case that complexity science promises policy solutions to address climate change."

Cover Art

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  • Peer Research Consultants Make an online 30 minute appointment for one-on-one peer assistance with your research. Get help with researching your topic, finding sources, citing sources and more. Peer Research Consultants can also help you get started with faculty-sponsored research.
  • Chat 24/7 online with the Libraries Ask us anything! Chat with a librarian, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with any research or library questions.
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research topics on environmental sustainability

How systems transitions can improve sustainable development

Clark, William, et al. Systems transitions research and sustainable development: Challenges, progress, and prospects ,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Vol. 120, No. 47, Nov. 2023).

Faculty Authors

William Clark Photo

William Clark

What’s the issue.

Making development sustainable is a central challenge of our age. The field of sustainability science tries to figure out how interactions of nature and society can support sustainable development. One key goal is figuring out how to restructure complex consumption-production systems. Examples of these systems are production and consumption of food, energy, and mobility. Scientists are studying how transitions in these production-consumption systems can bend development pathways toward sustainability.

What does the research say?

Writing in a special edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, scholars Frank Geels of the University of Manchester, Florian Kern of the Institute for Ecological Economy Research in Berlin, and William C. Clark of Harvard Kennedy School bring together insights from experts on system transitions that shape sustainable development. This work weighs how potential solutions might fundamentally shift consumption-production systems. The authors note that radical innovations in small niches can lead to major transitions in large consumption-production systems. The three lead authors call on more than a dozen sustainable development scholars to examine specific innovations and obstacles to progress. These experts look at the drivers and barriers to sustainability in electricity, food, and mobility systems; they also consider larger cross-cutting systems issues. For example, one essay analyzes the British electricity system since World War Two, and the role that increasing concerns about climate change played in generating a more interventionist policy approach to shift electricity production and consumption. These systems changes led to an 86% reduction in emissions from 2006 to 2019. The authors note that political and economic struggles as well as technological advances drove this transition. Another paper analyzes how recent technology advances in energy storage, microgrids, and digitized systems in the United States have helped undermine long-time obstacles to small-scale solar energy development. Other essays look at the adoption of electric vehicles in Norway, the systems issues involved in car-sharing, agroecology in Nicaragua, and the shift to plant-based alternatives to meat production. 

More from HKS

For more than four decades, professor bill clark has championed sustainability, walking the talk: how students can contribute to the hks sustainability agenda, pursuing sustainability: a guide to the science and practice.

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Sustainability: Sustainability Research Topics

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  • Climate Change This guide presents selected resources related to climate change and global warming.
  • Life Cycle Assessment Guide This guide provides selected resources related to LCA, which is a technique to assess the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product, process, or service.
  • United Nations Sustainable Development Goals This guide presents resources related to the themes of the 17 SDGs.
  • Latin American and Caribbean Studies - Environment & Sustainability This guide provides selected resources on the topics of the environment and sustainability as they relate to these regions. Each resource category provides sources on a regional and country basis.
  • Earth Day 2023 This guide presents selected resources such as books, journals, films & videos on Earth Day topics.
  • Sustainability resources on JSTOR A research guide to the wide range of journals, ebooks, and more than 5,400 Open Access research reports in the field of sustainability. The subjects of resilience and sustainability are explored broadly, covering research on environmental stresses and their impact on society.
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Environmental sciences articles from across Nature Portfolio

Environmental science is the multidisciplinary study of all aspects of the Earth’s physical and biological environments. It encompasses environmental chemistry, soil science, ecology, climatology, vegetation cover, marine and freshwater systems, as well as environmental remediation and preservation, and agriculture and land use.

research topics on environmental sustainability

Leveraging chemical energy for direct brine valorization

Electrodialysis with redox-active electrodes produces high-value salts from brine with minimal external electrical power.

  • Akshay Deshmukh

research topics on environmental sustainability

Tracing inter-city nitrogen pollution

Linking spatially explicit inter-city nitrogen pollution transfer embedded in food trade to urbanization pathways and historic agricultural production trends reveals evidence of a ’pollution haven’ phenomenon in China’s Greater Bay Area, exacerbated by impeded agricultural development in less-urbanized surrounding cities.

  • Erik Mathijs
  • Erika De Keyser
  • Kato Van Ruymbeke

research topics on environmental sustainability

Greenhouse cultivation for more sustainable food systems

Society must revisit the currently dominant agricultural production model based on land expansion and intensification. Greenhouse cultivation represents a promising alternative, particularly in the Global South.

  • Jay Ram Lamichhane

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research topics on environmental sustainability

Transcriptome analysis reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying the enhancement of salt-tolerance in Melia azedarach under salinity stress

  • Tianyun Shao

research topics on environmental sustainability

Spatial health risk assessments of nickel in the groundwater sources of a mining-impacted area

  • Fatemeh Salehi
  • Milad Esmaeilbeigi
  • Ali Ghanavati Asl

research topics on environmental sustainability

Association between secondhand smoke exposure and rheumatoid arthritis in US never-smoking adults: a cross-sectional study from NHANES

  • Xiaogang Qi
  • Shaowei Wang

research topics on environmental sustainability

Synthesis and characterization of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles from calcium hydroxide fouled with gases evolved from smokestack of glass industry

  • Alaa Abdelmoaty
  • Sahar Mousa

research topics on environmental sustainability

Molecular insights and impacts of wildfire-induced soil chemical changes

Wildfires are important ecosystem regulators and can benefit many fire-prone ecosystems, but extreme fires can leave soils vulnerable to nutrient loss and contaminant transformations. This Review discusses fire-induced impacts on soil chemistry and post-fire soil, air and water recovery.

  • Alandra Marie Lopez
  • Claudia Christine E. Avila
  • Thomas Borch

research topics on environmental sustainability

Composition and fatty acid profile of milk from cows fed diets supplemented with raw and n-3 PUFA-enriched fish oil

  • Robert Bodkowski
  • Heliodor Wierzbicki
  • Bożena Patkowska-Sokoła

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research topics on environmental sustainability

Why my heart beats for Nigeria’s endangered bats

Iroro Tanshi works to better understand a number of threatened species.

  • Linda Nordling

research topics on environmental sustainability

The global nutritional value of recreational inland fisheries

Estimates of the nutritional value of recreational inland fisheries highlight their importance for aquatic food access and vulnerability to climate change. Yet, communicating the importance of data-poor natural resource sectors remains challenging, particularly when defining sustainable development priorities.

  • Abigail Bennett
  • Jerrold L. Belant

research topics on environmental sustainability

Diana Wall obituary: ecologist who foresaw the importance of soil biodiversity

Environmental scientist who revealed the crucial role of underground animals in sustainability.

  • Richard D. Bardgett

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Sustainable Environment Research

Call for papers: upcoming collection, nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation, guest edited by: pierre-antoine versini, amy oen, natalia rodriguez and daniela rizzi.

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Photodegradation of six selected antipsychiatric drugs; carbamazepine, sertraline, amisulpride, amitriptyline, diazepam, and alprazolam in environment: efficiency, pathway, and mechanism—a review

Authors: Fahimeh Mohamadpour and Farzaneh Mohamadpour

Resources recovery-rubidium recovery from desalination brine through hydrometallurgy techniques

Authors: Cheng-Han Lee, Wei-Sheng Chen and Fan-Wei Liu

A novel multicriteria assessment framework for evaluating the performance of the EU in dealing with challenges of the low-carbon energy transition: an integrated Fermatean fuzzy approach

Authors: Mahyar Kamali Saraji and Dalia Streimikiene

Improving household water treatment: using zeolite to remove lead, fluoride and arsenic following optimized turbidity reduction in slow sand filtration

Authors: Charles Onyutha, Emmanuel Okello, Rebecca Atukwase, Pamella Nduhukiire, Michael Ecodu and Japheth Nkiriyehe Kwiringira

Enhancing solar still performance with Plexiglas and jute cloth additions: experimental study

Authors: Pankaj Dumka, Dhananjay R. Mishra, Bharat Singh, Rishika Chauhan, Md Irfanul Haque Siddiqui, L Natrayan and Mohd Asif Shah

The Correction to this article has been published in Sustainable Environment Research 2024 34 :5

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Biological wastewater treatment and bioreactor design: a review

Authors: C. M. Narayanan and Vikas Narayan

A comprehensive review on indoor air quality monitoring systems for enhanced public health

Authors: Jagriti Saini, Maitreyee Dutta and Gonçalo Marques

A system for monitoring water quality in a large aquatic area using wireless sensor network technology

Authors: Alexander T. Demetillo, Michelle V. Japitana and Evelyn B. Taboada

Study of the feasibility of a rice husk recycling scheme in Japan to produce silica fertilizer for rice plants

Authors: Ryoko Sekifuji and Masafumi Tateda

Near infrared band of Landsat 8 as water index: a case study around Cordova and Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines

Authors: Jeremy P. Mondejar and Alejandro F. Tongco

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The primary goal of Sustainable Environment Research (SER) is to publish high quality research articles associated with sustainable environmental science and technology and to contribute to improving environmental practice. The scope of SER includes issues of environmental science, technology, management and related fields, especially in response to sustainable water, energy and other natural resources. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

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research topics on environmental sustainability

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Research papers: environmental sustainability.

By Shon R. Hiatt, Jake B. Grandy, Brandon H. Lee

The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences

We explore how activists’ public and private politics elicit different organizational responses. Using data on U.S. petroleum companies from 1982 to 2010, we investigate how climate change activists serving as witnesses at congressional hearings and engaging in firm protests influenced firms’ internal and external responses. We find that public politics induced internally focused practice adoption, whereas private politics induced externally focused framing activities.We also find that private and public politics had an interaction effect: as firms faced more private political pressure, they were less likely to respond to public political pressures; similarly, as firms faced greater public political pressure, they were less likely to respond to private political pressures. The results suggest that activists can have a significant impact on firm behavior depending on the mix of private and public political tactics they engage in. We discuss the implications of our study for social movement research, organization theory, and nonmarket strategy.

Research Areas

Research topics.

119 Environmental Sustainability Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best environmental sustainability topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good essay topics on environmental sustainability, ✅ interesting topics to write about environmental sustainability, 📌 simple & easy environmental sustainability essay titles, ❓ environmental sustainability questions.

  • Green Buildings and Environmental Sustainability This paper scrutinizes the characteristics that need to be possessed by a building for it to qualify as green coupled with questioning the capacity of the green movements across the globe to prescribe the construction […]
  • The Environmental Sustainability Concept in the Hospitality Industry Environmental sustainability refers to the responsible management of natural resources in order to preserve the lives of human beings and other organisms in the ecosystem.
  • McDonald’s: Human Rights and Environmental Sustainability Core values of the company One of the core values of the company is the respect for the fundamental rights of human beings.
  • The Role of Food for Sustainability in the Built Environment Sustainability refers to a movement that attempts to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the capability of the subsequent generations to meet the needs of the future.
  • Environmental Education for Sustainability There are several characteristics that can be associated with environmental education as a learning process, with the most significant being the unit’s predisposition to enhance the knowledge and responsiveness of individuals about the environment and […]
  • Sustainability and Human Impact on Environment Sustainability entails the analysis of ecosystem functioning, diversity, and role in the balance of life. It is the consideration of how humanity can exploit the natural world for sustenance without affecting its ability to meet […]
  • Capitalism Versus Environmental Sustainability Free market refers to a market where prices are derived through competition among the individual businesses and not under the regulation of the government.
  • Environmental Sustainability Audit: The Oman Environmental Services Holding Company The government used to handle the task of waste management in the Sultanate but with the establishment and legalization of Be’ah, the task of such is delegated to the said company.
  • Strategic Environmental Sustainability It is apparent that the world has focused on targeting big companies and industries in the quest to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and the pollution of the environment.
  • Environmental Sustainability on a Global Scale Compared to the world at the beginning of the 21st century, it required perceptional changes toward nature, biodiversity, and ecosystems, as well as reforms in agriculture and management of water, energy, and waste.
  • Risk Factor Analysis and Environmental Sustainability This project was evaluated using a methodical process that included listing ten potential dangers, followed by a risk assessment matrix and an explanation of how the dangers would be managed.
  • Sustainability and Environmentally-Friendly Practices The crucial ideas are that the term “tree justice” is far from “yes, we can” in terms of effective political rhetoric, but it is a reference to research showing that more canopies can save lives.
  • Coates Chemicals: Environmental, Sustainability, and Safety Improving the safety of chemical production, use, and disposal is a critical component of activities to safeguard human health and the environment.
  • Attaining Sustainability in the Environment In fact, the treatment of waste is among the first aspects that need to change for a sustainable future to be possible. Therefore, in a sustainable future, the use of plastic will be reduced to […]
  • Achieving Environmental Sustainability Consequently, it causes a tremendous decline in the number of trees available globally, and the trees are viewed to be of significance towards the reduction of the amount of carbon dioxide available in the atmosphere.
  • Climate Change: Sustainability Development and Environmental Law The media significantly contributes to the creation of awareness, thus the importance of integrating the role of the news press with sustainability practices.
  • Mega-Events and Environmental Sustainability Carbon emissions and the amount of waste produced during the preparation, execution, and post-operation of such events have the potential to cause great damage to the environment.
  • Cruise Liners’ Environmental Management and Sustainability According to GAO, the number of vessels and the number of passengers docking at a port at one time definitely may have a strain on the marine environment. Growth of algae in the marine environment […]
  • Greenwashing: Full Environmental Sustainability? For companies, to be 100% sustainable and ethical would mean that each time they are presented with a decision, they would make people or nature their priority.
  • Customer-oriented Environmental Sustainability Customer-oriented environmental sustainability would also help evaluate the environmental impacts of activities, products as well as processes on the environment and human health.
  • Environmental Sustainability of Veja First of all, this organization strives to gain the loyalty of ethical consumers who are concerned about the practices of manufacturers.
  • Environmental Sustainability and Businesses The Amazon rainforests, which are also called the “lungs of the planet,” produce 20% of the oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere.
  • Environmental Sustainability in Different Countries: U.S. and AUS The AUS has many programs that help greatly in reducing the amount of water consumed within the campus. Egypt also has taken part greatly in the conservation of water for agricultural activities.
  • Global Warming Issues Review and Environmental Sustainability Whether it is the melt down of Arctic ice, the damage of the Ozone layer, extra pollution in developing countries; all sums up to one thing in common and that is global warming.
  • Green Meetings: Environmental Impact and Sustainability The author argues that Green meetings can have positive environmental impact by engaging in certain practices from the beginning to the end of the Green meetings and events.
  • China’s Economy and Environmental Sustainability The critical problem that the authors are attempting to address in the article is the effect of economic growth on pollution.
  • Sustainability: Future Environments and Economies The authors suggest that the role of sustainability management in organizations and its contribution to the overall sustainability of society and the environment is well-recognized by the researchers.
  • Environmental Globalization and Sustainability Laws Politicizing the environment is a term used to mean the collaboration of micro and macro players in an economy, with the support of governments and international bodies to conserve the environment.
  • Ceres Organization’s Environmental Sustainability The environment should be managed for the equal benefits of the current and future generations. The local communities should take the initiative to rehabilitate the environment.
  • Environmental Sustainability Understanding In May 2001 126 countries and the EU agreed and adopted the text of this global treaty, referred to as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants How can you prevent water pollution?
  • Environmental Geology and Sustainability Taking soil as an example, one will have to admit that the changes in the soil will necessarily pose a threat of extinction to several plants. The carbon cycle can be referred to as an […]
  • Personal Environmental Sustainability Action Plan Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion and contamination of resources such as air, water, and soil, which leads to the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife.
  • Sustainability Against Environmental Degradation This is because the technological solutions are also covered by sustainability and form part of the other things that ought to be handled by sustainability above the technical fixes.
  • China’s Emissions and Environmental Sustainability As the largest consumer of natural resources and emitter of greenhouse gasses, China is expected to implement innovations in the environmental field to ensure its own sustainable development.
  • Information Technology and Environment Sustainability The aim of this research paper is to analyze the available literature in order to obtain the information on the possible effects of IT on environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility, determine its validity, locate […]
  • Environmental Sustainability in the Construction Sector This paper aims at exploring the evidence of climate change in the UK, the contributing factors, and the potential consequences of it, including the floods.
  • International Environment Management and Sustainability The campaign to save the environment has grown from the publicized protection of animals to a more solid response to the modern day concerns of global warming and climate change.
  • Environmental Sustainability in Clean City Organization Furthermore, our organization will give preference to those projects that involve the students of the school because it is important to make sure that young people attach the importance to protecting the environment of the […]
  • Sustainability Principles of the Natural Environment This is one of the points that can be made. This is one of the issues that can be distinguished.
  • Environmental Sustainability in the African American Community Sustainability is one of the complex concepts as it entails different activities that aim at achieving the wants of the current generation without violating the potential interests of the future generation to meet their needs.
  • Environmental Studies: Transforming Cultures From Consumerism to Sustainability The trade fair portrayed the potential of the then and future civilizations to deploy technology, creativity, and innovation to create more consumables to boost the life of future generations.
  • Managing For Environmental Sustainability The website also summarises some of the projects that the company has engaged in as well as the strategic decisions that it has made.
  • Effectiveness of Carbon Tax in Environmental Sustainability This research will seek to achieve the following objectives: To investigate the extent to which assessing the social cost of carbon is valuable in enhancing environmental sustainability To find out the effectiveness of assessing carbon […]
  • “Clarke: Transformation for Environmental Sustainability” by Laszlo, McCabe, Aheam and Ghatde Dissatisfaction among the staff due to the lack of comfort in transportation; Drops in the speed of the product delivery, as well as the transportation of raw materials and, thus, the overall reduction in the […]
  • Managing Environmental Sustainability With reference to the above purpose, the scope of the report will be around the stakeholders as well as the reasons behind managerial consideration of stakeholders’ views, the monetary and non monetary incentives for going […]
  • Learning of Environment Sustainability in Education Humans pay much attention to satisfying their needs but they do not bother to reserve the resources because they do not understand that the resources they are using today are not replaced when they are […]
  • Sustainability in Canada and the Impact of Coca-Cola Company on Environmental Protection This paper is an in-depth analysis of sustainability in Canada and the impact of the Coca-Cola Company on environmental protection. In addition to this, the Canadian government has established the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators, which […]
  • Impact of Economic Growth on Environmental Sustainability Because of constant development of the richest economies, such as the United Kingdom, and United States, the consumption levels of the global population surpass the actual amount of natural resources that the Earth has prepared […]
  • Wind Energy for Environmental Sustainability Production of this energy is important to the survival and enhancement of lives of people in a society. It refers to the role of that business or a corporate towards the society.
  • The Trends, Opportunities and Challenges of Environmental Sustainability The environmental issues on earth have extended radically in the past decades and are currently among the main threats and challenges which have impacts on people lifestyles and organizations processes around the world.
  • The Components of Environmental Sustainability On page 6, Sutton, is of the opinion that there is a great connection between environmental damage, industrialisation and urbanisation; he observes that human beings have altered the natural environment and resulted to living in […]
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  • Jie Zhong 1 ,
  • Xiaojing Shao 2 ,
  • Huan Xiao 3 ,
  • Rui Yang   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-2036-0156 4 &

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Green leadership plays a growing significant role in encouraging organizations to become more environmentally friendly and to positively address environmental challenges. The studies of green leadership are booming and have the features of interdisciplinary. Given the importance of green leadership, a systematic review of this field is necessary to recognize its research status, untangle its key focuses, and identify its research gaps, so as to navigate the future studies and practice accordingly. This study collected 846 green leadership-related papers from the Web of Science database and used the bibliometric tool of CiteSpace to conduct a systematic review. On the above basis, the grounded theory was employed to construct a theoretical framework of green leadership and provide a more in-depth analysis of the key topics and concepts within this field. The research results show that compared to antecedents of green leadership styles, existing studies have mainly used empirical methods to explore its effects on financial benefits, followers’ green behavior, green attitudes, and psychological states. And, exploring the coordinated participation of stakeholders, examining green leadership’s effect on leaders from an actor perspective, investigating the down-to-up effect of followers on leaders’ environmental behaviors, carrying out cross-cultural cooperation on green leadership across regions, and exploring how green leadership is developed are the outlets in the future studies.

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The funding was provided by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Number: No. 71701083).

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Zhong, J., Shao, X., Xiao, H. et al. The research on the green leadership: a systematic review and theoretical framework. Environ Dev Sustain (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03960-0

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A majority of Americans consider climate change a priority today so that future generations can have a sustainable planet, and this view is held across generations.

Looking to the future, the public is closely divided on what it will take to address climate change: While about half say it’s likely major lifestyle changes in the U.S. will be needed to deal with climate change impacts, almost as many say it’s more likely new developments in technology will address most of the problems cause by climate change.

On policy, majorities prioritize the use of renewable energy and back the expanded use of specific sources like wind and solar. Americans offer more support than opposition to a range of policies aimed at reducing the effects of climate change, including key climate-related aspects of President Joe Biden’s recent infrastructure proposal. Still, Americans do not back a complete break with carbon: A majority says oil and gas should still be part of the energy mix in the U.S., and about half oppose phasing out gas-powered vehicles by 2035.

Chart shows majority of Americans prioritize reducing the effects of climate change to ensure a sustainable planet for future generations

Overall, 64% of U.S. adults say reducing the effects of climate change needs to be “a top priority to ensure a sustainable planet for future generations, even if that means fewer resources for addressing other important problems today.” By contrast, 34% say that reducing the effects of climate change needs to be “a lower priority, with so many other important problems facing Americans today, even if that means more climate problems for future generations.”

There are stark partisan differences over this sentiment. Nearly nine-in-ten Democrats (87%) say efforts to reduce the effects of climate change need to be prioritized today to ensure a sustainable planet. By contrast, 61% of Republicans say that efforts to reduce the effects of climate change need to be a lower priority, with so many other important problems facing Americans today. (Democrats and Republicans include those who lean to each party.)

Chart shows looking ahead, Americans closely divided over whether lifestyle changes will be needed, or new technology can mitigate effects of climate change

Asked to look to the future 50 years from now, 51% of Americans say it’s more likely that major changes to everyday life in the U.S. will be needed to address the problems caused by global climate change. By contrast, 46% say it’s more likely that new technology will be able to address most of the problems caused by global climate change.

Most Democrats (69%) expect that in 50 years major lifestyle changes in the U.S. will be needed to address the problems caused by climate change. By contrast, among Republicans, two-thirds (66%) say it’s likelier that new technology will be able to address most climate change problems in the U.S. Among Republicans, this view is widely held (81%) among the majority who do not see climate change as an important personal concern; Republicans who express greater personal concern about climate change are more likely to say major changes to everyday life in the future will be needed to address problems caused by climate change.

Chart shows younger Republicans more likely than older to prioritize reducing effects of climate change now

Overall, majorities across generations believe that climate change should be a top priority today to ensure a sustainable planet for future generations. Generational divisions are more prominent among Republicans than Democrats, however.

Among Republicans, about half of Gen Zers (49%) and Millennials (48%) give top priority to reducing the effect of climate change today, even if that means fewer resources to deal with other important problems. By contrast, majorities of Gen X (61%) and Baby Boomer and older Republicans (71%) say reducing the effects of climate change needs to a lower priority today, given the other problems Americans are facing.

Generational differences among Democrats on this question are modest, with clear majorities giving priority to dealing with climate change today.

Majority of Americans prioritize developing alternative energy sources, but only a third would phase out all fossil fuels

Burning fossil fuels for electricity and in cars and trucks are among the primary sources of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Americans broadly favor increasing the use of renewable energy sources, but a majority reject the idea of phasing out fossil fuel energy sources completely. And Americans are about evenly divided on the idea of phasing out the production of new gasoline cars and trucks by 2035.

Chart shows most Democrats prioritize alternative energy development, Republicans are now divided

There are familiar partisan divisions over nearly every aspect of energy policy, particularly when it comes to fossil fuels. Political divides have widened over the past year as Republican support for alternative energy sources – including wind and solar power – has fallen while support for expanding offshore oil drilling, hydraulic fracturing and coal mining has ticked up.

Within both parties, Gen Zers and Millennials are more supportive of proposals to move away from fossil fuels than their older counterparts.

A majority of Americans (71%) continue to say that the U.S. should prioritize developing alternative energy, while a much smaller share (27%) prioritizes expanding the production of oil, coal and natural gas.

The share of Republicans who prioritize developing alternative energy sources over expanding the production of fossil fuels has fallen 18 percentage points in the past year. As a result, Republicans are now closely divided between these two energy priorities. Democrats remain near consensus levels in their support for prioritizing development of alternative energy levels.

Among Republicans, there are significant generational differences in support for increasing the development of renewable energy sources. Majorities of Gen Z (63%) and Millennial (62%) Republicans prioritize increased development of renewable sources, such as wind and solar. Smaller shares of Gen X Republicans (50%) and just 33% of Baby Boomer and older Republicans prioritize this approach over the expanding of fossil fuel development. For more details, including longer-term trends over time, see the Appendix .

Chart shows most Americans support expanding use of solar and wind power

Republicans and Democrats also differ over the best way to encourage reliance on renewable energy sources. Most Democrats (81%) continue to see a need for government regulations to increase reliance on renewable energy. On the other hand, two-thirds of Republicans (67%) say the private marketplace alone will be enough. See the Appendix for details.

In keeping with support for prioritizing the development of renewable energy, most Americans favor expanding solar panel farms (84%) and wind turbine farms (77%). By contrast, majorities oppose more coal mining (61%), more hydraulic fracturing (56%) and more offshore oil and gas drilling (55%).

Americans are divided over expanding nuclear power: 50% favor more nuclear power plants, while 47% are opposed.

Republican support for expanding solar power is down 11 points in the last year (from 84% to 73%), and support for wind power has fallen 13 points (from 75% to 62%). Democrats’ widely held support for increasing both energy sources remains largely unchanged.

In addition, there has been an increase since 2020 in the shares of Republicans who support expanding hydraulic fracturing of natural gas (up 10 points), offshore oil and gas drilling (up 6 points) and coal mining (up 6 points). See the Appendix for details.

Chart shows among Republicans, support for expanding use of fossil fuels sources is lower among Gen Z, Millennials

Even so, younger Republicans remain less likely than their older counterparts to support expanding fossil fuel sources, consistent with past Center surveys.

For instance, 79% of Baby Boomer and older Republicans support more offshore oil and gas drilling, while roughly half (48%) of Gen Z Republicans say the same (a difference of 31 points). There are similar divides over hydraulic fracturing, the primary extraction technique for natural gas (74% of Baby Boomer and older Republicans favor vs. 44% of Gen Z Republicans).

Nearly two-thirds of Americans support using a mix of fossil fuel and renewable energy sources, younger adults more inclined to phase out fossil fuels completely

While a large share of U.S. adults would prioritize alternative energy development over expanding the use of fossil fuels, most adults are not inclined to give up reliance on fossil fuels altogether.

Chart shows majority of Americans favor using a mix of fossil fuels and renewable sources

The survey finds 64% of Americans say they support ongoing use of oil, coal and natural gas as well as renewable energy sources, while a third (33%) say the country should phase out the use of fossil fuels completely.

There are sharp differences of opinion about this issue by party. Most Republicans (86%) say that the U.S. should rely on a mix of fossil fuel and renewable energy sources. Democrats are about evenly divided, with 47% in favor of using a mix of sources and 50% calling for a phase out of fossil fuels. About two-thirds of liberal Democrats (65%) support phasing out fossil fuels but fewer moderate and conservative Democrats say the same (39%).

There are also generational divisions on this issue, with younger generations more likely to support giving up fossil fuel use over time. In fact, majorities of Democratic Gen Zers (60%) and Millennials (57%) support phasing out fossil fuel use completely.

Americans are closely divided over phasing out gas-powered vehicles; Democrats, younger adults are more receptive to the idea

Chart shows Americans are closely divided over whether to phase out gas-powered cars

Climate advocates point to electric vehicles as a way to cut down on carbon emissions and reduce climate change. Americans are about equally divided on the idea of phasing out production of gasoline cars and trucks by 2035. A little under half (47%) say they would favor such a proposal, while 51% are opposed.

As with other proposals on climate and energy issues, partisans express opposing viewpoints. About two-thirds of Democrats (68%) support phasing out gasoline cars by 2035, while 76% of Republicans oppose this.

Most U.S. adults oppose oil drilling in ANWR but are more divided over Keystone XL decision

The issue of whether or not to allow oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has long been a controversy in energy policy. Overall, most Americans (70%) oppose the idea, while 27% are in favor.

Nearly all Democrats (89%) say they oppose allowing oil and gas drilling in the ANWR. Republicans are about evenly divided, with half in favor of allowing this and 48% opposed.

One of Biden’s  first actions as president  was revoking the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. The pipeline would have carried oil from Canada into the U.S.

About half of Americans (49%) say canceling the pipeline was the right decision, while 45% say it was the wrong decision.

Most Democrats (78%) say it was the right decision, while most Republicans (80%) say otherwise. See details in the  Appendix .

But there are also generational dynamics in views about gasoline-powered vehicles, with younger adults more supportive than older adults of phasing out gas cars and trucks. Narrow majorities of Gen Zers (56%) and Millennials (57%) support such a proposal, compared with 38% of Baby Boomer and older Americans. This pattern holds within both parties, though sizable partisan divides remain across all generations. See the Appendix for a look at how these generational and partisan divides compare across measures.

The public is broadly familiar with electric vehicles: About nine-in-ten have heard either a lot (30%) or a little (62%) about them. When it comes to first-hand experience, 7% of adults say they currently have an electric or hybrid vehicle; 93% say they do not.

People who say they have heard a lot about electric vehicles are closely divided over the idea of phasing out gas-powered cars and trucks by a margin of 52% in favor to 48% opposed. Not surprisingly, those who currently own an electric or hybrid vehicle are largely in favor of this idea (68% vs. 31% opposed).

Broad public support for a number of policies to address climate change, including some proposed in Biden infrastructure plan

In late March, the Biden administration announced a $2 trillion infrastructure plan with several elements they argue would help reduce the effects of climate change. The new Center survey finds majorities of Americans support a number of proposals to address global climate change, including three specific elements in Biden’s infrastructure plan.

There are sharp partisan divisions over many of these proposals, as expected. In addition, there are concerns, particularly among Democrats, that Biden’s policy proposals will not go far enough in efforts to reduce the effects of climate change.

Majorities of U.S. adults support a range of approaches to address climate change

The new Center survey finds majorities back three specific elements of Biden’s infrastructure plan. More than seven-in-ten Americans (74%) favor a proposed requirement for power companies to use more energy from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, to reduce carbon emissions. A smaller majority – 62% – favors federal spending to build a network of electric vehicle charging stations across the country in order to increase the use of electric cars and trucks.

Chart shows majorities support three specific proposals in Biden’s infrastructure plan; half think plan will help economy

And 63% of Americans support the idea of raising corporate taxes to pay for more energy efficient buildings and improved roads and bridges, a key funding mechanism in Biden’s infrastructure proposal.

Biden has closely tied his climate-focused infrastructure proposals with economic and job growth. Half of U.S. adults think that the Biden administration’s plan to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure in ways that are aimed at reducing the effects of climate change will help the economy. Three-in-ten think this will hurt the economy, and 18% say it will make no difference.

Chart shows majorities of Americans support proposals aimed at reducing the effects of climate change

Americans continue to broadly support a number of longer-standing proposals to reduce the effects of climate change. Nine-in-ten Americans favor planting additional trees to absorb carbon dioxide emissions. About eight-in-ten (81%) favor providing a tax credit for businesses that develop technology that can capture and store carbon emissions before they enter the atmosphere. Both of these ideas were part of a set of policies supported by congressional Republicans last year .

Large majorities of Americans also favor tougher restrictions on power plant carbon emissions (76%), taxing corporations based on the amount of carbon emissions they produce (70%) and tougher fuel-efficiency standards for automobiles and trucks (70%).

54% of Democrats think Biden administration’s climate policies will not go far enough

Three months into the Biden administration, there is no clear consensus over the administration’s approach on climate change. About four-in-ten Americans (41%) think the Biden administration’s policies to reduce the effects of climate change will not go far enough. Roughly three-in-ten (29%) think the Biden administration will go too far, and a similar share (28%) say the administration’s approach will be about right.

Chart shows a narrow majority of Democrats say Biden will not go far enough on climate

Republicans and Democrats have far different expectations for the Biden’s administration policies on climate change. A narrow majority of Democrats and those who lean to the Democratic Party (54%) –including 63% of liberal Democrats – think the administration’s policies will not go far enough to reduce the effects of climate change.

In contrast, six-in-ten Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say the Biden administration’s policies will go too far, including 74% of conservative Republicans.

There are some generational differences in views on this this issue among Republicans, in line with differences over the importance of addressing climate change. About as many Gen Z Republicans say Biden’s climate policies will not go far enough (35%) as say the policies will go too far (38%). By comparison, a 72% majority of Republicans in the Baby Boomer or older generations think the Biden administration will go too far on climate change.

Chart shows large majorities of Democrats and smaller shares of Republicans back range of climate proposals

When it comes to views about proposals aimed at reducing climate change, however, there are few differences of opinion across generations among either party. Yet large differences remain between Republicans and Democrats overall.

Democrats’ views about five proposals aimed at reducing the effects of climate change are uniformly positive. Roughly 85% to 95% of Democrats support each.

Republicans and Republican leaners are most supportive of proposals to absorb carbon emissions by planting large numbers of trees (88%), followed by a proposal to provide a corporate tax credit for carbon-capture technology (73%). A majority of the GOP (58%) favor tougher restrictions on carbon emissions from power plants. About half of Republicans favor taxing corporate carbon emissions (50%) or tougher fuel-efficiency standards for cars and trucks (49%).

There are no divisions within the GOP by generation across these issues, though ideological divides are often sharp. For example, 65% of moderate and liberal Republicans favor tougher fuel-efficiency standards for cars and trucks, compared with 40% of conservative Republicans.

Chart shows wide partisan divides over Biden’s infrastructure plans, and modest generational differences within GOP

Republicans and Democrats are also deeply divided over climate-focused proposals in the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan.

Large majorities of Democrats favor requiring power companies to use more energy from renewable sources (92%), raising corporate taxes to pay for energy efficient buildings and improved roads (84%) and building a network of electric vehicle charging stations across the country (82%).

About half of Republicans (52%) support requiring power companies to use more energy from renewable sources. There is less support for federal spending to build a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations (38%). An equal share of Republicans (38%) support the idea of raising taxes on corporations to pay for more energy efficient buildings and better roads, although more moderates and liberals in the GOP (59%) than conservatives (27%) support this idea.

There is comparatively more support for these proposals among younger Republicans, particularly for federal spending to build electric vehicle charging stations and requirements for power plants to use more renewable sources.

Republicans and Democrats at odds over economic impact of Biden’s infrastructure plan

Chart shows half of Americans think the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan will help the nation’s economy

Democrats are largely optimistic that the Biden administration’s plan to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure in ways aimed at reducing the effects of climate change will help the economy. About eight-in-ten Democrats (78%) say this.

Among Republicans, a majority (59%) thinks this proposed plan will hurt the economy, while only about two-in-ten (18%) say it will help. Conservative Republicans (71%) are especially inclined to say the climate-focused infrastructure proposal will hurt the economy.

Generational differences are largely modest but occur in both parties. Baby Boomer Republicans are the most pessimistic about the plan’s economic impact, while Boomer Democrats are the most optimistic that the plan will help the economy.

What are important considerations to Americans in climate proposals?

Chart shows most Americans place importance on protecting the environment for future generations

When it comes to proposals to reduce the effects of global climate change, protecting the environment for future generations and increasing jobs and economic growth are the top considerations Americans would like to see in policy proposals.

Asked to think about what is important to them in proposals to reduce the effects of climate change, 64% of the public says protecting the quality of the environment for future generations is a very important consideration to them personally; 28% say it’s somewhat important to them and just 6% say it’s not too or not at all important to them.

A majority (60%) also says that increasing job and economic growth is a very important consideration to them personally when it comes to proposals to reduce the effects of climate change.

About half (52%) say keeping consumer costs low is a very important consideration to them personally in climate proposals. Making sure proposals help lower-income communities is seen as a very important consideration by 45% of the public.

About a third (34%) say getting to net-zero carbon emissions as quickly as possible is a very important consideration to them personally. Joe Biden has set a goal for the U.S. to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Limiting the burden of regulations on businesses is seen as a very important climate policy consideration by 24% of the public – the lowest share who say this across the six items asked in the survey. However, majorities view all six factors, including limiting the regulatory burden on businesses, as at least somewhat important considerations in climate proposals.

Chart shows Republicans’ priorities in evaluating climate policy are on job growth, low consumer costs

Partisans have differing priorities when it comes to climate change proposals. Among Republicans, increasing job and economic growth (65% very important) and keeping consumer costs low (61%) are their top considerations. Among Democrats, protecting the quality of the environment for future generations is their clear top consideration (79% very important), followed by making sure proposals help lower-income communities (59%) and increasing job and economic growth (58%). About half of Democrats (51%) say getting to net-zero carbon emissions as quickly as possible is very important to them.

Public sees actions from businesses, ordinary Americans as insufficient on climate change

Americans see a range of actors as falling short in efforts to help reduce the effects of global climate change. The public is broadly critical of the lack of action from large businesses and the energy industry – but also views elected officials, as well as ordinary Americans, as failing to do their part.

Chart shows majorities say large businesses, energy industry and ordinary Americans are doing too little on climate

Nearly seven-in-ten adults (69%) say large businesses and corporations are doing too little to help reduce the effects of global climate change, while just 21% say they are doing about the right amount and very few (8%) say they are doing too much to address climate change. Similarly, a majority of the public (62%) says the energy industry is doing too little to help reduce the effects of global climate change.

The public also extends criticism on climate inaction to Americans themselves and the officials they vote into elected office. Overall, 66% say ordinary Americans are doing too little to help reduce the effects of climate change, and 60% say this about their state’s elected officials. A separate question that asks about the actions of the federal government across a range of environmental areas finds that 59% say the federal government is doing too little on climate change.

Americans are less critical of their own individual actions in helping to address climate change: Roughly half (48%) believe they, themselves, are doing about the right amount to help reduce the effects of climate change. Still, almost as many (47%) say they are doing too little to help.

When it comes to the role of environmental advocacy organizations, 48% say they are doing about the right amount to help reduce the effects of climate change, compared with 29% who say they are doing too little and 22% who say they are doing too much.

There are stark partisan differences in views of the role groups and individuals are playing to help reduce the effects of climate change. Large majorities of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say large businesses (85%), ordinary Americans (82%), the energy industry (80%) and their state elected officials (79%) are doing too little to help reduce climate change impacts. By contrast, about half of Republicans and Republican leaners or fewer say these actors are doing too little to address climate change. Republicans are much more likely to say most of these groups are doing about the right amount than to say they are doing too much to address climate change.

Chart shows younger Republicans more likely than older Republicans to say a range of groups are doing too little on climate change

Generational differences in views are most pronounced on this question within the GOP. In general, Gen Z and Millennial Republicans are more likely than older Republicans to say groups and individuals are doing too little to help reduce the effects of climate change. For instance, 57% of Gen Z and 59% of Millennial Republicans say large businesses are doing too little to help address climate change, compared with 50% of Gen X Republicans and 43% of Baby Boomer and older Republicans.

A 54% majority of U.S. adults see climate scientists’ role on policy as too limited, though some have doubts about scientists’ understanding

Chart shows a narrow majority of Americans say climate scientists have too little influence on climate policy debates

As the Biden administration, Congress and state and local governments debate how best to address climate change, 54% of Americans think climate scientists have too little influence on policy debates about climate change. Smaller shares say climate scientists have about the right amount (22%) or too much (22%) influence on climate policy.

At the same time, Americans appear to have reservations about climate scientists’ expertise and understanding. Only about two-in-ten Americans (18%) say climate scientists understand “very well” the best ways to address climate change. Another 42% say climate scientists understand ways to address climate change “fairly well”; 38% say they understand this not too or not at all well.

Public views of climate scientists’ understanding are more positive, if still generally skeptical, on the fundamentals of whether climate change is occurring (37% say scientists understand this very well) and what causes climate change (28%).

Americans’ overall views about climate scientists’ expertise and understanding of what is happening to the Earth’s climate are similar to 2016, the last time Pew Research Center asked these questions.

Chart shows among Republicans, younger generations more likely to say climate scientists have too little policy influence

In keeping with the wide political divisions over climate policy issues, Democrats are far more likely than Republicans to rate climate scientists’ understanding highly. And these partisan divides have widened since 2016. For example, Democrats are 43 percentage points more likely than Republicans to say climate scientists understand very well whether or not climate change is occurring. This gap was 25 points in 2016. See the Appendix for details.

Similarly, far larger shares of Democrats than Republicans believe climate scientists have too little say in climate debates (77% vs. 27%).

Younger generations are especially likely to think climate scientists have too little say on climate policy debates. However, these generational dynamics occur only within the GOP.

Millennial (38%) and Gen Z (41%) Republicans are more likely than Baby Boomers and older generations of Republicans (18%) to think climate scientists have too little influence on related policy debates. About half of older Republicans (53%) say climate scientists have too much influence in these debates.

Roughly three-quarters to eight-in-ten Democrats across younger and older generations think climate scientists have too little say in climate policy debates.

Majority of Americans continue to say federal government is doing too little to protect key aspects of the environment

Chart shows majority of Americans view stricter environmental laws as worth the cost

When it comes to environmental protection, a majority of Americans continue to see a role for stricter environmental regulations and majorities view the federal government as doing too little across most areas of environmental concern asked about in the survey, such as protecting air quality.

Gen Z and Millennials offer the broadest support for environmental regulations and for more government action to protect specific aspects of the environment.

Partisan gaps over government action to protect the environment remain very large and differences over the value of stricter environmental regulations have widened since last asked in September 2019 during the administration of Donald Trump.

There are generational and partisan differences over value of environmental regulations

Overall, 56% of Americans say that stricter environmental laws are worth the cost, compared with a smaller share (41%) who say they cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.

On balance Gen Z and Millennials are both much more likely to  stricter environmental laws as worth the cost than to say they cost too many jobs and hurt the economy (by 59% to 33% and 63% to 35%, respectively). Gen X and Boomer and older adults also see stricter environmental laws as worth the cost, though by narrower margins.

A large majority of Democrats (81%) believe that stricter environmental laws are worth the cost. By contrast, 71% of Republicans say they cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. Republicans have become much more likely to take a critical view of stricter environmental regulations since September 2019, when 55% said they hurt the economy and cost too many jobs. (For more details on this change over time, see the Appendix ).

Generational differences in views occur primarily within the GOP and not among Democrats. Among Republicans, Gen Z (35%) and Millennials (34%) are more likely than Baby Boomer and older adults (20%) to say stricter environmental laws are worth the cost, though larger shares across cohorts say these regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. Roughly eight-in-ten Democrats across generations say that stricter environmental laws are worth the cost.

Far more Americans say government is doing too little, rather than too much, on key areas of environmental protection

Chart shows majorities view federal government as doing too little in most areas of environmental protection

Consistent with Center surveys over the past few years, majorities of U.S. adults support more government action to address a range of environmental concerns, including air and water quality as well as climate change.

Overall, 63% say the federal government is doing too little to protect the water quality of lakes, rivers and streams. Majorities also say the government is doing too little to reduce the effects of climate change (59%), protect air quality (59%) and protect animals and their habitats (57%). About half (51%) say the federal government is doing too little to protect open lands in national parks and nature preserves. Across all five items, small shares of the public believe the government is doing too much to address any one of these environmental issues.

There are wide differences in views on these issues by political party, with Democrats much more likely than Republicans to think that government efforts in these areas are insufficient.

While still the predominant viewpoint, the shares of Democrats who say the government is doing too little across these five areas are 6 to 10 percentage points lower than they were in May of 2020, before Joe Biden took office. Republicans’ views on these questions have been largely steady, although the share of Republicans who believe the federal government is doing too little to address climate change is down 5 percentage points, from 35% in May 2020 to 30% today.

Partisan groups remain far apart when it comes to assessment of government action on climate change: 83% of Democrats and Democratic leaners think the government’s efforts are insufficient, vs. 30% of Republicans and GOP leaners, a difference of 53 percentage points. Conservative Republicans stand out on this from their fellow partisans with a moderate or liberal ideology: 19% say the federal government is doing too little to address climate change compared with 49% of moderate or liberal Republicans.

Chart shows Republicans and Democrats remain far apart over the need for more government action to protect key aspects of the environment

Gen Zers and Millennials are more likely than older Americans to say the government is doing too little to address specific areas of environmental concern, though these divides are driven primarily by differences by generation within the GOP.

Chart shows among Republicans, generational differences over government action in areas of environmental concern

About two-thirds of Gen Zers (66%) and Millennials (65%) say the federal government is doing too little to protect air quality, compared with 58% of Gen X and 52% of Baby Boomer and older adults.

Similarly, 68% of Gen Zers and 66% of Millennials say the federal government is doing too little to reduce the effects of climate change versus 57% of Gen X and 52% of Baby Boomer and older adults.

Among Republicans, Gen Zers and Millennials are more likely than Baby Boomer and older adults to say the federal government is doing too little to address all five of these areas of environmental concern. Majorities of Democrats across generations say the government is doing too little to address these environmental issues.

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UNH students tackle sustainability issues at undergraduate research conference

students presenting in front of a screen

Over 100 students from across all UNH colleges presented their research into a wide variety of sustainability challenges, from local – “Energy Conservation and Use in UNH Dorms” to global – “Seafood's Impacts Along the Value Chain: Entity-Level Greenhouse Gas Accounting of Sushi Ingredient Distribution” and impressed this year’s judges with their findings.

Of special note this year, the students in the Sustainability dual major’s first ever honors section of “Exploring Sustainability” focused on personal action to help solve the problems they chose to address, utilizing their classroom knowledge to connect the dots for taking action in daily life – a lifelong skill they will take with them.

In addition, the Sustainability Institute Intern presentations (a non-judged category) solely focused on research to help improve UNH’s sustainability action, making valuable contributions to UNH’s national leadership in this area.

Our gratitude to this year’s judges for their time, expertise, and support of these students.

  • Yashar Eftekhar Azam, Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Michael Burns, UNH Sustainability Advisory Board Member
  • Jade Chalkley, Peer to Peer Coordinator, UNH Sustainability Institute
  • Shuili Du, Professor of Marketing, Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics
  • Luciana Echazu, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education & Associate Professor of Economics, Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics
  • Allison Leach, SIMAP Program Manager, UNH Sustainability Institute
  • Dovev Levine, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Affairs & Assistant Vice Provost for Outreach and Engagement
  • Solomon Maingi, Senior Lecturer of Geography, Political Science and International Affairs
  • Cathy Meyer, Marketing and Communications Manager, UNH Sustainability Institute
  • Jesse Morrell, Principal Lecturer of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems
  • Melinda Negron-Gonzales, Associate Professor & Chair, Department of Security Studies at UNH Manchester
  • Stacey Purslow, Program Coordinator, NH Farm to School
  • Karen Spiller, Thomas W. Haas Professor in Sustainable Food Systems

Congrats to the winners in each category and to all participating students for their hard work, passion, and dedication to sustainability.

Presentations by students in the class SUST 701: Sustainability Capstone

group of people standing together

Awardees left to right: Miles Keefe '25,  Alyssa Morrison '24,  Sophie Goodwin '24,  Margaret Lahey '24

Winning team: Farm Level Food Waste in New Hampshire       

  • Sophie Goodwin, 2024, Sociology, Sustainability dual major
  • Miles Keefe, 2025, Geography, Sustainability dual major
  • Margaret Lahey, 2024, Business Administration, Sustainability dual major
  • Alyssa Morrison, 2024, Information Systems and Business Analytics, Sustainability dual major

Seafood's Impacts Along the Value Chain: Entity-Level Greenhouse Gas Accounting of Sushi Ingredient Distribution            

  • Patrick Butler, 2024, English/Journalism, Sustainability dual major
  • Zachary Diehl, 2024, Recreation Management and Policy, Sustainability dual major
  • Nathan Maybach, 2024, Women's and Gender Studies, Sustainability dual major
  • Jessica Seibel, 2024, Psychology, Sustainability dual major
  • Matthew Wilkins, 2024, Political Science, Sustainability dual major

Extended Producer Responsibility in New Hampshire

  • Abigail Blasi, 2024, Political Science, Sustainability dual major
  • Braden McDonnell, 2024, Analytical Economics, Sustainability dual major
  • Andrew Otersen, 2024, Analytical Economics, Sustainability dual major
  • Findlay Peet, 2024, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability dual major

Planning for Power: Electrifying UNH's Campus                

  • Tim Sicard, 2024, Information Systems and Business Analytics, Finance, Sustainability dual major
  • Logan Whittaker, 2024, Psychology, Sustainability dual major
  • Morgan Williams, 2024, Environmental and Resource Economics, Sustainability dual major
  • Natalie Young, 2025, Equine Studies, Sustainability dual major

Marine Debris in Gulf of Maine        

  • Samuel Gobeil, 2024 , Analytical Economics, Sustainability dual major
  • Lauren McDowell, 2024, Marine, Estuarine and Freshwater Biology, Sustainability dual major
  • Kennedy McGrath, 2025, Marine, Estuarine and Freshwater Biology, Sustainability dual major
  • Sarah Nadeau, 2024  Environmental Engineering, Sustainability dual major

Equity and Climate Opportunity Fund       

  • Sara Carleo, 2024, Information Systems and Business Analytics, Sustainability dual major
  • Kenzie Gagne, 2024, Finance, Sustainability dual major
  • Morgan Kahn, 2024, Finance, Information Systems and Business Analytics, Sustainability dual major
  • Olivia LaRose, 2024, Business Administration: Management, Sustainability dual major

Durham Community Waste Education     

  • Madison Davine, 2024, Marketing, Sustainability dual major
  • Tess Hornbeck, 2024 , Theatre, Spanish, Sustainability dual major
  • Maria Jacques, 2024, Business Administration: Management, Sustainability dual major
  • Edyn Winter, 2024, Marketing, Sustainability dual major

Food Forests: A Perennial Initiative             

  • Bella Dziak, 2024, Community and Environmental Planning, Sustainability dual major
  • Brianna Frasier, 2024, English, Sustainability dual major
  • Simon Quinn, 2024, Political Science, Sustainability dual major
  • Caroline Yates, 2024, Community and Environmental Planning, Sustainability dual major

Presentations by students in the class SUST 501: Sustainability in Action

group of people standing together

Awardees left to right:  Abigail Kincaid '27,   Ava Graham '25,  Ben Kaminski '25

Winning team: Food Systems (Zero Waste)           

  • Ava Graham, 2025, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Sustainability dual major
  • Ben Kaminski, 2025, Recreation Management and Policy, Sustainability dual major
  • Abigail Kincaid, 2027, Environmental and Resource Economics, Sustainability dual major

Renewable Energy

  • Ella Longacre, 2026, Information Systems and Business Analytics, Sustainability dual major
  • Aidan Miller, 2027, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability dual major
  • Sydney Vanasse, 2026, Earth Sciences, Sustainability dual major

Biodiversity   

  • Sofia Balan, 2025, Finance, Sustainability dual major
  • Ryan Ensminger, 2026, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability dual major
  • Ryan Gray, 2026, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability dual major

Sustainable Business Innovations                

  • Haley LeMoine, 2026, Management, Sustainability dual major    
  • Angelina Meyer, 2024, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, EcoGastronomy dual major
  • Megan Stearns, 2027, Undeclared

Improving UNH's Energy Usage      

  • Robert Collier, 2027, Business Administration, Sustainability dual major
  • Alex Magin, 2026, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability dual major
  • Tim Sicard, 2024, Information Systems and Business Analytics  Finance, Sustainability dual major

New Hampshire Agroforest                

  • Julian Baldwin, 2025, Civil Engineering, Sustainability dual major
  • Bennett Murphy, 2026, Mechanical Engineering, Sustainability dual major
  • Justin Wentworth, 2025, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability dual major

Sustainable Community Development   

  • Nicholas Booth, 2025, Business Administration
  • Bodie Townsend, 2027, Undeclared, Sustainability dual major
  • Daniel deMoor, 2025, Communication, Sustainability dual major

Education        

  • Lucy Barlow, 2026, Art History
  • Rachel Hazelwoo, 2026, Undeclared
  • Danika Miller, 2024, Sociology, Sustainability dual major

Justice, Policy, & Institutions            

  • Elizabeth DelGiudice, 2026, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability dual major
  • Alyssa Jackson, 2025, Geography, Sustainability dual major
  • Molly Smith, 2025, Political Science, Sustainability dual major

Sustainable Cities   

  • Griff Bates, 2025, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability dual major
  • Will Byington, 2024, Environmental and Resource Economics, Sustainability dual major
  • Rowan Pow, 2026, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability dual major

Sustainable Cities & Communities              

  • Nicole Deneau, 2026, Marketing, Sustainability dual major
  • Eric Ierardi, 2026, Civil Engineering, Sustainability dual major
  • Anakin Paige, 2025, Marketing, Sustainability dual major

Waste Awareness Do's & Don'ts     

  • Alec Ferrante, 2025, Environmental and Resource Economics, Sustainability dual major
  • Josephine Ginivisian, 2026, Human Development and Family Studies, Sustainability dual major
  • Shane McKenna, 2025, Community and Environmental Planning               

Presentations by students in the class SUST 401: Exploring Sustainability honors section

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Awardees left to right: Lyla Tullock-Hernandez '26, Jordan Wright '27

Judges in this section were so impressed by this passionate group of students, they met an impasse in determining a single winner and called a tie between two teams.

Winning team: A Comparative Exploration of Post-Primary Consumer Life of Clothes in the Durham Community        

  • Lyla Tulloch-Hernandez, 2026, Business Administration 
  • Jordan Wright, 2027, Community and Environmental Planning, Sustainability dual major

Winning team: The Importance of the Arts for a Sustainable Future at UNH               

  • Jacqueline Fuller, 2027, Music Education  
  • Allison Kish, 2027, Marine, Estuarine and Freshwater Biology, Sustainability dual major

Sustainable Seafood at UNH

  • Grace Cardin, 2027, Analytical Economics
  • Brielle Cloutier, 2027, Political Science
  • Sophie Kingston, 2027, Biomedical Science

UNH and Durham Empowerment of Local Land Stewardship

  • Emma Galbraith, 2027, Computer Science, Sustainability dual major
  • Kara Hatalsky, 2027, Zoology

How Does a Strong Local Food System Promote Climate Resilience?             

  • Tamara Bouchard, 2025, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Sam McLaughlin, 2027, Music

The Effect of Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) on Educational Equity in New Hampshire

  • Audrey Baldwin, 2027, Environmental Sciences
  • Ella Berg, 2026, Psychology
  • Ginger Schoff, 2025, Political Science

Energy Conservation and Use in UNH Dorms      

  • Erin Classey, 2026, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability dual major
  • Liliana Pistor, 2027, Biology, Sustainability dual major
  • Matthew Stern, 2027, Political Science

How UNH is Focusing on Reducing Waste and Overconsumption       

  • Alyssa Crotty, 2027, Business Administration
  • Madelyne Hancock, 2027, Economics

Presentations by students in the class ECOG 701: EcoGastronomy Capstone

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Awardee, middle: Jenna Meyer '24

Winning team: Consumer Choice in the Chocolate Industry: How Can We Make a Difference?

  • Jenna Meyer, 2024, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, EcoGastronomy dual major

Exploring Seasonal and Local Food on the Seacoast    

  • Madeline Beaton, 2024, International Business and Economics, EcoGastronomy dual major

Supper Club: Food, Community, Conversation

  • Ella Norenberg, 2024, Psychology, EcoGastronomy dual major

Discovering Durham: Exploring Local Eateries 

  • Ryan Femino, 2024, Communication, EcoGastronomy dual major

From Seed to Soil: A Floral Composting Endeavor

  • Daniel Kyle Gottschalk, 2024, Marketing, EcoGastronomy dual major

Micro-Breweries, Macro Waste      

  • Samuel Seibert, 2024, Biomedical Science, EcoGastronomy dual major

Pisco to Pescado: Painting Peruvian Food              

  • Isabella Hart, 2024, Fine Arts, EcoGastronomy dual major

The Morals of Meat: Comparing the History of Vegetarianism in India and the United States

  • Sydney Barringer, 2024, Environmental Conservation and Sustainability, EcoGastronomy dual major

Veggie-GO: Connecting Local Farms to Durham through Community Supported Agriculture

  • Molly Bonczek, 2024  Environmental Conservation and Sustainability, EcoGastronomy dual major

Presentations by student Sustainability Institute Interns (non-judged category)

Sustainable Dining and Conscious Consumption            

  • Marisa Bianchi, 2026, Environmental Conservation and Sustainability

Drop the Disposables: A Journey Towards Expanding Reusable To-Go Ware at UNH            

  • Kailei Wedge, 2024, Environmental Conservation and Sustainability

Where Will Wildcats Toss Their Trash? Creating a Standardized Waste Collection System at UNH          

What are the Diversion Opportunities for Hard to Recycle Materials at UNH?           

  • Caroline Cirillo, 2026, Environmental Conservation and Sustainability, Sustainability dual major

Trash 2 Treasure Feasibility and Redefining Success    

  • Benjamin Kaminski, 2025, Recreation Management and Policy, Sustainability dual major

How Can We Build a Community that Fosters Sustainability on Campus and Beyond?

  • Daisy Burns, 2024, Economics, Sustainability dual major

How can we Effectively Promote Pollinator Protection through Student Outreach to Enhance the UNH Community? ​

  • Ila Bartenstein, 2024, Environmental Sciences, Sociology
  • Andrew Ricketts, 2026, Genetics, Sustainability dual major

How Can Sustainability Advocates Increase Sustainability Peer Education in UNH Residence Halls?  

  • Megan Broderick, 2024, Environmental Conservation and Sustainability, Educational Studies

How Close is UNH to its Footprint Reduction Goals set in WildCAP?                

  • Sofia Anestam, 2025, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability dual major

Cat Trax Bike Share Program             

  • Victoria Whitcomb, 2026, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Sustainability dual major

How Do Stormwater Management Systems Impact the Environment and How Can Communities Contribute to Their Maintenance                 

  • Louis Arinello, 2026, Spanish, Sustainability dual major
  • Karena Sazo, 2024, Environmental Conservation and Sustainability

Impacts of Climate Change on the Datoga and Hadzabe Tribes in Lake Eyasi Basin, Tanzania     

Key Findings from the International Changemaker Grant Volunteering Trip to Takataka Plastics in Gulu, Uganda        

  • Kaiden Bedell, 2024, Mechanical Engineering

UNH Food Purchasing Impacts on Carbon and Nitrogen Footprints 

  • Durga Raja, 2025, Environmental and Resource Economics, Sustainability dual major
  • Community Engagement
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EDITORIAL article

This article is part of the research topic.

High Value Utilization of Waste in Food Processing

Editorial: High Value Utilization of Waste in Food Processing Provisionally Accepted

  • 1 Xinyang Normal University, China
  • 2 Jimei University, China
  • 3 Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, United States

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

High value utilization of waste in food processing is an important aspect of sustainable development and environmental protection (Ravindran & Jaiswal, 2016).It involves converting various waste materials generated during food processing into valuable products or resources, thereby reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal and promoting economic growth (Saba et al., 2023). One significant area of high value utilization is the recycling of food waste into compost or biofertilizers (Hamilton et al., 2015). Organic waste from food processing, such as vegetable scraps and fruit peels, can be composted to create a rich soil amendment that can be used in agriculture. This not only reduces the need for chemical fertilizers but also improves soil health and crop yields. Another example is the extraction of valuable components from waste streams (Chan et al., 2018). For instance, oils and fats from cooking waste can be recovered and used as biofuels or in the production of soaps and detergents.Similarly, proteins and carbohydrates from food waste can be extracted and used in the production of animal feed or bioplastics. Furthermore, waste from food processing can also be used to produce energy (Pagliano et al., 2017). Through processes such as anaerobic digestion or incineration, organic waste can be converted into biogas or energy-rich fuels that can be used to power factories or provide heat for buildings. In addition to these direct utilizations, food waste can also be used in innovative ways to create new products. For example, some companies are developing technologies to convert food waste into bioplastics, which can be used as an alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics (Acquavia et al., 2021).Overall, high value utilization of waste in food processing offers numerous benefits, including reducing environmental pollution, conserving resources, and promoting economic growth. Advanced technologies including multiple fermentation, countercurrent extraction, electrodialysis, capsule embedding, and artificial intelligence production lines, can effectively optimize the processing technology as a result of advancements in food processing technology (Shen et al., 2019). Future efforts should continue to intensify research and development, promote the widespread application of these technologies, and contribute to the construction of a green, low-carbon, and circular economic model. The study by Feng et al. focused on analyzing dietary fibers (DF) extracted from papaya peel (PP) and seed (PS) using three extraction methods: acidic, enzymatic, and alkaline. Characterization of these DF samples was conducted using various techniques including SEM, FT-IR, XRD, thermal and rheological analyses, and monosaccharide composition determination. Results indicated that DF extracted via the acidic method exhibited looser and more intricate structures, while enzymatically extracted DF demonstrated superior thermal stability. Additionally, the extraction method influenced the monosaccharide composition of the DF. Notably, DF extracted through the acidic method demonstrated elevated functional and antioxidant properties. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of DF derived from papaya peel and seed using multiple extraction methods. The application of advanced analytical methods provides a detailed insight into the structural and functional attributes of these fibers. The discovery that acidic extraction produces DF with remarkable functional and antioxidant properties holds importance, indicating potential health advantages upon integration into food formulations. Overall, the research is well-designed and executed, paving the way for further exploration of papaya-derived DF in functional food applications.The study by Fernando et al. centered on enhancing the extraction of phenolic compounds from avocado Hass peels in Peru, a region producing a substantial quantity of avocado by-products. The primary objective of the study was to assess the impact of various process variables on the extraction yield, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity of the extracts. Additionally, the investigation involved the analysis of phenolic compounds and the evaluation of antioxidant capacity. The findings of the study indicated that the extraction conditions exerted a significant influence on the desired outcomes, particularly in the case of unripe avocado peels extracted using 40% ethanol at 49.3°C and a specific solvent-to-feed ratio, which resulted in the highest levels of phenolic and flavonoid content, as well as potent antioxidant properties. The main phenolic compounds identified in the extracts were vanillic acid and 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. The findings highlight the potential of avocado peels as a valuable source of natural antioxidants, offering a sustainable and healthier option to synthetic antioxidants in the food industry. This study not only contributes to reducing waste but also presents opportunities for enhancing the value of agricultural by-products, thereby benefiting both the environment and the economy.The study by Sumeth et al. focused on the development of an expanded snack utilizing Riceberry rice flour and dried coconut meal, a byproduct of coconut milk processing, via a twin-screw extruder. A factorial design was utilized to examine the effects of varying feed moisture levels and quantities of dried coconut meal on the physicochemical, functional, and sensory characteristics of the snack.Key findings included the impact of moisture and dried coconut meal on viscosity, expansion, color, texture, and antioxidant properties of the extruded snacks. The findings are valuable for the food processing industry, specifically in the realm of enhancing the utilization of agricultural byproducts such as dried coconut meal. In addition to analyzing physicochemical properties, the research also delves into sensory attributes, a key factor in consumer approval. Overall, the research is well-designed, comprehensive, and has practical implications for the development of healthy and sustainable snack options.The study by Chen et al. presented a novel approach for the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and iron or copper complex from glutinous rice processing wastewater, which is both environmentally friendly and economically viable. This study initially isolated an EPS-producing bacterium from marine sources utilizing glutinous rice processing wastewater, subsequently investigating the application of EPS as a carrier for the synthesis of EPS-iron (EPS-Fe) and EPS-copper (EPS-Cu) complexes. Furthermore, this study determined the optimal conditions for synthesizing EPS-Fe and EPS-Cu, followed by a comprehensive characterization of both compounds. The results demonstrated the potential of EPS-Fe and EPS-Cu as a new type of comprehensive essential trace mineral supplement, offering a safer alternative to inorganic trace minerals. The study also highlighted the antioxidant and antiproliferative properties of these complexes, suggesting their possible use in health supplements or functional foods. Overall, this work offers a promising approach to mitigating environmental contamination from glutinous rice processing wastewater by producing valuable organic metal complexes. This, in turn, could enable the widespread production and utilization of organic metal complexes as dietary supplements, feed additives, or fertilizer enhancers.The study by Zorana et al. conducted an analysis of goat whey sourced from two distinct origins: the market (produced in small and large dairy facilities) and a laboratory (derived from goat milk heated at different temperatures). The samples were subjected to comprehensive analysis including gross composition, pH, protein content, mineral composition, and microbial examination. Findings revealed that the protein composition of whey was influenced by the applied heat treatment, while the mineral content was determined by the type of coagulation. Particularly noteworthy was the observation that acid whey exhibited significantly higher concentrations of calcium and zinc compared to sweet whey. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of goat whey from different sources and heating conditions. The use of statistical methods such as ANOVA and PCA adds rigor to the data interpretation. The finding that heat treatment does not affect Ca and Mg content in goat whey, unlike cow milk, is particularly interesting and may have implications for the dairy industry.The study also highlights the consistency in quality between small and large scale market goat whey, despite differing legal requirements, which is reassuring for consumers. Overall, the research is well-designed and presents valuable insights into the properties of goat whey.The review by Nashi et al. focuses on date press cake (DPC), a significant by-product of the date honey or syrup industry in the Middle East, North Africa, and Southwest Asia. This article explored the potential uses of DPC in various food and non-food applications, discussing its chemical composition, nutritional value, functionality, current usages, as well as limitations and future trends. Given the large amount of waste generated in date processing, finding value-added uses for DPC is environmentally and economically beneficial (Al-Khalili et al., 2023). The article successfully outlines the current state of DPC utilization and the need for further research to fully harness its potential. By discussing limitations and future trends, it paves the way for further exploration and innovation in this field. Overall, this is a valuable resource for researchers and industry professionals interested in sustainable waste management and value-addition in the date palm industry. In Summary, the 6 contributions published in this research topic provide insights into the high value utilization of waste in food processing. These articles explored the potential application value of various food processing by-products, including papaya peel and seed, avocado Hass peels, dried coconut meal, glutinous rice processing wastewater, goat whey, and date press cake. As technologies continue to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative and sustainable solutions for managing and utilizing food processing waste in the future.

Keywords: food processing, Waste utilization, sustainable production, Advanced technology, Environmental protection

Received: 25 Apr 2024; Accepted: 09 May 2024.

Copyright: © 2024 Chen, Wang, Wu, Tan and Li. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: Dr. Zhipeng Li, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, Fujian Province, China

Horizon Europe: €163.5 million available to fund green, smart and resilient transport and mobility research projects

The European Commission has launched two new calls for projects under  Horizon Europe's Work Programme for 2023-2024  Cluster 5 – which groups together topics on Climate Action, Energy and Mobility.

Horizon Europe funding news

A total of EUR 163.5 million in EU funding is available under these calls with a deadline for application of 5 September 2024. The calls cover the following subject areas or 'destinations':

Cross-sectoral solutions for the climate transition (HORIZON-CL5-2024-D2-02)

Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods (HORIZON-CL5-2024-D6-01)

See the table below for more details about the calls and where to apply:

Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation with a total budget of €95.5 billion. Under Horizon Europe, Energy, Climate Action, and Mobility research actions are grouped into Cluster 5.

The overarching driver for this cluster is to accelerate the twin green and digital transitions and associated transformation of our economy, industry and society with a view to contributing to the EU reaching its climate goals, and increasing energy resilience.

How to apply?

Funding opportunities under Horizon Europe are set out in the multiannual Climate, Energy and Mobility work programme. The  work programme of Horizon Europe for the period 2023-2024  was adopted by the European Commission in December 2022. 

  • All funding information and details on how to apply are on the  Funding and Tenders portal .
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  • Japanese Version

Progress Report on Field Testing of Collecting Plastic Containers for Personal and Home Care Products Using a Local Government Collection Route

Aiming to Reduce Costs and Secure Sufficient Material to Recycle

From April 2023 to March 2024, Kao Corporation worked with general recycling business Nakadai Co. Ltd. to conduct field testing for recycling plastic packaging used for personal and home care products in the Japanese city of Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. The one-year program, targeting approximately 1,300 households in the city, collected the packaging using the city’s existing recycling route. Recycling of PET plastic beverage bottles via local government routes for recyclables is already well established, but this field-testing scheme for personal and home care product plastic containers is the first of its kind * . Several similar programs now in effect aim to find answers to the issues experienced in field testing of obtaining sufficient quantities of materials to recycle and reducing the cost of collection to set up a sustainable collection system. Field testing in Satsumasendai is being conducted as part of the Circular Park Kyushu project for a sustainable future and has been incorporated into the city’s SDGs Innovation Trial Support Project. Results of field testing and prospects for the future are described below.

  • * According to Kao data as of April 2023.
  • News Release from April 2023 Field Testing of a New Collection Scheme in Japan Using Local Government Collection Route to Achieve Horizontal Recycling of Plastic Containers for Personal and Home Care Products

research topics on environmental sustainability

Used plastic containers left in a collection box (left) are stored at a city-owned collection point (right), from where Nakadai collects them once a week for quantity and quality analysis

Description of the Field Testing

Satsumasendai City currently collects recyclables (washed and dried plastic containers for personal and home care products, food packaging and colored food trays) once or twice a month. To facilitate participation, all plastic packaging for personal and home care products, with the exception of tubes, is collected and can be left at local collection points where consumers already drop off other recyclables.

Items Evaluated and Results Obtained

  • Ensuring a stable, sufficient supply of containers as a source of materials A total of 715kg of plastic containers was collected from 1,300 households.
  • Ensuring quality of recyclables for re-use Only 3% of the total packaging collected was deemed ineligible, and around 90% was high-quality material that had been washed and dried. It is expected that 98% of the material collected will be of acceptable quality suitable for recycling.
  • Reducing collection costs to make the scheme sustainable This field-testing scheme has been incorporated into Satsumasendai City’s SDGs Innovation Trial Support Project, which is providing support in the form of coordination with personnel and making available more collection points. Collection costs are shouldered by Kao and Nakadai.

Participants’ Comments

To identify issues with the collection scheme during the field-testing period and gain insights into what could increase motivation to take part, participants were asked to reply to a questionnaire. While respondents agreed that the scheme was valuable in terms of reducing the burden on the environment and making good use of resources, many of them found the requirement to sort, wash, dry and take used packaging to a collection point burdensome. In particular, since the packaging was only collected once every two weeks, respondents brought up the issue of needing to store the containers at home until collection time or felt that it was more convenient to be able to drop them off at supermarkets, etc. any time, pointing to the need for improvement in this area.

Looking to the Future

With these field-testing results in mind, Kao and Circular Park Kyushu, working together with Satsumasendai City, will implement a new scheme for one year, from April 2024 to March 2025, reflecting the insights gained from the questionnaire. Under the new scheme, the plan is to use supermarkets in Satsumasendai as collection points for used packaging. Analysis work and other tasks, conducted so far by Nakadai, will be taken over by Circular Park Kyushu in conjunction with the start of operations by Circular Park Kyushu Co., Ltd. in Satsumasendai. Collection frequency, previously twice a month, will be greatly expanded, which is expected to increase the volume of used containers collected. Collection costs within the scheme as a whole will continue to be studied by the parties involved. In April 2019, the Kao Group established the Kirei Lifestyle Plan, an ESG strategy. Since 2021, the Kao Group has been promoting the Kao Group Mid-term Plan with its vision of “protecting future lives” and “sustainability as the only path.” This field testing for collecting plastic containers addresses one of the Kirei Lifestyle Plan’s leadership actions of achieving “zero waste.” Through this field testing, Kao will continue to examine recycling schemes to expand self-directed participation by stakeholders in each step of the recycling process, from sorting and collection to transport and recycling. The company aims to gain the understanding and support of consumers in particular as active participants in resource circularity, from product selection and use to sorting, collection and recycling of packaging. The Kao Group will continue to integrate its ESG strategy into its management practices, develop its business, provide better products and services for consumers and society, and work toward its purpose, “to realize a Kirei world in which all life lives in harmony.”

  • * This news release is a translation of a Japanese-language news release dated April 11, 2024.

About the Kirei Lifestyle Plan

Over the past 130 years, Kao has worked to improve people’s lives and help them realize more sustainable lifestyles—a Kirei Lifestyle. The Japanese word ‘kirei’ describes something that is clean, well-ordered and beautiful, all at the same time. The Kao Group established its ESG strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan in April 2019, which is designed to deliver the vision of a gentler and more sustainable way of living. By 2030, Kao aims to empower at least 1 billion people, to enjoy more beautiful lives and have 100% of its products leave a full lifecycle environmental footprint that science says our natural world can safely absorb. Please visit the Kao sustainability website for more information.

Kao creates high-value-added products and services that provide care and enrichment for the life of all people and the planet. Through its portfolio of over 20 leading brands such as Attack , Bioré , Goldwell , Jergens , John Frieda , Kanebo , Laurier , Merries, and Molton Brown , Kao is part of the everyday lives of people in Asia, Oceania, North America, and Europe. Combined with its chemical business, which contributes to a wide range of industries, Kao generates about 1,530 billion yen in annual sales. Kao employs about 34,300 people worldwide and has 137 years of history in innovation. Please visit the Kao Group website for updated information.

Media inquiries should be directed to:

Public Relations Kao Corporation

Related Information

Announcing a Roadmap for Reaching Plastic Packaging Net Zero Waste by 2040 and Negative Waste by 2050

Kao launches new ESG Strategy “Kirei Lifestyle Plan” to support consumer lifestyle changes

Kao’s New Challenges for the Future: Accelerating Purposeful Business Commitment with ESG

Kao sustainability website

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