European Research Center for Social Development

Tag: Climate Change Mitigation

  • Building Sustainable Smart Cities for Energy Efficiency and CO2 Emission Reduction: Insights from Europe

    Building Sustainable Smart Cities for Energy Efficiency and CO2 Emission Reduction: Insights from Europe

    As we look toward a future where more than 70% of global CO2 emissions come from our urban centers, the pressure to redesign how cities function has never been higher.

    This research explores the “Sustainable Smart City” (SSC) as a vital framework for breaking our dependence on fossil fuels and fixing deep-seated energy inefficiencies.

    By examining successful models across Europe, the study investigates how the digital and physical worlds can merge to create urban environments that are both high-tech and low-impact.

    The methodology focuses on the integration of “triple-threat” technologies: the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and smart grids. These tools are analyzed for their ability to revolutionize renewable energy distribution, streamline transportation, and automate waste management.

    While the study draws its primary lessons from the European experience, it specifically aims to create a blueprint for nations like Sri Lanka to meet their own climate goals.

    The findings suggest that technological innovation alone isn’t enough; the true catalyst for change is a combination of stakeholder collaboration and robust policy reform.

    Ultimately, the research concludes that by adopting this research-driven framework, developing urban centers can successfully transition into sustainable hubs that enhance the quality of life without exhausting the planet’s resources.

    Learn more about this paper here: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-96-9551-5_11

    Reference

    Udayantha, U.L.I., Dias, S.N.C.M. (2025). Building Sustainable Smart Cities for Energy Efficiency and CO2 Emission Reduction: Insights from Europe. In: Dissanayake, R., De Alwis, A., Bekchanov, M., Gajanayake, P., Gunawardhana, S. (eds) Proceedings of the International Conference on Resource Efficiency Towards Sustainability. ICRES 2025. Proceedings in Technology Transfer. Springer, Singapore

  • Developing a Sustainable and Circular Bio-Based Economy in EU: By Partnering Across Sectors, Upscaling and Using New Knowledge Faster, and For the Benefit of Climate, Environment & Biodiversity, and People & Business

    Overview of the development of the EU bioeconomy between 2014 and 2020, the vision for a new Circular Bio-based Economy (CBE), aims to unlock the full potential of sustainably sourced biomass, crop residues, and industrial waste by transforming them into value-added products such as food, feed, bio-based chemicals, and fuels.

    According to the study, the pillars of the CBE include biotechnology, microbial production, enzyme technology, and green chemistry, all supported by public-private partnerships and conducive policy frameworks.The study analyzes key drivers of the CBE, including biomass supply, biorefineries, and the critical need for climate change mitigation and biodiversity preservation.

    The authors explain that while improved framework conditions can act as drivers, they may also become obstacles if they are not updated to accommodate circularity. Within the BBI-JU project portfolio, the researchers highlight a significant expansion into terrestrial and aquatic feedstocks, along with a broadening of the product portfolio to include high-value, health-promoting products for humans, animals, and soil.

    The authors highlight that, unlike fossil resources, biological resources are available worldwide, allowing the CBE to be implemented in a just manner that stimulates rural development. The study concludes with recommendations for international collaborations, such as expanding partnerships between the EU and Africa to foster mutual growth in the circular bio-based sector.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2020.619066

    Reference:

    Lange, L., Connor, K. O., Arason, S., Bundgård-Jørgensen, U., Canalis, A., Carrez, D., Gallagher, J., Gøtke, N., Huyghe, C., Jarry, B., Llorente, P., Marinova, M., Martins, L. O., Mengal, P., Paiano, P., Panoutsou, C., Rodrigues, L., Stengel, D. B., Van Der Meer, Y., & Vieira, H. (2021). Developing a Sustainable and Circular Bio-Based Economy in EU: By Partnering Across Sectors, Upscaling and Using New Knowledge Faster, and For the Benefit of Climate, Environment & Biodiversity, and People & Business. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 8, 619066.