European Research Center for Social Development

Tag: Sustainability

Plant biodiversity promotes sustainable agriculture directly and via belowground effects

While the link between plant biodiversity and healthy ecosystems is well known, the authors explain that we are only beginning to understand how much of this success depends on the invisible world of soil microbes.

They point out that the way a plant community is structured directly influences the diversity of microbes in the soil, which in turn supports the very functions we need for sustainable agriculture. In this paper, the researchers outline both the direct “plant-driven” effects and the microbe-mediated mechanisms that contribute to a positive relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

They identify how this knowledge can be applied to plant diversification strategies to strengthen agroecosystems, which are often poor in species and highly vulnerable to environmental stress.

As we face global change and the overexploitation of resources, the authors argue that bridging the gap between biodiversity science and actual farming practices is essential for ensuring food security in the Anthropocene.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2022.02.003

Reference:

Cappelli, S. L., Domeignoz-Horta, L. A., Loaiza, V., & Laine, A.-L. (2022). Plant biodiversity promotes sustainable agriculture directly and via belowground effects. Trends in Plant Science, 27(7), 674–687.
Production of Sustainable and Biodegradable Polymers from Agricultural Waste

The author explains that agricultural wastes—derived from sources such as grape and tomato pomace, fruit peels, sugarcane bagasse, rice husks, and wheat straw—serve as carbon-rich precursors for producing bio-based polymers. These materials are processed through microbial synthesis, biopolymer blending, and chemical methods.

According to the researcher, developing these alternatives is essential given that less than 9% of the 400 million tons of synthetic plastics produced annually are recycled, contributing to significant global pollution.

The study points out that while chemical synthesis often involves alkali and acid treatments, microbial synthesis from renewable sources is more scalable and environmentally friendly. The researchers highlight that a polymer’s optical, mechanical, and chemical properties—including UV absorbance, tensile strength, and water permeability—are directly influenced by the chosen synthetic route.

Although these bio-based materials have potential applications in smart food packaging, construction, and medicine, the author notes that commercial production is currently hindered by high costs, production economics, concerns over useful life and biodegradation, and the availability of sufficient waste materials. Ultimately, the researcher concludes that new, cost-effective techniques are critical for replacing synthetic polymers with bio-based alternatives.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12051127

Reference:

Maraveas, C. (2020). Production of Sustainable and Biodegradable Polymers from Agricultural Waste. Polymers, 12(5), 1127.
Nanotechnology Potential in Seed Priming for Sustainable Agriculture. Nanomaterials

While we often look for ways to protect plants as they grow, the authors explain that the real secret to a sustainable agricultural revolution might actually start much earlier, hidden inside the seed itself.

The researchers point out that our current farming systems are under constant threat from climate change and the loss of natural resources, making it urgent to find new ways to produce safe, high-quality food.

They highlight nanotechnology as a major contributor to this effort, specifically through a process known as “seed nano-priming.” This method is more than just a quick boost for sprouting; the authors argue that it changes the seed’s internal metabolism and signaling pathways, which benefits the plant throughout its entire life cycle.

According to the study, this technology leads to better growth, higher productivity, and even more nutritious food for consumers. The researchers explain that by balancing the plant’s internal chemistry and growth hormones, nano-priming helps crops become naturally more resistant to diseases and environmental stress.

Ultimately, this allows for a significant reduction in the use of traditional pesticides and fertilizers, moving us toward more eco-friendly farming. This review provides an overview of the latest progress and the challenges ahead, showing how treating seeds with nanotechnology can play a vital role in the future of sustainable agriculture.

Learn more about this study: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11020267

Reference:

Do Espirito Santo Pereira, A., Caixeta Oliveira, H., Fernandes Fraceto, L., & Santaella, C. (2021). Nanotechnology Potential in Seed Priming for Sustainable Agriculture. Nanomaterials, 11(2), 267.
How to innovate business models for a circular bio‐economy?

The authors explain that shifting from a linear to a circular bio-economy requires the development of new business models, particularly within the agrifood sector.

The researchers studied eight European cases that focus on valorizing agricultural waste and by-products by closing loops or cascading materials. Through interviews and site visits, the study identifies several critical factors that shape these innovations.

According to the findings, business model innovations depend on macro-environmental conditions, such as legal frameworks and market trends, as well as internal objectives like economic, environmental, or social goals.

The researchers also point out that these models are strongly linked to synergies with actors from different sectors and value co-creation through both organizational and technological advancements.

Ultimately, the authors conclude that achieving the most efficient use of agricultural waste requires radical, combined innovations and new business configurations rather than the linear strategies that remain dominant for economic reasons.

Learn more about this study: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2725

Reference:

Donner, M., & De Vries, H. (2021). How to innovate business models for a circular bio‐economy? Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(4), 1932–1947.
Plant extracts—Importance in sustainable agriculture

While plants have long been used as raw materials for products like food and medicine, the authors explain that their high content of bioactive compounds makes them ideal for creating a new generation of bio-products for agriculture.

The researchers point out that various parts of the plant—including seeds, flowers, stems, and roots—can be used to manufacture biostimulants and biopesticides.

According to the study, these plant-based extracts possess a wide range of properties, such as antifungal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects. The review examines how these plant-derived biostimulants (PDBs) impact crops under both controlled and real-world conditions, including their response to biotic and abiotic stresses.

The authors highlight several benefits of using these products, including low toxicity to humans and the environment, increased crop quality and yields, and a reduced reliance on mineral fertilizers and pesticides.

Ultimately, the researchers conclude that deeper cooperation between academic and industrial research is necessary to speed up the development of these environmentally safe solutions.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2021.1851

Reference:

Godlewska, K., Ronga, D., & Michalak, I. (2021). Plant extracts—Importance in sustainable agriculture. Italian Journal of Agronomy, 16(2), 1851.
Production of Sustainable Construction Materials Using Agro-Wastes

The construction industry is under intense pressure to reconcile rapid urbanization with the urgent need to protect dwindling natural resources.

This research identifies agro-waste—specifically the ashes and fibers from crops like rice, sugarcane, and bamboo—as a potent alternative for developing sustainable building materials.

By reviewing the application of these wastes in bricks, concrete, insulation, and bio-plastics, the study demonstrates that these “green” alternatives are not just experimental; they consistently meet or exceed established building standards.

The findings explicitly state that transitioning to agro-waste materials offers a triple-win for the sector: it diverts waste from landfills, reduces the environmental impact of mainstream materials, and ensures long-term economic and social sustainability.

For the construction sector, this research confirms that the path to a sustainable future lies in the “circular” repurposing of agricultural by-products into the very foundations of our cities.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13020262

Reference

Maraveas, C. (2020). Production of Sustainable Construction Materials Using Agro-Wastes. Materials, 13(2), 262
Design for Deconstruction Using a Circular Economy Approach: Barriers and Strategies for Improvement

While the circular economy offers a clear path to sustainability, the construction industry faces a significant “implementation gap” when it comes to Design for Deconstruction (DfD).

This study identifies 26 specific barriers—ranging from weak legislation to a lack of effective digital tools—that keep the industry stuck in a “demolish-and-discard” cycle.

The findings suggest that achieving a sustainable building agenda requires more than just good intentions; it requires a structural shift in how we manage information and create business value. For the built environment to become truly circular, the industry must develop better software for lifecycle tracking and advocate for policies that make deconstruction more profitable than destruction.

By bridging these gaps, we can turn the “end-of-life” for one building into the “birth” of another, fulfilling the promise of a waste-free urban future.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2019.1695006

Reference

Akinade, O., Oyedele, L., Oyedele, A., Davila Delgado, J. M., Bilal, M., Akanbi, L., … Owolabi, H. (2020). Design for deconstruction using a circular economy approach: barriers and strategies for improvement. Production Planning & Control, 31(10), 829–840
Circular Economy Strategies for Adaptive Reuse of Cultural Heritage Buildings to Reduce Environmental Impacts

The “greenest” building is sometimes the one that has remained after many years. This research explores how Circular Economy strategies can breathe new life into abandoned or underutilized cultural heritage buildings, transforming them from relics of the past into facilitator for a sustainable future.

By focusing on adaptative reuse, cities can revitalize neighborhoods and preserve their unique historical identity while drastically reducing the environmental cost of new construction.

By applying systematic review of literature and synthesis methods, the research introduces a comprehensive circular economy framework designed to fill the knowledge and tools gap of decision-makers.

It merges lifecycle environmental techniques with circular supply chain approach, providing the tools needed to prove that extending a building’s lifespan is an economic, social and ecological win.

For the modern urban planner, this study demonstrate that heritage preservation isn’t just about history, it’s a high-performance strategy for building resilient, resource-efficient, and culturally rich circular cities.

Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104507

Reference

Foster, G. (2020). Circular economy strategies for adaptive reuse of cultural heritage buildings to reduce environmental impacts. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 152, 104507
Facilitating Construction 5.0 for Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Buildings: Opportunities and Challenges for Implementation

While we are still adjusting to the digital shift of “Construction 4.0,” a new frontier has already emerged: Construction 5.0. This evolution represents a shift in philosophy, moving beyond mere automation to prioritize a harmonious collaboration between advanced technology and human well-being.

This research explores the vast opportunities and inevitable hurdles of this new era, aiming to provide a roadmap for creating buildings that are not just “smart,” but also deeply sustainable, resilient, and centered on the people who use them.

To understand how this transition can actually happen, the researchers used a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method. This allowed them to evaluate a complex model of variables, investigating how human-centric technology and resilience strategies interact with existing challenges in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry.

The findings reveal a clear synergy: by focusing on human values and long-term environmental sustainability, the industry can actually turn its current obstacles into opportunities for innovation.

Ultimately, the study concludes that Construction 5.0 has the power to redefine our built environment, moving toward a future where our buildings are not just structures of glass and steel, but resilient ecosystems that actively support the values and health of the communities they serve.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-04-2024-0127

Reference

Yitmen I, Almusaed A, Alizadehsalehi S (2024), “Facilitating Construction 5.0 for smart, sustainable and resilient buildings: opportunities and challenges for implementation”. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment
Sustainable Adaptive Reuse Strategy Evaluation for Cultural Heritage Buildings

We often view historical buildings as relics to be frozen in time, but in the context of a sustainable future, these structures are actually some of our most strategic assets.

This research investigates the concept of adaptive reuse—the process of giving old structures new life through contemporary additions—to ensure that our cultural heritage isn’t just preserved, but remains a functional part of our modern economy. The study aims to pinpoint the most effective strategies for integrating modern elements into these sites to maintain a sustainable form of conservation.

To do this, the authors used a comparative analysis method, evaluating a variety of building samples based on physical criteria like material selection, mass, and how well the new function fits the original structure.

The findings reveal that while designs vary widely, the most successful adaptations are often driven by cultural or commercial needs and frequently utilize steel and glass to create a clear, honest distinction between the old and the new.

Ultimately, the paper concludes that by bringing these buildings back into the social fabric with fresh purposes and contemporary materials, we can revitalize our urban environments while achieving a meaningful balance of economic, social, and environmental innovation.

Learn more about this study here: https://avesis.atauni.edu.tr/yayin/bc47683e-ee22-443d-ba4f-08191067176b/sustainable-adaptive-reuse-strategy-evaluation-for-cultural-heritage-buildings

Reference

Takva, Y., Takva, Ç., & İlerisoy, Z. (2023). Sustainable Adaptive Reuse Strategy Evaluation for Cultural Heritage Buildings. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY, 10(2)