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Original scientific paper
Meteorological Drought Assessment Analysis for Balkhab Sub–River Basin, Afghanistan

Journal of Sustainable Development of Natural Resources Management, Volume 2, Issue 2, 06, 2026
Homayoun Khoshnod, Azim Jan Zahid, Naqibullah Rahmani, Hasibullah Rahimi

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This study investigates meteorological drought patterns in the Balkhab Sub River Basin (BSRB) from Oct-1981 to Sep-2024 using satellite-based Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) precipitation data and four drought indices: Normal-SPI, Log-SPI, SPI-12, and PNPI. Data from eight selected points across the basin were analyzed to evaluate drought severity, identify critical drought years, and assess spatial-temporal drought distribution. The CHIRPS data showed strong correlation with ground observations (R² ≈ 0.91), confirming its reliability. The SPI-12 index effectively captured long-term droughts, while PNPI was sensitive to short-term variability. All indices identified 2001 as an extreme drought year across all points. Other significant drought years included 1985, 1986, 2022, and 2023. Spatial analysis indicated higher drought frequency in points R1, R2, R3, and R8. The study concludes that CHIRPS data, combined with multiple indices, offer a robust approach for drought monitoring in data-scarce regions, supporting future water resource planning and climate resilience strategies in BSRB.
Original scientific paper
AI-Driven Forecasting of Hydrogen and Aluminium Hydroxide Production from Aluminium Slag in Saudi Arabia

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Volume 14, Issue 4, 12, 2026
Rami Al Najada, Mohamed Mahmoud, Mian M Shaukat

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The rapid growth of aluminium production in Saudi Arabia has led to proportionally greater amounts of industrial waste, presenting both environmental risks and opportunities for resource recovery. The hydrolysis of waste aluminium slag through seawater to create green hydrogen along with aluminium hydroxide is presented in this work as a potential to improve waste management through the conversion of aluminium waste into marketable products, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating financial opportunities that promote sustainable resource management and green energy solutions, supporting the kingdom’s Vision 2030 energy transition plans. This case study utilises the XGBoost machine learning algorithm to forecast aluminium production growth in Saudi Arabia and to estimate future availability of aluminium slag, as well as hydrogen and aluminium hydroxide production. Economic growth and industrial demand served as the basis for these estimates. The model achieved a Mean Absolute Percentage Error of 6.9%, and analysis shows that aluminium production is projected to increase from 784.88 kilotonnes in 2025 to 1,058.42 kilotonnes in 2041, with slag generation rising from 156.98 to 211.68 kilotonnes and enabling up to 6.83 million kilograms of green hydrogen and 176.2 kilotonnes of aluminium hydroxide annually by 2041. The economic analysis indicated that the process relies strongly on the dual-value stream generated by hydrogen and aluminium hydroxide, supporting the commercial attractiveness of aluminium slag valorisation. The economic viability, carbon-mitigation benefits, and industrial-growth potential of this approach contribute to sustainable energy research by integrating AI-driven forecasting with circular waste-to-hydrogen valorisation to decarbonise the aluminium sector in the region.
Original scientific paper
Sustainable Adsorbents from Moringa Oleifera Residues: Chemical Modifications and Nickel Removal Efficiency

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Volume 14, Issue 4, 12, 2026
Aldana Rocca, Ezequiel Rossi, María Inés Errea, Susana Boeykens, María Natalia Piol

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This work evaluated the potential reuse of solid effluents from a Moringa oleifera infusion production company as adsorbents for the removal of nickel from aqueous media. To enhance adsorption performance, the material was chemically modified through an alkaline pretreatment, followed by carboxymethylation or acetylation. The obtained products were characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy to confirm the incorporation of functional groups. The adsorption capacity of the materials was determined, revealing that the moderate improvement observed for the carboxymethylated sample does not justify its low synthesis yield and the increased process complexity. Therefore, only the raw material, the alkaline-pretreated sample, and the acetylated adsorbent were selected for detailed evaluation. Kinetic and equilibrium experiments, as well as packed-column tests, demonstrated that moringa residues exhibit promising performance for the removal of nickel ions. Overall, the results highlight moringa-based materials as low-cost, sustainable adsorbents for wastewater treatment.
Original scientific paper
Advancing the Understanding of Silver Nanoparticles Removal: Comprehensive Assessment-Based Modelling in Wastewater Treatment Plants

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Volume 14, Issue 4, 12, 2026
Paulina Vilela, Gabriela-Elizabeth Vilela-Govea, Johanna Vanessa Zambrano Flores

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Silver nanoparticles discharged from wastewater treatment plants pose potential risks to aquatic environments and, in the long term, may cause serious human health issues, hindering quality of life. Limited research has been conducted, making it difficult to ensure efficient removal of silver nanoparticles in wastewater treatment plants. This study evaluates the removal efficiency of silver nanoparticles across three wastewater treatment plant layouts: conventional activated sludge, an anoxic/oxic process configuration, and a 4-stage Bardenpho process system. Silver nanoparticle removal efficiency was 82%, and nitrogen removal efficiency exceeded 95% under steady-state conditions; however, under dynamic conditions, significant efficiency reductions were observed in the Bardenpho and anoxic/oxic configurations. The results also showed variability in organic matter and nitrogen removal due to reduced internal recirculation flowrates. The findings highlight the need to optimise certain configurations to ensure balanced performance across all pollutants.
Original scientific paper
Impact of Fuel Cell Stack Configuration on the Energy Efficiency of Hybrid Electric Vehicles: A MATLAB/Simulink-Based Simulation

Journal of Sustainable Development of Natural Resources Management, Volume 2, Issue 2, 06, 2026
Mohamed Hassan, Hatem Kayed, Bassam Adel

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This study evaluates the system-level performance of a fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle (FCHEV) using a dynamic simulation framework. The powertrain integrates a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell, a battery pack, and an electric traction motor to enable efficient power sharing across varying driving demands. A supervisory energy-management strategy regulates power flow between the fuel cell and the battery based on load requirements, with the fuel cell supplying base power and the battery supporting transient acceleration events. Simulations were conducted for 300-, 500-, and 600-cell stack configurations. The results show that increasing the stack size from 300 to 500 cells improves fuel economy and reduces hydrogen consumption. In contrast, the additional gain from 500 to 600 cells is smaller, indicating diminishing returns beyond 500 cells. Hydrogen consumption is reported together with the battery state of charge (SOC) at the beginning and end of the driving cycle to confirm that the observed efficiency gains are not driven by net battery energy depletion. Overall, the proposed modeling approach provides a reproducible basis for evaluating design trade-offs in fuel cell hybrid powertrains and supports future clean-mobility applications.
Original scientific paper
Bio-Briquette Production from Hydrothermal Liquefaction Residue of Locust Bean Pulp Using Cassava Starch Binder

Journal of Sustainable Development of Natural Resources Management, Volume 2, Issue 2, 06, 2026
Chike Atah

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The growing demand for sustainable energy and effective waste management has intensified research into biomass valorization. This study explores the production of bio-briquettes from hydrochar obtained via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) pulp, using cassava starch as a biodegradable binder. Process optimization was conducted with the Taguchi method, considering binder concentration (10–30 %), particle size (300–600 µm), and compaction pressure (5–15 MPa), with moisture content as the primary response. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) identified binder concentration as the most significant factor (contribution ratio 91.64 %), followed by compaction pressure (6.11%) and particle size (1.74 %). Optimal conditions were 30 % binder, 300 µm particle size, and 15 MPa pressure, yielding briquettes with improved moisture content (1.09%), density (0.52 g/cm³), compressive strength (1.82 kN), calorific value (18.20 MJ/kg), and reduced ash content (8.71 %). Compared to control samples, the optimized briquettes exhibited higher ignition potential, durability, and combustion efficiency, meeting the requirements for household and small-scale industrial use. The findings demonstrate the potential of converting HTL residues of locust bean pulp into high-quality bio-briquettes, contributing to renewable energy generation, waste valorization, and sustainable rural energy solutions.
Original scientific paper
Contamination Assessment of Microparticles and Water Quality Parameters in Hot and Cold Dispenser Water

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Volume 14, Issue 4, 12, 2026
Al Baraa Tarnini, Mohamed Said, Maruf Mortula

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Water quality assessment of treated drinking water is essential, particularly when post-treatment mechanisms like water dispensers are involved. These dispensers are typically made of plastic and often include rapid-sand filtration, yet their impact on water quality is underexplored. This study evaluated the influence of dispensers on cold and hot outlets, comparing results with those of the original water sources. Standard laboratory instruments, including a microscope (Kern Optics) integrated with a cellulose nitrate membrane filter and a pump (Rocker 300), biological reagent (Colilert), a pH meter (HQ40d), and a turbidity meter (2100P TurbidityMeter), were used to assess microparticle concentration, bacterial presence, pH, and turbidity. Results showed a negative effect on microparticle concentration in hot water, with a 70% increase compared with cold outlet and original samples; cold samples showed no increase and matched original samples. Dispensers had minimal influence on pH and turbidity, and no samples tested positive for Escherichia coli. The authors recommend using the cold dispenser outlet or original plastic jugs rather than the dispenser’s hot outlet to reduce exposure to emerging pollutants.
Original scientific paper
Source-specific Identification and Characterization of Microplastics in Urban Rivers of Surakarta, Indonesia

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Volume 14, Issue 4, 12, 2026
Darsini, Prabang Setyono, Mohammad Masykuri, Bambang Suhardi

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This study investigated the presence and characteristics of microplastics in sediments and surface water from three river sites in Surakarta, Indonesia, influenced by distinct sources of pollution: domestic wastewater, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff. Samples were collected in triplicate at each site and analysed using stereomicroscopy for morphological classification and Attenuated Total Reflectance – Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for polymer identification. Microplastic abundances ranged from 1.8 to 3.5 particles/L in surface water and 210 to 385 particles/kg in sediments, with the highest concentrations observed at the domestic site. Polyethylene and polypropylene were the dominant polymers, together accounting for over 65% of all identified particles, while fibres and fragments were the most common morphologies. Variations in polymer type and abundance across sites indicate that different pollution sources shape distinct microplastic profiles. These findings provide critical evidence for targeted interventions at both local and national levels and contribute to global understanding of microplastic pollution in urban rivers. The results highlight the urgent need for integrated management strategies and for policy interventions aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and 14 (Life Below Water).
Original scientific paper
Analytical Modelling and Design of a Submersible Threshold Hydraulic Micro-Dam to Evaluate Rural Hydroelectric Production on Non-Diverted Low-Head Rivers

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Volume 14, Issue 4, 12, 2026
Parfait Koua-Mbani, Mathieu Liassa Nkoy, Franck Moukanda Mbango

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This study presents the analytical modelling, design, and hydraulic validation of a submersible threshold hydraulic micro-dam for rural hydroelectric production on non-diverted low-head rivers. Installed directly in the river, this micro-dam offers a technically and economically viable solution to meet the growing electricity demand in rural sub-Saharan communities, particularly in the Republic of Congo, while promoting renewable technologies and sustainable development. This work's contribution is the development and validation of a simplified analytical model derived from the 1D Saint-Venant equations, systematically compared with two-dimensional numerical simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics, applied to a case study of the Douni River in the Republic of Congo. The analytical model enables the estimation of flow speed distributions, pressures, and hydraulic power along the micro-dam channels. Results indicate average flow speeds of 4.46‒9.82 m/s per channel, far exceeding the measured river velocity of 0.297 m/s. Hydraulic power outputs of 7.13 kW to 28.96 kW per channel (14.26‒57.92 kW for a two-channel system) for water depths ranging from 0.22 m to 0.10 m under supercritical flow conditions. The average relative deviation between the analytical and the numerical simulation results remains below 5%, confirming the validity of the proposed simplified method for preliminary design. These values correspond to a maximum slope of 21.8° (40% per channel) and a minimum drop of 1 m. The submersible threshold hydraulic micro-dam demonstrates potential as an integrated hydraulic-hydroelectric solution for small rivers in rural villages, where conventional flow diversion is limited by the absence of natural slopes and high banks. This study is limited to two-dimensional simulations and uniform steady-state flow assumptions and provides a reliable basis for designing low-cost, sustainable micro-hydroelectric systems for electrification in remote areas.
Original scientific paper
Evaluating Pay-as-You-Throw System Implementation for Urban Waste Management: Evidence from Guimarães, Portugal

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Volume 14, Issue 4, 12, 2026
Ângela Pereira, Jorge Cunha

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Rapid population growth, combined with increasingly consumption-oriented lifestyles and the intensification of economic activities, has led to a significant rise in natural resource use and municipal solid waste generation, posing major challenges to environmental sustainability. In response to these pressures, the circular economy has emerged as a strategic framework to decouple economic growth from resource consumption by promoting waste prevention, efficient resource use, and the recovery and regeneration of materials throughout their life cycles. This study presents the outcomes of a circular-economy–oriented waste management initiative: the implementation of a Pay-as-You-Throw system for municipal solid waste collection in the municipality of Guimarães, Portugal. The analysis assesses the system’s effectiveness in reducing landfill disposal and encouraging households to separate waste and recycle. The results indicate that the Pay-as-You-Throw system has contributed to a measurable decrease in the volume of waste sent to landfills, alongside an improvement in recycling performance, thereby reducing environmental pollution and supporting the conservation of natural resources. Furthermore, the implementation of the system has generated economic benefits through more efficient waste management operations. It has produced positive social outcomes by fostering greater environmental awareness and behavioural change among residents. Overall, the findings demonstrate that Pay-as-You-Throw systems can serve as an effective policy instrument within a circular economy framework, contributing to the development of more sustainable urban systems and supporting broader environmental and resource efficiency objectives.
Original scientific paper
A Framework for High-Resolution, Climate-Based Energy Time Series from EURO-CORDEX Climate Projections

Journal of Sustainable Development of Smart Energy Networks, Volume 1, Issue 4, 12, 2026
Matteo Buffo, Fontina Petrakopoulou, Andrea Lazzaretto

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Climate change is reshaping the environmental conditions of energy systems, increasing the need to integrate future climate information into energy modelling frameworks. This work presents a systematic, open-source framework for transforming regional climate projections into high-resolution, energy-relevant weather data. The pipeline processes EURO-CORDEX simulations to produce hourly time series for air temperature, solar irradiance, and wind speed, as well as daily precipitation, across Europe under multiple emission scenarios. In particular, it applies bias adjustment and temporal disaggregation to all variables except precipitation. A comprehensive evaluation against ERA5 is performed to assess dataset quality. Substantial biases in the raw projections are significantly reduced, and the resulting data realistically reproduce observed climate anomalies and the frequency of critical stress events, such as heatwaves and low-wind days. However, solar irradiance peaks are systematically underestimated due to temporal disaggregation to hourly resolution. Moreover, precipitation is deliberately excluded from bias adjustment, as uniform statistical correction degrades model performance. Despite these limitations, the framework provides a reproduceable approach for climate-aware energy system analysis, enabling the assessment of climate impacts on infrastructure planning and system adequacy. It also establishes a foundation for future work, including the integration of updated climate datasets, and the development of advanced post-processing techniques to improve the representation of variability and extremes.
Original scientific paper
Evaluating and Advancing Industrial Symbiosis Solutions Through Stakeholder-Driven Multicriteria Decision Analysis: Insights from The SYMBA Project

Journal of Sustainable Development of Sustainability Indicators, Volume 2, Issue 2, 06, 2026
Lucía González-Monjardin, Abdulaziz Aldureid, Marta Pereira-Ferrer, Brais García-Fernández1, Pedro Villanueva-Rey

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Industrial symbiosis is a key enabler of the circular economy, fostering cross-sector collaboration for the reuse of energy, materials, and resources. However, the implementation and scaling of industrial symbiosis solutions are often constrained by differences in maturity, stakeholder readiness, and contextual suitability. This paper presents a stakeholder-driven Multicriteria Decision Analysis methodology developed within the Horizon Europe-funded SYMBA project (101135562) to evaluate and prioritise industrial symbiosis solutions in bio-based industrial ecosystems across Europe. The framework assesses over 150 industrial symbiosis solutions using five readiness dimensions and weighting factors co-created through iterative engagement with internal and external stakeholders. The methodology enables the classification of solutions by maturity and provides targeted implementation guidance, offering a transparent and replicable decision-support tool to advance industrial symbiosis.
Original scientific paper
Overcoming Constraints for Fair Energy: Compatible Solutions in Heritage Protected Urban Centres

Journal of Sustainable Development of Smart Energy Networks, Volume 1, Issue 4, 12, 2026
Andrea Palmieri, Paolo Maria Congedo, Cristina Baglivo, Pio Alessandro Lombardi, Przemyslaw Komarnicki

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Decarbonizing historic urban centres is challenging due to strict architectural and landscape conservation constraints, which limit conventional energy efficiency and renewable solutions. This study investigates three districts in the UNESCO-protected historic centre of Quedlinburg (Germany), assessing the potential of integrated interventions including internal wall insulation, window upgrades, hybrid heating systems, and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Results indicate that envelope improvements combined with hybrid gas boiler–air/water heat pump systems reduce heating demand by over 35%, with a further 10% decrease under projected 2050 climate conditions. BIPV integration contributes to an approximately 30-35% reduction in non-renewable primary energy, depending on roof orientation and available surface area. hDistrict-level analysis confirms the scalability of these measures, demonstrating that conservation-compatible strategies can achieve significant energy and emissions reductions while respecting heritage constraints, providing a replicable framework for other historic centres.
Original scientific paper
Application of Team-Based Learning in Green Infrastructure Education: An Active and Interdisciplinary Approach to Sustainable Engineering

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Volume 14, Issue 4, 12, 2026
Bruno Noronha Rodrigues, Ana Laura Fragoso Favoreti, Jakeline Pertile Mendes, Vitor Eduardo Molina Junior, Cristina Matos Silva, Felippe Benavente Canteras

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Team-based learning has been increasingly applied in engineering education as an active learning methodology to enhance student engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. This study evaluates the implementation of team-based learning in a graduate-level Green Infrastructure course and analyses its impact on student performance and perceptions. The methodology involved individual assessments, team discussions, and a final Class Evaluation Form to measure student engagement and learning outcomes. Results indicate that team-based assessments significantly outperformed individual assessments, reinforcing the effectiveness of peer learning. Students’ feedback highlighted high engagement, the topic’s relevance, and the instructor’s essential role in facilitating discussion. These findings suggest that team-based learning fosters a more interactive and meaningful learning environment, making it a valuable approach for engineering education, particularly in interdisciplinary and sustainability-focused courses. Future studies could explore long-term knowledge retention and professional skill development through team-based learning.
Original scientific paper
The Role of Scientific Empathy and Learning Preferences in Shaping Innovative and Sustainable Learning in European Higher Education

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Volume 14, Issue 4, 12, 2026
Andreja Abina, Aleksander Zidanšek, Alenka Temeljotov Salaj, Mara Gabriela Diaconu, Cristina Canal, Francesco Tampieri, Anton Nikiforov, Rino Morent, Tatiana Banderova, Alexandre Nomine, Uroš Puc

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Understanding learning preferences and empathetic needs remains a key challenge in developing aligned learning strategies in higher education, particularly within science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The study explores how learning content can address diverse cognitive, metacognitive, and emotional student preferences. It assumes that integrating students’ learning preferences can improve alignment between learning approaches and sustainability- and innovation-oriented education. An empathetic questionnaire was used to examine visual, auditory, hands-on, and emotionally driven learning preferences among students from five European higher education institutions. The results suggest a strong preference for visual and hands-on learning approaches. Subject-specific differences indicate that visual and practical methods are preferred for sustainability topics, whereas auditory and experiential methods are preferred for entrepreneurial learning. The findings highlight the potential importance of empathy-based learning design in developing inclusive, adaptable, and student-centred learning approaches that may better prepare students to address complex sustainability challenges.
Original scientific paper
Investigation of Process Feasibility and Mechanical Performance of Prosopis Juliflora Biobased Residue Materials for Additive Manufacturing

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Volume 14, Issue 3, 09, 2026
Mihreteab Kidanemariam Gebregewergs, James Wamai Mwangi, Kabini Karanja, Monnamme Tlotleng

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Biobased residues from agriculturee and invasive plants can be used as cost-effective, sustainable alternative materials for additive manufacturing. This study investigates the feasibility of using Prosopis juliflora, an invasive and abundant species, as a feedstock for binder jetting and paste extrusion three-dimensional printing. Powders derived from Prosopis juliflora leaf, stem, and pod residues were characterised, and carboxymethyl cellulose was used as a binder in different formulations. Leaf and stem powders exhibited suitable powder properties, with stable powder-bed formation during binder jetting. In contrast, pods were sticky and tended to agglomerate, limiting their use in this process. Paste extrusion manufactured stable components for all fractions except at high binder ratios for pod-based materials. Mechanical testing showed maximum compressive strengths of 6.74 MPa, 10.17 MPa, and 4.64 MPa, and flexural strengths of 4.94 MPa, 13.45 MPa, and 9.44 MPa for leaf, stem, and pod samples, respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential of Prosopis juliflora residues as sustainable materials for additive manufacturing applications.
Original scientific paper
Optimal Application of Pinch Power Analysis in Hybrid System Sizing and for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Volume 14, Issue 3, 09, 2026
Bouthayna Slimani, Aboubekr Allam, Hassan Zahboune, Smail Zouggar, Mohamed Laarbi Elhafyani, Taoufik Ouchbel

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This study proposes an optimisation framework for the optimal sizing of a hybrid renewable energy system composed of photovoltaic generation, wind power generation, and a battery energy storage system. The system is governed by an energy management system integrating the Pinch Power Analysis method, and the results are validated using the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables software. This framework is applied to a case study in the city of Oujda in Morocco, considering a residential electricity demand coupled with charging of electric vehicles. The results indicate that improving energy reliability requires higher installed generation and storage capacities. They show that the levelized cost of energy of the system composed of photovoltaic generation and battery energy storage (0.083 EUR/kWh) is lower than that of the configuration combining wind power generation, photovoltaic generation, and battery energy storage (≈ 0.10 EUR/kWh) for a loss of power supply probability below 2%. However, the integration of wind power reveals favourable temporal complementarity with photovoltaic generation. This complementarity significantly reduces storage requirements, stabilises battery state of charge cycles, and limits the deep discharges observed in the configuration composed only of photovoltaic generation and battery energy storage. The analysis is further extended through a sensitivity assessment of the electricity demand associated with electric vehicle charging, corresponding to 737 charging sessions per year with one charging station and 484 sessions per year with two charging stations. This increase in electricity demand raises the overall load while inducing only a limited impact on economic and reliability indicators, thereby confirming the ability of the system to adapt dynamically to variations in demand. In addition, surplus electricity production is exported to the grid, improving the economic viability of the studied systems.
Original scientific paper
Assessing Sustainable Electromobility Futures in a Multi-Model Platform with Grid and Urban Planning: A Case Study in Chile

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Volume 14, Issue 3, 09, 2026
Marcelo Matus Acuña, Gonzalo Bustos-Turu, Tomás Cox Oettinger, Mónica Zamora Zapata, Williams Calderón-Muñoz, María del Pilar Buitrago-Villada, Carlos García Bujanda, Lorenzo Reyes-Chamorro, Luis Vera Ortega, Fernando Peña-Cortés, Eduardo Fernández Soto

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There is a growing shift towards zero-emission transport technologies to mitigate climate change. While electric vehicles are gaining traction, transitioning to electromobility will impact both transportation and energy sectors. Evaluating potential future electromobility scenarios can enable decision-makers to anticipate infrastructure needs, energy demand patterns, and environmental benefits. This paper presents a highly interdisciplinary simulation and assessment framework for evaluating electromobility adoption scenarios in urban centres, integrating five modules: (i) technology adoption, (ii) urban planning, (iii) transport systems, (iv) power distribution, and (v) energy system expansion. While considering grid and urban planning, it assesses the sustainability, performance, and infrastructure requirements of transport electrification through indicators that were determined in a participatory process with public and private collaborators. A case study using data from Temuco and Padre Las Casas in Chile demonstrates the methodology's applicability.
Original scientific paper
A Sustainability-Based Monitoring and Decision Support Framework for Local Climate Adaptation via Water Retention Measures

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Volume 14, Issue 3, 09, 2026
Zsolt Hetesi, Boglárka Lakatos, Dorottya Szám, Tímea Eisner, Zsolt Cimer

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This paper presents a practical framework for the design and evaluation of local, nature-based water retention measures for small and medium-sized municipalities. The framework consists of two components: first, a site-selection score operationalises social, economic, and environmental–geographical sustainability pillars using transparent binary criteria aggregated through a multiplicative rule; and second, a lean monitoring design defines key hydrological, ecological and socio-economic indicators including the use of control sites. The framework is demonstrated on municipal climate-adaptation pilot interventions in Hungary, illustrating how the multiplicative aggregation highlights weak sustainability dimensions that may be concealed by additive indices. A three-dimensional visual representation supports communication of trade-offs to non-expert stakeholders. Overall, the framework improves measurability, comparability, and replicability of local climate adaptation and is suitable for municipalities with limited technical capacity.
Review paper
Hydrosocial Connectivity and Water Footprint Governance from Andean Headwaters to Coastal Landscapes

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Volume 14, Issue 3, 09, 2026
Franklin Ore Areche, Luis Donato Araujo Reyes, Percy Cesar Estrada-Ayre, Percy Eduardo Basualdo-Garcia, Anthony Enriquez-Ochoa, Syntia Porras-Sarmiento, Miriam Liz Palacios-Mucha, Russbelt Yaulilahua-Huacho

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Freshwater generated in Andean headwaters regulates ecological processes and sustains rural livelihoods, irrigated agriculture, and expanding coastal cities across western South America. Climate-driven glacier retreat, declining baseflows, land-use intensification, and institutional fragmentation increasingly disrupt this mountain coast hydrological continuum, with severe implications for biodiversity, landscape resilience, and equitable water access. Despite these interconnected pressures, few studies integrate water footprint management with human rights and Indigenous governance perspectives to assess how landscape-scale decisions shape coupled Andean–coastal socio-ecological systems. This review addresses this gap through a structured assessment of scientific literature, hydrological datasets, policy frameworks, and community case studies. Results highlight three dominant drivers of hydrological and ecological degradation: inefficient highland irrigation systems, accelerated cryosphere loss, and governance fragmentation that disconnects upstream users from coastal water security. Traditional Andean infrastructure, including ‘amunas’, terracing, ‘bofedales’, and communal ‘acequias’, emerges as nature-based solutions capable of enhancing infiltration, stabilising flows, and sustaining high-altitude biodiversity. Case studies demonstrate that integrating water footprint management with Indigenous ecological knowledge strengthens ecosystem services, reduces grey-water pollution reaching coastal basins, and operationalises the human right to water. Hybrid governance models that combine remote sensing, hydrological modelling, and water footprint management indicators with community-led water management offer the greatest potential to improve landscape resilience under climate change. Embedding water footprint management into regional land- and water-use policies can protect headwater ecosystems, mitigate salinisation and freshwater decline in coastal aquifers, and promote long-term hydro social sustainability across the Andes coast continuum.

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