Green economy

The Green Economy, as it is understood in the 21st century, is an economic model designed to function in harmony with the environment, as opposed to against it. It actively seeks to reduce environmental risks and ecological scarcities while aiming for sustainable development. It also champions the notion of not only economic, but also social well-being. Central to this model are two guiding principles – reducing emissions and minimizing waste, while increasing efficiency in the use of resources. Thus, the Green Economy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations (UN) are inextricably linked, both attempting to create an integrated approach to solving environmental, societal, and economic challenges.

The 17 SDGs are aimed at eradicating poverty, fighting inequality, and addressing climate change, among others. Many of these goals are directly linked to the principles of the Green Economy. For example, SDG 7 advocates for affordable and clean energy, which echoes the Green Economy's push for the efficient use of resources and lower emissions. Similarly, SDG 12, which is about responsible consumption and production, corresponds to the Green Economy's focus on minimizing waste and resource efficiency.

The Green Economy acts as a driving force to achieve these SDGs by fostering economic growth and job creation, through sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices. By directing investments into sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and green construction, it helps not only in achieving SDGs related to climate action and responsible consumption but also those associated with poverty eradication, zero hunger, and decent work, to name a few. Through this holistic approach, the Green Economy ensures the synergistic attainment of SDGs, promoting an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all.

The relationship between the Green Economy and the SDGs is a symbiotic one, where each feeds into and strengthens the other. The Green Economy offers a practical pathway to reach the SDGs, while the SDGs provide a comprehensive framework that gives direction to the Green Economy. It’s a sustainable match made in heaven, where the implementation of one enhances the achievement of the other, making them two sides of the same coin in the quest for global sustainability and a better future for all.

Circular bioeconomy has a big role to play in goals towards cleaner energy and more sustainable industrial practices. In addition, the carbon capture opportunities it offers holds promise for supporting climate goals. This book chapter advances SDGs 7, 9 and 13.
Purpose: Besides diagnostic imaging devices, in particular computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), numerous reading workstations contribute to the high energy consumption of radiological departments. It was investigated whether switching off workstations after core working hours can relevantly lower energy consumption considering both ecological and economical aspects.
In this first episode of the “World We Want” podcast series, RELX’s Global Head of Corporate Responsibility, Dr Márcia Balisciano, talks to Georg Kell about leadership.
This article highlights the winning proposals of the fifth edition of the Elsevier Foundation Green & Sustainable Chemistry Challenge. The winning proposals were chosen for their innovative green chemistry aspects and their large positive impact on the environment, contributing to SDGs 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
This book chapter addresses goals 12, 14 and 15 by discussing the debate surrounding the role of biodegradable plastics in solving plastic solid waste accumulation and assisting the transition toward a circular economy, in turn encouraging more sustainable communities and responsible consumption.
Each year, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) celebrates World Food Day on October 16th to commemorate is founding in 1945. World Food Day 2020 is calling for global solidarity to help all populations to recover from the crisis, and to make food systems more resilient and robust so they can withstand increasing volatility and climate shocks, deliver affordable and sustainable healthy diets for all, and decent livelihoods for food system workers. In support of this years theme - 'Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together' - Elsevier presents a curated, open access collection of 40 journal articles and book chapters focussed on increasing food security and sustainability. 
This paper summarized China's integrated actions (2015 onwards) that benefit both climate change mitigation and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The COVID-19 pandemic has had growing environmental consequences related to plastic use and follow-up waste, but more urgent health issues have far overshadowed the potential impacts. This paper gives a prospective outlook on how the disruption caused by COVID-19 can act as a catalyst for short-term and long-term changes in plastic waste management practices throughout the world. The impact of the pandemic and epidemic following through the life cycles of various plastic products, particularly those needed for personal protection and healthcare, is assessed.
Elsevier, Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, Volume 23, June 2020
To be socially accepted widely, the emerging circular bioeconomy needs to rely increasingly on residual bio-based feedstock and waste, hence reducing its dependency on crops which are in competition with agriculture/food markets. Food waste represents a valuable option as it allows for the production of a wide range of bio-based products ranging from biofuels to bioplastics. First successful experiences have shown that the involvement of stakeholders with different behaviours, values and backgrounds is a key enabler of the process.
Elsevier, Current Research in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, Volume 3, June 2020
The successful conversion of lignocellulose into value-added products depends on overcoming the recalcitrance of its structure towards enzymatic digestion. The highly crosslinked structure of lignin, crystallinity of cellulose, and low digestibility of hemicellulose create the recalcitrance. Many studies have proved that an appropriate pretreatment method could enhance the digestibility of lignocellulosic biomass by weakening the strong network of its chemical bonds among the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.

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