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Percorrer Departamento de Ciências da Engenharia e da Arquitectura por Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) "12:Produção e Consumo Sustentáveis"
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- Addressing climate change education: relevant contributions from universitiesPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Sow, Baba Libasse; Perlin, Ana Paula; Mbah, Marcellus Forh; Costa, Cristina Amaro da; Azam, Fardous Mohammad Safiul; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaPurpose: This study aims to identify and describe the nature of higher education institutions’ (HEIs) engagement with climate change (CC) education, exploring their contributions to addressing the multifaceted challenges associated with the phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach: By using a dual methodological approach consisting of an expert-driven literature review with supporting cases, the study provides a novel perspective of university involvement in CC education, emphasising theoretical insights and practical applications. Findings: The study asserts that universities contribute significantly to CC education through the development of specialised teaching programmes, innovative research initiatives and the establishment of interdisciplinary collaborations. However, challenges abound, including limited financial resources, institutional inertia and the complexity of integrating CC topics across diverse academic disciplines. By fostering partnerships with external stakeholders, implementing innovative teaching methodologies and strengthening governance frameworks, universities can further enhance the effectiveness and reach of CC education initiatives. Research limitations/implications: While the study offers valuable insights, it acknowledges potential limitations, including the scope of example studies and the specificity of findings to certain institutional contexts, which impedes generalisation. Avenues for further research to understand university contributions to CC education have been advanced. Practical implications: The paper provides practical insights for universities to optimise their engagement in CC education, emphasising the mobilisation of student involvement and the promotion of transdisciplinary approaches, amongst others. Social implications: While emphasising the role of universities in CC education, the study underscores the broader societal impact of informed and engaged HEIs to drive positive change by instilling awareness and promoting sustainable practices. Originality/value: The findings offer original perspectives on the importance of university engagement in CC education and provide practical measures for optimising their contribution to a sustainable future via pedagogical, programme and strategic/whole institutional levels.
- Circular economy implementation challenges for achieving SDG 12Publication . Leal Filho, Walter; Shollo, Fran; Sidsaph, Henry; Motta, Wladmir; Rampasso, Izabela Simon; Fonseca Albuquerque Cavalcanti Sigahi, Tiago; Anholon, Rosley; MEIRIÑO, MARCELO; Campos, Lucila Maria de Souza; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaDespite the relevance of Circular Economy (CE) and the Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12) and the growing body of literature on the CE and SDG 12, there remains a significant research gap in systematically linking theoretical barriers to CE implementation with practical, industry-specific examples that demonstrate how these barriers impede progress toward SDG 12 targets. In this context, this paper explores the multifaceted challenges impeding the transition to a CE and its potential to contribute to SDG 12. There is a perceived need to address the challenges associated with the implementation of SDG 12. To analyse these challenges, this study uses two methods of analysis. The first was a critical analysis of the literature describing the challenges in achieving SDG 12. The second method consisted of assessing three case studies of companies from different sectors. The evidence gathered led to the listing of specific measures that may be implemented to address current challenges, including greater stakeholders´ integration, policy innovation, and consumer engagement. By identifying key barriers and proposing strategic solutions, this paper provides valuable insights that may enhance the implementation of CE principles, ultimately facilitating progress for meeting SDG 12 and fostering a sustainable future. Therefore, the present research moves beyond general descriptions of CE barriers and offers a practical roadmap for policymakers and businesses. It highlights the specific challenges that must be addressed to achieve measurable progress in resource efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable consumption patterns as outlined by the 2030 Agenda.
- Governance in the implementation of the UN sustainable development goals in higher education: global trendsPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Abubakar, Ismaila Rimi; mifsud, Mark; Henrique, João Paulino Pires Eustachio; Albrecht, Clarissa Ferreira; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Borsari, Bruno; Sharifi, Ayyoob; Levesque, Vanessa; Ribeiro, Priscilla Cristina Cabral; LeVasseur, Todd J.; Pace, Paul; Trevisan, Laís; Dibbern, Thais AparecidaGovernance is a key component for implementing sustainable development (SD) initiatives in university teaching, research, and projects. This line of thinking also applies to implementing the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs). Despite the role of governance in guiding processes related to the SDGs, few studies have examined these relations in an integrative manner in higher education. To bridge this knowledge gap, this study assesses the connections between governance and implementing the SDGs at higher education institutions (HEIs). Specifically, it relies on two main methods. The first is a bibliometric analysis, where the literature on the topic has been analyzed. The second method uses case studies from a sample of universities. The combined dual approach has identified the extent to which governance issues influence how these organizations perceive and handle the SDGs. The study provides valuable recommendations that may assist HEIs in implementing the SDGs with a due emphasis on governance.
- Sustainable generative AI and quantum computing: review assessment on the environmental impact of generative AI and quantum technologiesPublication . Esho, Esther Oreofeoluwa; Akinyelu, Andronicus Ayobami; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaThe rapid advancement of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and Quantum Computing (QC) presents transformative opportunities, yet their high computational requirements raise concerns about their environmental sustainability. This comprehensive review examines the ecological footprint of both technologies, focusing on key metrics like energy consumption, carbon emissions, and resource depletion. Findings from existing studies consistently indicate that the impact of GenAI is mostly driven by the immense energy demands of large-scale model training and inference. Moreover, findings from the review reveal that the footprint of QC largely stems from the energy-intensive cryogenic cooling and rare material requirements of its specialized hardware. This paper benchmarks current approaches to environmental assessment, highlighting the important role of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in providing a holistic view of the classification of environmental impacts across the entire supply chain, from manufacturing to disposal. This study proposes a range of domain-specific mitigation strategies, including algorithmic optimizations like pruning and distillation for AI, and cryogenic and material sourcing improvements for quantum systems. This study also proposes a framework for proactive, responsible innovation and identifies some gaps in the literature, such as the lack of standardized metrics and transparent reporting. There is a need to embed eco-conscious principles in the design of future technologies and highlight opportunities where these technologies can be used to handle broader climate challenges. The findings in this study can be used by policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders in aligning technological progress with global climate and sustainability goals.