FCT (DCEA) - Artigos em Revistas Científicas Internacionais com Arbitragem Científica
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- Managing space debris: risks, mitigation measures, and sustainability challengesPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Hunt, Julian; Abubakar, Ismaila RimiSpace debris consists of non-functional, human-made objects remaining in Earth's orbit or entering the atmosphere, creating significant challenges for space operations. Current surveillance systems track nearly 40,000 larger debris fragments, yet it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of smaller pieces and millions of tiny, untracked particles further contribute to the risk of high-velocity collisions. These objects threaten spacecraft integrity, satellite functionality, and the long-term sustainability of space activities. This review article investigates the hazards posed by space debris, providing an overview of its impact on satellite operations, crewed space missions, and orbital stability. It examines risk mitigation strategies, including the enforcement of stricter disposal regulations, advancements in satellite design for controlled re-entry or deorbiting, and the active removal of large debris objects. A structured approach to space debris mitigation is also explored, outlining a proposed four-step strategy: designing spacecraft for impact resistance, implementing advanced remote tracking and monitoring systems, integrating onboard detection and avoidance mechanisms, and developing impact mitigation strategies to minimize damage. Additionally, the importance of enhanced tracking technologies and international cooperation is underscored, as collective efforts are necessary to address this escalating issue. Increasing awareness of the growing risks and exploring practical mitigation strategies strengthens ongoing efforts to safeguard space activities and ensure the long-term viability of Earth's orbital environment.
- Policy gaps and opportunities in bio-based plastics: implications for sustainable food packagingPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Barbir, Jelena; Venkatesan, Madhavi; Lange Salvia, Amanda; Dobri, Andrea; Bošković, Neda; Henrique, João Paulino Pires Eustachio; Ingram, Ian; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaThe increasing use of bio-based and/or biodegradable plastics reflects a global push towards more sustainable materials. In the context of food packaging, where plastic waste and contamination risks are acute, these materials offer promising alternatives. However, the transition is complex, requiring coordinated regulatory interventions and lifecycle assessments (LCA) to avoid unintended environmental and health consequences. This paper outlines the pressing need for policies that guide the development and deployment of bio-based plastics in food-related applications. It provides a policy-oriented synthesis focused on Europe and discusses recent concerns such as toxicity, end-of-life impacts, and food safety. The study draws from the literature review and regulatory analysis to suggest policy mechanisms that can accelerate safe, circular solutions in food packaging. Methodologically, this communication uses qualitative synthesis of scientific and regulatory data to assess gaps and align innovations with sustainability targets.
- Trade-offs among SDGs: how the pursuit of economic, food, and urban development goals may undermine climate and equity targets?Publication . Leal Filho, Walter; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Ben Hassen, TarekThe United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a comprehensive framework for addressing global challenges; however, their implementation reveals critical tensions between development priorities and climate action that warrant deeper examination. Indeed, one significant factor impacting the implementation of the SDGs is the presence of conflicts between certain goals. Accordingly, this study aims to critically examine how the pursuit of economic growth (SDG 8), food security (SDG 2), clean energy (SDG 7), and urban development (SDG 11) may exacerbate climate change and environmental degradation (SDGs 13–15) while also reinforcing social inequalities (SDGs 6, 10). Employing a review-based approach to assess SDG interactions—focusing on the climate-development nexus, particularly the relationship between economic expansion (SDG 8), environmental sustainability (SDGs 13–15), and social equity (SDGs 1, 5, and 10)—this research identifies key areas of conflict that challenge the framework's internal coherence. Findings indicate significant trade-offs between economic growth and environmental sustainability, alongside previously underexamined tensions between social equity goals and resource-intensive development strategies. Accordingly, the study proposes a roadmap for resolving these tensions through integrated climate governance, targeted interventions, and cross-sectoral decision-making that aligns development with the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda. The practical implications of the study are twofold. First, it triggers a reflection on the root causes of conflicting goals, a serious problem that has been largely overlooked. Second, it highlights the importance of addressing the need to pay more attention to existing conflicts, as they have adverse effects that should be avoided. By offering actionable recommendations, this study contributes to the evolving discourse on sustainable development within the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation. It provides a strategic pathway toward balancing economic development with environmental resilience, ensuring that SDG implementation aligns with the urgent need for climate action within the remaining timeframe before 2030.
- Enhancing the contribution of higher education institutions to sustainable development research: a focus on post‐2015 SDGsPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Henrique, João Paulino Pires Eustachio; Veiga Ávila, Lucas; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Batista, Karina; Borsari, Bruno; Abubakar, Ismaila RimiSustainable development (SD) research is vital in providing a basis for progress in this rapidly growing field of inquiry. In this context, higher education institutions (HEIs) and leading top researchers belonging to them are playing a key role. Despite this being widely acknowledged by the academy, it is largely unclear how individual HEIs, and their researchers contribute to sustainability research efforts. Based on the need to unveil this landscape, our article reports on a study that identified the leading HEIs and researchers involved in sustainability research and how they contribute to moving the field forward. A bibliometric assessment of the literature (performance analysis) was conducted to identify the number of publications of leading authors and institutions. The results reveal some interesting trends. First, the co-occurrence analysis technique revealed what the top 10 authors in SD are exploring. Also, the study identifies diverse thematic clusters, covering areas like technology, sustainability assessment, integrative education, and corporate practices. The paper advances SD theory by illustrating how these themes interconnect and complement each other. The article concludes with suggestions of how universities may engage further in sustainability research. The theoretical and practical implications of the research, as well as its limitations, are also addressed.
- Assessing the impacts of sustainability teaching at higher education institutionsPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Trevisan, Laís Viera; Sivapalan, Subarna; Mazhar, Muhammad; Kounani, Aristea; Mbah, Marcellus Forh; Abubakar, Ismaila Rimi; Matandirotya, Newton R.; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Borsari, Bruno; Abzug, RikkiThe necessity of sustainability teaching (ST) has recently become increasingly crucial due to several interrelated factors. The world faces significant environmental challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, pollution, and resource depletion. ST equips students with the knowledge and tools to address these issues and work towards a more sustainable future. ST helps students understand these complex challenges and fosters holistic problem-solving skills. ST at higher education institutions (HEIs) can take place in various modalities, including lectures, hands-on projects, field trips, simulations, and collaborative learning to enhance knowledge and develop competencies. The impact of ST at HEIs may be measured through multiple avenues, such as student surveys, interviews with faculty, and research studies on the effectiveness of sustainability courses. This paper reports on a study that assessed the current impact of ST at HEIs. The data collection used a multi-methods approach, which included a bibliometric analysis, the assessment of a set of case studies, and an international survey conducted with teaching staff from HEIs in 38 countries. The evidence supporting ST is presented and discussed, indicating how current teaching programmes are being delivered and their degree of success. The results show that the literature on ST has evolved substantially over the past years and covers a wide range of areas, as demonstrated by the various clusters. The case studies, in turn, show multiple real-world examples of how HEIs across diverse geographic regions have implemented ST practices and their implications. The paper’s novelty lies in its approach to evaluating sustainability education’s effectiveness and broader impacts on HEIs. It offers a unique approach by integrating assessments across multiple disciplines, showing how ST impacts students´ education. Also, the study tracks the impacts of the sustainability literature, providing insights into how sustainability education shapes students’ professional prospects. Finally, the paper shows the status of sustainability education across different HEIs and countries, offering a broader perspective on how it is implemented into practice. The study concludes by suggesting measures that may maximize the impact of sustainability courses in HEIs curricula and, among other things, the overall campus culture toward sustainable development.
- European sustainability reporting standards: an assessment of requirements and preparedness of EU companiesPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Wall, Tony; Williams, Kent Andrew; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Fernandez Martin, Rosa Maria; Mazhar, Muhammad Usman; Gatto, AndreaThe newly released European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are a distinctively holistic legal instrument designed to enhance the disclosure of the sustainability performance of companies across the European Union (EU). However, there is currently a lack of evidence as what the standards are and how prepared companies are to comply with the ESRS. Through an analysis of secondary sources for 20 EU companies, this study therefore aimed to identify the preparedness of EU-based companies. Results indicate that there is substantial variation in preparedness; larger firms exhibit higher levels of alignment with the ESRS, whereas small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle with resource limitations and insufficient external support. This timely and unique study contributes novel insights into the variable preparedness of companies transitioning to new, EU-wide compliance standards, and the factors involved in large-scale implementation. Such insights provide direct implications for regional-level policy implementation.
- Local knowledge of climate change adaptation strategies from the vhaVenda and baTonga communities living in the Limpopo and Zambezi River Basins, Southern AfricaPublication . Matandirotya, Newton R.; Leal Filho, Walter; Mahed, Gaathier; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Mathe, PrinceCommunities living within Africa’s river basins remain vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change. This study aimed to explore the various local knowledge (LK)-based climate change adaptation strategies used by the vhaVenda and baTonga communities residing in the Limpopo and Zambezi river basins (LRB and ZRB, respectively) in Southern Africa. The study’s novelty lies in its assessment of the LK embedded within these Indigenous Peoples. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 35 community members (60% women), with the findings further complemented by a review and analysis of existing literature. The study revealed that 96% of participants were already familiar with the concept of climate change. Additionally, the findings show that communities in both the LRB and ZRB continue to rely on biotic and abiotic indicators to predict weather, while social networks play a crucial role in coping with periodic shocks such as drought-induced food shortages. The vhaVenda and baTonga communities have demonstrated remarkable innovation in developing techniques that support livelihoods in the challenging environments of the LRB and ZRB. Furthermore, both communities displayed a profound understanding of their local ecosystems, enabling them to create adaptation strategies tailored to their specific geographical and environmental conditions, underscoring the value of these approaches. This study has important implications for climate change adaptation policies in low-resource regions, including Zimbabwe, as it highlights that these communities are already equipped with effective strategies for adapting and surviving in harsh climates.
- From knowledge to action: how portuguese higher education students engage with circular economy principlesPublication . Pardal, Ana; Moreira, Anabela Mendes; Galacho, Paula Cristina; Mateus, Dina; Viegas, Laura; Gaspar, Marcelo; Teixeira, Margarida Ribau; Manteigas, Vítor; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaThis study investigates the perceptions and practices of Portuguese higher education students regarding the circular economy (CE), emphasising their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours toward sustainable resource management. Carried out by the Working Group on Circular Economy and Waste Management of the Portuguese Sustainable Campus Network (RCS), the research used an online survey targeting students from 20 higher education institutions (HEIs), resulting in 400 responses. The findings indicate that while students generally hold positive views of the CE, their understanding of its practical applications, such as waste reduction and resource efficiency, remains limited. Only a small proportion of students reported exposure to CE-related topics in their curriculum, revealing a gap in academic integration. This study also identifies significant demographic variations in CE awareness and practices, influenced by factors such as age, field of study, and employment status. These insights underscore the need for HEIs to strengthen CE education and actively involve students in hands-on sustainability initiatives, fostering a generation equipped to drive the transition toward a circular economy.
- Geography of sustainability transitions: mapping spatial dynamics and research trends between 1995 and 2024Publication . Ribeiro, Inácio Filipe Pinto; Lopes, Hélder; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Remoaldo, PaulaThe study of Sustainability Transitions (STs) has emerged as an interdisciplinary research field aimed at understanding and guiding societal transformations toward sustainability. While significant advancements have been made in analyzing socio-technical, economic, and policy dimensions, spatial aspects of STs have been largely overlooked. This study contributes to the field by conducting a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of academic research on the Geography of Sustainability Transitions (GST). Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) framework, this study identified and analyzed 63 scientific publications indexed in SCOPUS (1995–2024) to examine trends, regional distribution, author profiles, thematic focuses, and main advances. Results highlight a concentration of research in the Global North, with major contributions from Europe and North America, while studies from the Global South remain scarce. The analysis also reveals six dominant transition themes: urban transitions, energy transitions, industrial transitions, transport transitions, circular economy, and agri-food transitions. Each of these themes is discussed in terms of spatial dynamics, governance mechanisms, and the role of regional contexts in shaping transition pathways. The study underscores the need for a more spatially inclusive approach in transition research, advocating for greater integration of geographical perspectives in sustainability studies. Future research should emphasize the role of local and regional factors in transition processes, addressing disparities in transition capabilities between different territories. By doing so, this work contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of how STs unfold across diverse spatial contexts. Identifying the observed research gaps, the study acts as a catalyst for interdisciplinary analytical reasoning and reinforces the geospatial effect within the broader field of STs.
- Geossítios de serras em Mucajaí: geoturismo e sustentabilidade no contexto do aquecimento globalPublication . Saldanha Veras, Ana Sibelonia; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaO Geoturismo é uma abordagem de interpretação e conscientização ambiental que promove a compreensão deecossistemas naturais com significativa relevância geológica e geomorfológica. Essa prática está intimamenteligada à conservação dos ambientes naturais e constitui uma ferramenta essencial para o desenvolvimentosustentável. No contexto da Amazônia, o aquecimento global tem causado alterações substanciais em diversosecossistemas, impactando diretamente a preservação dos geossítios e a realização de passeios guiados nesseslocais. Este estudo, focado no município de Mucajaí, em Roraima, Brasil, explora a importância de práticassustentáveis aplicadas a geossítios em áreas de serras e avalia como essas ações podem ajudar a mitigar osefeitos das mudanças climáticas. A pesquisa baseia-se em uma revisão bibliográfica de fontes científicasinternacionais, com o objetivo de compreender o impacto das atividades humanas sobre o equilíbrio dessesgeossítios e identificar estratégias para sua preservação. Além disso, o estudo destaca a relevância dessas áreaspara a população local, incentivando comportamentos que previnam a degradação ambiental e contribuam paraum futuro mais sustentável. A conscientização da sociedade é apresentada como um pilar fundamental para aproteção desses ambientes, reforçando o papel ativo dos cidadãos na conservação e valorização do patrimônionatural.