About this Research Topic
Smart cities are urban areas that use different types of electronic methods and sensors to collect data. Insights gained from that data are used to manage assets, resources, and services efficiently; in return, that data is used to improve the operations across the city. This includes data collected from citizens, devices, buildings, and assets that is processed and analyzed to monitor and manage traffic and transportation systems, power plants, utilities, water supply networks, waste, crime detection, information systems, schools, libraries, hospitals, and other community services. While cities struggle to provide for the basic needs of their residents and deal with burgeoning populations, creating ecologically safe solutions to expand cities has remained difficult. Cities worldwide have adopted a circular economy approach to decrease the environmental implications of urban economic expansion and meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Some efforts towards making cities circular and competitive include effective resource allocation, waste management, e-governance, and electric mobility. However, for legislators, urban planners, and green investors, the current design of urban circularity is primarily concerned with economic growth, environmental impacts, and technological advancements while ignoring social inclusion. Both smart cities and the circular economy have the potential to significantly reduce environmental impact. Smart cities, through efficient resource management and reduced energy use, can lower greenhouse gas emissions. The circular economy, by keeping products and materials in use and regenerating natural systems, can minimize waste and reduce the demand for new resource extraction. Smart cities improve the quality of life for their residents by using technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of city services and the urban environment. A circular economy requires policies and regulations that promote recycling, reuse, and reduction of waste, and that hold companies accountable for the lifecycle of their products. Despite exponential growth in climate finance, little attention is being paid to climate adaptation for the most vulnerable communities. Financial inclusion and inclusive finance solutions are critical to enabling low-income households' autonomous adaptation and must be included in national adaptation programmes as well as the global climate agenda.
Meanwhile, the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework is now a requirement for businesses to keep their social license to operate and is no longer optional. This framework is used by investors to evaluate corporate behavior and to determine the future financial performance of companies. The utilization of more renewable energy sources and energy efficiency can assist in mitigating climate change and lowering the chances of catastrophic events for humans and other creatures. Renewable energy sources significantly reduce the environmental footprint of energy production. They emit little to no greenhouse gases during operation, thus helping to mitigate climate change. The use of renewable energy also reduces air and water pollution and has a lower impact on biodiversity compared to fossil fuel energy generation. They can create jobs and contribute to energy security and energy equity by providing access to energy in remote areas. By reducing the pollution associated with non-renewable energy sources, renewable energy can also contribute to public health improvements. From a governance perspective, companies that invest in renewable energy demonstrate a commitment to long-term sustainability and innovation. Smart cities and Circular Economies contribute to the development of sustainable, resilient, and equitable societies and economies
This Research Topic aims to draw on the most recent research in various fields, including economics, engineering, environmental science, social science, analytics, and artificial intelligence. It aims to aims to investigate the links between Smart Cities, Circular Economy and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). We are especially interested in interdisciplinary ideas and collaborations that might transcend the theoretical and practical divides. We welcome ideas, case studies, and policy proposals from scholars, practitioners, and policymakers. We hope to provide a road map for how stakeholders can collaborate to address transition problems and achieve a more sustainable and equitable future. Topics covered include the following (but are not limited to):
a) Technological advancements in renewable energy.
b) Policy frameworks to encourage renewable energy adoption.
c) Socioeconomic implications of the sustainable energy transition.
d) Energy conservation and efficiency measures
e) Climate change and energy efficiency
f) Climate risk and artificial intelligence
g) Product longevity, reusability, and recyclability strategies
h) Business Models for circular economy implementation
i) Waste management and resource recovery
j) Circular Economy in urban planning and Infrastructure
k) Circular economy education and behavioral change
l) Impacts of environmental sustainability initiatives on SDGs
m) ESG integration in investment decision-making
n) ESG performance evaluation and reporting frameworks
o) Role of regulatory bodies and stock exchanges in Promoting ESG Practices
p) Impact of sustainable financing on corporate financial performance
q) Financing sustainable production and consumption
Important Deadlines for Submissions
Submission deadline for the Paper is August 30, 2023.
Estimated publication time is February 2024.
Keywords: Energy Transition, Circular Economy, Sustainable Financing, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Smart Transportation, Net Zero, Environmental Sustainability, Smart Production and Consumption
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.