Cleaner Environmental Systems最新文献

{"title":"Assessing vineyard sustainability through a Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus indicator using System Dynamics Modelling","authors":"Ali Rhouma ,&nbsp;Nikolaos Mellios ,&nbsp;Floor Brouwer ,&nbsp;Gil José Maria ,&nbsp;Chrysi Laspidou","doi":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100346","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100346","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Optimizing agricultural inputs at the farm scale requires a holistic understanding of water, energy, food, and ecosystem (WEFE) interdependencies. This study develops a composite Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystem Nexus Indicator (WEFENI) and applies System Dynamics Modelling (SDM) to assess vineyard sustainability in northern Spain. This study is the first to introduce WEFENI at a fine spatial resolution, applying it at the grape variety and small-plot level to capture sustainability differences within a single farm. Five key indicators water footprint, carbon footprint, energy footprint, income, and productivity were selected based on their relevance to environmental and socio-economic performance. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and field measurements, complemented by secondary data from meteorological and governmental databases. The indicators were normalized, weighted using the CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method, and aggregated into a composite WEFENI. The dynamic model was constructed to simulate monthly interactions within the WEFE nexus, enabling scenario-based analysis and capturing feedback-driven behaviour across resource systems.</div><div>Results show substantial variation in WEFENI scores across agro-climatic zones and grape varieties. The Low Zone achieved the highest score (0.739) due to gravity-fed irrigation and low energy demand, while the High Zone scored lowest (0.556) because of energy-intensive pumping. At the variety level, 15 grape varieties demonstrated a balance between high sustainability and profitability demonstrating the added value of WEFENI in identifying optimal crop choices. Scenario analysis revealed that precision agriculture produced the greatest improvement in WEFENI (+0.102), followed by improved energy efficiency (+0.056), whereas reduced precipitation decreased the score (−0.056).</div><div>The proposed framework enhances the replicability of farm-level sustainability assessments by explicitly defining indicator selection, system boundaries, and calculation procedures. The integration of WEFENI with SDM enables dynamic, scenario-based evaluation of trade-offs and synergies, providing a robust decision-support tool for sustainable resource management in agriculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34616,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Environmental Systems","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100346"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145324761","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhanced activated carbon production from lignin waste for treatment of As(V) and Cd(II) in wastewater: Sustainability and technological insights by prospective life cycle assessment","authors":"Brener Felipe Melo Lima Gomes ,&nbsp;Heather M. Logan ,&nbsp;Leandro Vinícius Alves Gurgel ,&nbsp;Anders Damgaard","doi":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100350","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100350","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study assessed the environmental impacts of producing activated carbon from technical lignin (TL-AC) for the removal of As(V) and Cd(II) from water, at the laboratory scale, and provided insights for future upscaling. An attributional LCA was initially conducted for seven laboratory-scale experimental setups, varying the temperature and the KOH:TL ratio. After identifying the best-performing scenario, three prospective (TL-2S-AC-3, TL-1S-AC-3, TL-1S-AC) and one baseline (Coal-1S-AC) scenarios were evaluated using a prospective life cycle assessment (<em>p</em>LCA). A global prospection identified favorable locations for upscaling the technology, and an emission intensity indicator was proposed to improve sustainability comparisons across adsorbent materials. The results indicated that KOH use and energy consumption were key contributors to the global warming potential (GWP). TL-AC-3 achieved the best sustainability among the laboratory scenarios, with the lowest emission intensity per mass of As(V) (1.5 × 10⁻⁴ kg CO₂-eq g As⁻¹) and Cd(II) (3.4 × 10⁻⁴ kg CO₂-eq g Cd⁻¹) removed, demonstrating environmental advantages over commercial and other materials. In prospective assessments, the TL-1S-AC-3 scenario, featuring a simplified one-step pretreatment, showed potential GWP reductions of up to 44.5 % (6.6 kg CO₂-eq FU⁻¹), compared to the laboratory-scale results. Brazil emerged as a favorable location for industrial deployment, due to its renewable energy matrix, with GWP values below 11 kg CO₂-eq FU⁻¹ across all prospective scenarios. These results highlighted TL-AC as an effective, lower-impact solution for arsenic and cadmium removal, with scalability potential in resource-abundant regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34616,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Environmental Systems","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100350"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145324775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Key practices affecting the environmental impact of Ewe milk in mixed farming systems","authors":"Matteo Finocchi ,&nbsp;Fabrizio Giuseppe Cella ,&nbsp;Ricardo Villani ,&nbsp;Alice Cappucci ,&nbsp;Francesca Vichi ,&nbsp;Giuseppe Conte ,&nbsp;Alberto Mantino ,&nbsp;Marcello Mele","doi":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100353","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100353","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examined management practices in twelve Mediterranean mixed dairy sheep farms to identify key drivers of environmental impacts associated with milk production. Using life cycle assessment and multivariate analysis, the study explored correlations between farm management practices and environmental outcomes. The average annual milk production was consistent with existing literature, reaching 190 kg of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) per ewe. The correlation analysis revealed a general trend indicating that the various impacts considered, such as atmospheric emissions, acidification, and eutrophication, increased proportionally. Specifically, a greater reliance on concentrates for animal supplementation was linked to higher environmental impacts, suggesting that the use of purchased feeds tends to worsen the environmental performance of mixed dairy sheep farms.</div><div>Principal component analysis further highlighted that environmental impacts were positively correlated with increased electricity consumption and higher fuel use per hectare. Conversely, grazing practices were associated with reduced environmental impacts, emphasizing the advantages of pasture mass as an energy-rich feed source in contexts where preserved forages are of poor quality due to adverse climate conditions.</div><div>Regarding global warming potential (GWP), the study found that enteric methane emissions from ruminants accounted for over 53.5 % of total emissions. The average GWP was estimated at 4.2 kg CO₂eq kg⁻¹ of FPCM. The use of detailed equations for estimating biogenic GWP underscored the importance of accurate data collection on livestock characteristics, diet composition, intake, and feeding duration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34616,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Environmental Systems","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100353"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145325793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental and economic sustainability assessment of biofuels from valorising spent coffee grounds","authors":"Piya Gosalvitr ,&nbsp;Rosa M. Cuéllar-Franca ,&nbsp;Robin Smith ,&nbsp;Adisa Azapagic","doi":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100347","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100347","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study quantifies and compares the life cycle environmental and economic sustainability of five most common and widely researched valorisation routes for spent coffee grounds (SCGs): i) fuel pelletizing; ii) combination of transesterification and pyrolysis; iii) pyrolysis; iv) combination of transesterification and fermentation; and v) anaerobic digestion. The scope of the study is from cradle-to-gate and the functional unit is defined as the “treatment of 1 t of SCGs”. The results indicate that fuel pelletizing is the best option from the environmental point of view, with all 19 impacts considered being net-negative. Pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion are the second-best options with 18 net-negative impacts, followed by the combination of transesterification with pyrolysis, with 13 net-negative impacts. Transesterification and fermentation is the worst option for 16 categories, including climate change, due to the lowest credits from the products produced. The results of the economic sustainability assessment reveal that all options earn profits and are economically feasible. Pyrolysis is the most economically sustainable alternative with a profit of £172/t SCGs, which is 2–3 times higher than for the other options. Transesterification and fermentation is again the worst option but still earning a profit of £58/t. Applying multi-criteria decision analysis reveals that pyrolysis is the best and transesterification and fermentation the least sustainable option. Therefore, coffee producers, local authorities, and other relevant stakeholders could consider prioritising pyrolysis for achieving both economic and environmental benefits. Fuel pelletizing, transesterification &amp; pyrolysis, and anaerobic digestion should also be considered as they too offer significant sustainability benefits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34616,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Environmental Systems","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100347"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145363523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainability of wall construction techniques for self-built rural housing. A case study from Brazil","authors":"Bernat Vinolas ,&nbsp;Maria del Mar Casanovas-Rubio ,&nbsp;Oriol Pons-Valladares ,&nbsp;Irene Josa ,&nbsp;Jaume Armengou ,&nbsp;Albert de la Fuente","doi":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100348","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100348","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study assesses the sustainability of eight wall construction alternatives suitable for self-built housing in rural informal settlements, comparing different building solutions in the Brazilian context. Housing affordability is a global challenge, particularly relevant in developing countries where informal settlements are prevalent. This research addresses the need for sustainable construction practices in these contexts, focusing specifically on wall construction as a critical building element. The study relies on MIVES, a multi-criteria decision-making method, to evaluate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of each alternative. The eight alternatives include variations of soil-cement blocks (precast and on-site produced), ceramic blocks, concrete blocks, and precast concrete panels, with and without mortar and plaster coatings. A hierarchical requirements tree, encompassing criteria and indicators related to resource consumption, emissions, cost, empowerment, safety, comfort, and innovation, was developed based on technical literature and expert knowledge. Weights for these criteria and indicators were determined using the Delphi technique. Value functions were used to standardize quantitative indicator values onto a 0-to-1 scale. This research aims to provide a structured framework for evaluating the sustainability performance of different wall construction techniques in rural informal settlements, thus providing valuable insights for informed decision-making in self-built housing projects. Results indicate that concrete blocks and precast concrete panels without coatings achieved the highest sustainability index, primarily due to their lower economic costs and environmental impacts. Conversely, ceramic blocks with coatings achieved the lowest sustainability performance. Alternatives without coatings were generally preferred due to their lower costs, aligning with real-world practices in rural areas where economic constraints govern material choices. However, these alternatives performed less favorably in terms of social sustainability, particularly in comfort and community acceptance. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the evaluation framework across different weighting scenarios, with economic, environmental, and social biases leading to only minor ranking shifts. The findings highlight the importance of balancing cost-effectiveness with durability and habitability in self-built housing, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions, particularly in self-built soil-cement blocks, to improve sustainability while maintaining affordability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34616,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Environmental Systems","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100348"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145324760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Digital Product Passport in support of Data-Driven End-of-Use Strategies–a systems design perspective","authors":"Andreas Christensen,&nbsp;Verena Stingl,&nbsp;Muhammad Omair,&nbsp;Brian Vejrum Wæhrens","doi":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100354","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100354","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The EU has proposed the Digital Product Passport (DPP) as an important mechanism to enable the circular economy (CE) by facilitating transparency and data sharing across value chains. Initially proposed for regulatory compliance, DPPs hold the potential to function as strategic assets for creating value within CE. However, leveraging DPPs beyond compliance introduces additional complexity, requiring a systems approach for design and implementation, which links the system's purpose with concrete design options. With this paper, we develop five fundamental design considerations that can guide the design of DPP systems, using a combination of structured literature review and conceptual development based on principles of systems engineering. The five design considerations are: strategic alignment between DPP and organizational goals, data requirements to support decision making, system requirements to ensure interoperability, tailoring DPP to different circular practices, and levers necessary to enable value chain collaboration. The proposed design considerations give structured guidance for the systems design of DPPs, tailoring the design to the needs and opportunities of the organization and ensure benefit capture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34616,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Environmental Systems","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100354"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145324773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainability beyond buildings: Assessing environmental impacts of Swedish urban life using LCA and emergy indicators","authors":"Louise Bartek ,&nbsp;Daniel Bergquist ,&nbsp;Daniela Garcia-Caro ,&nbsp;Christopher Malefors ,&nbsp;Mattias Eriksson","doi":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100343","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100343","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As cities continue to grow, understanding the full scope of environmental impacts associated with urban living becomes increasingly critical to ensure sustainable development and the fulfilment of ecological goals. This study integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) into the Emergy Synthesis (ES) framework, generating a hybrid EmLCA method to assess environmental footprint of urban life, offering a holistic analysis of both material and service-related impacts. Using a Swedish residential complex as case study, results show that lifestyle factors, such as meat consumption, fast fashion, and private car use, are major contributors to climate change, eutrophication, acidification, and resource depletion, while the built environment accounts for only 1–2 % of total impact. These findings challenge the conventional sustainability aspects such as construction materials and energy use, underscoring the need to also address consumption patterns and societal systems that shape urban life. The inclusion of services, despite certain limitations, offers a broader and more realistic perspective on urban sustainability. This study highlights the importance of supporting sustainable lifestyles through policies that promote shared resources, reduce reliance on private vehicles, and encourage shifts toward less resource-intensive diets. By moving beyond the building envelope, the EmLCA approach offers valuable insights for urban planning and policy aimed at reducing emissions and fostering more sustainable cities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34616,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Environmental Systems","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100343"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145268215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Eco-innovation and green entrepreneurship: Transforming challenges into opportunities for the environment","authors":"Leola Dewiyani ,&nbsp;Arita Marini ,&nbsp;Gusti Yarmi ,&nbsp;Nelfiyanti ,&nbsp;Dwi Atmanto ,&nbsp;Sardi Salim ,&nbsp;Desy Safitri ,&nbsp;Parulian Irwansyah ,&nbsp;Musril Zahari ,&nbsp;Rezeqi Hardam Saputro ,&nbsp;Asep Marfu","doi":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100345","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100345","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aims to analyze the impact of eco-innovation and green entrepreneurial orientation on environmental awareness and sustainability practices, and their effect on green business strategies among engineering students in Indonesia. The study employs a quantitative approach with a survey method, and data analysis was performed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test the relationships between variables. The respondents in this study were engineering students in Indonesia who are involved in sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial activities or technological innovations. The key findings of this study indicate that eco-innovation and green entrepreneurial orientation have a positive and significant impact on environmental awareness and sustainability practices. Additionally, environmental awareness is found to mediate the relationship between eco-innovation, green entrepreneurial orientation, and green business strategies. However, sustainability practices were not found to be a significant mediator in the relationship between these variables and green business strategies. These findings highlight the importance of integrating environmental awareness into engineering education to foster innovative green entrepreneurs. The contribution of this study lies in expanding the literature on the role of environmental awareness in shaping green business strategies, particularly within the context of engineering education in Indonesia. The originality of this study is reflected in testing the model of relationships between eco-innovation, green entrepreneurial orientation, and green business strategies among engineering students, an area that remains underexplored in previous research in Indonesia. This study provides recommendations for educational policies to facilitate the development of green entrepreneurship among engineering students.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34616,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Environmental Systems","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100345"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145268213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Life cycle assessment of whiteleg shrimp farming in earthen vs. HDPE-lined ponds in India","authors":"Trivesh S. Mayekar ,&nbsp;Venkatesh Paramesha ,&nbsp;G.B. Sreekanth ,&nbsp;C.U. Rivonker ,&nbsp;Parveen Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100342","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100342","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Whiteleg shrimp (<em>Penaeus vannamei</em>) farming has expanded rapidly worldwide, contributing significantly to global seafood supply. However, concerns remain about its environmental impacts, particularly in India—a major exporter with diverse production systems. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)-lined ponds and earthen ponds are widely used, but their comparative environmental performance has not been comprehensively evaluated. This study aimed to quantify and compare the environmental impacts of intensive HDPE-lined and semi-intensive earthen pond shrimp farming systems along India's west coast. A cradle-to-farm-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted using SimaPro software and the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint method. Primary data were collected from 20 farms and one hatchery, covering seed production, feed use, and energy consumption. Environmental impacts were assessed across multiple categories, including Global Warming Potential (GWP), Terrestrial Acidification Potential (AC), and Marine Eutrophication Potential (EU). Results showed that HDPE-lined ponds had significantly higher GWP (369.04 vs. 268.06 kg CO₂ eq) and AC (1.20 vs. 0.94 kg SO₂ eq) per tonne of shrimp compared to earthen ponds, but lower EU (0.03 vs. 0.05 kg N eq). Seed production, electricity use, and feed emerged as the primary contributors to environmental impacts. Findings suggest that transitioning from HDPE-lined to earthen pond systems, adopting renewable energy sources such as solar aeration, and replacing fishmeal with plant-based alternatives could substantially improve the sustainability of Indian shrimp aquaculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34616,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Environmental Systems","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100342"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145221233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Financial feasibility and optimization of anaerobic digestion systems for sustainable waste management: A comprehensive global analysis","authors":"Ali Marefat ,&nbsp;Abooali Golzary ,&nbsp;Fumitake Takahashi ,&nbsp;Donald Huisingh","doi":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100339","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100339","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Effective management of organic waste plays a vital role in addressing environmental challenges and advancing sustainable development goals. This review article provides a comprehensive financial assessment of anaerobic digestion (AD) systems for treating the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). Previous studies on AD systems have largely been confined to local case studies with findings that cannot be generalized beyond their specific regions, and they have often overlooked the combined influence of technical, economic, and political factors on financial performance. The study begins by identifying the gaps and limitations in existing financial models for AD systems. It then develops an enhanced financial framework and uses scenario-based analyses to assess the financial feasibility of AD technologies. The model outputs indicate that the financial feasibility of AD systems is heavily influenced by national energy policies and environmental regulations. It is revealed that insufficient government support for energy tariffs—particularly in countries experiencing economic instability—serves as a major barrier to the cost-effectiveness of AD systems. In contrast, in economically stable regions, the financial sustainability of these systems is primarily challenged by stringent environmental regulations specifically related to digestate disposal. To overcome these challenges and further strengthen the financial performance of AD systems, future research should prioritize AI-driven optimization to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, increase energy output, and ultimately improve financial sustainability. By addressing existing barriers and proposing actionable recommendations, this review aims to foster the adoption of AD technologies as a cornerstone of sustainable waste management practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34616,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Environmental Systems","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100339"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145221116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}