Building Tomorrow: Advanced Materials and Green Technology Solutions for Sustainable Environment

Introduction

The increasing pace of industrialization, urban expansion, and resource consumption has placed unprecedented pressure on ecosystems worldwide, pushing environmental sustainability to the forefront of global scientific and policy agendas. In response to these urgent challenges, the RTESD 2026 conference brought together researchers, innovators, and practitioners from diverse disciplines to share cutting edge knowledge and transformative solutions. Building on the high-quality discussions and scientific contributions presented at the conference, this special issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for advancing interdisciplinary research that addresses today’s most pressing environmental concerns.

By capturing the breadth and depth of innovations showcased at RTESD 2026, the issue aspires to extend the conference’s impact and foster continued dialogue around sustainable environmental development. The primary aim of this special issue is to highlight innovative, science driven, and interdisciplinary approaches that tackle critical environmental challenges through advanced materials, green technologies, eco-friendly methodologies, and policy-integrated strategies. Recognizing that environmental problems are inherently complex and interconnected, the issue seeks to bring together high-quality research that offers actionable insights, stimulates technological innovation, and supports informed policy development. The emphasis is on showcasing research that not only deepens scientific understanding but also contributes to practical, scalable solutions that can be adopted at regional, national, and global levels.

This special issue serves as a curated collection of impactful research papers that delve into innovative strategies and cutting-edge technologies while embodying the interdisciplinary spirit essential for sustainable progress. It brings forward diverse themes such as renewable energy systems, circular economy practices, eco-friendly synthesis routes, pollution monitoring technologies, waste management innovations, and the development of advanced eco-materials for future energy applications. Collectively, these contributions illuminate the pathways toward achieving long term environmental resilience, climate mitigation, and efficient resource utilization. By integrating engineering, environmental science, materials science, socio economic analyses, and policy perspectives, the issue underscores the significance of holistic approaches in addressing sustainability challenges.

To meet these aims, the special issue will:

• Publish original research and comprehensive review articles centered on renewable energy systems, green technologies, circular economy models, and advanced eco-materials, thereby showcasing technological solutions that support a low-carbon future.
• Encourage interdisciplinary contributions that bridge engineering, environmental science, materials science, policy studies, and socio-economic dimensions, reflecting the multifaceted nature of environmental problem-solving.
• Explore the complexities of sustainability through themes such as advanced material development, eco-friendly synthesis techniques, innovative waste management strategies, pollution monitoring systems, and renewable energy transitions—ultimately inspiring readers to adopt a holistic perspective on sustainable development.
• Invite submissions from leading experts, early career researchers, and practitioners to promote diverse viewpoints and strengthen the collective understanding of global sustainability challenges.

By bringing together these diverse yet interconnected perspectives, this special issue aims to make a meaningful contribution to the ongoing global discourse on sustainability. It aspires to empower researchers, policymakers, and practitioners with the knowledge and tools needed to drive the transition toward a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future for generations to come.

List of topic areas

• Renewable Energy Innovations: Solar, hydrogen, bioenergy, and hybrid systems for low-carbon development.
• Advanced Eco Materials and Green Technologies: Nanomaterials, sustainable construction materials, and environmentally benign catalysts.
• Waste to Resource and Circular Economy Approaches: Valorization of industrial and agricultural waste, resource recovery technologies, and sustainable waste management models.
• Climate Adaptation and Environmental Monitoring: Sensor technology, climate resilient infrastructure, pollution assessment tools, and environmental modelling.
• Sustainable Design, Policy, and Community Engagement: urban sustainability, green architecture, behavioral change models, and case studies of sustainable initiatives.

Submissions Information

Please note that this Special Issue is exclusively intended for manuscripts selected from the 5th International Conference on Recent Trends in Environment and Sustainable Development (RTESD 2026).

Submissions are made using ReView. Registration and access are available at: https://ice-review.rivervalley.io/login Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/jenes.

Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to "Please select the issue you are submitting to." Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.

Key deadlines

Opening date for manuscripts submissions: 01/01/2026
Closing date for abstract submission: 28/02/2026 Email for submissions: srivastava.subodh@vgu.ac.in
Closing date for manuscripts submission: 31/07/2026