The transition towards a sustainable and competitive European economy requires new analytical and decision-support frameworks capable of integrating industrial innovation, environmental constraints, and policy governance. This concept note introduces a multi-level approach to understanding the role of …

The textile industry is one of the most polluting industries. To reduce its environmental impact, the entire supply chain must transition from a linear to a circular economy, making textile recycling at end-of-life critical. Stimulated by new regulations, the industry is increasingly incorporating recycled …

In this inaugural address, reflections on the transition towards a circular economy are shared, with a deliberate focus on human behaviour. This focus is intentional. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, behavioural changes could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by as much …

Business model innovation is essential to drive the systemic change required for a new economy. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide focus and direction towards this transition. For companies in the agriculture and horticulture sectors, SDG 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, is …

Circular, biobased, and modular construction practices are gaining traction as cities seek to reduce the environmental impact of the built environment. However, little is known about how these strategies affect construction logistics and their associated emissions. We develop an agent-based model to …

The healthcare sector ranks among the largest consumers of single-use plastics, generating substantial amounts of waste, an issue strikingly captured in Maria Koijck's breast surgery photography. To reduce the environmental impact, biobased and biodegradable polymers are promising alternatives to conventional …

The increasing interest in Aronia melanocarpa berries for their antioxidant properties sets the necessity to define sustainable strategies to valorize the by-products. This study investigates the use of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) extraction, with and without ethanol as a co-solvent, for recovering …

Dear Reader, Welcome to Sustainable EU Economy. This book is more than a textbook—it is an invitation to explore how the European Union shapes business, society, and sustainability in today’s interconnected world. My hope is that it will inspire you to think critically, engage actively, and see how Europe’s …

Research and innovation have long been dominated by models and epistemologies rooted in global North institutions, privileging formalised knowledge systems over lived experience and embedded wisdom. In response, we conceptualise the Inclusive Research Commons (IRC), a transdisciplinary and practice-based …

Global economic growth and its associated challenges, particularly those related to environmental impact, vulnerabilities in various global regions, inclusivity, and sustainability, prompt serious reflections on the types of economic and business models capable of achieving such growth, while addressing …