Abstract

The twenty-first century is defined by an unprecedented convergence of global challenges, climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequality, resource depletion and systemic economic vulnerabilities. Together, these pressures have exposed the limitations of conventional development models and underscored the urgency of transitioning toward more sustainable, inclusive and resilient futures. Towards a Greener Future: Strategies for Advancing Global Sustainability in the 21st Century responds to this imperative by bringing together diverse scholarly perspectives, empirical evidence and innovative frameworks that collectively advance contemporary sustainability discourse and practice.

This edited volume is grounded in the recognition that sustainability is not a singular or sectoral challenge, but a multidimensional transformation encompassing economic systems, governance structures, education, technology, social relations and cultural values. Addressing such complexity requires interdisciplinary collaboration, contextual sensitivity and solutions that bridge theory and practice. The chapters assembled in this book reflect these principles, offering insights from multiple regions of the world and across disciplines including finance, education, psychology, urban studies, management, energy systems, digital technologies and social sciences.

Part One, Frameworks for Transitioning the World to a Greener Future, establishes the conceptual and analytical foundations for sustainability transitions. It explores how financial systems can shift from risk-centered paradigms to resilience-oriented models, examines green growth pathways and carbon mitigation strategies and highlights the critical role of psychological resilience and behavioral change. The section also addresses adaptive governance for climate-resilient cities and advances methodological discussions on footprint calculation in sustainable tourism. Together, these chapters emphasize that systemic transformation requires integrated frameworks that align economic, behavioral and governance dimensions.
Part Two, Education, Research and Innovation for a Sustainable Future, focuses on the pivotal role of knowledge systems in shaping long-term sustainability outcomes. The contributions examine sustainability education in higher education, the implementation of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), curriculum innovation, and the integration of sustainability into computing and research ecosystems. By advancing concepts such as affective learning, agile green frameworks, and the evolution from triple to quintuple helix innovation models, this section underscores education and research as catalysts for cultural change and sustainable innovation.

Part Three, Circular Economy, addresses the transition from linear production and consumption models to regenerative and resource-efficient systems. The chapters investigate corporate sustainability strategies, human-centered management and green HRM, policy and resource recovery in emerging economies, and sustainable business practices in tourism and creative industries. This section highlights the circular economy as both a strategic business opportunity and a systemic response to environmental degradation and resource scarcity.

Part Four, Innovations in Renewable Energy and Green Infrastructure, explores the transformative potential of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy systems. Contributions examine sustainable AI and green algorithms, technology-enhanced mindfulness for sustainable consumption, the role of AI in advancing responsible production and consumption (SDG 12), and the application of digital technologies to sustainability practices. This section demonstrates how technological innovation, when guided by ethical and sustainability principles, can accelerate progress toward low-carbon and resource-efficient societies.

Part Five, The Social and Economic Dimensions of Sustainability, brings critical attention to issues of power, justice, equity and lived experience. The chapters analyse socioeconomic dependencies, extractive industries and community impacts, gender inclusion, farmers’ perceptions of organic farming, GIS-based sustainable urban planning and corporate sustainability discourses in Latin America. This section reinforces the argument that sustainability transitions must be socially just, context-sensitive and inclusive to be both legitimate and enduring.

Collectively, towards a Greener Future offers a comprehensive and forward-looking contribution to global sustainability scholarship. It is intended for academics, policymakers, practitioners, educators and students seeking to understand and shape sustainability transitions in an increasingly complex world. By integrating diverse perspectives and grounded case studies, the volume not only diagnoses contemporary challenges but also illuminates pathways toward resilient, equitable and greener futures for the twenty-first century.