The research line addresses the main challenges of sustainability, and in particular climate change, with a multidisciplinary approach focusing on energy, environment, natural resources, economy and society, utilising and developing methodologies, models and techniques to improve knowledge and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.
The trans-disciplinary research line is aimed at supporting the achievement of the sustainability goals outlined in the UN 2030 Agenda, with particular reference to Good health and well-being (SDG 3), Affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), Industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), Sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), Climate action (SDG 13). The activities contribute to the advancement of knowledge on key sustainability topics such as: energy systems modelling and analysis, climate planning at the local scale, land use processes and their dynamic links with the environment and society, analysis and optimisation of microclimatic and environmental parameters, characterisation of environmental, economic and social impacts, promotion of energy efficiency and renewable resources, study and development of integrated technologies and methodologies for the valorisation of industrial and agricultural waste as raw materials, sustainable development of geo-resources. The general objectives aim to support the achievement of climate neutrality, to strengthen the resilience of territories to extreme climate events, to contribute to energy transition and to create added value in terms of social impact. In this context, a relevant aspect concerns the promotion of the circular economy as a new paradigm of competitive and sustainable development of enterprises and territories and the study of collaborative open innovation networks, as well as the identification of appropriate knowledge transfer tools, developed according to the needs of different categories of end users (enterprises, public administrations and citizens). The operational objectives are many: to support decision-making processes through the development and application of user-friendly systems, to foster capacity building of enterprises and public administrations, to promote behavioural changes through participatory approaches based on experimentation in real environments and training/information activities.
