Solid waste management in rural areas remains an underexplored domain, despite its growing significance in the context of environmental sustainability and the circular economy. Key challenges include inadequate municipal infrastructure, a shortage of waste collection containers, and the absence of suitable vehicle fleets capable of navigating narrow and steep rural pathways. Moreover, the lack of a strategic framework for waste management, the insufficient application of the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) principles, and the absence of circular economy practices further exacerbate these issues. In rural areas, approximately 40% of the waste produced is organic and could be used as a resource for compost production, a valuable input for organic agricultural practices. Projections suggest that by 2027, biowaste will account for 8% of the total waste generated in rural communities. The transition to a circular economy offers significant potential for transforming waste management practices in these areas. Emphasis on innovative collection methods, such as localised and adaptive waste separation techniques, can facilitate this transition. The adoption of circular economy principles in waste management strategies is critical, not only for reducing environmental impact but also for promoting resource efficiency, enhancing soil fertility, and supporting sustainable local economies. Raising public awareness, engaging local communities, and introducing more effective waste management systems will be vital in overcoming existing barriers and ensuring the success of these initiatives.

In light of the intricate interconnection of current global challenges, energy security concerns, and global warming, the strategic pursuit of renewable hydrogen has emerged as a beacon of promise. Consequently, Canada, in alignment with its global environmental commitments and supported by partnerships with entities such as the European Union, is actively working to harness its significant potential in sustainable hydrogen production and distribution. This study undertakes a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of 55 scientific papers focused on hydrogen production and distribution in Canada, published up to September 2023. Firstly, a comprehensive synthesis of these papers is provided across four key dimensions: production, distribution, optimization, and sustainability. Secondly, critical insights into the evolution of hydrogen research and the collaborations shaping the field are unveiled through bibliometric analysis, employing Bibliometrix, an R-package designed for comprehensive science mapping and bibliometric analysis. The findings are intended to offer valuable insights to academic, public, and business communities, enabling them to better utilize available resources, enhance teamwork, and contribute to a more sustainable global energy landscape.

The development of green farmhouse technology is crucial for advancing sustainable agricultural practices in China. However, the comprehensive promotion and effective implementation of green farmhouse construction are significantly hindered by the underdevelopment and immaturity of the required technologies. This study aims to identify and analyze the key factors that impede the development of green farmhouse technology and to elucidate the interrelationships among these factors. A systematic literature review was conducted to determine the primary barriers to green farmhouse technology development. The Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method was employed to examine the interdependencies among these factors, providing insight into their mutual influence and centrality. Subsequently, Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) was applied to establish a hierarchical structure, revealing the multi-level relationships among the identified barriers. Finally, the Multiplication of Cross-Impact Matrices (MICMAC) analysis was utilized to further categorize the factors based on their driving power and dependence. The findings indicate that the development of green building materials, research and development (R&D) funding, and technological expertise are the core factors impeding the advancement of green farmhouse technology. These barriers were classified into six hierarchical levels and grouped into four categories: autonomous, dependent, linked, and independent factors. Through the combined application of DEMATEL, ISM, and MICMAC, a comprehensive understanding of the hierarchical structure and the interrelationships among these barriers was achieved. The factors were further categorized into three groups: budget and funding constraints, green farmhouse technology R&D challenges, and technology promotion and selection obstacles. The insights derived from this study provide a theoretical foundation for developing strategies to overcome these impediments, thereby facilitating the broader adoption of green farmhouse technology in China.

In response to the global momentum toward carbon neutrality, the concept of “zero carbon" parks has gained significant attention in the energy and construction sectors. While existing research primarily focuses on optimizing standalone energy systems, a comprehensive methodological framework for evaluating the planning and management of integrated energy systems (IES) within zero-carbon parks remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by examining the challenges inherent in the zero-carbon transformation of parks and proposing a multi-dimensional assessment index system tailored to IES. The evaluation framework encompasses five critical dimensions: environment, technology, economy, energy, and sustainability. To accurately determine the relative importance of these dimensions, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method are employed for initial weight assignment, which is subsequently refined through game theory optimization. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is then utilized to rigorously assess the benefits of IES across the planning, construction, and operational phases of zero-carbon parks. The findings highlight that the planning and operational stages are of greater significance than the construction phase. Specifically, the planning stage prioritizes environmental impact and technical advantages, while the operational phase emphasizes the equilibrium between economic benefits and ecological responsibilities. This research provides a scientific basis for the strategic planning and management of IES in zero-carbon parks, offering valuable insights for project managers and decision-makers in prioritizing resources across different project stages to achieve sustainable development. By addressing the current research gap, the study not only advances the understanding of IES in zero-carbon parks but also contributes practical guidance for achieving global carbon reduction goals.