Policy Frameworks for Sustainable Development: Balancing Energy, Environmental, Social, and Techno Economic Dimensions

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Achieving sustainable development requires a holistic approach that considers environmental, social, and economic factors. To attain these goals, policy frameworks that are appropriately designed and implemented are essential.

Appropriate policy frameworks are the key to attaining sustainable socioeconomic development. Such frameworks facilitate the integration of environmental, social, and economic dimensions in the decision-making process. Policies that are sustainable can provide significant benefits in the long term, such as reducing poverty, improving health and wellbeing, and reducing negative impacts on the environment.

The objectives of this Special Issue are as follows:

1. To explore the concept of sustainable development and its importance for policy/legal frameworks;
2. To analyze the challenges and opportunities of balancing environmental, social, and economic dimensions in policy frameworks;
3. To highlight the best practices in policy frameworks that can lead to sustainable development;
4. To examine the role of stakeholders in policy formulation and implementation for sustainable development;
5. To provide an avenue for the dissemination of research findings, practical experiences, and policy innovations that promote sustainable development.

The Special Issue will feature original research, theoretical and empirical papers, and critical reviews exploring progress, challenges, and opportunities in the following topics (but is not limited to these): 

• The role of policy frameworks in promoting sustainable cities and communities;
• The impact of international trade policies on sustainable development goals;
• The relationship between corporate social responsibility and sustainable development policy frameworks;
• Environmental policies and their contribution to sustainable development;
• The impact of energy policies on sustainable development goals;
• Social policies and their impact on sustainable development;
• The impact of policy frameworks on sustainable energy, agriculture, and food systems;
• Best practices in policy frameworks for sustainable tourism development;
• The contribution of education policies to sustainable development goals;
• The role of policy frameworks in promoting sustainable production and consumption patterns;
• Socioeconomic, scientific, and integrated approaches to sustainable development;
• System analysis methods, including life cycle assessment and management;
• New and renewable sources of energy and sustainability;
• Effects of global climate change on development and sustainability;
• Sustainable utilization of resources such as land, water, atmosphere, and other biological resources;
• Impact of electric vehicles and green EV charging infrastructure on sustainability;
• Tools for sustainability measurement and monitoring.

Overall, this Special Issue will provide a platform for interdisciplinary research and dialogue on the complex interplay between sustainability, policy, and socioeconomic development, with a focus on achieving the SDGs. The Issue will be of interest to scholars, policy makers, practitioners, and other stakeholders interested in advancing sustainable development at the national and global levels.

We welcome contributions from scholars and practitioners across various disciplines, including but not limited to economics, public policy, environmental studies, sociology, geography, and political science. We will also consider papers that incorporate diverse methodological approaches, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Umashankar Subramaniam
Dr. Yusuff Jelili Amuda
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• socioeconomic development
• policy framework for sustainable development
• affordable and clean energy
• energy transition and circular economy
• industry innovation and infrastructure
• sustainable policy and planning
• social justice and resilience
• peace justice and strong institutions
• multi-stakeholder collaboration
• green infrastructure
• low-carbon development and carbon credits
• public–private partnerships
• sustainable cities and communities
• responsible consumption and production
• energy sustainability
• environmental sustainability
• social sustainability
• smart cities and communities
• holistic approach
• EV and charging
• decision making
• best practices
• stakeholder engagement
• innovation
• corporate social responsibility
• international trade policies
• energy policies
• social policies
• sustainable agriculture
• sustainable tourism
• education policies