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This comprehensive review examines various methods of treating medical waste in the context of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). A bibliometric analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of COVID‐19 on medical waste, which showed a notable increase in publications in recent years. Findings indicate that thermal treatment with energy recovery, including pyrolysis, gasification, oxidation, and plasma gasification, is the most effective approach for managing medical waste. However, research on the impacts of medical waste on SDGs is insufficient, warranting further investigations to better understand the intersections between medical waste management and the SDGs. The need for international cooperation and collaboration in addressing medical waste management challenges, especially during crises, is highlighted. Understanding the links between medical waste management and the SDGs is crucial in developing sustainable solutions aligned with the global sustainability agenda. Further research and international collaboration are needed to address the challenges associated with medical waste management and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of solar thermal systems (STSs) has recently reached a significant edge. The increasing research on developing an alternative power supply for limiting fossil fuel usage and climate change are the driving forces of STSs. The current work explores the recent progress in STSs' applications, including PV/T or "photovoltaic/thermal" systems, zero-energy buildings, greenhouse solar thermal applications, solar thermal for pumping water, solar thermal refrigerators, solar chimneys, water desalination, and solar collectors, along with the benefits and challenges of these applications. Then, the potential contribution of STSs in achieving the various SDGs or "Sustainable development goals", including barriers and research gaps, are elaborated. In brief, STSs significantly contribute to the seventeen SDGs' achievement directly and indirectly. Recent developments in the engineering applications of STSs are strongly based on the materials of construction, as well as their design, process optimisation, and integration with multidisciplinary sciences and technologies such as modelling, nanoscience/nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refused derived fuel (RDF) is one of the products of the MSWs that is effectively used as an energy source, especially in the cement industry. This work discusses the role of the RDF in the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the circular economy. Moreover, the barriers that challenge the widespread of the RDF are indicated. The RDF positively contributes to the most SDGs. However, the main contribution would be in SDG l: no poverty, SDG 3: good health and well-being, SDG 6: SDG 6: clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: affordable and clean Energy, SDG 8 decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 11: sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: responsible consumption and production, SDG 14: life below water and SDG 15: life on land. While in the main contribution of the circular economy comes from its ability to reuse municipal solid wastes, industrial solid waste, non-recyclable plastics, waste tires, biomass, paper/card, waste oils, and waste textiles. In addition, RDF will reduce the CO 2 by up to 2155.3 106 Kt CO 2 /year and recover heat content from 2 to 5.5 Gcal/t. Moreover, the RDF will save up to 15% of the fuel that equals 4.92 tons/h. Such fuel reduction will save 486 USD/h in petcoke costs, with 2.27 tons/h of CO 2 being emitted into the atmosphere at a net saving of 389 USD/h. The results guide academic researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders worldwide to evaluate solid wastes as alternative fuels concerning their overall sustainability and cheapness. Moreover, this work introduces some future research directions to involve solid wastes in circular economy and SDGs. Furthermore, a set of indicators are proposed to guide the stakeholder to increase the RDF contribution to SDGs and lower the possible trade-off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane-based technologies are recently being considered as effective methods for conventional water and wastewater remediation processes to achieve the increasing demands for clean water and minimize the negative environmental effects. Although there are numerous merits of such technologies, some major challenges like high capital and operating costs. This study first focuses on reporting the current membrane-based technologies, i.e., nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, and forward- and reverse-osmosis membranes. The second part of this study deeply discusses the contributions of membrane-based technologies in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) stated by the United Nations (UNs) in 2015 followed by their role in the circular economy. In brief, the membrane based processes directly impact 15 out of 17 SDGs which are SDG1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. However, the merits, challenges, efficiencies, operating conditions, and applications are considered as the basis for evaluating such technologies in sustainable development, circular economy, and future development. [Display omitted] • Membrane-based technologies for water and wastewater remediation were summarized. • Challenges facing the development of Membrane-based technologies were discussed. • The role of Membrane-based technologies in achieving SDGs was introduced. • The role of Membrane-based technologies in the circular economy was analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An assessment of the different production methods of green ammonia was analyzed. • The various barriers facing widespread of green ammonia were discussed. • The contribution of green ammonia in achieving SDGs was elaborated. Fossil fuels are no longer accepted as the sole energy source with their environmental impacts and fluctuating price. Green hydrogen is considered a potential candidate for fossil fuel soon—however, hydrogen is facing the challenges of storage and transportation. Green ammonia, with its ease of transport and storage, is another promising alternative. Decarbonizing ammonia production is an environmental press toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This work summarizes the up-to-date progress in the green ammonia production methods. An assessment of the different production methods was conducted to highlight the merits and constraints of each approach. Moreover, the promising applications of green ammonia in the energy sectors were discussed. The various barriers, i.e., technical, economic, environmental, and regulations and policies, facing the widespread of green ammonia were also discussed. Finally, the contribution of green ammonia in achieving the different sustainable development goals was elaborated, focusing on the contribution of green ammonia in achieving climate change (SDG 13), clean energy (SDG 7), and other sustainability-related goals. Low efficiencies, high cost, and negative environmental impacts are the common challenges of the various production methods. The progress in green ammonia is essential for achieving SDG2, "Zero hunger". SDG3 "healthy life and well-being" and SDG13 "Climate action", will be achieved by eliminating 3.85 kg CO 2 -eq/kg NH 3 emitted from conventional ammonia-based processes. Ease storing of green ammonia in liquid form (at 9 bar or cooling to −33°); makes it the best green energy source, i.e., achieving SDG7 "green and affordable energy". By 2050, green ammonia is expected to represent 99 % of marine fuel, thus contributing to SDG9 "Industry and Infrastructure". Moreover, green ammonia production will save 35.2 GJ of natural gas, thus achieving SDG12 "Responsible consumption/production". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]