Abstract: The Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a perennial herb traditionally valued for its aromatic and therapeutic properties. In recent years, however, growing attention has shifted toward the technical and environmental potential of the plant’s industrial by-products, particularly the fibrous material left after extraction. This review integrates botanical knowledge with engineering and industrial perspectives, highlighting the role of licorice fiber in advancing sustainable innovation. The natural fiber obtained from licorice roots exhibits notable physical and mechanical qualities, including lightness, biodegradability, and compatibility with bio-based polymer matrices. These attributes make it a promising candidate for biocomposites used in green building and other sectors of the circular economy. Developing efficient recovery processes requires collaboration across disciplines, combining expertise in plant science, materials engineering, and industrial technology. The article also examines the economic and regulatory context driving the transition toward more circular and traceable production models. Increasing interest from companies, research institutions, and public bodies in valorizing licorice fiber and its derivatives is opening new market opportunities. Potential applications extend to agroindustry, eco-friendly cosmetics, bioeconomy, and sustainable construction. By linking botanical insights with innovative waste management strategies, licorice emerges as a resource capable of supporting integrated, competitive, and environ-mentally responsible industrial practices.

Abstract: Existing soil remediation approaches are either lacking in cost effectiveness, environmental impacts or societal acceptance. Environmental remediation techniques are often characterized by considerable time requirements, and may leave residual effects on the natural ecosystems, thereby potentially compromising net environmental benefits. This study investigated the oil adsorption capacity of aerogels produced from waste orange peels. Aerogels are highly porous three-dimensional materials made from organic and inorganic materials, with low density, and high adjustable specific surface area. Orange peels aerogel was produced from waste orange peels using combined methods of physical, chemical, and thermal modification process, and was dried using freeze-drying method. Adsorption and reusability test were conducted after characterization of the aerogel. Surface characterization of the orange peels aerogel indicated it has an ultra-light density of 0.010417g/cm3, high porosity of 99%, and contact angle measurement of 102o. Adsorption experiment was conducted with sandy and clay soils, and the maximum oil adsorption capacities of the orange peels aerogel was 13.55mg/g and 9.60mg/g for sandy and clay soil respectively. High oil adsorption capacity was shown by the produced aerogel and attributed to the ultra-light density of 0.010417g/cm3 and high porosity of 99% of the orange peel aerogel. In conclusion, the higher oil adsorption capacity of orange peels aerogel in sandy soil than clay soil indicated that soil texture and aerogel properties influenced the oil remediation capacity of orange peel aerogels. The reusability test in three adsorption trials indicated that orange peels aerogel is a sustainable material for the remediation of oil-contaminated soil.

Abstract: The demand for ready-to-eat salads made from leafy vegetables such as wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.) continues to rise due to their convenience and high levels of bioactive compounds. However, both organically enriched substrates and sustainable packaging alternatives to conventional plastic films are required to reduce the envi-ronmental impact of wild rocket production. This study assessed the effects of three cultivation substrates as growing media and three biodegradable packaging materials (polylactic acid (PL), cellulose kraft (CK), and kraft-reinforced polylactic acid (PLK)) on the postharvest performance of wild rocket stored at 4 °C for 7 and 14 days. Plants were grown in coco peat (CP), coco peat supplemented with livestock compost (90:10; CP+LC), and coco peat combined with mushroom compost (50:50; CP+MC). Yield and key pre- and postharvest quality attributes, including nitrate accumulation, phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, colour, and weight loss, were evaluated. CP+LC pro-duced the highest harvest yield, whereas CP promoted greater phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Among the packaging materials, PLK provided the most bal-anced internal atmosphere, effectively reducing dehydration and condensation while preserving superior sensory quality after 14 days. Overall, the integration of organic compost amendments, particularly CP+LC, with PLK bio-based packaging represents a promising and sustainable strategy to maintain postharvest quality and reduce the en-vironmental footprint of minimally processed wild rocket within short food supply chains.

Abstract: We evaluated the impact of traditional versus catchment-oriented forest harvest scheduling of radiata pine plantations on profitability and rainfall-induced landslide susceptibility in the Uawa catchment, Aotearoa|New Zealand. Our hypothetical case study assumed that 59% of the Uawa catchment area is covered with radiata pine plantations (31,899 hectares). These plantations are located within 89 Catchment Management Units (CMUs) and 1123 hillslope units (HSUs). The HSUs are assumed to be the forest stands with stand ages as measured in 2024. We maximised the Net Present Value of the forests (NPV) subject to non-declining yield (NDY) constraints, considering different maximum harvesting levels (MHL) (10 to 50% of CMU area) that could be allowed for any single CMU during any single 5-year period. We found that profitability increased rapidly when the MHL increased from 10 to 20%, with only marginal increases after 25%. We calculated a proxy for rainfall-induced landslide (RIL) susceptibility as the aggregated sum of the area harvested from each HSU, multiplied by its RIL susceptibility. We then imposed constraints for our RIL proxy to become constant over successive periods. Our final catchment-oriented harvest schedule marginally reduced the Internal Rate of Return from the business-as-usual scenario, from 8.92% to 8.52%. Forest owners’ concerns about the economic and operational effects of catchment-oriented harvest scheduling appear to be surmountable.

Abstract: Promoting the clean energy transition is crucial for environmental sustainability and public health. Utilizing data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) spanning 2006 to 2015, this study employs a Difference-in-Differences (DID) model, treating China's West-East Gas Pipeline Project (WEGT) as a quasi-natural experiment to evaluate the causal impact of natural gas infrastructure expansion on resident health. The empirical results indicate that the WEGT significantly improved public health, with more pronounced effects observed among urban residents and the elderly. Mechanism analysis reveals that the infrastructure improves health primarily by optimizing household energy structures and reducing industrial pollution emissions. Furthermore, the "Coal-to-Gas" policy synergistically enhances these health benefits. Welfare analysis demonstrates that the project reduced medical expenditures and increased local employment. These findings provide empirical evidence for deepening supply-side structural reforms in energy and support the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to good health (SDG 3) and affordable clean energy (SDG 7).

Abstract: This study discusses the effect of green finance on carbon emission reduction and the mechanism of technological innovation in China, especially analyzes the comprehensive effect of green finance in the process of low-carbon transformation of urban agglomerations in China. Based on the panel data of China city from 2000 to 2023, this study evaluates the impact of green finance on carbon emissions by using various models, such as interaction model and intermediary adjustment model. The results show that both green finance and technological innovation can significantly reduce carbon emissions, and the synergistic effect of them is obviously stronger than that of a single path. The mechanism analysis shows that green finance can achieve coordinated emission reduction by promoting green technology innovation, upgrading industrial structure and improving the level of regional digital economy. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the regional emission reduction effect of Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration with developed digital economy, high degree of digital transformation and concentrated cities is more significant. This study not only expands the theoretical framework of green financial collaborative governance, but also provides a new empirical basis and policy reference for other international urban agglomerations to achieve high-quality and low-carbon development.

Abstract: The dominant paradigm of artificial intelligence (AI), concentrated in the Global North, operates through extractive models that concentrate wealth while externalizing social and environmental costs. This paper introduces RSquare AI (Regenerative & Responsible AI) as a sovereign alternative for the ASEAN region. Through a systematic review of literature (n=58) and qualitative analysis of 27 initiatives across six ASEAN nations, this research identifies a critical dual gap: a geographical bias in AI ethics scholarship (85% Western-focused) and a disconnect between regenerative economics and technological development. The findings inform a novel framework that transforms sectoral challenges into strategic assets. Central to this is the Regenerative AI Leadership Flywheel, a model for creating self-reinforcing innovation ecosystems grounded in polycentric governance, regenerative capital, and community-embedded living labs. The study concludes that ASEAN's cultural endowments, developmental agility, and sustainability imperative position it to not only adopt but to pioneer and export a form of AI that enhances, rather than extracts from, human and ecological systems.

Abstract: Cassava plants’ response to waterlogging must be monitored in an accurate and timely manner to mitigate the adverse effects of waterlogging stress. Under waterlogging conditions, root hypoxia reduces water uptake and stomatal closure limits transpiration, which often results in increased leaf temperature due to reduced evaporative cooling. However, how this relationship changes in cassava leaves under waterlogged conditions remains poorly known. This study hypothesized that a cooler canopy is more critical for better performance under waterlogging stress in various cassava genotypes. Two cassava cultivars were subjected to twelve days of waterlogging. Results revealed a significant decrease in photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration, and an increase in leaf temperature and ΔT, reflecting impaired stomatal regulation and reduced evaporative cooling. Strong negative correlations between ΔT and photosynthetic parameters were observed presenting ΔT as a reliable, nondestructive indicator of cassava’s physiological responses under hypoxic conditions. Findings indicate that maintaining cooler canopies may contribute to enhanced tolerance and survival under waterlogging. ΔT can be used as a practical screening tool for identifying and selecting waterlogging-tolerant cassava genotypes. However, further studies involving contrasting cultivars and additional parameters such as leaf relative water content, and leaf anatomy are recommended to validate and strengthen reported findings.

Abstract: The rapid commercialization of next-generation photovoltaic (PV) technologies, particularly perovskite, thin-film roll-to-roll (R2R) architectures and tandem devices, necessitates the environmental performance, not only at cell or module level, but also in industrial manufacturing. Existing reviews and life cycle assessment (LCA) studies have compared device-level metrics, e.g., energy payback time and global warming potential, for silicon, cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) and perovskite technologies. Most syntheses yet remain limited to cradle-to-grave outcomes at technology level and rely heavily on aggregated inventory databases. They do not systematically compile or harmonize process-level life-cycle inventories (LCIs) for manufacturing steps that distinguish the industrial routes that include R2R coating, solution deposition, atomic layer deposition, low-temperature processing and novel encapsulation-metallization methods. These LCIs assess essentially how environmental impacts evolve across scale-up stages (lab-pilot-industrial), evaluating trade-offs in manufacturing, recyclability and critical material recovery, simultaneously providing standardized LCI templates for future studies. Motivated by gaps in inventory detail and methodological quince for emergent PV processes, this review: (1) compiles and critically analyses process-level LCIs for innovative PV manufacturing routes; (2) quantifies sensitivity to scale, yield, and energy mix; (3) proposes standardized methodological rules and open-access LCI templates to improve comparability, reproducibility, and techno-environmental modelling.

Abstract: Biochar is recognized for its ability to improve soil chemical, physical, and biological properties, thereby enhancing crop productivity. However, the effects of biochar on photosynthetic and transpiration traits in rice crop–soil systems, particularly through the lens of on-site data subjected to Box–Cox transformation, remain insufficiently explored. To address this, a two-factor randomized block design experiment was conducted using the rice cultivar Nanjiang 9108 at the Agricultural Meteorology Experimental Station of Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology over the 2022–2023 growing seasons. This study investigated changes in leaf photosynthetic and transpiration parameters under combined applications of biochar (0, 15, and 30 t/ha) and nitrogen fertilizer (0, 180, 225, and 300 kg/ha). Application of the Box–Cox transformation substantially improved data normality and variance homogeneity, enabling the development of a robust predictive model linking net photosynthetic rate to environmental factors. A two-way ANOVA further revealed that both the high nitrogen (300 kg/ha) with high biochar (30 t/ha) treatment and the conventional nitrogen (225 kg/ha) with moderate biochar (15 t/ha) treatment significantly enhanced rice photosynthetic and transpiration performance. Of particular note, the N225B15 treatment effectively balancing yield objectives with ecological considerations, which is recommended as an optimal fertilization strategy for sustainable rice production. These results underscore the synergistic role of moderate biochar and nitrogen inputs in improving key physiological traits of rice, supporting higher crop yields.

Abstract: China’s urban development is shifting from extensive expansion to intensive improvement, making the identification of inefficient stock land essential for sustainable urban renewal. Yet, existing approaches are often limited by incomplete data sources and low spatial precision. To address these issues, this study proposes a scalable framework that integrates multi-source big data, including land-use surveys, socioeconomic statistics, spatiotemporal trajectories, and ecological metrics. Using Shenzhen as a case study, we developed a multidimensional evaluation system across social, economic, and ecological dimensions, comprising eight specific indicators. Indicator weights were objectively determined using the entropy weight method, and GIS-based spatial analysis (mean-standardization and Moran’s I) was applied to characterize spatial patterns. Results identify 65.37 km² of inefficient land—about 7% of Shenzhen’s construction land in 2019—exhibiting an “edge aggregation and corridor extension” pattern, mainly distributed along urban–rural fringes and administrative boundaries. The spatial configuration is shaped by historical development, ecological constraints, and the city’s spatial structure. This study provides an objective and replicable framework for the precise identification of inefficient land, supporting data-driven urban renewal and spatial governance in high-density cities.

Abstract: Bangladesh's textile sector, a major producer of knitwear, faces growing economic and environmental challenges due to its heavy reliance on chemicals and water. This study investigates chemical consumption during three key wet processing stages—pretreatment, dyeing, and finishing—across 15 knit factories processing cotton, polycotton, and polyester fabrics. The findings reveal significant variability in chemical usage among factories, with no consistent trends in quantity used. In some cases, the highest usage levels were several times greater than the lowest, highlighting inconsistency. These differences may be influenced by fabric type, variation in chemical types and grades, water quality, machinery condition, operational practices, buyer requirements, and the lack of standardized processes or sustainability strategies. Additionally, a persistent adherence to legacy practices and limited monitoring contribute to inefficiencies. The study underscores the pressing need for unified chemical management practices, process optimization, and transparent reporting to improve environmental outcomes. Policymakers and industry stakeholders can use these insights to promote more sustainable production practices within the textile sector. Establishing clear benchmarks for chemical use and encouraging continuous improvement efforts will be crucial in addressing the sector's environmental footprint. This research contributes to the limited body of data-driven analysis on chemical use in the knitwear industry of Bangladesh and provides actionable guidance for fostering sustainability in textile wet process.

Abstract: The first significant discovery of oil on the Norwegian Continental Shelf was the Ekofisk field discovered in 1970. The drilling was done in 77 m water depth at a location in the Mid-North Sea about 250 km from the southern coast of Norway. As there were no previous Norwegian onshore facilities for landing the oil on the Norwegian coast, an export pipeline was built from Ekofisk to Emden, in Germany. However, over the 55 years since then, there have been several hundred oil and gas discoveries made in the three seas hugging the Norwegian coastline, e.g., the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and the Barents Sea. During the first developments, like Statfjord, Gullfaks, and Heidrun there was a very steep learning curve within many disciplines, such as survey and mapping, feature interpretation and seafloor process knowledge. Therefore, numerous research and development projects (such as the ‘Statfjord Transportation System Project’ STSP) were performed before infrastructure and facility development could be done in earnest. We had to face the fact that the seafloor was very different from the land surface in ways of active and past sedimentary processes. We were familiar with phenomena related to groundwater, but in the seafloor sediments, there were also trapped gases that could cause serious problems, immediately, or later in the lifetime of the installations. We, therefore, had to address numerous unknown aspects as they manifested themselves. Furthermore, we had to work intimately with governmental authorities to solve the challenges and to work in a transparent manner, for the sake of trustworthiness. As an example, hundreds of deep-water coral reefs were discovered from 1986 to 1990, located on the seafloor off Mid-Norway mainly because of reconnaissance mapping for the 200 km long pipeline route from Heidrun field to the coast. Any industrial activity in these areas obviously had to avoid damaging these ecosystems. It became necessary to work intimately with Norwegian biological and environmental research institutions and with the Norwegian environmental protection agency. This proved to be especially important for the Haltenpipe Development Project (HDP), where the 200 km long pipeline route would have to cross through locations with high abundances of deep-water coral reefs. All survey information, including visual inspection and sampling of sediments had to be treated with trust and transparency, for practical reasons, i.e., to prevent loss of valuable time and delayed progress.

Abstract: The global citrus processing industry generates 15–32 million tonnes of waste annual-ly, representing substantial environmental and economic burdens. However, lemon processing residues—peels, seeds, and pomace—constitute complex matrices rich in high-value compounds, amenable to cascade valorisation within circular biorefinery frameworks. This comprehensive review examines current trends in green extraction technologies for recovering bioactive compounds and functional materials from lemon waste streams. Following systematic bibliometric analysis of 847 publications span-ning 2003–2025, this work delineates the compositional heterogeneity of lemon frac-tions, quantifies typical industrial residue yields, and establishes a hierarchical framework for value-added products encompassing essential oils, pectin, polyphenols, seed oils, citric acid, industrial enzymes, α-cellulose, and nanocrystalline cellulose. Particular emphasis is placed on emerging sustainable extraction methodolo-gies—including ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, super-critical fluid extraction, and enzyme-assisted extraction—which demonstrate yield improvements of 16–112% compared to conventional approaches whilst reducing en-ergy consumption by up to 95%. Critical research gaps are identified, including frag-mented valorisation approaches, insufficient techno-economic assessment, and limited industrial implementation at commercial scales. This review establishes that integrat-ed cascade biorefineries employing sequential green extraction protocols offer eco-nomically viable pathways for transforming lemon processing waste into diversified revenue streams, thereby advancing circular economy principles within the citrus in-dustry.

Abstract: Mikania micrantha, one of the world’s most invasive alien plant species, poses a severe threat to agriculture and ecosystems in Taiwan. Conventional control methods, such as manual removal, chemical herbicides, and biological agents, face limitations including high labor demand, environmental risks, and uncertain effectiveness. This study aims to design and evaluate an IoT-based smart weed control system that enhances control efficiency while reducing labor and environmental impacts. The research follows the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology to iteratively develop the system through conceptual design, prototype development, and field testing. A Control Efficiency Index (CEI) was established to quantitatively assess weed suppression performance. In addition, user feedback was collected using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) was conducted to evaluate economic feasibility. Field experiments in orchards in Miaoli, Taiwan, demonstrated that the system operated reliably, achieving a CEI 87% and reducing manual labor costs by approximately 33%. The TAM survey indicated high user acceptance, with perceived usefulness and behavioral intention both exceeding 4.0 on a five-point Likert scale. The CBA results revealed a payback period of about 1.67 years, with the annual benefit-cost ratio (BCR) rising to 1.6 from the second year onward, highlighting the system’s long-term economic value. Overall, the proposed IoT-based weed control system effectively mitigates the spread of M. micrantha, reduces reliance on manual labor and chemical herbicides, and demonstrates practical and economic viability. This research not only provides a novel solution for invasive species management but also contributes empirical evidence to the advancement of sustainable smart agriculture.

Abstract: Presence of pathogenic viruses in wastewater pose a potential threat to public health. Conventional treatment methods often yield moderate viral reduction and toxic byproducts, whereas advanced technologies are underutilised due to their high cost and energy demands. Antiviral phytoremediation emerges as an affordable, eco-friendly and sustainable approach for removing viruses. However, recent bibliometric analysis on wastewater treatment methods from 1976–2025 revealed that only ~0.4% of total literature (~23,000) was related to antiviral phytoremediation suggesting critical knowledge gaps persist. This critical review provides insights into viral removal mechanisms, recent advancements, practical applications, and challenges and opportunities. Antiviral phytoremediation offers a promising multilayer of viral removal mechanisms (i.e., sorption/filtration, rhizosphere-mediated inactivation, internalization, and intracellular degradation mechanisms). Hybrid systems integrating constructed wetlands (CWs) with complementary technologies could achieve high removal efficiencies (i.e., ∼3.0–7 log₁₀ reductions) compared to standalone CWs (i.e., ∼1–3 log₁₀). Although phytoremediation efficiency is moderate for viruses (i.e., ∼45–84%) relative to heavy metal removal (i.e., ∼70–100%), emerging technologies (i.e., CRISPR gene editing, engineered microconsortia, and biosensors) offer promise for enhancement, which is still at proof-of-concept levels. Hybrid antiviral phytoremediation approaches provide sustainable infrastructure supporting public health, climate adaptation, and pandemic preparedness.

Abstract: In this study, a Support Vector Machine (SVM)-based model was developed to predict the Rate of Penetration (ROP) during tunnel excavation. The model demonstrated high accu-racy and stability on both training and testing datasets, with performance metrics indica-ting its reliability (R² = 0.9583–0.9664, NSE = 0.9164–0.9292, MAE = 0.095–0.0968). To en-hance predictive performance, three systematic hyperparameter optimization strate-gies—Grid Search, Random Search, and Bayesian Optimization—were employed. Notably, Bayesian Optimization achieved high accuracy and computational efficiency with fewer evaluations, leveraging a probabilistic search framework and Gaussian Process-based modeling. Unlike previous studies in the literature, the dataset and input parameters used in this work exhibit greater diversity, and the effect of hyperparameter optimization on model performance was analyzed in detail. The results demonstrate that careful hyperparameter tuning can ensure strong generalization even under limited data conditions. This study provides significant methodological contributions to TBM performance prediction and ge-otechnical engineering applications.

Abstract: The arsenic sandstone region constitutes one of the most severe soil erosion hotspots in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, China, where the soil and water conservation capacity is continuously deteriorating and landscape fragmentation is intensifying. Green infrastructure (GI), as a network system of green spaces, can effectively mitigate soil erosion and optimize regional landscape patterns. Based on land-use change data from 2003 to 2023, this study integrated Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA), landscape index method, and Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model to identify and analyze GI in the pisha sandstone region. The results revealed that: 1) The characteristics of land use type conversion exhibited distinct phased differences between 2003 and 2023. Prior to 2013, farmland was the primary outflow type, accompanied by a reduction in unused land and an expansion of forest land, water bodies, impervious surface, and grassland. After 2013, grassland became the dominant outflow type, with a decrease in water bodies and an increase in farmland, forest land, impervious surface, and unused land. 2) From 2003 to 2023, the total area of GI in the study region showed a trend of initial increase followed by decrease, maintaining a proportion between 84.66% and 87.70%. Spatially, it presented a pattern of aggregation in the northwest and sparseness in the southeast. 3) During the study period, the number of ecological source sites decreased from 20 to 14, the number of general ecological corridors reduced from 152 to 75, and the number of important ecological corridors declined from 38 to 16. 4) The network closure index (α index) decreased from 0.54 to 0.13, the line-point ratio (β index) dropped from 1.90 to 1.14, and the network connectivity index (γ index) fell from 0.70 to 0.44. The GI network structure exhibited a fragmented pattern characterized by local concentration and overall sparseness. This study focuses on the spatiotemporal evolution and pattern characteristics of GI in the special landform of pisha sandstone, providing a theoretical basis for territorial spatial planning, soil erosion control, and human habitat improvement in this region. It also offers new insights for research on ecological security and human habitat quality in special landform areas globally.

Abstract: Botanical gardens in Ethiopia function as vital socio-ecological systems supporting biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage, environmental education, and climate resilience. This study conducts a multi-dimensional evaluation of three major botanical gardens Gullele (GUBG), Shashemene (SHBG), and Dilla University (DUBEG) using mixed methods involving 300 stakeholder surveys, 15 interviews, and field observations. Six performance domains were assessed: governance, research, education, infrastructure, health and well-being, and cultural integration. Quantitative results indicate that Gullele achieved the highest performance score (mean 4.08), attributed to effective governance and strong infrastructure. Shashemene performed best in cultural integration, while Dilla University excelled in research. Logistic regression highlighted governance and infrastructure as key predictors of institutional success. Qualitative analysis revealed persistent challenges, including fragmented mandates, unstable funding, low community participation, and infrastructural deficits limiting long-term sustainability. Despite these barriers, Ethiopian botanical gardens show substantial potential to advance the nation’s Climate-Resilient Green Economy and Sustainable Development Goals. Strengthening coordinated governance, diversifying funding sources, and promoting local knowledge systems are essential for improving institutional resilience. Enhancing these gardens’ capacities will reinforce their contributions to sustainable land management, biodiversity protection, climate adaptation, and public well-being within Ethiopia’s diverse ecological and cultural landscapes.

Abstract: The food system plays a crucial role in tackling global challenges such as health and well-being, environmental sustainability, and social equity. This article examines the intersection of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and circular economy principles within food system, proposing a framework for fostering more resilient and equitable food systems. The study specifically focuses on an international perspective to ensure clarity regarding its application context. Traditional food practices rooted in ecological balance have been increasingly disrupted by industrialisation and globalisation, leading to resource-intensive production, food waste, and social inequalities. By integrating CSR practices—such as ethical sourcing, corporate responsibility, fair labour standards, and environmental stewardship—with circular economy strategies that minimise waste and regenerate natural resources, the food system can contribute effectively to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, this study highlights the significance of preserving culinary heritage, promoting biodiversity, and fostering cultural diversity while adopting innovative approaches to enhance sustainability and support consumers’ efforts to improve their eating habits. Through the implementation of the Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI) and multi-stakeholder collaboration, the food system can reposition itself as a key driver of sustainable development. This comprehensive framework ensures a balance between tradition, innovation, and responsible decision-making in contemporary food systems, with particular attention to social, economic, and psychological dimensions.