CONTACT

Publications

The Environmental Impact of AI: Energy, Water and Land Behind the Digital Boom

Aerial view of a large data center campus beside a low-flow river, surrounded by power infrastructure and heat-stressed vegetation.
AI may seem weightless and digital, but its rapid expansion depends on increasingly resource-intensive infrastructure. Drawing on new research from UNU-INWEH and the IEA, this article looks beyond carbon emissions to explore how the AI boom is reshaping demand for energy, water and land, and why these pressures are becoming an issue for infrastructure planning.
Read MoreThe Environmental Impact of AI: Energy, Water and Land Behind the Digital Boom

Low River Levels and Urban Resilience: Europe’s Hidden Infrastructure Risk

Record-low Danube water levels expose sandbanks near a riverside power plant during the 2026 European heatwave, illustrating the link between river infrastructure and urban resilience.
Europe’s record-low river levels in the summer of 2026 disrupted far more than navigation, affecting power generation, transport, tourism and industrial supply chains. The events reveal why rivers should be viewed not only as natural landscapes but also as critical infrastructure essential to urban resilience.
Read MoreLow River Levels and Urban Resilience: Europe’s Hidden Infrastructure Risk

​Cycling Infrastructure in the Western Balkans: Why Streets Must Work for People, Not Cars

Cycling is increasingly recognised as one of the most effective investments in sustainable urban mobility, yet cities across the Western Balkans continue to struggle with car dependency and limited cycling infrastructure. In this interview, one of Serbia’s leading cycling advocates discusses the progress being made, the political and cultural barriers that remain, and why cycling infrastructure in the Western Balkans is essential for healthier, more liveable and more resilient cities.
Read More​Cycling Infrastructure in the Western Balkans: Why Streets Must Work for People, Not Cars

UN SDG Report 2026: Progress Continues, but the Window for Delivery Is Closing

UN SDG Report 2026: Progress Continues
The UN SDG Report 2026 presents a balanced assessment of global progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting significant achievements alongside growing implementation challenges. The report argues that financing, institutional capacity and trustworthy data have become the decisive factors for delivering the 2030 Agenda.
Read MoreUN SDG Report 2026: Progress Continues, but the Window for Delivery Is Closing

Urban Tree Planting: A Community Solution for Healthier Cities

urban-tree-planting-a-community-solution-for-healthier-cities
As cities become hotter and more densely populated, trees are no longer just an aesthetic feature but an essential part of urban infrastructure. This article explains why urban tree planting matters for public health, climate adaptation and community engagement, while introducing Serbia’s “Plant Your Shade” initiative.
Read MoreUrban Tree Planting: A Community Solution for Healthier Cities

AI Data Centres and the Energy Transition: How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping Energy Investment

ai-data-centres-and-the-energy-transition-
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a digital technology. It is becoming a powerful force reshaping energy investment, electricity infrastructure and regional competitiveness, creating new opportunities for the Western Balkans in the emerging AI economy.
Read MoreAI Data Centres and the Energy Transition: How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping Energy Investment

Sustainable Product Design: Beyond Material Choice

This article explores why sustainable product design is about making informed design decisions rather than simply selecting environmentally friendly materials. Through lifecycle thinking and case studies from Fairphone and IKEA, it demonstrates how design, business models, and circular strategies can reduce environmental impact while creating long-term value.
Read MoreSustainable Product Design: Beyond Material Choice
×