Sustainable Development

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Libraries and Sustainable Development: How Libraries Support the Sustainable Development Goals

Modern public library interior illustrating how libraries support sustainable development through inclusive learning spaces, community engagement, and equal access to knowledge.
Modern libraries have evolved far beyond their traditional role, becoming essential institutions that support education, digital inclusion, AI literacy, and community resilience. This article explores how libraries contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals through lifelong learning, equitable access to information, and partnerships that strengthen sustainable development.
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Is the Earth Getting Hotter? New WMO Forecast Charts a Path to Unprecedented Global Warmth

Is the Earth Getting Hotter?
This comprehensive analytical review breaks down the newly released WMO Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update for 2026–2035. Presenting data from 13 leading global prediction centers, it details a critical 91% probability of temporarily breaching the 1.5°C warming threshold within the next five years. Ultimately, the analysis translates these accelerating macroeconomic climate risks into actionable strategic adaptations required by modern urban planners and renewable energy engineers.
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The Green Passport: A Comprehensive Guide to Sustainable Development Education in Europe and the UK

Sustainability career path
Abstract: As the global economy shifts toward a net-zero future, the demand for “green” expertise is outstripping academic supply. This article analyzes the educational landscape in Europe and the UK, distinguishing between specialized and integrated programs to help students build a strategic foundation for their professional future.
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The End of Ultra-Cheap Solar? What Rising Module Prices Mean for Urban Solar Energy

Urban solar modules
For more than a decade, falling solar panel prices fueled the rapid expansion of urban solar energy. Now costs may begin to rise. This article explores what a potential 20–30% increase in module prices could mean for cities, municipal budgets, and future energy planning.
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Europe Sustainable Development Report 2026: Progress, Gaps and the Regional Divide

a European city
The Europe Sustainable Development Report 2026 provides a new snapshot of how European countries are progressing toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals. While Northern Europe continues to lead the SDG Index, significant regional gaps remain, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. This brief review highlights the report’s key findings and explores what they mean for the European sustainability transition and the growing role of cities in implementing it.
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