Sustainable development encompasses numerous development goals and strategies, with green buildings (GBs) being among the implementations of this concept. The development of GBs is a topic of increasing interest due to the massive development of conventional infrastructure that has the major limitation of environmental degradation, a fact also proven by the research of the scientific literature, with publications in the field enhancing in recent times. Even if strategies applying the GBs concept have many advantages, the public acceptance is not so high due to technologies that still need to be optimized, the relatively low return on investment, and the limited dissemination of information about this concept. Therefore, the manuscript provides a comprehensive assessment in a distinctive way of GBs in the context of sustainable development, clarifying notions and principles of application while integrating green materials and circular economy into the general scientific framework provided. Moreover, a score has been proposed which is assigned to the different types of buildings described, based on the assessment of several specific parameters. This paper provides stakeholders, from designers to occupiers, with a coherent overview of the GB concept and its beneficial role for future generations in order to develop this field by increasing the dissemination of scientific information based on a technical-engineering perspective.

This paper navigates the critical role of hydrogen in catalyzing a sustainable energy transformation. This review delves into hydrogen production methodologies, spotlighting green and blue hydrogen as pivotal for future energy systems because of their potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through a comprehensive literature review and a bibliometric analysis, this study underscores the importance of technological advancements, policy support, and market incentives in promoting hydrogen as a key energy vector. It also explores the necessity of expanding renewable energy sources and international cooperation to secure a sustainable, low-carbon future. The analysis highlights the importance of scalable and cost-effective hydrogen production methods, such as solar-thermochemical and photo-electrochemical processes, and addresses the challenges posed by resource availability and geopolitical factors in establishing a hydrogen economy. This paper serves as a guide for policy and innovation toward achieving global sustainability goals, illustrating the essential role of hydrogen in the energy transition.

Technology transfer (TT) is a mechanism designed to accurately make knowledge, innovations, and advancements available to the general population. TT is conducted through scientific papers, educational and governmental initiatives, and the commercialization of technology. The TT process per se is complex, involving many stakeholders and factors that can impact implementation. Feasibility studies are needed to assess the types of technology that can be transferred, the economic options to be chosen, and to stimulate the receptive part, making understandable the whole transfer flow. Furthermore, TT involves a dynamic mechanism that has advanced with the development of technology, with different linear, non-linear, and alternative models being proposed and scientifically validated, and with the possibility of addressing different perceptions of the factors involved. The international TT level, as well as the level of innovation in the economic context, differs from nation to nation. The need for this paper is based on the lack of a comprehensive detailed presentation of the TT infrastructural concept, approached in a novel and in-depth way by assessing international TT, technology flow, technology distribution and expansion, collaborative networks, TT centers and TT models, regional operational programs etc., all of which are related to national/international legislation and sustainable development. The deficit of representation and implementation of this concept in Romania was also covered, the assessment providing the current status and suggesting the need to develop and optimize the implementation of TT in this country.

In the quest for sustainable and energy-efficient building solutions, the incorporation of phase change materials (PCMs) into building envelopes emerges as a groundbreaking strategy. PCMs, renowned for storing and releasing thermal energy during phase transitions, stand as a promising avenue to curtail energy consumption while enhancing thermal performance. This study rigorously explores the potential energy savings and thermal comfort benefits achievable through PCM integration into building envelopes. Multiple energy simulations are conducted on a residential building model in diverse locations, including Irbid, Amman, and Aqaba in Jordan, and the city of Oradea in Romania, utilizing the EnergyPlus simulation tool embedded in DesignBuilder software v7.0.2.006. The results reveal that BioPCM^®, derived from renewable biomass, significantly elevates thermal performance owing to its heightened latent heat of fusion. Optimal outcomes materialize with a PCM melting point of 23 °C, a configuration closer to the interior surface, and a thickness of 37.1 mm. The study underscores the superior performance in moderate climates (Irbid and Amman) compared to hot-dry climates (Aqaba) and cold-wet climates (Oradea, Romania). Financially and environmentally, incorporating PCM in Amman demonstrates potential annual energy savings of 5476.14 kWh, translating to a cost reduction of 1150 USD/year, and a decrease in GHG emissions by 2382.31 kgCO₂eq. The estimated payback period for PCM incorporation in external walls is four years, robustly emphasizing the feasibility and multifaceted benefits of this energy-efficient solution.

This paper aims to present a comprehensive review of the literature on the definition and development of the concepts of heritage and sustainability. The harmful effects of various pollutants on the materials widely used in the construction of monuments/buildings, which are part of the national and international cultural heritage, are also highlighted. In addition, the paper draws attention to modern techniques for investigating the composition and diagnosis of the alteration of buildings materials with the focus on stone, limestone, and mortars/concrete. The present research also emphasizes that in the case of heritage buildings, different skills are needed not only related to heritage conservation and rehabilitation, but also skills related to heritage planning processes, and to sustainable constructions. For exemplification, the manuscript proposes specific conservation principles based on the case of Brasov city, located in the heart of Romania and being par excellence a medieval town with representative buildings for that period.

Housing is an essential component of the living environment, and it has a substantial effect on physical and mental well-being. Multiple housing factors, including inadequate ventilation, overcrowding, construction materials, and exposure to allergens and pollutants, have been linked to a variety of diseases, such as respiratory ailments and dermatologic, rheumatologic, and cardiovascular disorders. The present narrative review shows the current state of knowledge in the field by centralizing and evaluating scientific publications with a focus on this linkage, detailing the implications for health status and the benefits of using natural materials in construction, implementing green building concepts, and applying technological transfer, where various decision factors can contribute to improving quality of life. Therefore, it is achievable to enhance the indoor air quality (IAQ) by promoting ventilation and air filtration, decreasing mold and moisture, and employing low-emitting materials in building construction and development. Overall, promoting healthy housing environments through an enhanced IAQ and using sustainable building practices can have a substantial positive effect on public health. To reduce the risk of housing-related diseases, future research should concentrate on identifying the most effective interventions to improve the living environment–health condition axis.