In order to create a sustainable future for the urban environment in s=Smart cities, it is necessary to develop a concept of urban transport, partially reduce the use of traditional transport, primarily cars, as well as the environmental pressure on society, which is essential to move to a sustainable urban future. In the latest discussions on the future of the urban transport system, the quality of the environment, and the possibility of its improvement are discussed, this issue became especially relevant with the onset of the pandemic, when the lockdowns were introduced. The problem of sustainable transport in urban areas has been recognized in academic studies, searching for appropriate models and solutions. The article presents the latest literature review and illustrates the newest trends with several examples. VOS Viewer software has been used to classify the different keywords, according to their co-citation, following clustering techniques. By analyzing the research conducted by other researchers, it has been possible to structure the ecosystem and trends in the Urban Transportation Concept, also mentioning likely future trends. Based on the literature analysis of the Sustainable Urban Transport, the authors of the study found that a large group of researchers deal with technical solutions and innovative business models, while the essential behavioral aspects are examined in less detail. Extensive literature analysis allowed the authors to select several solutions to achieve the transformation towards sustainable transportation in urban areas: new vehicle technologies and their environmental factors’ analysis, geographic information systems, the analytic hierarchy process method, the time series analysis of road traffic accidents using multiplicative models, electrification and use of Friedman Analysis of Variance by Ranks, as well as innovations in sharing mobility.

Changing business models is a topical issue in a pandemic. Recent research has shown that the search for environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions in various sectors has become relevant. The article aims to promote cooperation and adaptation of good practices between countries. Comparing the country’s history and economic situation and economic development and traditions can be seen as a precondition for success. The article examines the introduction of sharing economy and the creation of environment-friendly trends establishing a circular economy by minimizing the population’s expenses, online business growth, and accessibility of Internet technologies. The article explores the difference between the linear economic model and the circular model by adopting sharing and the efficient joint use of materials to enhance and assess sustainable development. Based on a combination of theoretical and practical research, the article explores the dynamic system and development model of sharing a circular economy. The new concept of circular economy does not promote the overproduction of new goods but the rational use of already produced ones, which significantly reduces the amount of waste generated at all stages of the product life cycle. Population groups by different income groups for sharing services are analysed. An analysis of the price characteristics of popular sharing products was used from data from Internet portals. One concludes that due to the increase in Internet users, especially mobile apps, and social networks, C2C sharing has become quite popular over the past years. Other areas also show positive development indicators but have less demand, affecting supply. Based on an in-depth study of the economic situation in Ukraine, the authors have critically chosen an industry to set as an example with the actual business situation. Therefore, three packages were created: pessimistic, standard and optimistic ones with different characteristics of implementing circular economic projects. The chosen method allows rational management decisions for attracting financing and sustainable solutions. The company’s business scenarios analysed in the article will allow to choose a system based on circular economy principles successfully.

The latest studies reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed investors in developed economies to focus more on the value attached to environmental and social responsibilities. Unfortunately, socially responsible investment and compliance with environmental, social and governance criteria are not given enough priority in Latvia at present. The purpose of the study is to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the willingness of Latvians to invest in assets that meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria and factors influencing investors’ choice based on their financial literacy. Different views on sustainable investments, socially responsible investments and the relevance of environmental, social and governance criteria from private investors’ perspectives were analyzed to identify factors influencing investment decisions in favour of sustainable investments. Quantitative analysis was carried out to reveal the regularities between financial literacy, the willingness to invest to meet the ESG criteria and the level of education and income of the Latvian population, as well as their savings/investment experience. Such statistical methods as descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing were applied to perform an analysis of the results. The authors’ findings include the importance of sustainable investing to Latvian society, changes of attitude towards ESG investing in different private investors’ groups under the COVID-19 crisis, and the effects of these changes on the financial well-being of the population and, on the basis of these findings, have come to the conclusion that the willingness to invest in the assets that follow environmental, social and governance criteria depends on the level of education, savings/investment experience and income level.

Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is one of the largest contributors to global waste streams, simultaneously posing significant environmental and resource management challenges. The management of CDW, particularly its potential for energy recovery and industrial symbiosis, has garnered increasing attention as part of a circular economy approach. This comprehensive review explores global practices in CDW management, analysing theoretical developments, technological advancements, and emerging resource recovery and reuse trends. Background: CDW accounts for more than a third of all waste generated in the EU. A wide variety of materials, such as concrete, bricks, wood, glass, metals, and plastics, make it a very un-homogenous waste stream with high potential for material recovery through different approaches. Methods: This review draws on an extensive analysis of scientific literature, case studies, and industry reports to assess current practices in the CDW stream and assessment of the feasibility of energy recovery, industrial symbiosis, and object reconstruction. Results: The originality of the current research is based on a Latvian case study on CDW management that provides valuable insights into household-level practices and progress towards relevant UN SDGs. Conclusions: Various CDW streams have an undeniable potential for valorization through various approaches. Currently, the most common approach is recovery and recycling, although CDW has the potential to broaden its application within the circular economy framework. For instance, industrial symbiosis is a solution that can not only boost the valorization of CDW but also significantly increase material circularity.

Circular economy is a tool based on the inclusion of environmental, social, and governance performance (ESG) in decision-making to achieve sustainable development goals (SDG). In recent years, it has become clear that business-as-usual has nothing to do with sustainability, and alternative business models, primarily on technological grounds, must be implemented to mitigate the damage caused by significant and unpredictable effects of climate change. The current situation requires unprecedented and urgent changes to policies and business development models. The current research aimed to target on industrial symbiosis as one of the business models of the circular economy. It evaluated the benefits of symbiosis and the fostering of cooperation between industries and, consequently, has a major impact on resource efficiency ratios. The research is based on quantitative and qualitative research methods, including a literature review, assessment, and application of the triangulation method. As a result of this research, the authors realized a matrix for the development of regional or cross-country industrial symbiosis that can be used by policymakers to foster the development of symbiotic interconnections on a wide scale. The authors also recommend the development of the Baltic University Program (BUP) network center of excellence and methodological justification for industries to engage in industrial symbiosis (IS).

Energy is often described as the lifeblood of a nation’s economy, and the world energy trilemma calls for collaboration and innovative solutions at the national level. This is where Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) plays a crucial role, helping integrate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while addressing the challenges posed by the energy trilemma. Europe’s strong commitment to transitioning to sustainable energy is evident in its response to geopolitical changes and climate targets. Notably, the Baltic States have taken decisive action in response to the war in Ukraine, choosing to completely halt electricity imports from Russia and Belarus. This shift was supported by increased energy imports via interconnectors from Finland, Sweden, and Poland, with electricity imports rising to 13,053 GWh—an increase of 2.6% in 2023 compared to the previous year. Latvia, which holds the highest green energy potential in the Baltic Sea region, has nevertheless lagged behind its Baltic counterparts in terms of implementation. In 2021, Latvia ranked third among European Union (EU) countries for renewable energy share in final energy consumption, with 42.1%, significantly higher than the EU average of 21.8%. However, further progress is needed to meet Latvia’s 2030 target of 14% renewable energy use in transport. The Baltic States aim to produce 98–100% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2050. The Baltic States should be regarded as a unified energy system, with a coordinated strategy for achieving sustainable energy development through collaboration and joint planning. This analysis highlights the complexities of managing energy markets amidst global and regional challenges, emphasizing the importance of well-designed public interventions to secure long-term benefits. The study concludes with a call for enhanced interagency cooperation to reform ESD and create a new interdisciplinary sector dedicated to “Sustainable Development”.