The living lab (LL) concept has a significant potential to drive sustainable development, particularly in the bioeconomy sector, by assisting communities in improving their quality of life whilst also considering the environmental impact. In this context, the main research question was the following: is there any specific mechanism through which living labs operate under the sustainable development concept? We reviewed 120 papers addressing this topic and performed a bibliometric analysis on the linkage between sustainability and living labs by applying the methodology of a systematic review. We concluded that living labs can drive innovation and experimentation in sustainability, which can be transposed into tangible solutions to economic, environmental, and social problems. The role of living labs in the transition to a bioeconomy is discussed and further research directions are presented.

The water sector is facing a convergence of systemic challenges generated by climate change, increasing demand, and increasingly stringent regulations, which threaten its operational and strategic sustainability. In this context, the article examines how ESG (environmental, social, governance) principles are integrated into the governance, financing, and management of water resources, with a comparative focus on Romania and the European Union. It aims to assess the extent to which ESG practices contribute to the sustainable transformation of the water sector in the face of growing environmental and socio-economic challenges. The methodology is based on a systematic analysis of policy documents, regulatory frameworks, and ESG standards applicable to the water sector at both national (Romania) and EU levels. This study also investigates investment strategies and their alignment with the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities, enabling a comparative perspective on implementation, gaps and strengths. Findings reveal that while ESG principles are increasingly recognized across Europe, their implementation remains uneven (particularly in Romania) due to unclear standards, limited funding mechanisms, and fragmented policy coordination. ESG integration shows clear potential to foster innovation, improve governance transparency, and support long-term resilience in the water sector. These results underline the need for coherent, integrated policies and stronger institutional coordination to ensure consistent ESG adoption across Member States. Policymakers should prioritize the development of clear guidelines and supportive funding instruments to accelerate sustainable outcomes. The originality of our study lies in its comparative approach, offering an in-depth analysis of ESG integration in the water sector across different governance contexts. It provides valuable insights for advancing policy coherence, investment alignment, and sustainable water resource management at both national and European levels.

Growing wastewater volumes and intensifying water scarcity are driving the need for affordable, sustainable solutions that enable safe urban water reuse and strengthen climate resilience. Policy frameworks such as SDG6 and EU water reuse requirements highlight that reclaimed water must meet strict environmental and public health standards. In contrast, conventional biological treatment cannot fully remove many emerging contaminants, underscoring the need for advanced treatment approaches that consistently deliver high-quality reclaimed water. In this context, this review examines the role of membrane technologies (MF, UF, NF, RO, FO) and membrane bioreactors (MBRs) in providing safe water in urban environments and in enhancing urban climate resilience, including decentralized systems and advanced reclamation needs. It also discusses the contribution of membrane-based solutions to sustainable cooling systems and heat-stress mitigation, as well as the integration of membrane technologies into green infrastructure and nature-based solutions for climate adaptation. Technical and economic performance is shaped by fouling, cleaning requirements, and energy use, making life-cycle and operational optimization critical for long-term sustainability. Case studies and EU-funded initiatives demonstrate that, with appropriate governance and design, membrane-based approaches can enable reliable reclaimed water supply, enhance water security, and contribute to circular urban water management. The analysis was based on peer-reviewed open-access publications, which may introduce a degree of selection bias.