Purpose: The purpose of this research is to analyse the development and implementation of waste-to-energy (WtE) power plants as a strategy to manage municipal solid waste (MSW) in Indonesia. It aims to identify key determinants for the successful adoption of WtE technology in developing countries, focusing on the Benowo WtE power plant, Indonesia’s first large-scale WtE project. Design/methodology/approach: This study reviews the development of the Benowo WtE power plant, examining political, regulatory and financial factors influencing its implementation. It analyses the roles of national and local government institutions, highlighting critical elements for the successful deployment of WtE projects in a developing country context. Findings: The review shows that the success of WtE projects in Indonesia is significantly influenced by strong local government commitment, supported by political, financial and regulatory backing from the national government. The Benowo WtE power plant’s development demonstrates that with adequate support, WtE can be a viable solution for managing MSW and generating energy in developing countries. The study also identifies barriers to broader WtE adoption in similar contexts. Research limitations/implications: The study is limited to 12 WtE projects in Indonesia, with in-depth analysis focused on a single case, potentially overlooking challenges and opportunities in other regions. Furthermore, the study does not include an economic analysis, such as a feasibility assessment. Future research could expand to multiple WtE projects and incorporate primary data collection to provide more comprehensive findings, including feasibility studies of each project. Practical implications: The findings provide practical guidance for policymakers and stakeholders in developing countries, identifying critical areas for successful WtE deployment and offering a blueprint based on the Benowo WtE power plant. Social implications: Implementing WtE projects can improve waste management, reduce pollution, enhance public health, create jobs and stimulate local economies. The study underscores the importance of government and community collaboration in addressing environmental challenges and fostering shared responsibility. Originality/value: This research offers novel insights into WtE technology development in a developing country, specifically focusing on Indonesia’s first large-scale WtE power plant. By analysing the Benowo WtE power plant, the study provides valuable lessons and strategies for other developing nations aiming to adopt WtE solutions for MSW management, emphasising the critical role of government support.

The UK’s net-zero by 2050 commitment necessitates urgent housing sector decarbonisation, as residential buildings contribute approximately 17% of national emissions. Post-1950 construction prioritised speed over efficiency, creating energy-deficient housing stock that challenges climate objectives. Current retrofit policies focus primarily on technological solutions—insulation and heating upgrades—while neglecting broader sustainability considerations. This research advocates systematically integrating Circular Economy (CE) principles into residential retrofit practices. CE approaches emphasise material circularity, waste minimisation, adaptive design, and a lifecycle assessment, delivering superior environmental and economic outcomes compared to conventional methods. The investigation employs mixed-methods research combining a systematic literature analysis, policy review, stakeholder engagement, and a retrofit implementation evaluation across diverse UK contexts. Key barriers identified include regulatory constraints, workforce capability gaps, and supply chain fragmentation, alongside critical transition enablers. An evidence-based decision-making framework emerges from this analysis, aligning retrofit interventions with CE principles. This framework guides policymakers, industry professionals, and researchers in the development of strategies that simultaneously improve energy-efficiency, maximise material reuse, reduce embodied emissions, and enhance environmental and economic sustainability. The findings advance a holistic, systems-oriented approach, positioning housing as a pivotal catalyst in the UK’s transition toward a circular, low-carbon built environment, moving beyond isolated technological fixes toward a comprehensive sustainability transformation.

The profound tension between immediate economic survival and long-term ecological preservation defines the complex sustainability landscape of small-scale gold mining in North Central Nigeria. This study interrogates the critical bottlenecks and structural impediments hindering the sector’s transition from a small-scale survivalist activity into a robust driver of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By analysing contemporary field practices and localized contextual factors embedded within this ancient socio-cultural activity, the research unpacks the multifaceted barriers to sustainability across economic constraints, social dynamics, and environmental degradation. Utilizing a rigorous, “deep-dive systematic methodology,” an initial database of 197,391 articles was screened through a systematic funnelling process and targeted manual selection. This interdisciplinary analysis synthesizes the “three-pillar constraints” that obstruct the meaningful integration of the Sustainable Development Goals within the Nigerian small-scale gold mining sector. The findings offer actionable, evidence-based insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and local communities, emphasizing the necessity of tailored regulatory frameworks and collaborative governance models. Ultimately, this research bridges the gap between global sustainability targets and regional survivalist realities. It concludes by developing an original conceptual matrix of Parameters Recommended for Policy Optimisation, providing a strategic blueprint to dismantle structural barriers and advance sustainable development outcomes. Document Type: Review Cited as: Ogan, D.D., Moses, T., Yenneti, K. Small-scale gold mining: Bottlenecks and structural impediments for realising the SDGs. Sustainable Earth Resources Communications, 2026, 2(2): 66-79. https://doi.org/10.46690/serc.2026.02.02

The global imperative to decarbonise has catalysed an unprecedented demand for “critical minerals,” positioning the energy transition as a cornerstone of modern industrial policy.