Climate change, driven by human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, poses a critical threat to the planet, prompting countries worldwide to pledge carbon neutrality by the mid-century. This literature review identifies and analyzes strategies and technologies for achieving carbon neutrality across various sectors and regions. The study aims to determine the research focus across sectors, highlighting the well-studied sectors while identifying critical gaps in other sectors, offering policymakers and researchers a clearer understanding of which sectors need more attention and investment to achieve carbon neutrality goals. Through employing a systematic literature review approach, PRISMA 2020, 113 articles published between 2019 and 2023 were analyzed using content and bibliometric analysis. The results of the content analysis show that the energy sector is the most extensively studied, with a focus on the integration of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and carbon capture technologies. Furthermore, results showed promising developments in energy-efficient electrification methods, and circular economy principles can be seen in the building, transportation, and industrial sectors. On the other hand, while having a large potential for sequestering carbon, the agriculture and forestry sectors are still understudied. As for the bibliometric analysis, this study reveals the complex interplay between technological innovation, sectoral strategies, and policy intervention in achieving carbon neutrality. It highlights the need for integrated, interdisciplinary approaches that consider interactions between technological, economic, social, and environmental factors. The analysis also emphasizes the importance of lifecycle assessment, economic complexity, and investments in shaping effective carbon neutrality strategies. As such, future research should address the identified gaps, particularly in agriculture and forestry, and develop more comprehensive models for the transition to carbon neutrality that incorporate both technological solutions and broader socio-economic considerations.

The world has faced pandemics throughout its history. The most recent, COVID-19, took lives and disrupted healthcare and economies. COVID-19 vaccine programs were launched worldwide; however, the record time in which vaccines were developed raises questions about side effects and their severity. Also, as vaccines are delicate medical products, their cold supply chain must be continuously tracked and monitored to ensure their efficacy. Moreover, vaccine supply chain management is complex and requires trained staff to handle its different activities. As such, it is important to connect beneficiaries’ symptoms and registration systems with the vaccine supply chain to enable healthcare authorities to investigate whether observed side effects may be linked to cold chain handling conditions or production factors. Consequently, the need arises for a system that manages trained personnel certificate generation, which could also be used as a verification tool for employing the right experts for the right job. Therefore, our study developed a blockchain platform that integrates individuals’ registration and side effect data with vaccine cold supply chain information. The developed platform also includes a certification system for cold supply chain personnel training to support authenticated certificate generation and role assignment management. Blockchain was selected due to its features of security, decentralization, traceability, and trust. The key contributions of this work lie in providing a digital collaborative management and data tracing platform for vaccine side effects that are linked to beneficiaries’ registration and cold supply chain data to enable healthcare authorities to investigate whether any observed side effects may be linked to cold chain handling conditions or production factors while managing the issuance of certificates for trained cold supply chain personnel and controlling their employment in the correct chain(s). Our platform creates training certificate IDs without a central entity to regulate certificate generation and uses the created certificate information to control the employment of personnel with the appropriate training in the right chain to perform the right role. Our platform identified personnel employed in any chain where violations were recorded and side effects were subsequently reported, and presents their training and employment data, providing the interconnected data record necessary for accountability. The platform was tested successfully, producing the desired outcome of secure, traceable, and transparent vaccine data sharing, linking, and verification.

The fashion industry represents a dynamic expression of cultural diversity and plays a crucial role in national economic health. This research designs strategic management guidance for BANU, a sustainable clothing startup in Senegal aimed at empowering local families to improve their lifestyles. Utilizing an exploratory research strategy, the study develops a comprehensive strategic plan for BANU as a natural textile dyes company, examining factors influencing its development at the macro, micro, and organization layers to identify key strategic issues and strategic options as a comprehensive strategic management plan for BANU to grow. A multifaceted strategic approach is recommended, including tailored operational strategies aligned with local traditions, sustainability, and customer engagement. Collaborations with local businesses, suppliers, and educational institutions are advised to strengthen BANU’s market presence. Additionally, differentiation through unique natural dye clothing and partnerships are encouraged. As BANU evolves, a shift towards corporate strategy, diversification, and international market expansion is suggested to enhance strategic management and ensure sustainable growth.