Integrating energy justice principles in waste-to-energy conversion: A multi-criteria decision framework for sustainable urban waste management

The increasing global challenges of waste management and energy shortages have necessitated the exploration of innovative solutions that not only address environmental concerns but also promote social equity in energy production. Rapid urbanization and increasing energy demands have intensified the...

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Main Authors: Abbas Shekari, Davood shishebori, Ahmad Sadegheih, Zahra Alidoosti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Sustainable Futures
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825007385
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author Abbas Shekari
Davood shishebori
Ahmad Sadegheih
Zahra Alidoosti
author_facet Abbas Shekari
Davood shishebori
Ahmad Sadegheih
Zahra Alidoosti
author_sort Abbas Shekari
collection DOAJ
description The increasing global challenges of waste management and energy shortages have necessitated the exploration of innovative solutions that not only address environmental concerns but also promote social equity in energy production. Rapid urbanization and increasing energy demands have intensified the need for sustainable waste management strategies that can also contribute to equitable energy transitions. Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies offer a promising pathway by addressing both environmental burdens and energy shortages. This study investigates the integration of energy justice principles into the evaluation and selection of optimal WtE technologies. A comprehensive multi-criteria decision-making framework is developed using the Best-Worst Method (BWM) to assess six WtE alternatives: anaerobic digestion, gasification, incineration, pyrolysis, fermentation, and landfill with gas extraction. The framework evaluates social, environmental, and economic dimensions of energy justice through 16 specific indicators. Results show that anaerobic digestion ranks highest in terms of sustainability and justice, while landfill gas extraction is the least favorable. This study highlights the importance of aligning WtE strategies with energy justice principles to ensure fair distribution of benefits and burdens. The findings offer practical insights for urban policymakers and contribute to more inclusive and sustainable energy planning.
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publishDate 2025-12-01
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series Sustainable Futures
spelling doaj-art-5d72394b947141bd939ccc40a4e51c972025-08-23T04:49:12ZengElsevierSustainable Futures2666-18882025-12-011010117510.1016/j.sftr.2025.101175Integrating energy justice principles in waste-to-energy conversion: A multi-criteria decision framework for sustainable urban waste managementAbbas Shekari0Davood shishebori1Ahmad Sadegheih2Zahra Alidoosti3Industrial Engineering Department, Yazd university, Yazd, IranIndustrial Engineering Department, Yazd university, Yazd, Iran; Corresponding author.Industrial Engineering Department, Yazd university, Yazd, IranIndustrial Engineering Department, Yazd university, Yazd, Iran; National Institute for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, Tehran, IranThe increasing global challenges of waste management and energy shortages have necessitated the exploration of innovative solutions that not only address environmental concerns but also promote social equity in energy production. Rapid urbanization and increasing energy demands have intensified the need for sustainable waste management strategies that can also contribute to equitable energy transitions. Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies offer a promising pathway by addressing both environmental burdens and energy shortages. This study investigates the integration of energy justice principles into the evaluation and selection of optimal WtE technologies. A comprehensive multi-criteria decision-making framework is developed using the Best-Worst Method (BWM) to assess six WtE alternatives: anaerobic digestion, gasification, incineration, pyrolysis, fermentation, and landfill with gas extraction. The framework evaluates social, environmental, and economic dimensions of energy justice through 16 specific indicators. Results show that anaerobic digestion ranks highest in terms of sustainability and justice, while landfill gas extraction is the least favorable. This study highlights the importance of aligning WtE strategies with energy justice principles to ensure fair distribution of benefits and burdens. The findings offer practical insights for urban policymakers and contribute to more inclusive and sustainable energy planning.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825007385Waste-to-energyEnergy justiceBest-worst methodUrban waste managementSustainabilityRenewable Energy
spellingShingle Abbas Shekari
Davood shishebori
Ahmad Sadegheih
Zahra Alidoosti
Integrating energy justice principles in waste-to-energy conversion: A multi-criteria decision framework for sustainable urban waste management
Sustainable Futures
Waste-to-energy
Energy justice
Best-worst method
Urban waste management
Sustainability
Renewable Energy
title Integrating energy justice principles in waste-to-energy conversion: A multi-criteria decision framework for sustainable urban waste management
title_full Integrating energy justice principles in waste-to-energy conversion: A multi-criteria decision framework for sustainable urban waste management
title_fullStr Integrating energy justice principles in waste-to-energy conversion: A multi-criteria decision framework for sustainable urban waste management
title_full_unstemmed Integrating energy justice principles in waste-to-energy conversion: A multi-criteria decision framework for sustainable urban waste management
title_short Integrating energy justice principles in waste-to-energy conversion: A multi-criteria decision framework for sustainable urban waste management
title_sort integrating energy justice principles in waste to energy conversion a multi criteria decision framework for sustainable urban waste management
topic Waste-to-energy
Energy justice
Best-worst method
Urban waste management
Sustainability
Renewable Energy
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825007385
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