Cleaner technologies for sustainable development

Anthropogenic influence on global warming is now undeniably proven scientific fact. Ever-increasing efforts directed towards cleaner technologies are needed given the fact that COVID-19 caused disturbances in supply chains, and a record increase natural gas prices led to coal power production revitalization, nuclear renaissance overall hampering of energy transition. Cleaner becoming increasingly important our path sustainable development. Present work builds contributions from this special issue dedicated four Sustainable Development Energy, Water Environment Systems Conferences held 2020 by emphasizing role detecting research trends. By dissecting recent examples environmental systems, water systems industrial processes, circular economy principles obeyed through application technologies, where material loops closed cross-sectoral integration. Digitalization advanced control concepts expected accelerate integration under smart paradigm. As technology for decarbonization maturing compatible with market, focus placed more social dimension sustainability.