Topic: Towards Green and Low-carbon Wastewater Treatment Plants

Wastewater treatment plants, as essential infrastructures, face an urgent need for a paradigm shift from energy-intensive processes with high carbon footprints to green and low-carbon pathways. There is a pressing need to develop energy-positive and carbon-neutral technologies that ensure high-quality effluent while recovering valuable resources such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus from wastewater and sludge. Additionally, effective strategies are required to monitor, manage, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Emerging contaminants and nanoplastics further complicate wastewater treatment and sludge disposal, adding new challenges towards greener, lo-carbon wastewater treatment plants. Addressing these issues requires integrated approaches that control conventional pollutants while minimizing risks from emerging contaminants. Innovations in theories, technologies, and management strategies are crucial for achieving these goals. To contribute to this evolving field, a Special Issue ‘Towards green and low-carbon wastewater treatment plants' in the journal Water Emerging Contaminants & Nanoplastics is launched. Our aim is to showcase the latest scientific and technological advancements in the field. We welcome high-quality original articles, reviews, short communications, and case studies addressing these pressing issues.

Green and low-carbon wastewater treatment plants, wastewater treatment, resources and energy recovery, greenhouse gas emission mitigation, emerging contaminants and nanoplastics

15 Oct 2025