Cross-sectoral resilience and integration: Innovative approaches for the sustainable development of energy, water, and environmental systems

Energy systems are once again under pressure, as rising prices highlight their structural fragility and continued dependence on fossil fuel. In this context, the energy transition is no longer driven solely by climate targets, but increasingly by the need for resilience, security, and system flexibility. However, current approaches often address individual sectors without fully capturing the complexity of their interactions. In this context, the Conferences on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) have emerged as key platforms for advancing scientific knowledge and supporting the transition toward more sustainable pathways. This editorial introduces recent advances in sustainable energy research featured in the Virtual Special Issue (VSI) of Energy Reports, dedicated to the 2024 SDEWES conference. Building on recent contributions from the SDEWES community, the paper identifies key research trends that move beyond isolated technological advancements and instead emphasize cross-sectoral integration, multi-scale modelling, and data-driven decision-making. The editorial also reflects on recent trends in research presented in the framework of these conferences over the last years, with particular attention to work published in Energy Reports. Particular attention is given to the integration of renewable energy within urban and distributed systems, as well as to the development of clean energy carriers for hard-to-electrify sectors. The growing role of digital tools in optimizing system design and operation is also analyzed. Across these domains, the analysis highlights how modelling accuracy, system integration, and lifecycle thinking influence the effective implementation of the proposed solutions. Decarbonization can only be achieved through coordinated, cross-sectoral strategies aimed at resilient, cost-effective, and scalable energy systems.