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The Andean Altiplano holds the largest lithium brine reserves in the world, which are being extracted in service of the global low-carbon economy and the desire to meet the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as clean energy and climate action. To date, little is known about the effects that lithium brine mining has on the environment or which trade-offs to SDGs are associated with the extraction. This systematic literature review brings together the effects of lithium brine mining on geodiversity and their influence on SDGs. The effects on geodiversity are found to be spread across all essential geodiversity variables and influence all SDGs, except SDG 14. The changes in geodiversity have consequences for the unique biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Andean Altiplano and consequently affect the lives of indigenous communities. Independent and quantitative research is lacking and therefore monitoring and measuring are key to understanding how the natural environment in the Andean Altiplano has been changing due to lithium brine mining practices. Unsustainable management by the mining industry can potentially cause ecosystem collapse, irreversible environmental degradation, increased inequality, conflict, and the displacement of populations when resources are misused or managed poorly. However, sustainable management has the potential to mobilise human, physical, financial, and technological resources to advance the SDGs. The results emphasise how intricately connected the extraction of lithium brine, geodiversity and the SDGs are, and can be used as a guideline for global agenda making on sustainable lithium brine extraction in the Andean Altiplano. [Display omitted] • The demand for lithium is on the rise. • Lithium brine extraction affects all variables of geodiversity. • Hydrology is affected most through depletion, pollution and changing hydrodynamics. • The effects on geodiversity affect all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) except 14. • Lithium brine mining holds the potential to both impede and advance the SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A low-carbon future based on renewable energy systems is required to limit global warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century. However, economy-wide decarbonisation is projected to be highly material and energy intensive. Understanding the material-energy nexus through existing research would offer valuable insights for comprehensive resource management to achieve sustainable climate mitigation. This study provides the first systematic review of material-energy nexus literature published between 2002 and 2022, emphasising the interconnections and feedback loops between material and energy systems. The global knowledge-stock is comprehensively assessed regarding research focus, sustainability challenges, and corresponding circular economy strategies. Additionally, significant gaps in the research agenda and key policy implications for both material consuming-developed countries and producing-developing countries are proposed. Findings of this study underscore the vital role of international cooperation in managing primary and secondary material supply chains, grounded in the "common but differentiated responsibilities" principle under the Paris Agreement. Consuming-developed countries should support producing-developing countries in building renewable energy capacity, optimising energy saving technologies and measures, and adhering to high environmental standards for resources extraction and production. Meanwhile, both consuming-developed countries and producing-developing countries should take domestic mitigation measures. The former should focus on changing consumption behaviour, and the latter on increasing resource efficiency. [Display omitted] • M -E Nexus material focus moving from bulk materials to minor metals. • Demand-side energy efficiency equally important to renewable supply. • Metals co-production induce oversupply and undersupply of associated metals. • Reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture and repurpose are underrepresented. • Circular economy requires behavioural transition and economic incentives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The residential sector has been targeted as the one with a huge potential for reducing carbon emissions. In order to determine the present carbon footprint and the potential for achieving carbon neutrality, the study examines electricity consumption in average households, whose electricity is supplied by their national power grids. 31 European countries (27 EU and 4 non-EU countries) were included in this analysis. Our results indicate that the annual carbon emissions of these average households range from 0.09 to 6.44 tCO 2 e (1.36 tCO 2 e on average), depending on a country. In addition, the calculated electricity costs per tCO 2 e emission for an average household vary significantly (from 94 to 10,135 EUR/tCO 2 e).Carbon offsetting is a mechanism which enables households to achieve carbon neutrality, i.e. households can compensate for the emissions caused by their electricity consumption by purchasing voluntary carbon offsets. This study also analyses the financial implications of purchasing voluntary carbon offsets. The results indicate that voluntary carbon offsets do not burden household budgets significantly because their share in total electricity costs is small. European households, particularly those in countries where electricity is more expensive, can comfortably achieve carbon neutrality with voluntary carbon offsets. In this way, they can contribute to global sustainable development. [Display omitted] • Average carbon footprint of grid-connected household in Europe is less than 2 tCO2e. • The cost of electricity per CO2 emissions varies from 94 to 10,135 EUR/tCO2. • Voluntary carbon offset costs in electricity costs vary widely across Europe. • Carbon offsetting is a practical solution for achieving a carbon-neutral household. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal target 7.1, to provide universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy by 2030, must be achieved in the context of rapid reductions in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While replacing solid cooking fuels with liquid petroleum gas (LPG) opens questions about the compatibility of energy access and climate mitigation objectives, the environmental impact of 2.6 billion people continuing to rely on solid fuel for cooking and heating is significant. However, models used to map deep decarbonization pathways typically do not feature a granular pathway for universal clean cooking access, which limits the representation of these two interconnected transitions, mitigating climate change and achieving universal energy access. Here, we present a novel methodology for representing residential cooking pathways within the TIMES energy systems optimization model (ESOM) framework. The methodology is demonstrated using India as a proof-of-concept case study, where scenario analysis explores solutions that reach universal clean cooking access in the context of GHG emissions reductions. The model presented here is published and publicly available to access. • Sustainable Development Goal 7.1 targets universal access to clean cooking facilities by 2030. • Energy access and climate mitigation interconnection is underrepresented in energy systems modelling. • The Clean Cooking Model (CCM) represents energy access options in an energy systems optimization framework. • CCM maps cost-optimal, granular pathways to energy access and climate mitigation goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioenergy aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and contribute to meeting global climate change mitigation targets. Nevertheless, several sustainability concerns are associated with bioenergy, especially related to the impacts of using land for dedicated energy crop production. Cultivating energy crops can result in synergies or trade-offs between GHG emission reductions and other sustainability effects depending on context-specific conditions. Using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, the main synergies and trade-offs associated with land use for dedicated energy crop production were identified. Furthermore, the context-specific conditions (i.e., biomass feedstock, previous land use, climate, soil type and agricultural management) which affect those synergies and trade-offs were also identified. The most recent literature was reviewed and a pairwise comparison between GHG emission reduction (SDG 13) and other SDGs was carried out. A total of 427 observations were classified as either synergy (170), trade-off (176), or no effect (81). Most synergies with environmentally-related SDGs, such as water quality and biodiversity conservation, were observed when perennial crops were produced on arable land, pasture or marginal land in the 'cool temperate moist' climate zone and 'high activity clay' soils. Most trade-offs were related to food security and water availability. Previous land use and feedstock type are more impactful in determining synergies and trade-offs than climatic zone and soil type. This study highlights the importance of considering context-specific conditions in evaluating synergies and trade-offs and their relevance for developing appropriate policies and practices to meet worldwide demand for bioenergy in a sustainable manner. • Synergies and trade-offs between SDGs from land use for bioenergy. • Synergies are related to water quality, soil quality and biodiversity conservation. • Trade-offs are related to water availability, food security and revenue. • Previous land use and feedstock are more relevant than other context conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop residue management remains a major problem in the Indian agriculture sector. The in-situ firing of crop residues has been linked to air pollution, global warming, soil fertility decline and others. Biochar conversion through slow pyrolysis could be one of the techniques for the safe disposal of crop residues. 212.04 ± 44.27 MT biochar could be produced from 517.82 MT crop residues in India. Biochar conversion of crop residues can address agriculture production, safe drinking water, livelihood, energy security and environmental protection. Soil amendment with biochar sequestrate about 376.11 ± 78.52 MT CO 2 e carbon and help retain about 1.66 ± 0.46 MT of soil nutrients. Also, crop residues derived biochar has an estimated market value of approximately $500 billion in India. Biochar applications in the cosmetics, pharma and chemical industries offer market and employment opportunities. This review discusses the impact of in-situ crop residue burning and its biochar conversion through slow pyrolysis as part of sustainable crop residue management. Also, biochar applications and socio-economic aspects of crop residues – biochar system has been deliberated to fulfil several sustainable development goals (SDGs). [Display omitted] • Impacts of crop residues in-situ firing in India were quantified and discussed. • Biochar conversion of crop residues for its strategic management was discussed. • Impact of pyrolysis process parameters on biochar yield & properties was reviewed. • Biochar as a conventional & upcoming value-added product was comprehensively analysed. • Crop residues – biochar system for the attainment of SDGs has been mapped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]