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The article discusses the importance of incorporating climate education in business curricula and highlights the challenges faced by educators in doing so. It introduces En-ROADS, a computer simulation model developed by Climate Interactive, the MIT-Sloan Sustainability Initiative, and Ventana Systems, as a promising tool for experiential learning about climate change and the role of businesses in addressing it. The simulation allows participants to propose actions that can mitigate climate change and assess their impact on global temperatures and equity considerations. The article emphasizes the effectiveness of En-ROADS in increasing knowledge, engagement, and optimism towards climate action, and highlights its versatility and availability as open-source software. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: The study aims to evaluate the impact of climatological factors on rice yield and methane emissions in Southern Shaanxi’s rice cultivation areas, with the goal of informing effective Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) strategies. Methods: A three-year longitudinal analysis (2017-2019) was conducted, examining the correlation between rice productivity and weather conditions within the agricultural ecosystem. Data on rice yields and methane emissions were collected and analyzed to determine patterns and trends. Results: Significant correlations were identified between rice yield and weather conditions, with favorable weather for rice growth correlating with higher methane emissions. Methane emissions were particularly high during the vegetative and reproductive stages of rice growth, peaking 60 to 90 days after transplanting. Average emissions for this period were 245.2±80.1 kg CH4 ha-1 in 2017, 274.2±93.9 kg CH4 ha-1 in 2018, and 339.6±50.3 kg CH4 ha-1 in 2019. Total cumulative methane emissions over the entire rice cultivation period were 635.0±177.2 kg CH4 ha-1 in 2017, 661.2±239.2 kg CH4 ha-1 in 2018, and 679.4±205.4 kg CH4 ha-1 in 2019, with no statistically significant interannual differences. Discussion: The findings highlight the need to balance the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions for climate change mitigation with the enhancement of rice yield within CSA practices. The organic link between rice productivity and methane emissions under varying weather conditions suggests that an integrated approach to CSA is essential, considering climate adaptability, productivity, and greenhouse gas reduction. The study’s results contribute to a deeper scientific understanding of local agricultural ecosystems and provide a basis for developing management techniques for CSA. Conclusion: An integrated approach to CSA that takes into account the interplay between rice yield, methane emissions, and climatological factors is crucial for achieving sustainable agricultural practices in Southern Shaanxi. The study’s insights can guide the development of strategies that enhance both rice productivity and environmental sustainability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dry Afromontane forests play a vital role in mitigating climate change by sequestering and storing carbon, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Despite previous research highlighting the importance of carbon stocks in these ecosystems, the influence of canopy cover and environmental factors on carbon storage in dry Afromontane forests has been barely assessed. This study addresses this knowledge gap by investigating the effects of environmental factors and vegetation cover on carbon stocks in Desa'a forest, a unique and threatened Afromontane dry forest ecosystem in northern Ethiopia. Data on woody vegetation, dead litter, grass biomass, and soil samples were collected from 57 plots. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed at a 95% confidence level (α = 0.05) to examine the influence of canopy cover and environmental factors on the carbon stocks of various pools. Results: Among the 35 woody species identified, Juniperus procera was the most dominant, while Carissa edulis Vahl and Eucalyptus globulus were the least dominant. The average total carbon stock was 92.89 Mg ha−1, with contributions from aboveground carbon, below-ground carbon, litter carbon, grass carbon, and soil organic carbon. Among the carbon pools, soil organic carbon had the highest carbon stock, accounting for 76.8% of the total, followed by above-ground biomass carbon at 17.7%. Significant variations in carbon stocks were found across altitude class and canopy level but not slope and aspect factors. Conclusions: In summary, altitude and canopy level were found to significantly influence carbon stocks in Desa'a forest, providing valuable insights for conservation and climate change mitigation efforts in dry Afromontane forests. Forest intervention planning and management strategies should consider the influence of different environmental variables and tree canopy levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-carbon food consumption is defined as the selection of a diet that is done by people that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to excessive energy use. Greenhouse gases are the main cause of climate change. Thus, it is needed mitigation for climate change through education to make changes in mindset and habits. This study aims to investigate students' sustainability consciousness through low-carbon food consumption by using simple calculation applications. The research used is a research and development method with 53 pre-service teachers. The data collections are analyzed by simple calculation percentages. The results describe that the sustainability consciousness of preservice teachers has already in excellent results either in sustainability knowingness, sustainability attitude, and sustainability consciousness through low-carbon food consumption learning topics using simple calculation applications. it can be interpreted that learning the topic of low-carbon food consumption can lead pre-service teachers to make a change in their lifestyle starting from choosing the menu of their plates to reduce greenhouse gases indirectly as climate change mitigations. It can be concluded that low-carbon food consumption could promote preservice teachers' sustainable consciousness. This study also supports strategies facing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the potential health benefits of climate change mitigation action. Carbon Reduction Benefits on Health tool and the MARket ALlocation model are used to evaluate the health co-benefits of the proposed energy sector policies and measures in North Macedonia's enhanced nationally determined contribution. The study hypothesises that implementing these policies and measures will reduce morbidity and mortality due to air pollution by 2030. The results indicate 629 prevented bronchitis cases, 2,788 fewer asthma symptom days among children, and 143 preventable deaths, leading to considerable welfare improvements and economic savings. The findings underscore the importance of considering health outcomes in climate policy decisions, emphasising the substantial public health benefits alongside climate gains as an incentive for emissions reduction. Sharing these findings with other countries will enhance efforts to limit the global temperature rise below 2 °C by the century's end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Greenhouse gas Observations of Biospheric and Local Emissions from the Upper sky (GOBLEU) is a new joint project by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and ANA HOLDING INC. (ANAHD), which operates ANA flights. GOBLEU aims to visualizes our climate mitigation effort progress in support of subnational climate mitigation by collecting greenhouse gas (GHG) data as well as relevant data for emissions (nitrous dioxide, NO2) and removals (Solar-Induced Fluorescence, SIF) from regular passenger flights. We developed a luggage-sized instrument based on the space remote-sensing techniques that JAXA has developed for Japan's Greenhouse gas Observing SATellite (GOSAT). The instrument can be conveniently installed on a coach-class passenger seat without modifying the seat or the aircraft. Results: The first GOBLEU observation was made on the flight from the Tokyo Haneda Airport to the Fukuoka Airport, with only the NO2 module activated. The collected high-spatial-resolution NO2 data were compared to that from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) satellite and surface NO2 data from ground-based air quality monitoring stations. While GOBLEU and TROPOMI data shared the major concentration patterns largely driven by cities and large point sources, regardless of different observation times, we found fine-scale concentration pattern differences, which might be an indication of potential room for GOBLEU to bring in new emission information and thus is worth further examination. We also characterized the levels of NO2 spatial correlation that change over time. The quickly degrading correlation level of GOBLEU and TROPOMI suggests a potentially significant impact of the time difference between CO2 and NO2 as an emission marker and, thus, the significance of co-located observations planned by future space missions. Conclusions: GOBLEU proposes aircraft-based, cost-effective, frequent monitoring of greenhouse emissions by GOBLEU instruments carried on regular passenger aircraft. Theoretically, the GOBLEU instrument can be installed and operated in most commercially used passenger aircraft without modifications. JAXA and ANAHD wish to promote the observation technique by expanding the observation coverage and partnership to other countries by enhancing international cooperation under the Paris Agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Household consumption accounts for 65–72% of total greenhouse gas emissions globally, and therefore, a change in current consumption patterns has the potential to mitigate climate change and provide emission reductions. There is knowledge on the consumption options with a high mitigation potential, but this information has not been combined with a consumer behavior information. This study examines the emission-reduction potential of suburban residents in Finland through a survey that assesses their willingness to adopt climate actions, and by calculating the potential impact of various actions. Finnish suburban households have already implemented low-impact climate actions (recycling, reducing food waste), but the implementation of high-impact actions in households could also be increased. Transitioning to a vegetarian diet, reducing air travel and limiting consumption are identified as the most effective mitigation actions when the potential increase in the implementation rate and impact on greenhouse gas emissions are considered. However, the results suggest that voluntary individual efforts alone are not sufficient to achieve the 1.5 °C carbon budget. Thus, alongside behavioural changes, strong policy measures and technological advancements are necessary. These findings emphasise the specific individual actions that should be prioritised when formulating climate policies at the national or city levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate advocates and finance industry titans suggest firms' climate policies have economic payoffs. We examine whether stock markets reward firms that have joined the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a voluntary climate program that verifies firms' emission reduction pledges. Our analysis of S&P 500 companies' quarterly stock prices for 2010–2023 finds little evidence that SBTi verification (of any type) increases stock prices. If stock markets are not incentivizing firms to voluntarily undertake climate actions, policymakers and climate advocates need to focus on providing nonfinancial rewards to encourage firms to invest in emission reductions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Harvard University's decision to cancel its Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment (SCoPEx), the first proposed outdoor stratospheric aerosol injection experiment. Topics include the challenges and tensions faced in developing a governance framework for solar geoengineering, the complexities of societal engagement and communication in such research, and the need for standardized and proactive research governance to address these issues effectively.

Deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are required to meet the 2015 Paris Agreement climate target. If the world strengthens efforts toward near-term decarbonisation and undertakes major societal transformation, this will be met with requests from policymakers and the public for evidence that our actions are working and there are demonstrable effects on the climate system. Global surface temperature exhibits large internal variability on interannual to decadal timescales, meaning a reduction in the magnitude of surface warming would not be robustly attributable to climate mitigation for some time. In contrast, global stratospheric temperature trends have much higher signal-to-noise ratios and could offer an early indication of the effects of climate mitigation. Here we examine projected near-term global temperature trends at the surface and in the stratosphere using large ensemble climate models following three future emission scenarios. Under rapid, deep emission cuts following SSP1–1.9, modelled middle and upper stratospheric cooling trends show a detectable weakening within 5 years compared to a scenario approximately representing current climate commitments (SSP2–4.5). Therefore, stratospheric temperature trends could serve as an early indicator to policymakers and the public that climate mitigation is taking effect. Where will the first signals of climate mitigation emerge? This study finds stratospheric cooling trends, a hallmark of climate change, would weaken within 5-10 years of rapid CO2 reductions, offering early signs the climate system is changing course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Livestock production contributes significantly to global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Probiotic-fed broiler production has been shown to reduce greenhouse emissions in other nations significantly, however, outcomes in Malaysia are unknown. Aims: This study assesses the total greenhouse emissions of probiotic-fed broiler production from cradle to farm-gate using an accredited Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool, Greenhouse Accounting Framework (GAF). It determines the hotspot of greenhouse emissions and emission intensity of the farm in kg CO2-eq/kg liveweight. Three types of mitigation methods, i.e. selling untreated manure, composting, and conversion into biochar, were compared to identify their effectiveness. Methods: The research involves three broiler houses with one production cycle. Fifty-four gas samples and 90 poultry litter samples were collected throughout the production cycle and analysed for the targeted gases – i.e. carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen and volatile solid composition. Analysis results were used to estimate total greenhouse emissions from the farm using the LCA-GAF model. The mitigation efficiency achieved by selling untreated manure, composting, and biochar production is assessed by estimating the carbon stock mass. Key results: A new LCA model based on probiotic-fed broiler production was generated, specifically using data obtained from the experiment. The experimental results indicated that energy consumption, i.e. electricity and fuel, have the highest greenhouse emissions (44%), followed by feed production with 40% of the total 53.51 t CO2-eq/house/cycle in the probiotic-fed broiler farm. The emissions intensity of the farm is 1.57 kg CO2-eq/kg liveweight. Estimates of the mitigation efficiency were compared among untreated manure, biochar, and compost. Conclusions: Energy consumption, particularly electricity and fuel, contributed the highest greenhouse emissions in the probiotic-fed broiler production. The strategy of selling untreated poultry litter was the most effective carbon mitigation method. However, due to its adverse environmental and human health impacts, converting poultry litter into biochar is the preferable mitigation option. Implications: This study is profound for the poultry industry and environmental sustainability. It highlights the crucial role of energy consumption in greenhouse emissions from the probiotic-fed broiler farm, and the necessity of addressing the environmental impacts. Implementing sustainable agricultural practices could lead to more ecological poultry production, contributing to global efforts in climate change mitigation. Livestock production plays a major role in global greenhouse gas emissions, and the impacts of using probiotics in broiler production is a new area of study in Malaysia. This research conducted on three broiler farms, reveals that energy consumption, particularly electricity and fuel, contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The findings highlight the potential of probiotics in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in broiler production and developing sustainable practices in the poultry industry to address environmental concerns. This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the benefits of green budget tagging (Green budget tagging refers to itemization and linking of every budget item with climate action, mitigation, adaptation, or both) in developing countries could help boost the uptake of this practice and in turn help these same developing countries to mobilize climate-related development finance. We apply double differences in means econometric analytical approach to evaluate the association between green budget tagging (GBT) and target outcome variables of climate-related finance and CO2 emissions. The results show that all 32 developing countries that have undertaken green budget tagging are also associated with larger inflows of climate-related finance. Among the adopters, climate-related finance inflows have been significantly larger for countries with externally-initiated green budget tagging than for those with internally-initiated tagging. The results also show that a minimum level of climate-related finance is required to achieve CO2 emissions reduction. However, the current mean yearly inflow of climate-related development finance falls short of the level that drives emissions reduction. These findings point to the importance of green budget tagging and to the need to upscale climate-related finance inflows to propel improvement in environmental quality. Although green budget tagging is a useful tool for mobilizing external development finance, current external finance inflows are insufficient to achieve ambitious emission reductions. Immense effort is therefore required to mobilize the adequate scale of climate-related finance from both external and other sources. Green budget tagging can be a crucial tool for mobilizing climate-related finance and improving environmental quality in developing countries. To entice climate-related development finance, developing countries need to clearly define climate-related projects in their national budgets. Climate finance mobilization policies designed for reducing emissions are not complete unless they emphasize and promote the scale of inflows. Hence, policymakers should put greater effort into mobilizing adequate finance (from both external and domestic sources) to drive emissions reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies are a burgeoning health challenge in the Asia‐Pacific region. Compounding this, the region has become increasingly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The region has weathered extreme precipitation, intense heat waves, and dust storms over the recent decades. While the effects of environmental and genetic factors on allergic diseases are well understood, prevailing gaps in understanding the complex interactions between climate change and these factors remain. We aim to provide insights into the various pathways by which climate change influences allergic diseases in the Asia‐Pacific population. We outline practical steps that allergists can take to reduce the carbon footprint of their practice on both a systemic and patient‐specific level. We recommend that allergists optimize disease control to reduce the resources required for each patient's care, which contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We encourage the responsible prescription of metered dose inhalers by promoting the switch to dry powder inhalers for certain patients, at each clinician's discretion. We also recommend the utilization of virtual consultations to reduce patient travel while ensuring that evidence‐based guidelines for rational allergy management are closely adhered to. Finally, eliminating unnecessary testing and medications will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions in many areas of medical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The face of climate action is increasingly young, well informed, and active. But despite the growing rumble of this youth-quake, the New Zealand political system has to date been slow to respond to climate change mitigation. This article will therefore critically explore the apparent paradox between the image of New Zealand as a leading progressive democratic society, and its current response to the climate emergency. In particular, the paper will interrogate this theme from the perspectives of the international critique of New Zealand's current legal and policy response, the dynamic lens of climate change litigation and its potential to influence public policy, and the increasing impact of tikanga Māori as a primary source of New Zealand law and its relational approach to the wellbeing of the environment and the underlying ethic of stewardship. The overall thesis of the paper will be that cumulatively these trends will have the energy to generate an effective response to climate change and mobilise the urgent joined-up action required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build adaptive capacity within the closing opportunity of the next two decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive systematic review explores the multifaceted impacts of electric vehicle (EV) adoption across technological, environmental, organizational, and policy dimensions. Drawing from 88 peer-reviewed articles, the study addresses a critical gap in the existing literature, which often isolates the impact of EV adoption without considering holistic effects. Technological advancements include innovations in the battery technology and energy storage systems, enhancing EV performance and mitigating range anxiety. The environmental analysis reveals substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, with lifecycle assessments showing significant reductions for EVs compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, particularly when charged with renewable energy sources. Key comparisons include lifecycle emissions between mid-size battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), and global average lifecycle emissions by powertrain under various policy scenarios. The organizational implications are evident, as businesses adopt new models for fleet management and logistics, leveraging EVs for operational efficiency and sustainability. Policy analysis underscores the crucial role of government incentives, regulatory measures, and infrastructure investments in accelerating EV adoption. The review identifies future research areas such as efficient battery recycling methods, the potential impact of EVs on grid stability, and long-term economic implications. This study offers insights for stakeholders aiming to foster sustainable transportation and achieve global climate goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a framework for strategic dam planning under uncertainty, which includes GHG emissions mitigation as a novel objective. We focus on the Mekong River Basin, a fast‐developing region heavily relying on river‐derived ecosystem services. We employ a multi‐objective evolutionary algorithm to identify strategic dam portfolios for different hydropower expansion targets, using process‐related and statistical models to derive indicators of sediment supply disruption and GHG emissions. We introduce a robust optimization approach that explores variations in optimal portfolio compositions for more than 5,000 state‐of‐the‐world configurations, regarding sediment origins and trapping and GHG emissions. Thus, we can rank dam projects' attractiveness based on their frequency of inclusion in optimal portfolios and explore how uncertainty affects these rankings. Our results suggest that developing dams in the upper Mekong would be a more robust option for near‐term development than, for example, the lower Mekong and its tributaries, for both environmental and energy objectives. Our work presents a novel approach to better understand the basin‐scale cumulative impacts of dam development in high‐uncertainty, data‐scarce contexts like the Mekong Basin. Plain Language Summary: Hydropower is considered an important energy source to meet many climate mitigation targets. Its negative impacts are however often underestimated, including the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) from reservoirs. This study introduces a framework for planning dams strategically in the Mekong River Basin, a region heavily dependent on river‐related services. The framework considers uncertainties and incorporates greenhouse gas emissions mitigation and sediment transport disruption as new objectives. Using a multi‐objective evolutionary algorithm, the research identifies optimal dam portfolios for different hydropower expansion goals. To consider uncertainties in the results, the analysis employs a robust optimization approach to assess over 5,000 state‐of‐the‐world configurations. Results indicate that developing dams in the upper Mekong is a more robust option for both environmental and energy goals in the near term. These conclusions showcase the approach's usefulness in understanding dams' cumulative impacts in data‐scarce and uncertain contexts like the Mekong Basin. Key Points: We identify optimal dam portfolios which balance hydropower expansion, sediment supply disruption, and GHG emissions in the MekongWe extracted optimal portfolios under multiple state‐of‐the‐world configurations, to extract robust indicators of project attractivenessResults suggest that near‐term dam development should focus more on the upper Mekong, compared to the lower Mekong and its tributaries [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turfgrass systems hold significant climate change mitigation value, but their management often negates the beneficial effects due to the intense adoption of external inputs. The research objective in this paper was to assess the nitrogen fertilization rate able to maintain the ideal esthetic characteristics of Zoysia turfgrass, reducing the environmental impacts associated with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A two-year open field experiment was conducted. Nitrogen was added to the soil at six rates (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 kg ha−1). The GHG emissions were monitored using a portable gas analyzer and the static chamber methodology. Cumulative environmental impacts were calculated from the inclusion of CO2, CH4, and, N2O using the Global Warming Potential (GWP). The quality assessment of the turf was assessed through a visual and instrumental approach. Higher CO2 and N2O fluxes were linked to high nitrogen rates, ranging from 83.55 to 87.50 and from 0.046 to 0.047 g N-N2O ha−1 day−1 for 200 and 250 kg N ha−1, respectively. CH4 emissions were not correlated to nitrogen rates. Higher GWP impacts were linked to high N rate treatments. A rate of 100 kg N ha−1 is recommended as the best strategy to reduce GHG emissions while maintaining high turf quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the next cycle of target setting under the Paris Agreement, countries will be updating and submitting new nationally determined contributions (NDCs) over the coming year. To this end, there is a growing need for the United States to assess potential pathways toward a new, maximally ambitious 2035 NDC. In this study, we use an integrated assessment model with state-level detail to model existing policies from both federal and non-federal actors, including the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and key state policies, across all sectors and gases. Additionally, we develop a high-ambition scenario, which includes new and enhanced policies from these actors. We find that existing policies can reduce net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 44% (with a range of 37% to 52%) by 2035, relative to 2005 levels. The high-ambition scenario can deliver net GHG reductions up to 65% (with a range of 59% to 71%) by 2035 under accelerated implementation of federal regulations and investments, as well as state policies such as renewable portfolio standards, EV sales targets, and zero-emission appliance standards. This level of reductions would provide a basis for continued progress toward the country's 2050 net-zero emissions goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate commitment to achieving carbon neutrality before 2060 in China has been announced recently. In the context of pursuing carbon neutrality, sharing similar sources as greenhouse gases, aerosol particle and precursor emissions are projected to substantially decrease in China, which can potentially have a great impact on climate. Here, we investigate the effects of future aerosol reductions, because of achieving carbon neutrality, on solar and wind energy in China by using an earth system model. We show that significant reductions in aerosol emissions, particularly in eastern China, lead to increases in the surface downwelling shortwave radiation, surface air temperature and wind speed, which can further enhance the potential of solar and wind energy production. The findings underline that the pursuit of carbon neutrality can yield co‐benefits of not only mitigating climate change and air pollution but also fortifying the stability of renewable energy sources. Plain Language Summary: In response to China's commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, our study examines the potential impact of reducing aerosol emissions and greenhouse gases on solar and wind energy generation. Employing an earth system model, we observe significant reductions in aerosols, particularly in eastern China, resulting in increases in surface downwelling shortwave radiation, surface air temperature, and wind speed. These changes have promising implications for enhancing solar and wind energy production. Our research underscores the interconnected benefits of pursuing carbon neutrality, encompassing climate change mitigation, air quality improvement, and the enhancement of renewable energy reliability. Key Points: The effects of future aerosol reductions in China due to achieving carbon neutrality on solar and wind energy are investigatedAerosol emission reductions, especially in eastern China, increase surface downwelling shortwave radiation, temperature and wind speedClimate changes resulting from emission reductions under carbon neutrality enhance the potential of solar and wind energy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of China is increasingly pivotal in climate change mitigation, and the formulation of energy conservation and emission reduction policies requires city-level information. The effectiveness of national policy implementation is contingent upon the support and involvement of local governments. Accurate data on final energy consumption is vital to formulate and implement city-level energy transitions and energy conservation and emission reduction policies. However, there is a dearth of data sources pertaining to China's city-level final energy consumption. To address these gaps, we developed computational modeling techniques along with top-down and downscaling methods to estimate China's city-level final energy consumption. In this way, we compiled a final energy consumption inventory for 331 Chinese cities from 2005 to 2021, covering seven economic sectors, 30 fossil fuels, and four clean power sources. Moreover, we discussed the validity of the estimation results from multiple perspectives to enhance estimation accuracy. This dataset can be utilized for analysis in various cutting-edge research fields such as energy transition dynamics, transition risk management strategies, and policy formulation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All pathways which limit global temperature rise to <2°C above pre-industrial temperatures now require carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in addition to rapid greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Novel and durable CDR strategies need to rapidly scale over the next few decades in order to reach Paris Agreement Targets. Terrestrial enhanced weathering (EW) involves the acceleration of natural weathering processes via the deployment of crushed rock feedstocks, typically Ca- and Mg-rich silicates, in soils. While models predict this has the potential to remove multiple gigatonnes of CO2 annually, as an open-system pathway, the measurement (monitoring), reporting, and verification (MRV) of carbon removal and storage is challenging. Here we provide a review of the current literature showing the state-of-play of different methods for monitoring EW. We focus on geochemical characterization of weathering processes at the weathering site itself, acknowledging that the final storage of carbon is largely in the oceans, with potential losses occurring during transfer. There are two main approaches for measuring EW, one focused on solid phase measurements, including exchangeable phases, and the other on the aqueous phase. Additionally, gas phase measurements have been employed to understand CO2 fluxes, but can be dominated by short-term organic carbon cycling. The approaches we review are grounded in established literature from the natural environment, but implementing these approaches for EW CDR quantification has strengths and limitations. The complexity inherent in open-system CDR pathways is navigable through surplus measurement strategies and well-designed experiments, which we highlight are critical in the early stage of the EW CDR industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humanity has a shrinking window to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, yet climate action is still lacking on both individual and policy levels. We argue that this is because behavioral interventions have largely neglected the basic principles of operant conditioning as one set of tools to promote collective climate action. In this perspective, we propose an operant conditioning framework that uses rewards and punishments to shape transportation, food, waste, housing, and civic actions. This framework highlights the value of reinforcement in encouraging the switch to low-emission behavior, while also considering the benefit of decreasing high-emission behavior to expedite the transition. This approach also helps explain positive and negative spillovers from behavioral interventions. This paper provides a recipe to design individual-level and system-level interventions to generate and sustain low-emission behavior to help achieve net zero emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the climate and carbon cycle response to negative CO2 emissions is important for developing climate mitigation strategies that aim to limit global warming to a specific threshold. In this study, using a coupled climate and carbon cycle model, a novel set of nine stylized simulations are conducted with cumulative emissions of 1,000 GtC, 2,000 GtC, and 5,000 GtC over 150, 250, and 500 years, followed by identical cumulative negative emissions so that the net cumulative emissions are zero. On millennial‐timescales, the climate system returns close to the preindustrial state, independent of the emission and removal pathways. However, the thermal and biogeochemical inertia of the ocean play an important role in determining the climate and carbon cycle response during the emission and removal phases. When zero net emissions are reached, surface air temperature is larger by 0–1°C than the preindustrial state, and the atmospheric CO2 concentration is less by 12–29 ppm. These changes increase with both the magnitude and duration of the emission and removal pulses. In contrast, hysteresis in the relationship between global mean surface temperature and cumulative carbon emissions increases with the magnitude but decreases with the duration of emission and removal pulses. Our study highlights the role of ocean inertia in the asymmetry in climate response to emissions and removals and indicates that an earlier emission reduction implying emission/removal pathways with smaller magnitudes and shorter durations for the positive and negative emission pulses would avoid larger climate and carbon cycle impacts on centennial‐timescales. Plain Language Summary: In this study, we examine the climate system response to a set of scenarios where emissions are followed by the removal of all carbon emitted into the atmosphere. We find that the climate system returns to preindustrial state on millennial timescales independent of emission and removal pathways. However, larger changes in the climate system at the end of removals (on centennial timescales) are simulated for a larger magnitude and longer duration of the emission and removal pulses. Since a delay in emission reduction implies a larger magnitude and longer duration for the emissions and consequently larger magnitude and longer duration for the removals to bring the climate state to preindustrial conditions, an earlier emission reduction would help to avoid large climate and carbon cycle impacts on centennial‐timescales. Key Points: The climate system response to net zero emissions is path independent on millennial timescalesOn centennial time scales, the climate system response to net zero emissions depends on the magnitude and duration of emission pulsesA larger magnitude and longer duration for the emission pulses lead to longer delays in climate response on centennial timescales [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine international environmental agreements (IEAs) in which heterogeneous countries work together to not only participate in the abatement of greenhouse gas emissions but also develop breakthrough technologies. In this paper, the country with the most advanced technology (i.e. the technological leader) develops a new abatement technology and distributes it to other countries (i.e. technological laggards) through licensing. We design a new mechanism to achieve cooperation among heterogeneous countries through an initial payment and refunding (IPR) scheme and licensing involving third-party organizations (TPOs). Under our new IPR scheme with licensing, the cost incurred by a technology leader in developing new technology is covered by licensing fees using a portion of the initial payments collected from technological laggards by a TPO. As a result, TPOs sustain IEAs by flexibly adjusting technological laggards' share of costs for licensing, comprising initial payments and refunds, and the amount of the licensing payment made to the technological leader. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The legal tools to avoid the potential disasters of climate change are already available, at least according to economists. Economists overwhelmingly prefer carbon pricing tools like carbon taxes and cap-and-trade programs to combat climate change and guide the energy transition. Carbon pricing is more cost effective at lowering carbon and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) than other legal options such as efficiency standards, renewable portfolio standards, subsidies, and tax credits and deductions. Unlike those other options, carbon pricing targets both the supply of and the demand for GHG-emittingproducts and services; moreover, it gives firms and consumers flexibility in how best to respond to the tax or the cap, whether by conserving more or switching to alternatives. For the most part, however, U.S. lawmakers have eschewed carbon pricing in favor of the less-effective and more-costly non-pricing alternatives. The preference is due in large part to concerns over the distributive implications of carbon pricing, namely that it would result in an unjust energy transition. Many scholars, policymakers, and environmental justice advocates worry that since carbon pricing by design raises energy prices, it will disproportionately burden the poor, who spend a greater share of their budget on energy. They also worry that carbon pricing will disproportionately benefit the rich, such as through capital tax su)aps or grandfathered emissions permits. Numerous recent economic studies have addressed the distributional implications ofpricing and non-pricing climate policy instruments, yet those studies haue received limited attention from legal scholars . Nor hat)e economists compared and contrasted the distribution of pricing with non-pricing policies. This Article therefore surveys those economic analyses to show that ajust transition is possible with carbon pricing. First, the United States currently relies on nonpricing policies that are themselves unjust: performance standards add costs that impose a disproportionate burden on the poor while subsidies and tax expenditures primarily benefit the rich. Carbon pricing can displace many of these laws and thereby eliminate their unjust impact. Second, the cost burden and regressivie of carbon pricing are overstated, so the impact on the poor will likely be much lower than commonly assumedand might even be progressive for the poorest households because of the indexing of government transfers. Third, the ways in which revenues raised from carbon pricing are recycled play an important role: lowering other distortionary taxes like those on capital while allocating some money for government transfer programs and lump-sum rebates to the poorest households can balance efficiency and equity. This Article therefore argues that concerns over a just transition should not be a barrier to implementing carbon pricing, which is the most efficient and effective means for lowering GHGs and thus avoiding the harms of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is a carbon-rich solid by-product formed by treating biomass to high temperatures in an oxygen-deprived environment. It has recently increased in popularity due to its positive impacts on soils and climate change mitigation among others. Four production processes of biochar have been described in this review; Pyrolysis, Hydrothermal carbonization, Torrefaction, and Gasification. These processes differ in their temperatures, heating rates, usable feedstock, reaction environment, and complexity, ultimately determining the characteristics of biochar produced and their usage. Along with biochar, other products such as bio-oil and syngas are produced in different quantities. The quantities and qualities of these products are based on the temperature of the production process and the type of feedstock utilized respectively. Biochar usage includes and is not limited to soil management, organic waste management, water purification, greenhouse gas emission mitigation, carbon sequestration, fuel alternative, and land reclamation. This review finds biochar extremely important in climate-smart agriculture, mitigating global warming, and contributing a small part to fulfilling global energy needs. The gap in research regarding the effect of biochar from different feedstock needs to be filled, along with the standardization of production methods and application of biochar in various fields to increase the benefits while decreasing the harmful effects on the environment and human health. The research gap can be used as a guide to direct further research on biochar. The production of biochar is seen to have an upward trend, but its adoption by people in agriculture or land management is hindered by the economics surrounding it. Biochar can be an 'environmental savior' but proper policy-making and widespread research and extension must accompany its production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We address the research problem concerning climate mitigation finance (CMF) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Our research question is: Does an increase in CMF reduce GHG? This question generates two goals. First, to verify the predicted negative association using data that measures CMF in USD and GHG in kilotons. Second, to test the robustness of the predicted direction. To achieve our goals, we use a methodology consisting of a graphic analysis of the data over time and a panel data regression model accompanied by robust tests. Our baseline model finds evidence to support our first goal. Robust tests support our second goal by confirming that CMF decreases GHG. Noteworthy, robust tests also show that GHG outperforms the variable used by prior research, which is CO2. Our data, tests, and findings are new and so value-additive in their contributions to the international literature on climate mitigation finance and greenhouse gas emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of their formation, northern peatlands were accumulating vast amounts of carbon (C). When drained for agricultural use, a large proportion of that C is oxidized and emitted as carbon dioxide (CO2), turning those peatlands to strong CO2 emitters. As a mitigation option, setting-aside farmland on drained peat is being incentivized by policies, but recent evidence casts doubt on these policies' efficiency for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission mitigation. To investigate the effects of setting-aside farmland on GHG fluxes from a Swedish peatland, we measured CO2, nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4) fluxes on two adjacent sites under contrasting management. The cultivated (CL) site was used for cereal production (wheat or barley) and the set-aside (SA) site was under permanent grassland. Carbon dioxide fluxes were measured from 2013 to 2019 using the eddy covariance (EC) method. Additionally, CO2, N2O, and CH4 fluxes were measured during the growing seasons of 2018-2020, using transparent and opaque chambers on vegetated plots and on bare peat. The cumulative CO2 fluxes measured by EC over the measurement period were 0.97 (±0.05) and 2.09 (±0.17) kgm-2 with annual average losses of 0.16 and 0.41 kg CO2m-2 yr-1 for the CL and SA site, respectively. Thus, the SA site acted as a stronger CO2 source than the CL site. Both sites' contribution to global warming, calculated on basis of the chamber measurements, was dominated by CO2. The contribution of the SA site was higher than that of the CL site. Nitrous oxide emissions were low at both sites with higher emissions from the CL site for transparent measurements and measurements on bare peat. Whereas, CH4 uptake was highest on the SA grassland. Thus, on the basis of our study, we found no evidence that settingaside farmland on shallow drained peat soils will reduce GHG emissions or even turn the peatland into a C sink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planted forests are in the utilisation phase in Japan, contributing to the increased use of timber and the realisation of carbon neutrality. We simulated and compared the carbon emission reduction effects of three forest management scenarios, including a no final cutting scenario at two geographical scales, in the context of a privately owned Cryptomeria japonica planted forest in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. We adopted two substitution approaches: the status quo approach and the dynamic approach in line with Japan's nationally determined contribution. We used hypothetical stands over three rotation periods of 150 years at the stand level, and a harvest schedule of 120 years at the regional level. The harvesting scenarios based on the status quo substitution approach reduced carbon emissions more than the no final cutting scenario for current wood usage at the study site, although those based on the dynamic substitution approach reduced carbon emissions as much as the no final cutting scenario during the first 30 years. Sustainable timber production from forests may reduce carbon emissions as much as unharvested forests until 2050, indicating that the substitution effects of harvested wood products could have a significant impact on the climate change mitigation effect arising from timber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Politikwissenschaft is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Delta), widespread drainage of historical wetlands has led to extensive subsidence and peat carbon losses, as well as high ongoing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Large-scale wetland restoration and conversion to rice fields has the potential to mitigate these effects while conferring flood protection and creating habitat for wetland species. To explore the scale of these potential benefits, this study evaluated the effects of seven Delta-wide land-use scenarios on carbon stocks, land-surface elevation, GHG emissions, and habitat. Peat mapping and data from peat cores indicate that soil carbon stocks have decreased between the early 1800s and 2010s from 288 ± 15 to 145 ± 14 million metric tons (megatonnes; Mt) of carbon (C). If existing land uses continue, the Delta could lose an additional 8.3 Mt C during the coming 40 years, equal to average GHG emissions of 1.2 Mt CO2 equivalents (CO2e) yr-1. Future restoration and rice-farming scenarios indicate that wetland restoration could theoretically halt GHG emissions, converting the Delta from a large GHG source to a weak net source or sink. Across three future scenarios based on existing restoration targets, wetland creation and conversion to rice fields reduced GHG emissions by 0.39 to 0.67 Mt CO2e yr-1, with per-area benefits of 16 to 28 metric tons (tonnes; t) CO2e per hectare (ha) yr-1. Differences among scenarios in extents of wetland types influenced their relative benefits for different management goals. Tidal restoration and conversion to rice fields enhanced habitat benefits and offered a source of agricultural income, but with reduced GHG mitigation compared with conversion to peat-building wetlands. This highlights the importance of clear objectives when developing land-use plans. A strategic land-management portfolio that includes rice fields and both impounded and tidal wetlands could be designed to provide GHG and subsidence mitigation while offering a diverse suite of benefits for ecosystems and people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change poses significant challenges to Indian agriculture, impacting crop yields, water availability, and overall food security. To address these challenges, a combination of adaptation and mitigation strategies is crucial. Adaptation measures involve adjusting agricultural practices to changing climate conditions, such as altering planting schedules, implementing water-saving techniques, and promoting resilient crop varieties. Mitigation strategies focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural activities, like adopting sustainable farming practices and enhancing carbon sequestration in soils. In India, the integration of adaptation and mitigation efforts is essential to enhance the resilience of farmers and agricultural systems to climate change impacts while contributing to global climate goals. By combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches, Indian agriculture can navigate the complexities of climate change, ensuring sustainable food production and livelihood security for millions of farmers across the country. A concerted effort involving policymakers, researchers, extension workers, and farming communities is vital to bolster the resilience of Indian agriculture while contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts. Effective extension services are paramount for educating farmers and ensuring widespread adoption of these strategies. By prioritizing both adaptation and mitigation, Indian agriculture can navigate the challenges of climate change and ensure long-term food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review proposes that mineral-based greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation could be developed into a substantial climate change abatement tool. This proposal was evaluated via three objectives: (1) synthesise literature studies documenting the effectiveness of geological minerals at mitigating GHG emissions; (2) quantify, via meta-analysis, GHG magnitudes that could be abated by minerals factoring-in the carbon footprint of the approach; and (3) estimate the global availability of relevant minerals. Several minerals have been effectively harnessed across multiple sectors—including agriculture, waste management and coal mining—to mitigate carbon dioxide/CO2 (e.g., olivine), methane/CH4 (e.g., allophane, gypsum) and nitrous oxide/N2O (e.g., vermiculite) emissions. High surface area minerals offer substantial promise to protect soil carbon, albeit their potential impact here is difficult to quantify. Although mineral-based N2O reduction strategies can achieve gross emission reduction, their application generates a net carbon emission due to prohibitively large mineral quantities needed. By contrast, mineral-based technologies could abate ~9% and 11% of global CO2 and CH4 anthropogenic emissions, respectively. These estimates conservatively only consider options which offer additional benefits to climate change mitigation (e.g., nutrient supply to agricultural landscapes, and safety controls in landfill operations). This multi-benefit aspect is important due to the reluctance to invest in stand-alone GHG mitigation technologies. Minerals that exhibit high GHG mitigation potential are globally abundant. However, their application towards a dedicated global GHG mitigation initiative would entail significant escalation of their current production rates. A detailed cost-benefit analysis and environmental and social footprint assessment is needed to ascertain the strategy's scale-up potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the imperative to address climate change intensifies, understanding the effectiveness of policy interventions becomes paramount. In the context of addressing these urgent challenges and given the inadequacy of current policies to address this issue, this study examines the extent to which Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long-Term Targets (LTTs) can contribute to achieving ambitious climate goals. Recognizing the critical need for effective climate action, we employ the advanced modelling tools PROMETHEUS and GCAM to assess the implications of different scenarios–Current Policies (CP), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), and combination of NDCs with Long-Term Targets (NDC_LTT)–on the future development of energy system and emission. This study, by employing these well-known models, seeks to provide an improved understanding of the impacts of NDCs on global emission trajectories and whether the integration of NDCs and LTTs can help close the gap towards Paris-compatible pathways. The study analyzes various sectors including buildings, transportation, electricity generation, and industry to provide insights into the limitations of existing policies and the potential of enhanced commitments to drive transformative changes in a global scale. The effectiveness of these policies varies across different sectors, highlighting the challenges that need to be addressed for achieving the required emission reduction targets in the medium- and long-term. Key findings indicate significant shifts in energy consumption, fuel mix, technology adoption, and emission trajectories, particularly under the synergistic action represented by the NDC_LTT scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Forestry Review is the property of Commonwealth Forestry Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Report argues if the world is to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change from heating above 1.5o, all nations will have to undergo expedited sustainability transitions. In addition, nations will need to undertake adaptive transitions within their built form, economies, societies, and component systems to ameliorate the now unavoidable effects of climate change. This article examines intersectoral government policy responses to climate change in Singapore. The Singapore government accepts the science of climate change the many vulnerabilities the nation has to it. Therefore, the government has initiated polices to both reduce the nations greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the potential effects of climate change. The analysis shows that Singapore's development state governance structures and path dependence places it in a good position to successfully undertake an expedited sustainability transition and adapt to its potential effects. However, there are sectors where the government is relying upon unproven technologies to affect change. This is likely to prove a significant challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-carbon electricity and heat production is essential for keeping the decarbonization targets and climate mitigation goals. Thus, an accurate understanding of the potential environmental impacts constitutes a key aspect not only for the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions but also for other environmental categories. Life cycle assessment allows us to conduct an overall evaluation of a given process or system through its whole lifetime across various environmental indicators. This study focused on construction, operation and maintenance, and end-of-life phases, which were analyzed based on the ReCiPe 2016 method. Within this work, authors assessed the environmental performance of one of the renewable energy sources—Enhanced Geothermal Systems, which utilize supercritical carbon dioxide as a working fluid to produce electricity and heat. Heat for the process is extracted from hot, dry rocks, typically located at depths of approximately 4–5 km, and requires appropriate stimulation to enable fluid flow. Consequently, drilling and site preparation entail significant energy and material inputs. This stage, based on conducted calculations, exhibits the highest global warming potential, with values between 5.2 and 30.1 kgCO2eq/MWhel, corresponding to approximately 65%, 86%, and 94% in terms of overall impacts for ecosystems, human health, and resources categories, respectively. Moreover, the study authors compared the EGS impacts for the Polish and Norwegian conditions. Obtained results indicated that due to much higher electricity output from the Norwegian plant, which is sited offshore, the environmental influence remains the lowest, at a level of 11.9 kgCO2eq/MWhel. Polish cases range between 38.7 and 54.1 kgCO2eq/MWhel of global warming potential in terms of electricity production. Regarding power generation only, the impacts in the case of the Norwegian facility are two to five times lower than for the installation in the Polish conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste management and climate change mitigation is the key environmental challenges the world faces today. A huge quantity of industrial and agricultural wastes is generated every year globally. Dumping and burning off those wastes cause air pollution and greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions causing global warming and climate change consequences. However, these wastes could be effectively utilized in rice as a green technology for GHGs mitigation and sustaining productivity. The seven treatments, including different dose of two industrial wastes (phosphogypsum and basic slag) and agricultural waste (rice straw, rice-straw compost, rice-straw biochar) are (i) recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (80:40:40:: N:P2O5:K2O kg ha−1), (ii) RDF; nitrogen through ammonium sulphate (AS), (iii) RDF + rice straw-biochar (5t ha−1) (BC), (iv) RDF + phosphogypsum (2t ha−1) (PG), (v) RDF + rice straw-incorporation (5t ha−1) (RSI), (vi) RDF + rice straw-compost (5t ha−1) (RSC), and (vii) RDF + basic slag (1t ha−1) (BS). The soil carbon-pools, enzymatic activity, GHGs emissions, global warming potential (GWP), carbon-equivalent emission (CEE), GHG intensity (GHGI) and green income (considering economic profit and carbon-credit compliance) were estimated. The BS and PG had higher GHGs emission-mitigation potential (22.3–20 and 14.8–12.9% reduction of methane and nitrous oxide over RDF, respectively) and lower GHGI. Considering yield performance, production cost, and carbon-credit compliance, BS ranked number one followed by RSC and PG in the green income category and could be promoted as green technology. However, large-scale validation in farmers' fields is necessary for further assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of digital technologies into forest management is crucial for the European Union's Green Deal, the Forestry Strategy 2030, and Italy's national forestry strategy, aiming to enhance governance and efficiency. However, sustainable forest management's administrative aspects are often overlooked, despite the potential for digital tools to significantly improve environmental performance. Through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for a case study in the Umbria region, the research quantifies CO2 emissions associated with over-threshold forestry administrative procedures under both current and future digitalisation scenarios. Data were collected from legislative documents, interviews with forestry professionals, and emissions calculated according to ISO standards. The findings reveal a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions through digitalisation, from 75.07 kgCO2 to 38.14 kgCO2, with the implementation of the LIFE FOLIAGE project's digital platform. This underscores digitalisation's role in climate change mitigation, highlighting the significant, albeit modest per procedure, of the cumulative national impact. The main findings support further digitalisation in forest management as a method of increasing resource efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, thus contributing to the Green Deal's and Italy's forest sustainability goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The given document is a list of references for various scientific articles and reports related to climate change and its impact on biodiversity. The articles cover topics such as the effects of climate change on butterfly populations, the vulnerability of ecosystems to vegetation shifts, the decline of desert bird communities, and the projected range shifting of montane mammals. The references also include reports from organizations like the International Energy Agency and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. These resources provide valuable information for library patrons conducting research on the specific topics mentioned. [Extracted from the article]

This document is an introduction to a symposium on climate change and its legal implications. It provides a summary of the history and current state of climate change, including key scientific discoveries and milestones. The text discusses various strategies for mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects, as well as international agreements and U.S. climate policy. It also explores the increase in litigation related to climate change and the concept of climate reparations. The document highlights the importance of holding states accountable, seeking advisory opinions, and exploring innovative forms of reparations. It discusses decarbonization and mitigation efforts, the role of the military in greenhouse gas emissions, and the importance of adaptation and resilience. The text emphasizes the need for inclusive decision-making processes and a just transition to ensure that historically marginalized communities are included in the benefits of the energy transition. It also addresses the issue of climate displacement and migration. The document concludes with a call to action, urging readers to work towards a better and more just future. [Extracted from the article]

Few countries have declared sector-specific emission reduction targets in agriculture, making it difficult to construct and assess realistic climate mitigation scenarios for analytical and policymaking purposes. We aim to fill this analytical gap by using a set of cluster analyses to gauge likely ambitions levels in reducing agricultural emission at country-level, taking into consideration important country-level characteristics and referencing the 'common but differentiated responsibilities' principle. We then use the results from the cluster analysis together with information from submitted NDCs and other considerations to design formulas for assigning numerical reduction targets to individual countries. Our main results indicate a global agricultural emission level in 2030 exceeding the limit for the 1.5°C temperature target, but representing substantially lower emissions than the no-policy scenario. At individual country-level, the scenarios consist of large emission reductions in Northern and Western Europe, followed by the USA and other developed economies, and emission increases in many developing countries. To facilitate the construction of alternative scenarios, our method also contains parameters for flexibility to scale up or down ambition levels at both country and global levels, making the method useful for other researchers to develop alternative scenarios. Agricultural emission targets at country and global level are needed for analysing the likely impacts of agricultural decarbonization Only 10% of Paris Agreement parties have specific pledges limiting agricultural emissions, indicating an uncertain decarbonization pathway and hindering international climate cooperation Our analysis based on the need, intent, readiness, and scope indicators can guide the construction of plausible mitigation scenarios at country and global levels By revealing factors that limit mitigation ambitions, our results can be used to develop instruments at country/multilateral levels to incentivize setting ambitious targets Global agricultural emissions in 2030 in our 'plausible' scenario exceeds the 1.5°C target, pointing to the need for enhanced global ambition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document, titled "Editorial: Peatlands for climate change mitigation in agriculture," discusses the importance of peatlands in storing carbon and their role in climate change mitigation. Peatlands store a significant amount of carbon, but they have been extensively drained for agricultural purposes, leading to greenhouse gas emissions. Peatland restoration is seen as a key measure to reduce these emissions and restore carbon stocks. The document also highlights the need for more research and monitoring of peatlands to support conservation and restoration efforts. [Extracted from the article]

In Germany, emissions from drained organic soils contributed approximately 53.7 Mio. t of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-eq) to the total national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2021. In addition to restoration measures, shifting management practices, rewetting, or using peatlands for paludiculture is expected to significantly reduce GHG emissions. The effects of climate change on these mitigation measures remains to be tested. In a 2017 experimental field study on agriculturally used grassland on organic soil, we assessed the effects of rewetting and of predicted climate warming on intensive grassland and on extensively managed sedge grassland (transplanted Carex acutiformis monoliths). The testing conditions of the two grassland types included drained versus rewetted conditions (annual mean water table of − 0.13 m below soil surface), ambient versus warming conditions (annual mean air temperature increase of + 0.8 to 1.3 °C; use of open top chambers), and the combination of rewetting and warming. We measured net ecosystem exchange of CO2, methane and nitrous oxide using the closed dynamic and static chamber method. Here, we report the results on the initial year of GHG measurements after transplanting adult Carex soil monoliths, including the controlled increase in water level and temperature. We observed higher N2O emissions than anticipated in all treatments. This was especially unexpected for the rewetted intensive grasslands and the Carex treatments, but largely attributable to the onset of rewetting coinciding with freeze–thaw cycles. However, this does not affect the overall outcomes on mitigation and adaptation trends. We found that warmer conditions increased total GHG emissions of the drained intensive grassland system from 48.4 to 66.9 t CO2-eq ha−1 year−1. The shift in grassland management towards Carex paludiculture resulted in the largest GHG reduction, producing a net cooling effect with an uptake of 11.1 t CO2-eq ha−1 year−1. Surprisingly, we found that this strong sink could be maintained under the simulated warming conditions ensuing an emission reduction potential of − 80 t CO2-eq ha−1 year−1. We emphasize that the results reflect a single initial measurement year and do not imply the permanence of the observed GHG sink function over time. Our findings affirm that rewetted peatlands with adapted plant species could sustain GHG mitigation and potentially promote ecosystem resilience, even under climate warming. In a warmer world, adaptation measures for organic soils should therefore include a change in management towards paludiculture. Multi-year studies are needed to support the findings of our one-year experiment. In general, the timing of rewetting should be considered carefully in mitigation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years, Canadian courts have heard the first climate change cases. These claims have been commenced on behalf of youth and future generations who allege that governments have failed to meet or, otherwise, uphold greenhouse gas reduction targets under the Paris Agreement. This novel area of litigation has brought forth creative legal arguments to expand or re-envision existing doctrines in order to place blame for what continues to be a warming planet and increasingly unstable ecosystems. This article investigates the public trust doctrine. In Canadian courts, the doctrine's limited and arguably parochial interpretation has diverged from its understanding in other jurisdictions. Now, it appears to be at a crossroads. On the one hand, it can lay the foundation for robust climate litigation for years to come via common law, constitutional law, or even natural law interpretations. On the other hand, it could wither away into irrelevance as, even if it is recognized as part of Canadian law, it would be relegated to its historical origins as a property law doctrine that guarantees that natural resources can be accessed by the public--not a doctrine that obligates governments to protect natural resources for current and future generations. Arguably, the public trust doctrine sits alone as a potential tool to hold government and even corporate actors to account for their exceptional contributions to a warming planet. Currently, the tension in Canadian courts lies with how broadly to interpret the doctrine, particularly in light of past opinions that span from obiter comments in Canfor to the doctrine's recent rejection in La Rose. For an expansive public trust doctrine that could be applied in climate litigation, Canadian courts would construe governments as being responsible for the continued enjoyment of inherently public resources, including the air, atmosphere, forests, and all navigable waters. Pursuant to that understanding, the doctrine would serve as a cause of action for claims brought by individuals against governments as well as for claims brought by governments against arms-length corporations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tropical savannas represent a large proportion of the area burnt each year globally, with growing evidence that management to curtail fire frequency and intensity in some of these regions can contribute to mitigation of climate change. Approximately 25% of Australia's fire-prone tropical savanna region is currently managed for carbon projects, contributing significantly to Australia's National Greenhouse Gas Inventory. Aims: To improve the accuracy of Australia's national carbon accounting model (FullCAM) for reporting of fire emissions and sequestration of carbon in savanna ecosystems. Methods: Field data from Australian savannas were collated and used to calibrate FullCAM parameters for the prediction of living biomass, standing dead biomass and debris within seven broad vegetation types. Key results: Revised parameter sets and improved predictions of carbon stocks and fluxes across Australia's savanna ecosystems in response to wildfire and planned fire were obtained. Conclusions: The FullCAM model was successfully calibrated to include fire impacts and post-fire recovery in savanna ecosystems. Implications: This study has expanded the capability of FullCAM to simulate both reduced emissions and increased sequestration of carbon in response to management of fire in tropical savanna regions of Australia, with implications for carbon accounting at national and project scales. Savanna fire management has proved to be an effective mechanism for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon storage in ecosystems. In this study, we calibrate the FullCAM carbon accounting model with extensive field data to improve the model's representation of fire impacts and carbon dynamics in Australian savannas, and to facilitate carbon accounting at project to national scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are among the most devastating natural hazards for coastal regions, and their response to human activities has broad socio-economic relevance. So far, how TC responds to climate change mitigation remains unknown, complicating the design of adaptation policies. Using net-zero and negative carbon emission experiments, we reveal a robust hemisphere-asymmetric hysteretic TC response to CO2 reduction. During the decarbonization phase, the Northern Hemisphere TC frequency continues to decrease for several more decades, while the Southern Hemisphere oceans abruptly shifts to a stormier state, with the timescales depending on mitigation details. Such systematic changes are largely attributed to the planetary-scale reorganization of vertical wind shear and midlevel upward motion associated with the hysteretic southward migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, underpinned by the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and El Niño-like mean state changes. The hemispheric contrast in TC response suggests promising benefits for most of the world's population from human action to mitigate greenhouse gas warming, but it may also exacerbate regional socioeconomic disparities, for example by putting more pressure on small open-ocean island states in the Southern Hemisphere to adapt to TC risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans ought to do much more in order to remedy the severe harm caused by climate change. While there seems to be an overall consensus that governments and other national and international political agents need to resolve the problem, there is no agreement yet on the role and responsibility of individuals in this process. In this paper, I suggest an argument of integrity that offers strong pro tanto moral reasons for individuals to reduce their personal greenhouse gas emissions. Hourdequin (2010) has presented an argument of integrity to justify a corresponding obligation. In this paper, I argue that even though Hourdequin's argument is appealing, it has important limitations. I advance the argument in light of the current literature so that it is not subject to these limitations and establishes an overall more comprehensive justification for why individuals ought to reduce their personal emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]