Search

Peatlands are significant to global efforts to combat climate change. However, to date, they have been a missing piece in the climate change mitigation policy puzzle in the European Union (EU). Taking a policy coherence perspective, we investigate how policies from different governance levels—that is, EU, member state, and regional levels—support and impede existing and new policies for climate-friendly peatland usage. We put a particular focus on incentive-based policy instruments, because such incentives are often advocated as promising policy instruments for supporting the transition to the sustainable management of peatlands. We selected the three peatland-rich EU countries Finland, Germany, and the Netherlands. Based on semi-structured interviews with 35 experts, we indicate a lack of horizontal policy coherence between agriculture, nature conservation, water management, forestry, energy, and climate policies in terms of climate change mitigation measures on peatlands. At the EU level, most prominently, the Common Agricultural Policy counteracts climate targets because direct payments currently encourage the unsustainable management of peatlands. At the national and subnational levels, water quality in Finland, nature conservation in Germany, and subsidence in the Netherlands were primary objectives of peatland relevant policies. Due to a lack of clear guidance on raising the groundwater table, the current incentive-based policy instruments are ineffective for reducing emissions. Despite its higher mitigation potential, potential incentive-based policies for rewetting encounter various regulatory barriers caused by the policy incoherence. We conclude that the transition to climate-friendly peatland usage requires coherent regulatory frameworks and incentive-based policies supporting rewetting. • We demonstrate the multi-sectoral and multi-level nature of peatland policies in the EU. • Agriculture, nature, water, and energy policies often impede horizontal coherence. • Conflicts between EU, national, and regional policies hinder vertical coherence. • Regulatory frameworks and incentive-based policies should be coherent. • Current incentive-based policy instruments are ineffective for emissions reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the early 2000′s when discussions started around the concept of REDD+ , numerous studies estimated the opportunity costs often implicitly viewed as proxies for the total costs of avoided deforestation. We reviewed their methods and the stated objectives to assess their alignment, suitability and robustness. We found a lack of correspondence between methods and objectives, which include setting compensation levels, identifying cost-efficient activities, or assessing financial viability with respect to carbon markets. While the search for perfect accuracy is a fallacy, some major mistakes must be avoided, e.g. equating the costs of avoided deforestation to opportunity costs or including an inappropriate group of economic agents in the calculations. Best practises must be followed to ensure that estimations properly inform intervention design, decisions and policies; they refer to methods applied and their suitability for related decisions. They include: the need to first define objectives and then adapt methods because estimations can be done variously with contrasted results; to cautiously determine the scope - which stakeholders and stages of value chain are considered - while prioritising the broad picture and avoiding getting lost in estimation details; to discuss sensitivity of results and recognise uncertainties; and to consider the implications of scale in the study design. Given the urgency to preserve natural forest and mitigate climate change in the most cost-effective way, we believe that our analysis and its recommendations are a step in this direction with expected increased emissions reductions due to improved interventions. • Opportunity costs are essential for allocation of avoided deforestation funding. • Review shows shortcomings in methods used and lack of their justification. • Most important is to align methods with objectives and define relevant scope. • A few best practices are discussed to avoid major mistakes. • We provide guidance to orient future studies with reasonable methodological choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible, reliable and diverse sources of climate information are needed to inform climate change adaptation at all levels of society, particularly for vulnerable sectors such as smallholder farming. Globally, many smallholder farmers use Indigenous knowledge (IK) and local knowledge (LK) to forecast weather and climate; however, less is known about how the use of these forecasts connects to decisions and actions for reducing climate risks. We examined the role of IK and LK in seasonal forecasting and the broader climate adaptation decision-making of smallholder farmers in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe. The data were collected from a sample of 100 smallholder farmers. Seventy-three of the 100 interviewed farmers used IK and LK weather and climate forecasts, and 32% relied solely on IK and LK forecasts for climate adaptation decision-making. Observations of cuckoo birds, leaf-sprouting of Mopane trees, high summer temperatures, and Nimbus clouds are the main indicators used for IK and LK forecasts. The use of IK and LK climate forecasts was significantly positively associated with increasing farmer age and farmland size. Farmers using IK and LK forecasts implemented, on average, triple the number of adaptation measures compared with farmers not using IK and LK. These findings demonstrate the widespread reliance of farmers on IK and LK for seasonal forecasts, and the strong positive link between the use of IK and LK and the implementation of climate adaptation actions. This positive association between IK and LK usage and the implementation of adaptation actions may be widespread in smallholder farming communities throughout Africa and globally. Recognition and inclusion of IK and LK in climate services is important to ensure their continued potential for enhancing climate change adaptation. • Indigenous (IK) and local knowledge (LK) underpin climate change adaptation. • Reliability, trust, and accessibility of climate forecasts affect season preparedness. • 32% of IK and LK users act on no other climate information source. • IK and LK users implement triple the number of adaptation actions. • Recognition, inclusion and preservation of IK and LK essential to adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forestry carbon sink refers to the net income generated by forests, trees and woodlands in the process of absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide and fixing renewable forest resources. With the rapid development of Chinese economy and accelerating industrialization and urbanization, global climate change has become the focus of attention of all countries. Forest has a strong carbon sink function. The study of forest carbon sequestration and oxygen release value assessment is of great significance for the protection, development and utilization of forest resources and the mitigation of climate change. In this paper, the distributed storage model based on cloud computing architecture was adopted to evaluate the value of forest carbon sequestration and oxygen release. This model can be used to quickly calculate the value of forest carbon sequestration and oxygen release in a certain region, provide data support for forestry carbon sink trading, and provide method reference and scientific basis for forestry carbon sink project accounting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests are the largest pool of carbon in terrestrial ecosystems and are important for climate change mitigation. By analyzing the carbon sequestration process of forest ecosystem, the carbon sequestration amount of forest can be modeled as a nonlinear function, and the mechanism of forest carbon sequestration can be discussed on this basis. The research first introduced the relevant theories of forest carbon sequestration, followed by the preparation of the visualization system construction based on the research area and data sources, and then the construction of the visualization system, and finally carried out the simulation verification. The results show that the system is effective and accurate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telemedicine, Virtual visits, Carbon emissions, Sustainability, General surgery clinic Keywords: Telemedicine; Virtual visits; Carbon emissions; Sustainability; General surgery clinic EN Telemedicine Virtual visits Carbon emissions Sustainability General surgery clinic 2199 2201 3 10/18/23 20231001 NES 231001 Meeting Information: This project was presented at the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA) meeting on March 9-12, 2023, in Miami, Florida. [Extracted from the article]

Energy efficiency plays a central role in climate change mitigation policies. Countries are using different methods to estimate energy savings from energy efficiency improvements. Improved methods to measure energy efficiency savings are adopted mainly in countries with mandatory energy efficiency targets. They use bottom-up and top-down methods to enhance the reliability of savings estimates. India has implemented various energy efficiency measures, and the impact of most of the schemes is estimated using the simplified deemed savings bottom-up approach. Index Decomposition Analysis is a top-down approach, but its use in India is limited due to a lack of reliable national energy balances. This study uses India's energy balances from International Energy Agency to estimate the energy efficiency savings in India during 2011–19. It is found that the IDA estimates are lower than the government's deemed savings estimates. The underlying assumptions in the simplified deemed savings approach may overestimate savings, or savings from index decomposition analysis may be underestimated due to data limitations. Improved methods and reliable and timely data is essential for measuring energy savings from energy efficiency. National-level targets on energy efficiency can push improvements in energy savings measurement techniques. The targets can also address several barriers in the energy efficiency markets. • Developing countries use simplified approaches to estimate EE savings. • Combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches increase reliability of estimates. • IDA estimates of saving from EE policies in India are lower than government estimates. • Energy intensity targets can improve energy savings measurement techniques in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate and economic policy are closely correlated with energy consumption. This study investigates the bi-directional causality between renewable (REC) and non-renewable energy consumption (NEC) and policy uncertainties. The time-varying bootstrap rolling window causality test considers structural changes and parameter instability. The results show that the causality between REC and climate policy uncertainty (CPU) is both negative and positive, which mainly stems from the attitudes of authorities towards climate change. If the Administration is positive for climate change mitigation, the correlation between REC and CPU is positive; otherwise, it is negative. The nexus between NEC and CPU is mainly positive, except during global financial crisis periods. This reflects that climate policies are affected by financial crises due to financial constraints. For comparison, we further analyse the dynamic correlation between energy consumption and economic policy uncertainty (EPU). EPU has a significant negative impact on REC in most subperiods, while it has a positive impact on NEC. This can be explained by the fact that non-renewable energy is cheap and convenient to use during economic downturns. Moreover, crude oil has strategic reserve value, especially in the turmoil periods. Regarding policy implications, harmonious and coherent climate and economic policies are important for energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture contributes to global climate change by producing 20–25% of greenhouse gases (GHGs). CO 2 is released from deforestation and land conversion, methane from rice paddy fields, and nitrous oxides from overfertilization. An increasing world population requires a change in the agro food systems, including a reduction in chemical fertilizers and pesticides as well as the production and access to food. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have created a global climate crisis which requires immediate interventions to mitigate the negative effects on all aspects of life on this planet. As current agriculture and land use contributes up to 25% of total GHG emissions, plant scientists take center stage in finding possible solutions for a transition to sustainable agriculture and land use. In this article, the PlantACT! (Plants for climate ACTion!) initiative of plant scientists lays out a road map of how and in which areas plant scientists can contribute to finding immediate, mid-term, and long-term solutions, and what changes are necessary to implement these solutions at the personal, institutional, and funding levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proposed analysis investigates whether the type of central banks' monetary policy mandates and their financial stability governance arrangements influence the adoption of climate-related financial policies. The empirical findings confirm a statistically significant relationship between a broader monetary policy mandate and the adoption of climate-related financial policies. However, the hypothesis – informed by existing literature – that a more integrated financial stability governance model would imply a higher adoption of climate-related financial policies is not confirmed. Focusing on G20 countries in 2000–2018, the study reveals that a more complex financial stability governance based on less integrated arrangements is more successful for climate-related financial policy adoption. Other factors, such as the presence of a democratic regime, the independence of the central bank, and being a member of the Sustainable Banking Network, have a positive and (statistically) significant effect across all specifications. Moreover, the materialization of climate-related physical risks such as, e.g., floods, heatwaves, droughts, and storms, and transition risks proxied by – among others – CO2 emissions per capita, climate mitigation policies, and financial readiness to implement climate adaptation plans are also essential. The results are robust after considering a different dependent variable and several alternative model specifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitigation pathways that stabilise global warming to 1.5 °C describe rapidly increasing deployment of land-based solutions, including increased carbon sequestration in soils and biomass. This places additional demands on land, which is also required to provide food security and other ecosystem services. Sustainable Intensification (SI) of agriculture has the potential to facilitate meeting demands for food and fibre, while simultaneously meeting environmental and ecological goals. The scientific literature has most often addressed the challenge of SI separately to climate change mitigation objectives in agricultural systems. Using a systematic review approach, we explored the compatibility of SI and carbon sequestration research through two contrasting case studies: Case Study I on Grassland Agriculture in Europe, and Case Study II on Smallholder Agriculture in Africa. We find contrasting levels of research theme similarity for SI and carbon sequestration, with European grassland agriculture research having lower similarity compared with African smallholder agriculture research. There was a focus on minimising biodiversity loss and environmental impacts in Europe, in contrast to a food security emphasis in Africa, reflecting regional and development differences. While there are clear context and agricultural-system specific differences between both case studies, both suggest that sustainable land use policies can be used to achieve SI integrated with climate mitigation in agriculture. • Climate mitigation pathways increasingly incorporate land-based carbon storage. • Sustainable intensification (SI) of agriculture may reduce demand for land. • We investigated the compatibility of research on SI and carbon sequestration. • There were significant contrasts reflecting a need for better integration. • Sustainable land use policies can help achieve mitigation where integrated with SI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the popularity and feasibility of solar power have increased toward achieving a low-carbon and climate-resilient society, it is uncertain how changes in climate attributes will affect the future potential of solar power output. This study presents a comparative assessment of future changes in solar power in terms of the technology for harnessing energy from insolation (PVP vs CSP), climate projections (CMIP5 vs CMIP6), and emission scenarios. Both CMIP5 and CMIP6 multi-model projections capture the major characteristics of the global distribution seen in PVP and CSP calculated using the reanalysis data during the historical period. However, despite the general similarity to CMIP5-based results, CMIP6 models slightly outperform their CMIP5 counterparts regarding quantitative metrics and enhance the robustness of the future change signal estimated by the statistical significance and inter-model consistency. The future changes in PVP and CSP patterns are sensitive to the emission scenarios that can control the degree of warming. Under the fossil-fueled development scenarios, the greater increase in temperatures may lead to a high vulnerability of the solar power supply by reducing the output of both PVP and CSP. This study is timely and relevant to emphasizing the benefits of climate change mitigation, which can support the sustainable development of solar energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy security and climate change are among the top priority challenges for Turkey. High dependency on imported resources jeopardizes the economy, especially with high currency rate and conflicts in neighboring countries from where Turkey imports its energy. Besides, Turkey has already started to experience the impacts of climate change such as increasing temperature along with drought. Floating photovoltaics have proven themselves to be quite efficient in energy production, with evaporation reduction as a positive externality. The purpose of this article is to reveal the possible capacity of floating photovoltaics on constructed water reservoirs of Turkey and draw policy perspectives against existing or anticipated challenges. A total of 4,003 reservoirs were analyzed based on different water surface coverage scenarios. The results of the study proposed 125 TWh electricity generation, slightly above 40% of the nation-wide electricity demand, when 10% of suitable reservoirs were covered. This generation would be highly instrumental in reducing energy dependency and substituting renewables for conventional resource uses. Avoided CO 2 , thanks to this substitution, was calculated to be 77.1 Mton equivalent. This would obviously be favorable in light of the carbon emission reduction policy of the country and Paris Agreement requirements. Moreover, 1,242.1 hm3 freshwater was assessed to save resources from evaporation loss, which would help to mitigate the climate change pressure on water resources. • Turkey is 74% dependent to import energy resources. • A model proposing suitable reservoirs for floating photovoltaic is presented. • 125 TWh electricity can be generated if 10% of the reservoir surfaces are covered. • Water saving is 1,242 hm3: enough to supply 15 M people or hydroelectric as $32.3 M. • 77.6 million tons CO 2 equivalent is avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate net-zero emission pledges have multiplied in recent years, with estimates suggesting that more than 1000 companies have made such commitments. While seemingly indicative of companies stepping up to address climate change, critics have argued that pledges may be mere greenwashing if they rely on excessive offsetting and legitimise business-as-usual. Considerable grey and academic literature has debated the problems of net-zero and explored the integrity and transparency of net-zero plans. We add to this literature by investigating discursive aspects of net-zero logics through an in-depth case study of the Swedish fast food chain MAX Burgers AB. Through a textual analysis of MAX's communication of its 'climate-positive' – or net-negative – burgers, we explore the narratives underpinning its net-zero work and how these serve MAX's interests. Our investigation shows that MAX's net-zero claim justifies its existing business practices and directs focus away from actions that could directly reduce its emissions. Thus, we show that MAX is pushing non-transformative solutions, such as offsetting and voluntary corporate action, while shifting responsibility for climate action onto others, such as consumers and smallholder farmers in the global South. We conclude that even seemingly progressive corporate net-zero pledges and claims become problematic if they distract from real reductions and justify carbon-intensive lifestyles. • We investigate the net-zero claims and narratives of a Swedish fast food chain. • Net-zero claims may serve to justify business-as-usual corporate climate approaches. • The claim shifts responsibility to act and proposes non-transformative solutions. • Carbon-intensive lifestyles in the global North are enabled and legitimised. • Without regulation net-zero pledges risks diverting from decarbonisation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2015 Paris Agreement, which was a global effort to address climate change and meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), established the Technology Mechanism Initiative as the key to facilitating technology transfer; however, the target SDGs of this initiative have not been identified. This study reviewed technical assistance (TA) project documents of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), an organization under the Technology Mechanism Initiative, to analyze the general status of climate technology implementation, identify the targeted SDGs using sectoral classification, and examine the current national SDG statuses of TA-participating countries. While sectoral classifications have specific relationships with certain goals, SDGs 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry Innovation and Infrastructure), and 13 (Climate Action) were primarily referenced as they focused on energy and cross-sector applications. The evaluations also revealed that countries should prioritize poverty- and food-related SDGs. Therefore, expanding TA contributions to SDGs by better grouping sectoral classifications based on regional and local needs was essential because SDGs were linked to both sector-specific and climate technologies. Thus, a climate technology package based on sectoral classifications was proposed to bridge the gap between SDG attainment and the climate change objectives proposed by the Paris Agreement. • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted by technology assistance projects were identified. • Energy and cross-sector SDGs were the most commonly mentioned, but not food and poverty SDGs. • A climate technology package is proposed based on sectoral classifications and regional needs. • Technologies should be grouped according to their priority to accelerate sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global energy markets are experiencing an unprecedented confluence of events that are driving up gas prices and bringing energy security to the forefront, adding further complexity to already uncertain prospects following global economic recovery from COVID-19. This article examines the factors that have led to the current surge in natural gas prices and the role of green investment in enhancing energy security and accelerating the transition pace for a sustainable world. It also discusses the potential short- and long-term implications of ongoing spikes in energy prices on global energy transition. The analysis highlights that while renewables could provide a promising solution to enhance energy security, the current energy crisis has revealed that the current scale of renewable energy investments is not ready to address ongoing energy needs, forcing countries to re-unlock further hydrocarbon fuel sources such as coal, putting global energy transition on hold. The paper concludes with policy recommendations that enable unlocking clean energy investments amid a strained geopolitical context. • We focus on how to balance climate mitigation and energy security goals. • We examine the role of green finance and investments in accelerating the energy transition. • We also discuss the potential short- and long-term implications of ongoing energy spikes. • The current scale of green energy investments is not ready to address ongoing energy needs. • We conclude with policy recommendations that enable unlocking clean energy developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Many local authorities are preparing climate actions plans. • Policies to increase distributed energy generation such as PV are likely. • As capacities increase, PV can dominate system variability and predictability. • Predictive demand side response (DSR) may be too coarse to address this. • More granular techniques such as using system frequency may be required. Since 2018, over three quarters of UK local governments have signed climate emergency declarations signalling a new phase in local climate action. Many areas are developing climate action plans and considering what policies could be adopted to increase the use of distributed energy resources, such as building-integrated photo-voltaic (PV) generation. In this paper we demonstrate how city-scale backcasting can be used as a tool to go beyond technical feasibility and explore the policy, market and governance implications of decarbonisation pathways across the local and nation scales. Using urban PV as an example we model three scenarios for increasing installed capacity in the UK city of Bristol and demonstrate how, in each case, PV switches from being a minor 'negative load' on the energy system to being the dominant factor determining the volatility and predictability of the energy demand during daylight hours. Current approaches to integrating distributed energy resources into the wider system tend to focus on predictive modelling and half-hourly pricing to drive demand-side response. Our analysis indicates the risks of relying on these non-real time methods and suggests that more granular techniques such as triggering local DSR based on changes in electricity system frequency could better manage the variability of high levels of PV deployment at the local scale. We also demonstrate the importance of developing new local approaches to system integration that bring together network operators, local authorities and other local actors to deploy renewable generation and flexibility assets in coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Biogas upgrading is environmentally and energetically favourable over combustion. • Storage or utilisation of the captured CO 2 has larger savings than biogas upgrading. • Upgrading, CO 2 storage or utilisation perform well in all impact categories. • The energy system has a substantial impact on the environmental performance. • Methanation provides large climate change savings only in renewable energy systems. Biogas from anaerobic digestion is an important renewable energy source. Combining its utilisation with carbon capture and storage (CCS) or carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) may improve climate change performance. This study uses life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental impacts of 17 biogas management technology configurations (TCs). The technologies include biogas combustion, upgrading to natural gas quality, CCS, direct utilisation of CO 2 and methanation. The focus is mainly on energy balances and climate change impacts, and the results are subjected to sensitivity-, uncertainty-, and energy system analysis. The TCs with CCS and CCU provide the largest climate change savings (-1400 to - 2100 kg CO 2 -eq/1000 Nm3 biogas). Specifically, the methanation TCs provide the highest savings, but they also depend strongly on the energy sources. When combustion and upgrading TCs are amended with CCS, the resulting climate change savings are robust across the energy systems. The biogas upgrading TCs exhibit substantial climate change savings, mainly due to the natural gas substitution. Combustion TCs without CCS have the lowest climate change savings and the highest quantified uncertainties. The biogas upgrading TCs with storage or direct utilisation of CO 2 provide a good compromise between climate change savings and energy recovery. In the remaining impact categories, the CCU TCs generally perform best, followed by the upgrading TCs and finally, the combustion TCs. The CCS TCs consistently perform worse than their counterparts without CCS, opposite to the climate change results. Overall, amending biogas utilisation with CCS or CCU can contribute to climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limiting climate change to within the 2 °C limit requires net zero emissions of CO2 by 2050. However, the window of opportunity is closing fast. Geoengineering as the intentional and large-scale manipulation of the environment and the climate is increasingly discussed as a complement to ongoing mitigation efforts. As a particular geoengineering approach, space-based geoengineering proposes blocking or dissipating a fraction of incoming sunlight via a large number of occulting membranes, located close to the Lagrange 1 point between the Sun and the Earth. However, the mass of these sunshades, around 107–108 tons, and their deployment cost and effort render them about 10³ times more costly than terrestrial geoengineering alternatives. In this article, affordable sunshades, to be positioned close to L1 of the Earth-Sun system, are proposed, which are between 102 to 10³ times lighter than the lightest existing sunshade concepts. This is achieved via a nearly zero-radiation pressure design based on transparent refractive surfaces manufactured with ultra-thin polymeric films and SiO 2 nanotubes. The lightest sunshade proposed in this article has a total mass of approximately 5.5 × 105 tons and its deployment requires between 859 and 399 annual launches during a ten year period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental catastrophes, including the increased severity and frequency of climate extremes, can act as "windows of opportunities" that challenge citizens' mental models and motivate them to engage in reflective processes, challenging their pre-conceived ideas. Less well understood is whether experiencing changing weather conditions, common in mid-latitudes, can have a similar effect and increase the citizens' concerns about climate change and their willingness to accept more stringent climate policies. In this paper, we investigate the effects of changing seasonal temperature on the perceived seriousness of climate change and willingness to mitigate climate change. We use data from four yearly waves of a spatially explicit representative population survey in Germany and weather records from the postal code areas in which they live. To our knowledge, this study is the first analysis to link individual perceptions towards climate change and different mitigation options with seasonal temperature changes at specific locations in Europe. The analyzed perceptions were strongly influenced by socio-demographic characteristics and broader societal changes, as well as individual experiences of seasonal temperatures. The results show that experienced seasonal temperature change influences personal climate change concerns as well as the willingness to mitigate climate change, although with a weaker effect. The results indicate that it is the absolute temperature variation experienced that is important, rather than whether it is getting colder or warmer than usual. Considering the influences identified in this study can offer a window of opportunity for more stringent and targeted climate change policy. • Seasonal temperature changes influence climate change perception. • Effects can offer a window of opportunity for more stringent climate change policy. • Governmental mitigation policy solutions less supported than self-determined options. • Perceptions influenced by broader societal changes as well as individual experiences. • Need for targeted climate change communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution control policies in China have been experiencing profound changes, highlighting a strategic transformation from total pollutant emission control to air quality improvement, along with the shifting targets starting from acid rain and NO x emissions to PM 2.5 pollution, and then the emerging O 3 challenges. The marvelous achievements have been made with the dramatic decrease of SO 2 emission and fundamental improvement of PM 2.5 concentration. Despite these achievements, China has proposed Beautiful China target through 2035 and the goal of 2030 carbon peak and 2060 carbon neutrality, which impose stricter requirements on air quality and synergistic mitigation with Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Against this background, an integrated multi-objective and multi-benefit roadmap is required to provide decision support for China's long-term air quality improvement strategy. This paper systematically reviews the technical system for developing the air quality improvement roadmap, which was integrated from the research output of China's National Key R&D Program for Research on Atmospheric Pollution Factors and Control Technologies (hereafter Special NKP), covering mid- and long-term air quality target setting techniques, quantitative analysis techniques for emission reduction targets corresponding to air quality targets, and pathway optimization techniques for realizing reduction targets. The experience and lessons derived from the reviews have implications for the reformation of China's air quality improvement roadmap in facing challenges of synergistic mitigation of PM 2.5 and O 3 , and the coupling with climate change mitigation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With an increasing focus on climate action and energy security, an appropriate mix of renewable energy technologies is imperative. Despite having considerable global potential, wave energy has still not reached a state of maturity or economic competitiveness to have made an impact. Challenges include the high capital and operational costs associated with deployment in the harsh ocean environment, so it is imperative that the full energy harnessing capacity of wave energy devices, and arrays of devices in farms, is realised. To this end, control technology has an important role to play in maximising power capture, while ensuring that physical system constraints are respected, and control actions do not adversely affect device lifetime. Within the gamut of control technology, a variety of tools can be brought to bear on the wave energy control problem, including various control strategies (optimal, robust, nonlinear, etc.), data-based model identification, estimation, and forecasting. However, the wave energy problem displays a number of unique features which challenge the traditional application of these techniques, while also presenting a number of control 'paradoxes'. This review articulates the important control-related characteristics of the wave energy control problem, provides a survey of currently applied control and control-related techniques, and gives some perspectives on the outstanding challenges and future possibilities. The emerging area of control co-design, which is especially relevant to the relatively immature area of wave energy system design, is also covered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use faces a double challenge: to provide biomass to a growing population while contributing to climate-change mitigation. We here scrutinize this challenge by exploring the domestic option space for meeting the food demand of Austria in 2050 under the condition of no deforestation. To that end, we bring together a quantitative assessment based on biogeochemical models with a socio-political analysis based on the conceptual framework of (dis-) embeddedness derived from Polanyian thinking. We consider viable options by modifying four levers: (i) human diet and food waste; (ii) trade patterns; (iii) agricultural practices; (iv) technical climate change mitigation. Past and present policies in Austria have fostered an agricultural system rich in animal products, land-use specialization and the integration of biomass products within international markets, ultimately resulting in a loss of embeddedness in the sense of Polanyi. The biophysical analysis, however, highlights that a shift towards diets with less animal products would allow increasing self-sufficiency or a generalization of organic farming while turning the agricultural and forestry sector into a net GHG sink. Following a Polanyian perspective, we show that feasible scenarios require different types of re-embedding of the agricultural system: ecological, spatial and social, implying that land products should rather be common goods than mere commodities. • We explore the biophysical option space of the agricultural system in Austria. • We combine a modelling approach with a Polanyian interpretation framework. • We show that diet is a key lever to meet food demand while reducing GHG budget. • We show that organic farming or self-sufficiency are feasible option. • Reducing GHG budget will require social, ecological and spatial re-embedding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change poses serious risks to rural communities which rely heavily on climate-sensitive resources. Rural communities are also significant contributors to GHG emissions given the prevalence of agriculture and related activities and are therefore expected to develop courses of action that tackle climate change. This includes either formulating a standalone plan that outlines mitigation and adaptation strategies or integrating these priorities into existing plans. The extent to which municipalities fulfill these planning functions, and how well, has been found to vary considerably from one community to another. In this study, we sought to contribute to knowledge about how well rural municipalities are planning for climate change risks. To this end, we systematically evaluated the contents and quality of rural climate change plans in Ontario (Canada). Using a well-established plan quality evaluation framework, we found that rural plans generally contained strong mechanisms for coordination between departments, and most had outlined specific goals concerning climate change action. By contrast, few plans provided a meaningful fact base to support their goals, many lacked specific policies to guide decision-makers in achieving climate goals, and most contained weak provisions for monitoring and evaluation. After drawing out some key themes from the plan quality analysis, the article concludes by pointing to areas of rural climate change planning that require further attention, and by outlining some areas for further study. • Rural municipal climate change planning is in its infancy in Ontario, Canada. • There is an emphasis on climate mitigation over adaptation. • There is a lack of meaningful fact base to support climate change goals. • Plans lacked specific policies to guide decision-makers in achieving climate goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• End of waste policies can support the diffusion of WEEE and ELV practices. • Social change is the most relevant issue to improve the correct disposal of MSWs. • Behavioural and regulatory policies accelerate the transition towards circularity. • Technological maturity seems to be already achieved. • Rethinking needed is the scenario that best fit the waste management. The European Union has recently prioritized waste policies by embedding them in the new Horizon Europe work programme. Here, circular economy (CE) and digitalization are matching together in order to support all the industrial sectors in increasing their sustainability level. One of the main impacts expected from the EU is a better exploitation of wasted resources. However, waste streams are very different in terms of volumes, embedded materials and management policies. Considering only those waste streams with highest volumes, this study focuses on End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV), Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Starting from some policy recommendations and analyses identified through a literature review and the support of the experts, a survey has been conducted to identify the most critical items for each waste stream. Results of the survey show that, on the one hand, end of waste strategies has the highest importance for WEEE and ELV categories. On the other hand, social change has the highest importance for MSW. Consequently, end of waste strategies and social change should be considered as enablers of reuse and recycling practices in their reference contexts. In order to counteract the significant socio-economic issues already caused by delays in taking clear decisions about climate change mitigation strategies, policymakers should focus on these policy implications urgently if even more imminent environmental catastrophes are to be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) have significant influence on the global economic and environmental trajectories. They have carbon intensive economic systems, which contribute significantly to total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, leading to climate change. However, BRICS have joined the race to net-zero emissions by 2050 in the quest for a climate neutral and sustainable global economy. The journey, however, is not without challenges and opportunities. The proliferation of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had mixed reactions from scientists regarding its implications on net-zero trajectories. While statistical data show a correlation between COVID-19 and a decrease in total emissions, it is envisaged that COVID-19 compromised the efforts to develop carbon neutral economies. Hence, there is still need for more scientific examination of COVID-19's impact on net-zero ambitions, especially in the emerging economies. This study focuses on India and South Africa's trajectories. Statistical analysis of secondary data from authentic interactive web-based dashboards for COVID-19 data repositories, namely Our World in Data and Climate Action Tracker was performed in conjunction with the document analysis approach following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. Some of the COVID-19 challenges as indicated by the results of the study include curtailing the technology transfer staircase in the energy sector, retaliatory emissions for recovery and resource diversion. The opportunities presented by COVID-19 in the quest for carbon neutrality include behavioural changes in investment, production and consumption patterns with a focus on low carbon options. Governments and stakeholders need to focus on addressing the barriers whilst riding on the opportunities presented by the pandemic to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) ratio of 0.45 has been applied in numerous ecological studies to convert global solar radiation (H) to PAR by ordinary multiplication. The ratio is essentially useful and convenient, particularly when in situ measurement of climate data sets are not readily available due to inadequate instrumentation network and experience required. Up till now, there is no general agreement on whether the ratio is 0.45 and how the solar fluxes are distributed in Nigeria or around the world. Numerous empirical ratios have been reported in literature. This study proposed five (5) machine learning models (bagging, boosting, artificial neural network (MLP), automatic regression integrated moving average (ARIMA), controlled ARIMA), and 5 Physics-based models (Physics-based Gumbel model (PGM), popularly applied ratio (PCR), observed PAR ratio (POR), empirical, and PGM-CARIMA hybrid models. The 10 models were used to predict PAR using generalized datasets in Nigeria and the PGM-CARIMA model emerged as the best performing fit based on the R2, RMSE, MAPE, and BIC error metric indicators. PGM-CARIMA reported a better estimate for predicting PAR compared to POR and PCR with a relative error ranging from 0.00002 to 0.0503% compared to POR and PCR which recorded 4.657% and 6.178%. This implies that the use of PGM-CARIMA is more suitable for predicting the PAR ratio as it introduces a lower marginal error of approximately 0.00002–0.0503% when applied for the calculation of net primary productivity (NNP) and of climate change with a significant reduction from 6.17% and 4.65% was achieved in using the ratio of PCR and POR, respectively. Using the proposed PGM-CARIMA evolutionary hybrid model, we demonstrated that the annual mean of the ratio yielded a range of 0.4377 to 0.4712 in Nigeria. The authors also proposed the Physics-based classical climate change model (PCM) to assess the impact of climate change on PAR productivity in Nigeria. The findings revealed that changes in PAR productivity as a result of the impact of climate change may accelerate food production and crop yields in Southern Nigeria and depreciate overall food production and crop yields in Northern Nigeria in 2030, 2040, and 2021–2040. The results of the climate analysis also revealed that north-central Nigeria often referred to as the nation's food basket is most negatively impacted by the impact of climate change externalities over the periods studied. The authors recommended mitigation and adaptation plans such as delayed planting dates, intercropping, routine planting of tropical forages, especially livestock that feed on plants, could be key to climate change mitigation, also, expansion of the planting area as well as the incorporation of improved seedlings that are highly resistant to extreme temperatures will accelerate food security across the country within the periods studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The article addresses a knowledge gap about how spatial situatedness shapes agency in urban experiments. • We introduce a framework from the literature on regional development, identifying three distinct types of agency. • The framework is combined with a process perspective to develop an analytical framework. • The framework is employed in a case study of an urban experiment in Gothenburg, Sweden. Experimentation has become one of the prevailing modes of governing the transition toward sustainable practices in urban environments. The spatial variation of urban sustainability transition has been attributed to a variety of conditions erected at different spatial scales. What remains less well-understood is how spatial situatedness shapes agency in urban experiments and the shapes agency can take is a field that requires further research and frameworks. The paper addresses this gap by introducing a framework from the literature on regional development, identifying three distinct types of agency that shape regional development processes. Combining this framework with a process perspective on urban experiments, we develop an analytical framework, which allows for a more granular understanding of agency in urban sustainability transitions. The analytical framework is then brought to use in a case study of an urban experiment aiming to electrify public transport in Gothenburg, Sweden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Imaginaries influence climate knowledge and action and fix or unsettle visions of the future. • The imbrication of discourse and materiality is key to understanding the concept of imaginaries. • The medium through which imaginaries are produced and circulated matter. • Different mediums offer different affordances and constraints in shaping climate imaginaries. • Attending to the role of mediums in climate imaginaries informs environmental governance debates. Imaginaries are increasingly recognised as influential in shaping climate knowledge and action and in fixing or unsettling particular visions of the future. Whilst the imbrication of discourse and materiality is key to the distinctiveness of the concept of imaginaries, attention has tended to focus on their symbolic and discursive aspects, overlooking the role of the material dimension. In this paper we seek to bring back the material into thinking about imaginaries by critically examining the relationship between climate imaginarie s and the mediums through which they are produced and circulated. We argue that the medium is an active constituent of the productive work that imaginaries do. To construct this argument, we first distinguish the imaginary from associated debates around images and imagination, highlighting its theoretical utility in rebutting modernist dualism between the material and the ideal. Second, we propose the concept of 'medium' as a way of foregrounding the material dimensions of the imaginary without re-inscribing the binary between the virtual and the material or imputing an overly agentic or predetermined role for the latter. Deploying a co-productionist approach and foregrounding process of mediation, we signal the affordances and constraints of mediums in shaping climate imaginaries. Third, we provide a comparison between climate poetry and computerised climate scenario models to examine how each offers different potentials and limitations to the imaginaries that they co-produce, and how the medium matters to the production and circulation of climate change imaginaries. We conclude by outlining an emerging research agenda and highlighting some of the implications of attending to the role of the medium in climate change imaginaries for contemporary environmental governance debates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Gitga'at climate imaginaries are shaped by lived experiences and millenia-old relationship to ancestral territories. • Gitga'at people are actively planning and adapting to climate change by maintaining relationship to territory. • Gitga'at climate imaginaries and adaptation actions center Indigenous sovereignty and resurgence. • Hegemonic settler-colonial climate imaginaries create pressures and tension on a "turning to the territory" imaginary. This article investigates how the climate imaginaries of Gitga'at people (an Indigenous Nation on the northwest coast of what is now known as British Columbia, Canada) take shape on the lands and waters of their territory and whether these imaginaries differ from or actively resist hegemonic settler-colonial imaginaries of climate futures. We analyze community values-led climate adaptation planning documents and actions, and knowledge-holder interviews to answer our research questions. Our interpretation as collaborative non-Indigenous scholars is that lived experiences and millennia-old relationship between Gitga'at people and their ancestral territory play a strong role in informing a contemporary climate imaginary of "turning to the territory". This imaginary is evidenced in the ways the Gitga'at Nation is currently adapting to impacts of climate change in their territory. We juxtapose "turning to the territory" with common settler climate imaginaries and find that it moves beyond the paralyzing "climate apocalypse" imaginary, and in fact encompasses "techno-markets" and "sustainable lifestyles" themes within a frame of Indigenous self-determination and resurgence. However, it is at odds with the hegemonic "fossil fuels forever" imaginary enacted by settler-colonial governments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of net-zero, climate-neutral buildings is attracting global attention, and it is widely recognised as a key solution for achieving climate neutrality targets in the construction sector. However, an increasing and confusing abundance of differing labels, definitions, and approaches is increasing worldwide. This article aims to chart the current progress of national net-zero building pathways and identify gaps and challenges that present a significant barrier to industry uptake and decarbonisation of the built environment worldwide. The national net-zero pathways include an analysis of building legislation, policy and voluntary frameworks in four selected countries, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States and Singapore, which are all leading regional actors in the race to zero and achieving a climate-neutral construction sector. Firstly, the study provides an overview of each country-specific context and motivation related to climate change adaptation and mitigation in the construction sector. Secondly, a review of the essential features from market-leading net-zero definitions, methodologies, schemes, and tools describing specific building approaches is conducted in each investigated country. Finally, based on the selected net-zero building case studies, the article presents the most promising design strategies for both embodied and operational environmental impact reductions, considering each specific climatic and country context. The research results indicated that the system boundaries for embodied and operational indicators (energy or GHG emissions) presented in investigated net-zero frameworks vary significantly. Consequently, there is an urgent need for a harmonised and transparent standardisation to provide coherence through performed life cycle assessments of buildings. In terms of the design strategies for achieving net-zero ambition according to the investigated frameworks, the common approach is the integration of the passive and active design strategies for operational energy or GHG emission reduction. However, it is evident that in some net-zero building examples, the consideration of the embodied environmental impacts and potential reduction strategies is missing because of not being included and mandatory in the national net-zero framework. This work is built upon the current body of knowledge on existing net-zero building frameworks and already constructed buildings and provides practical indications for building policy development and environmental impact reduction strategies in future climate-neutral, net-zero building projects. • A review of the net-zero building frameworks in Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States and Singapore is presented. • Examines design strategies for embodied and operational environmental impact reductions based on net-zero building cases. • System boundaries and compensation options vary significantly among analysed net-zero frameworks. • Integrating climate mitigation measures with resilience design strategies is missing in the current net-zero frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of climate mitigation measures at the farm level is highly dependent on farmers' willingness to make adjustments to their farms. While many studies have identified various barriers to climate mitigation in agriculture – among them farmers' weak interest in climate – there has been less research focused on the different kinds of influences actually leading to the decisions and acts of implementing relevant measures. Hence, we undertook a qualitative investigation of eight Norwegian farms that have employed a range of such measures. Most importantly, our findings show that climate considerations are not an essential driver among farmers who have implemented relevant measures. Instead, climate mitigation measures are mainly perceived as, treated as, and appreciated for offering (farm-beneficial) functions other than climate change mitigation. Consequently, our study displays an opportunity for diffusion of technology and practices often believed to be curbed by the lack of climate-oriented farmers. Further, our findings point to a range of shared, favourable, contextual conditions (robust farm economy/economies of scale; sufficient time for farming; prospects for farm continuation; relevant subsidy schemes; beneficial climate and topography) enabling the implementation of climate mitigation measures on the involved farms. This reflects the reduced ability of farmers to act in climate-beneficial ways when these conditions are absent or exist with a negative sign. The mutual dependency between intrinsic drivers and enabling contextual conditions underlines the need for both research and development strategies that consider the entire picture. This would include targeting both critical enabling conditions for farmers and the message framing employed to promote climate-beneficial changes at the farm level. • Farmers' lack of climate interest is claimed to hinder mitigation actions. • Farmers implement climate-beneficial measures due to other farm-related benefits. • Implementation of measures depends on certain favourable contextual conditions. • Adapting climate-related subsidies and counselling to these realities seems useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agri-environmental projects have been portrayed as tools for climate change adaptation and mitigation and to overcome processes of deforestation, soil erosion, issues of water availability, and biodiversity loss. This paper is concerned with the social organisation of knowledge around agri-environmental projects offered to farmers in the department of Caquetá in Colombia. Using Institutional Ethnography (IE), we start with the experiences and work practices of small farmers or campesinos to explore how these are coordinated with the work of other people also involved in the organisation of agri-environmental projects. We identified the ideological code of the 'good producer' and argue agri-environmental projects are part of the wider 'project economy'; an institution that shapes campesinos' practices. Our data shows that what is portrayed as solutions to achieve sustainable livestock, poverty reduction, and the halting of deforestation, end up eroding the trust and willingness to cooperate of those whose work is crucial to achieve the conservation goals these projects claim to promote. Our research contributes to the growing body of social studies about agrienvironmental systems and explains how such interventions reinforce neoliberal agendas that risk replicating modernising logics of productivity, accountability, and efficiency. • Using Institutional Ethnography revealed ideological code of 'good producer'. • Ideological code of 'good producer' shapes campesinos' work practices and language. • Campesinos turned into 'good producers' through participation in financial system. • Campesino's knowledge of their land is not valued by agri-environmental projects. • Agri-environmental projects undermine trust and willingness to conserve the forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family farms go through cyclical stages of development and contraction as a result of the overlapping of business goals and generational changes. This 'farm family life-cycle' results in periods within which farm families are highly innovative and farmers willing to invest, and other periods where innovativeness and investment are highly unlikely. Within the climate change mitigation literature, innovativeness and willingness to invest have been identified as key drivers of adoption – yet the possible connection between farm family life-cycle and mitigation has yet to be explored. In this paper we address this issue through a survey of 465 farmers in Norway. We first defined life-cycle stages on the basis of theory and then employed a cluster analysis to deductively sort farmers into stages ('early-stage developers', 'commercial developers', 'commercial disengagers' and 'semi-retired withdrawers'). Testing these clusters against mitigation intention, and other climate change response data, we found significant differences across a range of measures and a progressive trend of declining mitigation intention throughout the life-cycle stages. We conclude that, while our evidence supports the existence of a relationship, additional research is required and, to facilitate this, suggest how future studies might further these investigations towards the goal of developing life-cycle stage related policies for agriculture. • Family farms go through life-cycle based periods of investment and innovation. • Innovation and investment willingness are also key drivers of farm climate mitigation. • Life-cycle stage can influence willingness to adopt of mitigation measures. • More research is required to understand the link between life-cycle and mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct air capture (DAC) of CO 2 is considered one of the most promising carbon capture methods to reduce ambient CO 2 concentration for climate change mitigation. Biochar represents an attractive adsorbent for DAC because it is environmentally friendly and cost-effective. In this work, KOH-activated bamboo biochar shows the CO 2 capture capacity of 3.49 mmol g−1 (25 °C, 1 bar), and it is used as an adsorbent to perform direct air capture using a fixed-bed reactor with an ambient CO 2 capture capacity of up to 51.74 μmol g−1. Furthermore, the effect of relative humidity on CO 2 adsorption by biochar was investigated and exhibited promising stability under 2.7% relative humidity. However, the biochar activity for CO 2 capture is reduced to 63.88% under 67.1% humidity after 50 cycles. [Display omitted] • KOH was used to activate bamboo-derived biochar. • Bamboo biochar was investigated in direct air capture of CO 2. • Gas selectivity of biochar during direct air capture. • Effect of relative humidity on direct air capture efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green finance is an effective policy instrument in mitigating climate change, but to date little is known about its impact on carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions. This study extends the literature on the relationship between green finance and CO 2 emissions while taking trade openness and economic development into consideration to comprehensively explore the conservation/feedback hypothesis using the Autoregressive-Distributed Lag–Error Correction Model (ARDL–ECM) on data collected from 2000 to 2019. By constructing a green finance index comprising green credit, green securities, green insurance, and green investment, results include the following. (1) Support was found for the conservation hypothesis running from green finance, trade openness, and economic development to emissions per capita; the conservation hypothesis also was supported for the unidirectional relationship running from trade openness and economic development to green finance. (2) Green finance is found to be significantly and negatively related to emissions per capita in both the short and long term. (3) Trade openness shows a positive effect on emissions per capita. Robustness tests are provided. This study deepens policy implications of green finance in the post-pandemic era and highlights the moderating role of renewable energy in the green finance impact on carbon mitigation. • This study constructs a green finance index for China. • The autoregressive distributed lag–error correction model is employed. • Green finance contributes to carbon mitigation in both the short and long run. • CO 2 emissions are Granger result of green finance, trade openness and economic growth. • Trade openness and economic growth are Granger causes of each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands provide numerous ecosystem services essential for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and human well-being. Nevertheless, there are still no complete and uniform wetland maps providing information on the location, distribution, size, and changing status of wetlands in Africa. In this study, we used 130,000 Landsat satellite images and 270,000 sampling points evenly distributed across Africa to classify wetlands with a random forest classifier based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform. This resulted in the first systematic and comprehensive map of existing wetlands in Africa that quantified the area and distribution of these wetlands at a spatial resolution of 30 m, with an overall wetland producer accuracy of 90.22 % and user accuracy of 95.74 %. To address the seasonal variation in African wetlands, we used a dynamic threshold segmentation method based on the Otsu method, which can extract the extent of wetlands under different periods more accurately based on Landsat time series and African phenology data. Our results show that the total African existing wetlands extent from 2019 to 2021 (here in 2020), was approximately 1,341,500 km2, excluding shallow marine waters, comprises 3.98 % of Africa's total land area. Of these wetlands, inland wetlands account for 81 %, and coastal wetlands account for 19 %. The wetlands in Africa were symmetrically distributed around the equator and decreased with increasing latitude, accounting for 97 % of the total wetland area being within the 20°N and 20°S latitudes. African marshes were highly dynamic, expanding by 92.22 % from the dry to wet season. Our study demonstrates the substantial potential of large data samples, multiple wetland classification features (spectral-temporal, topographic, and hydrological features), and random forest classification in GEE for large-scale wetland mapping. The resulting wetland maps provide new baseline data for large-scale monitoring of seasonal dynamics and long-term trends in African wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transportation agencies rely on scientific information to design and site infrastructure, plan operations, and make policies. However, the ways in which science interfaces with transportation policy are not straightforward: political incentives, usability challenges, implementation failures, and capacity limitations all shape how public organizations use scientific information. To build stronger connections between transportation-relevant science and policy it is necessary to better understand current patterns of scientific information use in practice, particularly as transportation agencies address an expanding purview of policy issues, such as climate change mitigation and intelligent transportation systems. This paper measures science use observed in transportation planning and project documents such as plans, proposals, impact assessments, and other deliverables that agencies are required to produce as part of the policy process. Using state, regional, and county transportation agencies in the state of California as a focal sample, this paper applies automated natural language processing (NLP) tools to analyze documents and identify references to scientific information. Our sample includes 5080 documents from 59 organizations involved in transportation governance in the state of California. We observe that the transportation science-policy interface is a cyclical system in which public agencies act in varying (and simultaneous) capacities as consumers, producers, funders, and brokers of scientific information. For instance, documents produced by state-level entities draw more heavily on academic literature, while regional and county-level agencies rely most heavily on reports produced internally by state agencies and by state-funded research institutes. Understanding where different transportation agencies access scientific information, and how scientific information flows between entities at different levels of government, can help researchers and science-policy boundary organizations increase the uptake of scientific products and design interventions to improve information access and use. • State-level transportation entities reference academic science most frequently. • Regional and county transportation organizations rely more heavily on grey literature. • Agencies draw on a broader range of scientific fields for references to emerging issues. • Transportation organizations act jointly as producers, funders, and users of science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding landowners' willingness to act on climate change is important for effective climate policy. This study investigates the determinants of Finnish non-industrial private forest owners' preferences for alternative climate change mitigation strategies related to forests and wood use. The study tests hypotheses concerning the role of risk perception and political leaning for the support of seven alternative strategies with varying degree of disruption to the current logic of commercial forestry in Finland, which further aligns with the temporal delay in the impact of climate change mitigation strategies that landowners are willing to accept. Based on 887 survey responses from three regions, the study finds that forest owners generally support all but one of the seven strategies: reduced harvest. Results from ordinal logistic regression models further indicate that along with socio-demographic determinants, higher perceived risk and left-wing leaning with a university degree explain support for more disruptive strategies with more immediate mitigation impact (increased conservation, reduced harvest), while lower perceived risk and right-wing leaning without a university degree tend to associate with support for the less disruptive strategies (intensified management, increased harvest), both of which arguably sideline the urgency of climate action. In the highly politicized matter of harvest levels in Finland, the study also finds that right-wing leaning may negate the effect of higher education, which otherwise predicts greater support for more disruptive strategies. Implications for policy at the climate-forest nexus are derived. • Preferences of forest owners for mitigation strategies in forests were investigated. • Ordinal logistic regression with 887 survey responses was used. • Forest owners support all but one of the seven strategies: reduced harvest. • High perceived risk and left-wing leaning explain support for strengthening sinks. • Political leaning influences effect of higher education on support for strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In global climate governance, anticipatory assessments map future options and pathways, in light of prospective risks and uncertainties, to inform present-day planning. Using data from 125 interviews, we ask: How are foundational experts contesting the conduct of anticipatory assessment of carbon removal and solar geoengineering – as two emerging but controversial strategies for engaging with climate change and achieving Net Zero targets? We find that efforts at carbon removal and solar geoengineering assessment leverage and challenge systems modeling that has become dominant in mapping and communicating future climate impacts and mitigation strategies via IPCC reports. Both suites of climate intervention have become stress-tests for the capacity of modeling to assess socio-technical strategies with complex, systemic dimensions. Meanwhile, exploring societal dimensions demands new modes of disciplinary expertise, qualitative and deliberative practices, and stakeholder inclusion that modelling processes struggle to incorporate. Finally, we discuss how the patterns of expert contestation identified in our results speak to multiple fault-lines within ongoing debates on reforming global environmental assessments, and highlights key open questions to be addressed. • Explores how anticipatory assessments of climate interventions are conducted. • Assessments both leverage and challenge systems modeling dominant at the IPCC. • Systems (climatic and economic) modeling are re-purposed and mis-purposed tools. • Critics call for mixed-methods, multi-scale, user-facing practices to nuance modeling. • These mirror conversations on reforming and linking global assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal resilience strategies are vital for managing the impacts of climatic shocks and stresses that bedevils coastal zones globally. Coastal strategies that reflect indigenous knowledge and practices as well as local adaptation efforts are productive in promoting resilience to coastal erosion at the local level. However, there has been less common research in conventional literature on how national level strategies impact adaptation measures by local governance institutions and coastal dwellers in addressing coastal erosion. Using an explorative qualitative case study of selected coastal communities in Ghana, the paper contributes to this gap by assessing how national level strategies impact adaptation to coastal erosion at the local level. It also examines the institutional and community perception of coastal erosion, its causes and impacts. Findings indicate that all the coastal dwellers in the study communities are aware of coastal erosion with most of the community interviewees attributing the phenomenon to sea-level rise as the main driver of coastal erosion. Also, interviews with local government authorities and state agencies found that the national level coastal erosion adaptation strategies to a large extent do not promote local innovation in addressing climatic shocks and stresses of coastal communities. The paper contributes to contemporary debates in indigenous knowledge in climate change mitigation and adaptation by multilevel governance towards coastal resilience by recommending a collaborative effort between coastal communities and the District Assemblies in promoting indigenous knowledge in climate change adaptation and the preparation of coastal management plans that incorporates indigenous knowledge in adaptation to coastal erosion. • Coastal dwellers perceive coastal erosion through direct observation. • National level coastal resilience strategies promote indigenous knowledge. • Their implementation is at variance with local level adaptation. • State institutions perceive indigenous knowledge and adaptation as unsustainable. • Formal integration of indigenous knowledge affects local level adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate crisis and related events are often in the headline in recent years. The climate agreements reflected these concerns and called the researchers' attention to the urgent need for climate mitigation and adaptation policies. Many countries made new commitments during the latest United Nations Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021 in Glasgow. In turn, scientists and experts worry that new pledges are not ambitious enough. The first environmental regulation was ratified in Great Britain in 1863. Later, the industrial and agricultural revolution stimulated pollution and brought about the emergence of environmental issues. The first agreement aiming to mitigate environmental pollution and stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere was the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. Behind the European Union, the contribution of the biggest polluter countries to climate change is also significant. The objective of the paper is to investigate the explanatory factors of CO 2 emission, focusing on the contribution of economic growth, agriculture, and trade along with free trade and climate agreements on climate change in Non-European Union member states, including the biggest emitters in the past two decades. In addition, it investigates the role of specific free trade agreements in emission cuts. The results showed an increase in CO 2 emissions in third countries, the reduction in the impact of agricultural export on greenhouse gas emissions, underlining the potential hidden effect of trade-related emissions between 2000 and 2018. NAFTA was encouraged while EFTA, ASEAN and MERCOSUR reduced emission growth. The USA, China, and Russia have the highest responsibility in controlling climate change. The findings reflect the limited progress and implementation of climate and trade policies and agricultural-related emissions in Non-EU countries. • Confirmed the validity of the U-shaped EKC curve in Non-EU countries. • Economic development stimulates while agricultural development reduces CO 2 emission. • Agricultural export has a sinking impact on GHGs in the rest of the world. • NAFTA encouraged while EFTA, MERCOSUR and ASEAN hindered CO 2 emission. • The USA, China, Russia have the highest responsibility in controlling emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2019, China has emerged as a leading proponent of nature-based solutions (NbS) to improve global environmental management. These solutions – from regrowing forests to restoring wetlands to regenerating agricultural soils to greening cities – can, at least in theory, simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect biodiversity, and enhance community wellbeing and resilience. For some advocates, nature-based solutions also entail a radical rethinking of how humans should be interacting with nature, requiring new responsibilities, rights, and governance mechanisms. This article explains how and why China has been promoting NbS in multilateral and domestic policy settings. By analyzing the content of English- and Chinese-language policy briefings, diplomatic remarks, and government documents from 2019 to mid-2021, it reveals that China's NbS goals and actions differ significantly in domestic and international settings. Internationally, Chinese policymakers have been reframing the country's pre-existing large-scale afforestation, green financing, disaster risk reduction, and ecotourism projects as NbS, broadly defined. In multilateral forums, meanwhile, Chinese diplomats and practitioners are promoting NbS as an umbrella term to enhance the legitimacy of domestic projects now labelled as NbS, project an image of climate action and global environmental leadership, and increase China's discursive power within global environmental governance. China's embrace of NbS, as this article reveals, has far-reaching consequences for the future of nature-based solutions within multilateral climate and biodiversity governance, with the potential to turn NbS into a diplomatic and rhetorical tool to portray conventional approaches to environmental management as innovative, nature-positive solutions. • Internationally, China is reframing pre-existing policies as nature-based solutions (NbS). • What China is labelling NbS includes large-scale afforestation, green financing, flood controls, and ecotourism projects. • Internationally, China is advocating for NbS to enhance its image and soft power. • China's NbS discourse is mainly aimed at an international audience, with domestic policy and rhetoric largely unchanged. • China's NbS leadership could further mainstream NbS discourses in multilateral forums, but hinder meaningful implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing concern on climate change has supported technologies that reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The emission factor of the Brazilian grid electricity is low due to hydropower dominance. However, new hydropower plants have migrated to the Amazon region, with likely social and environmental consequences and rainfall shortage has demanded costly fossil fueled power plants. The grid's emission factor is increasing and new renewable energy alternatives such photovoltaic (PV) are one option to diversify the electricity mix. However, PV systems' efficiency in Brazil varies depending on the climatic region of its installation. This work evaluated the variance in CO 2 emissions reduction of grid connected PV systems for low-income housing in different Brazilian climatic regions. The analysis was based on the PV system, installed in low-income housing projects. Electricity generation was determined through RETScreen and CO 2 emission reductions were determined considering the emission factor of the national grid electricity. Variation of CO 2 emission reductions among bioclimatic regions reached up to 12%. Therefore, PV systems should be adopted in all low-income housing projects in Brazil, regardless of their region, to reduce household's expenditures, CO 2 emissions, and democratize the technology. • PV systems' efficiency varies depending on the climatic region of its installation. • Variance in CO 2 emissions reduction of grid connected PV systems is evaluated. • CO 2 emission reductions vary by up to 11.5% according to the bioclimatic region. • PV systems should be adopted in all low-income housing projects in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The motivation of this study stems from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on clean and responsible energy consumption, climate change mitigation and sustainable economic growth (UN-SDGs-7, 11, 12 and 13). The present study examines the impact of institutional quality on CO 2 emissions in the presence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) framework using data on CO 2 emissions and the six dimensions of institutional quality from the World Governance Indicators (WGI). The current study focuses on selected 30 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries over the annual period from 2000 to 2021. The EKC hypothesis revealed CO 2 emissions are substantially reduced by corruption control, regulatory quality, and the rule of law. Findings from the Dumitrescu and Hurlin causality test showed a one-way causality running from CO 2 emissions to industrialization. Similar uni-directional causality is observed between economic growth, and energy consumption. On the other hand, we observed a two-way causality flow from CO 2 emissions to population growth and all indices of institutional quality over the investigated period. These findings indicate that government agencies should efficiently implement acceptable strategies for pollution control and enact public benefit environmental regulations in the form of a healthier climate for the entire population. • We examined the impact of institutional quality on CO 2 emissions in the presence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) framework. • 30 Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries are selected for empirical investigation. • We reveal that CO 2 emissions are substantially reduced by corruption control, regulatory quality, and the rule of law. • Meanwhile, one-way causality runs from CO 2 emissions to industrialization. • A two-way causality flow from CO 2 emissions to population growth and all indices of institutional quality are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The international endeavour to prevent climate change requires action from all parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Many least developed countries (LDCs) have prepared nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to implement the Paris Agreement despite economic challenges; however, their level of commitment varies. Understanding the factors that underpin the variation in commitment among low-income countries would facilitate effective agreements and enhance global implementation. The study aimed to determine the degree to which 36 LDCs implemented the Paris Agreement in their NDCs, and the factors that determined the degree. We applied the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework and the Institutional Grammar Tool (IGT) developed by Elinor Ostrom and her colleagues to enable systematic assessments of institutions. To identify the determinants of the degree of implementation, national contexts, decision-making, and patterns of interaction were investigated for five case countries. The countries appeared to focus on international determinants, rather than on national political decision making. Therefore, encouraging countries to communicate changes in national institutional and economic arrangements required for effective climate change mitigation is imperative. Countries that consider the importance of structural changes and institutional strengthening, such as education and political and legislative instruments, are likely to implement the Paris Agreement to a high degree. A fair, inclusive procedure; the consequent legitimate burden; and the required criteria with synergy between mitigation and development provide the most effective mitigation. Applying the operationalised framework can benefit improvements in international climate agreements and local institutions. • Policies are challenged by lack of data, illiteracy and governance arrangements. • LDCs did not communicate how to improve institutions to facilitate mitigation. • Required criteria with synergy between mitigation and development more effective. • A fair, inclusive procedure and a legitimate burden needed for commitment. • The operationalized IAD aids to improve climate governance in LDCs and globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing advocacy from academics, international agenda-setting organisations, and cities themselves for expert- and evidence driven approaches to multiple aspects of urban climate change and sustainability, including nature-based solutions. However, given growing interest in nature-based solutions research and practice towards questions of justice, it is important that the knowledge systems used to inform decisions about urban nature-based solutions are critically scrutinised. We use the lens of epistemic justice – justice in knowledge, with regard to how society defines a problem and the range of possible solutions – to assess nature-based solutions actions for climate adaptation and resilience across five cities: Amsterdam, Glasgow, Hanoi, Oslo, and Taipei. Our study finds common issues: the risk of quantifiable evidence about the distribution of NbS and its benefits closing down the aims of NbS strategies to meeting narrowly-defined indicators; the potential for self-defined communities of experts becoming de facto authorities on NbS; and the need for those tasked with implementing NbS 'on the ground' to have access to the fora and knowledge systems in which NbS strategies are developed. A key message is that more participation alone is insufficient to address epistemic justice concerns, unless it comes at a stage where a broad range of stakeholders (and their knowledges) can influence adaptation strategies and the role of NbS within them. Given the inter- and transdisciplinary nature of NbS scholarship, we argue attention must be focused on the potential for exclusion of key knowledge systems from policy and governance processes. • Multi-city analysis of knowledge politics in Nature-Based Solutions for climate adaptation. • Epistemic justice as conceptual approach to understanding whose knowledge and experience counts. • Comparison of Amsterdam, Glasgow, Hanoi, Oslo, and Taipei. • Avoiding narrow focus on quantitative indicators of NbS adaptation 'success' vital. • Also need to integrate local and experiential knowledges from outset of NbS and adaptation planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As climate change and its impacts intensify, the role of governments in the climate adaptation process has received widespread attention. Effective adaptation to climate change depends not only on whether households or communities adopt appropriate adaptation strategies but also on whether governments intervene effectively. To improve the understanding of the role of government interventions in households' climate adaptation processes, we propose a climate adaptation framework that takes government interventions into consideration at the household level. Based on a household survey in the Pumqu River Basin on the Tibetan Plateau, we discuss the impacts of government interventions on households' climate change adaptation. The results show that government interventions have: 1) buffered the risks and shocks of climate change to households' livelihoods; 2) shaped households' cognitions of climate change; 3) mediated the impact of households' livelihoods and climate change cognitions on their adaptation strategies; and 4) directly influenced households' livelihoods and their choices of climate adaptation strategies. Our findings emphasize the interfaces between government interventions and household adaptation, which not only helps governments clarify some principles when planning climate interventions but also has important implications for them to better guide households to adapt to climate change. • A household climate adaptation framework that emphasizes the role of government interventions was proposed. • How households adapt to climate change under government interventions was explored. • Verified the role of government interventions based on household survey data on the Tibetan plateau. • Results were conducive to government to improve their climate actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]