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High-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) is one of the few options that can make a significant contribution to climate change mitigation on a large scale, particularly when combined with a nuclear power plant (NPP). However, the relatively high cost of the produced hydrogen from HTSE technology decreases the applicability of that. Implementing a proper integration of HTSE into the nuclear power plant (NPP) with the minimum possible power loss factor (PLF) can reduce the cost of energy consumption. The major aim of this study is to develop some effective schemes for the integration of HTSE into NPP based on the minimization of PLF, which consequently can minimize the energy cost of HTSE. It is found that the minimum power loss factors for small, medium, and large-scale nuclear-HTSE plants are 38, 36 and 35%, respectively. Accordingly, the cost of the produced hydrogen varies from 4.10 to 4.168 $/kg for large to small-scale plants. In addition, it is found that the total efficiency of the cogeneration plant increases by 5% for large-scale HTSE plants. [Display omitted] • Nuclear hydrogen production can be made economic by power loss factor minimization. • Three different scenarios for nuclear-hydrogen cogeneration were defined. • A detailed simulation of nuclear-hydrogen cogeneration plant was carried out. • The best steam extraction points with minimum power loss factors were found. • Heat consumption cost in high temperature steam electrolysis was minimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We develop a quantitative spatial equilibrium model with emissions regulation. • Counterfactual analyses of regional structural changes due to emissions regulation. • Emissions regulations impact regional GDP via regional-sectoral linkages. • Cross-regional impacts of emissions regulations have typical geographical characteristics. • Sectoral linkages widen variation in emissions regulations' impact on regional GDP. We develop and quantitatively evaluate a spatial general equilibrium model that incorporates carbon emission regulations. We study the impact of emission regulation on the economies of regions within a country under climate change mitigation goals, and how the impact of emission regulation in one region influences other regions through regional‒sectoral linkages. The model is calibrated using Chinese regional and sectoral data, and several counterfactual exercises are performed. The results indicate that undifferentiated increases in emission regulation across regions have resulted in inter-regional differences in real GDP changes; however, "equity-oriented" regionally differentiated emissions regulations reduce this imbalance. Regarding interactions between regions, negative impacts on the economy are characterized by geographical proximity, whereas positive impacts are not geographically constrained. Sectoral linkages exacerbate the negative economic impacts of emission regulations and widen regional disparities. Additionally, we demonstrate the extended application of our model through two case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Accounting methods of agricultural methane are summarized. • Influencing factors of emission sources from agricultural sources were analyzed. • Mitigation strategies based on accounting and actual situation are proposed. Methane is one of the major greenhouse gases (GHGs) and agriculture is recognized as its primary emitter. Methane accounting is a prerequisite for developing effective agriculture mitigation strategies. In this review, methane accounting methods and research status for various agricultural emission source including rice fields, animal enteric fermentation and livestock and poultry manure management were overview, and the influencing factors of each emission source were analyzed and discussed. At the same time, it analyzes the different research efforts involving agricultural methane accounting and makes recommendations based on the actual situation. Finally, mitigation strategies based on accounting results and actual situation are proposed. This review aims to provide basic data and reference for agriculture-oriented countries and regions to actively participate in climate action and carry out effective methane emission mitigation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting green hydrogen has emerged as a pivotal discourse in the contemporary energy landscape, driven by pressing environmental concerns and the quest for sustainable energy solutions. This paper delves into the multifaceted domain of C -Suite issues about green hydrogen, encompassing both technological advancements and policy considerations. The question of whether green hydrogen is poised to become the focal point of the upcoming energy race is explored through an extensive analysis of its potential as a clean and versatile energy carrier. The transition from conventional fossil fuels to green hydrogen is considered a fundamental shift in energy paradigms, with far-reaching implications for global energy markets. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art green hydrogen technologies, including fuel cells, photocatalysts, photo electrocatalysts, and hydrogen panels. In tandem with technological advancements, the role of policy and strategy in fostering the development of green hydrogen energy assumes paramount significance. The paper elucidates the critical interplay between government policies, market dynamics, and corporate strategies in shaping the green hydrogen landscape. It delves into policy mechanisms such as subsidies, carbon pricing, and renewable energy mandates, shedding light on their potential to incentivize the production and adoption of green hydrogen. This paper offers a nuanced exploration of C -Suite issues surrounding green hydrogen, painting a comprehensive picture of the technological and policy considerations that underpin its emergence as a transformative energy source. As the global community grapples with the imperatives of climate change mitigation and the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, understanding these issues becomes imperative for executives, policymakers, and stakeholders alike. [Display omitted] • The latest advancements in photo electrocatalysts and fuel cell technologies are reviewed. • The storage and transportation within the realm of green hydrogen energy were discussed. • Policy and strategy for fostering the development of green energy are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] A troubling feedback loop, where drier soil contributes to hotter climates, has been widely recognized. This study, drawing on climate model simulations, reveals that maintaining current global soil moisture levels could significantly alleviate 32.9% of land warming under low-emission scenarios. This action could also postpone reaching critical warming thresholds of 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C by at least a decade. Crucially, preserving soil moisture at current levels could prevent noticeable climate change impacts across 42% of the Earth's land, a stark deviation from projections suggesting widespread impacts before the 2060s. To combat soil drying, afforestation in mid-to-low latitude regions within the next three decades is proposed as an effective strategy to increase surface water availability. This underscores the substantial potential of nature-based solutions for managing soil moisture, benefiting both climate change mitigation and ecological enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caribbean small island developing states are becoming increasingly vulnerable to compounding disasters, prominently featuring climate-related hazards and pandemic diseases, which exacerbate existing barriers to cancer control in the region. We describe the complexities of cancer prevention and control efforts throughout the Caribbean small island developing states, including the unique challenges of people diagnosed with cancer in the region. We highlight potential solutions and strategies that concurrently address disaster adaptation and cancer control. Because Caribbean small island developing states are affected first and worst by the hazards of compounding disasters, the innovative solutions developed in the region are relevant for climate mitigation, disaster adaptation, and cancer control efforts globally. In the age of complex and cascading disaster scenarios, developing strategies to mitigate their effect on the cancer control continuum, and protecting the health and safety of people diagnosed with cancer from extreme events become increasingly urgent. The equitable development of such strategies relies on collaborative efforts among professionals whose diverse expertise from complementary fields infuses the local community perspective while focusing on implementing solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afforestation has emerged as a major tool in climate mitigation, but plantations of non-native species can negatively affect biodiversity and ecosystem services. Planting indigenous trees in areas that were formerly forested requires an understanding of landscape history over centennial–millennial timescales derived from palaeoecology. Ancient open and mosaic ecosystems are particularly threatened by the global drive for tree planting, which is based on an assumption of degradation. Assumptions that open or mosaic landscapes are remnants of degraded forests is a type of attribution error that can be corrected through an understanding of landscape history. Cultural landscape mosaics can also have benefits in terms of biodiversity and ecosystem services when compared with closed-canopy forests. We propose that testing a null hypothesis regarding former forest cover will assist in correct landscape attribution, guiding reforestation and restoration that reflects landscape history and local context. Mitigating climate change while safeguarding biodiversity and livelihoods is a major challenge. However, rampant afforestation threatens biodiversity and livelihoods, with questionable benefits to carbon storage. The narrative of landscape degradation is often applied without considering the history of the landscape. While some landscapes are undoubtedly deforested, others existed in open or mosaic states before human intervention, or have been deliberately maintained as such. In psychology, a 'fundamental attribution error' is made when characteristics are attributed without consideration of context or circumstances. We apply this concept to landscapes, and then propose a process that avoids attribution errors by testing a null hypothesis regarding past forest extent, using palaeoecology and other long-term data, alongside ecological and stakeholder knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examine the influential role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in shaping climate policy in Tunisia. Tunisia is a critical front in the global green transition. Our findings highlight how improved working conditions significantly increase NGO participation in climate initiatives, underscoring the value of a supportive operating environment. Growing professionalism within NGOs is particularly influencing strategic development in areas such as the Resilience 2050 and Low Carbon Economy 2050 programs. The interplay between NGOs and government agencies emerges as a transformative factor; exclusion from policymaking processes can lead some NGOs to intensify their climate action, while collaboration with governments and access to international funding generally strengthen NGOs' commitment to broader climate agendas. We also explore the influence of resource constraints on NGOs' ability to multitask, and the link between financial stability and political engagement. Our study highlights the importance of fostering robust NGO-government partnerships that balance local insights with global perspectives for effective climate action, and points to the need for such collaborations to support Tunisia's green transition within the broader context of global climate governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is facing challenges to tackle the threat of climate change while reducing social inequality. Poverty eradication requires improvement in the living conditions of low-income households, which leads in turn to higher carbon footprints and may undermine the efforts of climate change mitigation. Previous studies have assessed the climate impacts of poverty eradication, but few have quantified how the additional carbon emissions of poverty eradication are shared at the subnational level in China and the impact on China's climate targets. We investigated the recent trend of carbon footprint inequality in China's provinces and estimated the climate burden of different poverty reduction schemes, measured by increased carbon emissions. The results indicate that poverty eradication will not impede the achievement of national climate targets, with an average annual household carbon footprint increase of 0.1%–1.2%. However, the carbon emissions growth in less developed provinces can be 4.0%, five times that in wealthy regions. Less developed regions suffer a greater climate burden because of poverty eradication, which may offset carbon reduction efforts. Therefore, interregional collaboration is needed to coordinate inequality reduction with investments in low-carbon trajectories in all provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supporters of hydrogen energy urge scaling up technology and reducing costs for competitiveness. This paper explores how hydrogen energy technologies (HET) are perceived by Australia's general population and considers the way members of the public imagine their role in the implementation of hydrogen energy now and into the future. The study combines a nationally representative survey (n = 403) and semi-structured interviews (n = 30). Results show age and gender relationships with self-reported hydrogen knowledge. Half of the participants obtained hydrogen information from televised media. Strong support was observed for renewable hydrogen, while coal (26%) and natural gas (41%) versions had less backing. Participants sought more safety-related information (41% expressed concern). Most felt uncertain about influencing hydrogen decisions and did not necessarily recognise they had agency beyond their front fence. Exploring the link between political identity and agency in energy decision-making is needed, with energy democracy a potentially productive direction. • Hydrogen's strongest appeal to Australians is its benefit for climate change mitigation. • Although widely accepted, there is limited knowledge about hydrogen in terms of how it is produced or used. • The more people know about hydrogen, the more willing they are to participate in the decision-making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the role of expectations and monetary policy in the economy's response to climate actions. We show that in a stochastic environment, without the standard assumption of the perfect rationality of agents, there is more uncertainty regarding the path and the economic impact of a climate policy, with a potential threat to the ability of central banks to maintain price stability. Market beliefs and behavioral agents increase the trade-offs inherent to the chosen mitigation tool, with a carbon tax entailing more emissions uncertainty than in a rational expectations model and a cap-and-trade scheme implying a more pronounced pressure on allowance prices and inflation. The impact on price stability is worsened by delays in the implementation of stringent climate policies, the lack of confidence in the ability of central banks to keep inflation under control, and the adoption of monetary rules tied to expectations rather than current macroeconomic conditions. Central banks can implement successful stabilization policies that reduce the uncertainty surrounding the impact of climate actions and support the greening process while remaining within their mandate. • This work investigates how expectations can shape a green transition. • Without fully rational agents impacts of climate policy are more uncertain. • Carbon taxes and cap-and-trade's drawbacks are enlarged by non-fully-rational agents. • Delayed action and low credibility in central banks cause major inflationary pressure. • A reactive monetary policy can reduce uncertainty on climate policies' impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human exploratory missions to Moon or Mars are considered the next steps in human space exploration. Such activities result in the exposure of humans to the space environment for long time, especially under the constraints of orbital dynamics as with increasing distances from earth quick return possibilities are ruled out. Crews on these kinds of missions must be self-sustaining in medical treatments, as environmental conditions in space, such as the influence of altered gravity, radiation or isolation, raise health issues. Therefore, astronauts may use the here presented Handheld Bioprinter as part of the first-aid strategy for in situ wound treatment. The device consists of a handle capable of holding an exchangeable "Ink Printing Unit" containing two separate gel-like components (Bioink and Crosslinker), which are extruded during a printing process through a nozzle and form a skin-cell containing bioink band-aid. For ISS experiments cell simulants were used, as in-space experiments first demonstrated the general feasibility of handheld bioprinting under space conditions. On-ground human skin cells were mixed with the biogel, printed via the handheld bioprinter and cultivated, to demonstrate the overall feasibility of the "Bioprint FirstAid" technology. Concluding results were that a mobile, handheld tool like the bioprinter shows good applicability and offers a possibility of in situ wound treatment for in-space applications. The "Bioprint FirstAid" project was coordinated by the German Space Agency at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Bonn and funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). • Handheld Bioprinter offers possibility for in-situ wound treatment in future in-space applications • Human skin cells proliferate in biogels after printing with handheld bioprinter • The customizable Ink-printing unit and nozzle can be tailored to specific printing demands • Bioprinter device has low susceptibility to failure, has a robust design, no electronics, and maintenance-free mechanics • German Astronaut Matthias Maurer conducted the Bioprinting experiment successfully on board the ISS [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pressure on reducing greenhouse gas emissions has increased since the focus on climate change mitigation has grown. As the human development index is directly related to per capita energy consumption, sustainable energy production with reduced carbon footprint is the essential pathway for cleaner environment. Over numerous existing biological processes, hydrogen production via photo fermentation and photolysis of water is considered a more sustainable and economical method of hydrogen production. While both biological modes suffer from certain limitations, such as low yields and low production rates, practical implementation is still a long way off due to these limitations. The unique properties of nanomaterials (NMs) can help increase the efficiency of the biomass to biohydrogen process in significant ways. Applications of organic and inorganic nanoparticles in photocatalytic and photo fermentative hydrogen production is discussed in this paper. This review reports a wide range of applications of nanomaterials including the details of photo fermentative microorganisms and their mechanism of action. The maximum photo fermentative bio-H 2 production was reported in the presence of SiC–Fe 3 O 4 (3.02 mol H 2 /mol acetate), Ni (41 mol H 2 /mol sugar), graphite-C 3 N 4 (64.2 mol H 2 /mol sugar) whereas photocatalytic bio-H 2 yield was highest when Pd–Ni/CdS (54 mmol/g.h), Ni-MO/g-C 3 N 4 (1785 mmol/g.h) and CuO/TiO 2 (20.3 mmol/g.h) nanoparticles were employed. To design photocatalytic systems for practical and scalable use, the future research should be focused on deeper theoretical knowledge of mechanisms of light harvesting, ± charge separation and transport, surface biochemical reactions, semiconductor–liquid interactions, and reactor dynamics. [Display omitted] • Recent developments for improving water photolysis and photo-fermentation are reviewed. • Applications of organic and inorganic nanoparticles in hydrogen production are discussed. • The working principle and mechanism of hydrogen production are discussed. • The influence of key operating factors are presented. • Scope for future research was presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the microbial risks associated with Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS), a critical component in the transition towards renewable energy systems, by employing an innovative multi-reactor system (Bio-xplorer) to simulate UHS conditions in two Italian reservoirs. The microbiological risk assessment (MRA) of Reservoir A and B was evaluated by subjecting them to gas mixtures of 10 % H 2 and 90 % CH 4 , and 99 % H 2 and 1 % CO 2 , respectively. In Reservoir A, the stability of pressure and temperature, the negligible optical density, and lack of microbial metabolites suggested a low risk of microbial activation. Molecular analyses confirmed the absence of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and limited growth of hydrogenotrophic methanogens (HM). Similarly, in Reservoir B, the absence of SRB and limited occurrence of HM indicated a low microbiological risk. Overall, the present work supports the safe and efficient implementation of UHS , a promising mitigation technique for climate change, using an innovative tool for MRA. [Display omitted] • Microbial risk assessment for UHS in Italy. • Innovative HP & HT bioreactors system (Bio-xplorer) for UHS lab tests. • Novel approach for UHS Microbial risk assessment in two Italian NG reservoirs. • Reactor-based assessment of SRB, HM, AB activity by mimicking reservoirs environment. • No sensible hydrogen consumption registered for both the reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chilean Climate Change Law excludes tree monocultures as a solution to the climate crisis, offering an opportunity for resilience and climate mitigation in Latin America. The Chilean experience with mega-fires in extensive, homogeneous forest plantations provides important lessons that could inform climate policies in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evapotranspiration (ET) is the main driver of the energy balance partitioning and influences hydrological and carbon cycles at global, regional and local scales. Furthermore, it is the main requirement for developing strategies to improve water use in agriculture. It is known that there is a close relationship between ET and rainfall, especially in tropical environments. Thus, the main goal of this article was to evaluate how ET and its controls (surface conductance - Gs; decoupling coefficient - Ω; Priestley-Taylor parameter - α) respond to the seasonal variability of meteorological forcing in tropical grazed pastures under the climatic conditions of Northeast Brazil. ET was measured using an Eddy covariance (EC) system and analyzed based on data from two agricultural years (2015–2016 and 2016–2017) with negative (-59 mm) and positive (356 mm) rainfall anomaly, respectively. ET exhibited pronounced seasonality, closely aligned with the seasonality of rainfall. Lower daily averages were observed during the dry season in both agricultural years (1.01 ± 0.60 and 0.89 ± 0.44 mm, respectively). On the other hand, higher daily averages were observed during the rainy season (2.44 ± 0.75 and 4.83 ± 0.96 mm, respectively). The Gs patterns and the significant correlation between Gs, Ω, and α (p < 0.01) indicate that surface control prevails over atmospheric control on an annual scale. This finding is confirmed by the annual mean values of Ω (0.27, 2015–2016) and α (0.38, 2016–2017). This relationship is likely induced by a vegetative stomatal control mechanism, which protects the vegetation against excessive water loss during periods of high temperatures and low humidity levels. These findings are crucial for understanding how droughts modulate components of the energy balance and water fluxes in pastures, especially given the intensification of these events. This has implications for the implementation of climate change mitigation policies and soil management. • The seasonality of grazing pasture ET was in line with the seasonality of rain. • On an annual scale, surface control over ET is more relevant than atmospheric control. • VPD is the main controlling factor of surface conductance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The future impact of global warming on tropical arid regions is unclear due to uncertainties about the correlation between rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns. A critical factor is the reliability of the sedimentary chronologies. Hence, to better understand the potential long-term consequences of climatic warming or cooling for tropical arid regions we compared a pollen record from the annually-laminated sediments of a crater lake in Myanmar with ice core records of the Siberian High, both of which have an annual resolution. Our findings reveal that over the past 8000 years, the Myanmar region experienced six significant drought events, three of which coincided precisely with intensifications of the Siberian High-pressure system. Furthermore, five out of these six events were synchronous with the North Atlantic Bond events within the limit of the dating uncertainties. Conversely, warm periods were associated with increased precipitation along with relatively short-lived drought events. Our findings suggest that regardless of the El Niño intensity, a cooling trend in the Northern Hemisphere may result in persistent extreme drought conditions in arid tropical regions. Therefore, as well as the environmental implications of global warming, it is also important to address the potential hazards associated with cooling, especially in arid tropical regions. To facilitate effective disaster management and to develop strategies for climate change mitigation, it is crucial to better understand the complex relationship between temperature fluctuations and drought. Overall, our findings are a reminder of the importance of not ignoring the potential disasters that may arise from cooling trends while focusing exclusively on warming. • Six drought events have been identified using pollen from annually laminated sediment records. • A comparison between droughts and cooling events from annually laminated records is conducted. • Three out of the six drought events align precisely with cooling events over the last 8000 years. • Cooling-induced droughts may pose a greater threat compared to those caused by warming. • The exact relationship between drought and El Niño events remains challenging to determine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocoa production is a leading driver of deforestation in the humid-tropics of West Africa. Reconciling climate change mitigation with livelihoods of farmers requires identification of production strategies to concurrently improve yield and profit while curtailing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). Using a 2021 plot-survey conducted in Ghana's Eastern region, we evaluated yields, GHG emissions, and value of production (VOP) (a profit indicator) across a typology representing the diversity of systems at plot-level. The typology was constructed by first stratifying plots according to shade levels and variety (hybrid vs. Amazonia) which resulted in three systems: Hybrid sun , hybrid variety under full-sun (little to no shade); Hybrid shade , hybrid and moderate shade (13–25 shade trees ha−1); and Amazonia, Amazonia under predominantly moderate shade. Next, factor analysis and clustering were used to group plots within each system according to cocoa yield, vegetation, management, and (local) climate conditions. Cluster analysis showed that fertiliser, weeding, pruning, hand pollination, cocoa tree density, and shade tree densities of differing heights were most influential for determination across systems. Hybrid shade had the highest net GHG removal rate at −6.8 ± 1.7 (± 95% CI) Mg CO 2 eq ha−1 yr−1: 48% and 127% higher (emissions more negative) respectively over Amazonia and Hybrid sun. Hybrid shade additionally had the highest average and least variable VOP among production systems at 669 ± 564 USD ha−1 yr−1, compared to Hybrid sun and Amazonia at 404 ± 442 and 213 ± 280 USD ha−1 yr−1 respectively. These results point to hybrid cocoa grown under moderate shade of 13–25 shade trees ha−1 as optimal for reconciling climate change mitigation with development in West African cocoa. • Study concurrently evaluates financial profits and GHG balances (N 2 O & CH 4 emissions, CO 2 removals) in West African cocoa. • Plot-level indicators are evaluated across a typology obtained from sample-stratification and clustering. • Hybrid cocoa under moderate shade (13-25 shade trees ha-1) had GHG removal increment of 127% over same variety without shade. • This system too had higher mean profits, thus best reconciling GHG mitigation and economic development for the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power pooling has emerged as a regional strategy for accelerating generation capacity expansion in West Africa with the aim of leveraging vast domestic energy resources and promoting investment in regional power infrastructure. As part of their climate action pledges, most West African countries have committed to increasing the shares of variable renewable energy (VRE), particularly solar photovoltaic and wind power, in their generation mix. It, however, appears that approaches to utility-scale capacity expansion planning tend to overlook the inherent temporal intermittency and spatial variability of VRE-based generation. Moreover, despite influencing the techno-economic rationale for grid expansion and off-grid electrification, as well as the trade-offs between high renewable supply areas and grid expansion, the spatial distribution of demand has been overlooked in planning approaches, leading to conservative and weak prospects for the contribution of utility-scale VRE. Such inconsistencies with the region-wide potentials and policy ambitions highlight that it is paramount for West Africa to design its power pooling such that spatial and temporal fluctuations of VRE supply are duly considered in capacity expansion planning while taking advantage of complementarities between VRE supply and national electricity demand profiles. To address this, the present paper applies a long-term generation capacity expansion model, OptGen, soft-linked to a least-cost operation module, the SDDP tool, which is enhanced by geospatial electrification analysis using the OpeN Source Spatial Electrification Tool (OnSSET), to a subset of four member countries of the West African Power Pool – Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Mali – for the 2023–2040 time horizon. The results highlight that current frameworks lead to missed opportunities for bridging the supply-demand gap in all countries, not only in terms of VRE generation capacity, but also of cross-border power trade. • Long-term capacity expansion planning and dispatch models are soft-linked. • The spatial and hourly distributions of demand and renewables supply are considered. • The 10% limit on renewables share used in the regional master plan is not optimal. • The current system operation is not conducive to optimal cross-border trade. • The relaxed transmission scenario yields higher dispatch factors for renewables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis and characterization of amine-impregnated polymer aerogels for CO 2 capture represents a groundbreaking advancement in combating the urgent challenges of carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions and climate change mitigation. The traditional way of synthesizing aerogels for CO 2 capture is to use a one-step gelation process without functionalizing the aerogel, which, to some extent, has low CO 2 capture capacity and kinetics. This study finds a method of synthesizing the functionalized aerogel, which has high CO 2 adsorption capacity, faster kinetic, and is more stable. The polymer aerogel was developed using an oil-water emulsion polymerization method, followed by freeze-drying. It was impregnated with a mono-ethanolamine (MEA) solution to enhance CO 2 adsorption. The performance of the amine-impregnated poly (AAm-co-AAc) aerogels was tested in a continuous adsorption column filled with aerogel. The adsorption results showed the amine-impregnated aerogels having an amine equilibrium uptake value of 40% had significantly improved CO 2 capture capacity up to 2.34 mmole g−1 at 1 bar pressure, 25 °C reaction temperature, and 10 ml/min flow rate. The polymeric aerogel has a very fast adsorption rate, as it can capture 90% of its maximum capacity within just 10 minutes. Then the kinetic data of the CO 2 adsorption was modelled and found to best fit on both pseudo-1st and 2nd-order kinetic models, proposing that the adsorption mechanism on aerogel was controlled by surface diffusion and chemisorption. Furthermore, the isotherm data were evaluated and observed to be best represented by the Langmuir isotherm model, suggesting monolayer formation on the aerogel. After five adsorption-desorption cycles, the amine impregnated poly (AAm-co-AAc) aerogel was able to preserve the initial capacity without a significant decrease. These findings underscore the immense ability of amine-impregnated poly (AAm-co-AAc) aerogels as highly efficient adsorbents for CO 2 capture, thus offering a speedy adsorption process and showing stable regeneration capacity, thereby exhibiting greater industrial application potential. [Display omitted] • An emulsion polymerization method was used to synthesize aerogels for CO 2 capture capacity. • The morphology of the aerogel is fibrous, contributing to its high amine uptake. • Its CO 2 adsorption capacity is up to 2.34 mmole g−1 at 25°C, and regeneration stability is five cycles. • The aerogel exhibits a rapid adsorption rate, capturing 90% of its capacity within 10 minutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotechnology, the fifth technological wave preceding the sixth wave of Sustainability, is crucial for achieving the 2023 Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in biodiverse Brazil. This review uses composite indicators to compare Brazil with the USA across static and temporal evolutions. Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 and 5 were assessed using patents from 2000 to 2019. Patents from 2000 to 2019 reveal a TRL gap at 4–5 in Brazil, skewed towards academic articles (TRL3), indicating lag behind the USA at TRL5. Brazil's patent growth rate surpasses the USA's by eightfold. Specialization between Brazilian academia and the nation converges. The revealed technological advantage and the distance between academies and between countries are nearing unification. Brazil focuses on SDG3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) but must intensify efforts on SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG13 (Climate Action), SDG14 (Life below Water), and SDG15 (Life on Land). The USA concentrates its technologies in SDG3 (Good Health and Well-Being). USA's modern biotech navigates the fifth wave, while Brazil's traditional biotech must modernize, focusing on SDG9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG17 (Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development), requiring government policies for mid-range TRLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Proposal of a method to construct typical generic block models using local datasets. • Urban form influences strategy of solar technology in low-carbon scenario. • Solar cooling contributes to carbon reduction in subtropical areas. • Technology and morphology design can overcome the high-density constraints. The use of solar energy in an urban context is essential for low-carbon urban development and global climate change mitigation. In this paper, the application of multiple solar energy techniques, namely, photovoltaic (PV), photothermal (PT), and photothermal-driven cooling (PC) techniques, in tropical Macau was investigated. Based on the typological method, sixty generic block typologies were formulated. A parametric workflow was constructed to facilitate block modelling and simulate energy consumption and solar radiation. The optimal technique strategy for each typology was identified under a low-carbon scenario. The energy and environmental performance levels of the blocks were evaluated by calculating and comparing the solar potentials, load matching conditions, primary energy consumption levels, and carbon dioxide emissions. The results indicated that the PT technique should be preferred for blocks with high floor area ratio (FAR) values, while the PV technique should be prioritized for blocks with low FAR values under the low-carbon scenario. Moreover, the PC technique is necessary in subtropical areas to reduce carbon emissions. In addition, it is suggested that solar energy should be adopted in blocks with high site coverage ratio (SC) and low surface area-to-volume ratio (SAV) values, as well as blocks with low FAR values. Regarding blocks constrained by high-density urban development, appropriate decisions on technology and morphological design could help to overcome constraints and realize low-carbon community targets. This study could provide suggestions for urban planners and building designers in the application of the urban solar potential at the early stages of urban design or urban regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind power plays a vital role in global climate action and plans for new turbines in the Baltic Sea region are underway. However, it is crucial not to overlook the environmental impact on wildlife, which can be difficult to quantify, especially in elusive and hard-to-track species. One of these species is the white-tailed eagle, a conservation success story that faces a significant collision risk with rotor blades, particularly as turbines are being constructed in its coastal habitats. To assess the effect of wind turbines on survival of territorial adults, we genotyped DNA from adult feathers collected at nests between 2010 and 2022. By tracking individuals across years, we measured survival and breeding dispersal in relation to wind turbine presence. Turbines within a 5 km radius of nests were found to reduce annual survival rates by 7.6 %, while resighting probability and breeding dispersal probability were unaffected. The proportion of territories exposed to wind turbines is currently low (4–5 %), mainly because recent construction sites have been further inland. However, future projections suggest an increase in territory exposure, indicating potential for population-level risks. This highlights the need for substantial safety buffers around nest sites (preferably >5 km) to protect the breeding white-tailed eagle population. Currently, a comprehensive understanding of the large-scale impact on the Baltic Sea white-tailed eagle population is lacking. As wind power expands, it is necessary to consider its impact on wildlife and we recommend conducting ongoing environmental assessments to monitor and adapt conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural climate solutions (NCS) offer immediate and cost-effective ways to tackle the climate crisis by transforming atmospheric carbon to soil carbon or avoiding greenhouse gas emissions. However, the climate mitigation potential and economic costs of NCS for cropping systems in China remain inconclusive. The major objectives of this study are (i) to estimate the NGHG reduction potential across Chinese main cropping systems caused by NCS, (ii) to quantify the economic costs of adopting optimal management with different abatement potentials. The Denitrification-Decomposition (DNDC) model was used to estimate the NGHG, including SOC sequestration, N 2 O emissions, and CH 4 emissions. After calibration, we ran the DNDC model with derived data at municipality-level. We estimated the NGHG under current management, adopting optimal management individually, and integrated optimal management to project the maximum NGHG reduction potential caused by NCS. We used the marginal abatement cost method to estimate the economic cost. The four natural climate solutions, N fertilization management (NFM), straw returning management (SRM), tillage management (TM), and rice irrigation management (RIM) can reduce national NGHG in main cropping systems by approximately 118.8 Tg CO 2 -eq, 116.3 Tg CO 2 -eq, 35.2 Tg CO 2 -eq, and 74.4 Tg CO 2 -eq, respectively. The integrated optimal management may potentially reduce NGHG by 256.9 Tg CO 2 -eq, equivalent to 90.2% of current NGHG, and 80% of which can be realized at the price of CN¥ 285 (Mg CO 2 -eq)−1. We further identify the priority NCS for different crops and regions and conclude that nitrogen fertilization management should be the priority NCS at the national level. Our findings highlight the great potential of NGHG reduction by adopting NCS precisely and the importance of optimizing agricultural management as a whole, and they will help policy makers to develop smart-agriculture in China. [Display omitted] • Estimating net greenhouse gas emissions (NGHG) reduction potentials of agriculture. • IPCC recommended tier 3 method was applied for seven cropping systems in China. • The integrated optimal management may potentially reduce NGHG by 256.9 Tg CO 2 -eq. • 80% of NGHG mitigation can be realized at the price of CN¥ 285 (Mg CO 2 -eq)−1. • The priority NCS was identified for different crops and regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Contribution variations of various policies to PM 2.5 deaths are quantified by period and region. • Carbon and pollution controls can enable 79% to reside in low PM 2.5 areas by 2060. • Population aging could double PM 2.5 deaths by 2060 if other factors remain constant. • A joint effort for carbon and pollution could prevent 2.15 million PM 2.5 deaths by 2060. • Pollution controls can greatly reduce PM 2.5 before 2030, but climate policy becomes crucial after. To confront the challenges posed by air pollution and climate change, China has undertaken significant initiatives to develop strategies that address both issues concurrently. However, the health benefits of these initiatives have not been clearly articulated. In this study, the dynamic changes in health impacts under air pollution and carbon reduction actions in China are evaluated by employing the latest concentration–response models and projected PM 2.5 concentrations under future scenarios. From 2020 to 2060, the enforcement of clean air and climate mitigation policies is expected to increase the percentage of the population living with PM 2.5 concentrations meeting the 10 μg/m3 standard by 79 %. Without the implementation of relevant mitigation measures, PM 2.5 -associated deaths are projected to double due to an aging population. In comparison to the 2060 reference scenario, the joint implementation of clean air and carbon neutrality measures is expected to reduce nationwide PM 2.5 -associated mortality by 62 %, equivalent to 2.15 (95 % CI: 1.80–2.48) million deaths. Stringent pollution controls are crucial for reducing PM 2.5 -associated deaths before 2030, after which carbon neutrality actions become increasingly significant from 2030 to 2060. The challenges of mitigating future PM 2.5 -associated deaths vary greatly across regions, showing a critical response to pollution control and carbon reduction. The research proves the effectiveness of China's future air pollution control and carbon reduction policies in mitigating PM 2.5 -associated deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illinois passed the Energy Transition Act (i.e., the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act or CEJA) in 2021, which established clean energy mandates with an emphasis on social equity. We examine CEJA and related policies to understand the politics of Illinois' energy transition. While CEJA has been praised as an approach to a just transition, critics argue that it exacerbated Illinois' rural-urban dichotomy by distributing benefits to urban areas defined as 'environmental justice communities' and tangible costs, in the form of clean energy infrastructure, to rural communities. We demonstrate that, leading up to and in response, 1) local governments deployed measures to oppose renewable energy development and 2) the state, in turn, scaled authority for energy governance upward to inhibit opposition. By framing reduced participation as necessary for just climate action, Illinois undermined procedural forms of justice viewed as critical to a just transition and reinforced energy as a partisan political issue. This case illustrates how a narrow definition of justice can contribute to distributive conflict in the energy transition and identifies a need for more inclusive strategies to manage such conflict. • Environmental (EJ) not energy justice metrics guide Illinois' energy transition. • Approach unevenly distributes benefits and burdens across an urban-rural gradient. • Illinois limits local authority over energy development to inhibit rural opposition. • Procedural injustice fosters climate action but threatens a just transition. • Policymakers must inclusively manage distributive conflict in the energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a critical, interdisciplinary analysis of the current global landscape of climate action and response with the aim of determining its overall trajectory toward either justice and equity on the one hand, or exploitation and segregation on the other. It finds that tendencies toward the latter are far more pronounced. This paper summarizes those findings and presents arguments for three categories of climate action that are producing and/or exacerbating inequity, injustice, and segregation. They are: securitization (of resources, infrastructure, borders, and land), financialization (of exploitative mitigation and adaptation measures), and (im)mobilization (of migrants and the climate-vulnerable alongside the increased mobility of elite populations). An examination of the political rhetoric and public discourse associated with these trends follows, revealing widespread dehumanization and 'othering' used to condone a system that justifies protection for some populations and the expendability of others. Together, this analysis provides a framework for exposing and critiquing our current trajectory toward an outcome that is best described as climate apartheid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken to evaluate how future uncertain climate-related hydrological responses and low and highflow frequencies affect local hydrology up to the 2100, depending on different Global Circulation Models (GCM) and different Concentration Scenarios (CS). To this end, daily total precipitation and daily mean temperature data were used for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 CSs by employing GCMs (GFDL-ESM2M, HadGEM2-ES and MPI-ESM-MR). In the study, the years 1971–2000 were chosen as the baseline period. Future streamflow predictions were modeled by machine learning. The models were calibrated with baseline period data and future streamflow values were predicted by using the best Streamflow Prediction Model during the 2055s (2041–2070) and 2085s (2071–2100) periods. Flow Duration Curves from the streamflow predictions were obtained and by using them, discharges corresponding to 95% probability of exceedance for lowflow and 5% probability of exceedance for highflow were calculated. According to the findings, it is predicted that there will be decrease of approximately 21% in lowflow discharges and approximately 30% in highflow discharges. This prediction has suggested water resources managers to implement mitigation measures to climate change in Eastern Black Sea Basin and most probably in Türkiye, especially in the context of continuity of aquatic life and sustainable water supply. It is expected that the paper will take a very important place in estimating and evaluating the expected changes in basin hydrology in the coming years, especially in the highflows and lowflows, which are the key concepts in hydroelectric power generation and in flood management. • Development of streamflow prediction model for climatic projection data. • Streamflow estimation using limited input data in small catchment. • Obtaining far future streamflow for water resources pre-planning. • Discussion of the impact of climate change on daily streamflow extremes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The storage of soil organic carbon (SOC) within grassland ecosystems significantly contributes to global carbon sequestration. Understanding long-term trends of SOC in grasslands is imperative for promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation endeavors. However, accurately forecasting how climate change will impact SOC dynamics remains challenging. Using the DNDC (Denitrification and Decomposition) model, we carried out simulations in this research to determine the reaction of SOC to climate change in the grasslands of Northern Xinjiang, considering four different scenarios from the phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). The simulation revealed that the dynamics of SOC varied considerably across the scenarios. Specifically, under the SSP370 scenario, SOC was predicted to decrease by 9.78 ± 0.74 Tg C, while under the SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585 scenarios, SOC was predicted to increase by 2.42 ± 0.32, 1.03 ± 0.25, and 13.40 ± 0.94 Tg C, respectively. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of the primary climate factor causing SOC variations exhibited significant variation. According to our projections, there will be significant variation in SOC changes among different types of grassland under future climate scenarios. Alpine meadow and alpine steppe are expected to experience greater carbon loss compared to other types of grasslands under future climate scenarios. Consequently, the capacity of alpine grasslands to sequester carbon is projected to decrease. This underscores the necessity of enhancing the ability of alpine grasslands to sequester carbon, given that the response of grassland ecosystem may further accelerate the rate of climate change. • The changes of SOC in Northern Xinjiang grasslands were predicted under future climate scenarios. • The response of different types of grassland to future climate change was compared. • Under the SSP370 scenario, SOC in the surface layer of the grassland showed a decreasing trend. • Alpine meadow and alpine steppe are expected to lose more carbon than other types of grassland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Himalayan region is a most fragile ecosystem globally. Trees make up around 90 % of the global biomass carbon pool and previous studies have shown that tree carbon balance cannot be easily assessed by conventional methods. Considering trees as a backbone of the forest ecosystem, present study assessed the heterogeneity in tree carbon density using field-inventoried data and NDVI-based modelling with Sentinel 2 A imagery on Google Earth Engine. The specific aim of the study was to assess the spatial distribution of tree carbon density in the Darjeeling Himalayas using Sentinel 2 A. The object-based classification of forest area using a random forest algorithm showed a high accuracy (Kappa coefficient value of 0.92, OOB error 0.17). The regression model using NDVI as a predictor of tree carbon demonstrated a good fit (R2 = 0.78) for predicting tree carbon density. Validation results show high accuracy of the regression model in predicting tree carbon density with a low RMSE of 9.39 Mg ha−1 (R2 = 0.80, % RMSE = 11.55 %). The classification of tree carbon density into five classes revealed that a significant proportion of the forest area (57.05 %) falls under moderate carbon density (50–75 Mg ha−1). In Darjeeling Himalayas, majority of forests are under the carbon density between 50 and 75 Mg ha−1. Improvement and conservation efforts must be directed for very low carbon density (01–25 Mg ha−1) areas covering 0.05 %, and high carbon density (75–100 Mg ha−1) covering 36.22 % of the forest area, respectively, to balance the overall carbon storage potential of the region. • Random forest effectively predicts forest area with high accuracy of 92 %. • Maximum tree density, DBH and carbon density was recorded between 1500 and 2000 m asl. • Forest area of 77059.62 ha (57.05 %) is under moderate carbon density. • Very high carbon density (100–150 Mg C ha−1) covered 1.10 % of total forest area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving decarbonisation of the heating sector is a major challenge, especially in Ireland, which has the lowest proportion of renewable heat in Europe. In economically pursuing ambitious and equitable climate targets, Ireland's Climate Action Plan 2023 set a goal of reaching 2.5 TWh of district heating by 2030, starting from a limited existing capacity. This pioneering study explores supply sources and heat density demand cohorts to develop a model to understand district heating in a low-deployment region, using Ireland as a case study. We also conduct a sensitivity analysis considering different connection rates. Our research demonstrates that district heating is pivotal in achieving optimal decarbonisation pathways. Incorporating district heating reduces marginal CO 2 emission prices by 13%–25%. Additionally, with feasible growth limits applied, total savings for the energy system are anticipated to reach €17.2 billion by 2050. This reduction of emissions in the building sector, facilitated by district heating, allows for greater emissions allowances in other sectors and reduces reliance on electricity while meeting climate targets. These insights highlight the need for spatial energy policies and deepen our understanding of integrating district heating within an energy system optimisation model. • District heating in Ireland can reduce marginal CO 2 emission prices by 13%–25%. • District heating can cumulatively save €17.2 billion compared to no district heating. • Regional energy policy is needed to align with cost-optimal pathways. • Regional supply and demand quantified sensitivity analysis strengthens insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy system and computable general equilibrium (CGE) models play vital roles in climate change mitigation studies. These models have advantages and disadvantages, and attempts have been made to integrate them. This study aimed to describe the method for integrating energy system and CGE models and demonstrate the new model that captures the strengths of both models. The method developed in this study ensured the detailed convergence of the energy system by exchanging the results iteratively. We demonstrated the model integration by adopting the method to MESSAGEix-GLOBIOM and AIM/Hub and estimating a mitigation scenario that limits the temperature rise to below 2 °C under the middle-of-the-road socioeconomic projection in Shared Socioeconomic Pathways. As a result of the integration, the index showing the difference between the two models proposed in this study decreased from 1.0 to 0.066. Therefore, we confirmed that these models estimated consistent scenarios. The diagnostic indicators showed that compared to its counterpart CGE model, the newly-developed model was characterized by a higher contribution of demand-side reductions, a lesser alteration in the primary energy supply composition, and lower abatement costs. Given the convergence and advantages of the integrated framework, the proposed method is useful for further application to mitigation studies. • Proposed a new method to integrate energy system models and CGE models. • Integrated MESSAGEix-GLOBIOM and AIM/Hub using the newly proposed method. • AIM/Hub provided multi-sectoral and goods representation. • MESSAGEix-GLOBIOM enabled estimates in consideration of detailed technologies. • Integrated model was characterized by demand-side effort and lower abatement costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has responded to the sustainability challenges via a range of policies with evolving objectives in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YEB) since the 1990s. However, the multi-scale analysis of YEB's comprehensive sustainability and the human-environment nexus amid policy impact remains unexplored. A comprehensive review and forecast of historical and future sustainability pathways under policy impacts are imperative. Here, we systematically examined sustainability under ten National Policies (NPs) and Regional Development Policies (RDPs), forecasting Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) in the 21st Century using the entropy weight method and machine learning models. We found that RDPs have contributed to 1.6 times increase in human development from 2000 to 2018 across dimensions of demography, economy, and society in YEB. However, it also revealed that the west-east disparity has widened from 0.14 to 0.19 during this period. Conservation efforts and national initiatives for ecological civilization have led to environmental improvement in the YEB, especially after the RDP3 in 2014, when the eastern provinces, like Shanghai, have already surpassed the peak inverted U-shape curve of the environmental-human nexus. Among the SSPs, SSP1 shows the most sustainable scenario with the lowest ecological footprint at 6.2 hm2 per capita and the highest value of regional sustainability and environmental subsystem. To achieve SSP1, an iterative, inclusive, and context-specific Science-Policy-Practice dialogue is essential. This enables feedback loops and collaboration among policymakers, scientists, and practitioners to foster regional sustainability by studying the implications of historical and future pathways. [Display omitted] • YEB's development transitioned from economic to high-quality. • Regional Policies' effect: Wellbeing surges, overshooting ecological footprints. • The systematic east-west sustainability gradient widened in the past 2 decades. • Eastern provinces of YEB experienced early sustainability turning points. • Optimal SSP1: Lower ecological footprint & climate mitigation, higher development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban forests are gaining recognition as a nature-based solution to climate change and other social-environmental issues in cities. Yet, the integration of urban forests may conflict with other climate measures such as urban densification, which may create hostile growing conditions for trees and lead to tree decline or loss. While previous studies have identified conflicts between densification and urban forests, there is a lack of research mapping the relationships among climate action, urban planning, and urban forest policies. This study involved semi-structured interviews with 14 key informants in Metro Vancouver, Canada, a rapidly-densifying region. Twenty-six trade-offs and 24 synergies were identified in five areas/sectors, such as (re)development and infrastructure. While strategic policies often highlighted synergies, policy implementation processes and outcomes often encountered trade-offs due to factors such as limited budgets and low political priority. Notably, most trade-offs and synergies were found in the same areas - (re)development and infrastructure - and shared the same contributing factors, such as political priority of urban forestry, suggesting areas of opportunity to transform trade-offs into synergies through appropriate planning and monitoring. The study also highlighted the need for further research on the interactions and impacts among municipal policies for more effective implementation and outcomes. • The study is among the first attempts to explore policy interactions on climate action, urban planning, and urban forest. • Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants with relevant expertise in cities of Metro Vancouver, Canada. • Results revealed key trade-offs and synergies among policies and practices, especially in development and infrastructure. • Connections between trade-offs and synergies suggest opportunities for compact, climate-proofed, and green cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drained peatland currently contributes 7.5% of Germany's total national greenhouse gas emissions. The National Peatland Protection Strategy adopted by the German government in 2022 recognizes that these emissions need to be reduced significantly to meet the country's climate change mitigation commitments. The present study employs a global dynamic computable general equilibrium model to assess the economic and greenhouse gas emission impacts of alternative agriculture-focused peatland rewetting scenarios for Germany up to 2030. In contrast to partial-analytic approaches, the global general equilibrium approach allows to take consistent account of economic ripple-on effects and carbon leakage effects triggered by peatland rewetting. The results suggest that in the medium term towards 2030 a reduction in annual emissions from agricultural peatland use by up to 45% are attainable at marginal private abatement costs between 27 and 61 Euro/tCO 2 e. Carbon leakage effects due to induced indirect land use change in Germany and the rest of the European Union reduce the global net emission reduction impact by 0.7 to 1.0% of the direct emission reduction. The effects on food prices remain small in all scenarios. In conclusion, a sizable reduction of Germany's land-use-related emissions is achievable at a low macroeconomic cost by moving beyond the moderate ambitions of the National Peatland Restoration Strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The IPCC's 6th assessment report (AR6) has provided a wide range of variables and scenarios that meet climate targets of varying ambition. Many variables reported in the AR6 affect human welfare through climate change and mitigation, including but not limited to economic output, the natural environment, human health, and food and energy supply. In some of these dimensions, trade-offs exist between better performance in welfare-relevant dimensions and reaching more ambitious climate targets. Here, we apply recent advances in the theoretical multidimensional measurement of welfare, like the Human Development Index, to the AR6 database. The welfare metric is based on a welfare function approach, simple to apply, and intuitive. We apply a range of specifications of the welfare metric, aiming to derive robust rankings of climate policy targets that perform best in terms of the multidimensional welfare index. Across a large range of weights on welfare-relevant variables, we find that lower temperature is associated with higher welfare in 2100 unless there is a high weight on food supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Andalusian olive grove in South Spain is employed as a case study to assess the environmental and economic effects of the green architecture (eco-schemes) of the Common Agricultural Policy in relation to low carbon agriculture under different soil management policy scenarios to support more efficient agri-environmental policy making. To do so, we adopted a multidisciplinary approach in which we used: (i) an integrated modelling framework comprising geographic information systems (GIS); (ii) the RothC model; and (iii) a cost-benefit analysis. Results show that eco-schemes provide a significant increase of soil organic carbon (SOC) relative to cross-compliance. Practices involving vegetation covers are more efficient than using pruning residues as mulching. SOC accumulation increases rapidly in the first five-ten years to slow down afterwards. The cost-benefit ratios of eco-schemes policy implementation are higher than one when only SOC is considered. Nonetheless, the inclusion of additional co-benefits has the potential to invert this scenario and enhance policy efficacy. Various insights on optimizing the design and application of eco-scheme efficiency are provided. • The new eco-schemes CAP instrument proposed for woody crops contribute to increase SOC • Mowing cover crops leads to the highest SOC stocks, whereas pruning debris maintains SOC stocks. • Tillage and no-tillage with bare soil systems lead to a significant depletion of SOC stocks. • The economic benefits of eco-schemes would not off-set the costs borne by public authority • Environmental externalities are key to reach the profitability of the policy instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) faces an increasing water erosion throughout the 21st century. • Effect of improved vegetation on water erosion control in the QTP is impaired under climate change. • Climate change mitigation is more essential than improving vegetation to address the QTP erosion. Water erosion is a wide ecosystem degradation threat for the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) region and surrounding areas. Climate wetting and vegetation greening in the QTP could have complex impacts on water erosion. However, there is limited information about the erosion dynamics under climate change and the effects of vegetation improvement on erosion control in this alpine region. By calibrating the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model, we estimated water erosion in the QTP and simulated future changes using different Shared Socioeconomic Pathway-Representative Concentration Pathway (SSP) scenarios. We showed intensified erosion and that the benefits of vegetation improvement to erosion control was impaired under climate change. Under the SSP585 scenario, annual water erosion in the QTP was predicted to increase by 0.35 t∙ha−1∙yr−1 and be dominated by an accelerative rise of rainfall erosivity (R factor of RUSLE). Compared with historical observations, the C factor of RUSLE under the SSP585 scenario was believed to reduce by 4.35 % on average during the 2081–2100 period, but predicted soil loss will increase by more than 90 %. Although more considerable vegetation improvement could occur under high climate forcing, there may also be more intensified rainfall erosivity and water erosion across the QTP than those under SSP126 and SSP245 scenarios. Our results suggest that mitigating climate change rather than vegetation improvement is essential to address climate-dominated ecosystem degradation threats such as water erosion in the QTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hong Kong has used a risk-based Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) system for nearly a decade, which aggregates hospitalization risks associated with short-term exposure to pollutants. Serving as an air pollution risk communication tool, it keeps the public informed about the current air quality, anchoring around the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2005 Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs). Given the WHO's recent update to the AQGs in 2021, it is pertinent to examine how Hong Kong's air quality risk communication might be enhanced using these updated guidelines. The AQHI currently focuses only on short-term health risks, potentially leading to an underestimation of cumulative impacts. To address this, we propose enhancing the AQHI to include both long-term and short-term health risks. Short-term risks are estimated based on excess hospitalization risks from various pollutants using local data, while long-term risks are estimated using beta coefficients from the WHO due to limited local data. We further suggest using the WHO's Interim Targets (ITs) as thresholds for health risk categories, eliminating arbitrary cut-points. Promoting both public health protection and climate mitigation is important but challenging, particularly with the surge in ozone levels due to enhanced NOx controls in VOC-limited regions like Hong Kong and Guangdong. Nevertheless, despite the rise in ozone, combined health risks in these areas have decreased due to reductions in NO 2 and PM concentrations. Shifting to an AQHI-like total health risk assessment emphasizes the harmonization of health protection and climate mitigation goals. This health-focused framework posits that rigorous NOx controls can effectively serve both policy objectives in tandem. • After a decade's review, HK's AQHI advised to report on long-term health risks. • Original short-term AQHI helps daily plans but may overlook crucial long-term risks. • Long-term health risk-based AQHI clarifies air quality trends for easier public grasp. • Aligning AQHI bands with WHO AQGs & ITs ensures clear, transparent risk communication. • Drastic fossil fuel cuts boost health, aid climate, despite temporary ozone rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to enhance greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction in East Asia play a pivotal role on both global and regional scales in advancing climate mitigation strategies. This study aimed to better constrain anthropogenic CO 2 emission estimates by expanding the network of near-surface in-situ stations for CO 2 observations across South Korea. To achieve an optimal CO 2 network design, we conducted an Observing System Simulation Experiment (OSSE) coupled with the Stochastic Lagrangian Transport model (STILT), utilizing meteorological data from the Korean Integrated Model (KIM). Our inversion setup incorporated two CO 2 emission datasets with a 0.1o resolution: EDGAR v6 for prior emissions and GRACED for truth emissions. A uniform model-mismatch error of 3 ppm was introduced across sites. The effectiveness of the existing five in-situ stations, termed the base network, in South Korea was evaluated to gauge their ability to constrain CO 2 surface flux estimates. However, the findings revealed a reduction in flux uncertainty of only 29.2%, which fell short of the desired uncertainty reduction goal. In this base network, the Lotte World Tower (LWT: 37.5126°E, 127.1025°E) in Seoul and the Anmyeondo (AMY: 36.538576° N, 126.330071° E) site in Taean county stood as major contributors, with estimated reductions of 17.48% and 6.35%, respectively. Consequently, we proposed and developed an extended network, identifying seven candidate sites based on consideration of logistical factors, existing infrastructures, and proximity to the emission source regions. An incremental optimization scheme ranked their contributions, resulting in an additional 25% reduction, bringing the total to 54.13%. However, it is noteworthy that diminishing returns (ranging from 13% to less than 0.1%) were observed with an increase in station count mainly due to the possibility that adding a station earlier in the sequence might render subsequent stations redundant. Despite this, the proposed CO 2 network successfully reduced uncertainty in emissions, narrowing the gap with the objectives of the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch (G3W). • Designing CO 2 near-surface observation network over South Korea. • New stations selected considering logistic factors, existing infrastructures, and proximity to emission sources. • The base network was able to reduce 29.18% of the uncertainty in CO 2 emissions. • Extending network, by adding new seven candidate sites, led to a total uncertainty reduction of 54.13%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high moisture content and the potential presence of hazardous organic compounds (HOCs) and metals (HMs) in sewage sludge (SS) pose technical and regulatory challenges for its circular economy valorisation. Thermal treatments are expected to reduce the volume of SS while producing energy and eliminating HOCs. In this study, we integrate quantitative analysis of SS concentration of 12 HMs and 61 HOCs, including organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with life-cycle assessment to estimate removal efficiency of pollutants, climate change mitigation benefits and toxicological effects of existing and alternative SS treatments (involving pyrolysis, incineration, and/or anaerobic digestion). Conventional SS treatment leaves between 24 % and 40 % of OPFRs unabated, while almost no degradation occurs for PFAS. Thermal treatments can degrade more than 93% of target OPFRs and 95 % of target PFAS (with the rest released to effluents). The different treatments affect how HMs are emitted across environmental compartments. Conventional treatments also show higher climate change impacts than thermal treatments. Overall, thermal treatments can effectively reduce the HOCs emitted to the environment while delivering negative emissions (from about −56 to −111 kg CO 2 -eq per tonne of sludge, when pyrolysis is involved) and producing renewable energy from heat integration and valorization. [Display omitted] • A wide range of novel characterization factors for PFAS and OPFRs are estimated. • Pyrolysis and incineration degrade from 94 % to 99 % of PFAS, OPFRs and BPA. • HMs are the dominant pollutants affecting human health and freshwater ecotoxicity. • Direct pyrolysis is the best option to deliver negative emissions and abate HOCs. • Conventional treatments leave about 40 % of OPFRs unabated, and no PFAS degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a set of aspirational objectives for the world, addressing interlinked themes including poverty, hunger, and climate action. Meeting these goals requires a similarly integrated and interdisciplinary approach. One component of such an approach may be agrivoltaic systems (AVS): dual use solar and agricultural systems wherein crops are grown beneath and between solar panels. Given their intersectoral nature, AVS will have complex impacts on the achievement of the SDGs. This analysis seeks to evaluate how AVS could impact progress towards the SDGs based on literature around the impacts of agriculture, solar, and AVS, and the indicators measuring progress towards the SDGs. It uses a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) framework and applies it in a unique way to understand the direct and immediate impacts to the SDGs following the installation of an AVS (i.e., strengths and weaknesses), and the potential impacts on the SDGs based on secondary or supplementary actions taken once an AVS is installed (i.e., opportunities and threats). Though the most obvious of AVS' impacts to the SDGs will be on Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), evaluation of individual indicators shows that AVS can quantifiably impact 14 out of 17 SDGs, largely in a positive manner. However, evaluating impacts on the SDGs indicator by indicator also reveals possible negative, and unexpected, consequences of AVS. Yet, impacts on the SDGs will vary by location-specific factors such as climate, and so this analysis concludes with an application of the SWOT framework in Ethiopia for a farm where an AVS is under consideration. Altogether, this work should provide a means for evaluating the impacts of AVS on SDGs and insights into how to mitigate possible detrimental impacts while capitalizing on benefits. • Agrivoltaics measurably impact 13 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. • Impacts of agrivoltaics depend on a reference case: single use agriculture or solar. • Agrivoltaic systems can underpin rural electrification of farms and schools. • Targeted government initiatives can capitalize on the benefits of agrivoltaics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A two-stage cultivation strategy can increase both biomass and target product yield. • Sequential and multi-component extraction lead to downstream resource efficiency. • Seawater, wastewater, and recycled nutrients are crucial in maintaining efficiency. • Integrative design navigates trade-offs between environmental and economic aspects. • Life Cycle Costing and Sustainability Assessment broaden well-to-wheel analysis. Microalgae hold tremendous potential as sustainable bioresources in carbon capture, climate change mitigation, and the development of net-zero lifestyles. However, scaling up microalgae cultivation necessitates overcoming obstacles in strain selection, bioreactor design, and cultivation strategies. While microalgae were initially viewed as a simple biomass feedstock for energy security, emerging applications such as wastewater bioremediation, carbon capture, and the production of valuable chemicals have reshaped the overall perspective of microalgae. Exciting advancements in microalgal genetic engineering, encompassing evolutionary approach, CRISPR technology, modular cloning toolkits, and bioinformatics, pave the way for optimizing productivity and minimizing environmental footprints. This review delves into crucial aspects of microalgae cultivation, including harvesting, cell disruption, and waste valorization. Additionally, new understandings of integrative design and life-cycle assessment are discussed alongside the promise of bioenergy production, providing the current stage of development and challenges to handle. Ultimately, this review offers new perspectives on microalgal biotechnology aiming to contribute to an eco-friendly green paradigm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing assessments of climate mitigation technologies, like carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS), often rely on life cycle assessments (LCA), which are helpful for quantification but may not always be the most complete tools for decision-making. The novel contribution of this study is to provide the first application of a consequential carbon accounting approach, presented as a time-series analysis, to measure the system-wide change in emissions from CCUS linked to CO 2 -enhanced oil recovery. This method includes emissions from marginal oil production, a variable typically excluded in other LCA methods. The method was applied to a hypothetical CCUS project in Mexico to understand critical factors determining whether such an intervention can effectively contribute to emissions reduction in alignment with net-zero goals. Four intervention scenarios were assessed, comparing two distinct CO 2 injection strategies in oil reservoirs (water alternating gas and continuous gas injection) and two energy policy scenarios (current and sustainability). The findings suggest that the energy grid's role in overall emissions is relatively minor, with only a ∼2% difference between the compared scenarios, in contrast, the injection strategy has a significant impact on emissions. Scenarios 1 and 3 report a total change in emissions of −28.39 and −29.87MtCO 2 e, and scenarios 2 and 4 account for −19.63 and −21.22MtCO 2 e, respectively. The results highlight the importance of conducting system-wide analysis and comparing different scenarios to identify the critical components that drive changes in emissions and, therefore, support decision-making and project planning. • Consequential carbon accounting quantifies the system-wide change caused by CCUS. • A time-series provides decision-relevant information on climate change mitigation. • Market-mediated effects are highly relevant for CCUS projects. • CCUS is not consistent with net zero due to as remaining emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We conduct a global study of domestic fuel prices and a comprehensive protest measure. • Results suggest gasoline price hikes increase the likelihood of protest onset across the global sample of countries from 2003 to 2015. • The price-protest link clusters in countries with price subsidies and/or oil production. Mitigating global warming requires a rapid reduction in the use of fossil fuels which form the foundation of modern economies. Fossil fuel reduction is crucial for minimizing future loss and damage associated with a changing climate, but a challenging task. In diverse contexts, climate-friendly policies that increased fuel prices have sparked massive, at times violent, protests, ultimately leading to a reversal of those policies. However, to what extent and under what conditions fuel prices and policies affect protest more generally is poorly understood. Addressing this gap, we study how fuel prices affect the likelihood of protest onset. We theorize that increases in fuel prices may create economic grievances through their impacts on the cost of living and income. We also suggest that the likelihood of protest following such price increases would be particularly high where attribution of blame to government policies is feasible, such as in fuel subsidizing states, as well as when governments are seen as being able to provide a remedy such as in petroleum producing states. We evaluate our theoretical framework using global country-level monthly statistics 2003–2015, combining protest data with data on the price of gasoline, fuel policies, and country characteristics, and subject our results to placebo and sensitivity tests. Our study finds that gasoline price hikes increase the likelihood of protest onset across the global sample. In line with our theoretical framework, we also find evidence for a clustering of such relationships in the presence of subsidies and oil production, where the attribution of fuel prices to government (in)action tends to be higher. These results highlight the need for policymakers to anticipate public responses to price increases. This study lays the groundwork for more detailed investigations into climate-friendly subsidy and tax reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities represent unique spaces for climate mitigation where wide-ranging action to reduce emissions meets ambition and collaboration. This research work distils climate neutrality narratives for 362 cities that expressed interest in the European Mission on 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities and focuses on the 112 cities selected to spearhead the process of reaching climate neutrality by 2030 (representing a mitigation potential of 318.3 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions). The method involves steps that profile the characteristics of these cities, enunciate cross-cutting patterns in cities' visions by thematic groupings, and compare 14 contextual factors with 77 possible main barriers. There are both similarities and differences among the results as a basis for learning together and certain barriers can be relatively more dominant in some thematic groupings, such as fragmentation of responsibilities. As a synthesis of the main findings, the original analyses are used to derive and prioritise nine high-level recommendations based on the cities' visions, contextual factors, and expected main barriers. Opportunities for mobilising transformative change relate to transforming siloed into integrated approaches, inclusive climate governance and collaborations, innovative financing, welfare and just transition as well as planning, implementation, and policy coherence. The advances provide pioneering steps for stimulating co-learning processes among Mission Cities and beyond to support the transition to climate neutrality and open up opportunities to progress together in climate action while producing impact with global reach. [Display omitted] • Visions and narratives for achieving climate neutrality by 2030 are enunciated across cities. • The 112 Mission Cities represent an emissions reduction potential of 318.3 MtCO 2 eq. • Thematic groupings are formed by cross-comparing degree of ambition and collaboration. • Recommendations are prioritised based on enablers and barriers in the thematic groupings. • Cross-cutting patterns in cities' visions provide opportunities to stimulate co-learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]