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Policies concerning the sector of green jobs on European level are related mainly to environmental protection, as well as those for clean energy and climate change. They require the application of policies for developing the sector of renewable energy and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating new sustainable jobs. The aim of the paper is based on the review and analysis of policies related to climate change, to assess their impact on the sector of green jobs. The first part of the paper presents a review of climate change policies and an assessment of their impact on the creation of green jobs. The second part of the paper includes general conclusions about the role of policies related to climate change for the sector of green jobs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimal forest management strategies for mitigating climate change are hotly debated during political negotiations, because afforestation and forest management can increase atmospheric CO 2 removal, and the wood produced can provide a substitute for fossil fuel. Studies quantifying the carbon balance of the forest sector apply a wide variety of management and wood-use scenarios. Some model studies include future climate change effects on forest growth, but others ignore them. Here, a conceptual empirical model of sequestration efficiency, the fraction of net primary production stored in the biosphere and anthroposhere, simulates European forest carbon pools and fluxes. The sensitivity of the sequestration efficiency of European forests was quantified by varying model parameters along the forest growth and wood transformation chain: environment and climate change, harvest intensity, rotation length, fraction of harvest residues left on site and substitution efficiency. Irrespective of the evolution of the sink, the forest sector as a whole remains a net carbon absorber in 99% of the simulations at a time horizon of 100 years, even if in 25% of the simulations the forests themselves become sources. However, if the goal is to enhance the current sequestration efficiency to mitigate emissions, only in 25% of the simulations the sink efficiency was found to be enhanced. If the current sink were to reverse to a source, no management action or change in wood use would result in an increase in the current forest sequestration efficiency. In all other cases, increasing harvest levels would lead to an increase in forest sector carbon emissions, highlighting the pivotal role of the baseline used to set the emission reduction targets. Our results show that the uncertainty on the response of European forest to climate change undermines the quest for a carbon-optimal management strategy. The uncertainty in whether climate change will maintain the current forest sink or turn it into a carbon source is largely overlooked in the debate over the best forest management strategy to reduce the growth of atmospheric CO 2 concentration, yet it is large enough to change the merit order of different alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the interactions between agricultural policy measures in the EU and the factors affecting GHG emissions from agriculture on the one hand, and the adaptation of agriculture to climate change on the other. To this end, the article uses Slovenia as a case study, assessing the extent to which Slovenian agricultural policy is responding to the challenges of climate change. All agricultural policy measures related to the 2007–2013 programming period were analysed according to a new methodological approach that is based on a qualitative (expert evaluation) and a quantitative (budgetary transfers validation) assessment. A panel of experts reached consensus on the key factors through which individual measures affect climate change, in which direction and how significantly. Data on budgetary funds for each measure were used as weights to assess their relative importance. The results show that there are not many measures in (Slovenian) agricultural policy that are directly aimed at reducing GHG emissions from agriculture or at adaptation to climate change. Nevertheless, most affect climate change, and their impact is far from negligible. Current measures have both positive and negative impacts, but overall the positive impacts prevail. Measures that involve many beneficiaries and more budgetary funds had the strongest impact on aggregate assessments. In light of climate change, agricultural policy should pay more attention to measures that are aimed at raising the efficiency of animal production, as it is the principal source of GHG emissions from agriculture. Policy relevance Agricultural policy must respond to climate challenges and climate change impact assessment must be included in the process of forming European agricultural policy. Agricultural policy measures that contribute to the reduction of emissions and adaptation, whilst acting in synergy with other environmental, economic and social goals, should be promoted. The approach used in this study combines qualitative and quantitative data, yielding an objective assessment of the climate impact of agricultural policy measures and providing policy makers with a tool for eitherex anteorex postevaluations of climate-relevant policy measures. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) has received world-wide attention due to its growing market demands as pointed out by International Energy Agency (IEA), and McKinsey. This article aims to observe contemporary European developments in accordance with the Union's energy strategy and the Paris Agreement. With the reduction in import of Russian gas, purchasing LNG became an alternative policy option to meet overall energy needs in Europe. European governments and companies are making large investments in land-based regasification terminals and floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs). These trends have fueled hopes that Europe may be able to avoid the worst-case scenario of massive gas shortages, rationing, and industrial shutdowns in the coming months. Nonetheless, such positive short-term developments should not obscure the challenges Europe's energy-dependent industries are facing due to high gas and electricity prices, which will likely remain elevated for some time. Industries with gas-intensive production or with high absolute demand for gas could still see disruptions during this winter. Moreover, this article also evaluates the role of carbon-neutral LNG in European energy crises and its link with eco-friendly processes as set out by the EU and its consequences for the Asian market. The major findings include that the existing carbon measurement framework does not meet the global needs of the LNG industry. Moreover, the breadth of LNG usage is linked to viable GHG emission framework availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MAOM-C content was modeled for arable fields with different management. • Organic fertilization, crop rotation, and soil texture define MAOM-C content. • A POM-C/MAOM-C ratio indicator was developed and tested. • This indicator contains information on MAOM-C saturation deficits. • POM-C/MAOM-C ratio indicators might support climate mitigation strategies. Soil organic matter (SOM) is indispensable for soil health and, in the context of climate change, is considered a significant CO 2 sink. Improving agricultural management to increase long-term soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks for mitigating climate change requires tools that estimate short and long-cycling SOM pools. In this study, we analyzed changes in fast-cycling particulate organic matter (POM) and slow-cycling mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) induced by common management practices, i.e., fertilization and crop rotation in topsoils from 25 Central European long-term field experiments. When relating MAOM-C contents to recent MAOM-C saturation levels, estimated sequestration potentials were only met in coarse-textured soils under appropriate agricultural management or fine-textured soils under extreme organic fertilization. Soil texture, organic fertilization, and below-ground OC inputs through root exudates and root biomass were decisive for estimating MAOM-C, allowing for calibration of a mixed-effects model (Nakagawa's: marginal R2 m = 0.6, conditional R2 c = 0.89). While the models containing soil texture and organic fertilization parameters can be validated and generalized (R2 = 0.43), the below-ground OC input predictor substantially decreases the generalizability of the validated models (R2 = 0.14). According to quantile regression models, we estimate the average difference in MAOM-C concentration between well-managed and control site (without organic fertilization) topsoils to 4.1 mg g−1 soil. In dependence on the soil bulk density, this amounts to 1.38 – 1.84 t ha−1 MAOM-C stocks or 5.06 – 10.1 t ha−1 CO 2 -equivalents. POM-C was difficult to predict (R2 = 0.28), presumably due to strong POM dynamics. The POM-C / MAOM-C ratio can inform on the effects of agricultural practices in before/after management change comparisons. Under increasing SOC concentration, an increasing POM-C / MAOM-C ratio indicates that the effects of organic fertilization do not transfer to real effects on long-term SOC sequestration. Because MAOM-C depends on soil texture, this ratio is also a covariate of soil texture, limiting it for comparisons between sites with different textures. However, our data indicate that agricultural long-term field experiment soils constantly approximate MAOM-C saturation when the POM-C/MAOM-C ratio is >0.35. This ratio might be used as a management goal to prevent organic over-fertilization and N loss, especially on coarse-textured soils. Thereby, the POM-C / MAOM-C ratio can help to optimize SOC management and sequestration on agricultural soils and support climate change mitigation strategies in Central Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing global climate change is challenging all sectors, forestry notwithstanding. On the one hand, forest ecosystems are exposed to and threatened by climate change, but on the other hand, forests can influence the course of climate change by regulating the water regime, air quality, carbon sequestration, and even reduce climate extremes. Therefore, it is crucial to see climate change not only as a risk causing forest disturbances and economic consequences but also as an opportunity for innovative approaches to forest management, conservation, and silviculture based on the results of long-term research. We reviewed 365 studies evaluating the impact of climate change on European forest ecosystems, all published during the last 30 years (1993–2022). The most significant consequences of climate change include more frequent and destructive large-scale forest disturbances (wildfire, windstorm, drought, flood, bark beetle, root rot), and tree species migration. Species distribution shifts and changes in tree growth rate have substantial effects on ecosystem carbon storage. Diameter/volume increment changed from −1 to +99% in Central and Northern Europe, while it decreased from −12 to −49% in Southern Europe across tree species over the last ca. 50 years. However, it is important to sharply focus on the causes of climate change and subsequently, on adaptive strategies, which can successfully include the creation of species-diverse, spatially and age-wise structured stands (decrease drought stress and increase production), prolongation of the regenerative period, or the use of suitable introduced tree species (e.g., Douglas fir, black pine, and Mediterranean oaks). But the desired changes are based on increasing diversity and the mitigation of climate change, and will require significantly higher initial costs for silviculture practices. In conclusion, the scope and complexity of the topic require further comprehensive and long-term studies focusing on international cooperation. We see a critical gap in the transfer of research results into actual forest practice, which will be the key factor influencing afforestation of forest stands and forest growth in the following decades. What our forests will look like for future generations and what the resulting impact of climate change will be on forestry is in the hands of forest managers, depending on supportive forestry research and climate change policy, including adaptive and mitigation strategies. • We review main factors influencing forest growth processes under climate change (CC). • We concentrate on potential direct and indirect impacts of CC on forest ecosystems. • Consequences of CC include large-scale forest disturbances and tree species migration. • Review is focused on management adaptive strategies and mitigation of CC. • Opportunity and risk of introduced tree species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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The non-recyclable fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW refuse) represents over half of the total MSW production in Europe, with an energetic potential of 1250 PJ/year, a similar quantity to the current potential for energy production from agricultural residues. Currently, there are no alternative uses for MSW refuse other than landfilling or incineration. Thus, it represents an important untapped resource for biofuel production in Europe. Standard attributional LCAs have not been able to capture some of the bioenergy interactions with the climate system and neither to properly assess the climate change mitigation potential of bioenergy technologies. This study aims to fill this gap and properly assess the impact of the production of biofuels from MSW refuse on climate change by applying several methodological improvements in a time-dependent assessment, i.e., an explicit consideration of biogenic carbon flows using a dynamic LCA and an absolute formulation of the cumulative and instantaneous climate metrics. Two diverging examples of current MSW management systems are selected as references against which to assess the potential climate benefit of biofuel production: with or without dominant landfill disposal and with high or low GHG emissions from the power generation sector. The results show that in countries with current negligible landfilling, the production of biofuels would lead to a clear climate benefit. For landfill-dominant countries, the climate benefit would only be temporarily achieved in the medium term as the impact of landfills on climate decreases in the long term. However, considering a progressive banning of landfilling promoted by other policies for environmental protection and resource efficiency, the results would become positive for both countries with climate change mitigation guaranteed by using MSW refuse for biofuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate-smart sustainable management of agricultural soil is critical to improve soil health, enhance food and water security, contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity preservation, and improve human health and wellbeing. The European Joint Programme for Soil (EJP SOIL) started in 2020 with the aim to significantly improve soil management knowledge and create a sustainable and integrated European soil research system. EJP SOIL involves more than 350 scientists across 24 Countries and has been addressing multiple aspects associated with soil management across different European agroecosystems. This study summarizes the key findings of stakeholder consultations conducted at the national level across 20 countries with the aim to identify important barriers and challenges currently affecting soil knowledge but also assess opportunities to overcome these obstacles. Our findings demonstrate that there is significant room for improvement in terms of knowledge production, dissemination and adoption. Among the most important barriers identified by consulted stakeholders are technical, political, social and economic obstacles, which strongly limit the development and full exploitation of the outcomes of soil research. The main soil challenge across consulted member states remains to improve soil organic matter and peat soil conservation while soil water storage capacity is a key challenge in Southern Europe. Findings from this study clearly suggest that going forward climate-smart sustainable soil management will benefit from (1) increases in research funding, (2) the maintenance and valorisation of long-term (field) experiments, (3) the creation of knowledge sharing networks and interlinked national and European infrastructures, and (4) the development of regionally-tailored soil management strategies. All the above-mentioned interventions can contribute to the creation of healthy, resilient and sustainable soil ecosystems across Europe. • Survey in 20 countries: 314 stakeholders, 10 soil challenges, 4 soil knowledge. • Increasing organic matter and conserve peat soils is the priority soil challenge. • The 2nd most important soil challenge is soil water storage capacity. • The priority barriers are the lack of research funding and communication. • The most important opportunity is to fully exploit the outcomes of soil research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message : This analysis of the tools and methods currently in use for reporting woody biomass availability in 21 European countries has shown that most countries use, or are developing, National Forest Inventory-oriented models whereas the others use standwise forest inventory--oriented methods. Context : Knowledge of realistic and sustainable wood availability in Europe is highly relevant to define climate change mitigation strategies at national and European level, to support the development of realistic targets for increased use of renewable energy sources and of industry wood. Future scenarios at European level highlight a deficit of domestic wood supply compared to wood consumption, and some European countries state they are harvesting above the increment. Aims : Several country-level studies on wood availability have been performed for international reporting. However, it remains essential to improve the knowledge on the projection methods used across Europe to better evaluate forecasts. Methods : Analysis was based on descriptions supplied by the national correspondentsinvolved in USEWOOD COST Action (FP1001), and further enriched with additionaldata from international reports that allowedcharacterisation of the forests in these countries for the same base year. Results : Methods currently used for projecting wood availability were described for 21 European countries. Projection systems based on National Forest Inventory (NFI) data prevail over methods based on forest management plans. Only a few countries lack nationwide projection tools, still using tools developed for specific areas. Conclusions : A wide range of NFI-based systems for projecting wood availability exists, being under permanent improvement. The validation of projection forecasts and the inclusion of climate sensitive growth models into these tools are common aims for most countries. Cooperation among countries would result in higher efficiency when developing and improving projection tools and better comparability among them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comprehensive analysis of carbon stocks and fluxes of managed European forests is a prerequisite to quantify their role in biomass production and climate change mitigation. We applied the Carbon Budget Model (CBM) to 26 European (EU) countries, parameterized with country information on the historical forest age structure, management practices, harvest regimes and the main natural disturbances. We quantified C stocks for the five forest pools plus Harvested Wood Products (HWP), and the fluxes among these pools, from 2000 to 2030. The aim is to quantify the main C fluxes as affected by land-use changes, natural disturbances and forest management and to asses the impact of specific harvest and afforestation scenarios after 2012 on the mitigation potential of the EU forest sector. Substitution effects and the possible impacts of climate are not included in this analysis. Results show that for the historical period (2000-2012) the net primary productivity (NPP) of the forest pools at the EU level is on average equal to 639 Tg C yr-1, the losses are dominated by heterotrophic respiration (409 Tg C yr-1) and fellings (110 Tg C yr-1 due to removals), with direct fire emissions being only 1 Tg C yr-1, leading to a net carbon stock change (i.e. sink) of 110 Tg C yr-1. Fellings also transferred 28 Tg C yr-1 of harvest residues from biomass dead organic matter pools. The average annual forest Net Sector Exchange (NSE), i.e. the carbon stock changes in the forest pools plus HWP, equals 122 Tg C yr-1 (i.e., about 19% of the NPP) for the historical period and in 2030 reaches 126 Tg C yr-1, 101 Tg C yr-1 and 151 Tg C yr-1, assuming respectively a constant, increasing (+20%) and decreasing (-20%) scenario of both harvest and afforestation rates compared to the historical period. Under the constant harvest rate scenario, our findings show an incipient aging process for the forests existing in 1990: despite the NPP is still increasing (+7%) the greater increase of heterotrophic respiration (+13%) leads to a decrease of the sink in the forest pools (-6%) in 2030 compared to the historical period. The detailed picture of the C fluxes within the EU forest sector condensed in this study, and their evolution under different harvest scenarios, provide a useful framework for more detailed future analyses (spatially or temporally) on the mitigation potential of the forest sector. Overall, our study confirms that, in the majority of European countries, the build-up of biomass stocks results from woody NPP exceeding losses by timber harvest and natural disturbances. However, at the country level, we highlighted some statistical differences, suggesting that this relationship cannot be assumed as constant for all European countries. Specific forest conditions, such as the harvest rate, the current age structure and forest composition, may have a different impact on the country-specific evolution of biomass stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and CO 2 emissions intertwine corporations and society in current political, social, environmental, and economic debates, specifically in Europe. The climate action plan formulated by the European Commission aims to achieve net zero emissions through eco-innovation by 2050. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of the European eco-innovation index on CO 2 emissions produced by European firms. Using a dataset of 735 firms from 17 European countries listed during 2010–2018, we found a significant negative association between the country-level eco-innovation index and CO 2 emissions directly produced by the European firms. We also found a significant negative association between the eco-innovation index and indirect CO 2 emissions produced by the value chain of these firms. The results provide evidence that via eco-innovation, supportive steps taken by European countries provide a conducive environment for the European firms to adopt eco-innovative strategies that significantly reduce their direct and indirect CO 2 emissions per dollar of their corporate assets and make their value chains eco-friendly. The results also reveal that financial development brings in some environmental monitoring that cultivates a supportive culture for the corporations to promote corporate efforts to reduce CO 2 emissions. • The first study that uses an eco-innovation index, based on 5 dimensions, developed by the European Commission. • We find a negative impact of country-level eco-innovation on the reduction in direct and indirect corporate CO 2 emissions. • Eco-innovation initiatives taken by the European countries are helping European firms in reducing their CO 2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates and evaluates the European expert's selection and conjoined degree of willingness to decrease the carbon footprint (WDC) of consuming products and services to mitigate climate change. The survey respondents were segregated into four European regions based on their nationality viz. Nordic, Baltic, and Eastern Europe (NBE), Central and South-eastern Europe (CSE), Western and southern Europe (WSE), and North-western Europe (NWE). The WDC are represented by four index categories viz. low willing, moderate willing, willing, and highly willing. The WDC indicators such as housing, food, energy, waste and transport were used to identify the trend and correlation, gender-specific density distribution, and overall regional comparison analysis. The trend and correlation analysis between energy vs. transport, waste vs. food, and a separate state of housing represented the current global carbon emission situation, where four overlapping clusters indicated the respondent's closest or similar selection at their consumption level. The gender-specific density suggests that the male respondent's average WDC for housing and food index ranges from moderate to highly willing. In contrast, the female average WDC for food, waste, energy and transport index ranges from moderate willing to willing and bimodal for other scenarios. Among the regional comparisons, NBE in housing (moderate willing to willing), CSE in food (willing to highly willing), WSE and CSE in energy and all the regions in waste management (willing to highly willing) presented better indices. In transport, Europe as a whole exhibits poor index. In case of WDC index, the regional comparison indicates that the CSE region exhibited better outcomes than the other regions, except for housing. The findings of this study will be beneficial for the common people, researchers, policymakers, and regulators to enrich their future thoughts and contributes to the development and improvement of the existing carbon reduction policies, especially in the transport sector. • Investigates the European expert's willingness to decrease carbon footprint (WDC). • Nordic, Central, & Western experts exhibited top WDC in housing, food, & energy. • In the WDC of waste, experts from all the regions presented better signs. • In the WDC of transport, all the areas showed poor index. • In general, the central part showed better WDC indices than other areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving sustainability and resilience transformations under climate change requires transformative and multi-scale visions to stimulate coherent thinking and action towards radically alternative futures. We present our approach to co-produce transformative visions contextualised in different regions across Europe, while exploring emergent 'pan-European' vision elements to guide transformative climate action across scales. We co-produced visions with stakeholders in four case studies: European, national (Scotland), transboundary river basin (Iberia) and two municipalities (Hungary). All visions share core aspirations for good living, justice and social and environmental wellbeing in Europe, while allowing contextualised interpretation to remain meaningful in view of context-specific needs, priorities, cultural perceptions and aspirations. The visions point to areas where deep transformations are required: in service provisioning from critical infrastructures like energy, food, health and education, and in lifestyles and governance. We discuss two key methodological considerations for the co-production of transformative visions across multiple scales. Firstly, the application of a systematic and comprehensive framework across all scales provided a guide to compare and ensure coherence between visions across multiple scales. Secondly, the creation of transformative spaces to co-produce the visions with stakeholders supported critical reflections and learning about the radical and multi-dimensional changes necessary in different regions in Europe. • Transformative visions can be important drivers of desirable societal change. • Transformative visions need to be contextualised and coherent across scales. • A systematic framework guides coherent envisioning across multiple scales. • Transformative spaces gauge critical reflections, learning and empowerment. • Pathways can translate visions into concrete actions to support implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extension of forest area is a globally accepted tool to offset CO 2 emissions from deforestation and the combustion of fossil fuels. The common assumption is that in addition to the perceived climate benefits increasing forest area will also support biodiversity, thus making afforestation a “win-win scenario”. Based on the existing scientific evidences, we show that joined climate and biodiversity benefits are strongly context-dependent and that the outcome of afforestation is often highly questionable. In Europe, grasslands managed at low intensity contribute substantially to biodiversity conservation and carbon storage. However, many of these grasslands have been lost due to abandonment and subsequent spontaneous succession towards woody vegetation, or due to land use intensification. Moreover, grasslands are the ecosystems most often deliberately afforested in the context of EU carbon-centered policies that may thus counteract biodiversity conservation programmes. By reviewing the main EU policies targeting forests and grasslands, we found a striking ambivalence between policies and funding schemes addressing grassland conservation on the one hand (e.g. Habitats Directive, green payments within the Common Agricultural Policy) and those supporting afforestation on the other (e.g. rural development funds). We suggest three measures towards a better harmonization of the European Union policies that target forest and grassland ecosystems: (1) promoting the alignment of the decisions taken across different policy sectors; (2) focusing on the whole range of ecosystem services and biodiversity issues rather than on carbon management only; (3) valuing systems managed at low-intensity for their multifunctionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents results from a large multi-country study focusing on public perceptions of climate change and relevant mitigation and adaptation policies in Spain, Netherlands, UK and Germany. The purpose of this paper is two-fold: first, to understand the nature of public perceptions of global climate change in different countries; and secondly, to gauge the public's support of climate change measures in terms of mitigation and adaptation policies. Our analysis shows high levels of public indecisiveness regarding the danger climate change poses, which source of climate change information to trust and whether to support any mitigation or adaptation strategies. The high levels of uncertainty present an opportunity to increase policy support and foster behavioural changes in the future through well-designed communication programmes. Therefore, this study has identified several aspects that need to be considered in future communication programmes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, efforts are underway to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to climate change impacts at the local level. However, there is a poor understanding of the relationship between city strategies on climate change mitigation and adaptation and the relevant policies at national and European level. This paper describes a comparative study and evaluation of cross-national policy. It reports the findings of studying the climate change strategies or plans from 200 European cities from Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. The study highlights the shared responsibility of global, European, national, regional and city policies. An interpretation and illustration of the influences from international and national networks and policy makers in stimulating the development of local strategies and actions is proposed. It was found that there is no archetypical way of planning for climate change, and multiple interests and motivations are inevitable. Our research warrants the need for a multi-scale approach to climate policy in the future, mainly ensuring sufficient capacity and resource to enable local authorities to plan and respond to their specific climate change agenda for maximising the management potentials for translating environmental challenges into opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this article is to assess the priorities of local governments (LGs) in Europe regarding climate change mitigation technologies evaluation in the electricity sector and to provide important insights for energy policy design. The study applies a hybrid weighting methodology to elicit LGs' preferences in a constructive and iterative way regarding the evaluation criteria of low-carbon energy technologies. Furthermore, the study employs three data collection and preference elicitation methods, namely: survey, workshop, and webinar. The study was conducted across thirty one (31) European LGs that were categorized according to three variables: population size, geographical region and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. The analysis shows that "CO2 emissions" is the most important criterion among European LGs, followed by "mortality and morbidity" and "ecosystem damages". The results illustrate the potential synergies of climate and energy policies for addressing both CO2 emissions and air pollution. It was also found, based on a correlation analysis, that LGs with higher GDP per capita tend to provide higher weights to criteria related to security of energy supply and technological innovation. The current study provides insights on the actual LGs' priorities that are important to consider during low-carbon energy technologies evaluation and energy policy design. Interestingly, the results of the European LGs' preferences clearly show that the EU climate policy objectives have reached different levels of governance--and at this particular case, the local level. Furthermore, the developed methodology could be applied at different geographical regions to map other regions' LG priorities, but also at a group decision making context to elicit relevant stakeholders' preferences regarding low-carbon energy technologies and policy objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We introduce biogas-concrete carbon capture utilization, and storage supply chains. • These innovative supply chains have the potential to permanently remove CO 2 from the atmosphere and store it in concrete. • This climate mitigation solution is available today and can be adopted in a seamless manner. • We quantify the trade-offs between supply chains that store CO 2 in concrete and underground. Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solution necessary to achieve net-zero-carbon-emissions goals. While the BECCS potential from large industrial emitters has been quantified, the BECCS potential of small emitters, such as biogas facilities, has not been investigated. Moreover, most BECCS solutions rely on the expected availability of large geological storage capacity for future CDR implementation, although the deployment of CO 2 transport and storage supply chains is still a barrier for geological carbon storage ambitions. An alternative opportunity for permanent sequestration of CO 2 is concrete, in which captured CO 2 can be permanently fixed through carbon dioxide mineralization technologies. We describe and discuss this solution by quantifying the potential of a European bioenergy with carbon capture, utilization, and storage (BECCUS) supply chain, which relies on biogenic CO 2 from biogas facilities as a CO 2 source, and on carbon dioxide mineralization in concrete as a permanent CO 2 sink. This solution is available today, can be adopted seamlessly, and does not need economies of scale for its deployment. We find that European biogas facilities produce 24 Mtons of biogenic CO 2 per year, of which 4 Mtons of CO 2 per year are emitted from facilities already upgrading biogas into bio-methane. We estimate that carbon dioxide mineralization in recycled concrete aggregates in Europe could permanently store up to 8 Mtons of CO 2 per year. Despite the limited storage potential, BECCUS supply chains would reduce CO 2 transportation distance and system complexity compared to BECCS supply chains, and would result in a marketable product, namely concrete. Overall, carbon dioxide mineralization in recycled concrete aggregates combines carbon utilization with permanent sequestration, hence contributing to carbon-neutrality goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agri-environmental policies in Europe are failing to sufficiently address ongoing environmental degradation, biodiversity decline, climate impacts, and societal demands for sustainability. To reverse this, policymakers, practitioners, and farmers need better guidance on which specific agricultural practice/s should be promoted and how to adapt current practices to reach the desired objectives. Here we use social valuation tools to elucidate the relationship between agricultural practices and the provision of key ecosystem services in mountains, including maintenance of scenery from agricultural landscapes, conservation of biodiversity, regulation of climate change through carbon sequestration, production of local quality products, maintenance of soil fertility, and prevention of forest wildfires. We use as case studies two contrasting but representative mountain agroecosystems in the Mediterranean and Nordic regions of Europe. We analyze the best agricultural practices in both agroecosystems to reach the targeted environmental outcomes under three plausible policy scenarios. We find significant differences in the average contribution of agricultural practices to ecosystem services provision, which suggest the need for regionalizing the research efforts and, consequently, the design of agri-environmental policies. However, we also identify practices for ecosystem service delivery across policy scenarios and agroecosystems. Among these, grazing and silviculture practices such as extending the grazing period, grazing in semi-natural habitats, grazing in remote and abandoned areas, adapting stocking rate to the carrying capacity, and moving flocks seasonally, stand out for their relevance in all policy scenarios. These results highlight the potential of adequate grazing and silviculture practices to deliver bundles of ecosystem services. Our study provides guidance to design agri-environmental policies in Europe that focus on rewarding farmers for their sustainable management of natural resources, climate change mitigation and adaption and biodiversity conservation. • We elucidate the effects of agricultural practices on the provision of key ecosystem services. • We test three policy scenarios in two contrasting mountain agroecosystems in Europe. • Contribution of practices to ecosystem services differ significantly between agroecosystems. • Several practices are relevant across policy scenarios and agroecosystems. • We provide guidance for management-based payments in European agrienvironmental policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulating cropland soil carbon changes following a reduction in tillage intensity is necessary to determine the utility of this management practice in climate change mitigation. In instances where reduced or no tillage increases soil carbon stocks, this is typically due to reduced decomposition rates of plant residues. Although some soil carbon models contain a priori decomposition rate modifiers to account for tillage regime, these are typically not calibrated to specific climatic regions, and none are currently available for the Rothamsted Carbon Model (RothC). Here, we present a modelling framework to estimate a tillage rate modifier (TRM) for the decomposition rate constants in RothC-26.3 which determine decay between soil carbon pools. We demonstrate this for north-west Europe, using published data assembled through a recent systematic review with propagation of error from input parameters throughout the framework. The small magnitude of soil carbon change following a reduction in tillage intensity in this region is reflected in our TRM estimates for no-till of 0.95, with 95% Credible Intervals [0.91, 1.00], and reduced tillage of 0.93 [0.90, 0.97], relative to conventional high-intensity tillage with a default TRM of 1. These TRMs facilitate realistic simulation of soil carbon dynamics following a reduction of tillage intensity using RothC, and our simple, transparent, and repeatable modelling framework is suitable for application in other climatic regions using input data generalisable to the context of interest. • We estimate rate modifiers to capture reduced tillage in the soil carbon model RothC. • Our model is parametrised from systematic review data with propagation of error. • Our framework can be used in other regions to derive empirical rate modifiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Integrative mitigation and adaptation strategies are needed to counter climate change. Indicators can be valuable that focus on the specific relevance of cities' socioeconomic and spatial properties. While previous analyses have identified socioeconomic influences on urban greenhouse gas emissions, information about the role of spatial urban structures and land use and land cover patterns is sparse. Objective: This study advances the use of spatial metrics for analyzing the linkages between the spatial properties of a city and its greenhouse gas emissions. Methods: The relationship between nine types of spatial structure, four land use and land cover-based indicators, and the emissions of 52 European cities is investigated by spatially and statistically analyzing high resolution data from European Union's 'Urban Atlas'. Results: Spatial determinants of urban greenhouse gas emissions are identified, indicating a strong connection between urban sprawl and increasing emissions. In particular, high amounts of sparsity in the urban fabric within large distances to the city center relate to increased per capita emissions. Thus, a 10 % reduction of very low density urban fabrics is correlated with 9 % fewer emissions per capita. In contrast, high amounts of fragmented, dense urban patches relate with lower emissions. Conclusions: This study links urban spatial properties and land use and land cover compositions to greenhouse gas emissions and advances the understanding of urban sprawl. Future research needs to combine knowledge about socioeconomic drivers with information about the identified spatial influences of urban greenhouse gas emissions to help cities realize their climate change mitigation potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both climate change and habitat modification exert serious pressure on biodiversity. Although climate change mitigation has been identified as an important strategy for biodiversity conservation, bioenergy remains a controversial mitigation action due to its potential negative ecological and socio-economic impacts which arise through habitat modification by land use change. While the debate continues, the separate or simultaneous impacts of both climate change and bioenergy on biodiversity have not yet been compared. We assess projected range shifts of 156 European bird species by 2050 under two alternative climate change trajectories: a baseline scenario, where the global mean temperature increases by 4 °C by the end of the century, and a 2 degrees scenario, where global concerted effort limits the temperature increase to below 2 °C. For the latter scenario, we also quantify the pressure exerted by increased cultivation of energy biomass as modelled by IMAGE2.4, an integrated land use model. The global bioenergy use in this scenario is in the lower end of the range of previously estimated sustainable potential. Under the assumptions of these scenarios, we find that the magnitude of range shifts due to climate change is far greater than the impact of land conversion to woody bioenergy plantations within the European Union, and that mitigation of climate change reduces the exposure experienced by species. However, we identified potential for local conservation conflict between priority areas for conservation and bioenergy production. These conflicts must be addressed by strict bioenergy sustainability criteria that acknowledge biodiversity conservation needs beyond existing protected areas and apply also to biomass imported from outside the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood from short rotation coppices (SRCs) is discussed as bioenergy feedstock with good climate mitigation potential inter alia because soil organic carbon (SOC) might be sequestered by a land-use change (LUC) from cropland to SRC. To test if SOC is generally enhanced by SRC over the long term, we selected the oldest Central European SRC plantations for this study. Following the paired plot approach soils of the 21 SRCs were sampled to 80 cm depth and SOC stocks, C/N ratios, pH and bulk densities were compared to those of adjacent croplands or grasslands. There was no general trend to SOC stock change by SRC establishment on cropland or grassland, but differences were very site specific. The depth distribution of SOC did change. Compared to cropland soils, the SOC density in 0-10 cm was significantly higher under SRC (17 ± 2 in cropland and 21 ± 2 kg C m−3 in SRC). Under SRC established on grassland SOC density in 0-10 cm was significantly lower than under grassland. The change rates of total SOC stocks by LUC from cropland to SRC ranged from −1.3 to 1.4 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 and −0.6 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 to +0.1 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 for LUC from grassland to SRC, respectively. The accumulation of organic carbon in the litter layer was low (0.14 ± 0.08 Mg C ha−1 yr−1). SOC stocks of both cropland and SRC soils were correlated with the clay content. No correlation could be detected between SOC stock change and soil texture or other abiotic factors. In summary, we found no evidence of any general SOC stock change when cropland is converted to SRC and the identification of the factors determining whether carbon may be sequestered under SRC remains a major challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Is heat becoming a major threat to cities? Following the heat wave in Europe in 2003, which is estimated to have caused the deaths of 70,000 people, municipal authorities began to develop adaptation and mitigation plans and programs. Legal obligations to consider climate change within various development projects have been defined, e.g. by the latest amendment of the EU EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) Directive (2014/52/EU) and the Federal Building Code (BauGB §1a (5)). However, urban heat hazards have not yet received as much attention as, for example, carbon dioxide emissions as drivers of global warming. Dense urban structures, high buildings, dark surfaces, and high population densities trigger urban heat effects. With about 3/4 of Europeans living in cities, measures to reduce heat-related impacts are needed. This paper evaluates how German cities have implemented measures towards climate change adaptation. The results show that 24 out of 30 cities have developed mitigation and/or adaptation plans, with a majority focusing on mitigating 2, indicating less awareness of urban heat hazards. Moreover, we found elaborate and comprehensive examples which might serve as blue-prints for adaptation strategies. Based on the inhomogeneous scope of the different plans and programs, there remains a need for guidance and more knowledge exchange among the cities on mitigation/adaptation options and preferably information on their effectiveness, to further assist cities in tackling heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The near future change in productivity of photovoltaic energy (PVE) in Europe and Africa is assessed by using the climate variables simulated by the ECHAM5-HAM aerosol-climate model, and a model for the performance of photovoltaic systems. The climate simulations are forced by green-house gases emissions from the IPCC SRES B2 scenario. In addition, different scenarios for future anthropogenic aerosols emissions are applied. Thus, the sensitivity of the future PVE productivity to changes in aerosol atmospheric burdens between 2000 and 2030 is analyzed. The analysis indicates that reductions in aerosols emissions in the near future result in an increase of global warming, and a significant response in surface solar radiation and associated PVE productivity. A statistically significant reduction in PVE productivity up to 7% is observed in eastern Europe and northern Africa, while a significant increase up to 10% is observed in western Europe and eastern Mediterranean. The changes in surface solar radiation and PVE productivity are related to global effects of aerosols reduction on the large scale circulation and associated cloud cover pattern, rather than to local effects on the atmospheric optical properties. PVE assessment is then discussed in the frame of the present situation and next decades evolution of the photovoltaic market, highlighting that the effects on productivity induced by industrial and public policies, and technological development are comparable to climate related effects. The presented results encourage the improvement and further use of climate models in assessment of future renewable energies availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diesel vehicles are one of many sources of black carbon (BC) emissions in Europe; nevertheless, due to recent changes in fuel composition towards renewable fuel such as biodiesel, advances in engine design and pollution control technology, BC and organic carbon (OC) emissions may worsen air quality and encourage global warming. As there are no regulatory terms on BC mass concentration levels, assessment of pollution sources is crucial for air quality improvement policies and mitigation of climate change. BC mass concentration and aerosol optical absorption were derived using 7-wavelenght Aethalometer during 3 measurement campaigns in 2014, 2017, and 2020. BC source apportionment analysis was performed using 18 combinations of absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) values for assessing BC to fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning. The choice of the most suitable AAE combination (0.9 and 2.2, respectively) was supported by organic aerosol (OA) source apportionment results. AAE value for transport exhaust emission (0.95) from locally available diesel fuel was established using (CI) 1.9 TDI engine with different engine torque regimes and 7-wavelenght Aethalometer. Statistically and experimentally obtained values were compared and showed great agreement. Subsequently, a statistically obtained AAE tr value was used for BC source apportionment and long-term analysis. A significant increase in the contribution of transport-related BC contribution was observed between years 2014 and 2020 (from 51% to 65%) which was associated with a boost in the use of diesel vehicles (by 83.9% of diesel passenger cars comparing 2014 and 2020) and growing diesel fuel consumption. These findings underline the diesel transport-induced problem for local air quality together with its impact on atmospheric radiative balance and raise concerns for public health. • The choice of AAE combination was supported by OA source apportionment results. • BC source apportionment revealed increasing trend of transport-related pollution. • A significant increase in BC tr light absorption was observed during 2014–2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building public will for climate action requires designing messages for different audiences. Previous studies that identified groups based on similar beliefs, behavior, and political preferences related to climate change were in single countries. The current pre-registered study ran latent class analysis on the European Social Survey (ESS 2016; N = 44,387) to identify groups of people according to their climate change attitudes and beliefs in 22 European countries and Israel. We found strong evidence for four groups: Engaged (18%), Pessimistic (18%), Indifferent (42%), and Doubtful (21%) and we compare the segment structure and proportions within Europe and to other countries. We identify differences between the groups in values, life satisfaction, and social trust, and then revealed that the groups uniquely predict self-reported behaviors not included in the segmentation. The findings characterize climate change beliefs for all of Europe and guide governments and pan-European bodies in designing effective communications to promote climate beliefs and actions. • Latent class analysis on the European Social Survey identified four groups of people by climate change attitudes and beliefs. • Strong evidence for four groups: Engaged (18%), Pessimistic (18%), Indifferent (42%), and Doubtful (21%). • The four groups uniquely predict self-reported behaviors not included in the segmentation. • The relative group size can be tracked as an index of Europe-wide attitudes about climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) constitute an emerging energy transition paradigm, with an ambitious timeline for rapid upscaling to match the urgency of climate mitigation and adaptation. Increasingly networked and coordinated actors aim to realise 100 PEDs across Europe by 2025. This resonates with the mission orientation turn of the European Green New Deal, to inspire and enable target-driven innovation. Yet it raises questions that have long perplexed scholars and practitioners in energy transitions: how can rapid diffusion be achieved in a sustained and replicable manner in diverse socio-technical contexts? Identifying the key questions to address and implement fit-to-purpose solutions within short-term project timescales is essential in order to mainstream PEDs. Such solutionism must be accompanied by a healthy dose of scepticism, in order to avoid undesirable outcomes such as exacerbated inequalities, societal backlash, and spatial displacement of invisible burdens. But it also requires proactive sharing of experiences, responsive learning and dissemination, and cooperation across sectors and disciplines. In this timely contribution, thirteen researchers from nine European countries flag ten questions concerning PEDs, and offer preliminary responses in line with cutting-edge insights informed by science and practice. This contribution draws on multidisciplinary competence in steering the Positive Energy Districts European Network, and aims to make emerging knowledge widely available, while also inviting constructive critique and engagement within the PED arena which features a broad range of diverse stakeholders. Authors highlight key pathways forward for a rapid, far-reaching translation of the ambitious PEDs agenda into multi-sited, district-scale beacons of sustainable energy transition. • Reflects upon emergent challenges and opportunities of developing PEDs in Europe. • Combines attention to rapid implementation, context-specificity and replicability. • Identifies three key themes to enable conditions for upscaling PEDs across contexts. • The key themes are: framework conditions, prefiguration and emerging impact of PEDs. • Combines expertise of PED-EU-NET core group, spanning PED initiatives across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We predict climate change hotspots and coldspots based on climate change velocity in Europe. • Velocities are projected highest in the Continental region, lowest in the Mediterranean region. • The Alpine region will likely contain largest areal proportions of hotspots, the Mediterranean region largest proportions of coldspots. • Natura 2000 area overlapping with hotspots is largest in the Alpine region, with coldspots much smaller in any region. • The outcomes suggest climate-smart conservation prioritization across Europe and the Natura 2000 network. Anthropogenic climate change is challenging biodiversity conservation worldwide. Climate change metrics derived from future climate predictions help to assess potential impacts of climate change on biodiversity. Here we calculated future climate change velocities across biogeographical regions of terrestrial Europe and the Natura 2000 protected area network, the largest protected area network on Earth. We applied climate projections for the year 2070, considering two emission scenarios, six global climate models and a fine spatial resolution. Areas with very high climate change velocity were identified as climate change hotspots, while areas with very low velocity were recognized as coldspots. We further revealed where and to what extent climate change hotspots and coldspots coincide with Natura 2000 sites. We found that climate change velocities are projected highest in the Continental and Boreal regions, and lowest in the Mediterranean and Anatolian regions. However, the Alpine region will likely contain largest areal proportions of climate change hotspots, while areal proportions of coldspots are projected largest in the Mediterranean region. High mountain regions such as the Alps show a high proportion of Natura 2000 sites that coincide with climate change hotspots. Both, hotspots and coldspots, are geographically associated with areas of topographic diversity. Low topographical diversity indicates high climate change exposure. The impact of hotspots increases with spatial isolation. Oceanic climate buffers climate change exposure in contrast to continental climate. However, continental regions of Europe tend to exhibit less spatial isolation. We recommend conservation action in climate change hotspots and coldspots to simultaneously protect the most climate-exposed biodiversity as well as climate change refugia. Climate change hotspots and coldspots overlapping with Natura 2000 sites should be considered priority conservation sites because new protected areas are hard to realize in densely populated landscapes of Europe. This study directs European conservation management and policy towards meeting international conservation goals in a climate-smart way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Copyright of Quality of Life (1018-0389) / Calitatea Vietii is the property of Romanian Academy Publishing House / Editura Academiei Romane and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: Climate mitigation policies in Europe call for an extensive build-up of renewable power, which will increase from 320 GW in 2012 to 536 GW by 2020. The renewable expansion will mainly consist of the installation of new wind and solar power plants, which require additional transmission lines. The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity estimates that 45,300 km of new or upgraded lines are necessary in the region over the next decade to accommodate the renewable power sources. Building a grid for renewables will help Europe achieve its climate goals, but other resulting environmental impacts have not yet been quantified. In this article a LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) for the transmission grid expansion is performed. The results show that the grid extension projects correspond to a total impact of 10.7 Mton CO2 eq. and 11.2 Mton Fe eq. Electricity transmission in Europe in 2020 will be more material intensive, requiring about 10% more metal inputs per kWh than today. Manufacturing processes for the production of transmission equipment are important for some impacts categories, particularly water depletion. Finally, a sensitivity analysis regarding recycling rates indicates that the results in some impact categories present great variation depending on the rates assumed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cities have become crucial actors for the global governance of climate change. Their increased activity in this field is reflected by the rising number of adoptions of local climate strategies in an original sample of 274 European cities from 1992 to 2009. Using event history analysis, I find that this spread is promoted by transnational municipal networks (TMNs) successfully deploying strategies for governance by diffusion, their impact exceeding that of most alternative explanatory factors cited in the literature. Given their capacity to foster the spread of climate policy innovations among cities, TMNs can thus be expected to play a decisive role in a climate governance system that is becoming increasingly fragmented, polycentric, and transnational. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban areas are pivotal to global adaptation and mitigation efforts. But how do cities actually perform in terms of climate change response? This study sheds light on the state of urban climate change adaptation and mitigation planning across Europe. Europe is an excellent test case given its advanced environmental policies and high urbanization. We performed a detailed analysis of 200 large and medium-sized cities across 11 European countries and analysed the cities' climate change adaptation and mitigation plans. We investigate the regional distribution of plans, adaptation and mitigation foci and the extent to which planned greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions contribute to national and international climate objectives. To our knowledge, it is the first study of its kind as it does not rely on self-assessment (questionnaires or social surveys). Our results show that 35 % of European cities studied have no dedicated mitigation plan and 72 % have no adaptation plan. No city has an adaptation plan without a mitigation plan. One quarter of the cities have both an adaptation and a mitigation plan and set quantitative GHG reduction targets, but those vary extensively in scope and ambition. Furthermore, we show that if the planned actions within cities are nationally representative the 11 countries investigated would achieve a 37 % reduction in GHG emissions by 2050, translating into a 27 % reduction in GHG emissions for the EU as a whole. However, the actions would often be insufficient to reach national targets and fall short of the 80 % reduction in GHG emissions recommended to avoid global mean temperature rising by 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Sustainable Development Goal #7 calls for "access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all." Scientific evidence is growing that greenhouse-gas emissions have a noticeable effect on the earth's climate. Many purpose-built post-war social housing estates in Europe that form high-density residential-tower blocks, however, do not meet current stringent energy-efficiency standards. As a result, many of these structures are under threat of overheating and require careful planning to implement holistic energy subsidisation schemes. This article presents a setup of building energy performance framework that was developed according to the in-situ measurements of building-fabric thermal structure to asset robust energy performance evaluation and certification schemes in the residential sector. This empirical study examines social householders' electricity reliability in accordance with assessing overheating risk of housing stock in South-eastern Europe where the weather is subtropical (Csa) and partly semi-arid (Bsh). It also investigates the gap between as-designed and as-built energy performances. The findings for thermal anomalies resulted from air infiltration through the building fabric, and a lack of natural ventilation through living spaces and excessive heat gains through sizeable and glazed areas. On a typical hot summer day, the internal temperatures of the simulated condominiums remained high throughout the day and night, ranging from a minimum 28.5 °C to a maximum 36.5 °C. Insights from this empirical study improve the national energy network and subsidisation schemes in Europe. The energy policy and regulations would benefit from conceptual level analysis and planning prioritisation in accordance with the climate characteristics of each EU-27-member state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Synthetic natural gas (SNG) by CO 2 electroreduction (ER) is matched to natural gas. • Significant CO 2 savings with SNG are possible under moderate ER performance. • Only high ER energy efficiencies (>60%) can lead to manageable OPEX. • By-product valorization or higher carbon taxes may be needed for profitability. Capture and utilization of industrial CO 2 emissions into low-carbon fuels is a promising alternative to store renewable electricity into chemical vectors while decarbonizing the economy. This work evaluates the viability pathways of producing synthetic natural gas (SNG) by direct CO 2 electroreduction (ER) in Power-To-Synthetic Natural Gas electrolyzers (PtSNG). We perform an ex-ante techno-economic (TEA) and life cycle analysis (LCA) for a 2030 framework in Europe. ER performance is varied in defined scenarios and assessed using a built-in process model of the PtSNG system, revealing uncharted limitations and benchmarks to achieve. Results show that substitution of fossil natural gas with renewable SNG could avoid more than 1 kg CO 2e /kg SNG under moderate ER conditions when using low-carbon electricity (< 60 kg CO 2e /MWh). SNG profitability for 2030 would rely on: i) higher CH 4 current densities (800–1000 mA/cm2), ii) improvements in energy efficiency (higher than 60%), and iii) valorization of the anodic product or additional carbon incentives. Our study proves that if market and technology evolve appropriately in the coming years, the SNG by CO 2 ER may be a mid-term climate change mitigation technology, among others. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, European forests face many challenges but also offer opportunities, such as climate change mitigation, provision of renewable resources, energy and other ecosystem services. Large-scale analyses to assess these opportunities are hindered by the lack of a consistent, spatial and accessible forest structure data. This study presents a freely available pan-European forest structure data set. Building on our previous work, we used data from six additional countries and consider now ten key forest stand variables. Harmonized inventory data from 16 European countries were used in combination with remote sensing data and a gap-filling algorithm to produce this consistent and comparable forest structure data set across European forests. We showed how land cover data can be used to scale inventory data to a higher resolution which in turn ensures a consistent data structure across sub-regional, country and European forest assessments. Cross validation and comparison with published country statistics of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) indicate that the chosen methodology is able to produce robust and accurate forest structure data across Europe, even for areas where no inventory data were available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Spatial and socioeconomic predictors for climate change (CC) attitudes were examined. • Certain dimensions of CC attitudes are associated with regional population change. • All dimensions of CC attitudes show a strong educational gradient. • CC attitudes and efficacy are socioeconomically stratified and spatially determined. Climate change views have their socioeconomic foundations but also specific geographies. In merging these perspectives, this analysis uses ESS Round 8 data from 23 European countries to examine whether climate change scepticism and concern, pro-environmental personal norm and a willingness to engage in energy-saving behaviour exhibit, first, urban–rural and/or regional differences, and second, if these attitudes can be explained at individual level by socioeconomic position and wellbeing resources. We find that climate change scepticism and concern do exhibit urban–rural differences, where living in a country village is associated with greater climate scepticism and lower concern compared to living in a big city. Also, higher climate change concern and pro-environmental norms are associated with living in a region with constant population growth. These geographical differences are independent of individual-level socioeconomic attributes as well as one's political orientation. Additionally, the results show that both climate change attitudes and reporting energy-saving behaviour are strongly stratified by level of education and reveal that those in lower income deciles feel less pro-environmental norm but nonetheless report greater engagement with energy-saving behaviour. In sum, the results highlight that climate change mitigation is not a uniform project either spatially or within certain socioeconomic strata. Hence, our results suggest that socioeconomic disadvantage (belonging to the lowest education and income levels) and spatial marginalisation (living in more rural surroundings and declining regions) should be better acknowledged when reworking climate change and environmental policies in the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: This paper aims at indicating the potential of agricultural measures in sequestering carbon as an option for climate change mitigation. The related value for society is estimated. Principle results: Agricultural practices like agroforestry, introducing hedges, low and no tillage and cover crops have an important potential to increase carbon sequestration. The total technical potential in the EU-27 is estimated to be 1566milliontonnesCO2-equivalent per year. This corresponds to 37% of all CO2-equivalent emissions in the EU in 2007. The introduction of agroforestry is the measure with the highest potential, i.e. 90% of the total potential of the measures studied. Taking account only of the value for climate change mitigation, the introduction of agroforestry is estimated to have a value of 282euro/ha in 2012 that will gradually increase to 1007euro/ha in 2030. Major conclusions: This implies that there is a huge potential which represents an important value for society in general and for the agricultural sector in specific. At the European level, only in the last few years policy makers have recognized the important benefits of agroforestry. In their rural development programmes some European countries now support farmers to introduce agroforestry. But still the current level of support is only a small fraction of the societal value of agroforestry. If this value would be fully recognized by internalizing the positive externality, we expect that agroforestry will be introduced to a very large extent in the next decades, in Europe and the rest of the world, and this will importantly change the rural landscapes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Despite the large-scale investments of both China and the EU in climate-change mitigation and renewable-energy promotion, the prevailing view on China-EU relations is one of conflict rather than cooperation. In order to evaluate the prospects of cooperation between China and the EU in these policy fields, empirical research has to go beyond simplistic narratives. This paper suggests a conceptual apparatus that will help researchers better understand the complexities of the real world. The relevant actors operate at different levels and in the public and private sectors. The main message of the paper is that combining the multilevel governance and value-chain approaches helps clarify the multiple relationships between these actors [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excessive use of water is damaging European groundwater and rivers: their environmental conditions are often below the "good status" that—according to Water Framework Directive 2000/60—should be reached by 2015. The already critical situation is tending to get worse because of climate change. Even in water rich countries, urban wastewater is still one of the main sources of water pollution. Currently, urban soil sealing and "conventional" rainwater management, which were planned to quickly move rainwater away from roofs and streets, are increasing the flood risk. "Green" technologies and approaches would permit a reduction in water abstraction and wastewater production while improving urban hydrological response to heavy rains. The Life+ WATACLIC project has been implemented to promote such sustainable technologies and approaches in Italy, however the results show huge difficulties: apparently water saving and sustainable urban water management have only low interest amongst the general public and even with public administrations and the relevant industrial sectors. In such a cultural and technical context, the project is bringing a new point of view to public debate. In the long term, the project will certainly have a positive impact, but most likely it will require more time than initially expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview on the Act on storage of carbon dioxide, Kohlendioxid-Speicherungsgesetz (KSpG), on the implementation of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology to combat climate change in Europe. It discusses the scope and territorial restriction of the law. It outlines the three stages for the CCS implementation process and the requirements for underground carbon dioxide storage sites.

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