Mapping the environmental footprints of nations partnering the Belt and Road Initiative

Resources Conservation and Recycling, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 164, P. 105068 - 105068

Published: Sept. 21, 2020

Language: Английский

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From the Paris Agreement to corporate climate commitments: evaluation of seven methods for setting ‘science-based’ emission targets

Environmental Research Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 16(5), P. 054019 - 054019

Published: Feb. 11, 2021

Abstract While large companies routinely announce greenhouse gas emissions targets, few have derived targets based on global climate goals. This changed in 2015 with the creation of science (SBTs) initiative, which provides guidelines for setting emission line temperature goal Paris Agreement. SBTs now been set by more than 500 companies. Methods such are not presented a comparable way target-setting and concerns that certain methods may lead to overshoot investigated. Here, we systematically characterize compare all seven broadly applicable quantify balance between collective corporate allowable individual different method mixes. We use simplified production scenario composed eight archetypical evaluate across range company characteristics scenarios. The vary greatly respect allocation principles, required variables embedded Some treat largely same, while others differentiate types geography, economic sector, projected growth rate or baseline intensity. application as well mixes tend result an imbalance time-integrated aggregated emissions. sign size this is some cases sensitive shape pathway distribution archetypes. recommend SBT initiative (a) our characterisation present systematic way, (b) consider analysis its recommendations, (c) disclose underlying reasons (d) require transparency from calculation established SBTs.

Language: Английский

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Integration of environment and nutrition in life cycle assessment of food Items: opportunities and challenges

FAO eBooks, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 23, 2021

Integration of environment and nutrition in life cycle assessment

Language: Английский

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Planetary Boundaries Analysis of Low-Carbon Ammonia Production Routes

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9(29), P. 9740 - 9749

Published: July 12, 2021

At present, the synthesis of ammonia through Haber–Bosch (HB) process accounts for 1.2% global carbon emissions, representing roughly one-fourth fossil consumption from chemical industry, which creates a pressing need alternative low-carbon routes. Analyzing seven essential planetary boundaries (PBs) safe operation our planet, we find that standard HB is unsustainable as it vastly transgresses climate change PB. In order to identify more responsible strategies this integrated perspective, assess absolute sustainability level 34 routes where hydrogen (H2) supplied by steam methane reforming with capture and storage, biomass gasification, or water electrolysis powered various energy sources. We found some these scenarios could substantially reduce impact HB, yet alleviating on critically exacerbate impacts other Earth-system processes. Furthermore, reducing cost electrolytic H2 main avenue toward economic appeal most sustainable Our work highlights embrace beyond in assessment decarbonization chemicals. This approach enabled us suitable alternatives associated challenges environmental economically attractive synthesis.

Language: Английский

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Technological Sustainability or Sustainable Technology? A Multidimensional Vision of Sustainability in Manufacturing

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 13(17), P. 9942 - 9942

Published: Sept. 4, 2021

The topic of sustainability is becoming one the strongest drivers change in marketplace by transforming into an element competitiveness and integral part business strategy. Particularly manufacturing sector, a key role played technological innovations that allow companies to minimize impact their on environment contribute enhancing value societies which they operate. Technological process can be lever generate sustainable behaviors, confirming how innovation constitute increasingly close pair. However, it emerges nature this relationship explored researchers considered practitioners almost exclusively terms degree solutions. Lacking in-depth exploration product or process, addition being environmentally socio-economically sustainable, must also technologically sustainable. This research therefore aims build theoretical foundation for seen as possible fourth dimension development.

Language: Английский

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Toward Assessing Absolute Environmental Sustainability of Chemical Pollution

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 56(8), P. 4776 - 4787

Published: March 29, 2022

Chemicals are widely used in modern society, which can lead to negative impacts on ecosystems. Despite the urgent relevance for global policy setting, there no established methods assess absolute sustainability of chemical pressure at relevant spatiotemporal scales. We propose an environmental framework (AESA) pollution where (1) ecosystems is quantified, (2) ability withstand (i.e., their carrying capacity) determined, and (3) "safe space" derived, wherein within capacity hence does not irreversible adverse ecological effects. This space then allocated entities contributing pressure. discuss examples involving pesticide use Europe explore associated challenges implementing this (e.g., identifying chemicals, conducting analyses appropriate scales) ways forward prioritization approaches, data integration). The proposed first step toward understanding how much exceeds related limits sources actors inform sustainable levels help makers establish science-based protection goals from regional scale.

Language: Английский

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The Anthropocene reality of financial risk

One Earth, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 4(5), P. 618 - 628

Published: May 1, 2021

Globally, financial services are well positioned to contribute the transformation needed for sustainable futures and will be critical supporting corporate activities that regenerate promote biosphere resilience as a key strategy confront new risk landscape of Anthropocene. While current frameworks focus primarily on materiality risks sector, failure account investment externalities aggravate climate other environmental change set finance initiatives off course. This article unpacks cognitive disconnect in between risk. Through analysis environmental, social, governance ratings estimates global green investments, we exemplify how around plays out practice. We discuss what this means ability society at large, particular, deliver sustainability ambitions goals.

Language: Английский

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National SDG-7 performance assessment to support achieving sustainable energy for all within planetary limits

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 173, P. 112934 - 112934

Published: Dec. 12, 2022

Several gaps and limitations characterise present indicators for United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG-7), thus impeding effective policy-making. Here, we propose a holistic framework which enables the assessment of national SDG-7 performances through 29 capturing environmental as well socio- techno-economic aspects specifically relevant to sustainability energy sector. The is applied 176 countries, benchmarking indicator scores against absolute thresholds targets gauge how far current systems are from reaching truly sustainable levels. Our results reveal different performance patterns across countries trade-offs between social indicators. All found exert unsustainable several indicators, albeit with large variability, where some lie just above threshold others exceed by more than factor 1000. Climate change impact examples latter, only 52 located in Africa Asia possibly show below their thresholds. With this quantitative support at country level, it becomes possible policy-makers identify, prioritise target specific achieve SDG-7, not move towards it. Therefore, recommend broad uptake our while continuing its development, including other SDGs.

Language: Английский

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Petrochemical transition narratives: Selling fossil fuel solutions in a decarbonizing world

Energy Research & Social Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 94, P. 102880 - 102880

Published: Nov. 19, 2022

Being integral to the fossil-based energy order and as a key driver of multiple intersecting ecological crises, petrochemical industry faces increasing pressures transform. This paper examines how major companies navigate these pressures. Drawing from literatures on discursive power, narratives, neoGramscian political economy, we introduce concept narrative realignment nuanced iteration corporate power that reframes problems solutions green transitions. Specifically, identify explore common transition-related analysing climate sustainability communications largest producers in sector. We argue strategic narratives portray successful transition fend off criticisms by reducing them misunderstandings. framing works reduce for deep mitigation while repositioning part solution. Building findings, demonstrate relate but also diverge position fossil fuel extractors. Despite relying feedstock being solidly placed majors increasingly focus themselves proactively enablers. The argument illustrates work downstream actors legitimize existing order.

Language: Английский

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Integrated techno-economic and environmental assessment of biorefineries: review and future research directions

Sustainable Energy & Fuels, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(17), P. 4031 - 4050

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Biorefineries will be strategic players in achieving the circular economy and sustainability goals.

Language: Английский

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