Biogas Production in Agriculture: Technological, Environmental, and Socio-Economic Aspects

This article examines the potential and challenges of sufficiency initiatives within the urban environment, focusing on their ability to bring people and politics together. Drawing on research from the EU-funded “FULFILL” project, which includes surveys, interviews and case studies in five EU Member States, this study explores the role of civil society initiatives in fostering sufficiency—a concept that advocates for meeting human needs within planetary boundaries by altering lifestyles, societal norms, and regulatory frameworks. Sufficiency initiatives find themselves in a precarious position against a backdrop of growth-oriented urban development and face barriers such as lack of resources, legal and regulatory challenges, measurement difficulties, and inertia of municipalities. However, the study also identifies examples of fruitful cooperation between municipalities and initiatives and identifies enablers for successful collaboration, including aligned goals, engaged individuals, and effective communication. By providing an outlook for short-, mid-, and long-term governance perspectives, this article argues for strategic niche management in the short term, development of metrics for sufficiency in the medium term, and a systemic shift in urban dynamics in the long term. As urban sufficiency initiatives offer services and infrastructure to promote sustainable living, they are critical players in guiding cities towards ecological and social resilience. This article contributes to the discourse on urban sustainability by highlighting the importance of municipalities in nurturing sufficiency initiatives that can drive social well-being and environmental stewardship.

The study attempted to assess the importance of agriculture in the process of renewable energy development in Poland and the EU. It was pointed out that, despite the large production potential, the share of agriculture in the production of renewable energy is relatively small in many countries, including Poland. It was stressed that a special role in the process of renewable energy production in agriculture can be played by agricultural biogas plants. Production of agricultural biogas is not only a way to generate renewable energy but also a manner for reduction of methane emissions, usually taking place when manure is stored on the farm. This is particularly important from the point of view of the EU’s climate policy. The experience of many countries shows that the growth in importance of renewable energy, particularly in the early stages of development of specified technology depends on the support by public funds. Available statistics suggest that the EU Member States present very different approach to the policy of RES support. In some EU countries (including Poland), a large part of public funds is directed to support “traditional” energy based on fossil fuels.

The study attempted to assess the importance of agriculture in the process of renewable energy development in Poland and the EU. It was pointed out that, despite the large production potential, the share of agriculture in the production of renewable energy is relatively small in many countries, including Poland. It was stressed that a special role in the process of renewable energy production in agriculture can be played by agricultural biogas plants. Production of agricultural biogas is not only a way to generate renewable energy but also a manner for reduction of methane emissions, usually taking place when manure is stored on the farm. This is particularly important from the point of view of the EU’s climate policy. The experience of many countries shows that the growth in importance of renewable energy, particularly in the early stages of development of specified technology depends on the support by public funds. Available statistics suggest that the EU Member States present very different approach to the policy of RES support. In some EU countries (including Poland), a large part of public funds is directed to support “traditional” energy based on fossil fuels.

The article examines the current state of the European system for determining the cost of works necessary for the development of documents assessing the technical acceptability of construction products. The analysis highlights significant progress in the standardization and harmonization of technical regulation methodologies across EU member states, facilitated by the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). In the EU, a reliable institutional framework for the assessment of technical acceptability has already been formed, which includes a system of regulatory and legal regulation, bodies and organizations dealing with these issues, procedures established for determining the cost of technical assessment, detailing the stages of research, testing, certification and documentation. Clear guidelines and benchmarks are developed to ensure transparency and predictability of project budgeting, including cost-benefit analysis to balance economic impact with regulatory compliance. The integration of advanced technologies, such as building information modeling (BIM) and automated testing equipment, will significantly increase the efficiency and accuracy of the system for determining the quality of construction products. These technological advances enable real-time monitoring and accurate data analysis and processing, reducing the time and cost of manual assessment. Despite these achievements, the article recognizes ongoing challenges, such as inconsistency in the implementation of the policy of technical regulation of construction products in member countries and the need for constant adaptation to technological innovations, the level of which is different in different countries. The future direction of development for the European system for determining the technical acceptability of construction products includes improving the digital infrastructure, promoting ecological construction methods and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. Continued investment in research and development and the promotion of an innovative regulatory environment are essential to maintain the reliability, environmental focus and relevance of the decision-making system. A comprehensive review of the European system for determining the cost of work on the development of technical acceptance documents for construction products highlights significant progress in standardization, technological integration and cooperation of stakeholders, and also identifies areas for future improvement to ensure the continued efficiency and adaptability of the system in the Ukrainian construction industry.

Overarching objective of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 is recovering biodiversity by strengthening the protection and restoration of nature. Key elements are the creation of protected areas on at least 30% of Europe's land and sea area, including stronger protective measures for forests. However, any implementation of dedicated measures will reduce roundwood production in EU member states. It is to be expected that parts of this reduced roundwood production will be compensated by increasing roundwood production in non-EU countries. There is a fundamental risk of biodiversity losses in non-EU countries accompanying such leakage of roundwood production. From a global perspective, such biodiversity losses must be opposed to biodiversity gains in EU countries. The presented study provides a first assessment of possible leakage effects and rep-resents the state of work as of September 2020. At first, the presented study provides an estimate of the decline in roundwood production in EU member states as a result of implementing partial or full production restrictions in forests. In a second step, implications of reduced roundwood production within EU-27 on global wood markets are assessed. Finally, leakage of roundwood production to non-EU countries is evaluated using indicators related to governance, sustainable forest management, biodiversity, forest condition, deforestation pressure and socio-economic aspects. In order to estimate the reduction in roundwood production in EU countries firstly three single implementation measures are assessed and then consolidated for Germany: (i) 10 % share of forest area set-aside, (ii) non-utilization of “old-growth forests” and (iii) 30 % share of protected forest areas under Habitats Directive management requirements. As a result, the potential roundwood production in Germany declines on average within the period examined (2018 – 2052) by 23.96 million m³/a to 52.77 million m³/a or to 69 %. In the following calculations, this reduction share is assigned to all EU-27 countries. Modelling international roundwood production leakage using the Global Forests Products Model GFPM projects an overall roundwood production decrease of 42 % in the EU-27 for the year 2050. Increased roundwood production in non-EU countries would compensate for 73 % of the de-reased roundwood production in the EU. The remaining 27 % can be understood as price-induced reduction of wood products consumption. Until 2050 EU-27’s decreased roundwood production would mainly be offset by increased production in the USA. According to the modelling results, 26 % of decreased roundwood production are leaked to the USA. Further leakage occurs to Russia (12 %), Canada (9 %) und Brazil (8 %). Differentiating non-consumption into soft- and hardwood, non-consumption of hardwood is more pronounced (39 %) than non-consumption of softwood (11 %). Consumption of fuelwood declines by 67 % but its production does not shift to non-EU countries. Basically, fuelwood is consumed to a much smaller share, due to increasing prices and the following assumed transition to other energy sources. Only small leakages are calculated for pulp and paper products. Leakages for sawn wood and wood-based panels show comparable relative changes to those modelled for roundwood production...

Method for assessing and improving the efficiency of agricultural biogas plants based on fuzzy logic and expert systems

This article reflects on the findings of the Research voor Beleid (RvB) study for the second phase of the assessment of the ‘Impact of ongoing reforms in education and training on adult learning sector’ (2010), with particular focus on adult participation in education in three EU Member States in south-eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Cyprus and Greece). Based on generic quantitative appreciation from Eurostat that is largely supported by the qualitative results of the RvB study, the article provides an insight into the structural and policy peculiarities in developing and promoting adult education in three countries, arguing that barriers to participation in south-eastern EU Member States relates more to cultural, structural and socio-economic aspects rather than policy inadequacies.

Abstract: The cosmetics industry is a dynamic, ever-expanding worldwide enterprise. The need for premium goods has led to the exponential rise of the beauty and cosmetics business in recent years. Governments worldwide are enforcing rules to ensure the safety and effectiveness of cosmetic products in response to the rapidly evolving sector. The global cosmetics industry is experiencing a surge in growth, driven by a growing emphasis on wellness and self-care, despite a minor setback during the COVID-19 pandemic. Global regulation of cosmetic products ensures efficacy and safety, but differing policies across nations can impact industry competitiveness and profitability. The global industry faces challenges due to differing regulatory frameworks across markets, which are not harmonized, restricting innovation and market growth. These differences also affect international trade and hinder the role of regulatory authorities. The European Union (EU's) cosmetic regulatory framework provided by Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009, ensures uniformity across member states and adapts to technical progress. This Regulation, which took the place of the earlier, 1976- adopted Directive 76/768/EC, was an attempt to bring regulations in all EU member states into compliance while also keeping up with much-needed technological advancements. Globally regulatory agencies have their own regulations to assure the safety of cosmetics. The EU and the United States of America (USA) account for the majority of the cosmetic market. The regulations in these regions serve as a model for the developing globe. The article emphasizes the need for harmonization in cosmetic rules across countries, focusing on safety, stability, and labeling.

This review consolidates recent advancements in microbial biotechnology for sustainable food systems. It focuses on the fermentation processes used in this sector, emphasizing precision fermentation as a source of innovation for alternative proteins, fermented foods, and applications of microorganisms and microbial bioproducts in the food industry. Additionally, it explores food preservation strategies and methods for controlling microbial contamination. These biotechnological approaches are increasingly replacing synthetic additives, contributing to enhanced food safety, nutritional functionality, and product shelf stability. Examples include bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria, biodegradable microbial pigments, and exopolysaccharide-based biopolymers, such as pullulan and xanthan gum, which are used in edible coatings and films. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, covering publications from 2014 to 2025. A structured Boolean search strategy was applied, targeting core concepts in microbial fermentation, bio-based food additives, and contamination control. The initial search retrieved 5677 articles, from which 370 studies were ultimately selected after applying criteria such as duplication removal, relevance to food systems, full-text accessibility, and scientific quality. This review highlights microbial biotransformation as a route to minimize reliance on synthetic inputs, valorize agri-food byproducts, and support circular bioeconomy principles. It also discusses emerging antimicrobial delivery systems and regulatory challenges. Overall, microbial innovations offer viable and scalable pathways for enhancing food system resilience, functionality, and environmental stewardship.

Evaluating the progress in achieving Good Environmental Status in the Mediterranean: A methodology to assess the effectiveness of Marine Strategy Framework Directive's Programmes of Measures

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) solutions represent a proven and effective near-term energy option to help the United States enhance energy efficiency, ensure environmental quality, promote economic growth, and foster a robust energy infrastructure. Using CHP today, the United States already avoids more than 1.9 Quadrillion British thermal units (Quads) of fuel consumption and 248 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) emissions annually compared to traditional separate production of electricity and thermal energy. This CO{sub 2} reduction is the equivalent of removing more than 45 million cars from the road. In addition, CHP is one of the few options in the portfolio of energy alternatives that combines environmental effectiveness with economic viability and improved competitiveness. This report describes in detail the four key areas where CHP has proven its effectiveness and holds promise for the future as an: (1) Environmental Solution: Significantly reducing CO{sub 2} emissions through greater energy efficiency; (2) Competitive Business Solution: Increasing efficiency, reducing business costs, and creating green-collar jobs; (3) Local Energy Solution: Deployable throughout the US; and (4) Infrastructure Modernization Solution: Relieving grid congestion and improving energy security. CHP should be one of the first technologies deployed for near-term carbon reductions. The cost-effectiveness and near-term viability of widespread CHP deployment place the technology at the forefront of practical alternative energy solutions such as wind, solar, clean coal, biofuels, and nuclear power. Clear synergies exist between CHP and most other technologies that dominate the energy and environmental policy dialogue in the country today. As the Nation transforms how it produces, transports, and uses the many forms of energy, it must seize the clear opportunity afforded by CHP in terms of climate change, economic competitiveness, energy security, and infrastructure modernization. The energy efficiency benefits of CHP offer significant, realistic solutions to near- and long-term energy issues facing the Nation. With growing demand for energy, tight supply options, and increasing environmental constraints, extracting the maximum output from primary fuel sources through efficiency is critical to sustained economic development and environmental stewardship. Investment in CHP would stimulate the creation of new 'green-collar' jobs, modernize aging energy infrastructure, and protect and enhance the competitiveness of US manufacturing industries. The complementary roles of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and responsible use of traditional energy supplies must be recognized. CHP's proven performance and potential for wider use are evidence of its near-term applicability and, with technological improvements and further elimination of market barriers, of its longer term promise to address the country's most important energy and environmental needs. A strategic approach is needed to encourage CHP where it can be applied today and address the regulatory and technical challenges preventing its long-term viability. Experience in the United States and other countries shows that a balanced set of policies, incentives, business models, and investments can stimulate sustained CHP growth and allow all stakeholders to reap its many well-documented benefits.

Manufacturing, regulatory and commercial challenges of biopharmaceuticals production: a Finnish perspective

The State of the Science for Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) – A Summary for Policy MakersAuthors: Chris Vivian* (WG Co-Chair), Miranda Boettcher*, Philip Boyd (WG Co-Chair), Alejandro H. Buschmann, Long Cao, Olaf Corry, Mike Elliott, Aarti Gupta, Clare Heyward, Rahanna Juman, Alana Lancaster, Nadine Mengis, Christine Merk, Andreas Oschlies, Masahiro Sugiyama, Guanqiong Ye.Affiliation: Members of GESAMP Working Group 41 (www.gesamp.org/work/groups/41) *Corresponding authors: chris.vivian2@btinternet.com, miranda.boettcher@swp-berlin.orgIn 2019 GESAMP Working Group 41 published a report titled ‘High Level Review of Wide Range of Proposed Marine Geoengineering Techniques’ (GESAMP, 2019[1]). It reviewed 27 approaches (including variations of approaches) including Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), Albedo Modification (AM), and hybrid (i.e., for purposes extending beyond CDR or AM) technologies. The report was one of the first high-level assessments of ‘marine geoengineering’ interventions. The report highlighted that the assessment was not able to be fully comprehensive, and that there was a need to further “Foster the development of socio-economic, geopolitical and other relevant societal aspects of marine geoengineering assessments, including societally relevant metrics where possible, to ensure a holistic approach to subsequent assessment process(es)”.Since 2020, there has been a surge of interest in marine CDR (mCDR) techniques to store carbon in ocean reservoirs using a range of methods. However, all of these techniques are in the early stages of development with much still to learn about their potential efficacy, environmental impacts and societal implications. Most interest is currently focused on ocean alkalinity enhancement (which includes mineral, electrochemical and electrodialysis techniques), biomass sinking (e.g. crop wastes and macroalgae) into the deep ocean, direct ocean capture of CO2 and ocean iron fertilization (OIF), which pose many technical, environmental, political, legal and regulatory challenges, among others. This increased interest is reflected in the continuing significant increase in the number of scientific papers on mCDR, the growing number of start-ups developing mCDR techniques, the significant funding for mCDR research announced by the US and the EU in 2023 and the current consideration of potential regulation of several mCDR techniques by the London Protocol Parties. This has led to significant number of field trials/pilot studies taking place or being planned in the marine environment for a range of mCDR techniques.The paper will review the current state of the science for mCDR techniques with a focus on those techniques that are currently under active investigation. [1]http://www.gesamp.org/site/assets/files/1996/rs98e-1.pdf

As oil and gas drilling operations intensify in Texas, the environmental impact of water consumption has become a growing concern. This paper explores strategies for reducing the water footprint associated with drilling wells in the state, focusing on well types commonly drilled in regions like the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale. By analyzing water consumption during various stages of drilling—namely, drilling, completion, and hydraulic fracturing—this paper examines both technological innovations and operational adjustments that can optimize water use. The study highlights the potential for water recycling, the use of alternative water sources, and improvements in drilling technology to reduce freshwater demand. Drawing on case studies and industry reports, the paper concludes with recommendations for sustainable water management practices in Texas's oil and gas industry, essential for balancing energy production with environmental stewardship.

This study evaluates the environmental impacts of an oscillating water column (OWC) system used for renewable energy generation, employing Conesa’s methodology. By conducting a comprehensive assessment, various environmental parameters, such as water quality and marine-coastal ecosystems, are thoroughly analyzed. The methodology entails a systematic approach to identify, assess, and prioritize potential impacts, ensuring a holistic view of the environmental implications. Through data collection and analysis, critical impacts, including changes in biodiversity, alterations in habitat conditions and variations in water quality indicators, are highlighted. The findings emphasize the importance of mitigating adverse effects, proposing practical recommendations that aim to balance energy production with ecological preservation. This research underscores the necessity of integrating environmental considerations into the development of marine renewable energy technologies, contributing to their sustainable implementation and fostering a harmonious coexistence between technological advancement and environmental stewardship. Key words. Oscillating water column, Conesa’s methodology, environmental impact assessment, renewable energy, marine technology.