From Carbon Neutral to Carbon Positive: A Framework for Sustainable and Economically Viable Agriculture

Quantifying carbon sequestration in paddy soil is necessary to understand the effect of agricultural practices on carbon cycles. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of organic fertilizer addition (MF) on the soil respiration and net ecosystem carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption of paddy fields under water-saving irrigation (CI) in the Taihu Lake Region of China during the 2014 and 2015 rice-growing seasons. Compared with the traditional fertilizer and water management (FC), the joint regulation of CI and MF (CM) significantly increased the rice yields and irrigation water use efficiencies of paddy fields by 4.02~5.08 and 83.54~109.97% (p < 0.05). The effects of organic fertilizer addition on soil respiration and net ecosystem CO2 absorption rates showed inter-annual differences. CM paddy fields showed a higher soil respiration and net CO2 absorption rates during some periods of the rice growth stage in the first year and during most periods of the rice growth stage in the second year. These fields also had significantly higher total CO2 emission through soil respiration (total Rsoil) and total net CO2 absorption compared with FC paddy fields (p < 0.05). The total Rsoil and net ecosystem CO2 absorption of CM paddy fields were 67.39~91.55 and 129.41~113.75molm-2, which were 27.66~135.52 and 12.96~31.66% higher than those of FC paddy fields. The interaction between water and fertilizer management had significant effects on total net ecosystem CO2 absorption. The frequent alternate wet-dry cycles of CI paddy fields increased the soil respiration and reduced the net CO2 absorption. Organic fertilizer promoted the soil respiration of paddy soil but also increased its net CO2 absorption and organic carbon content. Therefore, the joint regulation of water-saving irrigation and organic fertilizer is an effective measure for maintaining yield, increasing irrigation water use efficiency, mitigating CO2 emission, and promoting paddy soil fertility.

Inter-tidal salt marsh plays a great important role in the global carbon cycle as a considerable potential capacity of the carbon sink. Compared to other types of wetlands,the inter-tidal salt marsh has a unique biogeochemical process under the combined action between freshwater and seawater. Therefore,there is considerable variability and uncertainty inits net ecosystem CO2exchange( NEE). However,few studies provide insights regarding the variability of NEE and its controlling factors in an inter-tidal salt marsh. Using the Eddy Covariance( EC) technique,we analyzed temporal variation in NEE and determined its control mechanisms coupled with meteorological and tidal inundation variables during the growing season( from April to October) of 2012 in an inter-tidal salt marsh in the Yellow River Estuary. The results showed that it was net CO2 absorption in the daytime and net CO2 release in the nighttime on a diurnal scale. The daily average NEE during the growing season was-0. 38 g CO2m-2d-1,with a maximum daily CO2 uptake rate of-3. 13 g CO2m-2d-1( June27) and a maximum release rate of 1. 47 g CO2m-2d-1( August 12). The monthly average NEE increased rapidly from May,and peaked in June,then decreasing gradually from July. The maximum monthly ecosystem respiration( Reco) was15. 16 g C /m2 in June when the hightest soil temperature was 27. 5 ℃. The monthly gross primary productivity( GPP)reached its peaking value( 25. 07 g C /m2) in July. During the growing season,NEE was mainly dominated by photosynthetic active radiation( PAR),soil temperature( Ts),soil water content( SWC) and tidal inundation. There was a rectangular hyperbolic relationship between the daytime net ecosystem CO2exchange( NEEdaytime) and PAR. The maximum ecosystem apparent quantum yield( α) and maximum photosynthesis rate( NEEsat) appeared in June(( 0.0086±0. 0019) μmol CO2μmol-1photons) and in May(( 4. 79±1. 52) μmol CO2m-2s-1),respectively. In addition,NEEdaytime also was positively correlated with Tsand SWC. During the growing season,NEEdaytimehad an exponential relationship with Ts. The mean value of Q10 was 1. 33,and it was positively related to SWC. During the typical sunny day of June 19 to June25,tidal inundation enhanced daytime net absorption of CO2 and nighttime CO2 release. As a result,tidal inundation increased the net ecosystem CO2 absorption by an average of 0. 76 g CO2m-2d-1. During the growing season,the inter-tidal salt marsh was an obvious CO2sink( 22. 28 g C /m2),with a cumulative emission of 96. 28 g C/m2 and a cumulative aborption of 118. 34 g C /m2.

National carbon neutrality scenarios usually focus on territorial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Their implementation could thus possibly result in some impact transfers to life cycle steps outside the territory or to other environmental issues. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) could help to assess comprehensively these scenarios. In this perspective, this article provides a comprehensive review of the current state of the art regarding the combination of LCA and carbon neutrality. An analysis of the identified articles covers general characteristics and methods, including the definition of carbon neutrality, the functions and boundaries of LCA, the life cycle inventory, the impact assessment, and the choices of LCA modelling. The findings indicate an increasing interest in the environmental assessment of decarbonisation options, particularly in energy transition scenarios. However, carbon neutrality strategies extend beyond energy transformation alone. They require modifications in agriculture, industrial processes, and waste treatment, among other sectors. According to the evidence collected from this research, there are very few articles that incorporate LCA within a national carbon neutrality strategy, encompassing all GHG-emitting sectors. Valuable insights can be gleaned from the identified publications that evaluate complex systems with LCA, such as policies, scenarios, cities, and other macroscopic objects, relying on advanced LCA methodologies. Some challenges are still to be found, and future work will focus on the application of LCA to a specific national scenario aiming at reaching carbon neutrality on a territory for 2050.

#36915 D37 – the green footprint of regional anesthesia

This comprehensive review explores sustainable farming practices in both Africa and the USA, shedding light on innovative approaches that address the challenges posed by climate change, resource depletion, and increasing global food demand. As agriculture plays a pivotal role in the economies of both regions, identifying and adopting sustainable practices is crucial for ensuring long-term food security and environmental health. In Africa, the review highlights the diverse array of sustainable farming innovations that have emerged to address the unique challenges faced by the continent. Agroecological practices, such as intercropping and agroforestry, have gained prominence for their ability to enhance soil fertility, conserve water, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Additionally, the integration of precision farming technologies, such as remote sensing and data analytics, is facilitating more efficient resource use and crop management. Community-based initiatives and farmer cooperatives are also proving instrumental in promoting sustainable practices while fostering social and economic resilience in the face of environmental uncertainties. In the USA, the review explores the evolution of sustainable farming practices in response to changing consumer preferences and the imperative to reduce agriculture's environmental footprint. Precision agriculture technologies, including GPS-guided tractors and sensor-based monitoring systems, are being widely adopted to optimize resource use and minimize environmental impacts. Agroecological principles are gaining traction, with a growing emphasis on regenerative agriculture practices that prioritize soil health, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, the integration of cover cropping and crop rotation strategies is enhancing resilience to pests and diseases, reducing the reliance on synthetic inputs. Comparative analysis reveals commonalities and differences in the adoption and adaptation of sustainable farming practices between Africa and the USA. The review emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts, knowledge exchange, and policy support to ensure the widespread adoption of sustainable farming practices, promoting global food security and environmental sustainability.

Sustainable agriculture practices are essential for ensuring long-term food security, environmental health, and economic stability. This paper explores various agricultural methods, including Organic Farming, Conservation Tillage, Agro forestry, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and Crop Rotation. Each practice is assessed based on its impact on soil health, yield increase, time to benefit realization, and market accessibility. Additionally, the effectiveness of these practices is evaluated using a weighted decision matrix to balance cost efficiency, customer satisfaction, security, and implementation complexity. The findings highlight that Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers the most balanced performance across these criteria, while Agro forestry, despite its strong soil health benefits, presents significant challenges in implementation and benefit realization. The paper concludes with recommendations for selecting sustainable practices based on specific agricultural goals and constraints. Sustainable agriculture is pivotal in addressing the growing demands of global food production while preserving environmental integrity and promoting economic viability. As traditional farming methods face increasing scrutiny for their environmental impacts and resource inefficiencies, sustainable practices offer promising alternatives. This introduction outlines the key sustainable agriculture practices and their roles in enhancing agricultural sustainability. Organic Farming focuses on using natural inputs and processes to maintain soil health and reduce environmental impact. Conservation Tillage aims to minimize soil disturbance and erosion, enhancing soil structure and moisture retention. Agro forestry integrates trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, promoting biodiversity and improving soil fertility. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) combines biological, cultural, and chemical practices to manage pests sustainably. Crop Rotation involves alternating different crops in a sequence to improve soil health and reduce pest and disease pressures. To evaluate and compare sustainable agriculture practices, the Multi-Objective Optimization on the Basis of Ratio Analysis (MOORA) method was employed. MOORA is a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique that allows for the assessment of alternatives based on multiple conflicting criteria. This method is particularly useful for evaluating complex agricultural practices where multiple objectives need to be considered simultaneously. The significance of researching sustainable agriculture practices lies in addressing the critical challenges faced by modern agriculture, including environmental degradation, resource depletion, and the need for increased food security. As the global population continues to grow, there is an urgent need to develop and implement agricultural practices that not only enhance productivity but also ensure environmental sustainability and economic viability. Organic Farming, Conservation Tillage, Agro forestry, Integrated Pest Management, Crop Rotation.Soil Health Improvement (%),Yield Increase (%),Time to Benefit Realization (months), Market Accessibility (%). The results indicate that Integrated Pest Management achieved the highest rank, while Agro forestry had the lowest rank being attained. “The value of the dataset for Corporate SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES according to the moora Method, Integrated Pest Management achieves the highest ranking.”

The European Green Deal has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. To achieve these, carbon sequestration and long-term storage must be increased not only through technological carbon capture and storage solutions, but also through nature-based carbon pools. Bioeconomy sectors have an important role to play as they include sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry and marine ecosystems that contribute to carbon sequestration. The new Common Agricultural Policy programming period (2023–2027) sets more ambitious environmental and climate targets than previous periods, including carbon farming practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon. This approach prepares and motivates farmers to switch to sustainable practices at an early stage. This is important because once the voluntary EU Certification Framework of the CRCF Regulation (EU) 2024/3012 is fully operational, interested farmers and foresters will be able to actively participate in a new business model by trading carbon credits alongside conventional products. In order to better understand the role of the CRCF Regulation in the context of the EU’s climate neutrality objectives and its interaction with other EU policy planning documents and legal acts, a content analysis was carried out, which led to the identification of key drivers and opportunities of the new CRCF Regulation. The results show that the CRCF Regulation plays an important role in the EU decarbonisation processes and in increasing carbon sequestration, in particular in the agriculture and forestry sectors. Certified activities will contribute to carbon removals and sequestration in both ecosystems and industry, while preserving biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. In addition, carbon sequestration and storage in construction products can contribute to a carbon neutral construction sector. Carbon farming offers a new business model where land managers are rewarded for sustainable management practices that increase carbon sequestration in biomass and soils. Keywords – Carbon credits; carbon farming; carbon removal; certification framework; EU climate policy; EU policy planning; sustainable agriculture

Narrowing fossil fuel consumption in the Indian road transport sector towards reaching carbon neutrality

Climate change and ecosystem degradation threaten human health and exacerbate pre‐existing social determinants of health. The prescription drug sector accounts for a significant portion of health care system contributions to greenhouse gas and waste production. Pharmacists are therefore well‐positioned to transform health care toward environmentally sustainable models; however, additional pharmacist education on climate mitigation and sustainable practice is needed. A team of practicing pharmacists and pharmacy students from the United States and Australia aimed to define pharmacists' roles in environmental stewardship by evaluating pre‐existing pharmacy‐led efforts in reducing waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and other health care‐associated environmental impacts. We also describe opportunities for education in pharmacist training as a means to enhance the profession's capacity for environmentally sustainable health care practice and leadership. Information on specific drugs' ecological footprints is increasingly available; pharmacists, as drug information experts, can incorporate sustainability considerations into their drug procurement and prescribing recommendations. Pharmacists also play a critical role in public education about environmentally responsible drug disposal. Finally, we suggest collaborative steps that U.S. organizations involved in pharmacy education could take to ensure that future “practice readiness” includes competence in sustainable health care practices.

The United States (U.S.) and China are key to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement and reaching carbon neutrality by around mid-century. Despite differences, carbon neutrality will be met more rapidly if the two countries coordinate and facilitate synergies in carbon-neutral technologies and policy development and implementation. Building on long-term pathway models in the U.S. and China, current emissions trends and sources, and a policy analysis, this paper puts forward a novel framework for U.S.-China coordination on carbon neutrality. The analysis reveals similar technology and policy pathways, policy gaps, and shared milestones for decarbonization in 2030, 2040, and 2050-2060. The main technological pathways focus on reductions in energy demand and non-energy-related CO2 emissions, decarbonization of electricity and fuels, and increases in electrification rates and CO2 sequestration. Given existing domestic policies and opportunities for further action, areas for coordination on carbon neutrality include common policy milestones; dialogue and technical exchange; research, development, and demonstration (RD&D); and international climate leadership. Despite escalated tensions between the U.S. and China, and challenges for climate cooperation, coordination between both countries on carbon neutrality is both possible and necessary.

Tidal wetland reclamation could profoundly alter ecological function and ecosystem service provision, but its impacts on sediment microbial communities and functions remain poorly understood. We investigated spatial and seasonal patterns of greenhouse gases (GHGs) production response to land-use changes in mangrove wetlands and unraveled the underlying mechanisms by integrating environmental parameters and microbial communities. Land-use changes substantially reduced microbial community richness and diversity and shaped their composition. Converting mangrove to drier orchard and vegetable field reduced sediment organic matter, carbon GHGs production rates, and microbial network complexity and stability, while increased N2O production rates. Converting mangrove to chronically flooded aquaculture pond increased sediment CH4 production rates, but reduced N2O and CO2 production rates. Although increasing anthropogenic disturbance in aquaculture pond have reduced microbial community richness and diversity compared to native mangrove wetland, they have increased complexity of species associations resulting in a more complex and stable network. Microbial community richness and network complexity and stability were strongly related to CH4 and N2O production rates, but not significantly associated with CO2 production rates, suggesting microbial community richness, network complexity and stability are better predictors of the specialized soil/sediment functions CH4 and N2O production). Therefore, preserving microbial &amp;#8220;interaction&amp;#8221; could be important to mitigate the negative effects of microbial community richness and diversity loss caused by human activities. Furthermore, as the residual bait accumulation is a severe issue in aquaculture activities, we especially focused on the influence of bait input at time scale through a 90-day incubation experiment, aiming to observe temporal variations of physicochemical properties, sediment microbial community, and GHGs production in response to different amounts of bait input. The results showed that dissolved oxygen of overlying water was profoundly decreased owing to bait input, while dissolved organic carbon of overlying water and several sediment properties (e.g., organic matter, sulfide, and ammonium) varied in reverse patterns. Meanwhile, bait input strongly altered microbial compositions from aerobic, slow-growing, and oligotrophic to anaerobic, fast-growing, and copiotrophic. Moreover, both GHGs production and global warming potential were enhanced by bait input, implying that aquaculture ecosystem is an important hotspot for global GHGs emission. Overall, bait input triggered quick responses of physicochemical properties, sediment microbial community, and GHGs production, followed by long-term resilience of the ecosystem. Future research should comprehensively consider microbial diversity, species composition and interaction strength, functions, and environmental conditions to accurately predict soil/sediment functioning and emphasize the necessity of sustainable assessment and effective management.

Serving as the concluding chapter of the book, we delve into a few factors related to the nexus between sustainable development and carbon neutral development. We first discuss the city cluster development at a glance and highlight the main challenges in meeting the sustainability plan and reaching carbon neutrality. Afterward, we question whether China’s pledge to carbon neutrality could become a reality or not. And if so, how would it be directed and achieved? These questions are essential for us to evaluate regional-level solutions for city cluster development in China linked with the overarching carbon neutrality pathways in each city cluster. We summarise nine potential directions or opportunities for China’s city cluster development plan before we end the book about the debates related to the ongoing race to the 2030 carbon peak and the 2060 carbon neutral plan. We also discuss the race to carbon neutrality at five different levels of competition. The chapter concludes with discussions related to the nexus between sustainable development and carbon neutral development.KeywordsSustainable DevelopmentCarbon NeutralityCarbon EmissionsCarbon PeakCity cluster developmentRace to carbon neutralityTechnological innovation Carbon neutrality pledge

Chapter 15 - Carbon neutrality and energy efficiency

Achieving carbon neutrality through green technological progress: evidence from China

Microbes are responsible for controlling the carbon cycle, for supporting food chains on which all organisms depend, and for many other activities that are essential for maintaining natural ecosystems. These ecosystems, organisms, and everything else on the planet are now threatened by climate change brought on by human activity. Along with animals and plants, microbes produce and consume the most important greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, but only microbes have anything to do with two other powerful greenhouse gases, methane and nitrous oxide. The rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide, the main cause of climate change, is due mostly to the burning of fossil fuels, whereas microbes are the main sources of methane and nitrous oxide, which are also increasing in the atmosphere. Although microbes contribute to the problem by producing greenhouse gases, climate change would be even more severe if not for other microbes that consume greenhouse gases. Solving the climate change problem starts with eliminating the use of fossil fuels, but that is unlikely to be enough. Microbes can help keep fossil fuels in the ground by making biofuel and other forms of green energy. Other microbes can be harnessed to reduce release of methane and nitrous oxide from agriculture, which accounts for about a third of all greenhouse gases emitted by human activity. Geoengineering solutions involving microbes could pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, providing the negative emissions needed to minimize global warming. Understanding and solving climate change, the biggest environmental problem facing us today, depends on microbes.