Ambitious Targets Research Articles

Risking delay: the storylines of (bioenergy with) carbon capture and storage in Swedish parliamentary discourse

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), along with Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), feature heavily in climate mitigation scenarios. Nevertheless, the technologies remain controversial within the broader mitigation discourse, in part for their potential to excuse delay in more ambitious emissions reductions in the short term. Sweden has included BECCS and CCS as proposed “supplementary measures” to enable the country to meet its ambitious target of achieving net negative emissions by 2045. Hajer’s Argumentative Approach to Discourse Analysis is applied to Swedish parliamentary speeches, motions, and written questions and answers, to uncover the storylines and attendant assumptions constituting Swedish policy deliberation regarding CCS and BECCS. This study finds that by problematizing climate change as an issue of emissions, actors position CCS and BECCS within a dominant neoliberal discourse and characterize them as tools to facilitate a green transition centering on industrial and economic competitiveness. This discourse lacks detail, and risks delay by oversimplifying the needs and requirements for CCS and BECCS deployment. Meanwhile, a CCS-critical discourse acknowledges the need for negative emissions but challenges storylines portraying the technology as inexpensive or easy to deploy rapidly. If pursued, this discourse could serve to sharpen the debate about the technologies and bring planning in line with aspirations, helping to avert risks of delay.

Hydrogen production with grid-connected electrolysis: scenario-based analysis of the EU criteria for renewable fuels

Abstract Renewable hydrogen (H2) will play a pivotal role in the decarbonization of the energy and industrial sectors. However, during the transition to a clean energy system, the production of H2 with electrolysis runs the risk of increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions if the electricity system is still partly based on fossil fuels. The European Union has set ambitious targets for the production of H2 and defined strict rules in delegated acts to the renewable energy directive, when H2 produced with public grid electricity can be counted as renewable. This paper analyzes two grid criteria central to these rules, renewable energy share and CO2 emission intensity, in several future scenarios of the European energy system. By uniquely focusing on the impact of H2 production from the perspective of EU grid criteria, this study offers a novel assessment of how these regulations interact with the evolving energy landscape. Fulfillment of the renewable H2 grid criteria strongly depends on the future build-out of renewable energy resources, electricity demand, and amount of domestically produced H2. In a scenario with ambitious renewable build-out until 2030, represented by current drafts of national energy and climate plans, many countries will meet the stated criteria. However, adding a high amount of domestically produced H2 partly cancels out this effect. In a scenario with reduced renewable build-outs, comparable to historically achieved renewable resource additions, many fewer countries achieve the grid criteria. Finally, net CO2 emission reductions are analyzed by comparing power sector emission changes with the opportunity emissions that result from fossil fuels replacements with H2. The results indicate that using H2 in CO2 intensive use cases can lead to emission reductions, even if grid criteria are below the thresholds defined in the delegated acts. However, reduced renewable energy expansion poses the risk of not achieving any emission reductions at all with the produced H2.

Overlooked discrepancies in protocols undermine coastal restoration practices in China

To improve the success of expanding ecosystem restoration efforts, technical guiding-standards are being developed in many nations. Whether these protocols have been well adopted to guide restoration practices remains unknown, especially in developing countries where policies evolve rapidly to balance socioeconomic development with ecosystem restoration. By conducting text semantic mining analyses, we reveal widespread discrepancies between China’s coastal restoration practices and protocols over the past four decades. Over 60% of executed restoration projects had no detailed technical standards to guide implementation, especially for severely degraded ecosystems. Development of these standards lagged significantly behind project implementation, was poorly enforced, and focused more on monitoring than guiding good restoration designs and adaptive management, likely undermining restoration performance. Nevertheless, current policies toward prioritizing ecosystem restoration offer opportunities to remedy this issue. Enforcing policies to ensure that practices are guided by protocols is necessary to promote coastal restoration success in China and globally as nations strive to achieve ambitious restoration targets.

Green hydrogen production for sustainable development: a critical examination of barriers and strategic opportunities

As the world endeavors to meet ambitious climate targets and mitigate carbon emissions, green hydrogen stands out as a versatile and scalable solution offering a viable pathway toward sustainable development.

Climate change impacts of municipal water sector and mitigation pathways: A national scale analysis and perspectives to carbon neutrality.

The growing concern on global warming has pushed to set ambitious targets of carbon neutrality or net zero at the water sector. Meanwhile, poor data availability has been reported to restrict the national assessment of climate impacts and mitigation strategies in water sector. In national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, water sector is embedded in other sectors' emissions making it difficult to monitor separately. This study presents a national scale evaluation of climate change impacts for water sector in Finland based on life cycle analysis (LCA). In addition, the effectiveness of currently available emission reduction measures is evaluated by scenario analysis until the year 2035. According to the results, the life cycle climate change impacts from the Finnish municipal water sector were 0,67 (0,46-0,88) million tonnes CO2-eq./year (142.8 (98.9-187.1) kg CO2-eq./person/year). Drinking water services accounted for 12.5-13.9 % and wastewater services 86.1-87.4 % of the total emissions. With currently feasible emission reduction measures, the climate change impacts could be reduced approximately 14-30 % in total by 2035. The aim of carbon neutrality in the water sector was found to be unrealistic to achieve with existing and currently feasible measures for Finland and thus significant new emission mitigation measures are needed. The vague definition of carbon neutrality and system boundary of water sector as well as the uncertainties related to the assessment of direct emissions, undermine the credibility of the ambitiously set target. Prioritizing emission offsets to reach the target may inadvertently lead to unintended negative consequences due to the limitations and incompleteness of offset methods.

Enhancing building sustainability: A comprehensive review and methodological roadmap for retrofit strategies

A large body of research has been developed with the aim of assisting policymakers in setting ambitious and achievable environmental targets for the retrofit of current and future building types for energy-efficiency and in creating effective retrofit strategies to meet these targets. The aim of this research is to conduct a comprehensive study to identify the relationship between building typology and sustainability, with a particular emphasis on retrofitting and try to identify research gaps in the most effective energy-saving strategies for retrofitting various types of buildings. In this regard, this study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP). Sixty relevant papers are selected and reviewed, establishing a comprehensive searching scheme. The research highlights retrofitting strategies for improving energy efficiency in buildings and discusses the limitations of current practices in terms of physical and technical developments, such as building retrofit assessment according to the typology of the building and environmental factors. To address these limitations, this study proposes a methodology for future research with a focus on in-depth building classification, developing tailored retrofitting alternatives, and establishing an adaptive solution framework. This framework aligns cohesively with diverse typologies, adapts to changing environments, and enhances long-term energy-efficient performance. It proposes detailed building categorization to understand the interconnections between a building's physical characteristics, technology, and energy needs. Additionally, it suggests tailoring retrofit solutions for diverse building types and creating an adaptable framework for changing conditions. Using qualitative research, literature review, quantitative analysis, and case studies, the methodology ensures research credibility. Prototyping is employed to refine processes, considering building types and environmental factors.

India’s Green Hydrogen Mission: A Strategic Path to Global Leadership

Green hydrogen has emerged as a key component of the global energy revolution as the world faces an urgent need to tackle climate change and move away from fossil fuels. India, a nation that mainly depends on imported coal and crude oil for its energy needs, is one of the countries set to play a significant part in this transition. In light of mounting worries about environmental sustainability and energy security, India is leading the way in adopting green hydrogen as a crucial element of its larger energy transition plan. The National Green Hydrogen Mission was introduced by the Indian government in January 2023 with the goal of making the nation a global leader in the production of green hydrogen, with an ambitious target of 5 million tonnes per year by 2030. The country has a great chance to increase the production of green hydrogen and lessen its carbon footprint because to its abundance of renewable energy resources, especially wind and solar power. Since most of India's hydrogen is now produced using fossil fuels in industries like ammonia manufacture and oil refining, the country's green hydrogen industry is still in its infancy. But the transition to green hydrogen—produced by water electrolysis driven by renewable energy—from grey hydrogen—derived from fossil fuels—is viewed as a game-changer for decarbonising industry and improving energy security. This case study delves into India’s green hydrogen landscape, exploring the opportunities, challenges, and strategic initiatives driving this transition. By examining the National Green Hydrogen Mission, key industry players, and potential export markets, the study outlines India’s path to becoming a global leader in green hydrogen production and export.

The Future of China‐Gulf Solar and Wind Supply Chains

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the medium‐term trajectory of China‐Gulf renewable energy supply chains amid growing global trade restrictions on China. The research explores how the Arab Gulf states, key collaborators in China's renewable energy sector, navigate these challenges, focusing on the dominance of China in global supply chains for solar and wind components. Using a demand‐pull, supply‐push framework, qualitative analysis assesses two potential scenarios: ‘Blue Sky’, where China‐Gulf supply chains grow stronger through ambitious renewable energy targets and expanded foreign direct investment, and ‘Sand Storm’, where geopolitical tensions and export restrictions could weaken these ties. The findings indicate that while supply chain engagement with China has risks, on balance China‐Gulf supply solar and wind technology supply chains are currently robust and projected to remain so in the future. The study concludes with policy recommendations for strengthening China's engagement with the broader Global South, highlighting opportunities for countries as they scale up domestic renewable energy deployment.

An ex-ante study on the impacts of reduced EU sugar consumption: a sweet mix of health and environmental benefits

This paper estimates the health and environmental benefits from reducing sugar intake in EU households. A CGE model is modified by linking probability density functions of body mass index for EU populations to a complete demand system with nutrition accounting. Following the WHO recommendation, sugar intake is reduced to 10% of total dietary energy intake, whilst two further scenarios explore more ambitious targets of 7.5% and 5%. This dietary transition leads to a relative reduction in overweight and obese EU adults of between 8 and 15 million by 2050, with potentially significant health gains in Scandinavia. Environmental ‘footprints’ reveal relative land and emissions savings of up to 56m2 and 20 kgCO2e per capita per year by 2050. With scientific evidence supporting a virtuous circle of improved health, higher wages and increased macroeconomic performance, the reported negative impacts on economic indicators in this study could be reversed through targeted redistributive policies.

NAVIGATING ENERGY TRANSITION: VIETNAM’S PATH TO SUSTAINABILITY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR UKRAINE

Vietnam has achieved significant milestones in its energy transition, characterized by ambitious renewable energy targets and robust policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions. This paper delves into Vietnam’s strategic approach, progress, and the challenges faced in its journey towards a sustainable energy future. By analyzing the diversification of energy sources, modernization of infrastructure, and development of a carbon market, the paper underscores Vietnam’s efforts to balance energy security, sustainability, and economic resilience. The study highlights the critical role of comprehensive policy frameworks, technological advancements, and substantial investments in renewable energy. Vietnam’s experience serves as a valuable model for Ukraine, offering insights into effective energy transition strategies amidst unique geopolitical and economic challenges. The findings suggest that Vietnam’s approach, which integrates policy shifts, infrastructure upgrades, and economic adaptations, can provide a blueprint for Ukraine to achieve its own sustainable energy goals. This paper aims to contribute to the broader discourse on global energy transitions, emphasizing the importance of aligning national strategies with international climate commitments to foster a resilient and low-carbon energy future.

Hidden Giant of Embedded Plastics in China.

Combating plastic pollution requires an understanding of the complex intersectoral flows of plastics and related products. In this study, we develop an inventory of 150 categories of products consisting of/containing plastics based on bottom-up analysis and establish a plastics input-output material flow analysis (PIO-MFA) model that reveals intersectoral flows, sectoral consumption, exports, and stocks of embedded plastics. In 2018, consumption-based plastic usage in China reached 140 million tons (Mt), with 123.5 Mt being embedded plastics. Approximately 75.5% of embedded plastics were consumed domestically, and 21.3% were exported. Among the plastics exported, embedded plastics accounted for 68.5%, indicating the importance of the implicit transfer of embedded plastics through global trade. Furthermore, based on ambitious recycling targets, the amount of recycled plastics in China is expected to increase by 27.8 Mt. Plastics embedded in containers and packaging have the highest reduction potential, while joint efforts from the entire supply chain are crucial to reduce the amount of such plastics as industrial sectors consume 32.4% of embedded plastics. Identifying high plastic consumption sectors is critical for balancing economic and social goals with pollution control and ensuring comprehensive plastic treaty compliance. The PIO-MFA method's foreseeable future expansion to a global level is expected to inform plastic treaty obligations and support the development and implementation of national action plans.

International National Park For The Development Of International Ecoturism In The Zarafshan Valley Apply Models

With the increasing global interest in ecotourism, projected to grow at an average annual rate of 16.13% from 2023 to 2028, Uzbekistan aims to position the Zarafshan Valley as a significant ecotourism destination. The government’s commitment is reflected in initiatives like the Presidential Decree No. PF-9, which sets ambitious targets for international tourism. The study focuses on adopting and adapting global ecotourism models to develop an International National Park in the Zarafshan Valley, aligning it with the region’s ecological and cultural characteristics. A multi-dimensional approach was employed to design the park, encompassing biodiversity studies, socio-cultural assessments, and economic feasibility analyses. The research involved identifying conservation priorities, tourist potential, and funding sources. The planning process adhered to international guidelines, leveraging frameworks from UNESCO and IUCN. Strategic land-use zoning, stakeholder engagement, and infrastructure development were pivotal, with inspirations drawn from successful models in the United States, Europe, and emerging ecotourism destinations. The study identifies the American, European, and park-reserve models as adaptable frameworks for the Zarafshan Valley. Key features, such as collaborative management, community participation, and eco-friendly infrastructure, were highlighted. Challenges such as insufficient infrastructure and limited local entrepreneurship were noted, with strategies proposed to address these gaps. The research underscores the potential for sustainable tourism to foster biodiversity conservation and socio-economic benefits. The establishment of an International National Park in the Zarafshan Valley presents a transformative opportunity for Uzbekistan’s ecotourism. By integrating global best practices and ensuring local community involvement, the initiative can enhance regional economic development, environmental conservation, and international recognition. Future research should focus on monitoring the park’s environmental and socio-economic impact, refining management practices, and scaling sustainable ecotourism models.

Evaluating Climate Change Impacts to Qatar’s Marine Life: A Risk Assessment for SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

Marine life is integral to Qatar and the broader Arab region, serving as a cornerstone for biodiversity, economic activity, and cultural heritage. Despite the ambitious targets set by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, climate change is placing mounting pressure on conservation efforts. Recognizing that climate change cannot be entirely stopped, the focus should be on mitigating its effects through sustainable strategies. This study identifies twelve climate-related risks that impede Qatar's progress towards achieving SDG 14 - Life Below Water. To understand the region-specific climate risks, this study engaged in a focus group discussion with representatives from the government, NGOs, private sector, and academia. The Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) identified the most severe risks as flooding associated with rising sea levels, modified species biogeography, and compromised coral reef health. While other risks were rated low, such as risks to seagrass meadows driven by increasing sea temperatures. Other significant findings include the need for increased awareness of climate change impacts on both the local and global administrative platforms. This risk assessment provides insights into the vulnerable facets of Qatar's marine environment, intending to guide forthcoming strategies for achieving SDG-14.

Decarbonisation Scenarios for the European Residential Sector

The urgency to combat global climate change has prompted the implementation of many regional and national policies, with the European Green Deal standing out as one of the most significant initiatives. We use the recently developed TIMES-Europe energy system model to study the pivotal role of the residential sector in achieving the ambitious energy savings goal formulated by the EU in the broad framework of its Fit-for-55 policy package. We observe improved energy efficiency in households across a set of scenarios that differ in terms of climate policy ambition and level of collaboration between European countries. We find that, by 2030, residential buildings can realize up to 3000 PJ in overall energy savings. Cross-country collaboration may yield an additional 11% reduction in residential energy consumption, which could increase to 18% when combined with dwelling retrofitting subsidies. Our analysis of the transformation of the residential fuel mix, particularly the interplay between biomass and natural gas usage, reveals a trade-off between short-term energy efficiency gains and long-term CO2 reduction goals. In the short run, scenarios lacking stringent climate control measures exhibit higher energy savings in comparison to those embracing ambitious climate targets. This initial difference, however, diminishes over time: energy savings from climate-compliant scenarios nearly align with those in scenarios without strict climate compliance around 2040. Scenarios lacking effective climate policy result in significant delays in decarbonizing the European residential sector. Our findings underscore the critical role of ambitious climate targets and accelerated retrofitting rates, highlighting the necessity to imminently and proactively implement directed policy interventions.

Strategic interventions and a novel model for the integration of community pharmacy and primary care in Spain: qualitative insights

ObjectivesTo explore the opinions and perceptions of key stakeholders on the integration between community pharmacy and primary care, within the Valencian Autonomous Community. Specific objectives include identifying strategic interventions to...

Improving implementation of needle and syringe programmes to expand, scale up, and sustain evidence-based prevention interventions for HIV and hepatitis C in prisons.

The 1990 resolution by the UN General Assembly committed member states to provide health-care equity for people in prison, who are included in the global goals to control HIV and eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030. WHO has set ambitious HCV elimination targets by including people who inject drugs (PWID), yet has not prioritised PWID who are incarcerated, a substantial population who have or are at risk for HCV infection. Human rights principles of health-care equity stipulate that "prisoners should enjoy the same standards of health care that are available in the community, without discrimination on the grounds of their legal status". Globally, only nine countries provide prison-based needle and syringe programmes (PNSPs), essential evidence-based interventions to holistically reduce the harms from drug use, of which only three countries extend reach to all prisons. Even where available, these services are accessed by few participants. PNSPs are recommended as an essential element of an effective HIV and HCV prevention strategy in prisons, and studies have shown that they are key to achieving HCV elimination in carceral settings. This Viewpoint, based primarily on unpublished data from key country-level stakeholders and expert opinion, highlights our perspective that implementation factors related to PNSP delivery in diverse settings likely contribute to low adoption and use of these services by PWID in prisons compared with in the community. However, successful expansion of these evidence-based interventions will depend on political commitment, national surveillance and monitoring programmes, and state-of-the-art implementation science methods, where inputs from multilevel stakeholders should guide improved implementation. Policy makers are urged to create and support opportunities to scale up PNSPs within countries where they exist and expand them to other countries where they are needed to solidify years of commitment towards the 2030 HCV elimination goals.

Ensuring safe and effective pharmacotherapy: The role of "community pharmacology" in attaining "health for all" from the Indian perspective.

The novel approach of "Community Pharmacology" integrates pharmacological principles with community health to achieve the "Health for all" goal through safe and efficient health care. Pharmacovigilance, medication errors (ME), irrational prescriptions, and antimicrobial resistance in the community could be the key areas. Though life expectancy and other health indicators have improved in India, the disparity between rural and urban quality healthcare access should be addressed. Despite India's enormous progress in vaccine manufacture, supply, and mass immunization through the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) and Mission Indradhanush, issues remain in incomplete coverage and vaccine hesitancy. Other key challenges include high health expenditures, shortage of trained healthcare professionals, and lack of patient safety and irrational pharmacotherapy in remote areas. Community Pharmacology offers a multifaceted solution in community healthcare delivery through a well-designed integrated network equipped with skills in practical implications of pharmacology aimed at better medication supply, storage and dispensing, adherence to formularies according to the community needs, preparing Essential Medicine List and implementation of rational prescribing. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), adverse drug reaction (ADR) monitoring, and evidence-based usage of different drug formulations or drug delivery systems must be implemented beyond the tertiary level, involving both public and private stakeholders. Integrating Community Pharmacology into public health is crucial for fulfilling the global health initiatives to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as attaining India's ambitious overall development targets.

Techno-economic assessment of a green liquid hydrogen supply chain for ship refueling

Maritime transportation is an essential component of international trade and global economic growth: according to the 2021 Review of Maritime Transport, transportation by sea is responsible for more than 80% of the global product flow. To facilitate decarbonization and reduce pollutant emissions in the maritime sector, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set very ambitious targets, and hydrogen is one of the most promising energy vectors capable of supporting the required low-carbon energy transition. Recently, therefore, more attention has been paid to finding technical solutions for the development of hydrogen-based alternative propulsion systems and, at the same time, a hydrogen distribution infrastructure suitable for shipping. In this scenario, this study aims to analyze, through design, modeling and optimization approaches, the energy and economic performance of an offshore wind power plant integrated with a liquid hydrogen production system to be used for refueling ships far from ports. This study focuses on the development of an optimization procedure dedicated to finding the best technical solution in terms of component sizes and management strategies that ensure the minimum Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH). Resultshave highlighted that the proposed innovative plant configuration for the offshore liquid hydrogen production is able to produce 317 tons per year of green hydrogen with a LCOH of 16.77 €/kg by using 19 MW offshore wind farm and 5 MW PEM electrolyzer.

"Functional Illiteracy: Barrier to the Sustainable Development of Romania – Republic of Moldova Cross-Border Area"

Amid computer science advancements, a major problem many states deal with is, paradoxically, functional illiteracy. This phenomenon accounts for socio-educational and economic problems of contemporary society that, if unsolved, in the medium and long term, can have serious effects on the future development of societies. The prevention and fight against functional illiteracy require specialized mobilization, on multiple sectors. On the PISA 2022 performance scale, the share of students with low performance in basic skills remains high, 42% for Romania and 44.3% for the Republic of Moldova (among the highest in the European Union). If the European Union is aiming to lower the functional illiteracy rate among 15-year-olds to below 15% by 2020, Romania and the Republic of Moldova are far from such an ambitious target. Both countries are aiming to lower this rate to 25% by 2030. In this context, a large part of future generations in the two countries are functionally and socially illiterate due to the lack of primary education, which will be a catastrophe for the labour market, businesses and economy in the future. We present a brief analysis of the functional illiteracy characteristics in Romania and in the Republic of Moldova among 15-year-old students. A comparative analysis of the functional illiteracy rates of students in the two countries, considering the PISA test in the period 2006–2022, was conducted, as well as of this phenomenon's effects on the future development of these countries, in general, and on the cross-border area, in particular.

Public Awareness, Perceptions, and Attitudes Toward Renewable Energy Adoption in the Philippines: Insights for Strategic Policy Development

The Philippines currently depends heavily on fossil fuels, which are vulnerable to price fluctuations. In response, the 2023-2050 Philippine Energy Plan sets ambitious targets to increase the share of renewable energy in the capacity mix: 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040. Achieving these targets require more than just policy—it needs public understanding and support. This study examines public awareness, perceptions, and attitudes toward renewable energy in the Philippines, specifically among respondents from Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna. Through a structured survey of 386 participants, we assessed familiarity with renewable sources like biomass, geothermal, solar, hydro, ocean and wind, finding that while 70% are generally aware of these sources, only 30% know about local projects or government initiatives. The survey results show strong support for renewable energy’s environmental benefits, with 67% of respondents in favor, though 69% express concerns about high initial costs, and 57% are wary of reliability issues. Using statistical analysis, we found that age significantly affects awareness levels (p < 0.001), while gender, income, and location have minimal influence. These insights underline the need for public engagement to support the goals of the 2023-2050 Philippine Energy Plan. Our findings suggest that more targeted education, financial incentives, and community involvement could boost public support and address perceived barriers, providing valuable direction for policymakers to enhance renewable energy adoption across the Philippines.