Climate Action Research Articles

4.F. Scientific session: Progress in assessing climate change risks to health and implementation in UK and Europe

Abstract Climate change poses one of the greatest threats to health security. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of environmental health threats like flooding and heatwaves and is creating conditions which heighten the risks from infectious diseases. Whilst everyone will be at some risk from adverse health impacts from climate change, the impacts will vary at individual level and the most disadvantaged both here in the UK and around the world will be disproportionately affected. Many of the anticipated adverse health impacts of climate change in the UK are still avoidable through mitigation and adaptation and that there are other benefits to health to be gained, therefore rapid action is critical to avoid the most severe potential scenarios. The Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, funded by the National Institute of Health Research, provides multi-disciplinary research to support decision-making relating to the impacts and responses to environmental changes that affect human health and well-being in the UK and beyond. In this workshop we present the results of recent research on the progress in assessing climate change risk factors on health in the UK and review the evidence on implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures in Europe. The workshop aims to support evidence translation for climate action that prioritises health protection and equity. The workshop will include presentations on reviewing risk assessment methods for quantifying health impacts across Europe as well as analysing the effects of fuel poverty on cold-related mortality. We present results from an analysis of primary care data to identify individual level characteristics associated with increased risk of mortality during heatwaves. Furthermore, we review national food-based dietary guidelines across Europe and South America to determine how environmental sustainability is being integrated to benefit health. The workshop will comprise 4 -5 oral presentations and we will then open the floor to have a wider facilitated discussion about what are the evidence needs for UK and European policy to further address climate risks to health. Key messages • The progress in assessment and understanding of risks from climate change on health is improving. • The health risks we face from climate change will not be distributed equally across the UK and Europe.

Legal perspectives on climate change and inequalities

Abstract In many areas of public health policy, litigation has delivered significant, long-lasting impacts. Examples include tobacco control, increasing access to treatments for HIV, and addressing air pollution and climate change. Litigation is an established part of public health’s advocacy toolbox in national courts, and increasingly in international courts and tribunals. In responding to climate change, in addition to potential policy and law reform, climate change litigation creates opportunities for public scrutiny and debate by raising awareness of inaction or harm caused by governments or private sector polluters, and sparking wider community mobilisation for climate action. Where climate change litigation is based on human rights claims, credible science-based evidence of the health and other human rights impacts of climate change is essential. Public health professionals are increasingly involved in assembling and presenting such evidence, often focusing on vulnerable populations. However, the multiple intersecting identities of vulnerable populations have not been sufficiently explored. For example, how does intersectional disadvantage influence the ways in which evidence of the impact of climate change is assembled and assessed? How are these issues addressed in the courts? Examples include older women (KlimaSeniorinnen v. Switzerland), young people, from both the global South and global North, in urban or remote areas, or with different pre-existing health conditions (Sacchi et al. v. Argentina et al), and Indigenous people, including women and children (Daniel Billy and others v. Australia; Teitiota and others v. New Zealand). Multiple identities can compound vulnerability. For example, young people may be more vulnerable both due to their physical immaturity and due to eco-anxiety and other mental health impacts. This presentation will explore these issues, and the critical role of public health professionals in legal action to address climate change.

The transition towards a healthy and sustainable food system at local level: the Brussels City case

Abstract Despite the European Union’s political efforts to promote healthier and more sustainable food systems, challenges persist, with these systems not yet achieving sustainability and still exacerbating health inequalities. The EU-funded FEAST project aims to catalyse this transition through different actions including by focusing on mapping factors shaping food environments in five European cities, including Brussels. This study focuses on mapping existing policies and initiatives by the city government supporting healthier and more sustainable food systems in Brussels City. Policies were then categorized based on Food-EPI domains, types of policies (i.e. financial incentive) and role of the government (i.e. policy development). Results indicated that while Brussels City has a clear strategy (Good Food Strategy) and objectives (Climate Action Plan) to support the transition, there is a notable emphasis on sustainability over health which could be explained by the absence of a dedicated public health expert in the local government. While there are numerous policies focused on improving the school environment (i.e. healthy and sustainable canteens, banned sodas and snack provision, forbidden advertising inside and nearby of unhealthy foods), there is a lack of corresponding measures for public spaces. Furthermore legislative policies are practically inexistent possibly due to jurisdictional barriers from higher governmental levels. Stakeholder interviews will be conducted in the next phase to delve deeper into these issues and to explore potential facilitators and barriers faced in the development and implementation process of these policies. Overall, this research sheds light on the policy landscape in Brussels City, highlighting both progress, areas for improvement and policy gaps in advancing towards healthier and more sustainable food systems. Key messages • Despite EU political efforts to prioritise more sustainable food systems, relevant barriers are still present at local level in Brussels City, hampering the development and implementation of policies. • In Brussels relevant policies for healthier and more sustainable food systems have been implemented, especially in the school environment, but health seems to be overshadowed by sustainability.

Observed carbon decoupling of subnational production insufficient for net-zero goal by 2050

Historically, economic growth has been closely coupled to carbon emissions responsible for climate change, but to stabilize global mean temperature, net-zero carbon emissions are necessary. Some economies have begun to reduce emissions while continuing to grow, but this decoupling is not fast enough to achieve global climate targets. Subnational climate actions seem to be crucial for the achievement of these targets. Here, we uncover the effectiveness of subnational efforts by estimating decoupling rates and CO2 emission intensities over the last three decades for over 1,500 subnational regions, encompassing 85% of global emissions, using global data on reported economic output and gridded production-based emissions. Thirty percent of regions with available data have fully decoupled, with higher-income and historically carbon-intensive regions exhibiting higher rates of decoupling and declining emission intensity. Countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development with greater spending on subnational climate actions show higher decoupling rates, as do subnational regions in EU countries where climate policies have been implemented, highlighting the effectiveness of subnational policies. Moreover, subnational analysis reveals greater variance of decoupling rates within national boundaries than between them and that countries with weaker governance typically show higher variance of decoupling within their borders. If recent rates of production-based carbon decoupling continue, less than half of subnational regions would reach net-zero before 2050, even when accounting for observed acceleration via socioeconomic development and assuming no interregional carbon leakage.

A New Approach to Measuring Institutional and Researcher Contributions to the SDGs: Combining Data from Elsevier SciVal and VOSviewer

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established by the United Nations in 2015, are a comprehensive global framework that addresses social, economic, and environmental challenges through sustainable development. This study examines the role of universities, specifically focusing on the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Universitas Muhammadiyah Magelang (UNIMMA), in contributing to the SDGs. The study utilized data from Elsevier’s SciVal to analyze the department’s contribution to the SDGs through scientific publications in the Scopus database. A total of 97 out of 156 articles published by nine researchers from the department were found to contribute to various SDGs, with a significant focus on Goals 7 (affordable and clean energy), 17 (partnerships for the goals), 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), and 12 (responsible consumption and production). The study highlights the department’s collaborative efforts and alignment with global sustainability goals. In addition, VOSviewer was used to map the research collaboration network within the department, revealing strong contributions to energy efficiency, sustainable technologies, and climate action. However, the department's research shows limited contribution to social SDGs such as poverty alleviation and gender equality. By mapping the university’s contributions to the SDGs, this study helps faculty members identify opportunities for targeted research collaborations, address gaps in SDG contributions, and enhance partnerships with researchers from other institutions, thus broadening the university’s impact on global sustainable development goals.

Policy Options for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the MENA Region through the Effective Implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces a complex set of challenges, including political instability, economic disparities, and environmental degradation. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in this region is paramount to ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for its diverse populations. Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) play a crucial role in addressing environmental issues, which are intertwined with many of the SDGs. This paper explored policy options that can help the MENA region make significant strides towards achieving the SDGs through the effective implementation of MEAs. To achieve this, the MENA region will be required to strengthen regional cooperation through the development and implementation of regional agreements that are tailored towards shared environmental issues, such as trans-boundary water management in the Nile River basin or tackling air pollution in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Strategies for the adoption of policies on the region’s prevalent issues such as drought and desertification, renewable energy transition, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation will have to be negotiated, developed, strengthened, and implemented. The paper utilised a content analysis research approach in analysing selected international and regional MEAs. The paper highlights the challenges with the implementation of both international and regional MEAs, with a view to raising awareness on the shortcomings and challenges of implementation of these very important environmental treaties. Achieving the SDGs in the MENA region through the implementation of MEAs requires a coordinated effort amongst nations, international organisations, and civil society. By prioritising regional cooperation, sustainable resource management, renewable energy adoption, biodiversity conservation, climate action, waste management and education, the MENA region can make significant progress towards a more sustainable and prosperous future. These policy options offer a roadmap to address pressing environmental challenges whilst simultaneously advancing the broader agenda of sustainable development.

Integrated modeling of surface water and groundwater interactions in the Eastern Mitidja Plain, North Algeria: investigating the impact of human activities and climate change

ABSTRACT The study aims to investigate surface water (SW)–groundwater (GW) interactions in the Mitidja Plain (northern Algeria), taking into account the impacts of human activity and climate change emphasizing the alignment with Sustainable Development Goals, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Climate Action. The dynamic interactions between the El Hamiz River and the alluvial aquifer were studied using MODFLOW 6. A typical scenario analysis approach was employed, considering historical and projected climate conditions based on Coupled Model Intercomparison Project version 5 and Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 models, as well as current and projected GW abstraction rates. The findings reveal substantial changes in flow dynamics over time. In 1982, the aquifer refilled the river at a rate of 2.59 m3/s. In 2019, a new state was observed where the opposite occurred the river recharged the aquifer at a rate of 0.73 m3/s. This reduction in the flow rate can be attributed to over-pumping and declining recharge rates, and this pattern is anticipated to persist in the future. Furthermore, future forecasts indicate that GW overuse has a greater impact on GW dynamics compared to climate change. However, the adoption of saltwater desalination and enhanced irrigation methods could make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of GW resources, with an increase of up to approximately 14 m.

Importance of Eco-Entrepreneurship as a Tool for Climate Action and LowCarbon Transition in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Nigeria

Climate change poses socio-economic, legal and environmental vulnerabilities such as land degradation, biodiversity loss, loss of property and livelihood, increase poverty rate and a threat to public health. These impacts are said to only intensify with projected increase in population and global economic growth. Hence, global consensus advocate for decarbonisation and low carbon transition in all economic sectors as an effective mitigation strategy for climate change. In an attempt to lower carbon emissions, leading cooperation’s and organizations have focused on mitigation projects that regulate activities of cooperate actors and big CO2 emitters such as the oil and gas conglomerates. However, the United Nation Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) promotes a transformative bottom-up approach to address climate change via localism and citizen participation to educate and train eco-entrepreneurs or ecopreneurs who participate and engage in strategic entrepreneurship projects designed to actively decarbonize economies. These ecopreneurs generate home-grown sustainabilityfocused small and medium scale eco-enterprises (SMEEs), also called energy citizens, ecological citizens, energy communities and co-operatives that can develop sustainable business model innovations, nature-based services and solutions, sustainable business management strategies, technologies and green jobs needed to drive the low carbon transition in key CO2 -emitting economic sectors such as the energy, agriculture, transportation, waste management, food, tourism, building and architecture and fashion industries. This article examines the characteristics, nature and benefits of eco-entrepreneurship as a tool for advancing climate action and low carbon energy transition. Using Nigeria as a case study, a profile of the barriers slowing the growth of eco-entrepreneurship is identified within the PESTEL framework. Furthermore, drawing examples from the U.K. governance landscape and portfolio, recommendations on a transformative yet contextual strategy captured in the five transformative features (diversity, connectivity, polycentricity, redundancy and directionality) are made to interrogate and overcome entrepreneurial ecosystem barriers towards successfully supporting the rapid growth of eco-entrepreneurship.

Analysis of contemporary climate adaptation policies in Ireland and their application to the coastal zone

Global climate change presents a range of impacts on Ireland's economy and society with particular challenges facing coastal areas. The need to adapt to these risks is considered both urgent and essential and the policy framework has evolved to meet these challenges with the adoption of climate action legislation and a National Adaptation Framework (NAF) to facilitate the transition to a climate-resilient economy and society by 2050. This paper briefly reviews the European and Irish government policy context for sectoral climate adaptation before reviewing and classifying the sectoral policy measures introduced to reduce vulnerabilities to climate change impacts. While the analysis reveals that progress has been made by adopting climate action legislation and by developing a suite of climate action focussed plans, it also demonstrates that the policy measures included in the Sectoral Adaptation Plans to reduce climate change vulnerabilities are limited in number and lacking in effectiveness. Furthermore, their application to cross-cutting themes, exemplified by the coast, is inadequate to deal with the practical climate change issues. These findings indicate that Ireland is at a preliminary stage when assessed according to the EU adaptation preparedness scorecard.

AI for Climate Action: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Address Climate Change Challenges

This comprehensive article explores the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in addressing the global climate crisis, focusing on its applications in climate modeling, renewable energy optimization, and disaster response. Through an extensive literature review, case studies, and expert interviews, we examine how AI technologies are revolutionizing climate prediction accuracy, enhancing data processing capabilities, and enabling sophisticated climate scenario simulations. The article delves into AI's contributions to renewable energy forecasting, smart grid management, and energy storage optimization, highlighting its potential to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy systems. We also investigate AI-driven approaches to disaster response and resilience, including early warning systems, resource allocation during climate-related disasters, and post-disaster recovery planning. While acknowledging the significant advancements AI brings to climate action, this study also addresses the challenges and limitations, such as data quality issues, ethical considerations, and technical barriers. Looking ahead, we discuss emerging AI technologies, their integration with other solutions, and the policy implications for effective climate change mitigation and adaptation. This research underscores the critical role of AI in combating climate change, while emphasizing the need for responsible development and deployment of these technologies to ensure a sustainable and resilient future.

Hydrological cycle amplification imposes spatial patterns on the climate change response of ocean pH and carbonate chemistry

Abstract. ​​​​​​​Ocean CO2 uptake and acidification in response to human activities are driven primarily by the rise in atmospheric CO2 but are also modulated by climate change. Existing work suggests that this “climate effect” influences the uptake and storage of anthropogenic carbon and acidification via the global increase in ocean temperature, although some regional responses have been attributed to changes in circulation or biological activity. Here, we investigate spatial patterns in the climate effect on surface ocean acidification (and the closely related carbonate chemistry) in an Earth system model under a rapid CO2-increase scenario and identify a different driving process. We show that the amplification of the hydrological cycle, a robustly simulated feature of climate change, is largely responsible for the spatial patterns in this climate effect at the sea surface. This “hydrological effect” can be understood as a subset of the total climate effect, which includes warming, hydrological cycle amplification, circulation, and biological changes. We demonstrate that it acts through two primary mechanisms: (i) directly diluting or concentrating dissolved ions by adding or removing freshwater and (ii) altering the sea surface temperature, which influences the solubility of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and acidity of seawater. The hydrological effect opposes acidification in salinifying regions, most notably the subtropical Atlantic, and enhances acidification in freshening regions such as the western Pacific. Its single strongest effect is to dilute the negative ions that buffer the dissolution of CO2, quantified as alkalinity. The local changes in alkalinity, DIC, and pH linked to the pattern of hydrological cycle amplification are as strong as the (largely uniform) changes due to warming, explaining the weak increase in pH and DIC seen in the climate effect in the subtropical Atlantic Ocean.

Levelling up as green industrial policy

ABSTRACT The emergence of green industrial policy globally signals a growing awareness of climate action as central to policies that address regional economic disparities. In the UK, the newly elected Labour government’s economic vision of ‘securonomics’ corresponds with such an approach: positioning net zero as a key policy goal and the next terrain of ‘levelling up’ in the UK. Any green industrial policy in the UK will be place-based: with net zero both enabling and complicating how economic policy takes shape in regional and local contexts. This commentary highlights the key spaces in which net zero will take shape across the UK, with different communities experiencing processes of deindustrialisation or reindustrialisation as sectors decline and emerge. In advocating for a place-sensitive green industrial policy, it details how green jobs and skills will play a key role in any future just transition. With the regional geographies of net zero already taking shape, it highlights that climate action will be linked to patterns of emergence, change and decline that inscribe regional economies with new vulnerabilities, tensions and futures.

Child and Youth Friendly Justice for the Climate Crisis: Relying on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Abstract The climate crisis is a human rights crisis, and one of the worst affected groups is children and youth. This same group has been key to climate action in and outside of the courts. As well as engaging in numerous consultative fora such as cop, and in the introduction of a General Comment on the right of children to a healthy environment, they have gone on to become key litigators in climate cases/applications at both national and international level. These justice processes are, however, notoriously ill suited to the particular needs of children and youth. Child friendly justice is a concept which has been elaborated in recent years by the Council of Europe. Yet climate litigation is very different to the cases (e.g. in family law) in which children have traditionally been parties – amongst other things it can involve very public campaigns. This article considers child and youth friendly justice in the context of the climate crisis through the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and through the concepts of access, participation, interests, and judgments.

Applying Systems Thinking to Sustainable Beef Production Management: Modeling-Based Evidence for Enhancing Ecosystem Services

We used systems thinking (ST) to identify the critical components of beef cattle production through the lens of ecosystem services (ES), offering a holistic approach to address its adverse externalities. We identified eight critical feedback loops in beef production systems: (i) grazing and soil health, (ii) manure management and soil fertility, (iii) feed efficiency and meat production, (iv) water use and soil moisture, (v) cultural services and community engagement, (vi) energy use, (vii) carbon sequestration and climate regulation, and (viii) environmental impact. Our analysis reveals how these interconnected loops influence each other, demonstrating the complex nature of beef production systems. The dynamic hypothesis identified through the loops indicated that improved grazing and manure management practices enhance soil health, leading to better vegetation growth and cattle nutrition, which, in turn, have a positive impact on economic returns to producers and society, all of which encourage the continuation of interlinked beef and ecosystem stewardship practices. The management of beef production ES using ST might help cattle systems across the globe to contribute to 9 of the 17 different United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including the “zero hunger” and “climate action” goals. We discussed the evaluation framework for agrifood systems developed by the economics of ecosystems and biodiversity to illustrate how ST in beef cattle systems could be harnessed to simultaneously achieve the intended environmental, economic, social, and health impacts of beef cattle systems. Our analysis of the literature for modeling and empirical case studies indicates that ST can reveal hidden feedback loops and interactions overlooked by traditional practices, leading to more sustainable beef cattle production outcomes. ST offers a robust framework for enhancing ES in beef cattle production by recognizing the interconnectedness of ecological and agricultural systems, enabling policymakers and managers to develop more effective and sustainable strategies that ensure the long-term health and resilience of humans and ES.

Do attitudes toward air pollution influence climate change perception? Evidence from online customers in China

Abstract The perception of climate change as an abstract and distant concept hinders climate action. Previous studies suggest that individuals may conflate climate change and local air pollution due to misconceptions, as these environmental issues share similar emission sources and mitigation strategies. However, it remains uncertain whether leveraging the public's high perception of air pollution can lead to increased climate change awareness and supportive behaviors. In this study, we surveyed 1,236 Chinese online customers to explore the influence of air pollution perception on climate change perception and willingness to pay (WTP) for supporting climate actions. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) results revealed that higher air pollution perception, which is connected to an individual's living environment and health status, is significantly associated with higher climate change perception. Despite this link, higher climate change perception does not necessarily translate to higher WTP for climate actions. However, air pollution perception can indirectly increase WTP for climate actions by fostering avoidance behavior intentions. For practical implications, our findings suggest that an emphasis on the co-benefits of climate change mitigation efforts for improving air quality may help lead to greater policy support and understanding. Additionally, promoting individual behavioral changes requires connecting these issues to personal experiences and highlighting tangible benefits such as improved health and well-being.

The First Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement: Role, Functioning and Legal Implications

Abstract At the 2023 UN climate conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the outcome of the first global stocktake (GST) under Article 14 of the Paris Agreement was adopted. This result was hailed by some as a historical achievement, while others considered it a failure. This article explains (i) what the role of GST is; (ii) how it functions; (iii) what the GST outcome from Dubai contained and why it provided reasons (for some) to celebrate; and (iv) what its implications are for the processes under the Paris Agreement and for Parties’ climate change obligations. Importantly, the article sheds light on the role of the GST – which will take place every five years – in informing the increasing level of ambition of Parties’ climate action and support. Regularly conducting the GST is a means for providing an evidence-based, updated assessment of the collective progress of Parties and where they ought to be to achieve the Agreement’s goals. The outcome of the GST shall be taken into account by Parties, as a matter of legal obligation. If undertaken effectively, the GST can thus provide the basis for increasingly ambitious actions and for driving transformational action across all sectors.

Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health Among Vulnerable Groups: A Systematic Literature Review

Objective: This study aims to explore the impact of climate change on mental health among vulnerable groups, including low-income populations, Indigenous communities, children, women, and the elderly, to highlight their unique vulnerabilities and mental health outcomes. This aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), addressing the need for climate resilience and mental health equity. Theoretical Framework: The research is grounded in social vulnerability theory, emphasizing how structural inequalities exacerbate the impact of climate change on mental health. The framework integrates psychological theories of eco-anxiety and solastalgia, which explain the mental distress caused by environmental changes. Method: A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology. This involved a comprehensive search of academic databases, screening studies, and qualitatively synthesizing data from 35 peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2023. Results and Discussion: Findings reveal that climate change exacerbates mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD among vulnerable groups due to their limited adaptive capacity and exposure to climate-related hazards. Vulnerable communities, including Indigenous groups and low-income populations, experience heightened psychological impacts such as eco-anxiety and solastalgia. The results underscore the importance of integrating mental health considerations into climate adaptation policies and developing targeted interventions to enhance resilience among these populations. This study also supports global efforts toward achieving SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Research Implication: The study suggests the need for comprehensive and equitable mental health strategies that prioritize vulnerable groups in climate change adaptation planning. Policymakers must consider social equity and community-based approaches to mitigate the mental health impacts of climate change. Originality/Value: This review uniquely addresses the intersection of climate change and mental health within marginalized populations, emphasizing the need for mental health integration in climate adaptation frameworks. The study highlights the underexplored psychological dimensions of climate change, providing valuable insights for developing inclusive and sustainable adaptation strategies. sustainability

Integrating Livestock with Crops and Forestry for Sustainability

Global per capita consumption of animal protein is set to rise, particularly in developing economies, leading to a dramatic increase in meat consumption from 133 million tons in 1980 to 452 million tons by 2050. Notably, 86% of this increase, or 279 million tons, is expected to occur in developing countries. The expansion of animal-based agricultural systems, which cover 45% of the Earth's land area, presents significant challenges. These systems contribute substantially to agricultural emissions, including greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4), and account for 8% of global water usage. The livestock sector is largely comprised of resource-constrained smallholders in developing nations. Environmental impacts arise from the lack of integration with other agricultural and forestry practices, disrupting the natural cycles of carbon, water, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. This disruption leads to increased emissions of N2O and CH4, water contamination, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. To address these challenges and support the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to poverty reduction (SDG #1), hunger alleviation (SDG #2), clean water and sanitation (SDG #6), and climate action (SDG #13), it is essential to integrate livestock with crop and tree farming. Strategies to improve sustainability include incorporating pastures into crop rotations, using controlled grazing techniques, practicing agro-forestry such as alley cropping, and implementing systems like ley farming. Additional measures include precision feeding and protein matching to reduce enteric fermentation, repurposing emissions of CH4 and N2O, and effective manure management. Addressing greenhouse gas emissions through diverse approaches, reducing product wastage, minimizing antibiotic use, and restoring rangelands to enhance soil carbon storage are also critical for achieving sustainable livestock practices.

Navigating the Nexus of Artificial Intelligence and Renewable Energy for the Advancement of Sustainable Development Goals

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into renewable energy and sustainability represents a transformative approach toward achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). This study utilized the PRISMA framework to conduct a systematic review, focusing on the role of AI in renewable energy and sustainable development. This research utilized Scopus’s curated AI research area, which employs text mining to refine AI concepts into unique keywords. Further refinement via the All Science Journals Classification system and SDG-mapping filters narrowed the focus to publications relevant to renewable energy and SDGs. By employing the BERTopic modeling approach, our study identifies major topics, such as enhancing wind speed forecasts, performance analysis of fuel cells, energy management in elective vehicles, solar irradiance prediction, optimizing biofuel production, and improving energy efficiency in buildings. AI-driven models offer promising solutions to address the dynamic challenges of sustainable energy. Insights from academia-industry collaborations indicate that such partnerships significantly accelerate sustainable-energy transitions, with a focus on AI-driven energy storage, grid management, and renewable-energy forecasting. A global consensus on the critical role of investing in technology-driven solutions for energy sustainability was underscored by the relationship between funding data and global R&D spending patterns. This study serves as a resource for practitioners to harness AI technologies for renewable energy, where for example, AI’s accurate wind speed predictions can increase wind farm efficiency, highlighting the necessity of innovation and collaboration for sustainable development.

Harnessing the Link between Climate Change and Traditional Food Preservation Methods: Implications for Global Food Security and Public Health

Climate change is a global issue, which impacts the different geographical zones in different levels. It is also linked to numerous human health issues, which are a concern to human health. The impact of climate change on traditional methods of food preservation in Nigeria and the consequences for food security and health are examined in this research. Information from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) show that average temperatures are increasing and rainfall is decreasing, which are effects of climate change that affect agriculture, water resources, and traditional food preservation methods that are detrimental to public health.Traditional food preservation methods are critical for understanding the link between climate change and food security.This paper uses a case study of Nigeria to examine the effects of climate change on traditional food preservation practices and public health. The research focuses on the shifts in the conventional preservation techniques, the impact of these shifts on nutrition, and policy interventions for enhancing sustainable preservation of food. Climate change indicators such as temperature and rainfall were used as surrogates for climate change, food insecurity such as undernourishment rates were used for food security and nutritional health outcomes such as child stunting and micronutrient malnutrition. The study shows that climate change has a negative effect on food security since it reduces crop yields and enhances post-harvest losses. Sun-drying and smoking are the common preservation techniques that are now less efficient because of high humidity and unpredictable weather. As such, people are experiencing increased incidences of food wastage, nutritional imbalance, and food borne diseases especially with those people in rural regions. Furthermore, the study confirms the relationship between climate change and food insecurity, which has a negative impact on the health of pregnant women and children, especially under five years, and high under-five mortality despite a decrease in child mortality in the last decade.The results provide important regional information relevant to the entire Sub-Saharan Africa and useful to the international community in matters of climate change, food security and health. This study calls for the use of innovation that combines the conventional and contemporary methods of food preservation in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change on food security systems. Furthermore, it underlines the need for the policy interventions that may prevent food borne illness and other diseases. These insights are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) 2, 3, and 13, namely; Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, and Climate Action, respectively.This research addresses a significant gap in the literature by linking climate change effects with food preservation practices and offering recommendations for improving food system vulnerability to climate change. It provides a clear picture of the prospects and constraints of mitigating climate change impacts on food insecurity and enhancing food security and health in the world.