Climate Considerations Research Articles

Reimagining urban waste management: Addressing social, climate, and resource challenges in modern cities

Governments worldwide are seeking better solutions for solid waste management. Thermal treatment projects are presented as quick fixes for rising waste challenges, without addressing the limitations of incineration. Currently, there is a rise in proposals for thermal treatment technologies in developing countries. Scrutiny of the risks and impacts of these alternatives is necessary due to social, climate, and resource considerations. Energy from waste incineration is considered fossil energy since about half of the CO2 emissions come from fossil polymers in the waste. From a sustainability perspective, landfilling is a short-term option for materials currently unsuitable for recycling. Landfills act as bioreactors, producing valuable biogas, and serve as “resource banks,” storing unrecyclable resources until better recycling techniques are developed. In developing countries manual labor is abundant and material sorting and landfilling are more valuable and have a lower climate and resource footprint. This paper offers a novel, integrated perspective of waste management in view of poverty reduction, climate change and resource conservation.

Enhancing Portfolio Decarbonization Through SensitivityVaR and Distorted Stochastic Dominance

Recent trends in portfolio management emphasize the importance of reducing carbon footprints and aligning investments with sustainable practices. This paper introduces SensitivityVaR (SensitivityVaR), an advanced distortion risk measure that combines Value-at-Risk (VaR) and Expected Shortfall (ES) with the Cornish–Fisher expansion. SensitivityVaR provides a more robust framework for managing risk, particularly under extreme market conditions. By incorporating first- and second-order distorted stochastic dominance criteria, we enhance portfolio decarbonization strategies, aligning financial objectives with environmental targets such as the Paris Agreement’s goal of a 7% annual reduction in carbon intensity from 2019 to 2050. Our empirical analysis evaluates the impact of integrating carbon intensity data—including Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions—on portfolio optimization, focusing on key sectors like technology, energy, and consumer goods. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of SensitivityVaR in managing both risk and environmental impact. The methodology led to significant reductions in carbon intensity across different portfolio configurations, while preserving competitive risk-adjusted returns. By optimizing tail risks and limiting exposure to carbon-intensive assets, this approach produced more balanced and efficient portfolios that aligned with both financial and sustainability goals. These findings offer valuable insights for institutional investors and asset managers aiming to integrate climate considerations into their investment strategies without compromising financial performance.

What tools are available to assess climate and environmental health impacts on perinatal families with an equity lens? A rapid review of the Canadian context

ObjectivesThis rapid review is designed to identify existing tools in the Canadian literature that assess the impacts of climate change on the health of perinatal families, particularly those who are equity-denied. Addressing the needs of equity-denied perinatal populations in the face of climate change is crucial to promoting equitable and inclusive perinatal care in Canada.MethodsRapid review methodology was selected to provide evidence in a timely and cost-effective manner. PubMed/MEDLINE and gray literature (Google and Google Scholar) were searched for English and French papers published from 2013 onward. The original research question, focused on climate change and health, yielded very few relevant results. Therefore, the search was broadened to include environmental health. Garrity et al.’s (J Clin Epidemiol 130:13–22, 2021) nine-stage process was used to identify 11 relevant papers, extract the relevant data, and complete the narrative synthesis.Synthesis.This review revealed a significant lack of tools for comprehensively assessing climate-health impacts on perinatal families and equity-denied perinatal families. While Canadian perinatal health screenings focus on equity via indicators of several social determinants of health (e.g., income, social support), they largely omit climate considerations. Environmental health factors are more commonly included but remain minimal.ConclusionClimate-health screening tools are lacking yet needed in routine perinatal healthcare. Given the seriousness of climate change, urgent engagement of health systems and healthcare workers is essential to help mitigate and adapt to climate-health challenges, particularly for perinatal families experiencing health inequities.

Mapping the integration of climate considerations in social protection in LMICs: An assessment of ninety-eight climate-relevant social protection programs

Social protection can be an important policy tool to manage the socioeconomic impacts of climate change and climate risk, including poverty and inequality. Despite growing interest from policy makers and academics, a systematic effort document capture and analyze the current integration of climate considerations in social protection programs does not yet exist. This understanding is crucial for designing climate-relevant policies and programs that help more effectively manage climate change impacts.Our research systematically maps for the first time the integration of climate considerations in social protection programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Using a mixed-methods approach, we identify 98 climate-relevant social protection programs and collect data on over 70 variables related to their scope and climate relevance at policy, design, and implementation level. We seek to answer the question: to what extent and how are social protection programs in LMICs climate-relevant? for further research.Our findings reveal a significant number of long-standing climate-relevant social protection programs that reach large populations and involve substantial financial investments globally. At policy level, these programs often lack climate considerations, and a minority are primarily climate-focused by design. At the implementation level, most programs show climate-relevant actions or results, typically centered on shock response, though our findings suggest they have the potential to address broader climate functions. Overall, our results empirically substantiate long-held assumptions about climate-relevant social protection and highlight areas for further research. We also make the database openly available and encourage its use by policymakers and practitioners.

Evaluating land use and climate change impacts on Ravi river flows using GIS and hydrological modeling approach

The study investigates the interplay of land use dynamics and climate change on the hydrological regime of the Ravi River using a comprehensive approach integrating Geographic Information System (GIS), remote sensing, and hydrological modeling at the catchment scale. Employing the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, simulations were conducted to evaluate the hydrological response of the Ravi River to both current conditions and projected future scenarios of land use and climate change. This study differs from previous ones by simulating future land use and climate scenarios, offering a solid framework for understanding their impact on river flow dynamics. Model calibration and validation were performed for distinct periods (1999–2002 and 2003–2005), yielding satisfactory performance indicators (NSE, R2, PBIAS = 0.85, 0.83, and 10.01 in calibration and 0.87, 0.89, and 7.2 in validation). Through supervised classification techniques on Landsat imagery and TerrSet modeling, current and future land use maps were generated, revealing a notable increase in built-up areas from 1990 to 2020 and projections indicating further expansion by 31.7% from 2020 to 2100. Climate change projections under different socioeconomic pathways (SSP2 and SSP5) were derived for precipitation and temperature, with statistical downscaling applied using the CMhyd model. Results suggest substantial increases in precipitation (10.9 − 14.9%) and temperature (12.2 − 15.9%) across the SSP scenarios by the end of the century. Two scenarios, considering future climate conditions with current and future land use patterns, were analyzed to understand their combined impact on hydrological responses. In both scenarios, inflows to the Ravi River are projected to rise significantly (19.4 − 28.4%) from 2016 to 2100, indicating a considerable alteration in seasonal flow patterns. Additionally, historical data indicate a concerning trend of annual groundwater depth decline (0.8 m/year) from 1996 to 2020, attributed to land use and climate changes. The findings underscore the urgency for planners and managers to incorporate climate and land cover considerations into their strategies, given the potential implications for water resource management and environmental sustainability.

Climate-conscious pharmacy practice: An exploratory study of community pharmacists in Ontario.

Climate change remains a significant challenge to global health. The health care system is a major contributor of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While pharmacists are aware of climate change as an important societal issue, there is little known about the level of implementation of climate-conscious practices in community pharmacies throughout Ontario. An interview-based system was developed to gather insights from pharmacists regarding their perspectives on climate change and identify strategies to involve them in sustainable practices. Convenience and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit pharmacists. Interviews were conducted by phone or Zoom, and transcripts were developed and analyzed for common themes using a qualitative method. Twenty-four community pharmacists were interviewed. Three overarching themes emerged: 1) there is a knowledge and awareness gap in the pharmacy profession; 2) before pharmacists can prioritize sustainable practices, they must first address more immediate concerns in the pharmacy; 3) sustainable practice integration requires employment and regulatory changes as relying solely or extensively on the good intentions of frontline pharmacists is insufficient. While pharmacists show concern about the environmental impacts of their work, sustainable practice integration is very limited in community pharmacies across Ontario. There are many challenges and barriers to address. This includes closing the knowledge and awareness gap by incorporating climate-related topics into pharmacy curricula and providing educational seminars and resources for practicing pharmacists. In addition, improving workflow, changing standard operating procedures at a corporate level and providing incentives for implementing eco-friendly practices are crucial steps to address time and financial limitations. To manage patient safety concerns, providing resources that consider climate considerations as a secondary objective, when clinically appropriate for the patient, is the right approach to engage pharmacists. Lastly, advocating for employment and regulatory changes will be necessary for large-scale, durable changes to pharmacy practice.

Diversity, Features, and Challenges of Managing Urban Protected Areas, the Case of Croatia

ABSTRACT Management strategies in protected areas are often based on experiences from large, remote sites, raising questions about their suitability for urban protected areas (UPAs). This paper compares management practices and impacts in non-urban protected areas (PAs) and urban protected areas. Focusing on twelve Croatian UPAs, the study explores challenges, activities, and resilience levels. Through field observations and interviews, it was found that UPA management is influenced by usage intensity, often requiring daily involvement of utility companies. UPAs face unique pressures due to frequent use, leading to longer recovery times compared to non-urban PAs. Moreover, the less natural the area, the greater its resistance to environmental pressures. While UPAs have distinctive challenges, effective management strategies that incorporate natural and cultural heritage, community engagement, and climate considerations can greatly improve their sustainability and public benefit.

Understanding Climate Variability and Malaria Transmission in West Africa: Case Studies, Regional Insights, and Future Directions

Climate variability plays a crucial role in malaria transmission in West Africa. Variable temperature, rainfall, and humidity patterns in diverse climatic zones, such as tropical rainforests and semi-arid regions, significantly influence mosquito breeding sites and transmission rates. Tropical rainforests experience high transmission rates due to consistent rainfall and humidity, while savanna regions experience seasonal peaks. Semi-arid regions with limited rainfall and extreme temperatures show lower but variable transmission rates. Temperature fluctuations affect the development and survival of Anopheles mosquitoes and malaria parasites. Rising temperatures can extend transmission seasons and spread the disease to unaffected areas. Rainfall patterns affect breeding site availability, with heavy rains increasing breeding sites and droughts reducing mosquito populations. Humidity influences mosquito survival and parasite development. Extreme weather events, such as cyclones and floods, exacerbate malaria transmission by increasing breeding sites and damaging infrastructure. Socioeconomic factors, including urbanization, land use changes, and economic instability, also interact with climate variability to impact malaria dynamics. The review highlights the need for integrated malaria control strategies that incorporate climate considerations, including enhanced surveillance, climate-resilient infrastructure, and community engagement. Future research should address knowledge gaps regarding the interaction between climate variables and malaria transmission, and the socioeconomic impacts of climate change on malaria dynamics. By tailoring control strategies to specific climatic and socio-economic contexts, stakeholders can better manage malaria risks and improve health outcomes across West Africa. Keywords: Climate, Variability, Malaria, Transmission, West Africa, Case Studies.

Frictional power loss in journal bearing considering parabolic shape for the bearing edges under misalignment

In recent years, there has been a rising demand for minimizing any power loss in industrial applications due to the direct relation to economic as well as climate considerations. This work investigates the parameters that affect the frictional power loss in journal bearings as they are widely used in such applications. The frictional power loss is calculated considering misalignment conditions in the vertical and horizontal planes with the use of a modified bearing shape. Wide ranges of misalignment and bearing shape parameters are considered in the numerical investigation to study the combined effects of misalignment and bearing shape. It has been found that the misalignment significantly increases the frictional power loss at high operating speed levels. The use of a modified bush shape can play an important role in reducing the frictional power loss as well as, it added further advantages in elevating the lubricant film thickness and reducing the pressure levels. Results show that using a modified bearing shape despite the presence of severe misalignment levels reduces the maximum pressure from 20.30 to 17.94 MPa, increasing the minimum film thickness from 2.66 to 8.21 [Formula: see text] and reducing the fictional power loss from 1179.74 to 1094.41 W.

Israel’s landscapes of Brutalism

ABSTRACT This paper examines the adoption of brutalism in the work of Israeli landscape architects. Since the 1960s, Brutalism made its way from Europe to Israel by leading architects at the time. In parallel, landscape architects also considered Brutalism appropriate to the young state, and the use of concrete as a cheap and readily available construction material. They demonstrated creativity by constructing plazas, outdoor housing complexes, playgrounds and parks, essentially laying a cement carpet across the landscape. The absence of a well-established local outdoor material tradition, coupled with climatic and maintenance considerations, encouraged the burgeoning prominence of outdoor Brutalism in Israel.

Rising Temperatures, Wavering Human Towers? Temperature Trends and Thermal Comfort during Castells Exhibitions in Catalonia (1951–2023). Case Studies in Valls (24 June), La Bisbal del Penedès (15 August), Tarragona (19 August), and Vilafranca del Penedès (30 August)

This study analyzes temperature trends and thermal comfort during the key hours (i.e., from noon to 3:00 p.m.) of human tower (castells) performances in four significant festivities involving this outdoor exhibition (diada castellera) in Catalonia. Human towers were recognized by UNESCO in 2010 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The selected exhibitions were Sant Joan in Valls on 24 June; Festa Major de La Bisbal del Penedès on 15 August; Sant Magí in Tarragona on 19 August; and Sant Fèlix in Vilafranca del Penedès on 30 August. Temperature and relative humidity data were downloaded from the Copernicus Climate Change Service’s ERA5-Land and ERA5 pressure level datasets, respectively, with reanalysis from 1951 to 2023. The results revealed a clear upward trend in temperatures over the last several decades in these four places and for the respective dates, from +0.3 °C per decade in La Bisbal del Penedès to +0.42 °C per decade in Valls. Most of the positive temperature anomalies were concentrated in the last 25 years. The calculation of the Heat Index revealed a higher occurrence of years with possible fatigue due to prolonged exposure and/or physical activity in the three inland locations (i.e., Valls, La Bisbal del Penedès, and Vilafranca del Penedès) and a greater frequency of years with possible heat stroke, heat cramps, and/or heat exhaustion in Tarragona, which is near the Mediterranean Sea. This warming trend and increased discomfort pose potential health risks for participants and suggests a need for adaptive measures. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating climate considerations into human tower planning.

Comparison of Climate Impact, Clinical Outcome, and Cost-Efficiency of Pediatric Transumbilical Laparoscopic Assisted Appendectomy vs Standard 3-Port Laparoscopic Appendectomy.

Healthcare is responsible for 8.5% of US greenhouse gas emissions. These impacts must be mitigated while maintaining clinical excellence. This study compares clinical outcomes, cost-efficiency, and climate impact of trans-umbilical laparoscopic assisted appendectomy (TULAA) versus 3-port laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Appendectomies performed between Jan 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022 at a tertiary children's hospital were reviewed. Data abstracted included clinical characteristics, operative approach and findings, supplies and equipment utilized, and complications. For analysis TULAA was combined with cases converted to LA (TULAA+C). To determine a surgical site infection (SSI) increase of ≤ 2.5%, a minimum sample size of 479 patients per group was needed to achieve a power of 80%. A composite supply list for each approach was determined by averaging supplies from cases reviewed. The composite was used to calculate cost-efficiency and climate impact. Life cycle assessment was used to determine the carbon footprint (according to ISO 14067) of supplies and equipment. Analysis was performed on 1,611 appendectomies: 497 LA and 1,114 TULAA+C (932 TULAA, 182 converted). Except for BMI, there were no clinically significant differences between groups. SSI did not increase with TULAA+C (n=15, 1.3%) versus LA (n=6, 1.2%), p=0.81. TULAA+C ($369.21/case) was more cost efficient than LA ($879.30/case) and TULAA+C (24.8 kg CO2e) produced fewer emissions than LA (27.4 kg CO2e). While patient safety and excellent clinical outcomes must remain the top priority in healthcare, the current environmental crisis demands consideration of climate impacts. When clinical non-inferiority can be demonstrated, treatment options with a fewer greenhouse gas emissions should be chosen.

Quantifying weather-induced unreliable public transportation service in cold regions under future climate model scenarios

Climate change, particularly in cold regions, significantly challenges public transportation systems. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of weather patterns and public transit reliability in the context of climate change impacts. Leveraging advanced modeling techniques, including a ridge regression model for snow water equivalent data estimation and a long short-term memory (LSTM) based on recurrent neural network, the study aims to assess the reliability trends of the rapid transit system under various climate scenarios. The findings reveal that climate change in general increases weather-related delays in the Toronto transit system. The number of short delays decreased accordingly due to changes in winter temperatures but exacerbated long delays as the number of weather extremes increased. The LSTM model performed effectively in predicting delays, especially for the rapid transit system sensitive to weather variations. This study emphasizes the need for robust planning and interventions to increase the resilience of transit systems against climate change and highlights the importance of the integration of climate and extreme weather considerations into transportation management.

Risk and Systems Analysis for Renewable Power Generation with Environmental and Other Stressors

AbstractThe effects of climate change and water scarcity threaten the stability of critical infrastructure systems in developing regions. In particular, the interconnectedness of energy systems, natural resources, economic growth, and social welfare requires a systems‐level framework to identify scenarios which most impact these systems. This paper evaluates and quantifies infrastructure system risk, defined as the influence of scenarios on system priorities. A scenario‐based multi‐criteria preferences model assesses system component priorities for a baseline scenario as well as climate and related scenarios. The shift in priorities between the baseline and other future scenarios define scenario disruptiveness, or level of risk. The methods are demonstrated for the case of the emerging renewable energy sector of Iraq. Twenty‐five renewable energy system assets are prioritized by an assessment of system success criteria, which include economic, social, political, and climate considerations. The system prioritization is reevaluated in the case of seven disruptive scenarios relating to water scarcity, climate volatility, and social and economic shifts. This paper advances methods of the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge (SEBoK) Part 3: Engineering and Management, by defining system risk and proposing methods for risk identification and risk analysis.

An Overview of Seed Production Methodologies in Selected Flowering Annuals

This review provides a comprehensive overview of flower seed production, emphasizing the significance of the floriculture industry. Flower crops, especially annuals, contribute significantly to the beautification of surroundings and have become a lucrative agricultural business globally. The demand for quality flower seeds has led to the establishment of production facilities, particularly in India, catering to both domestic and international markets. The climatic requirements for seed production vary across different flower crops, with considerations for mild, sub-tropical, and tropical climates. The review delves into the nature of pollination for various flower crops, emphasizing the need for isolation to prevent contamination. F1 hybrid seed production is discussed, highlighting its merits and demerits, along with techniques for creating cross-hybrid seeds. The agronomic principles involved in hybrid seed production, including variety selection, seed pre-conditioning, planting time, sowing methods, and density, are detailed. The role of plant growth regulators, irrigation, and nutrition in optimizing seed yields is explored. Harvesting methods and the critical importance of proper timing are addressed, along with insights into seed storage conditions. The review concludes by emphasizing the multifaceted aspects of flower seed production, from climatic considerations to agronomic practices, pollination, and post-harvest processes. The knowledge presented serves as a valuable resource for practitioners and researchers in the floriculture and seed production sectors.

Nature-based climate shelters? Exploring urban green spaces as cooling solutions for older adults in a warming city

As cities grapple with the escalating challenges of urban heat and its impacts on vulnerable populations, particularly older adults, green spaces are increasingly promoted as effective urban cooling solutions. However, despite the extensive literature on people’s access to and preferences for urban green spaces, little is known about the perception and use of these spaces as nature-based climate shelters on hot days, especially by older adults. This study focuses on Barcelona, a Mediterranean city facing rising temperatures, to explore older adults' patterns of use and preferences for urban green spaces on hot days. The research aims to: 1) analyze heat coping behaviors, emphasizing visits to urban green spaces; 2) identify crucial characteristics of green spaces for older adults; and 3) assess variations in behaviors and preferences based on socio-demographic factors. The study leverages survey data from 291 older adult residents, combining face-to-face and online formats. Results indicate that 54 % of older adults use urban green spaces for cooling on hot days, with preferences for morning or evening visits. Factors influencing non-visitation include perceived lack of thermal comfort, noisiness or crowdedness, and proximity issues. Alternative heat coping strategies include staying at home, traveling to cooler areas outside the city, visiting blue spaces, or air-conditioned indoor facilities. Preferred green space characteristics include abundant shade, leafy vegetation, accessibility factors (e.g., walkability), urban furniture (e.g., benches), and water features. Socio-demographic differences reveal higher green space use among younger age groups and residents in certain districts. Mobility limitations and lower education levels influence preferences, with mobility-challenged individuals prioritizing accessibility aspects. Lower-educated respondents are more likely to report barriers to accessing green spaces. These findings highlight the need for tailored urban planning strategies, considering sociodemographic variations, to mitigate heat-related health risks for older adults. By prioritizing green space accessibility, enhancing its quality, promoting its cooling benefits, addressing cooling inequalities and integrating climate considerations in urban green planning, cities facing increasingly pressing heat challenges can create climate-resilient and inclusive green environments that prioritize the well-being of their aging populations.

Measurement-based carbon intensity of US offshore oil and gas production

The United States (US) produces oil and gas from six offshore regions: the North Slope of Alaska, Cook Inlet in Alaska, offshore California, and three Gulf of Mexico (GOM) sub-regions: state shallow, federal shallow, and deep waters. Measurement-based assessment of direct greenhouse gas emissions from this production can provide real-world information on carbon emissions to inform decisions on current and future production. In evaluating the climate impact of production, the carbon intensity (CI, the ratio of greenhouse gases emitted compared to the energy of fuels produced) is often used, though it is rarely quantified with measurements. Here, we complete an observational evaluation of the US offshore sector and present the largest current set of measurement-based CIs. We collected airborne measurements of methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides from the North Slope, Cook Inlet, and California and combined with prior GOM results. For Alaska and California, we found emissions agree with facility-level inventories, however, the inventories miss some facilities. The US offshore CI, on a 100 year GWP basis, is 5.7 g CO2e/MJ[4.5, 6.8, 95% confidence interval]. This is greater than double the CI based on the national US inventory, with the discrepancy attributed primarily to methane emissions from GOM shallow waters, with a methane dominated CI of 16[12, 22] for GOM federal shallow waters and 43[25–65] for state shallow waters. Regional intensities vary, with carbon dioxide emissions largely responsible for CI on the North Slope 11[7.5, 15], in Cook Inlet 22[13, 34], offshore California 7.2[3.2, 13], and in GOM deep waters 1.1[1.0, 1.1]. These observations indicate offshore operations outside of the GOM in the US have modest methane emissions, but the CI can still be elevated due to direct carbon dioxide emissions. Accurate assessment of different offshore basins, with differing characteristics and practices, is important for the climate considerations of expanded production.

Central Asia's desertification challenge: Recent trends and drives explored with google earth engine

Achieving land degradation neutrality (LDN) is considered critical to achieving sustainable development goals. However, further research and an improved large-scale desertification assessment framework are needed. We constructed a comprehensive land desertification status index (LDSI) to assess desertification and its driving mechanisms in Central Asia from 2001 to 2020. Our spatial distance models and principal component analysis were verified by combined field data. The results indicate that desertification levels in Central Asia fluctuated, decreasing from south to north and increasing from west to east. The extent of increased desertification (45.75%) and recovery (45.65%) were nearly equivalent. According to optimal parameters-based geographical detectors, climate factors are the main contributors to desertification, the most significant being reference evapotranspiration. We also found regional differences in the driving mechanisms of desertification. Based on Theil–Sen, Mann–Kendall, and Hurst tests, future desertification intensification of 9.69% is possible, with hotspots mainly in northwestern Central Asia, while 9.73% restoration may occur in other areas. The findings have relevance for achieving LDN. Policymakers should monitor the impact of global climate change and develop recovery measures based on comprehensive consideration of local climate, soil, and terrain conditions.

Climate issues in portfolio investment decisions: a comparison of Private equity and venture capital

ABSTRACT Private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) firms increasingly consider climate issues in their portfolio investment decisions. However, what are the underlying motives and which exact consideration strategies are employed? Based on the responses of 479 VC and 215 PE fund managers from two large surveys carried out in 2021, four motives emerge: ethical responsibility, responding to external stakeholders, product differentiation, and portfolio performance. Responding to external stakeholders and portfolio performance motives matter more to PE firms, while the product differentiation motive is more important for VC firms. No difference is found with respect to ethical responsibility as a motive. Regarding climate consideration strategies, screening strategies (positive and negative) are the most popular. Differences between VC and PE firms exist, and the motives to consider climate issues have an impact on the strategies employed. The implications for policymakers and the entrepreneurial finance sector are discussed.

Sustainability outcomes and policy implications: Evaluating China's "old urban neighborhood renewal" experiment.

Globally, old urban neighborhood transformation has become a new urban sustainability focus for its significant contribution to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal 11. A regeneration-oriented approach is particularly important for Chinese cities with a dwindling land supply, obsoleting infrastructure, and inadequate standard of living. Using a mixed-methods approach informed by BREEAM Communities, we examined two Chinese initiatives-old urban neighborhood renewal (OUNR) and sponge city development (SCD)-through a comprehensive study of pilot project sustainability, policy emphases and gaps, and broader governance implications. We found that SCD's top-down technocratic management was highly efficient in enhancing neighborhood hydrological functions and physical environment. However, successes were undermined by the lack of climate considerations and civic participation. Besides actionable recommendations for applied scholarship and policymaking in China, we provide insight into how the OUNR/SCD initiatives may broadly inform worldwide urban regeneration practices through project and policy experimentations that build adaptive capacity.