Research in the sustainability sciences often emphasizes values and value change as important drivers of sustainability transformations. Drawing from conceptualizations of values developed in environmental psychology and the environmental social sciences, this study offers a survey-based examination of values among stakeholders involved in or close to policymaking processes. The empirical context is the Dutch agri-food system – a hotspot of biodiversity loss, water pollution, greenhouse-gas emissions, and challenges to human and animal health. Based on a survey fielded among stakeholders, including public institutions, researchers, consultancy firms, agribusinesses, and others (n = 174), we investigated the prevalence of environmental and food-system values. Moreover, we asked how food-system values are related to stakeholders’ views on transformative change. Our analysis yields three insights. First, biospheric and altruistic values, often considered in the literature as backbones of a socially and environmentally sustainable food system, were quite strongly endorsed among the surveyed stakeholders. By contrast, egoistic values, which revolve around the cost-benefit calculus of different courses of action irrespective of their environmental or social consequences, received comparatively less endorsement. Second, stakeholders expressed strong agreement with food-system values emphasizing health and community aspects, food and nutrition as a global public good, and ecological and animal-free agriculture, but were less favorable toward values emphasizing technology and markets. Finally, using regression analysis, we show that stakeholders’ food-system values help explain the degree to which they perceive a need for change, and the extent to which they support public policies to make the agri-food system more sustainable.

Accounting for wave-induced environmental uncertainty in CO₂ emission predictions for maritime operations.

Purpose This study aims to develop a sustainable renewable energy strategy for Nakhon Ratchasima (KORAT), Thailand, in response to growing energy demands driven by rapid population growth and industrialisation. The research explores the optimal mix of renewable energy sources to maximise energy efficiency and sustainability in the region. Design/methodology/approach The hybrid optimisation of multiple energy resources (HOMER) Software was employed to simulate a microgrid system tailored for KORAT. The model integrated local demand profiles and climatic data to evaluate the performance and cost-effectiveness of various renewable energy technologies, including solar, hydropower, wind and energy storage systems. Findings Simulation results indicated that solar power systems are the most effective and cost-efficient renewable option for the region, closely followed by hydropower systems. Wind power demonstrated lower performance and economic viability due to local wind speeds falling below the cut-in speed of the selected turbines. Similarly, battery storage did not significantly enhance the renewable energy fraction due to limited surplus energy, indicating lower cost-effectiveness. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to a single province – Nakhon Ratchasima – which may not fully represent the diverse geographic and climatic conditions across Thailand. Despite these limitations, the findings offer a replicable framework for regional energy planning and highlight the importance of site-specific data in designing cost-effective hybrid renewable systems for Thailand and similar developing regions. Practical implications This study provides a practical framework for designing region-specific hybrid renewable energy systems using real-world data and HOMER software. The findings support policymakers, utility providers and investors in making informed decisions about energy planning in Thailand. Social implications The transition to hybrid renewable energy systems in Thailand, as demonstrated in this study, can significantly improve energy access, affordability and reliability for local communities. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels helps lower greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, contributing to better public health outcomes. Originality/value This study presents the first HOMER-based microgrid simulation specifically focused on KORAT, providing a replicable framework for integrating renewable energy in similar regions across Thailand. It contributes valuable insights for policymakers and energy planners aiming to advance renewable energy adoption through evidence-based system design.

Recovering nutrients as valuable products from wastewater can alleviate environmental issues, including algal bloom formation and greenhouse gas emissions from chemical manufacturing, while creating a circular nutrient economy. However, integrating nutrient recovery into treatment trains requires long-term stability of recovery-focused technologies. Electrochemical stripping (ECS) shows potential for ammonia recovery across diverse wastewaters but is hindered by cation exchange membrane (CEM) fouling due to accumulation of wastewater constituents. This study examined the distribution and speciation of dominant foulants on CEMs during ECS in different wastewaters using advanced X-ray imaging and spectroscopy. Micro-X-ray fluorescence showed substantial deposition of Ca on CEMs, while Ca-K-edge spectroscopy indicated the presence of calcium carbonate polymorphs, calcium phosphates, and calcium organics. Building on these insights, we evaluated the efficacy of complexing agents (citric acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [EDTA]) and antiscalants (acrylate- and phosphonate-based) in preventing fouling. Aqueous measurements showed that EDTA and an acrylate-based antiscalant inhibited Ca precipitation without compromising ammonia recovery. Ex situ μ-XRF and μ-XANES quantified the spatial distribution and chemical forms of residual foulants, demonstrating effective mitigation by selected additives. These results provide mechanistic insight into inorganic fouling on CEMs and demonstrate that targeted additives can mitigate scaling, enhancing ECS stability for sustainable nutrient recovery.

To assess changes in greenhouse gas emission rates associated with the use of anaesthetic gases (desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane) in Australian health care during 2002-2022, overall and by state or territory and hospital type. Retrospective descriptive analysis of IQVIA anaesthetic gases purchasing data. All Australian public and private hospitals, 1 January 2002 - 31 December 2022. Absolute carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions and CO2e emissions rate per 100 000 population by gas and year, overall and by state/territory and hospital type (public or private). The overall emissions rate increased from 74 t CO2e per 100 000 population in 2002 to 328 t CO2e per 100 000 population in 2012, most rapidly during 2002-2004 (annual percentage change [APC], 51%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 38-62%). The rate then declined to 83 t CO2e per 100 000 population in 2022, most rapidly during 2017-2022 (APC, -21%; 95% CI, -23% to -20%). Patterns of emissions rate change were similar for all states and territories. More units of sevoflurane than of desflurane or isoflurane were purchased each year throughout 2002-2022, but desflurane provided the largest proportion of total emissions from anaesthetic gases during 2002-2022: 33% in 2002, 88% in 2013, and 68% in 2022. Mean emission rates per 100 000 population during 2002-2022 were highest for South Australia/Northern Territory (276 t CO2e per year) and lowest for Victoria/Tasmania (196 t CO2e per year). The desflurane emissions rate was consistently higher for private than public hospitals; it declined for public hospitals during 2009-2018 (APC, -8%; 95% CI, -10% to -5%) and 2018-2022 (APC, -43%; 95% CI, -48% to -37%), but for private hospitals only during 2017-2022 (APC, -20%; 95% CI, -24% to -17%). In Australia, the CO2e emissions rate for anaesthetic gases increased during 2002-2008 but declined during 2017-2022, at first primarily in public hospitals. Continuing to reduce the use of anaesthetic gases, particularly desflurane, will advance the decarbonisation of clinical practice in Australian health care.

Introduction The 2nd Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in September 2025, marked a significant shift in Africa’s climate leadership, positioning the continent not only as a victim of climate change but also as a key solutions provider. Africa faces severe climate impacts despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, with consequences including health crises and economic losses. This paper explores the outcomes of ACS2 and the intersection of climate action and health resilience, outlining the continent’s commitments to renewable energy, climate finance, and nature-based solutions. Methods This study employs a policy review and analytical synthesis of official summit documents, including the Addis Ababa Declaration, technical reports, and expert session transcripts. Data was coded and analyzed across five key themes: climate finance, renewable energy, climate-health integration, nature-based solutions, and global climate diplomacy. The research also incorporates media briefings and partner reports to provide a comprehensive understanding of ACS2’s commitments and challenges. Results ACS2 produced groundbreaking commitments, such as the launch of the African Climate Facility (ACF) to mobilize $50 billion annually for climate solutions and the integration of health resilience in climate policy. The Addis Ababa Declaration emphasized climate justice, linking development and climate action. Key initiatives, such as the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative and the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative, demonstrate Africa’s commitment to green industrialization and environmental restoration. The summit also prioritized renewable energy, setting ambitious targets for clean energy access and green growth. Discussion While ACS2 marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s climate diplomacy, several implementation challenges remain, including financing gaps and institutional capacity constraints. Despite substantial financial pledges, Africa’s climate finance needs far exceed current commitments, and there are concerns regarding the adequacy of climate finance mechanisms. The paper discusses how ACS2’s outcomes align with Africa’s broader climate goals and offers policy recommendations for overcoming barriers to implementation. Additionally, it underscores the inseparability of climate justice and health resilience, stressing the importance of integrated solutions to both climate and health crises.

Intensive care units (ICU) play a significant role in healthcare global greenhouse gas emissions. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common ICU-acquired infection, and while microbiological confirmation is essential, the optimal sampling method remains controversial. This study compares the carbon footprint of three diagnostic techniques for VAP-tracheal aspiration (TA), blind bronchial sampling (BBS) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) using single-use bronchoscopes-while also assessing their economic cost and professional impact to support more sustainable decision-making in the ICU. The carbon footprint of each technique was estimated using a simplified Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology via the "Carebone©" tool. Emission factors for drugs and devices were calculated. The economic costs of each procedure were also assessed. Finally, a survey of nursing staff was conducted to assess the professional impact of these techniques. Tracheal aspiration had the lowest emissions (0.57 kgCO2e) and cost (€4), followed by BBS (2.82 kgCO2e, €24) and BAL (6.60 kgCO2e, €209). Nursing staff perceived BBS the most practical technique overall, and BAL the most technically demanding. In 2023, 341 procedures were performed in our ICU (73% BBS, 21% BAL, 6% TA), generating 1,181 kgCO2e and costing €20,835. Adopting TA exclusively in our ICU would reduce emissions by 84% and costs by 93%, whereas using BAL exclusively would increase emissions by 91% and costs by 242%. Bronchoalveolar lavage was associated with the highest carbon footprint and cost. These findings can help clinicians choose more sustainable methods for microbiological confirmation of VAP.

This study presents a comparative assessment of four microgrid configurations for rural communities in Southern Italy, with Puglia as a representative case. Using a scenario-based techno-economic model combining MATLAB R2024a and Python 3.12.7 simulations, the analysis evaluates systems based on second-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries, new lithium-ion batteries, and diesel-dominated setups, focusing on economic performance, environmental impact, and renewable integration potential. The results show that storage technology selection critically shapes both cost-effectiveness and sustainability outcomes. Second-life EV batteries emerge as the most balanced option, combining affordability and environmental benefits. These systems enable renewable penetration above 90% while maintaining a levelized cost of storage (LCOS) of EUR 0.12/kWh. Over a 20-year horizon, they achieve a positive net present value (NPV), with annual diesel consumption reduced to just 3200 l, significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions. This highlights the potential of circular economy strategies, such as battery repurposing, to support low-carbon rural energy transitions. New lithium-ion batteries offer slightly higher technical performance, but their competitiveness is limited without policy support. The LCOS rises to EUR 0.18/kWh, reducing financial attractiveness despite marginal improvements in loss of load probability and lower diesel reliance. Premium storage technologies may therefore be most suitable where reliability is paramount and subsidies are available. By contrast, the diesel-dominated scenario illustrates the economic and environmental costs of fossil dependency. It consumes nearly 28,000 L of fuel annually, produces ~90 tons of carbon dioxide (tCO2) emissions, and achieves only 48% renewable penetration, resulting in a strongly negative NPV. Overall, the findings confirm that second-life EV batteries provide a practical, sustainable, and cost-effective pathway for rural electrification in Southern Italy and comparable Mediterranean regions. Realizing their potential will require supportive policies for battery reuse, safety, and recycling infrastructure.

Global food waste (1.3 billion tons per year) is a major economic and environmental issue, contributing considerably to cash losses and greenhouse gas emissions. This study assesses the efficacy, limitations, and integration potential of four Industry 4.0 technologies—IoT sensors, AI/ML algorithms, advanced active packaging, and blockchain traceability—for waste reduction at key food supply chain stages (production, logistics, retail, and consumption). We show that each technology has different waste reduction advantages using a rigorous literature synthesis (2020-2025), techno-economic evaluation, and environmental impact analysis. Crucially, coordinated deployment unleashes synergistic potential, resulting in considerably larger systemic waste reduction than standalone applications. However, fulfilling this promise requires overcoming long-standing obstacles such as implementation costs, data needs, recyclability issues, and energy usage. The results highlight the need for coordinated policy frameworks that promote interoperable technology, standardized data protocols, and circular design principles. This study outlines a systematic approach for changing food waste from a systemic failure to a controllable engineering issue, resulting in more resilient and efficient food systems.

ABSTRACT Intercropping (IC) increases crop productivity by improving soil ecosystem functions and agroecosystem resilience to climatic vulnerabilities, thereby contributing to sustainable agriculture. However, quantitative metrics for assessing IC's role in promoting soil ecosystem functions and agroecosystem stability are not yet widely adopted due to perceived challenges. To address this, we conducted a systematic assessment of 21 meta‐analyses to evaluate the overall effects of IC on crop productivity, soil nutrients, microbial abundance, greenhouse gas emissions, and crop protection measures. Our results have shown that IC significantly improved land use efficiency and yield production compared to monocropping. However, IC did not have a positive impact on soil nutrients except for SOC compared to monocropping. Notably, fungal and bacterial abundance were significantly increased under IC, suggesting a belowground microbial facilitation process. Moreover, our results indicate that pest and disease incidence were reduced under IC compared to monocropping. Specifically, legume‐based IC greatly decreased disease incidence and increased predator abundance. These results highlight the significant potential of IC to enhance soil ecosystem functions and sustainability, particularly regarding crop yield, microbial abundance, and the biological control of pests and disease incidence. However, the limited effects of IC on soil nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and N 2 O mitigation highlight the need for further investigations under different soil types and climatic conditions.

This study evaluates the potential of Thailand’s Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector to participate in carbon market mechanisms. SMEs play a significant role in energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study applies the Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction Program (T-VER) using two approaches: Improving energy efficiency in buildings (EEB) and renewable energy or fossil-fuel replacement (REF). Using data from Thailand’s Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE), the study analyzes energy consumption patterns, technology usage, and the potential for carbon credit generation. The results identify three high-potential sectors, including Food and Beverage, Fabricated Metal Products, and Non-metallic Products, with a combined carbon credit potential of 4.38 MtCO2eq. These credits represent a total market value of approximately 850 million baht per year, with 76.72% arising from electrical efficiency improvements and 23.28% from renewable energy integration. The findings highlight the need for targeted policy support, innovative financing instruments, capacity-building programs, and collaborative partnerships to help SMEs adopt low-carbon technologies and engage in Thailand’s voluntary carbon market. Strengthening SME participation could significantly enhance national progress toward net-zero emissions and the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic strategy.

Few studies have explored individual diet-related environmental pressure changes, beyond greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) and land occupation (LO). This study evaluates the trajectories in several environmental impacts of diets among 8,905 French adults from the NutriNet-Santé cohort, who completed food frequency questionnaires (distinguishing organic vs. conventional foods) in 2014, 2018, and 2022. Six environmental indicators-GHGe, LO, energy demand, ecological infrastructure use, water use, and pesticide use-were estimated at the farm perimeter using a multi-source approach. Latent class models identified trajectories for a composite environmental pressure index (EPI) and each indicator, and mixed models adjusted for energy intake and sex modeled the trajectories. On average, most environmental pressures decreased over time (e.g., GHGe by -12%, water use by -1%), indicating a general improvement. However, ecological infrastructure also declined (-9%), which represents a negative outcome as it is linked to biodiversity. Two to four trajectory profiles were identified per indicator, with most individuals showing stable or modestly decreasing trends. Four EPI trajectories emerged: increasing EPI profiles were associated with higher meat consumption, whereas decreasing EPI reflected shifts toward more plant-based diets. Despite potential awareness of the importance of sustainable diets, this study reveals that most individuals show moderate improvements in their diet-related environmental pressures, with only a very small fraction showing important decreases.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from rail infrastructure are increasingly examined in response to climate policy demands. Yet current assessment methods, such as ISO-based LCAs, FTIP, “Standardisierte Bewertung”, EN 15804 with c-PCR 023, and EIB’s Climate Proofing, differ substantially in assumptions and comparability. This study investigates the transferability of systematic criteria from semi-quantitative risk assessment as defined in the German pre-standard DIN V VDE V 0831-101 to GHG assessment methods. A two-step analysis was conducted. First, risk assessment criteria, including scope definition, granularity, conservatism, justification, system definition, sensitivity, monotonicity, transparency, calibration, variable interdependency, and result applicability, were reviewed for relevance to GHG assessment. Second, these criteria were applied to existing GHG methods to assess their coverage and identify shortcomings. The findings indicate that many systematic criteria are transferable and are largely fulfilled in LCA-based approaches, although LCAs are often very time and cost-intensive, especially regarding data collection and analysis. Current semi-quantitative frameworks, such as FTIP, lack granularity, justification, and calibration. The results suggest that a semi-quantitative GHG assessment method integrating systematic, legal, and topic-specific requirements could offer a harmonized, transparent, and practical tool for infrastructure planning. Such an approach promises balanced rigor and usability, facilitating more consistent decision-making and comparability across and within projects.

The freight transport sector in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to its heavy dependence on diesel trucks. This study offers a scenario-based analysis of battery-electric truck (BET) deployment as a way to reduce emissions in the freight sector by 2030. Using official vehicle registration data, projected growth rates, and emission factors based on IPCC guidelines, three future scenarios are analyzed: A business-as-usual (BAU) case, a likely case assuming 30% BET adoption, and an extreme case assuming 50% adoption. Results show that emissions are expected to increase from 4.36 MtCO₂e to 5.17 MtCO₂e under the BAU scenario, while the probable and extreme BET scenarios could cut emissions to 3.62 and 2.58 MtCO₂e, respectively. The study also provides policy recommendations for each scenario, including financial incentives, investment in fast-charging infrastructure, zero-emission vehicle mandates, and grid integration strategies. These findings offer data-driven insights to support Thailand’s transition to low-carbon freight and highlight the EEC’s potential to serve as a model for sustainable logistics development across Southeast Asia.

Enhancing the low-carbon performance for municipal wastewater treatment through high-rate activated sludge-three-stage constructed wetland system: Water quality, energy recovery and carbon emissions reduction.

Accelerating Climate Action to Promote Reproductive Health: Why? Who? How?

In the context of pavement management systems (PMSs), overloaded trucks impose severe economic and environmental burdens by accelerating pavement deterioration and increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Existing research on Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) placement has rarely incorporated environmental impacts, particularly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, into the decision-making process. Instead, most studies have focused on infrastructure damage and have paid limited attention to how enforcement interacts with driver evasion behavior and schedule-related constraints. To address this gap, this study develops a bi-level optimization framework that simultaneously minimizes PMS costs, travel costs, and environmental (GHG) costs. The upper-level problem represents the total social cost minimization, while the lower-level problem models drivers’ routes and demand shift. The framework endogenously captures utility-based demand shifts, allowing overloaded drivers to switch to legal operations when enforcement and schedule-related constraints outweigh overloading benefits. A numerical study using the Sioux Falls network demonstrates that dual WIM installations significantly outperform single configurations, achieving network-wide cost reductions of up to 1.5% compared to 0.4%. Notably, PMS costs for overloaded trucks decreased by nearly 60%, confirming the effectiveness of strategic enforcement. Ultimately, this study contributes a unified decision-support tool that reframes WIM enforcement from a passive control measure into a proactive strategy for sustainable freight management.

The pursuit of cleaner, more sustainable fuels has intensified amid concerns about fossil fuel depletion, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy security. Algal biodiesel, a third-generation biofuel with high lipid yield and carbon-neutral potential, holds promise but suffers from lower calorific value, higher viscosity, and associated performance and emissions drawbacks. Limited studies have explored the combined use of bio-based oxygenates and magnetically conditioned nano-additives to address these limitations. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating 10% v/v glycerol-derived triacetin and 50ppm Fe3O4 nanoparticles, subjected to inline magnetic treatment, on the performance and emissions of algae-based biodiesel in a single-cylinder compression ignition engine. Fuel blends were prepared and tested under varying loads using response surface methodology with analysis of variance to model brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. Results showed that the dual-additive blend achieved a peak BTE of 33.2% at full load, outperforming neat biodiesel by 10.7% and diesel by 1.2%, with significant reductions in CO (up to 66%), HC (up to 62.5%), and smoke opacity (over 55%). At optimised operating conditions of 57.5% load and 200bar injection pressure, BTE reached 26.5% with NOx emissions of 778.8ppm, representing a viable trade-off between efficiency and emissions. Statistical models displayed high predictive accuracy with R2 values of 0.9973 for BTE and 0.9168 for NOx. These findings suggest that combining waste-derived oxygenates with magnetised nanoparticles can improve combustion quality and enhance emission control, supporting scalable pathways toward cleaner diesel alternatives. Future research should extend to multi-cylinder systems, transient operation, and long-term durability assessments.

Gypsum and Manure Impacts on Contrasting Textured Saline-Sodic Soils and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Buildings are responsible for a significant proportion of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union, accounting for approximately 36% of total EU greenhouse gas emissions. The EU’s objective is to achieve zero-emission buildings by 2050, a goal that applies not only to new buildings but also to existing ones. This transformation represents a significant challenge, with a number of risks and difficulties. The aim of this article is to draw attention to the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, possible approaches to its transposition and implementation. Concurrently, it draws attention to the difficult issues of transposition and the possibility of using the transformation of buildings into zero-emission buildings to convert buildings into not only zero-emission but also environmentally sustainable buildings.