Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of electricity generated from waste coal in the United States

Improving energy efficiency in residential buildings is critical to combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Retrofitting existing buildings –that are major contributors to energy use– is therefore a key priority, particularly in regions with outdated building stock. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can automate retrofit decision-making and find retrofit strategies. However, their implementation faces challenges of data availability, trust and alignment with trustworthiness guidelines, as well as compliance to AI regulations. This paper presents a trustworthy-by-design ML-based decision support framework that recommends energy efficiency strategies for residential buildings using minimal user-accessible inputs. The framework employs Conditional Tabular Generative Adversarial Networks (CTGAN) to augment limited and imbalanced data, while neural network-based multi-label classifier identifies potential combinations of retrofit measures. An Explainable AI (XAI) layer using SHAP is also incorporated to clarify the rationale behind recommendations, validate the model, and guide feature engineering. Two case studies on distinct datasets validate performance and replicability: i) a well-established, large Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) dataset for England and Wales; ii) an imbalanced post-retrofit dataset from Latvia (RETROFIT-LAT). Results demonstrate that the framework can handle diverse data conditions and improve performance up to 53% compared to the baseline model without XAI and synthetic data generation. Overall, the proposed framework provides a novel, user-friendly classification-based solution for building retrofit decision support that incorporates the trustworthiness aspects of transparency, human oversight, data governance, and fairness and aids stakeholders in achieving effective energy efficiency investments while aligning with AI regulation and ethical standards.

While Tanzania’s greenhouse gas emission levels are still low by international comparison, the country is rapidly carbonizing. Designing climate policy instruments that reconcile mitigation and social equity is crucial for sustainable development. This paper examines how carbon pricing can serve as both a climate and development policy by discouraging the use of fossil fuels, generating substantial revenues, and promoting energy access. Employing a microsimulation approach that integrates multiregional input–output and household-level data, we examine the distributional impacts of four different carbon pricing designs and four compensation schemes on Tanzanian households. The results show that while national carbon pricing would have progressive effects, there would be large horizontal differences and around 10% of low-income households would need to raise their spending by over 2%. Revenues would allow cash or infrastructure transfers of 30-60 USD per eligible household, which would more than offset the burdens of low- and middle-income households. We suggest the use of carbon pricing revenues to provide low-income households with access to renewable energy appliances such as solar lights and solar cookers to empower them through long-term cost and time savings as well as health benefits. Our findings highlight how equitable carbon pricing can advance both social well-being and environmental integrity in low-income countries, contributing to the broader debate on just and sustainable transitions.

Sulfur-based electron donor driven autotrophic denitrification for nitrate removal: Mechanisms, performance, and nitrous oxide emission.

Cold-bonded artificial aggregate: Processing, performance and perspectives

Nitrate fertilization with biochar simultaneously enhanced arsenic immobilization and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from an organic carbon-enriched paddy soil

Role of biochar and microbial agent in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and modulating microbial succession during co-composting of tea residue and poultry manure

Novel PAU zeolite with enhanced working capacity for waste-heat-driven temperature swing adsorption CO₂ capture

• This study used photo-elicitation interviews among consumers • Participants described challenges with date labeling in everyday practice • ‘Look, Smell, Taste’ labels were evaluated positively by participants • Participants discussed trade-offs related to packaging size • Participants experienced tensions between packaging waste and food-waste reduction Dairy products are a major source of consumer food waste and a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, making them a critical target for waste reduction efforts. Food packaging, as the primary point of contact between consumers and products, serves as a crucial communication tool that shapes perceptions and behaviors. This study investigates how consumers interpret and use packaging in their purchasing, consumption, and disposal decisions for dairy products. We conducted in-depth interviews with 33 Belgian adults, using a photo-elicitation method. Over the course of one week, participants photographed dairy products they encountered in-store and at home, and these images were later used as prompts during the interviews to facilitate discussion. A thematic analysis of the interviews reveals a complex relationship between packaging and food waste in the mind of consumers, centered on two key cues: date labeling and package size. Participants expressed frustration with the current ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ labels, believing they contribute to food waste. However, they responded positively to ‘Look, Smell, Taste’ labels, which validated their reliance on sensory evaluation and were seen as a positive influence on others’ behavior. Package size introduced notable trade-offs, with consumers balancing the desire to reduce waste against the perceived cost savings of larger packages. These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking to design packaging communication that supports food waste reduction and aligns with ongoing EU date labeling reforms.

Whilst mineral fertilisers are a reliable source of crop nutrients in conventional arable farming, their production is associated with significant environmental and economic challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions, price volatility, and nutrient leaching. Organo-mineral fertilisers (OMFs) have been proposed as a sustainable alternative, combining mineral nutrients with organic residues. This study investigated the potential of OMFs to supplement mineral fertiliser applications in arable farming across three field trials in England from 2022 to 2023. The trials examined the impact of an OMF derived from composted food waste added to potassium chloride and ammonium sulfate (8–3-3 + 19% SO 3 ) on soil nutrient dynamics, grain yield, and crop quality in spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare ) and oats ( Avena sativa ). The results indicated that OMF application increased soil sulphur levels at two sites, suggesting its potential as a sulphur source for cereal crops. However, grain nutrient concentrations showed minimal response to OMF treatments compared to mineral fertilisers, with only minor differences observed in phosphorus, sulphur, and zinc levels. Yield responses varied by site, with OMF application resulting in slight reductions in barley grain and nitrogen yields compared to mineral fertiliser, particularly at higher nitrogen application rates. The oat trial showed no significant fertiliser effects, likely due to high inherent soil fertility and potential nutrient leaching. These findings highlight that while OMFs can contribute to nutrient cycling and sustainable fertiliser management, their effectiveness depends on formulation, nutrient release patterns, and site-specific factors such as soil fertility and weather conditions. The quality and composition of organic feedstocks within OMFs are critical to ensuring optimal synchronisation of nutrient availability with crop requirements, supporting their role in integrated nutrient management programs. • OMF increased soil sulphur at two sites compared with mineral fertiliser. • Grain nutrient concentrations were largely unchanged by OMF across sites. • OMF reduced spring barley yield slightly, especially at higher nitrogen rates. • High soil fertility limited fertiliser responses in the oat trial. • OMF performance depended strongly on nutrient release and site conditions.

The urgent need to combat climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and transition to renewable energy sources motivates government entities to implement regulations for power stakeholders, ensuring a greener and more affordable energy market in supply chains. Motivated by the demand to align energy supply systems with strategic government interventions, this study hypothesizes that targeted regulatory tools can effectively coordinate stakeholder behavior to accelerate green energy integration. In this regard, we examine the game-theoretic factors shaping the decisions of the government, suppliers, and retailers towards power grid implementation, emphasizing the government’s regulatory influence through four key policies: tax, subsidy, green, and research and development. Methodologically, three novel game models are introduced: a Nash game that encourages overall cooperation, the first non-cooperative game that supports a coalition between the government and suppliers against retailers, and the second non-cooperative game that promotes a coalition between the government and retailers against suppliers. Using a Canadian case study and sample data, we apply grey wolf optimization, artificial bee colony, and particle swarm optimization to estimate stakeholder equilibrium strategies towards power grid implementation. Results indicate that (1) first-game coalition; (2) minimum energy price thresholds; (3) integrated green energy planning; and (4) the stable tax policy contribute positively to the construction of a green and sustainable power grid in the region. The findings provide practical policy insights, guiding governments in the development of targeted fiscal instruments, promoting stakeholder collaboration, and ensuring regulatory frameworks are consistent with long-term energy transition objectives. • A green and sustainable power grid application is promoted under government policies. • Government considers four policies: tax, subsidy, green and R&D in the application. • Government adds green and social welfare contributions to the power grid application. • Three novel game models are proposed for stakeholder cooperation and coalition. • The application is implemented in a case study of a power supply chain in Canada.

Environmental benefits and impacts forecasting for three-phase induction motors operations in marine applications: A multiple linear regression approach

Long-term impacts of in-situ aeration on landfill stabilization: An Austrian case study.

A nexus of barriers and strategies for circular economy implementation in the construction industry: A structural equation modeling approach

Hybrid micro-compressed air energy storage with photovoltaic and diesel generation for off-grid applications: A parametric life cycle and techno-economic study

Counting costs and carbon: A decision model for greener healthcare policy.

Prediction of greenhouse gas emissions and their influencing factors in global paddy fields under future climate change

To summarize recent evidence in pediatric total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA), highlighting advances in pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics, target-controlled infusion (TCI), electroencephalography (EEG)-guided titration, emerging agents, safety, and sustainability, and to provide clinicians with an updated, practical framework for pediatric TIVA practice. Recent evidence highlights major advances in pediatric TIVA, including clearer developmental pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic patterns, refined propofol-remifentanil dosing, and growing use of dexmedetomidine. Remimazolam shows promise but currently has limited pediatric evidence. Universal TCI models improve dosing accuracy across ages, while EEG-guided and combined pharmacokinetics-EEG strategies enhance safety in infants. TIVA reduces emergence delirium, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and perioperative respiratory adverse events; supports neurophysiologic monitoring; and yields substantially lower environmental greenhouse gas emissions than inhalation anesthesia. Pediatric TIVA is moving toward greater precision, safety, and sustainability. Moderate effect-site targets, opioid titration, and early down-titration remain central, particularly in neonates. Propofol infusion syndrome is exceedingly rare, and organ-protective effects of TIVA are reported in major surgery. Despite clinical and environmental advantages, adoption varies globally due to limited training, variable pump availability, and regulatory barriers. Expanding structured education and pediatric-specific TCI tools is essential for broader implementation.

• Coupling of internal thermal mass with buoyancy ventilation, experimental validation • Wood and concrete thermal mass designs compared, both achieve optimal and equivalent performance • Both test buildings reach the same targets for temperature damping (0.7) and ventilation rate (20 L/s) • Surface area of wood thermal mass increased by × 1.42 to compensate for inferior thermal properties • Temperature damping drives reliable airflow in night updraft (28.1 ± 0.4 L/s) and day downdraft (16 ± 0.4 L/s) Right-sizing thermal mass in buildings is increasingly crucial for achieving climate resilience while curtailing both operational and embodied greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, we conducted a full-scale experiment to validate a theoretical approach to optimize the distribution of internal thermal mass in concert with natural buoyancy ventilation. Ventilation is driven by the indoor temperature damping (produced by the thermal mass), with upward flow at night and downward flow during the day. Two test buildings were constructed in Alabama, USA (ASHRAE climate zone 3A), to compare the performance of wood and concrete thermal mass in this temperature-ventilation cycle. The wood and concrete thermal masses achieved temperature damping of M = 0.74 ± 0.07 and M = 0.70 ± 0.07 , respectively, where the uncertainties represent the standard deviations of the daily averages. They also produce average ventilation rates of Q = 23.2 ± 0.4 L/s and Q = 21.7 ± 0.4 L/s, where the uncertainties are the standard deviations of the measurement errors. The results suggest that bio-based materials can perform as well as concrete thermal mass by optimizing their thickness and surface area to compensate for their inferior thermal mass properties. The results also suggest that the baseline temperature damping and ventilation rate of any naturally ventilated internal thermal mass can be accurately predicted using simplified ratios that scale with the number of occupants. These ratios are useful for early design or retrofit projects when primary materials are evaluated and selected, with the goal of improving thermal resilience while limiting lifecycle carbon emissions.

Global warming significantly influences microbial ecosystems by altering temperature-dependent processes. Temperature modulates phage life cycle transitions, host interactions, and ecological distribution, thereby affecting microbial community dynamics and carbon fluxes. Notably, phages may mitigate greenhouse gas emissions through mechanisms such as enhanced methane oxidation via phage-encoded pmoC genes and viral shunting, which alters carbon sequestration in marine environments. While extensive studies have examined bacterial responses to temperature shifts, the specific role of bacteriophages (phages) under rising temperature conditions has rarely been considered. This review highlights the impact of rising temperatures on phage biology, including viral decay, adsorption, burst size, latency period, and virus-induced host mortality. Understanding these interactions is crucial for predicting microbial responses to climate change and harnessing phage-based strategies to reduce global warming. Moreover, this review underscores the need for targeted research on phage ecology under thermal stress to better estimate their role in global climate feedback systems.