A stratigraphy-informed framework for GHG emission reduction and resource recovery in shield tunnel spoil management

Microalgae-bacteria photobioreactor (MBPR) based bioremediation of coking wastewater under carbon neutralization background: performance and toxicity evaluation, response metabolism and life cycle assessment (LCA).

The global climate crisis requires immediate and comprehensive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global temperature rises "well below" 2°C. The UK has committed to reaching Net Zero by 2050 (Scotland 2045) with several policies proposed to achieve this goal and ambitious aims to decarbonise whole industries. The UK marine environment is expanding its activities and capitalising on blue growth. Here, we review current marine policies in the context of Net Zero and find that, despite the proliferation of Net Zero policies, there are crucial gaps impeding how Net Zero will be achieved in the marine environment. With the increasing demand for ocean space and the transition to Net Zero, conflicts have arisen between the drive for green energy through offshore wind (OSW) and maintaining space for existing marine users. Better protection and restoration of blue carbon sites and environmental protection targets will be required to meet Net Zero but could lead to further spatial squeeze. Synergies between marine sectors have emerged or are being considered, which may reduce tensions as industries look to expand to achieve Net Zero, e.g. OSW accommodating certain types of fishing, decarbonising oil and gas production, and decommissioned oil and gas infrastructure being repurposed for green energy production or carbon capture and storage. As marine industries expand and decarbonise, trade-offs are likely, and it remains to be seen whether Net Zero will be prioritised, or if policy gaps and outdated policies will impact the UK meeting its legal Net Zero obligations.

Climate change poses an escalating threat to global brain health and is increasingly linked to stroke incidence, outcomes, and inequities in prevention and treatment. This World Stroke Organization scientific statement summarizes current evidence on the associations between stroke and the environmental variables exacerbated by climate change, with a focus on risk and outcomes. We systematically identified and reviewed published studies assessing associations between stroke and environmental variables, including extreme temperatures, temperature variability, humidity, barometric pressure, wildfires, dust and sandstorms, and compound weather events. Air pollution, unrelated to wildfire exposure, was excluded, as a subsequent statement will focus on this. Paired reviewers screened titles and abstracts. Full texts were evaluated for study design, sample size, geographic context, and strength of evidence, with attention to impacts on vulnerable populations where data were available. Study type, exposure assignment, and strength of evidence were further confirmed by a team member with Master's level qualification in epidemiology. Most of the included studies were based on ecological designs. Cold exposure, temperature variability, and extreme thermal events were most consistently associated with increased stroke risk. Although cold effects were generally stronger than heat effects, heat effects have been increasing over time. Increased stroke incidence was also associated with low or varying barometric pressure, rapid humidity shifts, and exposure to wildfire smoke, dust, and sandstorms, particularly among older adults and those in low- and middle-income countries. Compound weather events, such as concurrent heat and humidity extremes, showed additive or synergistic effects on stroke incidence and mortality. Despite heterogeneity in definitions and methods and most evidence supporting associations rather than proving causation, the overall direction of evidence across exposures was positive, coherent, and biologically plausible. Advancing mitigation efforts that reduce greenhouse gas emissions is essential, since limiting further climate change directly decreases the environmental drivers of stroke risk and protects long-term population brain health, along with broader climate-related health risks. Stroke professionals and organizations can meaningfully contribute through local, regional, and global advocacy. Climate-related environmental variables already meaningfully increase stroke risk and exacerbate existing health inequities. To further counter these trends, stroke prevention and care systems should integrate climate risk awareness, patient education, and early-warning mechanisms into clinical practice and health system planning. Priority areas include targeted protection for vulnerable groups, standardized exposure metrics, longitudinal surveillance, systematized education on climate change's impact on brain health, and expansion of research in underrepresented regions. Strengthening global collaboration and embedding climate resilience into stroke systems of care are critical for reducing both stroke-related morbidity and the wider health impacts of a climate-impacted world. This scientific statement has been reviewed and approved by the WSO Executive.

Climate change has intensified the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane (CH4) from enteric fermentation. Genetic selection has emerged as a promising mitigation strategy; however, studies on Bos taurus indicus, especially Nellore cattle, remain limited. This study aimed to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations for CH4 emission traits and their relationships with feeding behaviour, feed efficiency, and performance, as well as to evaluate the direct and correlated responses to selection for lower CH4 emissions. Data were from 2418 Nellore cattle evaluated in feed efficiency trials. Traits included dry matter intake (DMI), feeding time per day (FTd), feed events per day (FEd), and feeding rate (FR), residual feed intake (RFI), average daily gain (ADG), and mid-test body weight (MBW). Methane emissions were measured in 1153 animals using the SF6 tracer technique, providing daily CH4 emission (g/day), CH4 per unit of DMI (CH4DMI, g/day), and residual CH4 (CH4res). Variance components were estimated using the single-step genomic BLUP (ssGBLUP) method through Bayesian inference. Heritability estimates were moderate for CH4 (0.25), CH4DMI (0.14), CH4res (0.14), and performance traits such as DMI (0.35), ADG (0.36), and MBW (0.40). Higher estimates were observed for feeding behaviour traits FTd (0.49) and FR (0.42). Genetic correlations between CH4 and production traits were high, particularly with DMI (0.79), ADG (0.90), and MBW (0.91), indicating that selection for reduced CH4 emissions may affect growth. Direct selection for CH4 led to a modest annual reduction in emissions but also a correlated decline in MBW. These results demonstrate that while CH4 emissions are heritable, their strong genetic association with productivity traits indicates that isolated selection for reduced emissions may lead to undesirable outcomes in feed intake and performance. Therefore, strategies aiming to reduce CH4 emissions should consider the genetic relationships with growth and efficiency traits to avoid compromising animal productivity.

Hydrogen is emerging as a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in key industrial sectors. However, its deployment faces significant uncertainties related to technological progress, economic viability, political decisions, and geopolitical dynamics. This study adopts a scenario-based approach to assess the resilience of a hydrogen ecosystem in an industrial hub. A two-step methodology is developed to explore how an optimised multi-energy system would respond to unanticipated disruptions such as fuel price shocks, policy changes, or slower-than-expected technological advancements. First, an integrated capacity expansion and operation model determines optimal system capacities assuming perfect foresight. Second, the resulting energy system is evaluated under an alternative context, where only operational decisions are optimised. Special attention is given to electricity price modelling, due to its crucial impact on electrolytic hydrogen production. Nine scenarios are investigated, reflecting major categories of deep uncertainty relevant to long-term energy planning, including policy directions, technological innovation, and resource availability. Results show that the most pessimistic scenarios in terms of hydrogen cost are also the most robust. Scenarios with more electrolysis capacities are generally more expensive but less sensitive to disruptions. In contrast, scenarios relying on early development of a European hydrogen transportation infrastructure are cheaper but less resilient. For policymakers, these findings highlight the need for coherent strategies integrating electricity and hydrogen systems to balance cost-efficiency, resilience, and environmental goals. Clear strategic direction, combined with support for local hydrogen industries, will be vital to securing Europe’s energy sovereignty and long-term sustainability in the face of evolving uncertainties. • Method to address energy system deep uncertainties with focus on electricity prices. • Unanticipated events, such as new regulations, can strongly affect hydrogen costs. • Hydrogen systems using electrolysis and local renewables are the most resilient. • Policy clarity and support for local industry help strengthen system resilience. • Monitoring economics, infrastructure and demand is key for hydrogen project viability.

Sustainable resin development for the strategic upcycling of waste fly ash into high-performance polymer composites

The National Health Service is responsible for 4% of total greenhouse gas emissions in England and is committed to net zero carbon emissions and reduced carbon-intensive care practices. Self-treatable diseases represent significant avoidable healthcare resource utilisation, and the socio-economic value of self-care has been documented-self-care practices globally deliver savings of approximately $120billion for healthcare systems and almost 41billion productive days, gaining 22million quality-adjusted life years each year. However, the impact on greenhouse gas emissions is poorly defined. This analysis investigated the effect of self-care on greenhouse gas emissions of the healthcare system in the UK, with a focus on self-care for allergies. Three scenarios were used to evaluate the potential impact on greenhouse gas emissions of the substitution of all self-treatable healthcare visits by over-the-counter and self-care medication, and the potential and current impact of self-care medication was explored for allergic rhinitis. Scenario1 evaluated the impact of self-care, if used for all self-treatable diseases. Scenario2 and scenario3 focused on, respectively, the use of self-care for the treatment of allergic rhinitis today and the potential future value if all eligible medication for allergic rhinitis was obtained over-the-counter. Avoidable greenhouse gas emissions were based on avoided primary care consultations and accident and emergency visits. Each scenario resulted in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from 2030 to 3930kilo tons (kt) carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) (scenario1), 330-1000kt CO2eq (scenario2), and 100-200kt CO2eq (scenario3). These reductions represent approximately 8-16% (scenario1), 1-4% (scenario2), and 0.5-1% (scenario3) of total National Health Service carbon emissions. This study confirmed the environmental aspect of the triple value of self-care (social, economic, and environmental), by showcasing how self-care can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the healthcare system in the UK.

Microbial aggregates in wastewater treatment systems generate substantial kinetic energy through their motion, which constitutes ubiquitous but untapped energy. Here, we demonstrate that this kinetic energy can be harvested and converted into bioavailable electrochemical potential to drive the microbial metabolism. In anaerobic reactors, aggregates moving perpendicular to a designed magnetic field generate an in situ electrical potential via electromagnetic induction through their conductive pili networks, thereby enabling the direct conversion of microbial motion into methane via metabolic energy capture. Integrated multi-omics, microbial community, and electrochemical analyses showed that the continuous conductive network formed between electroactive microorganisms and methanogens via e-pili was key to the conversion of kinetic energy into electrical potential through electromagnetic processes. The induced potential not only enhanced the electrochemical activity and conductivity of microbial aggregates but also stimulated respiratory electron transfer in electroactive microorganisms and activated energy-conserving electron bifurcation in methanogens. Energy, economic, and carbon footprint analyses showed that kinetic energy recovery increased net energy recovery by 226%, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 25%, and improved economic returns. Our work establishes a direct pathway to convert microbial motion into biochemical energy, advancing sustainable resource recovery from wastewater.

ABSTRACT Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector in Europe have largely been unsuccessful to date, highlighting the need for new approaches. Drawing on Social Practice Theory, recent research has called for cross-domain analyses of mobility practices to identify more effective leverage points for policy intervention. Responding to these calls, this study analyzes 24 week-long mobility diaries and 26 in-depth interviews with university students in Germany to examine university-related travel as part of broader constellations of commuting, studying, and dwelling practices. It develops a typology of these practices and identifies specific mechanisms through which elements of studying and dwelling – such as campus facilities, vibrant campus life, and the symbolic value of student independence – intersect with commuting. By tracing these links, the study shows how systems of interlocking practices emerge that shape travel demand in higher education and vary significantly in their openness to sustainability transitions. While the interdependence of mobility, studying, and dwelling is well known, this study is among the first to offer a systematic, empirically grounded analysis of practice systems through a Social Practice Theory lens. Crucially, it argues that by leveraging linking elements at the intersections of practices, targeted policy measures could generate ripple effects across systems of practices that extend across different sectors and domains of everyday life – rather than addressing commuting practices in isolation. This integrated framework advances practice-theoretical mobility research and can inform future efforts to foster sustainable commuting and broader sustainability transitions.

ABSTRACT Accurate measurement of carbon is stored in plants is essential for evaluating strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The macauba palm (Acrocomia aculeata) is a native species of South America with high potential for oil production, ecological restoration, and carbon sequestration. Traditional methods to estimate carbon stocks, such as cutting down trees and performing laboratory analysis, are destructive, expensive, and impractical on a large scale. This study tested an alternative approach that combines UAV imagery, computer vision, and artificial intelligence to estimate carbon in macauba palms without damaging the plants. High-resolution aerial images were collected at four sites in Brazil, and a deep learning model (YOLOv8s-seg) was trained to automatically detect and measure palm crowns, achieving a mean Average Precision (mAP@50) of 0.956, precision of 0.946, and recall of 0.944. Plant height was estimated from canopy height models derived from photogrammetric processing of the UAV imagery. Crown diameter and height estimates showed strong correlations with field measurements (r = 0.81 and r = 0.82, respectively), with mean absolute errors of 0.26 m for diameter and 0.61 m for height. Both parameters were used in allometric equations to calculate carbon stock. Carbon estimates ranged from less than 1 ton per hectare in young plantations to more than 190 tonnes per hectare in older stands. These results demonstrate that artificial intelligence and UAV imagery provide a fast and scalable approach for estimating structural variables of macauba palms. However, carbon stock estimates remain sensitive to the allometric equations used and should be interpreted with caution, particularly at the individual level. Therefore, the proposed approach should be understood as a non-destructive monitoring framework rather than a fully generalized carbon prediction model, while still offering a valuable tool to support sustainable agriculture, carbon markets, and land-use policies.

Effective SF6 capture and recovery are essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting resource recycling, yet many porous materials exhibit reduced separation performance for SF6/N2 mixtures in humid environments due to water adsorption competition or structural instability. To address this challenge, we propose a "superhydrophobic nanotrap" strategy by designing a nitrogen-rich superhydrophobic porous organic cage (POC) named IMUPOC-DA. This material incorporates a moisture-blocking shield of superhydrophobic isobutyl chains and an inner cavity with a π-system and Lewis base sites that synergistically enhance SF6 trapping. At 298 K and 1bar, IMUPOC-DA achieves an SF6 adsorption capacity of 53.6 cm3 g-1 and an SF6/N2 uptake ratio of 20.02, a record-high reported thus far for POC-based adsorbents. More importantly, the superhydrophobic surface endows the material with an extremely low water uptake (72.1mgg-1), a high water contact angle (150.11°), and excellent water stability. Dynamic column breakthrough experiments under 80% relative humidity show nearly unchanged SF6 breakthrough time compared with dry conditions, demonstrating outstanding SF6/N2 separation performance even in a moist environment. Therefore, this work not only provides a high-performance candidate for industrial SF6 recovery but also presents a general design strategy for developing moisture-resistant adsorbents for gas separation.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global temperature increases require rapid, large-scale technological transitions. Historical trends in technology adoption can inform how quickly such transitions may occur. We analyse the effects of technology and country characteristics on diffusion speed using an expanded Historical Adoption of Technologies (HATCH) dataset, comprising 5990 national-level time series across 130 technologies and 228 countries. Compared to previous studies, this dataset enables a broader and more integrated assessment of diffusion drivers. We observe substantial variation in growth rates: newer, simpler, more standardised, smaller, less materially intensive, and shorter-lived technologies diffuse more rapidly. These findings suggest that smaller-scale technologies may be adopted faster than complex, large-scale technologies, which may require greater support and longer timeframes for widespread adoption.

Introducing the Farm Energy Analysis with Anaerobic Digestion (FEAAD) tool: Insights into farm-level energy, economic, and environmental analysis with comparative case studies.

Biomass-derived biofuels are central to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, yet large-scale deployment faces technical, economic, and environmental barriers. This review synthesizes advances in feedstock utilization, pretreatment methods, conversion pathways, hybrid systems, and policy frameworks shaping the biofuel landscape. First-generation crops such as corn and sugarcane yield 4000-7000 L/ha ethanol with limited pretreatment but compete with food supplies and consume 500-1000 L water per liter of ethanol. Second-generation residues (e.g., corn stover, switchgrass) achieve 280-300 L/ton ethanol and cut GHG emissions by 70%-90% (50-70 g CO2/MJ vs. 120-150 g CO2/MJ for fossil fuels). Third-generation microalgae produce 200-300 L/ton biocrude, though energy-intensive dewatering (10-15 MJ/kg) restricts feasibility. Pretreatment options-including physical (60%-70% sugar yield), chemical (90-95%), biological (50%-60%), and integrated systems (85%-95%)-enhance accessibility but remain costly ($0.05-10/kg). Conversion routes such as pyrolysis (70%-75% bio-oil), hydrothermal liquefaction (80%-85% efficiency), fermentation (280-300 L/ton ethanol), and anaerobic digestion (300-400 m3/ton biogas) offer versatile outputs, though bottlenecks like pentose fermentation losses persist. Integrated biorefineries and emerging platforms, including catalytic upgrading (80%-90% hydrocarbons) and bioelectrochemical systems (0.1-0.3 m3/m3/day H2), improve yields by 30%-50% but demand high capital costs ($100-200 million/plant). Policy interventions-such as renewable fuel standards (e.g., US RFS2) and carbon pricing ($50-100/ton CO2)-reduce costs by 10%-20% and boost production by 15%-25%, albeit with compliance challenges. Future priorities include cost-effective pretreatment, scalable biorefineries, durable catalysts, and AI-driven life cycle assessments to enable GHG reductions of 90-100 g CO2/MJ, positioning biofuels as a cornerstone of sustainable, low-carbon energy systems.

Manufacturing and use of pharmaceuticals is responsible for nearly 20% of US health care's greenhouse gas footprint. As highly effective weight-loss medications such as incretin mimetics become widely prescribed, it is important to understand environmental implications. More than 33.5 million Americans have tried incretin mimetic medications (IMMs), and nearly 30 million are projected to be consistent users by 2030. This article examines the broader potential implications of glucagon-like peptide-1 and other IMMs on climate change. We conducted a preliminary and speculative carbon footprint of IMMs using a life cycle assessment approach. Our findings suggest widespread IMM use could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing caloric consumption, food production, and health care activities, leading to a maximum estimated reduction of 760 kg CO2e/person/year. This reduction would be greater than the environmental benefits of switching to electric vehicles or adopting a vegetarian diet. This study highlights the need for more research into potential environmental benefits of IMMs.

The environmental impact of cancer care is an emerging concern, yet therapeutic strategies that may incidentally reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions remain poorly described. The 2025 ESMO Congress, where nearly 3000 abstracts were presented, offered an opportunity to identify clinically validated approaches that could lower the carbon footprint of oncology. All abstracts from the 2025 ESMO Congress were reviewed. Studies suggesting meaningful downstream reductions in drug use, visit frequency, treatment duration, or overall care intensity were selected. For each, GHG emissions were estimated using the ECOVAMED drug carbon-footprint database and standard emission factors. Ten abstracts were identified. They spanned primary prevention, therapeutic de-escalation, reduced dose or duration of systemic therapy, biomarker-guided treatment selection, and non-pharmacological interventions. Several strategies demonstrated non-inferior or improved clinical outcomes while substantially lowering treatment-related emissions. Notably, none of the selected studies had explicitly assessed environmental impact. Multiple strategies presented at ESMO 2025 appear capable of improving patient outcomes while reducing the environmental burden of cancer care. Systematically integrating environmental endpoints into clinical research would help identify such win-win approaches and advance a more sustainable oncology practice.

The paper deals with an application of machine learning algorithms to examine the impact of agricultural land-use types on CO₂ emissions in Vietnam during the period 1990–2019. A four-layer Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model was employed to analyze the relationship between 21 agricultural land-use types (LUTs) and CO₂ emissions. The selected LUTs cover major agricultural products, including crops, meat, and vegetables. The results indicate that most agricultural LUTs are positively associated with CO₂ emissions, including bananas, dry beans, cabbages, cashew nuts in shell, fresh cassava, raw or retted jute, cauliflowers and broccoli, dry chilies and peppers, raw cinnamon and cinnamon-tree flowers, coconuts in shell, green coffee, groundnuts excluding shelled, fresh hen eggs in shell, watermelons, tea leaves, and sweet potatoes. By contrast, fresh or chilled horse meat, unmanufactured tobacco, soya beans, sesame seed, and rice show negative associations with CO₂ emissions. These findings provide empirical evidence to support policymakers in designing targeted strategies for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural production in Vietnam.

This study presents a scenario-based environmental and economic assessment of hybrid propulsion systems and alternative marine fuels within Panama Canal-centred maritime operations. Dual-fuel (DF) engines configured in diesel-electric and mechanical propulsion systems, as well as fuel cell/battery electrification, were evaluated across two bulk carrier case studies. Cold ironing (CI) was assessed independently to quantify its contribution to port-side emission reductions. Ammonia DF systems achieved the highest tank-to-wake (TtW) greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, up to 78.49% with CI, while green ammonia reduced well-to-wake (WtW) emissions by 66.03%. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) systems achieved GHG reductions aligned with 2030 targets. Methanol offered moderate benefits, while first- and second-generation biodiesel failed to meet GHG targets and showed limited environmental viability. Economically, grey ammonia yielded the lowest levelized cost of energy ($140.61/MWh), while green ammonia reached $469.01/MWh, indicating a trade-off between sustainability and cost. LNG and methanol remained competitive under both low- and average-price scenarios. The Panama Canal’s strategic location makes it a key connection hub for low-energy-density alternative fuels, which require larger storage volumes and pose trade-offs between cargo capacity and refuelling frequency. As a mid-route chokepoint, the Canal enables reliable refuelling, supporting the operational viability of zero-carbon fuels in long-haul shipping.

The rapid growth of the global population has increased the demand for animal-based proteins, placing considerable pressure on land, feed resources, and space, ultimately making their production costly and environmentally taxing. Filamentous fungi present a promising alternative, serving as a source of mycoprotein and pharmaceutical products. They are rich in high-quality proteins with favorable amino acid profiles, positioning them as an eco-friendly replacement for conventional animal- and plant-derived proteins. In addition, these fungi produce a wide array of secondary metabolites with antibacterial, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties, highlighting their value in drug discovery. This review discusses recent progress in fungal biomass production through solid-state and submerged fermentation, along with their nutritional relevance and applications in food technology. Importantly, filamentous fungi can grow on inexpensive agricultural byproducts, improving both economic feasibility and environmental sustainability. Their bioactive metabolites also hold strong potential for tackling pressing health issues, establishing filamentous fungi as a versatile biotechnological tool for advancing sustainable food systems and pharmaceutical innovation. The present study contributes to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals by promoting SDG 2 (zero hunger) through sustainable fungal proteins that enhance food security and nutrition, and SDG 3 (good health and well-being) via bioactive metabolites with therapeutic potential. It advances SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through innovations in fermentation, genetic engineering, and bioprocessing, while supporting SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) by utilizing agro-industrial waste within a circular bioeconomy. Moreover, SDG 13 (climate action) is addressed, as mycoprotein production significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to livestock.