A team of researchers at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research has made a breakthrough in understanding the relationship between catalyst structures and their reactions. By studying the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) in Tin-Oxide-based catalysts, they uncovered the active surface species responsi...
Scientists develop a new method to calculate the total carbon emissions consistent with the Paris climate targets of 1.5°C and 2°C of global warming. The study estimates emissions budgets that are at least 10% larger than previous models, indicating a need for urgent action to reduce emissions.
The Zero-Energy Switchable Radiative Cooler (ZESRC) is a temperature-responsive solution that balances building temperatures sustainably. Field experiments demonstrate its effectiveness across seasons, reducing energy consumption by 14.3% compared to other devices.
A new method developed by ETH researchers suggests that the cost of direct air capture (DAC) technologies will not be as cheap as previously anticipated. The estimated costs range from $230 to $540 per tonne, with some technologies expected to cost between $280 and $580 by 2050.
A new study finds that emergency atmospheric geoengineering would not be able to reverse changes to ocean currents, even with stratospheric aerosol injection. Gradual injections can maintain current temperatures and circulation patterns, but abrupt injections fail to restore critical ocean circulation patterns.
A team of researchers proposes a new method to track the elusive origins of CO2 emissions from streams, accounting for 60% of emissions under alkaline conditions. Using carbonate buffering, scientists can better understand the balance of CO2, water, and carbonate in stream systems.
Mangrove forests in regions like southern India and eastern Australia are affected by human development, leading to a decline in global mangrove carbon stocks. The study predicts an annual rate of carbon emissions from mangrove loss will rise to 3,392 Teragrams by the end of the century.
Researchers at WVU have developed a microwave technology that can significantly reduce industry's energy consumption and carbon emissions. The technology, which uses microwaves to carry out chemical reactions, has the potential to produce ethylene and ammonia in a single reactor, leading to increased efficiency and lower emissions.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a new photosensitizer that doubles the yield of fumaric acid from CO2, creating biodegradable plastics with reduced carbon dioxide emissions. The innovation reuses waste resources to produce fumaric acid, a key component of sustainable packaging materials.
A new study from the University of Delaware and Yale University aims to improve cost estimates for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by understanding the underlying frictions that prevent people from adopting newer, greener technologies. The researchers focus on the social sciences to better understand these negative costs.
Engineers at the University of Cincinnati have created a more efficient way to convert carbon dioxide into ethylene, producing a pivotal platform chemical globally. The process, using a modified copper catalyst, holds promise for one day producing ethylene through green energy instead of fossil fuels.
A new study reveals that introducing a simple, renewable chemical to the pretreatment step can make next-generation biofuel production cost-effective and carbon neutral. A CELF biorefinery can more fully utilize plant matter than earlier methods, resulting in sustainable aviation fuel at a break-even price of $3.15 per gallon.
Scientists have developed a method to convert waste carbon dioxide into formic acid, a colorless and pungent liquid with potential as a transportation fuel and petrochemical industry enhancer. The new method efficiently converted CO2 for over 5,000 hours, suggesting cost-effective scalability.
A new study reveals conflicting national and sectorial targets, as well as differing availability of abatement options, hinder companies' ability to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers propose introducing a carbon measurement and management process alongside a dynamic framework to align climate targets and actions.
Researchers suggest replacing 50% of animal products with alternative proteins by 2050 to unlock vast energy and negative emission potentials via BECCS. This transition could free up large agricultural areas, generating enough renewable energy equivalent to today's coal-generated power while removing substantial CO2 from the atmosphere.
A team of researchers at McMaster University uncovered the elusive bottleneck hindering the conversion of carbon dioxide into fuels and chemicals. The study provides new insights into the degradation process of catalysts, enabling the development of strategies to improve their operational lifetimes.
Researchers examined lake partial carbon dioxide pressure variability to improve global estimation accuracy. They found significant seasonal fluctuations and trophic state effects on CO2 emissions, leading to variable emissions across lakes with different characteristics.
A study published in Marine Policy found that spatial restrictions after Brexit led to a doubling of greenhouse gas emissions from Norway's mackerel fishing fleet. The change resulted in a significant increase in fuel usage and carbon footprint, equivalent to half a million CO2 emissions per year.
The ShAPE technology developed at PNNL can transform 100% post-consumer scrap aluminum into usable extrusions meeting ASTM standards for strength and flexibility. This process conserves nearly all the energy required to manufacture new aluminum products, reducing dependency on imported primary aluminum and greenhouse gas emissions.
New research reveals that governments and businesses rely on unsustainable amounts of future CO2 removal, posing risks to food security, human rights, and natural ecosystems. The study calls for policymakers to set separate targets for emission reductions and removals, prioritizing restoring natural ecosystems.
New research reveals permafrost's dominant role in shaping Arctic rivers and storing massive amounts of carbon. Thawing permafrost could unleash billions of tons of CO2, exacerbating climate change.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that Greenland consumes more methane than it releases, with dry landscapes absorbing over 65,000 tons annually. The study's findings contribute significantly to climate models and provide insights into the optimal soil conditions for methane uptake in the Arctic.
The study proposes technical, legal, and economic interventions to transition the global plastics system to net zero emissions by 2050. The authors emphasize the need for concerted action across four target areas: smart materials design, waste management, recycling, and reducing future demand.
Researchers found that injecting aerosols into the stratosphere can reduce ice sheet loss by up to 37.6 mm sea-level rise, slowing global warming's effects. However, geoengineering addresses only symptoms, not root causes, and may delay necessary changes.
Researchers from PolyU develop a durable, highly selective and energy-efficient CO2 electroreduction system that converts CO2 into ethylene for industrial purposes. The APMA system achieves high specificity of 50% and operates for over 1,000 hours at an industrial-level current of 10A.
A new commentary highlights that shifting focus from energy supply to consumption can effectively reduce carbon emissions and improve wellbeing. Reducing energy demand could save households and businesses money, create employment, and reduce emissions, while also limiting global warming in line with Paris Agreement targets.
A new study finds that global carbon markets overcredit cookstove GHG reductions by a factor of 10, affecting climate targets and trust in the market. The study recommends prioritizing projects with stoves meeting World Health Organization's health standards.
Researchers found that small electric aircraft can have a notably lower climate impact – up to 60 percent less – and other types of environmental impacts than equivalent fossil-fuelled aircraft. The study also highlights the need for longer battery lifetimes and improved energy storage capacity to minimize mineral resource scarcity.
A new bifunctional water electrolysis catalyst made from ruthenium, silicon, and tungsten enables the efficient production of high-purity green hydrogen. The catalyst demonstrates exceptional durability in acidic environments, making it an attractive alternative to traditional precious metal catalysts.
Two UH projects explore repurposing existing energy assets for clean energy, while a third project establishes a visiting scholar program to develop carbon-negative hydrogen production. The funding aims to create a skilled workforce for a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.
A landmark study by National Geographic Pristine Seas finds that bottom trawling releases up to 370 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually. The research also reveals high carbon emissions in areas such as East China Sea, Baltic, and North Seas.
Most Earth System Models lack accurate representation of permafrost dynamics, a crucial factor in future climate projections. Funding constraints and limited resources are preventing model development from capturing the full scope of complex permafrost processes.
A groundbreaking strategy for urban carbon neutrality is introduced in Wuyishan, a service-oriented city in China. The approach innovatively combines life cycle assessments with sector-specific analyses to account for both internal and external greenhouse gas emissions.
A new analysis reveals a pronounced regional imbalance in forest productivity, with the Western U.S. experiencing a notable slowdown and the Eastern U.S. seeing slightly accelerated growth. This study highlights the urgent need for reduced global greenhouse gas emissions to restore the global carbon balance.
Researchers have developed a new catalyst that exceeds 30% yield for the production of ethylene through oxidative coupling of methane, a more sustainable and economically viable method. The core-shell Li2CO3-coated mixed rare earth oxides catalyst enables sequential oxygen switching, replenishing its ability to provide oxygen for the r...
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method to capture CO2 using photoacids that react to light. The process can switch between acidic and alkaline states rapidly, allowing for quick carbon capture and release. This method requires less energy than existing technologies.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Columbia University developed a tandem electrocatalytic-thermocatalytic conversion method to convert CO2 into carbon nanofibers. This approach can occur at relatively low temperatures, around 400°C, making it a more practical and industrially achievable process.
Researchers at Empa's Concrete & Asphalt lab have developed a process for integrating biochar into concrete, achieving net zero emissions. The process involves processing biochar into pellets and incorporating them into concrete, resulting in a 20% by volume carbon content that offsets all emissions produced during production.
Tackling inequality is vital to mitigate climate change effectively, as wealthy individuals often have greater ability to reduce their carbon footprint. Deep-rooted inequalities restrict people's capacity to switch to lower-carbon behaviours, making it essential for policymakers to provide equal opportunities across all income brackets.
A new study in the Journal of Dairy Science analyzes the life cycle of milk production in 47 small farms in Karnataka, India, identifying key emissions hotspots and potential sustainability improvements. The research highlights the importance of high-yielding animals and efficient feeding strategies to reduce carbon footprints.
A new process developed by KIT researchers reduces steel production's greenhouse gas emissions by several hundred million tons per year. The technology, known as dry reforming, replaces coke with hydrogen-rich synthesis gas to support iron oxide reduction in blast furnaces.
A recent study found that beef operations with lifelong grass-based diets may produce a 42% higher carbon footprint when considering soil carbon sequestration and carbon opportunity costs. This is in contrast to grain-finished operations, which have been previously shown to have a lower environmental impact. The study's findings emphas...
The EU-funded ForestPaths project gathered stakeholders to discuss forest-based policymaking and climate change mitigation. Key findings include a desire for sustainable forestry products, long-term forest considerations, and practical guidance for forest managers.
A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters sheds light on methane emissions from Arctic lakes and wetlands. Researchers found that small, unmapped lakes contribute only about 3% of the region's methane emissions, significantly reducing the cumulative amount previously thought to be emitted.
Researchers have developed an ion-exchange method that captures CO2 at room temperature, paired with an electrochemical cell to purify the gas. The technology has the potential to be powered by industrial waste heat or geothermal energy, reducing emissions and costs.
Researchers propose three methods to meet EU climate goals: a carbon removal bank, extended land use regulation, and clear identification of difficult-to-tackle emissions. These measures aim to incentivize companies and countries to invest in new technologies and reduce emissions.
Exposure to ocean acidification in red abalone can last across generations, affecting growth rates and reproductive potential. Scientists found that buffering the water chemistry at crucial life stages can help ease these effects for captive- and commercially raised red abalone.
International collaboration is crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the construction industry. A global policy can help harmonize climate regulations among neighboring countries, promoting a decarbonized built environment.
Scientists have made a significant stride toward understanding a viable process for direct air capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The study focused on aqueous glycine, an amino acid known for its absorbent qualities, and discovered that focusing solely on free energy barrier is an oversimplification that can lead to inaccur...
Fossil CO2 emissions from global carbon budgets have reached a record high in 2023, with global warming exceeding 1.5°C target becoming increasingly likely within seven years. The study projects that total global CO2 emissions will be 40.9 billion tonnes, far from the reductions needed to meet climate targets.
Researchers used AI to analyze tree databases and found that temperature and precipitation are strong predictors of non-native species invasion. The study also reveals that global forest carbon potential is considerably below natural levels, with most potential located in existing forests.
A new study by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School found that carbon dioxide becomes more potent as climate changes, increasing its heat-trapping effect. This means that future CO2 increases will provide a more potent warming effect on climate than past increases.
The global EV battery industry is projected to exceed 600 MtCO2eq in emissions by 2050, mainly due to energy-intensive mining and refining processes. Shifting to less CO2-intensive battery chemistries like LFP could reduce emissions by 20%.
Researchers develop a method to verify whether carbon in concrete comes from air or raw materials. By analyzing carbon isotopes, they can confirm direct air capture and certify offsetting CO2 emissions. This technology is crucial for the construction industry and supports a circular economy.
In Canadian First Nations houses in remote northern communities, researchers found strikingly high levels of CO2, mold damage, and endotoxins. These findings could explain the high rates of respiratory illness in these areas.
Researchers found that non-living processes involving reactive oxygen species play a significant role in paddy soils' CO2 emissions. The study highlights the importance of understanding the interplay between organic carbon and both living and non-living contributors to devise effective strategies against global warming.
Researchers found that a more complex climate model projects stronger and sustained carbon uptake by plants until the end of the 21st century. This could lead to a larger impact on mitigating climate change through nature-based solutions like reforestation.
A recent study estimates that healthy forests could absorb up to 328 billion tons of carbon, with a significant portion of this potential achievable through sustainable forest management. By protecting existing forests and reconnecting fragmented landscapes, we can sequester an additional 139 Gt of carbon.
A new study estimates that most corporations are not reporting the full scope of their carbon footprint, particularly in Scope 3 categories. This lack of transparency could be indicative of greenwashing, as companies focus on reporting Scope 1 and 2 emissions instead.
An international team at DTU has increased the durability of CO2 electrolyzers, enabling the conversion of captured CO2 into valuable green chemicals like ethylene and ethanol. The breakthrough could play a significant role in the green transition by reducing global CO2 emissions