Articles tagged with Climate Change Mitigation
A new study by the University of East London found that newer blockchain systems significantly reduce energy consumption, from 100-150 TWh per year for Bitcoin to negligible amounts. This shift has already led to reductions in network energy use and enables wider adoption at scale.
A new study calls for tripling energy efficiency, electrification and action against extreme energy consumption by 2035. This would accelerate the spread of efficient technologies and generate revenue to expand energy access and support low-carbon investment.
A new empirical study found a direct link between climate finance and lower conflict risk in developing countries. Climate finance that alleviates water stress and boosts renewable energy projects contributes to peace and stability, with greater impact at higher levels of funding.
The GREEN TALENT project organized four DemoHub workshops in Malta, Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria to foster collaboration, innovation, and hands-on learning. The workshops focused on addressing climate and biodiversity challenges, engaging island communities, policymakers, and experts.
A new study shows that combining biochar application with moderate water table management can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural peat soils. Biochar consistently lowers carbon dioxide emissions and suppresses methane production, making it a promising strategy for climate mitigation.
Researchers at NUS CDE have developed biowaste coatings that improve the conversion of carbon dioxide into useful fuels and chemicals, achieving high selectivity rates and reducing reliance on PFAS. The coatings, made from crustacean shells, insect exoskeletons, and plant matter, offer a cost-effective pathway to climate technology.
The EU must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 86% by 2040 to achieve 2050 climate neutrality through increased renewable energy and electrification. The study suggests a significant role for carbon capture and storage, with capacity needs rising by 26% annually from 2030 to 2040.
Researchers tested swapping one meat-based lunch option for a vegetarian dish in six English worksite cafeterias, resulting in a 41% increase in choosing a veggie main. The intervention led to healthier and more sustainable meals with lower environmental impact.
New research from the American Meteorological Society explores AI forecasting limits, the impact of climate change on hurricane trends, and simplifies the heat index. The studies find that machine learning can outperform numerical physics-based models in certain conditions, but not universally.
A machine learning technique identifies optimal spots for tree planting to inform climate mitigation strategies. Optimised afforestation can reduce river peaks by up to 43% while preserving groundwater by up to 60%. The study's findings highlight the importance of data-driven technologies in supporting large-scale, smarter planning.
A new study by Hashem Akbari offers a simplified way to calculate the climate impact of reflective surfaces, allowing policy practitioners to view problems on a regional basis. Increasing albedo by 0.01 can offset about 1.8 to 2 kilograms of CO₂ per square metre globally, with some regions reaching up to 5 kilograms.
A new IIASA-led study offers a practical approach to evaluate the distributional implications of climate action, enabling policymakers to assess justice impacts of emissions pathways. The study found that many existing mitigation scenarios are consistent with justice principles, while few explore limits on energy or meat consumption.
A new study reveals that street greenery can reduce heat stress in cities, but its benefits depend on local conditions. The cooling effect is stronger in tropical and continental climates, but weaker in dry and temperate climates.
Researchers analyzed nearly four decades of data from three North American grasslands to find that coping with climate threats isn't just a numbers game. Multiple dimensions of biodiversity can help ecosystems thrive in harsh conditions, the study reveals.
The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Regulatory Governance explores emerging regulatory frontiers in Latin America. The program features speakers from leading international institutions and offers a range of activities, including flash talks, poster presentations, and paper development workshops.
A five-year field study shows that small, repeated additions of biochar combined with water-saving irrigation can significantly reduce methane emissions from rice paddies over time while maintaining strong crop yields. Continuous application maintained and strengthened methane reduction, producing net negative emissions in some cases.
Researchers find that investing in climate adaptation can coexist with fiscal stability, but institutional quality and interest costs play crucial roles. The study analyzed data from 172 countries between 1995 and 2020 and found no structural conflict between the two goals.
A new study finds that dairy manure digesters are highly effective in reducing methane emissions from cow manure, with most systems performing well. However, occasional leaks of large magnitude offset the climate benefits, highlighting the need for thorough monitoring and verification.
A new review highlights biochar's potential to reverse land degradation, improve soil health, and support sustainable agriculture in arid regions. Biochar can increase crop yields, reduce erosion risks, and enhance soil resilience, while also contributing to global carbon sequestration efforts.
A new study highlights the importance of fair distribution of carbon dioxide removal rights among countries to halt global warming. The researchers found that unequal allocation can entrench inequality, shifting the climate burden onto future generations.
A new study by UFZ researchers warns that extreme global climate outcomes are possible even at moderate levels of global warming, such as 2°C. Sector-specific drivers like precipitation extremes and droughts can lead to severe impacts in vulnerable regions. The study highlights the need for ambitious climate mitigation measures to limi...
Researchers at the University of Seville found that vertical gardens can remove up to 96-98% of pollutants from indoor air after 24 hours. This study highlights the potential of active living walls in improving indoor air quality, reducing sick building syndrome and its impact on worker productivity and student learning.
A new study reveals that old-growth forests in Sweden store 72% more carbon per acre than managed forests, with a significant gap due to soil losses. Restoring primary forests could keep nearly 8 billion tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Researchers suggest changing flight paths to avoid contrails could slash aviation's global warming impact by nearly half. Implementing such a policy could recover around 9% of the temperature budget the world has left before breaching the Paris Agreement's 2°C limit.
Climate mitigation policies may increase hunger risk due to land use competition, but ozone reduction benefits partially offset these effects. Ozone-driven yield gains reduce food prices and increase food availability, particularly in regions with severe hunger.
A study by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona establishes the principles for modelling post-growth scenarios, pointing to the need for targeted demand-side measures and investments in low-carbon technologies. The research highlights the potential for post-growth to achieve pos...
Cerrado wetlands in Brazil's savannas are carbon storage powerhouses, storing an estimated 20% of Amazon's carbon. The peaty soils of these wetlands store about 1,200 metric tons of carbon per hectare, equivalent to six times the average carbon density of Amazon rainforest soils.
A new study finds that the amount of time per year that extreme heat makes it unsafe to go about daily life has doubled since the 1950s, with younger adults facing 2x more hours of heat-related limitations, while older adults face 50% more
In Ethiopia's city of Mekelle, spotted hyenas consume organic waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing disease. By doing so, they save the city over $100,000 in waste management costs, highlighting the vital ecosystem service they provide.
Climate projections warn that nearly 20% of Colombia's cocoa-growing areas could lose suitable climate conditions by 2050, particularly in the Caribbean region. However, adaptation options such as wild cocoa, agroforestry systems, and conservation of native forests may help mitigate these impacts.
A study predicts that forest damage in Europe will more than double by 2100 due to increased wildfires, storms, and bark beetle activity. The team used AI-based simulation models to estimate the impact of global warming on forest ecosystems.
The GRACE project co-develops, tests, and scales climate adaptation solutions with local communities in 10 European regions. It addresses diverse climate challenges through community-led adaptation, digital tools, and capacity-building, ensuring locally relevant and transferable solutions.
A new study reveals major blind spots in global sustainable research, overlooking key strategies and sectors needed to address the environmental crisis. The study finds that sustainability researchers are neglecting potentially powerful actors, including civil society, and failing to assign clear responsibilities across sectors.
The FAU project will integrate high-resolution modeling, observational data, and advanced machine learning to improve understanding of regional sea-level variability in the Gulf of America. The team aims to produce decision-relevant scenario outputs and empower stakeholders with actionable information for future-oriented decisions.
Research from Princeton University reveals that nations globally underreport greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater facilities by up to 27%. Accurate estimates are crucial for sound public reporting and practical decision-making in the wastewater sector. The study finds that wastewater systems offer strong options for emissions reduc...
A recent study highlights the link between water security and adaptability of homes in urban centers of the Global North to extreme heat. Household water security is not universal, even in the wealthiest cities, forcing vulnerable households to limit their water consumption, compromising their ability to adapt to extreme heat.
A new study reveals that air-conditioning use will more than double by 2050, causing up to 8.5 GtCO₂‑eq per year in the worst-case scenario. This is equivalent to around 74–183 billion transatlantic return flights and adds 0.03°C to 0.07°C of global warming.
Researchers used continuous and integrated readings of methane and ethane to identify overlooked emissions from restaurants, commercial facilities, and private residences. The study highlights the need for technology and policy to fix these hidden sources, which are estimated to be higher on weekdays.
A new study suggests that applying biochar to rewetted peatlands can improve long-term carbon storage while reducing the need for highly stable biochars. Rewetting peatlands slows decomposition and helps prevent carbon loss, allowing more of biochar's carbon to remain stored over time.
A new study published in Building and Environment shows that larger indoor greening systems can make spaces feel up to two degrees cooler and more comfortable. The analysis also highlights the importance of using the right systems, lighting, and maintenance to unlock the full potential of indoor greening.
A study created a high-resolution map of global cropland emissions, identifying regions for precise mitigation. The data shows that four crops – rice, maize, oil palm, and wheat – account for nearly three-quarters of cropland emissions, with rice leading at 43%.
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) expresses deep concern over the repeal of the EPA's 2009 Endangerment Finding, which concluded that greenhouse gas emissions harm human health and well-being. AMS reaffirms key scientific conclusions on climate change, including its impacts on people and nature.
A study by Anglia Ruskin University found that feeling fearful is associated with greater support for climate policies, while feelings of dread lead to lower support. The researchers suggest that evoking manageable levels of fear can motivate people to engage and support solutions.
A new study by Cardiff University reveals how ambitious climate action can save up to 1.32 million lives per year by 2040 by addressing global air quality inequalities. The research highlights the importance of cross-border pollution exchanges in achieving health benefits and reducing inequality between countries.
A new IIASA-led study examines critiques of global climate mitigation scenarios' equity and justice, proposing practical ways to advance fairness in climate pathways. The research synthesizes growing evidence that current scenarios fall short, identifying a roadmap for integrating fairness into future climate futures.
A University of Stirling professor has warned that tree-planting may not be as effective at reducing climate change as previously assumed due to potential soil carbon losses. The study found that deep soils in forests may lose more carbon over time than expected, which could reduce the net climate benefits of tree planting.
A new guideline published in CMAJ advises hospitals to implement 21 recommendations to increase environmental sustainability in operating rooms. The guidelines include reducing energy use, using reusable devices, developing recycling programs, and rethinking disposal of unused supplies.
The new book, Promise the Earth: A safe planet in good faith, calls for a rethink on how we live, hope, lead, and take responsibility to solve the climate crisis. Authors Professor Julian Allwood and Professor Andrew Davison argue that individual action, especially from comfortable lives, is crucial now.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen found that forest soils in south-western Germany absorb more methane as climate conditions become drier and warmer. This contradicts current international meta-analyses, highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring for assessing the effects of climate change.
Researchers urge policymakers to re-evaluate accountability in climate policy as the world inches closer to exceeding the 1.5°C target, emphasizing the need for integrated remedies and quantifying equity under overshoot scenarios.
New research shows that climate change is driving companies to diversify their customer base to reduce reliance on a few major buyers. This shift is particularly pronounced among firms with strong corporate social responsibility performance and heavy investment in physical assets.
A recent study by Doshisha University researchers found that Japanese media generally accurately conveys the concept of blue carbon, but fails to adequately address its challenges and risks. The study recommends improved collaboration among media professionals, policymakers, and marine scientists for effective science communication.
Restoration of peatlands can deliver significant climate mitigation benefits within two to six decades through the proliferation of Sphagnum moss vegetation. This process reduces greenhouse gas emissions and methane release, making it a pivotal contribution to Finland's land-use sector emission scenarios.
The Arctic is experiencing a rise in human-generated underwater noise due to melting ice and increased activity, disrupting wildlife and local communities. A new study from the University of Bath provides a clear framework for monitoring noise in Arctic waters, urging authorities to revise thresholds used to assess noise levels.
A Stanford University study found that showcasing past collective efforts on climate change can motivate individuals to take action. The most effective interventions combined evidence of impact with social and emotional benefits, increasing willingness to take public awareness actions by 30% and political actions by nearly 14%.
A recent study finds that the largest trees in Peruvian Amazon store disproportionately large amounts of carbon, making it difficult to achieve net-zero emissions. Protecting these trees can help conserve biodiversity and forest microclimates against future climate change.
Researchers at Jeonbuk National University have developed a new dual-chemical looping process that improves the efficiency of ammonia synthesis by 8.4% and reduces global warming potential by up to 15.85 kg CO2-equivalent per kilogram of ammonia produced.
A study by Seoul National University of Science & Technology found that expanding hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8.74 million tons. Public willingness to pay for this transition amounts to KRW 572.4 billion, far exceeding the prevailing carbon credit price.
The University of Toronto Engineering researchers have created the first-ever tool to provide construction-related greenhouse gas emissions budgets for 1,000 cities globally. The open-source model helps cities navigate between the need for new housing and infrastructure and the need to keep global warming below two degrees. The model c...
A new action plan recommends 13 key steps for strengthening Maryland's agriculture in the face of climate change. The plan aims to increase productivity and incomes, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve resilience.