ALBERT

Description: Responses obtained in consonant perception experiments typically show a large variability across stimuli of the same phonetic identity. The present study investigated the influence of different potential sources of this response variability. It was distinguished between source-induced variability, referring to perceptual differences caused by acoustical differences in the speech tokens and/or the masking noise tokens, and receiver-related variability, referring to perceptual differences caused by within- and across-listener uncertainty. Consonant-vowel combinations consisting of 15 consonants followed by the vowel /i/ were spoken by two talkers and presented to eight normal-hearing listeners both in quiet and in white noise at six different signal-to-noise ratios. The obtained responses were analyzed with respect to the different sources of variability using a measure of the perceptual distance between responses. The speech-induced variability across and within talkers and the across-listener variability were substantial and of similar magnitude. The noise-induced variability, obtained with time-shifted realizations of the same random process, was smaller but significantly larger than the amount of within-listener variability, which represented the smallest effect. The results have implications for the design of consonant perception experiments and provide constraints for future models of consonant perception.

Description: Seafloor topography is neither spatially homogeneous, nor does it obey Gaussian statistics; deviations from both of these assumptions are important from a geological and acoustic point of view. It has been found that the distribution of topographic slopes can be used as a primary tool for understanding the sources and extent of spatial heterogeneities and patterns on the seafloor. The covariance function has been widely used to characterize seafloor topography, but requires the assumption of Gaussian joint probability statistics to be valid. For heterogeneous topography characterized by large transient signals such as steep scarps and volcanoes, the covariance becomes dominated by the transients; in contrast the family slope distributions can still be used to derive stable descriptors for regions with large transient signals, as well as regions containing asymmetric features, and regions with only limited sampling. Knowledge of slopes is useful because a direct relation exists between the covariance and the slope distributions at different spatial scales. Studies of the slope distribution provide a means of identifying the presence of the non‐Gaussian elements in the topography, and flagging their spatial locations. The methods used here are demonstrated by applying them to three small patches of topography located within 20 km of each other in the Eastern Pacific. It is found that dominant azimuthal directions and dip angles differ widely between the patches. In addition, asymmetries in the cross‐sectional shapes of faulted abyssal hills are documented. [Work supported by ONR.]

Description: The acoustic backscatter of eight well‐curated ferromanganese nodules has been measured in 1 °C seawater at frequencies from 45 to 167 kHz. The nodules have diameters from 37 to 121 mm and are thought to be representative of the Cu–Ni–Co‐rich nodules from the area around 14° 40’ N, 125° 25’ W (DOMES site C). They had been collected in box cores on the Echo 1 expedition and were kept refrigerated and water soaked in air‐tight plastic bags. Acoustic backscatter variations of over 10 dB were observed while the nodule was rotated 10° to 30° about one of its principal axes. The complicated fine structure, as well as the target strength, makes it clear that nodules cannot be modeled as simple spheres.

Description: Additional data from sonobuoys and the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) justify separating sound‐velocity‐depth functions and velocity gradients (in the first layer of soft marine sediments) into some geographic areas and sediment types. Based on sonobuoy and core measurements (where V is sound velocity in km/s, and h is depth in sediments in km), the following data are obtained: continental shelf basins off Sumatra and Java—V=1.484+0.710h−0.085h2; U. S. Atlantic continental rise—V=1.513+0.828h−0.138h2; deep‐sea terrigenous sediments—V=1.519+1.227h−0.473h2; and siliceous sediments of the Bering Sea— V=1.509+0.869h−0.267h2. Selected DSDP data (through leg 74) in similar areas yield: continental terrace silt–clays—V=1.505+0.712h; deep‐sea terrigenous sediments—V=1.510+1.019h; and deep‐sea siliceous sediments—V=1.533+0.761h. Computed velocity gradients from sonobuoy measurements are generally supported by the DSDP gradients. Only DSDP data give the following: hemipelagic sediments—V=1.501+1.151h; deep‐sea calcareous sediments—V=1.541+0.928h; and deep‐sea pelagic clay—V=1.526+1.046h. Where fast sediment accumulation occurs, there has not been enough time to reduce sediment pore spaces under overburden pressure; areas of slow accumulation may have relatively high sediment structural strength. Both cases have lower velocity gradients because higher porosities and consequent lower velocities persist to deeper depths.

Description: High‐frequency bottom acoustic and geoacoustic data from three well‐characterized sites of different bottom composition are compared with scattering models in order to clarify the roles played by interface roughness and sediment volume inhomogeneities. Model fits to backscattering data from two silty sites lead to the conclusion that scattering from volume inhomogeneities was primarily responsible for the observed backscattering. In contrast, measured bottom roughness was sufficient to explain the backscattering seen at a sandy site. Although the sandy site had directional ripples, the model and data agree in their lack of anisotropy.

Description: A simple equation is presented for the dependence of sound speed on temperature, salinity, and depth of water. The comparison with Del Grosso’s NRL II shows discrepancies of the order of tenths of m/sec for realistic values of the parameters.

Description: The ratio of compressional wavevelocityV p to shear wavevelocityV s , and Poisson’s ratio in marine sediments and rocks are important in modeling the sea floor for underwater acoustics,geophysics, and foundation engineering. V p and V s versus depth information was linked at common depths in terrigenous sediments (to 1000 m) and in sands (to 20 m) to yield data on V p vs V s , and V p /V s and Poisson’s ratios versus depth. Soft, terrigenous sediments usually grade with depth into mudstones and shales; V p /V s ratios vary from about 13 or more at the sea floor to about 2.6 at 1000 m. Poisson’s ratios vary from above 0.49 at the sea floor to about 0.41 at 1000 m. In sands, V p , V s , and V p /V s have very high gradients in the first few meters; below about 5 m, V p /V s ratios decrease from about 9 to about 6 at 20 m; Poisson’s ratios vary from above 0.49 at the surface to above 0.48 at 20 m. The mean value of V p /V s in 30 laboratory samples of chalk and limestone is 1.90 (standard error: 0.03); mean Poisson’s ratio is 0.31. Literature data on basalts from the sea floor are reviewed. Equations relating V p to V s are given for terrigenous sediments, sands, and basalts.

Description: Gas-hydrate accumulations located onshore in Arctic permafrost regions are seen as a potential source of natural gas. Surprisingly, most of the gas hydrate found in the Mackenzie Delta and Beaufort Sea areas was indirectly discovered or inferred from conventional hydrocarbon exploration programs. One of these occurrences, the Mallik gas-hydrate field (Figure 1), has received particular attention over the last 10 years. Two internationally partnered research well programs have intersected three intervals of gas hydrates and have allowed successful extraction of subpermafrost core samples with significant gas hydrates. The gas-hydrate intervals are up to 40 m thick and have high gas-hydrate saturation, sometimes exceeding 80% of pore volume of unconsolidated clastic sediments with average porosities from 25–40%. At Mallik, the gas-hydrate intervals are located at depths of 900–1100 m and are localized on the crest of an anticline.

Description: The definition of noise and signal in seismic data will vary widely with the viewer's perspective and methods to process and visualize the data. Thus we begin with our definition from the perspective of presenting structural subsurface information.

Description: Shallow gas occurs between 0 and 1000 m below the sea floor. It consists mainly of microbial-formed or thermogenic methane or a combination of both, sometimes with a limited admixture of higher hydrocarbons (propane, butane, etc.).

Description: A new equation for the speed of sound in sea water has been developed with validity not only for realistic combinations of the parameters salinity, temperature, and pressure, but with extension to pure water as well. This new equation, referred to as NRL II, has a standard deviation of 0.05 m/sec. Tables are presented comparing calculations using this new model to each of eight earlier equations. Graphs are also included indicating approximate corrections that could be applied to existing sound speed profiles, but it is recommended that such profiles be recalculated and new ones obtained according to NRL II.

Description: Tables for the speed of sound in sea water are presented. These tables have been prepared from an empirical formula which was derived to fit measured sound‐speed data obtained over the temperature range −3°C to 30°C, the pressure range 1.033 kg/cm2 to 1000 kg/cm2, and the salinity range 33‰ to 37‰. The discrepancy of −3.0 m/sec found by Del Grosso at 1 atm., as compared to the tables of Kuwahara, is substantiated. In addition, the pressure coefficient of sound speed observed in the present work differs from that predicted by Kuwahara.

Description: A new equation is proposed for the calculation of sound speed in seawater as a function of temperature, salinity, depth, and latitude in all oceans and open seas, including the Baltic and the Black Sea. The proposed equation agrees to better than ±0.2m∕s with two reference complex equations, each fitting the best available data corresponding to existing waters of different salinities. The only exceptions are isolated hot brine spots that may be found at the bottom of some seas. The equation is of polynomial form, with 14 terms and coefficients of between one and three significant figures. This is a substantial reduction in complexity compared to the more complex equations using pressure that need to be calculated according to depth and location. The equation uses the 1990 universal temperature scale (an elementary transformation is given for data based on the 1968 temperature scale). It is hoped that the equation will be useful to those who need to calculate sound speed in applications of marine acoustics.

Description: In studies in underwater acoustics,geophysics, and geology, the relations between soundvelocity and density allow assignment of approximate values of density to sediment and rock layers of the earth’s crust and mantle, given a seismicmeasurement of velocity. In the past, single curves of velocity versus density represented all sediment and rock types. A large amount of recent data from the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP), and reflection and refraction measurements of soundvelocity, allow construction of separate velocity–density curves for the principal marine sediment and rock types. The paper uses carefully selected data from laboratory and i n s i t umeasurements to present empirical sound velocity–density relations (in the form of regression curves and equations) in terrigenous silt clays, turbidites, and shale, in calcareous materials (sediments, chalk, and limestone), and in siliceous materials (sediments, porcelanite, and chert); a published curve for DSDP basalts is included. Speculative curves are presented for composite sections of basalt and sediments. These velocity–density relations, with seismicmeasurements of velocity, should be useful in assigning approximate densities to sea‐floor sediment and rock layers for studies in marine geophysics, and in forming geoacoustic models of the sea floor for underwater acoustic studies.

Description: Seismic data are usually acquired and processed for imaging reflections. This paper describes a method of processing seismic data for imaging discontinuities (e.g., faults and stratigraphic features). One application of this nontraditional process is a 3-D volume, or cube, of coherence coefficients within which faults are revealed as numerically separated surfaces. Figure 1 compares a traditional 3-D reflection amplitude time slice with the results of the new method. To our knowledge, this is the first published method of revealing fault surfaces within a 3-D volume for which no fault reflections have been recorded.

Description: Two sets of equations, covering all world oceans and seas, are presented to calculate pressure from depth for the computation of sound speed, and depth from pressure for use in ocean engineering. They are based on the algorithm of UNESCO 1983 [N. P. Fofonoff and R. C. Millard, Jr., Unesco Tech. Papers in Mar. Sci. No. 44 (1983)], and on calculations from temperature and salinity profiles. The pressure to depth conversion is presented first. The equations can be used in those cases where the desired accuracy is reduced to ±0.8 m. The equations to convert depth to pressure provide an overall accuracy between ±8000 Pa and ±1000 Pa. This leads to errors in sound speed consistently smaller than ±0.02 m/s. The discussion, and comparisons with results and other formulas, suggest that the new equations are a substantial improvement on the previous simplified ones, which should now be abandoned.

Description: Attributes have proliferated recently with different selections available on different workstations. What do they all mean? When do we use one and when another? The answers to these questions are not easy but the first step is to understand what our options are, and herein lies the purpose of this article.

Description: As offshore petroleum exploration and development move into deeper water, industry must contend increasingly with gas hydrate, a solid compound that binds water and a low-molecular-weight gas (usually methane). Gas hydrate has been long studied in industry from an engineering viewpoint, due to its tendency to clog gas pipelines. However, hydrate also occurs naturally wherever there are high pressures, low temperatures, and sufficient concentrations of gas and water. These conditions prevail in two natural environments, both of which are sites of active exploration: permafrost regions and marine sediments on continental slopes. In this article we discuss seismic detection of gas hydrate in marine sediments. Gas hydrate in deepwater sediments poses both new opportunities and new hazards. An enormous quantity of natural gas, likely far exceeding the global inventory of conventional fossil fuels, is locked up worldwide in hydrates. Ex-traction of this unconventional resource presents unique exploration, engineering, and economic challenges, and several countries, including the United States, Japan, Canada, India, and Korea, have initiated joint industry-academic-governmental programs to begin studying those challenges. Hydrates also constitute a potential drilling hazard. Because hydrates are only stable in a restricted range of pressure and temperature, any activity that sufficiently raises temperature or lowers pressure could destabilize them, releasing potentially large volumes of gas and decreasing the shear strength of the host sediments. Assessment of the opportunities and hazards associated with hydrates requires reliable methods of detecting hydrate and accurate maps of their distribution and concentration. Hydrate may occur only within the upper few hundred meters of deepwater sediment, at any depth between the seafloor and the base of the stability zone, which is controlled by local pressure and temperature. Hydrate is occasionally exposed at the seafloor, where it can be detected either visually or acoustically by strong seismic reflection amplitudes or high backscatter …

Description: The Green's function (GF) for the scalar wave equation is numerically constructed by an advanced geometric ray-tracing method based on the eikonal approximation related to the semiclassical propagator. The underlying theory is first briefly introduced, and then it is applied to acoustics and implemented in a ray-tracing-type numerical simulation. The so constructed numerical method is systematically used to calculate the sound field in a rectangular (cuboid) room, yielding also the acoustic modes of the room. The simulated GF is rigorously compared to its analytic approximation. Good agreement is found, which proves the devised numerical approach potentially useful also for low frequency acoustic modeling, which is in practice not covered by geometrical methods.

Description: The seismic trace is a complex aggregate of reflected and scattered signals from subsurface formation interfaces and heterogeneities. Although many varieties of random noise may also be present in the trace, we know from reacquiring the same seismic survey that seismic data are highly repeatable, indicating that significant information about the subsurface is contained in the trace but not yet used by our standard analysis methods. Seismic scattering is a type of signal contained in the data that is generally not utilized.

Description: High-resolution 3D (HR3D) seismic data are important for hydrocarbon exploration of shallow reservoirs, site characterization, and geohazard assessments. The goal of this contribution is to identify and quantify the parameters to increase the resolution of HR3D seismic data to meter scale. The main acquisition parameters controlling the resolution of the collected data are the spectrum of the seismic source, source-receiver offset range, and trace density. An evolution to one-meter-scale resolution of 3D seismic will rely on combining a reproducible seismic source with high frequencies up to at least 600 Hz, a high uniform trace density of more than 4 million traces per square kilometer, and an offset range shorter than approximately 200 m. The resulting 3D seismic data volume will reach meter-scale resolution for water and target depths of less than 600 m. The proposed HR3D system will be suitable for 3D and 4D characterization of seabed properties and shallow stratigraphy, the identification of geohazards and hydrocarbon leakage, and monitoring the environmental impact of offshore activities. The P-Cable 3D system is an excellent starting point for achieving one-meter-scale resolution due to its flexible and tight meter-scale shot and receiver spacing.

Description: Understanding mechanical interactions between hydrate and hosting sediments is critical for evaluating formation stability and associated environmental impacts of hydrate-bearing sediments during gas production. While core-scale studies of hydrate-bearing sediments are readily available and some explanations of observed results rely on pore-scale behavior of hydrate, actual pore-scale observations supporting the larger-scale phenomena are rarely available for hydrate-bearing sediments, especially with methane as guest molecules. The primary reasons for the scarcity include the challenge of developing tools for small-scale testing apparatus and pore-scale visualization capability. We present a testing assembly that combines pore-scale visualization and triaxial test capability of methane hydrate-bearing sediments. This testing assembly allows temperature regulation and independent control of four pressures: influent and effluent pore pressure, confining pressure, and axial pressure. Axial and lateral effective stresses can be applied independently to a 9.5 mm diameter and 19 mm long specimen while the pore pressure and temperature are controlled to maintain the stability of methane hydrate. The testing assembly also includes an X-ray transparent beryllium core holder so that 3D computed tomography scanning can be conducted during the triaxial loading. This testing assembly permits pore-scale exploration of hydrate-sediment interaction in addition to the traditional stress-strain relationship. Exemplary outcomes are presented to demonstrate applications of the testing assembly on geomechanical property estimations of methane-hydrate bearing sediments.

Description: A bottom-simulating reflection (BSR) is a seismic reflectivity phenomenon that is widely accepted as indicating the base of the gas-hydrate stability zone. The acoustic impedance difference between sediments invaded with gas hydrate above the BSR and sediments without gas hydrate, but commonly with free gas below, are accepted as the conditions that create this reflection. The relationship between BSRs and marine gas hydrate has become so well known since the 1970s that investigators, when asked to define the most important seismic attribute of marine gas-hydrate systems, usually reply, “a BSR event.” Research conducted over the last decade has focused on calibrating seafloor seismic reflectivity across the geology of the northern Gulf of Mexico (GoM) continental slope surface to the seafloor. This research indicates that the presence and character of seafloor bright spots (SBS) can be indicators of gas hydrates in surface and near-surface sediments (Figure 1). It has become apparent that SBSs on the continental slope generally are responses to fluid and gas expulsion processes. Gas-hydrate formation is, in turn, related to these processes. As gas-hydrate research expands around the world, it will be interesting to find if SBS behavior in other deepwater settings is as useful for identifying gas-hydrate sites as in the GoM.

Description: The curves of optimum frequencies versus maximum range for active sonar detection under specific sets of assumptions are presented for the more recent expressions for attenuation given by Lovett [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 58, 620–625 (1975)] for the eastern North Pacific and Thorp [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 42, 270 (1967)] for the western North Atlantic as corrected at low frequencies by Kibblewhite et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 60, 1040–1047 (1976)].

Description: This dataset contains PISM simulation results of the Antarctic Ice Sheet based on code release v1.0-paleo-ensemble (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3574033). PISM is the open-source Parallel Ice Sheet Model developed mainly at UAF, USA and PIK, Germany. See documentation in https://www.pism.io. These are additional netCDF data from the same ensemble simulations already stored in doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.909728. 1) 1000-year snapshots since 125000 years before present, of ice thickness, bed topography, change in bed topography, floating/grounded mask, surface elevation, basal melt rate and vertically averaged velocity magnitude (SIA+SSA) (16GB) 2) 5000-year snapshots since 125000 years before present, SSA velocity components in x and y direction (8GB)

Description: Marine Ökosysteme wie Mangrovenwälder, Seegraswiesen, Salzwiesen und Makroalgen sowie marine Sedimente verfügen über die Eigenschaft, Kohlenstoff in ihrer Biomasse und Sedimenten zu speichern. Durch die Rehabilitation, Wiederherstellung und den Schutz dieser Ökosysteme kann somit das Potential des Ozeans zur Aufnahme von atmosphärischem CO2 erhöht werden. Dieses Potential wurde in Vorbereitung der 15. UN-Klimakonferenz in Kopenhagen 2009 unter dem Konzept „Blue Carbon" eingeführt und wird seitdem weiter erforscht und in politischen Prozessen weiterentwickelt. Die langfristige Sequestrierung von atmosphärischem CO2 durch Blue-Carbon-Ökosysteme unterstützt Umsetzungsprozesse zur Erreichung der Ziele des Pariser Abkommens. Das über Blue-Carbon-Ökosysteme sequestrierte CO2 zählt als Teil der globalen Kohlenstoffsenke als „negative Emissionen". So erreichte negative Emissionen sollten jedoch nicht zur Umgehung von ohnehin notwendigen politischen und wirtschaftlichen Schritten in Richtung einer CO2-neutralen Zukunft führen. Die Wiederherstellung und Rehabilitation von Blue-Carbon-Ökosystemen zur Erhöhung der natürlichen Kohlenstoffsenke des Planeten sollte zusätzlich zu einer signifikanten globalen Emissionsreduktion eingesetzt werden. Diese Studie erörtert die wissenschaftlichen, ökonomischen und politischen Fortschritte im Bereich Blue Carbon und stellt mögliche politische Handlungspfade vor, die das Potential von Blue-Carbon-Ökosystemen zum Klimaschutz in, durch und mit Deutschland stärken. Für die verschiedenen Blue-Carbon-Ökosysteme wird aufgezeigt, inwiefern die Ausweitung und der Schutz dieser Ökosystemen weitere Ziele der Klimaanpassung und der nachhaltigen Entwicklung unterstützen. Aufbauend auf einer Auswertung praktischer Umsetzungsbeispiele von Blue-Carbon-Projekten und möglicher Finanzierungsmechanismen wird nachfolgend ein politischer Handlungsleitpfaden für Deutschland in Bezug auf Blue Carbon entwickelt. Die politischen Handlungsempfehlungen wurden gemeinsam mit dem Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Nukleare Sicherheit entwickelt.

Description: Marine ecosystems like mangroves forests, seagrass meadows, salt marshes and macroalgae can store carbon in their biomass and sediments. Rehabilitation, restoration and conservation of these ecosystems can increase the potential for atmospheric carbon uptake by the ocean. This concept was first introduced as ‘blue carbon’ during the preparation for the 15th UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in 2009 and since then it has seen continuous incorporation into politics and research. The long-term sequestration of atmospheric CO2 via blue carbon ecosystems supports the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement. The CO2 that is sequestered by blue carbon ecosystems is part of the global carbon sink and therefore it can be counted as ‘negative emissions’ in the global carbon stocktake. However, such negative emissions should not be implemented as a substitute for necessary political and economic measures towards a carbon neutral future. Rehabilitation and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems as a natural carbon sink is one of many measures but cannot replace the significant reduction of global emissions needed for the realisation of the global climate targets. This study discusses the scientific, economic and political realm of blue carbon. Furthermore, possible courses for political action “in”, “by”, and “through” Germany that could strengthen the potential of blue carbon ecosystems to sequester carbon are explored. The study investigates a variety of blue carbon ecosystems to determine to what extent the expansion and conservation of blue carbon ecosystems can support additional climate adaptation targets and Sustainable Development Goals. The evaluation of a multitude of implemented and ongoing blue carbon projects across the globe gives insight to best practices and possible financing mechanisms. A political guideline for Germany regarding blue carbon was developed together with the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

Description: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a fundamental component of all life on Earth. Due to the considerable increase in emissions, particularly industrial emissions, CO2has, however, become a waste product and greenhouse gas damaging to the climate and, consequently, a threat to both humanity and nature. For almost 50years, chemical research has been pursuing the idea of making the CO2 molecule useful as a raw material(Aresta and Dibenedetto 2010). Within the context of the oil crises of the 1970s, and contingent on the currentneed for climate protection, there has been a rise in global interest in the research and development oftechnologies which could make CO2 useful as a source of carbon. Several regions in Europe, but also in North America and Asia have started sponsorship programmes to support the development of such technologies (BMBF 2014, Climate-KIC 2014, U.S. Department of Energy [DOE] n.d.).The goal of these efforts is to integrate this climatedamaging gas in extremely diverse industrial productionprocesses as a raw material. The use of CO2 would not only allow for the production of useful raw materials and products, such technologies could alsoemulate a natural carbon cycle (Peters et al. 2011). At the same time, they have the potential to reduce the consumption of other fossil resources and, in so doing, they might not only contribute to the extension of the resource base, but also reduce missionswhilst providing protection for natural resources (von der Assen et al. 2013). Technological breakthroughs and advancements are currently observedin carbon capture technologies in the catalysis and transformation of CO2 (Aresta 2010, Mikkelsen et al. 2010, Peters et al. 2011, Styring et al. 2011, Wilcox 2012, Smit et al. 2014, Klankermayer and Leitner 2015), and the first innovative CO2-based productsare already coming onto the markets.

Description: Kohlenstoffdioxid (CO2) ist ein Grundbaustein allen Lebens auf der Erde. Mittlerweile ist CO2 jedochdurch den starken Anstieg vor allem industrieller Emissionen als klimaschädlicher Abfall und Treibhausgas zu einer Bedrohung für Menschheit und Natur geworden. Bereits seit fast 50 Jahren verfolgt die chemische Forschung die Idee, das Molekül CO2 als Rohstoff nutzbar zu machen (Aresta & Dibenedetto 2010). Im Kontext der Ölkrisen in den 1970er-Jahren und bedingt durch die Erfordernisse des aktuellen Klimaschutzes stieg weltweit das Interesse an der Erforschung und Entwicklung von Technologien, die CO2 als Kohlenstoffquelle nutzen könnten.Etliche Regionen in Europa, aber auch in Nordamerika und Asien haben Förderprogramme ins Leben gerufen, die solche Technologieentwicklungen unterstützen (BMBF 2013, Climate-KIC 2014, US DOE o. D.-b).Das Ziel dieser Bemühungen ist es, das klimaschädliche Gas als Rohstoff in ganz unterschiedliche industrielleProduktionsprozesse einzubinden. Hiermit könnten mithilfe von CO2 nicht nur nützliche Grundstoffe und Produkte hergestellt werden. Vielmehr imitieren diese Technologien auch einen natürlichen Kohlenstoffkreislauf (Peters et al. 2011). Gleichzeitighaben sie das Potenzial, den Verbrauch anderer fossiler Ressourcen zu verringern und somit möglicherweisenicht nur zur Erweiterung der Rohstoffbasis, sondern auch zur Schonung natürlicher Ressourcenund zur Emissionsverminderung beizutragen (von der Assen, Jung & Bardow 2013). Technologische Durchbrüche und Fortschritte sind derzeit sowohl in den Abscheidungstechnologien als auch in der Katalyse und Umwandlung von CO2 zu beobachten (Aresta 2010, Klankermayer & Leitner 2015, Mikkelsen, Jorgensen& Krebs 2010, Peters et al. 2011, Smit, Park & Gadikota 2014, Styring et al. 2011, Wilcox 2012). Erste neuartige CO2-basierte Produkte erreichen aktuelldie Märkte.

Description: Die Bundesregierung hat den Kohleausstieg bis zum Jahr 2038 beschlossen und beschleunigt so die Transformation in den Kohleregionen. Die Ausgangslagen für den Wandel in den Revieren und umliegende Gemeinden der Lausitz und des Rheinlands sind dabei sehr unterschiedlich. In beiden Regionen stehen Politik, Zivilgesellschaft, Wirtschaft und Wissenschaft vor der Aufgabe, Lösungspfade und Transformationskorridore zu finden, die ökologisch verantwortlich, sozial gerecht, wirtschaftlich vielversprechend und demokratisch getragen sind. Das IASS Potsdam veranstaltete im Frühjahr 2020 gemeinsam mit dem Kulturwissenschaftlichen Institut Essen einen Workshop, um demokratiepolitische Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede im Strukturwandel der Braunkohleregionen herauszuarbeiten. Die Zwischenergebnisse werden in dieser Studie dargestellt.

Description: This IASS study takes an in-depth look at Covid-19's impacts on the global energy sector, and then zooms in to the country level to see individual country effects and responses. The case studies are compiled by energy researchers in Argentina, China, Germany, India, Israel, and the United States.

Description: People living or working in the Arctic are faced with uncertainty regarding future social, political, economic, and environmental change. This uncertainty is due not least to the ongoing transformations caused by climate change. This paper presents results from a project entitled “Yamal 2040: Scenarios for the Russian Arctic”, which employed ‘Strategic Foresight’, a specific co-design and engagement methodology, to support stakeholders of one particular region in the Arctic, the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (Yamal region) in Western Siberia, Russia. It was the project’s objective to respond to this situation of general uncertainty, to develop forward-looking scenarios to better understand the risks and opportunities associated with future transformations in the Arctic. The findings presented here may be of interest for stakeholders in other parts of the Arctic and Russia that depend on the exploitation of fossil fuels and/or are facing complex and uncertain situations.

Description: In dem Discussion Paper werden die Bedingungen und Herausforderungen für den transformativen Forschungsansatz des IASS diskutiert.

Description: Este documento sirve de pauta orientativa para quienes deseen colaborar con las Organizaciones Regionales de Ordenación Pesquera (OROP) y explica cómo lograr medidas de conservación en una OROP, mediante el establecimiento de decisiones jurídicamente vinculantes. Se trata de una destilación de experiencias personales que incluye éxitos, fracasos y reflexiones sobre algunos de los aspectos más arcanos o complejos de las OROP. El propósito de este documento es el imperativo del proyecto STRONG High Seas: explorar el fracturado régimen de gobernanza de los océanos y, más explícitamente, ofrecer orientación práctica para apoyar la implementación de la conservación espacial en alta mar. Por lo tanto, este trabajo se enmarca en el contexto de la obtención de medidas de conservación espacial, usando ejemplos de otros esfuerzos de conservación de la biodiversidad a la vez que ofrece orientación para lograr medidas vinculantes para cualquier asunto, en cualquier OROP.

Description: The challenges facing European regions undergoing structural transformations as they transition towards sustainable development pathways have attracted increasing interest in recent years. Straddling the border between Germany and Poland, Lusatia is experiencing considerable transformation pressure. Various domestic and European funding programmes, for example under the umbrella of the European Green Deal, are intended to cushion the impacts of the phase-out or reduction of coal-fired power generation. The recently adopted EU Just Transition Mechanism aims to support sustainable structural transformations and the broader goal of achieving climate neutrality by mitigating impacts on the workforce and contributing to the diversification of economies in the most affected areas. Funds made available through this mechanism should be deployed in consultation with regional stakeholders in Lusatia to complement national support measures. Further funding programmes are available targeting various policy areas and could be harnessed to strengthen integration throughout the region. Funding programmes that are centrally managed by the European Commission (i.e. not under shared management with national governments) are of particular interest in this context. Closer political and economic cooperation, coupled with a deeper exchange of experience, can accelerate regional integration and guide processes of structural transformation towards sustainable outcomes. However, there are some practical hurdles to overcome in border regions. The primary objectives in using available EU funding are to mitigate the social impacts of processes of structural transformation and to deliver a just transition at all levels. Measures funded through these programmes should be aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and contribute to the goal of achieving climate neutrality.

Description: Ce rapport a été préparé dans le cadre du projet STRONG High Seas, à partir d’une série d’enquêtes menées auprès des parties prenantes et de l’expérience tirée de divers ateliers organisés dans la région de l’Atlantique du Sud-Est, ainsi que d’études documentaires et d’avis d’experts. Le rapport a été revu par plusieurs experts dans le but de valider les résultats et de garantir la rigueur du contenu. Ce document s’inscrit dans une série de rapports couvrant les questions de gouvernance des océans en mettant l’accent sur les ZAJN du Pacifique du Sud-Est et de l’Atlantique du SudEst et s’appuie sur les rapports précédents publiés par le projet STRONG High Seas. Les autres rapports du projet portent sur le cadre juridique et institutionnel applicable aux ZAJN, l’état écologique et l’importance socio-économique des ZAJN dans les régions du projet, les options de gestion et les mesures de conservation de la biodiversité marine dans les ZAJN, et les considérations relatives à la gestion intégrée des océans. Ces rapports sont disponibles sur le site web du projet STRONG High Seas.

Description: Mit der Neuauflage der Deutschen Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie hat die Bundesregierung die Wissenschaft zur Bildung einer Plattform aufgefordert, die systematisch in die Steuerungs-, Dialog- und Umsetzungsprozesse der Agenda 2030 und somit die neue Nachhaltigkeitsarchitektur eingebunden ist. Träger der Plattform sind die internationalen wissenschaftlichen Netzwerke Sustainable Development Solutions Network Germany (SDSN Germany), das Deutsche Komitee für Nachhaltigkeitsforschung in Future Earth (DKN Future Earth) sowie das Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), das zusätzlich die Geschäftsstelle der Wissenschaftsplattform beherbergt. Die inhaltliche und operative Ausgestaltung der Arbeit der Plattform liegt in der Verantwortung des Lenkungskreises aus derzeit 26 Mitgliedern aus Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und organisierter Zivilgesellschaft. Der Lenkungskreis formuliert das Arbeitsprogramm und initiiert Arbeitsprozesse sowie die Vernetzung mit weiteren Akteuren aus Wissenschaft, Politik, Wirtschaft und Zivilgesellschaft, um eine effektive wie auch repräsentative und international verankerte Plattform aufzubauen. Die Plattform wird auf Seiten der Bundesregierung von einem für alle Ressorts offenen Kreis begleitet, in dem zurzeit BMBF, BMUB, BMZ, BMEL sowie Bundeskanzleramt mitwirken. Die Wissenschaftsplattform Nachhaltigkeit 2030 wurde am 8. Mai 2017 mit der konstituierenden Sitzung ihres Lenkungskreises etabliert und im Rahmen des 13. BMBF-Forums für Nachhaltigkeit am 9. Mai 2017 der Öffentlichkeit vorgestellt.

Description: This report – Study on the socio-economic importance of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) in the Southeast Atlantic region – aims to analyse the socio-economic importance of the ABNJ adjacent to the countries within the Abidjan Convention Area in West, Central and Southern Africa. It characterizes the socio-economic interests in ABNJ, underpinned by the ecosystem services concept, and the actual and potential social and economic outcomes (costs and benefits) associated with the conservation and use (exploitation) of marine resources, both in qualitative, and to the extent possible in quantitative terms. In this study, the term “socio-economics” is taken in a broad context to include the social aspects related to human well-being, livelihoods, impacts on communities, equity, socio-political systems, as well as economic ones. The analysis is based on an extensive literature review of scientific publications, articles, analysis of available data, stakeholder knowledge and experience, as well as expert opinion gathered through targeted interviews. It provides a narrative and forward-looking assessment of the key activities. The information presented is intend-ed to support decision-makers, including government officials, the private sector and other stakeholders to make informed decisions about ABNJ and weigh environmental, social and eco-nomic objectives, in the context of a new internationally binding treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction, the BBNJ agreement. This report is part of a series of reports covering issues of ocean governance with a focus on the Southeast Atlantic (and Southeast Pacific) published under the STRONG High Seas project – Strengthening Regional Ocean Governance for the High Seas (June 2017 – May 2022).

Description: Kopenhagen ist eine der Städte mit der besten Fahrradinfrastruktur weltweit. Um zu verstehen, wie die dänische Hauptstadt das erreicht hat, lohnt sich ein Blick in ihre Vergangenheit. Nach Jahrzehnten der autogerechten Stadtplanung, vor der auch Kopenhagen nicht gefeit war, demonstrierten in den späten 1970er und frühen 1980er Jahren Zehntausende für mehr Radwege – mit Erfolg. Welche Rolle haben Diskurse und Erzählungen über das Fahrrad im Dänemark dieser Zeit gespielt, damit aus Kopenhagen die Fahrradstadt werden konnte, die sie heute ist? Und was können wir daraus lernen, um selbst die politische Förderung des Fahrrads als nachhaltiges Verkehrsmittel kommunikativ zu befördern? Diesen Fragen widmet sich das vorliegende Discussion Paper. Es untersucht drei repräsentative Korpora der auflagenstärksten Tageszeitungen Dänemarks aus den Jahren 1977, 1980 und 1983 mithilfe der im Projekt „Narrative der Nachhaltigkeit“ entwickelten „pentadischen“ Narrativanalyse. Das Ziel ist es, erfolgreiche Narrative für die Verkehrswende hin zu einer nachhaltigen urbanen Mobilität zu identifizieren.

Description: Ce rapport - Étude sur l‘importance socio-économique des zones situées au-delà de la juridiction nationale (ZAJN) dans la région de l‘Atlantique Sud-Est - vise à analyser l‘importance socio-économique des ZAJN adjacentes aux pays de la region de la Convention d‘Abidjan en Afrique occidentale, centrale et australe. Elle caractérise les intérêts socio-économiques dans les ZAJN, étayés par le concept de services écosystémiques, et les résultats sociaux et économiques réels et potentiels (coûts et bénéfices) associés à la conservation et à l‘utilisation (exploitation) des ressources marines, à la fois en termes qualitatifs et, dans la mesure du possible, en termes quantitatifs. Dans cette étude, le terme „socio-économique“ est pris dans un contexte large pour inclure les aspects sociaux liés au bien-être humain, aux moyens de subsistance, aux impacts sur les communautés, à l‘équité, aux systèmes socio-politiques, ainsi que les aspects économiques. L‘analyse se fonde sur une étude approfondie de publications et d‘articles scientifiques, sur l‘analyse des données disponibles, sur les connaissances et l‘expérience des parties prenantes, ainsi que sur l‘opinion d‘experts recueillie lors d‘entretiens ciblés. Elle fournit une évaluation narrative et prospective des activités clés. Les informations présentées ont pour but d‘aider les décideurs, y compris les responsables gouvernementaux, le secteur privé et d‘autres parties prenantes, à prendre des décisions éclairées sur les ZAJN et à peser les objectifs environnementaux, sociaux et économiques, dans le contexte d‘un nouveau traité international contraignant pour la conservation et l‘utilisation durable de la biodiversité marine audelà de la juridiction nationale, l‘accord BZAJN. Ce rapport fait partie d‘une série de rapports couvrant les questions de gouvernance des océans avec un accent sur l‘Atlantique du Sud-Est (et le Pacifique du Sud-Est) publiés dans le cadre du projet STRONG High Seas - Strengthening Regional Ocean Governance for the High Seas (juin 2017 - mai 2022).

Description: Este reporte tiene como objetivo evaluar la con-tribución al bienestar humano de las activida-des socioeconómicas, actuales y potenciales, en las áreas marinas fuera de la jurisdicción nacio-nal (ABNJ por sus siglas en inglés) del Pacífico Sudeste, destacando la dependencia humana de los servicios ecosistémicos que la biodiver-sidad marina en las áreas fuera de la jurisdic-ción nacional (o BBNJ por sus siglas en inglés) provee, así como también de aquellas activi-dades que compiten en uso o bien generan efectos negativos sobre ella como consecuen-cia de su desarrollo. El estudio se focaliza en los aspectos socioeconómicos que dependen de, e interactúan con, la BBNJ en la región FAO 87, correspondiente al área f rente a las áreas juris-diccionales de Chile, Perú, Ecuador y Colombia (países miembros de la Comisión Permanente del Pacífico Sur o CPPS1), y de manera general para el bienestar de la humanidad. Como parte de esta introducción, se presenta a continuación una primera subsección que provee de contexto en relación a la importancia de los ecosistemas marinos y la relación de la BBNJ con el bienestar humano, seguida por una segunda donde se describe la organización de este reporte.

Description: Este informe se ha elaborado en el marco del proyecto STRONG High Seas, basándose en una serie de encuestas a las partes interesadas, en la opinión de expertos y estudios bibliográficos, así como en la experiencia adquirida en varios talleres celebrados en la región del Pacífico Sudeste. El informe fue revisado por expertos para validar las conclusiones y garantizar un contenido sólido. Este informe forma parte de una serie de trabajos que abarcan cuestiones de gobernanza de los océanos, centrándose en las ABNJ de las regiones del Pacífico Sudeste y del Atlántico Sudeste, y se basa en informes anteriores publicados por el proyecto STRONG High Seas. Otros informes del proyecto abarcan el marco jurídico e institucional aplicable a las ABNJ, el estado ecológico y la importancia socioeconómica de las ABNJ en las regiones de interés, las distintas opciones en cuanto a medidas de gestión y conservación para la conservación de la biodiversidad marina en las ABNJ y las consideraciones para la gestión integrada de los océanos. Estos informes están disponibles en el sitio web del proyecto STRONG High Seas. Tras este capítulo introductorio, el capítulo 2 ofrece el contexto pertinente en relación con la gobernanza de los océanos en las zonas que se encuentran fuera de la jurisdicción nacional, las negociaciones en curso para alcanzar un nuevo acuerdo en el marco de la CONVEMAR y las necesidades y enfoques de desarrollo de capacidades relacionados. El capítulo 3 presenta un breve resumen de las encuestas realizadas por el proyecto STRONG High Seas en relación con las necesidades de capacidad en la región del Pacífico Sudeste y el capítulo 4 es un resumen de los correspondientes esfuerzos de desarrollo de capacidad llevados a cabo por parte del proyecto STRONG High Seas. El capítulo 5 ofrece reflexiones y recomendaciones para futuras actividades de desarrollo de capacidades más allá del ámbito del proyecto y destaca las lecciones aprendidas a lo largo de los cinco años de este proyecto. En los Anexos se ofrece información adicional sobre los antecedentes.

Description: While the positive impacts of renewable energy development, the implementation and use of renewable energy for people and the planet are widely recognised, the direct contribution of local renewable energy projects to local community well-being has received limited attention. And while the Paris Climate Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), have been rightfully celebrated as global milestones towards securing livelihoods and opportunities now and in the future, they lack societal ownership and traction among communities, who are decisive in supporting and driving the necessary sustainability transformation. However, aside from energy access, the opportunities for local energy projects to provide broader positive effects (such as community revenues) through co-investments are largely regarded as secondary co-benefits, if not entirely ignored by development policies and practices. Tapping into these opportunities for effective policies and practices in climate action and international development calls for a different approach to sustainable energy development (energy transitions in some countries): a social performance approach to energy development and investment, which we outline in this paper. In the context of this paper, the social performance of energy sector investments refers to direct and positive social impacts on the well-being of individuals and communities during the development and implementation of energy projects and the usage of locally generated energy, in both monetary and non-monetary ways. In essence, the social performance approach in energy-sector investments and energy-project development puts the needs and well-being of people – both current and future generations – at the centre of energy development and related investments and activities. The social performance approach that we propose builds on the conceptual foundations of the capability approach, the co-benefits approach, the Need–Opportunity–Ability (NOA) model, and important groundwork on community development in South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). An important aspect of the social performance approach is its focus on the direct contribution of these investments in fostering the well-being of individuals in a manner that reflects their aspirations for good quality of life. This approach can facilitate regular evaluation of progress and ensures accountability and adjustment of implementation strategies so that future investments, design, and implementation strategies perform both for people and the planet. Social performance can be used to compare how different energy options (e.g., a coal-mining site, a renewable wind park, or decentralised energy services such as solar mini-grids) may effectively and comprehensibly improve the lives of people and local communities. The social performance approach helps to identify concrete intervention points or enablers, to ensure and increase the positive contributions of energy-sector investments to the well-being of individuals and communities, either in monetary ways such as local economic value creation and employment, or in non-monetary ways such as community cohesion and social inclusion. In this paper we suggest that, consequently, policy interventions and investments aimed at decarbonising energy systems should not simply be monitored in view of how they perform for communities and people on the ground; rather, these interventions and investments should be intentionally designed to maximise their social performance for individuals and communities.

Description: This report was prepared as part of the STRONG High Seas project, based on a series of stakeholder surveys and experience gathered through various workshops held in the Southeast Pacific region, as well as on literature surveys and expert opinion. The report was reviewed by experts to validate findings and ensure robust content. This report is part of a series of reports covering issues of ocean governance with a focus on the ABNJ of the Southeast Pacific and the Southeast Atlantic regions and builds on previous reports published by the STRONG High Seas project. Further project reports cover the legal and institutional framework applicable to ABNJ, the ecological state and the socioeconomic importance of ABNJ in the project regions, options for management and conservation measures for conservation of marine biodiversity in ABNJ, and considerations for integrated ocean management. These reports are available through the STRONG High Seas project website. Following this introductory chapter, Chapter 2 provides relevant context with regards to ocean governance in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the ongoing negotiations towards a new agreement under UNCLOS and related capacity development needs and approaches. Chapter 3 presents a short summary of the surveys undertaken by the STRONG High Seas project with regards to capacity needs in the Southeast Pacific region and Chapter 4 is a summary of the corresponding capacity development efforts undertaken as part of the STRONG High Seas project. Chapter 5 provides reflections and recommendations for future capacity development activities beyond the scope of the project and highlights lessons learned through the five years of this project. Additional background information is provided in the Annexes.

Description: This report is intended to provide a review of the relevant governance frameworks currently in place for the management of high seas biodiversity in these regions. The report uses the issues under discussion in the ongoing negotiations for a new legally binding BBNJ agreement under the United Nations, as well as selected Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 targets, as a lens through which to assess progress towards conservation and sustainable use.

Description: Die Klimagerechtigkeitsbewegung (KB) hat in jüngster Zeit eine erstaunliche Dynamik entwickelt und dazu beigetragen, die Klimakrise in Deutschland auf die politische Agenda zu setzen. Die sichtbarsten und mobilisierungsstärksten Bewegungsakteur*innen sind Extinction Rebellion (XR), Ende Gelände (EG) und Fridays for Future (FFF). In ihrer öffentlichen Kommunikation zur Klimakrise zeigen sich unterschiedliche thematische Schwerpunkte. Die Studie analysiert vergleichend die narrativen Strukturen von Pressemitteilungen und Blog-Artikeln von XR, EG und FFF aus dem Jahr 2019 und führt die dortigen Motive und (Mikro-)Erzählungen auf ihre jeweiligen Grundwerte zurück. Es werden Potenziale identifiziert, wie XR, EG und FFF ihre politischen Anliegen innerhalb rhetorisch überzeugenderer, (strukturell vollständigerer) Erzählungen kommunizieren können. Die Untersuchung von Klima-Frames thematisiert zudem, ob und wie ein Bezug nicht nur zu Klimaschutz, sondern zu Klimagerechtigkeit hergestellt wird.

Description: Local cooperation between civil society and the public sector is becoming increasingly important – in local transformation projects, in science, and occasionally in politics and administration. Commons-Public Partnerships (CPPs) provide a way to frame, promote and extend this collaboration. In civil society, CPPs are typically defined by the practice of commoning, where local communities exercise self-regulation based on the principles of community welfare and the common good. This discussion paper examines the theory and practice of commoning and other forms of cooperation. While focusing on the challenges of social-ecological transformation, the paper also identifies areas where CPPs can be implemented and highlights fields of tension exposed by the concept.

Description: Einen spannenden, aktions- und forschungsorientierten Einstieg in die Themenfelder Klima und Rohstoffe ermöglicht die Zukunftsbox Kohlenstoff, die das IASS in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Futurium entwickelt hat. Die Materialien eignen sich für Schülergruppen jeder Schulform ab Klassenstufe 8. Die Zukunftsbox kann fachübergreifend eingesetzt werden. Mit ihr will das IASS einen Beitrag zur Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung leisten.

Description: Measures to support conservation efforts must put the protection of biodiversity and/or ecological integrity as the primary objective and consider cumulative pressures on the marine environment. This also means including ecological connectivity (e.g., migratory routes of marine species, transboundary impacts of human activities), and climate change impacts in their design and implementation. Moreover, the complexity and dynamic nature of the ocean, including in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), requires that conservation efforts acknowledge uncertainty, include options to address it or adapt swiftly to new scientific information, and consider the three-dimensional space of the ocean. This also requires that the best available interdisciplinary scientific and indigenous knowledge provide the basis for the design and implementation of such measures. It will be essential that measures to support conservation efforts apply mechanisms for cross-sectoral consultation, cooperation, and collaboration, as well as consider appropriate spatial and temporal scales for implementation. They must reflect broad societal goals and consider uneven distribution of socio-economic outcomes resulting from exploitative activities in ABNJ. Governance and management actions must recognise coupled and diverse social-ecological systems, and the interconnection between ocean health and human wellbeing, including diverse stakeholder considerations in the design and implementation of the measure or approach. It is essential that the design and implementation of measures to support conservation efforts include appropriate means to ensure the regular monitoring, control, and surveillance of human activities as well as the compliance and enforcement of the laws and regulations in place. States are familiar with legal instruments, such as those under the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions, International Seabed Authority (ISA), and management measures adopted by the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs). They have developed governance structures and capacity to support their implementation. The recommendation in this context would be for States to support the consolidation and further development of measures to support conservation efforts with the aim to ensure that they integrate their approach with considerations for ecological connectivity, biodiversity protection, ecosystem-based integrated ocean management and climate change implications for the conservation and management of biodiversity in ABNJ. To be effective, any measures to support conservation efforts proposed for ABNJ in the Southeast Atlantic region must consider the socio-economic and political realities of the countries whose Exclusive Economic Zones border these areas. In this sense, it is important to note the important role that the fishing sector has historically played and continues to play for most economies of this region. The proposed Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Instrument in negotiation at the United Nations, will be fundamental for establishing the legal basis for developing and implementing cross-sectoral measures to support conservation efforts in ABNJ. The way in which the proposed BBNJ Instrument is integrated and how the link to existing conservation and sustainable use measures established under existing management organisations is made will determine the effectiveness of the possible measures to support current and future conservation efforts. In this regard, it is particularly important for the Southeast Atlantic region how existing RFMOs will be able to interact with the proposed BBNJ Instrument. Considering the capacity (technological, experience, financial, logistical) challenges of many of the countries in the Southeast Atlantic, it is important that measures to support conservation efforts under existing international treaties or legal mechanisms be integrated, practical, and cost-effective. The different legal status of the water column and the deep seabed beyond national jurisdiction and the different legal provisions in place represent a challenge for the development of a coherent, comprehensive, and integrated approach to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in ABNJ. Lack of uniformity in compliance among flag States and the lack of monitoring and enforcement mechanisms in ABNJ jeopardise the achievement of an integrated approach for conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in these vast areas of ocean. The wide array of existing instruments can be used to improve conservation of biodiversity in ABNJ through improved monitoring and enforced compliance. This remains the responsibility of individual flag States, but at present there is limited reporting of vessels and minimum follow up action by flag or port States.

Description: This Discussion Paper discusses the implications of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan for plastic and packaging waste. According to a recent report, each European Union (EU) inhabitant generated 172.6 kg of packaging waste in the year 2017, 19% of which was made of plastic. Amid growing concerns about the environmental effects of such consumption habits, the regulation of packaging waste and plastic has moved to higher up the legislative agenda of the EU in recent years.

Description: This summary for decision makers is based on the report ‘Ecological Baselines of the Southeast Atlantic and Southeast Pacific – Status of Marine Biodiversity and Anthropogenic Pressures in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction’ and provides consolidated information on key biological and ecological features of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) in the Southeast Atlantic as well as highlights key pressures placed upon it by human activities. ABNJ include the water column (the high seas) and the seabed (the Area) outside of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of coastal States and cover about half of the Earth’s surface. This summary is intended to inform relevant actors and stakeholders to support their understanding of the function and importance of marine biological diversity in ABNJ and the need to for appropriate conservation and management measures. The report was prepared as part of the Strengthening Regional Ocean Governance for the High Seas (‘STRONG High Seas’) project – funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI).

Description: This report presents the results of the third and the last workshop in the series “Yamal 2040” organised within Blue-Action work package WP5 “Delivering and valuing climate and information services”. The Blue-Action team at the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) in cooperation with the Primakov National Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Science (IMEMO) and Foresight Intelligence, and with inputs provided by the National Oceanographic Center (UKRI-NOC) and the M. Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics Russian Academy of Sciences (IAP-RAS) in the Blue-Action work package WP2 “Lower latitude drivers of Arctic changes” developed forward-looking scenarios to better understand the risks and opportunities associated with multiple developments in the Arctic and help stakeholders to adapt to them. This case study looks at a specific region, the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug in Arctic Russia (YNAO or Yamal region), a region with substantial ongoing and planned petroleum and shipping activities. Together with stakeholder groups, the team has co-developed a suite of scenarios to describe possible futures for this region in 2040 by incorporating cutting edge climate predictions with environmental, social and cultural concerns, economic opportunities, and political and legal developments. The scenarios are the outcome of a truly co-design and co-development process involving partners, stakeholders and using various foresight methods tailored to the project’s needs. These methods allow to constructively deal with cognitive biases, thus enabling participants to think out of the box when planning the future. This approach is very helpful in tackling complex issues linked to numerous interacting uncertainties.

Description: This report explores how the co-benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency saving measures can play an active role in connecting the Mexican energy transition with key processes and commitments for development that have been determined by the country itself. These include the National Development Plan (NDP) for 2019-2024 as well as climate goals or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), to which Mexico is committed under the Paris Agreement. This study, published in conjunction with the project Enhancing the Coherence of Climate and Energy Policies in Mexico (CONECC), offers quantitative evidence of the co-benefits of two routes (scenarios) for energy transition as related to the Energy Transition Law (LTE). These vary in scope however, revealing how the co-benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency can help to play an active role in achieving national development goals.

Description: How can science and business help build sustainable societies? This question took centre-stage at the second Global Sustainability Strategy Forum (GSSF), held on 22 - 24 March 2020. The event did not take place in Bangkok as previously planned due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, 25 leading experts from business and sustainability science came together online to discuss how the two sectors could work together more effectively.

Description: Der Bericht stellt die Resultate einer multikriteriellen Bewertung verschiedener Szenarien eines Kohleausstiegs in Deutschland vor. Die exemplarischen Politikszenarien basieren auf unterschiedlich umfassenden politischen Maßnahmenbündeln und bewegen sich im Spannungsfeld zwischen Ordnungsrecht und Markt. Der transdisziplinäre Bewertungsprozess wurde parallel zur Kohlekommission im Rahmen des Kopernikus-Projektes „Energiewende-Navigationssystem“ (ENavi) erprobt. Hierbei schätzten die Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler des Konsortiums die Folgen der Maßnahmenbündel ab und bewerteten diese anhand von zehn Nachhaltigkeitskriterien. Die so entstandenen Bewertungsvorschläge wurden mit Stakeholdern aus Zivilgesellschaft, Industrie, Wirtschaft und Politik geprüft, diskutiert und verfeinert. Der Bericht gibt einen Überblick zu Prozess, Methodik sowie Ergebnissen der Bewertung. Zudem zeigt er, unter anderem anhand eines Vergleichs mit der Kohlekommission, Verbesserungspotentiale des realisierten Bewertungsverfahrens auf. Die Erfahrungen, Empfehlungen und identifizierten Forschungsbedarfe bieten wertvolle Gestaltungshinweise für zukünftige Projekte mit einer ähnlichen inter- und transdisziplinären Herangehensweise.

Description: Sowohl der deutsche als auch der polnische Teil der Lausitz stehen unter einem erhöhten Transformationsdruck. Der Ausstieg beziehungsweise die Reduktion der Kohleverstromung soll sowohl durch EU-Förderprogramme abgefedert werden. Der Policy Briefe gibt Empfehlungen, wie diese Programm genutzt werden können.

Description: Through the present report, we would like to share with you theinspiring outcomes of our joint experience at the Global Soil Week2017, and offer you an opportunity to reflect on the high potential ofpreparatory events to the HLPF, and of using its thematic reviews asmeans to achieve an integrated implementation of the SDGs.

Description: This article reflects the partial results of my ongoing research as part of the International Climate Fellowship Program of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, which I am carrying out at the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies – IASS Potsdam, Germany.

Description: Wir zeigen, wie die vorgeschlagene 1000 m-Abstandsregelung zwischen Windkraftanlagen und Wohngebäude den Ausbau der Windkraft an Land in Deutschland praktisch stoppen würde. Wir zeigen auch, dass ein Abstand von 600 m gleichzeitig den Schutz der Anwohner und der Ausbau der Windkraft möglich machen kann.

Description: This document includes the main policy outcomes of the Global Soil Week 2017 by introducing 1) the principles and methods utilized, 2) the five key policy messages discussed in plenary with the participants and 3) considerations from the discussions at the Global Soil Week supporting the five key policy messages. We respectfully submit the messages below, for consideration by the High Level Political Forum (HLPF), and reinforce our commitment to contribute to strengthening the work and role of the HLPF. We also stand ready to work together with Member States aiming to strengthen the emphasis on soil- and land-related issues in their National Voluntary Reviews and also with platforms aiming to conduct similar reviews.

Description: This IASS study considers the potential of the G20 to shape a global transition to sustainable energy, urgentlyneeded in order to achieve the UN’s climate and sustainability goals. The G20, a group of major emerging andindustrialised economies, is a high-level political forum that brings together a heterogeneous set of members.The Group carries great weight in international energy governance, and accounts for 80 percent of the world’s totalprimary energy consumption and 82 percent of global energy-related CO2 emissions. Thus, decisions and actions ofthe G20 and its members have the capacity to significantly impact global energy systems.The study analyses the energy sector developments of 14 G20 members (Argentina, Brazil, China, European Union,France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey and the United States).Short case studies trace major trends and policy initiatives in the countries and identify both potential conflictsof interest and existing common ground within the G20. Each study offers an assessment of potential impulsesoriginating from the respective case, and how these might help foster international cooperation for advancing aglobal energy transition.

Description: Table of Contents1. Introduction and Main Insights from the Study - Sybille Roehrkasten, Sonja Thielges and Rainer Quitzow http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:19069032. The G20 and its Role in Global Energy Governance - Sybille Roehrkasten and Kirsten Westphal http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:19069073. Argentina: From an Energy Stalemate Towards Shale Gas Expansion and Creating a Renewables Market - Moïra Jimeno http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:19069104. Brazil: Long Tradition of Renewables-Based Energy Supply and Ethanol Diplomacy - Sybille Roehrkasten http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:19069135. China: Emerging Global Power in Clean Energy? - Rainer Quitzow http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:19088896. The EU: In the Midst of Crisis – Downgraded SustainableEnergy Ambitions - Kirsten Westphal http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:19108887. France: Reducing Nuclear Dominance and Promoting a Low-Carbon Energy System - Carole Mathieu http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:19108918. Germany: Promoting an Energiewende Domestically and Globally - Sybille Roehrkasten and Karoline Steinbacher http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:19108959. India: Meeting Energy Needs for Development While Addressing Climate Change - Madhura Joshi and Radhika Khosla http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:191089710. Indonesia: A Long Way to Low-Carbon Development - Jens Marquardt http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:191090011. Japan: Dominated by Fukushima and Tackling Hard Problemsin Decarbonisation - Llewelyn Hughes http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:191090312. Russia: A Gas Superpower Striving for Nuclear Expansion and Starting to Support Renewables - Alexander Gusev http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:191090713. Saudi Arabia: Oil as a Burden in the Struggle for Energy Diversification - Sebastian Sons http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:191091014. South Africa: Carbon-Intensive Economy and a Regional Renewable Energy Frontrunner - Agathe Maupin http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:191091315. Turkey: Great Potential, Missing Will - Jörn Richert http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:191091616. The United States: Domestic Transitions and International Leadership Towards Low-Carbon Energy - Karoline Steinbacher http://publications.iass-potsdam.de/pubman/item/escidoc:1910919

Description: In April 2021, under the “IMPACT R” project, IASS Potsdam and HEDERA Sustainable Solutions GmbH in Berlin, together with University of Rwanda and Sustainable Villages Foundation (SVF), conducted a household survey in two villages in Rwanda. SVF has started an integrated village development pilot project in those two villages and wanted to better understand the local populations’ needs and establish a baseline for impact measurement, in order to track the project’s progress over time. In parallel, focus group discussions and key stakeholder interviews were carried out. The main results are as follows: Over 80 % of households get their main income from agriculture, largely on small plots. Two-thirds of the households have USD 45 or less to spend on a 5-person family, on average. There is no public electricity grid. Half of the households have access to very basic electricity through solar systems; the other half has none at all. Over 90 % of households use wood and open fire pits or handmade clay stoves for cooking, mostly indoors, causing deforestation and health problems because of the smoke. There is no public or private drinking water supply. Villagers collect rainwater and/or surface water, which has to be carried over several kilometers by adults and children. The water is dirty and not treated before drinking in one-third of households, which triggers diseases. Only 26 % of households are classified as food-secure, whereas 15.5 % are above the severe food insecurity threshold. A significant percentage of the inhabitants does not eat a balanced diet due to lack of resources. The local community especially emphasized the need for: Priority 1: Safe drinking water Priority 2: Electricity Priority 3: Clean cooking devices Another severe challenge is poverty in general. There is a shortage of food in terms of quantity and quality for a significant portion of the population. This is caused by households’ limited financial capacity and insufficient agricultural yield due to the absence of water for irrigation and inefficient agricultural techniques. Furthermore, teacher qualification in English and information technology (IT) is not satisfactory, and the primary school has no electricity in most of the classrooms and no computers. Professional training options are only offered far away from the villages and are very costly. New business development is hindered by the lack of electricity. The target communities seek for support to address all the above challenges and are willing to contribute their part.

Description: Following more than a decade of informal deliberations, States at the United Nations (UN)are currently negotiating an “international legally binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction” (“BBNJ Agreement”). The negotiations aim to strengthen the international legal framework for the protection and management of the global ocean by addressing gaps in the current framework and building on existing obligations under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to cooperate to protect and preserve the marine environment and conserve marine living resources. This policy brief explores how integrated ecosystem-based management (EBM) in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) can be advanced at the regional level and how the BBNJ Agreement can build on experiences in other legally binding agreements to strengthen regional cooperation, coordination and coherence. To this end, five building blocks are identified: 1. A robust global body such as a Conference of Parties capable of taking decisions and adopting recommendations; 2. A suite of regional mechanisms for integrated policy development and coordination; 3. Effective science-policy advisory mechanisms; 4. Overarching environmental obligations and principles; and 5. Operational principles to ensure good governance. A review of the current President’s draft text of the BBNJ Agreement highlights where the text could be strengthened to advance EBM. In particular, the BBNJ Agreement could draw inspiration from a range of existing instruments and craft specific obligations to: cooperate to promote in-situ conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats; mainstream biodiversity into all decision-making bodies and processes; and strengthen regional cooperation by supporting existing institutions and by building cross-sectoral platforms for cooperation.

Description: Seit 2012 beschäftigt sich das Forschungsprojekt ClimPol (Climate Change and Air Pollution)am Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) in Potsdam mit dem Zusammenhängenzwischen Klimawandel und Luftverschmutzung. Mit unseren wissenschaftlichen Untersuchungenwollen wir diese Zusammenhänge besser verstehen. Wir engagieren uns aber auchan der Schnittstelle von Wissenschaft und Politik, indem wir koordinierte und effektiveMaßnahmen für Klimaschutz und bessere Luftqualität prüfen.

Description: The German energy transition (Energiewende) is the subject of intensive research, and thankfully so. We now have reliable estimates relating to the required deployment of technology, the costs for end consumers and society, and the expected consequences for health and the environment. It has been firmly established just how much CO2 we have already saved with the energy transition, and what is required in order to reduce CO2 emissions even further. There is also a range of scientific studies on the impact of the expansion of renewable energies on nature conservation and species protection. However, one question has received little academic attention to date: How does the energy transition affect society? It is astonishing that we know so little about this. After all, experts have long been agreed on the fact that sustainability does not just have an economic and ecological dimension, but also a social one. It is essential that we consider the social impact to the same extent as the economic or ecological effects. So it is high time to give the question of social sustainability a solid empirical base. The Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), together with the RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research, conducted a panel survey of more than 7,500 households. Now, with the Social Sustainability Barometer for the German Energiewende 2017, we present the results for the first time.

Description: The overall aim of WP2 is to understand both the actual and possible application of the precautionary principle in eight different cases, and explain potential commonalities and differences in the application of the precautionary principle in the cases. This analysis should reflect the particular context of the case and reveal the arguments that have been used for invoking the precautionary principle and/or adopting precautionary measures (even without mentioning the precautionary principle). The multiple case study component of the RECIPES project is one of the key analytical phases of the project. Within the scope of the entire RECIPES project, WP2 builds on aspects of WP1, in particular the final WP1 report taking stock of the precautionary principle since 2000. The outputs of WP2 will feed directly into WP3, with the aim of the development of new tools and approaches to the PP in a co-creation approach. This document is intended for the individual case study analysis, and does not directly inform the cross-case comparison analysis which will take place in task 2.4.

Description: This report provides guidance to decision makers in all types of public and private organizations involved in the planning and development of CCU. It is prepared within the scope of the CO2nsistent project funded by the Global CO2 Initiative and EIT Climate-KIC, and is based on the published TEA and LCA Guidelines v.1. This report provides user-centered guidance on how to commission and understand TEA and LCA studies for CCU, and how to determine whether existing studies are eligible to be used in a decision making process. Another primary goal of this report is to ensure that disciplinary expertise is effectively taken up by decision makers and all potential audiences. The remainder of this document is structured in two parts. Part A introduces the reader to the concept of TEA and LCA studies: What types of input can such assessments provide for decision making? What are the limitations of their explanatory power? This part focuses on the goal and scope definition for such studies, and on other aspects that are particularly relevant for decision making. The document presents how the decision maker (or commissioner) and the assessment practitioner can jointly set the various assessment phases. These terms are explained in the boxes below. The approach and main components of TEA and LCA studies are described, with the specific goal of making the most sensitive disciplinary concepts clear and comprehensible to all audiences. Part B consists of practical tools to guide actors interested in commissioning TEA and LCA studies, and to support decision makers when evaluating and assessing TEA and LCA studies submitted by third parties. A series of consecutive steps, displayed as decision trees, provide support for checking the completeness of key aspects and requirements of TEA and LCA studies.

Description: Die Covid-19 Pandemie hat das Mobilitätsverhalten eindeutig beeinflusst. Während der ÖPNV mit einem starken Rückgang der Fahrgäste zu kämpfen hat, gewinnen individuelle Mobilitätsformen – wie der Fußverkehr, Radverkehr und Autoverkehr – an Bedeutung. Gleichzeitig haben der Infektionsschutz und das Einhalten der Abstandsregeln höchste Priorität. In Berlin entsteht eine sogenannte Pop-Up-Radinfrastruktur – provisorische Radwege, die mit einfachen Mitteln sicheres Radfahren und den nötigen Abstand ermöglichen. Welche Reaktionen rufen die Pop-Up-Radwege bei den Verkehrsteilnehmer*innen hervor? Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, durch eine Online-Befragung explorativ die Reaktionen und Wahrnehmungen in Form von Vor- und Nachteilen zu erfassen.

Description: The Covid-19 pandemic has clearly influenced mobility behaviour. While public transport has to cope with a sharp decline in the number of passengers, individual forms of mobility - such as walking, cycling and car traffic - gain in importance. At the same time, protection against infection and adherence to the rules of distance are a priority. In Berlin, a so-called pop-up cycling infrastructure is being created - provisional cycle paths that allow safe cycling and the necessary distance to be maintained by means of simple tools. What reactions do the pop-up cycle paths provoke in transportation users? The aim of this study was to explore reactions and perceptions in terms of advantages and disadvantages, using an online questionnaire.

Description: This report presents a framework for the systematic monitoring of the global hydrogen economy. It suggests data sources and indicators to systematically survey the most important trends and developments of a future global hydrogen economy. Monitoring based on this framework could provide an important knowledge base for the continuous review of policy measures related to the German and European hydrogen policy.

Description: Im folgenden Bericht wird ein Konzept für ein systematisches Monitoring der globalen Wasserstoffwirtschaft vorgestellt. Der Bericht stellt Datenquellen und Indikatoren zur systematischen Erfassung der wichtigsten Trends und Entwicklungen im Rahmen einer globalen Wasserstoffwirtschaft vor. Ein entsprechendes Monitoring könnte einen wichtigen Beitrag zur kontinuierlichen Überprüfung von Politikmaßnahmen im Rahmen der deutschen und europäischen Wasserstoffpolitik leisten.