ALBERT

Description: Evaluating the embodied environmental impact of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has been an important topic in addressing the sustainable development of renewable energy. While monetization of environmental externality is a remaining issue, which should be carried out in order to allow for an easy-to-understand comparison between direct economic and external cost. In this study, the environmental impact of solar PV power is monetized through conversion factors between midpoint and endpoint categories of life cycle analysis and the monetization weighting factor. Then, the power generation capacity and generation life of PV and coal-fired power plants are assumed to be consistent in order to compare the total cost of PV and coal-fired power generation. Results show that the cost of PV technology is higher than coal-fired in 2026 to 2030, taking into account environmental external costs and production costs. However, by 2030, the total cost of coal-fired power will be higher than that of solar PV. The life span cost per kWh is $3.55 for solar PV and $116.25 for coal-fired power. Although solar PV power seems more environmentally effective than coal-fired power in the life span, our results reveal the high environmental external cost of producing solar photovoltaic modules, which reminds us to pay more attention to the environmental impact when conducting cost-benefit analysis of renewable technologies. Without incorporating the environmental cost, the real cost of renewable technology will be underestimated.

Description: Ground-based observational characterization of atmosphere aerosols over Central Asia is very limited. This study investigated the columnar aerosol characteristics over Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, a background site in Central Asia using the long-term (∼14 years: August 2007–November 2021) data acquired with the Cimel sunphotometer. The mean aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Ångström exponent (AE) during the observation period were 0.14 ± 0.10 and 1.19 ± 0.41, respectively. Both AOD and AE varied across seasons, with highest AOD in spring (0.17 ± 0.17). Regarding the aerosol types, clean continental aerosols were dominant type (65%), followed by mixed aerosols (∼19%), clean marine aerosols (∼14%), dust (0.8%), and urban/industrial and biomass burning aerosol (0.7%). The aerosol volume size distribution was bimodal indicating the influence of both anthropogenic and natural aerosols with clear dominance of coarse mode during the spring season. Mainly dust and mixed aerosols were present during high aerosol episodes while the coarse mode aerosol volume concentration was 7.5 (strong episodes) and ∼19 (extreme episodes) times higher than the whole period average. Aerosol over this background sites were from local and regional sources with some contribution of long-range transport.

Description: Millions of people are exposed to enhanced levels of nitrogen dioxide in urbanized areas, leading to severe health effects. Moreover, nitrogen oxides contribute to the formation of ozone and particulate matter, and as such have wider health related impacts. A substantial reduction of nitrogen oxides may offer considerable health benefits for the human society. As a first step, this requires a detailed understanding of source sector contributions to nitrogen oxide levels. Whereas many regions have information on the local (traffic) contributions, the source contributions to the rural and urban background levels are commonly not available. In this study we compared and evaluated the results of two source attribution techniques to quantify the contribution of 5 source sectors to background nitrogen oxide levels across Germany. The results of a labelling technique were compared to brute force simulations with variable emission reduction percentages. The labelled NO2 source contributions of the main sectors averaged for all urban background stations are road transport (45 ± 5%), non-road transport (24 ± 6%), energy & industry (20 ± 3%), households (10 ± 6%), and the remaining source sectors (1 ± 1%). For the brute force technique, the explained mass differs from the unperturbed baseline concentration after scaling the impact of each sensitivity simulation to 100%. The attributed concentration of NO2 is lower in urban background areas (−3 ± 5%) and larger in the rural background (4 ± 6%) than that of the labelling. Largest deviations up to −15% are calculated for the major cities along the Rhine and Main. The annual average overestimation for NO is about 53 ± 24% for urban and 40 ± 26% for rural background sites based on a 20% reduction of emissions. On shorter time scales the differences are larger. These deviations are caused by (the lack of) regime changes in the titration of ozone, most notably present at ozone-limiting conditions during nocturnal winter periods. As a consequence, the differences between the methodologies are larger for smaller emission reduction percentages applied in the brute force technique. Similarly, for small-sized emission source sectors larger deviations were found compared to large-sized sector categories. Hence, applying the brute force technique for the source attribution for a single sector should be avoided as there is no way to verify for consistency and quantify the error for the sector and total explained contribution. We recommend applying the labelling approach to estimate sector contributions in forthcoming studies for nitrogen oxides.

Description: Salient, long-term solutions to address global environmental change hinge on management strategies that are inclusive of local voices and that recognize the array of values held by surrounding communities. Group-based participatory processes that involve deliberation of multiple stakeholders with varying perspectives—particularly social learning—hold promise to advance inclusive conservation by identifying and creating a shared understanding of the landscape. However, few studies have empirically investigated how the value basis of stakeholder deliberation changes over time in relation to social learning. This study provided a novel platform for local stakeholders from Interior Alaska to deliberate on landscape change and associated management practices in ways that shifted their value orientations. In particular, we used a pre-test, post-test experimental design involving mixed methods to measure how different types of values changed as a result of social learning through an online discussion forum. We found evidence that social learning: 1) activated shared values that were previously hidden through building a relational understanding of others, and 2) shifted values that spanned three levels of psychological stability. As hypothesized, social values that represented expressed preferences for landscape change were most likely to shift in association with social learning. Conversely, shifts in individual values towards self-transcendence required learning to go beyond the discussion forum and be situated within the participants’ broader communities of practice. Overall, this longitudinal study highlights how social learning facilitated through deliberation presents opportunities to identify shared values and spark value shifts across stakeholder groups, thus incorporating diverse viewpoints into decision-making about global environmental change.

Description: In jüngster Zeit hat eine bemerkenswerte Politisierung des Klimawandels stattgefunden. Damit einher ging auch eine Zuspitzung verkehrspolitischer Auseinandersetzungen. In diesem Beitrag wird eine auf Antonio Gramsci basierende hegemonietheoretische Analyseperspektive entwickelt und das Feld der Auseinandersetzung strukturiert. Es lassen sich zwei Hegemonieprojekte identifizieren: Das eine zielt auf die Erneuerung der Autohegemonie ab, das andere auf eine Verkehrswende, die zumindest eine partielle Abkehr von der Dominanz des Automobils und der Aufwertung des öffentlichen Verkehrs und des Aktivverkehrs beinhaltet. Die starke und vielschichtige hegemoniale Verankerung der Automobilität verweist darauf, dass eine Verkehrswende nur durch intensive gesellschaftliche Auseinandersetzungen in verschiedenen Feldern gelingen kann. Die empirische Analyse des Beitrags basiert auf der Auswertung von Primär- und Sekundärquellen sowie 21 Expert:inneninterviews, die im Zuge des Forschungsprojekts „Die politische Ökonomie der E-Mobilität. Eine Analyse zu den Potentialen und Hindernissen in der Transformation zu einer nachhaltigen Verkehrspolitik in Deutschland und der Europäischen Union“ in den Jahren 2018 und 2019 an der Freien Universität Berlin durchgeführt wurden.

Description: There is a growing number of national, subnational and even company targets for net-zero emissions of CO2 in support of the Paris Climate Agreement goals of limiting the global average temperature increase within 1.5 °C by 2100. The challenges faced by developing countries in achieving net-zero emissions targets are, however, very prominent due to their common desire for rapid economic growth, improved socio-economic conditions, and greater climate resilience. In addition, this has to overcome many constraints related to the competitiveness, acceptability, and sustainability of proposed and planned low-carbon initiatives. It is thus very important to understand the economic and technical characteristics of net-zero emissions concepts and pathways. The constraints can best be addressed if actual and transparent co-benefits related to these initiatives are identified and reflected during their implementation. Here we employ the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) to examine Nepal’s recently introduced ‘Long-term Strategy for Net-zero Emissions’ and to estimate anticipated co-benefits in terms of reducing air pollutants emission and enhancing energy security and energy equity. Under the reference scenario (REF), the annual CO2 emission is expected to increase from 23 MtCO2 in 2019 to 79 MtCO2 in 2050 with significant increase in air pollutants emissions in the range of 60% (Organic Carbon) to 183% (SO2), increase in energy import dependency, reaching electricity consumption per capita below one-quarter of the world average. Under the ‘With Additional Measures (WAM)’ strategy scenario, air pollutants would be reduced in the range of 70% (Organic Carbon) to 85% (Black Carbon) respectively, in 2050 as compared to the REF. Similarly, it results drastic improvement in energy security indicators and energy equity. It is expected that the findings of this study will provide useful input to policymakers, private sector, societal actors and researchers in support of successful implementation of the initiatives for sustainable socio-economic transformation pathways.

Description: This report provides a comprehensive review of China’s emerging hydrogen economy with a particular focus on policy and regulation, both at the national and sub-national level. China’s promotion of the hydrogen sector is emblematic of its broader efforts to promote greenhouse gas reductions, while pursuing ambitious industrial development goals and promoting energy security. To date, industrial policy goals have clearly taken center stage, with a particular focus on fuel cell vehicles. For now, China is pursuing a diversified strategy in support of hydrogen supply, which includes all different types of hydrogen production, including coal-based hydrogen. Nevertheless, policy documents increasingly emphasize the potential of renewable hydrogen as a vehicle for stabilizing an electricity system based on variable renewable energy as well as broader decarbonization efforts. They also increasingly highlight the need to transition to an exclusively renewable hydrogen supply in the future. In a number of cases, local-level strategies have come out more strongly in support of renewable hydrogen than current central government policies. Local-level policy has also played a key role in the promotion of fuel cell vehicles. Policies for hydrogen-based decarbonization of industry are only at a nascent stage. Similarly, China’s ambitions to promote hydrogen storage and transport remain at a relatively early stage of development with an important emphasis on the promotion of innovation and acquisition of technological know-how. Finally, both China’s hydrogen strategy and the engagement of its energy SOEs do not appear to be strongly motivated by considerations of geopolitics at this stage. To be sure, Chinese officials are considering increasing opportunities for investment in hydrogen projects around the world. In this vein, the national hydrogen development plan considers the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for promoting hydrogen-related standards and investments. Beyond these geoeconomic considerations, the role of hydrogen as a future energy commodity and its geopolitical implications do not figure prominently in Chinese policy efforts. Indeed, due to China’s relative abundance of renewable energy resources, it is does not exhibit major vulnerabilities related to the future provision of hydrogen. Conversely, hydrogen could even offer an opportunity to reduce its energy dependence in the future. This and other efforts to shape global hydrogen trade do not seem to be a significant driver of its policy efforts, however.

Description: Experimentalism’s newfound prominence in relation to climate-change action invites questions—integral to this special issue—about whether it is capable of meeting the transformational challenges that societies face. Answers require greater clarity regarding what experimentalism is, and is not. To address this, I first conceptualize the available alternatives. Drawing from John Dewey’s influential account, these alternatives can appropriately be understood as “absolutist.” I argue that both policy insiders’ plans for carbon pricing and trading schemes and outsiders’ radical vanguardist visions fit here, each offering the false promise of a singular correct criteria by which to formulate and evaluate strategies for change. By contrast, experimentalism can be understood as a rich and promising method. While critics often characterize it as modeled on voluntary lifestyle initiatives, which can readily co-exist within a larger unsustainable order, an understanding of experimentalism ought not be limited to individualized or depoliticized projects. Properly understood, I argue that it includes approaches that can be scalable and political in ways that might foster systemic change.

Description: Ocean ecosystems are at the forefront of the climate and biodiversity crises, yet we lack a unified approach to assess their state and inform sustainable policies. This blueprint is designed around research capabilities and cross-sectoral partnerships. We highlight priorities including integrating basin-scale observation, modelling and genomic approaches to understand Atlantic oceanography and ecosystem connectivity; improving ecosystem mapping; identifying potential tipping points in deep and open ocean ecosystems; understanding compound impacts of multiple stressors including warming, acidification and deoxygenation; enhancing spatial and temporal management and protection. We argue that these goals are best achieved through partnerships with policy-makers and community stakeholders, and promoting research groups from the South Atlantic through investment and engagement. Given the high costs of such research (€800k to €1.7M per expedition and €30–40M for a basin-scale programme), international cooperation and funding are integral to supporting science-led policies to conserve ocean ecosystems that transcend jurisdictional borders.

Description: After decades of ineffective state-led global climate governance that has been dominated by mostly short-term Northern political and corporate interests, we are now witnessing an increased recognition of the planetary scale of the climate crisis and its impacts on present and future life on Earth. The Anthropocene is argued to be the new geological epoch and is associated with fast-approaching planetary boundaries and a new understanding of promethean humans as a powerful geological force. The Anthropocene introduces a new context for thinking about the climate crisis and its associated multiple patterns of differentially distributed injustices, including the temporal aspects of justice. At the same time, the climate crisis prompts the need to embark on new strategies to ensure a safe and just operating space for all present and future generations within planetary limits. While traditionally marginalized in national, regional and United Nations political fora, and largely ignored by the high rhetoric of multilateral environmental agreements that have been unable to operationalize intergenerational justice in day-to-day governance, young people are now actively claiming their position as representatives of present and future generations. They do so through protests, but also through more formal avenues to deliberately assert claims for intergenerational justice. One increasingly popular and often successful strategy is climate litigation. In this paper, we explore the shift in understanding and the practicing of intergenerational justice in the deep time context of the Anthropocene, and how young people are becoming more powerful political actors that use climate litigation to ensure intergenerational justice. We briefly reflect on the 2021 decision of the German Constitutional Court in Neubauer et al versus Germany as an example of successful youth-led climate litigation.

Description: A standardized means by which to track key indicators along supply chains can help the U.S. stay competitive in the race towards decarbonization while helping companies comply with new regulations.

Description: The establishment of thresholds is integral to environmental management. This paper introduces the use of thresholds in the context of deep-seabed mining, a nascent industry for which an exploitation regime of regulations, standards and guidelines is still in the process of being developed, and for which the roles and values of thresholds have yet to be finalised. There are several options for integrating thresholds into the International Seabed Authority's regulatory regime, from being stipulated in regulations to being part of a mining contract, each option having its own advantages and disadvantages. Here we explore the range of ways that thresholds can be derived, set out the challenges in translating ecological and management data into thresholds, highlight factors for acceptance and operationalisation of thresholds in deep-seabed mining, and explain the necessity of refining thresholds as knowledge on impacts to features improves. Some comparable marine industries already use thresholds and these could potentially be used as starting points for the development of thresholds for deep-seabed mining. In order to be acceptable to the wide range of deep-seabed mining stakeholders, thresholds need to strike a balance among levels of harm acceptable by society, levels of environmental precaution justifiable by governments, scientific robustness, and operational practicality.

Description: A detailed and extensive empirical study of dynamic selection (DS) and random under-sampling (RUS) for the class imbalance problem is conducted in this paper. Total 20 state of the art DS methods are compared on 54 datasets. The empirical results clearly answer the following six key research questions in this direction, (1) how performances of ensembles with and without RUS compare with respect to different DS and static ensemble (SE) methods (2) how whether RUS is used affects performances of ensembles with respect to different DS/SE methods (3) how performances of different DS/SE methods compare with respect to ensembles with and without RUS (4) whether DS methods perform better than SE methods no matter whether RUS is used and what types of ensembles are used (5) how numbers of base classifiers affect how performances of ensembles with and without RUS compare with respect to different DS/SE methods (6) how numbers of base classifiers affect how performances of different DS/SE methods compare with respect to ensembles with and without RUS. The answers to the six research questions based on the experimental results in this study and the experimental findings are the main contributions of this work.

Description: The international UN Climate Change conferences known as “Conferences of the Parties (COPs)” have an enormous convening power and are attended annually by tens of thousands of actors working on climate change topics from a wide range of perspectives. In the COP spaces outside of the formal negotiations, the communication culture is dominated by “side events,” a format that relies heavily on conventional presentations and panels that can be informative, but is generally not conducive to mutual engagement, reflection, or dialogue. There is an urgent need for new dialogue formats that can better foster learning and community-building and thereby harness the enormous latent potential for climate action represented by the diverse stakeholders that gather at the COP. Against this backdrop, and drawing on our experience with the development and implementation of the Co-Creative Reflection and Dialogue Spaces at COP25, COP26, and COP27, we make recommendations for further developing the communication culture of the COPs. At the level of individual sessions, we provide recommendations for designing participatory dialogues that can better support reflection, interconnection, and action orientation. In addition, we offer guidance for scaling up these practices, for instance through networks and communities of practice to support a shift of the overall communication culture of the COPs. Our recommendations focus on interactions and exchanges that unfold outside of the formal negotiation sessions, with a view toward enabling and accelerating transformative action by non-state actors.

Description: This paper outlines the development and operation of Yeti, a bottom-up traffic emission inventory framework written in the Python 3 scripting language. A generalized representation of traffic activity and emission data affords a high degree of scalability and flexibility in the use and execution of Yeti, while accommodating a wide range of details on topological, traffic, and meteorological data. The resulting traffic emission data are calculated at a road-level resolution on an hourly basis. Yeti is initially applied to traffic activity and fleet composition data provided by the senate administration for the city of Berlin, which serves as the region of interest, where the Yeti-calculated emissions are highly consistent with officially reported annual aggregate levels, broken down according to different exhaust and non-exhaust emission modes. Diurnal emission profiles on select road segments show not only the dependence on traffic activities but also on road type and meteorology. These road-level emissions are further classified on the basis of vehicle categories and Euro emission classes, and the results obtained confirmed the observations of the city of Berlin and subsequent rectifications.

Description: There are various approaches to facilitation in deliberative mini-publics, yet the scholarly literature remains relatively underdeveloped in identifying which approaches to facilitation are useful in achieving certain deliberative goals. This article compares facilitation approaches based on their potential to achieve different deliberative goals by examining three cases of deliberative mini-publics on urban transformations in the German city of Magdeburg. All three mini-publics were given the same task but were implemented using a particular approach to facilitation: (1) self-organized; (2) a multi-method approach; and (3) dynamic facilitation. We analyzed video recordings and surveys conducted among participants and found that differences in facilitation influence the process of deliberation in numerous ways. While deliberation can happen without a facilitator, certain deliberative goals can be better achieved when the process is professionally facilitated. More stringent or involved facilitation, however, may not serve every purpose of deliberation equally. There are trade-offs when designing, convening, or facilitating deliberative processes, and no approach fits all mini-publics. We conclude the article by identifying the implications of our findings for the scholarship and practice of citizen deliberation in structured forums and beyond.

Description: Quelle für Wärme, Speicher für klimaschädliche Gase, Lagerstätte für grünen Wasserstoff – der Untergrund bietet viele Möglichkeiten. Ein Gastbeitrag.

Description: Die Milliarden aus dem Strukturwandel sollen eine umweltfreundliche Entwicklung in den Transformationsregionen forcieren. Doch das nutzt Brandenburg viel zu wenig. Nachhaltigkeit spielt bei der Auswahl von Projekten kaum eine Rolle, bemängelt der Volkswirt David Löw-Beer im Gastkommentar.

Description: The complexity and importance of environmental, societal, and other challenges require new forms of science and practice collaboration. We first describe the complementarity of method-driven, theory-based, and (to the extent possible) validated scientific knowledge in contrast to real-world, action-based, and contextualized experimental knowledge. We argue that a thorough integration of these two modes of knowing is necessary for developing ground-breaking innovations and transitions for sustainable development. To reorganize types of science–practice collaborations, we extend Stokes’s Pasteur’s quadrant with its dimensions for the relevance of (i) (generalized) fundamental knowledge and (ii) applications when introducing (iii) process ownership, i.e., who controls the science–practice collaboration process. Process ownership is a kind of umbrella variable which comprises leadership (with the inflexion point of equal footing or co-leadership) and mutuality (this is needed for knowledge integration and developing socially robust orientations) which are unique selling points of transdisciplinarity. The extreme positions of process ownership are applied research (science takes control) and consulting (practice takes process ownership). Ideal transdisciplinary processes include authentic co-definition, co-representation, co-design, and co-leadership of science and practice. We discuss and grade fifteen approaches on science–practice collaboration along the process ownership scale and reflect on the challenges to make transdisciplinarity real.

Description: As the climate targets tighten and countries are impacted by several crises, understanding how and under which conditions carbon dioxide emissions peak and start declining is gaining importance. We assess the timing of emissions peaks in all major emitters (1965–2019) and the extent to which past economic crises have impacted structural drivers of emissions contributing to emission peaks. We show that in 26 of 28 countries that have peaked emissions, the peak occurred just before or during a recession through the combined effect of lower economic growth (1.5 median percentage points per year) and decreasing energy and/or carbon intensity (0.7) during and after the crisis. In peak-and-decline countries, crises have typically magnified pre-existing improvements in structural change. In non-peaking countries, economic growth was less affected, and structural change effects were weaker or increased emissions. Crises do not automatically trigger peaks but may strengthen ongoing decarbonisation trends through several mechanisms.

Description: Renewable energy changes the geopolitics of energy: whereas access to fossil fuel resources were key in the past, control over technology and industry will be key in the future. Consequently, different scholars have predicted that a growing focus on renewables will increase or decrease conflict in the energy sector, with no consensus on which is most likely. Here, we investigate the degree of conflict in renewable energy technology (RET) trade by analyzing data on 7041 trade conflicts 1995–2020, guided by two sets of theory-driven hypotheses. We show that RET trade is associated with more, longer, and more intense trade conflicts than other trade conflicts for 1995–2016. This supports the neorealist, geo-economic view of countries being willing to risk conflict to increase their share of a market rather than avoiding conflicts to increase the overall market size. It also contradicts the view that renewables will reduce conflict: at least in the past and regarding trade, it has increased rather than decreased conflict. For 2017–2020, this trend is reversed and RET trade became significantly less conflictive than other trade. Our findings imply that improved conflict-resolution institutions for RET are needed. We also suggest establishing specific institutions to govern trade in immature technologies.

Description: Artificial intelligence (AI) systems carry risks and opportunities for environmental sustainability. The use of AI systems, for instance, can result in both software-related (direct) as well as application-context-related (indirect) resource use. Stakeholders are expected to play a role in understanding and steering the environmental effects of AI systems. However, the processes and anticipated outcomes of stakeholder involvement in AI system lifecycles are not clear. We provide a non-exhaustive scoping review of six software and AI sustainability frameworks with respect to their recognition of environmental sustainability and the role of stakeholders in dealing with environmental sustainability. This serves to develop recommendations for future research on how stakeholder involvement can help firms and institutions design and use more sustainable AI systems.

Description: Past economic crises triggered structural change towards decarbonisation in national economies, but not always. Here we discuss how it happened and some implications for understanding the current energy crisis.

Description: The impetus for Germany’s first bicycle law came from civil society. The impulse arose from the still unresolved conflict between the automobile-fixation of Germany’s conservative transport policy and the progressive desire for sustainable mobility, which is intended to be oriented towards the needs of citizens and required a redistribution of road space in favor of cycling. The consensus was that transport must be made more sustainable. Opinions differed strongly on how.

Description: Indicator frameworks for urban water sustainability are very diverse, with tools designed for different practical use cases and employing different assessment approaches. This creates a complex landscape that scholars and practitioners must successfully “orienteer” so that they may effectively apply the literature to develop theory and/or manage practical problems of sustainability. Based on a systematic analysis of indicator frameworks for urban water sustainability, this paper presents an overview of framework designs and current design trends. Five key framework design decisions and respective options are outlined, and the patterns in and implications of their use are discussed. While the decisions were identified based on material for assessing urban water sustainability, the categories of decisions and options are relevant to environmental sustainability more broadly. The paper is aimed at framework users looking for an overview of different framework designs and their benefits and drawbacks and framework designers interested in common options, current trends, and difficulties.

Description: Bildung ist eine unerlässliche Voraussetzung für die Förderung der nachhaltigen Entwicklung und die bessere Befähigung der Menschen, sich mit Umwelt- und Entwicklungsfragen auseinanderzusetzen (Art. 36.3 der Agenda 21, 1992).

Description: Wie dialogorientierte Bürger­beteiligung demokratisches Engagement und Kommunal­politik stärken kann.

Description: This version of CSP.guru has been compiled by Richard Thonig and Alina Gilmanova in collaboration with the SolarPACES secretariat and reflects the CSP market in the beginning of 2023. The Chinese market continues to develops favorably with many new projects tendering being developed. Staying conservative, we only include those projects that are reported as under construction.

Description: Inspired by a paper by Teseletso and Adachi (Miner Econ 8(10):21, 2021), the hypothesis regarding the declining grade of mined copper ore and its possible use as a guide to the future of ultimate recoverable resources (URRs) is tested. As a time axis, cumulative production is taken. Grades can be either grade of cumulative tonnage or annual production grade. Correlation can be linear (grade and tonnage) or semi-logarithmic (grade linear, tonnage logarithmic). We first show that the assumption that the highest correlation is the best guide to the future may be a fallacy. This is the linear correlation between grades of cumulative tonnage and cumulative tonnages since 1959, i.e., 85% of all copper mined historically with a near-perfect correlation approaching one (R2 = 0.97). This leads to implausibly low results of the URR, clearly demonstrating that this trend must shift in the future. Moreover, Teseletso and Adachi’s (Miner Econ 8(10):21, 2021) approach using a linear or semi-logarithmic correlation between annual grades with cumulative production leads to erroneous results. Here, the later the calculation of the correlation begins, the lower the extrapolated tonnages are at predetermined, postulated ultimate cutoff grades. This contradicts the accepted knowledge that with lower grades, the resource base is broadened—not narrowed. The only reasonable finding results from the correlation between linear grades of cumulative production with logarithmic cumulative production, i.e., the Lasky relationship, indicating a URR of 7.5 GT Cu, of which 6.7 GT remain to be mined, which is equivalent of close to 325 years of present production. The trend towards declining Cu grades with constant real Cu prices shows the potential for creative solutions for other metal as well.

Description: Die geplante Verordnung der Europäischen Union (EU) über forstwirtschaftliche Risikowaren verlangt von Unternehmen, die in den oder aus dem EU-Markt verkaufen, die Bereitstellung von Geolokalisierungsdaten der Produktionsgebiete. Zur Umsetzung der obligatorischen Sorgfaltspflicht schreiben die Regulierungsbehörden die Nutzung von EU-Datenerfassungs- und Analyseinstrumenten wie dem Raumfahrtprogramm der Union (EGNOS/Galileo und Copernicus) und der EU-Beobachtungsstelle vor. Darüber hinaus empfiehlt der Gesetzentwurf, auf bestehenden öffentlich oder privat verfügbaren Datenquellen und Überwachungsinitiativen aufzubauen. In dieser Arbeit werden digitale Transparenzinitiativen in Brasilien untersucht, um den Beitrag der digitalen Technologien zur Rückverfolgung der sozio-ökologischen Herkunft von Produkten zu verstehen. Als Rohstoffproduzent und Heimat des größten Regenwaldes der Welt bietet der brasilianische Fall Lehren für die Umsetzung der EU-Abholzungsverordnung und bietet gleichzeitig die Möglichkeit, über das Potenzial des Technologie- und Wissenstransfers aus dem globalen Süden nachzudenken. Darüber hinaus können staatliche und nichtstaatliche Akteure durch die Nutzung vorhandener Datensätze und digitaler Artefakte wie in Brasilien digitale Innovationen fördern, den Wert für die Gesellschaft steigern und Wege für eine verstärkte transnationale Zusammenarbeit eröffnen. Die Fallstudie zeigt, dass es mehrere hochwertige offene Datenquellen und digitale Plattformen gibt. Das Haupthindernis für die Umgestaltung des brasilianischen agroindustriellen Komplexes liegt eher in der Verwirklichung institutioneller als technologischer Innovationen. Insbesondere müssen die brasilianische Regierung und die Agrarindustrie von rückwärtsgewandten Narrativen und Handlungen Abstand nehmen, einschließlich des Datenmissbrauchs und der Instrumentalisierung von Maßnahmen im Zusammenhang mit digitalen Technologien, die mit der aktuellen globalen Klimakrise unvereinbar sind. Während Unternehmen, Behörden und die Zivilgesellschaft sich darauf verlassen können sollten, dass die brasilianischen digitalen Initiativen die Einhaltung der Abholzungsvorschriften überprüfen, muss die EU einen kooperativeren Ansatz verfolgen, um Brasilien bei der Bewältigung seiner dringenden politisch-institutionellen Herausforderungen zu unterstützen.

Description: The upcoming European Union (EU) forest-risk commodities regulation requires companies selling to or from the EU market to provide the geolocation data of production areas. To implement the mandatory due diligence requirements, regulators prescribe using EU data collection and analysis tools such as the Union’s Space programme (EGNOS/Galileo and Copernicus) and the EU Observatory. Furthermore, the draft law recommends building on existing publicly or privately available data sources and monitoring initiatives. This paper examines digital transparency initiatives in Brazil to understand digital technologies’ contribution to tracing products’ socio-environmental origin. As a commodity powerhouse and home to the world’s largest rainforest, the Brazilian case offers lessons for implementing the EU Deforestation Regulation while presenting a chance to reflect on the potential of technology and knowledge transfer from the Global South. Moreover, by building on existing datasets and digital artifacts as those in Brazil, state and non-state actors may foster digital innovation, increase value to society, and open paths for enhanced transnational collaboration. The case study shows several high-quality open data sources and digital platforms exist. The major obstacle to transforming the Brazilian agro-industrial complex lies in realising institutional rather than technological innovations. Specifically, the Brazilian government and agribusiness must abandon retrograde narratives and actions, including data misuse and the instrumentalization of policies related to digital technologies, which are incompatible with the current global climate crisis. While operators, authorities, and civil society should rely on Brazilian digital initiatives to conduct non-deforestation compliance checks, the EU must adopt a more collaborative approach to help Brazil address its pressing political-institutional challenges.

Description: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) functions as the global climate regime’s centerpiece. Yet, innovative climate policy initiatives have proliferated within and beyond this institution. This chapter provides an overview on central actors in this broadened global climate governance landscape. It discusses the Kyoto Protocol and its transition to the Paris Agreement, touching upon the challenges of these accords. The text also introduces the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Further, when describing the Under2 Coalition and the G20, it provides some examples for initiatives that have only recently become active in climate change. The Under2 Coalition represents a more innovative alliance for subnational governments and the G20’s climate focus demonstrates the spillover of the climate topic into other policy domains. The chapter introduces the development of these different forms of global climate governance and ultimately provides some suggestions of what their roles can be for achieving the common goal of a healthy planet.

Description: The invocation of a treaty provision known as the "two-year rule" at the International Seabed Authority effectively placed a deadline on the Authority to complete the adoption of regulations for exploitation activities within two years, i.e. by 9 July 2023. However, it is not a hard "deadline" and it is likely that the Authority might miss this deadline. In recent months, the member states of the Authority have commenced discussions on what would happen if the deadline is missed (or the "what if scenario"). It follows that missing the deadline will give rise to a host of open legal questions. Building on previous work, this discussion paper attempts to provide some insights and possible interpretations to answer some of those questions.

Description: Stakeholder engagement has become increasingly important in energy research and is now even required by many funding agencies. Recent energy modelling projects also claim to involve stakeholders in the research process, although this is usually a process of one-way communication. This raises the question of the extent to which stakeholder involvement can have an impact on the modelling work, or whether it is often a case of mere ‘stakeholder-washing’ to meet funding requirements. In this discussion paper, I reflect on the experiences of stakeholder engagement in the EU Horizon 2020 project Sustainable Energy Transition Laboratory (SENTINEL), discuss the impacts of stakeholder participation on the energy modelling and unfold key challenges of involving stakeholders in energy modelling. I discuss that it worked well to engage stakeholders in defining user needs and discussing modelling results, while only a few stakeholders could be continuously involved through the project period. I also show that although the project successfully identified research questions and needs, the ability of models to answer questions was limited, and making models understandable to users remains a key challenge. Stakeholder engagement in SENTINEL was more than ‘stakeholder-washing’: it led to the identification of user needs and research questions, impacted scenario design, modelling improvements and the development of new modelling tools, and enabled critical reflection on modelling approaches and results. Finally, I make nine recommendations for future stakeholder engagement in energy (modelling) research that can enable mutual learning and enhance the legitimacy, relevance and impact of modelling. The further development of multi-stakeholder communities of practice around innovative energy modelling approaches can facilitate the transition to climate neutrality.

Description: The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is expected to launch in October 2023, with reporting obligations only. The scheme aims to ensure that European efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions do not induce so-called ‘carbon leakage’, which could occur if companies based in the EU relocate carbon-intensive production to countries with less ambitious climate standards or increase imports of carbon-intensive products to the EU. The mechanism will require companies importing certain products to the EU to offset embedded GHG emissions by purchasing CBAM certificates, thus ensuring that the carbon price of imported products is equivalent to that of products made by European producers under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). CBAM’s effectiveness and impact will be evaluated by the EU towards the end of its phase-in period. This evaluation will likely lead to adjustments in the mechanism’s design and will be followed closely by third countries considering the introduction of similar instruments. Economies and sectors dependent on exports to the EU will be both more exposed and vulnerable to the mechanism. In this policy brief we explore the views of stakeholders in South Africa, the EU’s largest trading partner in Africa, and consider measures necessary to ensure that CBAM addresses issues of justice and sustainability. In particular we identify three key recommendations for European policymakers.

Description: Der Strukturwandel in den ehemaligen Braunkohlerevieren wird mit erheb- lichen Bundes- und Landesmitteln gefördert. Sie fließen zum einen als Kompensation für einen vorzeitigen Kohleausstieg. Damit verbunden ist zum anderen der Anspruch, dass Transformationen Erfolg haben können, indem neue Arbeitsplätze sowie lebenswerte und zukunftsfähige Regionen entstehen. Es geht um Nachhaltigkeit im Strukturwandel und nicht nur um den Kohleausstieg. Da es bisher kein Nachhaltigkeitsmonitoring für die Lausitz gibt, lassen sich aufgrund der vorliegen- den Projekte und Projektanträge sowie zahlreicher Gespräche vor Ort nur erste vorsichtige Schlüsse zie- hen. Diese beziehen sich auf die verabschiedeten und vorgeschlagenen Projekte, bei denen das Land Bran- denburg die Verantwortung hat (sog. Arm 1-Projekte): Antragsstellende müssen erläutern, wie ihre Projek- te einen positiven Beitrag zu einem ökologischen und einem weiteren der 17 nachhaltigen Entwick- lungsziele der Vereinten Nationen leisten. Diese Auflage führte bislang kaum dazu, dass die Projek- te einen hohen Nachhaltigkeitsanspruch verfolgen. Hohe Förderquoten würden es bereits jetzt ermög- lichen ambitioniertere Nachhaltigkeitsinvestitionen zu vertretbaren Kosten umzusetzen. Eher günstige geographische und makroökonomi- sche Bedingungen führen dazu, dass viele Projekte auf eine Reduktion von Treibhausgasemissionen bzw. zur Erforschung entsprechender Technologi- en ausgerichtet sind. Mit seinem bisherigen Verfahren verfolgt Branden- burg einen anderen Ansatz als Sachsen, das Nachhal- tigkeit in einem Scoring-Verfahren berücksichtigt. Sowohl die Nachhaltigkeitserklärungen als auch die Scoring-Verfahren setzen geringe Nachhaltigkeitsan- reize im Vergleich etwa zu EU-Vorgaben. In diesem Policy Brief liefern wir drei umsetzbare und kostengünstige Vorschläge, wie sich die Nach- haltigkeit des Strukturwandels in der brandenburgischen Lausitz verbessern ließe.

Description: This chapter provides a review of Germany’s ambitious import-oriented hydrogen strategy. It places the German policy approach in the context of its broader Energiewende (energy transition) strategy, aimed not only at a transition of Germany’s energy and industrial system to carbon neutrality by 2045 but also at the promotion of the German Energiewende approach abroad. The chapter begins by providing a short review of the German Energiewende policy legacy, relating it to it emerging hydrogen policy. On this basis, it provides a comprehensive review of Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy (NHS) with a particular focus on its outward-oriented elements. It discusses Germany’s external hydrogen policy along the following five dimensions: political dialogue and diplomacy (both bilateral and multilateral); interventions aimed at building international supply chains; cooperation in research and innovation; capacity building and skill development; and activities aimed at addressing questions of sustainability. The chapter closes with discussion of key strengths and weaknesses of the strategy and highlights areas for its further development. While Germany's outward-oriented approach is identified as an important strength of the strategy, it could place greater emphasis on cooperation with partners in the EU. Moreover, collaboration with partner countries, both in- and outside the EU, should go beyond the relatively narrow focus on the promotion of hydrogen production and trade. Rather, it should take a broader perspective, aimed at promoting competitive and resilient industrial value chains centered on the EU and its policy and regulatory model. In particular, countries in the European Neighborhood represent important partners in such a strategy. Broadening the scope of cooperation with these countries will also increase the incentives for these countries to engage in partnership development. Finally, the chapter points out that Germany has taken an ambiguous stance on the role that blue hydrogen should play in a future hydrogen economy. While its strategy comes out strongly in favor of green hydrogen, it is also pursuing partnerships for the import of blue hydrogen. This has resulted in a mismatch. While analytical capacities and standardization-related activities are being advanced for green hydrogen production, the government also needs to clearly define its stance on blue hydrogen imports and develop the needed analytical tools and policy instruments for this purpose.

Description: Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing regions worldwide by both gross domestic product and electricity demand. Solar photovoltaics (PV) will play an increasingly important role as the region strives to decarbonize and meet rising energy demand. High solar resource potential, a significant cost drop for installed PV in the region (about 45 percent between 2012 and 2016), and favourable policies have allowed Southeast Asia to surpass other regions in solar capacity growth, from approximately 23 GW in 2020 a projected 241 GW by 2030. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) deems solar “the flagship resource for ASEAN’s decarbonization”. Two countries in particular–Vietnam and Malaysia–have led the way in solar offtake in recent years and installed more new PV capacity than others in the region in 2020. They are the world’s second and third largest manufacturers of solar PV modules and have significantly lowered barriers to utility-scale and residential solar adoption. However, their diverging approaches to electricity markets, renewables integration, and distributed energy resources have resulted in very different outcomes for solar growth. In many respects, Malaysia’s holistic approach to solar pricing, grid modernization, and regional interconnectivity provides lessons for both Vietnam’s solar market and the broader ASEAN region.

Description: Es gibt viele technologische Lösungen, die globalen Emissionen des Treibhausgases Kohlendioxid zu verringern. Wir brauchen sie alle, sagen unsere Autoren.

Description: In this chapter we introduce a number of international governance frameworks and initiatives that, to varying degrees, support and advance integrated policy making on air pollution and climate change. This is often achieved via governance of and/or attention to short-lived climate-forcing pollutants (SLCPs), which have negative impacts on both climate and air quality. We consider UN institutions including UN Climate Change and the UN Environment Program as well as non-UN bodies such as the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, and the Arctic Council. We examine their structure, focus, and activities, considering the ways in which they increase the integration of air quality and climate change policy making. Overall, there is broad recognition that an integrated approach can help avoid unintended consequences as well as capitalize on synergies and create multiple benefits – not only for air quality and climate, but for other development goals, including employment and food and energy security. Reflecting this, the international governance landscape has begun to trend towards more integration. Although most relevant international bodies began with and maintain a focus on either air quality or climate change, many have taken on work streams in the other, complementary field. The increased integration of the two topics is also reflected in increased interlinkages between these organizations themselves, for which there are large overlaps in membership as well as formal cooperative activities and programs.

Description: This chapter deploys assemblage theory and thinking to bring together a unique set of insights on the seabed ranging from the ecological, to legal, practice to theoretical. It does so with a particular aim in mind: to integrate debates pertinent to understanding the frontier space of the sea floor. Whilst there are increasing calls for interdisciplinary integration in the marine sciences, combining the natural and social sciences research on the space of the seabed and its potential for mining tends to be siloed with work addressing component parts of such possible processes: ecosystem and ecosystem service aspects, legal dimensions, and geopolitical aspects, to name but a few. Whilst these contributions touch upon intersecting issues (society and environment; law and economics, and so on) they remained centered on particular disciplinary and scientific offerings to understanding the seabed and prospect of seabed mining. This chapter offers a thoroughly ‘joined up’ approach, which presents a prism through which to better understand the issues at stake in venturing to the new vertical frontiers of ocean extraction.

Description: Ocean governance comprises the law of the sea as well as all related policy and normative dimensions that relate to the regulation of human activity at sea and increasingly places a strong focus on marine environmental protection and the conservation of marine resources, with the aim of ensuring a healthy and productive ocean while sustaining a resilient ocean-based economy. Premised on this observation, this chapter aims to reflect on the past, present and future of ocean governance using three case studies as snapshot examples, namely, fisheries at sea, marine area-based management tools and international seabed mineral resources. Put together, these three case studies will demonstrate how the law of the sea has evolved when considered from the dimension of ocean governance, particularly with respect to the challenge of protecting and preserving the marine environment through the sustainable use of marine resources.

Description: Es gibt viele technologische Lösungen, die globalen CO2-Emissionen zu verringern. Wir brauchen sie alle, argumentieren Kristina Fürst vom RIFS am Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam und Aliaksei Patonia vom Oxford Institute in ihrem Standpunkt. Dabei haben Sie insbesondere die Abscheidung und Nutzung von CO2 im Blick.

Description: Die Stadt der kurzen Wege wird als Lösung vieler Probleme gefordert, nicht nur in Deutschland. Der autoorientierten Stadtplanung, die Planer seit fast einem Jahrhundert praktizieren, wird zunehmend kritisch begegnet. Konzepte, die den Menschen in den Vordergrund rücken, werden in vielen europäischen Städten angewandt. In Deutschland tun sich Politik und Verwaltung noch schwer damit. Die Zivilgesellschaft aber beteiligt sich selbst direkt an urbaner Transformation, um eine neue Art von Stadtplanung voranzubringen. Mit Kiezblocks verfolgen sie einen vielversprechenden Pfad.

Description: LOSLAND hat zehn Kommunen in ganz Deutschland dabei begleitet, mit den Menschen vor Ort einen Schritt in Richtung einer enkeltauglichen Zukunft zu gehen. Dafür entwickelte LOSLAND mit den Kommunen passgenaue Beteiligungsprozesse, inspiriert von Bürgerräten und anderen Formen der Bürgerbeteiligung. Die LOSLAND Kommunen, das LOSLAND Team und alle beteiligten Projektpartnerinnen und -partner waren sich einig: Die Demokratie braucht ein Update und wir wollen zusammen Neues starten. Was in den Kommunen alles ins Rollen geraten ist, erfahren Sie auf den folgenden Seiten. Mit Reportagen, zahlreichen Interviews, Fotos und Beiträgen von Mitwirkenden erhalten Sie tiefe Einblicke in die LOSLAND Prozesse vor Ort, Sie finden Berichte zur Umsetzung der Empfehlungen aus den Bürgerräten und zu neuen Wegen der Zusammenarbeit. Außerdem haben wir für Sie viele nützliche Tipps für eine gelungene Beteiligungspraxis formuliert, die beteiligten Akteurinnen und Akteure nach ihren Handlungsempfehlungen für die Praxis gefragt, Argumente für Bürgerräte zusammengestellt, häufig gestellte Fragen beantwortet und vieles mehr!

Description: Emission inventories are a critical basis for air quality and climate modeling, as well as policy decisions. Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) are key precursor compounds in ozone and secondary organic aerosol formation. Accurately representing NMVOCs in emission inventories is crucial for understanding atmospheric chemistry, the impact of policy measures, and climate projections. Improving NMVOC representation in emission inventories is fraught with challenges, ranging from the lack of (long-term) NMVOC measurements, limited efforts in updating emission factors, to the diversity of NMVOC species reactivity. Here we take an initial step to evaluate the representation of urban NMVOC speciation in an emission inventory (EDGARv4.3.2 and EDGARv6.1) at the global level. To compare the urban measurements of NMVOCs to the emission inventory estimates, ratios of individual NMVOCs to acetylene are used. Owing to limitations in measurement data and grouping of NMVOCs in emission inventories, the comparison includes only a limited number of alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics. Results show little to no agreement between the ratios in the observations and those in the global emission inventory for the species compared (r2 0.01–0.20). This could be related to incorrect speciation profiles and/or spatial allocation of NMVOCs to urban areas. Regional emission inventories show better agreement among the ratios (r2 0.43–0.70). The inclusion of oxygenated species in NMVOC measurements, as well as greater global coverage of measurements could improve representation of NMVOC species in emission inventories, and a mosaic of regional inventories may be a better approach.

Description: Social lives are lived prospectively with intent and visions of what will, could and should be. Importantly, this social futurity is not merely hoped for, expected or anticipated but it is also enacted continuously in everyday and institutional practices. To encompass this central feature in studies of social life poses significant challenges for all evidence-based knowledge systems, given that the future is not yet and as such not considered factual. This means it cannot be known with certainty. Knowledge about it therefore tends primarily to be constructed, calculated and modelled from past-based evidence. In my reflections I examine some of the difficulties and anomalies that arise for engagement with the full complexity of this fundamental aspect of existence and explore alternative modes of engagement.

Description: Observed climate changes in Pacific island countries (PICs) are causing detrimental effects on the health of communities. Increased frequency and intensity of cyclones, more extremely hot days, and changes in rainfall patterns can change the geographic distribution of vector-borne diseases, decrease food and water security and safety, and strain health service capacity. These impacts are projected to worsen with additional climate change in the absence of strong and effective mitigation and adaptation measures. Health vulnerability and adaptation assessments conducted in twelve PICs in 2014 highlighted significant knowledge gaps on the national health risks of climate change and on adaptation implementation and policy translation. We synthesize recent research to identify approaches to support evidence-based policymaking to increase resilience of health systems in the Pacific. Broad areas where further and substantial investment and support are needed include: (i) health workforce capacity development; (ii) enhanced surveillance and monitoring systems, and (iii) research to enhance understanding of risks and effective interventions and their subsequent translation into practice and policy. Finally, health facilities need urgent upgrades; many are old and located in coastal areas, and are heavy users of coal-fired electricity.

Description: This editorial to the special issue: Transregional Configurations of Just Energy Transitions explores how discourses on justice are interrelated and influence transformation paths at different levels of society. We propose a spatial perspective that puts energy transitions and place-based research into context. For many years, discussions about the transformation of the energy sector focused on the climatological necessity of phasing out fossil fuels and on the technical and economic feasibility of doing so. In this special issue, we aim to reverse this logic: phasing out fossil fuels has become feasible, but phasing out the political, cultural, and social legacy of fossil fuel is a prerequisite for a just transition. The collection of articles contributes to place-based research, focusing on peripheral and fossil fuel producing regions in the global North and South. We also broaden the relational perspective on regional energy transitions by closely linking spatial and moral dimensions. The articles and this editorial show that the emergence of a region as a political arena or even as an institutional actor in climate and energy policy coincides with spatially defined (in)justice claims. In practical terms, this also means that a broader range of justice claims and regional spaces must be critically examined and incorporated into the design of energy transformations.

Description: The marine environment is under increasing threat from the cumulative effects of human activities. This chapter examines and elaborates on some of the important challenges facing international marine environmental law today. To situate the discussion, the chapter begins with an overview of the background to and development of international marine environmental law and the principles and processes that form the corpus of this body of law. It then turns to an examination of legal frameworks relating to some of the most pressing current challenges, including biodiversity loss, plastic pollution, climate change and the role of science and technology. The chapter concludes that international marine environmental law alone cannot protect the marine environment. Rather, cooperation between sectors and with other legal regimes such as the climate, biodiversity and waste regimes is now essential.

Description: This wholly new edition of the Handbook provides an authoritative examination of international law relating to the protection of the marine environment. Chapters critically engage with current legal issues surrounding activities that harm the marine environment, including marine pollution, seabed activities, exploitation of marine biodiversity and climate change, and with the different legal tools and mechanisms, including environmental impact assessments and compliance and dispute settlement mechanisms, used to protect the marine environment. New chapters also address legal issues relating to the role of technology and marine scientific research as well as the application of principles such as public participation.

Description: Preface xi PART I MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW IN THE 21ST CENTURY 1 International marine environmental law in the 21st century 2 Rosemary Rayfuse, Aline Jaeckel and Natalie Klein 2 The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea – still relevant to protection of the marine environment? 33 Robin Churchill 3 Fragmentation and coherence in the legal framework for the protection of the marine environment 57 Alexander Proelss PART II LEGAL FRAMEWORKS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT 4 Basic principles of international marine environmental law 81 Yoshifumi Tanaka 5 Compliance mechanisms under treaties relating to protection of the marine environment 104 James Harrison 6 Resolving international disputes concerning the marine environment 124 Natalie Klein and Millicent McCreath 7 Mapping progress and challenges for the UNEP Regional Sea Programme for the Mediterranean 150 Nilufer Oral 8 The Indian Ocean region and marine environmental law 172 Erika Techera PART III POLLUTION AND THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT 9 Vessel-source pollution – some key developments 196 Henrik Ringbom 10 Regulating shipping under conditions of uncertainty: The Arctic Ocean and knowledge-based decision-making 218 Tore Henriksen 11 From ocean dumping to marine geoengineering: The evolution of the London Regime 240 Karen N Scott 12 Ocean acidification 264 Ellycia Harrould-Kolieb and Tim Stephens PART IV PROTECTING MARINE BIODIVERSITY 13 Protecting the marine environment of the deep seabed 289 Michael Lodge 14 Protecting marine biodiversity and vulnerable marine ecosystems 311 Rosemary Rayfuse 15 Marine mammals and migratory species 333 Richard Caddell PART V MECHANISMS AND TOOLS FOR PROTECTING THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT 16 Public participation in the governance of deep-seabed mining in the Area 361 Jeff Ardron, Hannah Lily and Aline Jaeckel 17 Marine scientific research and the protection of the seas and oceans 385 Anna-Maria Hubert 18 New technology and the protection of the marine environment 409 Hilde J Woker, Rozemarijn J Roland Holst and Harriet Harden-Davies 19 Implementing environmental impact assessment in areas beyond national jurisdiction: Epistemic, institutional and normative challenges 428 Neil Craik and Kristine Gu 20 Enhancing marine protected areas and marine spatial planning through an ecosystem approach 451 Vasco Becker-Weinberg Index 467

Description: Deep-seabed mining in the Area is regulated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) which is mandated to act on behalf of humankind as a whole. Consistent with international environmental law and human rights norms, in its decision making the ISA is expected to engage with its broad constituency. Using ten assessment criteria, this chapter analyses the extent to which the ISA has facilitated public participation to date. This chapter finds that, while the ISA has increased outreach activities, significant scope for improvement remains. Several ways to improve public participation at the ISA are identified, including (1) proactive consultation with a wider reach, including stakeholders that are hitherto not engaged; (2) mechanisms to ensure stakeholder consultations and submissions are given due consideration, and that the rationale for decisions are publicly communicated; and (3) enhanced public engagement in the implementation of decisions.

Description: The impacts of deep seabed mining on people have not been sufficiently researched or addressed. Using a legitimacy framework, we discuss the social-equity dimensions of this emerging industry in the ocean commons.

Description: The establishment of thresholds is integral to environmental management. This paper introduces the use of thresholds in the context of deep-seabed mining, a nascent industry for which an exploitation regime of regulations, standards and guidelines is still in the process of being developed, and for which the roles and values of thresholds have yet to be finalised. There are several options for integrating thresholds into the International Seabed Authority’s regulatory regime, from being stipulated in regulations to being part of a mining contract, each option having its own advantages and disadvantages. Here we explore the range of ways that thresholds can be derived, set out the challenges in translating ecological and management data into thresholds, highlight factors for acceptance and operationalisation of thresholds in deep-seabed mining, and explain the necessity of refining thresholds as knowledge on impacts to features improves. Some comparable marine industries already use thresholds and these could potentially be used as starting points for the development of thresholds for deep-seabed mining. In order to be acceptable to the wide range of deep-seabed mining stakeholders, thresholds need to strike a balance among levels of harm acceptable by society, levels of environmental precaution justifiable by governments, scientific robustness, and operational practicality.

Description: Systemische Risiken stellen eine Herausforderung für Governance dar, weil diese Risiken hochgradig vernetzt und komplex sind sowie non-linearen Entwicklungen folgen und in ihren Ursache-Wirkungs-Beziehungen nicht deterministisch sind. Erarbeitete Lösungen sollten zudem ethische Belange reflektieren. So werden inklusive Governance-Strategien notwendig, um die Ziele von Nachhaltigkeitstransformationen zu verfolgen. Das Konzept der transdisziplinären Risiko-Governance dient als Orientierungsrahmen, um die Herausforderungen von systemischen Risiken zu adressieren.

Description: The Deliverable 7.2 “Full Project Knowledge Integration Report with Results, Procedures and Recommendations” aims to present the operational process of knowledge integration and key project results and recommendations on Social-Ecological Tipping Points (SETPs) to accelerate low-carbon, clean energy transitions in CCIRs.

Description: The global energy transition and the growing ambition of decarbonisation policies in the world’s leading economies are bound to affect Central Asia’s three hydrocarbon producers, yet there has been little research on the issue. This chapter uses the theoretical toolbox of geoeconomics to analyse the implications of energy transition for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan across four dimensions: resources, energy infrastructure, strategic industries and clean energy technologies and the rules of international economic interaction. Kazakhstan remains the region’s renewable energy frontrunner, while Turkmenistan is yet to make its first steps. Despite a late start, Uzbekistan is benefiting from the falling cost of renewable energy technologies and has attracted major industry players. Rather than pursuing fossil-fuel phaseout, these countries seek to capture more value from their hydrocarbon resources—especially natural gas—while adding renewables to the mix to bolster energy security and help decarbonise the economy. However, infrastructure constraints remain an obstacle to low-carbon energy production. Lacking the influence to shape the international rules of engagement on energy transition, the three countries are employing a variety of strategies to manage their asymmetrical dependence on key partners—be they China, the EU or Russia—and to diversify their international engagement.

Description: In dieser Analyse untersuchen wir in zwei parallel durchgeführten Befragungen im Rahmen der Ariadne Bürgerdeliberation und einer repräsentativen Panelbefragung die Haltung der Bürger:innen gegenüber verschiedenen Politikoptionen in den Bereichen Verkehr und Strom. Das Ziel war hierbei durch die vergleichende Betrachtung besser zu verstehen, welche Optionen gesellschaftlich mitgetragen werden (und welche nicht) und aus welchen Gründen. Die Verbindung beider Zugänge bietet eine umfassende Perspektive auf die gesellschaftliche Trägerschaft der Energie- und Verkehrswende. Die Bürgerinnen und Bürger sprachen sich in beiden Bereichen – Strom und Verkehr – für möglichst gerechte und effektive politische Optionen aus.

Description: Ariadne-Forschende haben deshalb auf Grundlage von zwei bundesweit durchgeführten Panel-Umfragen die Zustimmung von 26 Klimaschutzmaßnahmen auf regionaler Ebene geschätzt und dabei geographische und zeitliche Meinungsunterschiede sichtbar gemacht. Die Ergebnisse der Forschenden verdeutlichen regionale Unterschiede in der Zustimmung zu einzelnen Klimaschutzmaßnahmen, die sich vor allem zwischen Stadt- und Landbevölkerung sowie Ost- und Westdeutschland zeigen.