The conventional wheat-maize systems in the North China Plain are energy and water intensive with high carbon emissions. It is imperative to find cleaner production technologies for sustainable food-water-energy-carbon synergism. Here, a three-year field experiment was performed to explore the effects of two tillage modes and four irrigation regimes during wheat season on crop yield, economic profile, water use efficiency, energy utilization, and carbon footprint in typical wheat-maize cropping systems in the North China Plain. Pre-sowing irrigation resulted in the lowest crop yield and benefit profile. Pre-sowing + anthesis irrigation decreased economic benefit and water use efficiency with higher carbon footprint. Pre-sowing + jointing + anthesis irrigation led to the greatest energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. However, pre-sowing + jointing irrigation increased yield by 2.3-8.7%, economic benefit by 4.0-11.1%, water use efficiency by 7.4-10.9%, and net energy by 6.5-12.0% but reduced carbon footprint by 9.8-14.3% compared to pre-sowing + anthesis irrigation and pre-sowing + jointing + anthesis irrigation. The corresponding metrics in rotary tillage improved by 9.6%, 13.9%, 7.0%, and 14.2%, respectively, relative to subsoiling, whereas carbon footprint decreased by 12.4-17.2%. Besides, rotary tillage coupled with additional jointing irrigation obtained the highest value based on a Z-score method, which was recommended as a cleaner management practice to improve benefit return and water use efficiency with lower energy consumption and carbon footprint. This work provides valuable insights into food-water-energy-carbon nexus for ensuring food security and achieving environmental sustainability in the wheat-maize cropping systems.
Integrated rice-crayfish systems are expanding rapidly and are the most widely applied planting-breeding modes in Jianghan Plain in China. We conducted nutrient use efficiency, economic, and emergy analysis of three rice production modes, namely, rice monoculture (RM), rice-crayfish rotation (RCR), and rice-crayfish coculture (RCC), in Jingzhou City, which is located in the Jianghan Plain. Compared with RM mode, rice-crayfish systems using the RCR and RCC modes increased rice yield by 5-7%, showed more than 8% higher chemical nutrient use efficiency, and increased the value-to-cost ratio from 1.5-fold to 2.7-fold and the benefit-cost ratio from 2.5-fold to 3.8-fold, while decreasing irrigation water consumption and land occupation by 31% and 82-86%, respectively. RCC resulted in 10% higher crayfish yield, 12% higher phosphorus use efficiency, and 38% higher feed use efficiency than RCR. However, compared with RM, rice-crayfish systems decreased renewable fraction by 10-14%, emergy yield ratio by 9%, and emergy sustainability index by 23-26%, and they increased environmental loading ratio to 18-23%. Labor and service, fertilizer utilization, and machine and tools play important roles in these negative environmental effects. Scenario analysis showed that the rice-crayfish systems increased sustainability index by 38-45%. The technical training of new planting-breeding technology should be adopted by farmers for the efficient use of fertilizers and improvement of food yield. This study suggests that rice‑crayfish systems are not a panacea to sustain cleaner food production.
There is world-wide generation of food waste daily in significant amounts, leading to depletion of natural resources and deteriorating air quality. One-third of global food produced is wasted laterally with the food value chain. Carbon footprint is an efficient way of communicating the issues related to climate change and the necessity of changing behavior. Valorization or utilization of food wastes helps in resolving issues related to environment pollution. Reduction in the carbon footprint throughout the chain of food supply makes the whole process eco-friendly. Prevailing food waste disposal systems focus on their economic and environmental viability and are putting efforts into using food waste as a resource input to agriculture. Effective and advanced waste management systems are adopted to deal with massive waste production so as to fill the gap between the production and management of waste disposal. Food waste biorefineries are a sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective approach for the production of platform chemicals, biofuels, and other bio-based materials. These materials not only provide sustainable resources for producing various chemicals and materials but have the potential to reduce this huge environmental burden significantly. In this regard, technological advancement has occurred in past few years that has proven suitable for tackling this problem.
Sustainable nutrient management remains a critical challenge for agri-food systems worldwide, particularly in resource-constrained island regions. Excessive nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses, driven by reliance on imported fertilizers and feed and inefficient waste management, contribute to eutrophication, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil degradation. These environmental burdens undermine the resilience and sustainability of food systems. This study employed material flow analysis (MFA) to evaluate nutrient flows and losses in Taiwan, a densely populated island that is highly dependent on external nutrient inputs. Results indicate annual inflows of 358.6 kt N and 118.3 kt P, of which 84% of N and 48% of P are lost, primarily through domestic and industrial wastewater discharge and manure mismanagement. Scenario-based assessments demonstrate that enhanced biowaste recycling, including livestock manure, food waste, and wastewater, could reduce fertilizer imports and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by up to 98,299 tons CO2 eq annually. Although some progress has been made in municipal wastewater valorization, broader implementation of nutrient recovery strategies remains limited. The findings underscore the need for integrated policy frameworks and cross-sectoral collaboration to enhance nutrient circularity, reduce environmental pressures, and support cleaner food production in island settings. This study provides a comprehensive systems-level assessment of nutrient use inefficiencies and recovery opportunities, offering actionable insights for decision-makers and environmental planners. The approach and findings are relevant for developing science-based policies to improve sustainability in vulnerable agri-food systems globally.
Freezing remains a fundamental preservation method for maintaining food quality and safety, but ice crystal formation and recrystallization cause structural and biochemical damage that compromise texture and functionality. Natural cryoprotectants, including proteins, peptides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and emerging systems such as γ-polyglutamic acid and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES), have gained increasing attention as alternatives to conventional sugars and polyols, whose sweetness, caloric load and clean-label limitations restrict their applicability. This review synthesizes advances reported from 2019 to 2025, integrating molecular-level mechanisms (ice recrystallization inhibition, thermal hysteresis, hydrogen-bonding interactions and water-structuring effects) with their performance across diverse food matrices. Evidence indicates that plant- and animal-derived antifreeze proteins, small antifreeze peptides, and saccharide-based systems can effectively modulate ice formation, reduce protein denaturation, preserve texture, and enhance water retention in both cellular and non-cellular foods. Polysaccharides and oligosaccharides additionally provide rheological stabilization and water redistribution control, while multifunctional blends provide synergistic cryoprotection. It also identifies current challenges related to scalability, cost, and regulation, outlining future directions toward sustainable and efficient cryoprotective strategies that align with health-driven and environmental trends in the modern food industry. Overall, natural cryoprotectants represent a promising technological route for improving frozen food quality while aligning with sustainability, reduced-calorie formulations, and consumer demand for cleaner labels.
Climate change threatens biodiversity, water, food and human health and well-being. Rapid, sustained mitigation and adaptation actions can benefit all these elements of the nexus. Key transitions in energy, land and marine ecosystems, urban areas, industry and society are essential for climate change mitigation, adaptation and sustainable development. These transitions require interdisciplinary research, policy support and societal engagement. Here we present an assessment of 69 response options, a subset of which (15) was used in the climate change chapter of the IPBES Nexus Assessment. We show that the majority of climate change response options for land, oceans and ecosystems, settlement and infrastructure, industrial and societal system transitions have broadly positive impacts across the nexus. However, energy system transitions show more apparent trade-offs. Most of these impacts result from energy infrastructure that would also be required for fossil fuel-based systems and should be compared to the far more damaging consequences of continued fossil fuel use. Transitioning to cleaner, renewable energy sources reduces these risks and offers significant improvements across the nexus by reducing climate change impacts. Of the 69 response options assessed, 59% have entirely positive effects, or at least no negative effects, across all nexus elements and can be considered as low-risk, immediately actionable options. The remaining 41% show either negative or variable impacts on at least one nexus element. However, this does not render them unviable; rather, their implementation must be carefully managed. Where impacts are variable, strategies should be tailored to ensure positive outcomes; where trade-offs are unavoidable, efforts should focus on minimising negative effects and maximising synergies. Our findings suggest that prioritising policies that address the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, pollution, food insecurity, access to clean water, energy for all and sustainable development will deliver more effective and equitable climate action.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the risk of airborne transmission of viruses, especially in public indoor spaces or healthcare settings. Effective indoor air purification systems are necessary to limit the spread of these pathogens, and the deployment of portable air cleaners (PACs) has increased rapidly since then. Germicidal ultraviolet (UV) radiation technologies have recently supplemented conventional air filtration technologies. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the air decontamination efficacy of a PAC using a 275-nm UVC-LED unit and fibrous-media air filters. Two different filters were used in the study: a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter and an Efficient Particulate Air (EPA) filter. The PAC was operated in an experimental aerosol chamber with an airflow rate of 200 m³/hour for 10 or 20 minutes. Subsequently, the concentration of infectious viruses and particles in the air was measured. Decontamination efficacy was compared between UVC-LED radiation, filtration, and a combination thereof against Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) and influenza A virus (H3N2) aerosols. Infectious virus reductions were comparable between the UVC and filter measurements. A decrease of 94% in FCoV concentration was observed after 10 minutes of device runtime, increasing to 99.8% after 20 minutes compared to control measurements. H3N2 showed greater susceptibility, with a reduction of 99.7% achieved after 10 minutes. Interestingly, a synergistic effect was observed with significantly lower virus concentrations when both technologies were combined. These findings highlight the potential of PACs equipped with emerging UVC-LED technologies as effective tools for indoor air decontamination. The deployment of PACs equipped with UVC radiation and filtration could be a promising alternative or supplement to ventilation systems, especially in healthcare settings and other public spaces. Die COVID-19 Pandemie hat das Risiko einer Übertragung von Viren über die Luft, insbesondere in öffentlichen Räumen und Gesundheitseinrichtungen, verdeutlicht. Effektive Raumluftreinigungssysteme sind notwendig, um die Ausbreitung dieser Krankheitserreger einzuschränken, und der Einsatz mobiler Luftreiniger hat seitdem stark zugenommen. Pathogen inaktivierende ultraviolette (UV) Strahlungstechnologien haben in letzter Zeit die konventionellen Luftfiltertechnologien ergänzt. Daher wurde in dieser Studie die Luftdekontaminationswirkung eines mobilen Luftreinigers, ausgestattet mit einer 275 nm UVC-LED Einheit und Luftfiltern, untersucht. In der Studie wurden zwei verschiedene Filtertypen eingesetzt: ein Schwebstofffilter (HEPA-Filter) und ein Hochleistungs-Partikelfilter (EPA-Filter). Der mobile Luftreiniger wurde in einer experimentellen Aerosolkammer mit einer Luftstromrate von 200 m³/h für 10 oder 20 min betrieben. Anschließend wurde die Konzentration infektiöser Viren und von Partikeln in der Luft gemessen. Die Dekontaminationswirkung wurde zwischen UVC-LED-Strahlung, Filtration und einer Kombination beider Technologien, für Aerosole des Felinen Coronavirus (FCoV) und Influenza-A-Virus (H3N2), verglichen. Die Reduktion infektiöser Viren war zwischen den UVC-Strahlung- und Filtermessungen vergleichbar. Nach 10 Minuten Betriebszeit des Geräts wurde eine Reduktion der FCoV-Konzentration um 94% beobachtet, die nach 20 Minuten Laufzeit auf 99,8% anstieg, verglichen mit Kontrollmessungen. H3N2 zeigte eine höhere Empfindlichkeit mit einer Reduktion von 99,7% bereits nach 10 Minuten. Interessanterweise wurde ein synergistischer Effekt mit signifikant niedrigeren Virenkonzentrationen bei gleichzeitiger Anwendung beider Technologien beobachtet. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen das Potenzial von mobilen Luftreinigern, ausgestattet mit neuartigen UVC-LED Technologien, zur Dekontamination von Innenraumluft. Ihr Einsatz könnte eine vielversprechende Alternative oder Ergänzung zu Belüftungssystemen, insbesondere in Gesundheitseinrichtungen und anderen öffentlichen Räumen, sein.
Algae have developed into a sustainable and adaptable resource that can help with several global issues, such as resource depletion, environmental degradation, food security, climate change, and energy security. It explores the multifaceted potential of algae in addressing key global sustainability challenges-including climate change, resource depletion, environmental pollution, food insecurity, and energy demands-through biotechnological innovations. Chlorella, Nannochloropsis, Botryococcus, and Spirulina demonstrate exceptional efficiency in biomass production, carbon sequestration, nutrient recycling, and bioenergy generation. Objectives of this review include evaluating recent advances in algal-based wastewater remediation, biodiesel production, and circular bioeconomy strategies, with a focus on the integration of industrial waste streams like abattoir wastewater and crude glycerol. Notably, Chlorella sorokiniana has shown high potential for phycoremediation and biodiesel yield when cultivated in abattoir wastewater digestate (AWD), achieving up to 90% BBM replacement with enhanced lipid and carotenoid content. Similarly, the valorization of crude glycerol via microbial and insect-based systems underscores algae's role in supporting low-carbon bioeconomies. In agriculture, macroalgae such as Asparagopsis taxiformis have significantly reduced enteric methane emissions in livestock, highlighting their utility in climate-smart farming. Despite these advances, the scalability and economic viability of algal technologies remain constrained by high production costs, energy-intensive processing, contamination risks, and regulatory limitations-especially in food and feed sectors. It advocates for targeted research into cost reduction, process optimization, and harmonized policy frameworks to unlock algae's full potential. By addressing these challenges, algae can become central to sustainable development strategies, enabling effective transitions toward cleaner energy, healthier ecosystems, and resilient food systems.
Milk and milk products are very susceptible to spoilage and therefore, suitable innovative packaging strategies are indispensable to enhance shelf life along with maintaining quality and safety. Transformation in the utilization of packaging materials and technologies in the dairy sector is trending to match and meet the changing demands of consumers aware of this. Smart, intelligent, and active packagings are a few innovative packaging strategies that aim at protracting the shelf stability of milk and milk products while enhancing safety and sensory qualities. Other packaging innovations also include the use of different packaging systems which are not only safe, compatible with food, and stable over a wide range of storage conditions but are more eco-friendly and thus posing the least possible burden on the environment. In this review, the authors attempt to compile innovative green packaging technologies for different dairy products. The properties and applications of biomaterials used for smart, active, and intelligent packaging of milk and milk products, such as: pasteurized milk, evaporated milk, sweetened milk, condensed milk, milk powder, along with: ice cream, butter, coagulated dairy products, and heat-desiccated milk products are briefly discussed. Environmental impact, safety regulations as well as challenges in the implementation of different innovative packaging technologies in the dairy sector are also covered. The use of eco-friendly packaging innovative approaches in terms of improved biodegradability and lesser environmental hazards aims to achieve environmental sustainability goals for a clean and green future. 1. Exploration of innovative packaging materials and technologies for dairy products, focusing on clean, sustainable, and greener alternatives.2. Overview of smart packaging solutions, such as active and intelligent packaging, for improved product quality and safety.3. Delves into the application of innovative packaging solutions across a range of dairy products.4. Identification of challenges and opportunities for implementing innovative packaging trends in the dairy industry.5. Presents a future outlook for innovative packaging in the dairy industry.
Most people in rural sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity and rely on traditional, inefficient, and polluting cooking solutions that have adverse impacts on both human health and the environment. Here, we propose a novel integrated agroforestry-bioenergy system that combines sustainable biomass production in sequential agroforestry systems with biomass-based cleaner cooking solutions and rural electricity production in small-scale combined heat and power plants and estimate the biophysical system outcomes. Despite conservative assumptions, we demonstrate that on-farm biomass production can cover the household's fuelwood demand for cooking and still generate a surplus of woody biomass for electricity production via gasification. Agroforestry and biochar soil amendments should increase agricultural productivity and food security. In addition to enhanced energy security, the proposed system should also contribute to improving cooking conditions and health, enhancing soil fertility and food security, climate change mitigation, gender equality, and rural poverty reduction.
This study evaluated two alternative bedding materials (poplar pellet-PP and vine pellets-VP) in against conventional wood shavings (WS) on production performance, health status, hygiene, immune-related genes expression and meat quality of broilers reared in organic-like conditions. A total of 252 male Ross-308 chicks were assigned to 9 pens in a randomized blocked design with 3 replicates; 50 % were slaughtered at 42d while the remaining at 84d in accordance with organic farming regulations. Broilers raised on VP resulted in lower body and carcass weight than those on PP, which had the lowest feed conversion ratio at 63d. Compared to WS broilers on PP were heavier, cleaner and had lower water consumption, water consumption ratio, and water to feed ratio in organic rearing period. Pelleted beddings were drier until mid-trial; PP had a consistently higher fiber content (aNDF, ADF, lignin) than WS. Despite higher microbiological contamination pelleted beddings did not affect Lactobacillus spp. growth. Poplar pellet increased footpad and hock score (HS), while VP improved HS and plumage cleanliness (CS) at 28d but worsened HS at 84d. A blood protein reduction was observed in pellet beddings leading to increased creatinine levels. Birds reared on PP had the greatest thickness of tunica mucosa, villus-height (VH) and VH /crypt depth ratio at 42d. At 84d, VP increased IL-8 expression and reduced survival rate compared to PP. Overall, from a production perspective, pelleted beddings are suitable for fast-growing broiler hybrids under conventional and organic regimens. The PP is particularly recommended for organic production systems.
Food waste (FW) is a crucial biomass resource and reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Biochar-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (BC-nZVI) can enhance methane production in the anaerobic digestion (AD) of FW. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of BC-nZVI on the fate of ARGs during AD are remain unclear. Here, the impacts of BC-nZVI on the fate of total ARGs were investigated, by analyzing dynamics of representative types of ARGs including intracellular and extracellular ARGs (iARGs and eARGs). We found a significant decrease in the abundance of the most ARGs during AD treated with BC-nZVI. Specially, the relative abundance of iARGs (tet32, ermF, sul1, and tetW) decreased by 30.58 %, 11.38 %, 16.69 %, and 3.65 %, respectively, while that of eARGs (tet32, ermF, sul1, and tetW) decreased by 95.09 %, 48.18 %, 88.55 %, and 71.41 %, respectively. The relative abundances of intracellular and extracellular intI1 decreased by 17.42 % and 41.96 %, respectively. BC-nZVI enhanced microbial metabolism, prevented SOS response activation, reduced the expression of type IV secretion systems, and decreased extracellular polymeric substance secretion, which could contribute to the decrease in ARGs. These findings indicate that BC-nZVI can effectively mitigate the risk of ARGs in AD by reducing their abundance and inhibiting their horizontal transfer.
Cleaning symbioses are captivating interspecific interactions in which a cleaner fish removes ectoparasites from its client, contributing to the health and diversity of natural fish communities and aquaculture systems. However, the genetic signatures underlying this specialized behaviour remain poorly explored. To shed light on this, we generated a high-quality chromosome-scale genome of the bluestreak cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus, a dedicated cleaner with cleaning as primary feeding mechanism throughout its life. Compared with facultative and non-cleaner wrasses, L. dimidiatus was found with notable contractions in olfactory receptors implying their limited importance in dedicated cleaning. Instead, given its distinct tactile pre-conflict strategies, L. dimidiatus may rely more heavily on touch sensory perception, with heightened gene expression in the brain in anticipation of cleaning. Additionally, a reduction in NLR family CARD domain-containing protein 3 might enhance innate immunity of L. dimidiatus, probably assisting to reduce the impacts from parasite infections. In addition, convergent substitutions for a taste receptor and bone development genes across cleaners (L. dimidiatus and facultative cleaners) may provide them with evolved food discrimination abilities and jaw morphology that differentiate them from non-cleaners. Moreover, L. dimidiatus may exhibit specialized neural signal transductions for cleaning, as evidenced by positive selection in genes related to the glutamatergic synapse pathway. Interestingly, numerous glutamate receptors also demonstrated significantly higher expression in L. dimidiatus not engaged in cleaning, as compared to those involved in cleaning. Besides, apparent contractions in L. dimidiatus for protocadherins, which are responsible for neuronal development, may further promote specialized neural signal transductions in this species. This study reveals that L. dimidiatus harbours substantial losses in specific gene families, convergent evolutions across cleaners and a large-scale high gene expression in preparation for cleaning, allowing for adaptation to the dedicated cleaning behaviour.
Achieving more sustainable production in emerging biomanufacturing sectors depends not only on technological innovation but also on how production systems are organized, governed, and scaled. Fermentation-derived proteins produced through biomass and precision fermentation offer promising pathways to reduce the environmental impacts of conventional livestock production. However, their sustainability and circularity outcomes depend heavily on access to biomanufacturing infrastructure and coordination along global value chains. Drawing on Global Value Chain (GVC) theory and an integrative review of more than 40 academic and industry sources published between 2017 and 2026, spanning global value chain governance, biomanufacturing scale-up, CDMO functions, and sustainability and bioeconomy transitions, this study develops a conceptual framework that positions Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) as key infrastructural intermediaries in fermentation-based protein systems. CDMOs facilitate access to fermentation capacity, technical expertise, and regulatory capabilities, thereby shaping governance arrangements, capability development, and the scaling of innovation. In doing so, they influence how cleaner production principles, such as resource efficiency, circular feedstock integration, and improved environmental performance, are translated into industrial practice. The analysis also highlights risks linked to CDMO-driven scaling, including infrastructure concentration, dependency dynamics, and unequal access across regions. By integrating GVC perspectives with insights from sustainability transitions and the circular bioeconomy, the article advances understanding of how infrastructural intermediaries shape cleaner production outcomes in emerging biomanufacturing value chains.
The utilization of Cd-contaminated soil in vegetable crop production can lighten the food crisis and improve the soil environmental resilience. Intercropping is a reliable technology in safety production from contaminated soil. A field-scale experiment was carried out to unravel how plant species and pattern affect the growth and Cd uptake of Chinese cabbage from Cd contaminated land. Among all the intercropping systems designed in this study, one row of Chinese cabbage intercropping with one row of Solanum nigrum L. is the best planting mode (high yields (2.78 kg/m2) and low Cd accumulation (0.02 mg/kg) of Chinese cabbage). Combined with the in-depth joint analysis of diverse soil physicochemical features (soil nutrient characteristics and microbial community structure), biomass yield and quality, and soil microbiological properties, we elaborated that two measures (screening hyperaccumulation types and controlling planting strip width) were the major factors in determining the growth of the aboveground and underground parts of Chinese cabbage respectively, thus directly regulating the application effectiveness of intercropping technology. The intertwined mechanisms (interspecific and intraspecific relationship) of different intercropping systems are summarized, which include better utilization of space, light and other resources in the aboveground part, bioavailability of nutrient, drive of soil bacteria and alleviated soil Cd stress in the underground part, etc. Our research outputs indicate the effectiveness and feasibility of intercropping can be improved by optimizing the streamline configuration and plant mode, which provide theory of reference and practical evidence for warranting the food safety and agricultural soil remediation simultaneously.
Previous production-based EKC studies in agriculture have largely ignored trade-embodied energy and indirect upstream burdens, risking misinterpretation of domestic decoupling as genuine progress rather than displacement. This study examines energy use in global grain supply chains across 39 countries from 1995 to 2021, using a multi-regional input-output (MRIO) framework to estimate direct on-farm and indirect upstream energy consumption-including energy embodied in imported grain-and method-of-moments quantile regression to capture distributional heterogeneity. Key findings include: (1) no inverted U-shaped EKC for direct energy use across any quantile, with intensity rising monotonically with income; (2) EKC-like patterns for indirect and total energy, but only in higher quantiles (Q6-Q9), suggesting selective decoupling in high-energy-consumption (typically high-income) countries via technological and structural change; and (3) a strong positive effect of calorie intake on energy use across all models, while renewable energy share and agricultural R&D show unexpected positive associations with indirect/total energy in upper quantiles, indicating rebound and supply-chain expansion effects. These results demonstrate that income growth and cleaner energy alone are insufficient for sustainable food systems. Policy priorities include: targeted on-farm regulations to break direct energy lock-in in middle-income countries; lifecycle and trade-aware instruments (e.g., carbon border adjustments) to address indirect energy leakage; demand-side measures to moderate calorie-driven pressure; and rebound-mitigating designs for renewable energy and R&D policies. Integrated reforms balancing production efficiency, consumption patterns, and global trade governance are urgently needed, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where food-system energy demand is accelerating rapidly.
Charcoal production stemming from small-scale Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantations has brought about significant socio-economic benefits and improved livelihoods in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, the current practice involves the use of traditional earth mound kilns, leading to inefficiencies, reduced charcoal income, and environmental pollution. This research aims to assess charcoal conversion efficiency, perform a cost-benefit analysis, and measure gas emissions from improved charcoal-making kilns sourced from Eucalyptus camaldulensis small-scale plantations in comparison to traditional earth mound kilns in northwestern Ethiopia. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was executed, with a significance level set at 0.05. The study results indicate a significant (P < 0.001) disparity in charcoal conversion efficiency across the various tested kilns, with the ranking as follows: Green mad retort kiln (33.7%) > Casamance kiln (32.09%) > MRV steel kiln (28.25%) > traditional earth mound kilns (23.55%). The improved charcoal-making kilns enhanced wood-to-charcoal conversion efficiency by 20-43% compared to traditional earth mound kilns. In terms of financial viability, Casamance improved kilns generated the highest equivalent annual charcoal income (117,126.9 ETB/year), followed by Green Mad Retort (82,893.8 ETB/year) and MRV steel kilns (58,495.9 ETB/year). As anticipated, traditional earth mound kilns yielded the lowest net present value (47,304.3 ETB/year). Traditional earth mound kilns also exhibited significantly longer carbonization times (P < 0.001), taking 3.6 times longer than the Mark V kiln and 2 times longer than the Casamance kiln. Furthermore, the statistical analysis demonstrated that improved charcoal-making technology reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 36.1-50.7%, carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by 39.2-54.3%, and methane (CH4) emissions by 29.6-47%. In conclusion, the use of improved charcoal-making kilns has demonstrated significant enhancements in charcoal conversion efficiency, charcoal income, and environmental sustainability. Given these positive outcomes, we strongly recommend a decisive transition from traditional to cleaner, sustainable, and less emissions-intensive charcoal making kilns.
An energy audit (EA) is a crucial step in boosting factory energy efficiency and obtaining certification for cleaner manufacturing. The results of a preliminary energy audit carried out at a sizable industrial facility in Jordan that creates some of the most well-known foods in the Middle East are presented in this study. The monthly demand of the factory for diesel ranged from 75,251.545 to 166,666.67 L. The factory energy model which is used to examine the impact of various energy-saving practices on the factory's primary energy consumption, was developed with the help of the energy audit. It has been established that optimizing the factory's energy use and the boiler systems' performance with regards to diesel consumption can withstand an expected monthly financial savings of 14205.85 Jordanian Dinar (JD). This has allowed a reduction in energy use of up to 18%. The CO2 harmful emissions were also decreased. Additionally, it is estimated that switching from the proposed motors to energy-efficient motors will cost less overall over time, saving around 3472.314 JD/month or 0.33576/year on average. Moreover, it was discovered that a total of 772.82021 Ton CO2/year emissions may be avoided each year.
In 2023, a series of climatological and political events unfolded, partly driving forward the global climate and health agenda while simultaneously exposing important disparities and vulnerabilities to climate-related events. On the policy front, a significant step forward was marked by the inaugural Health Day at COP28, acknowledging the profound impacts of climate change on health. However, the first-ever Global Stocktake showed an important gap between the current progress and the targets outlined in the Paris Agreement, underscoring the urgent need for further and decisive action. From a Latin American perspective, some questions arise: How do we achieve the change that is needed? How to address the vulnerabilities to climate change in a region with long-standing social inequities? How do we promote intersectoral collaboration to face a complex problem such as climate change? The debate is still ongoing, and in many instances, it is just starting. The renamed regional centre Lancet Countdown Latin America (previously named Lancet Countdown South America) expanded its geographical scope adding Mexico and five Central American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama, as a response to the need for stronger collaboration in a region with significant social disparities, including research capacities and funding. The centre is an independent and multidisciplinary collaboration that tracks the links between health and climate change in Latin America, following the global Lancet Countdown's methodologies and five domains. The Lancet Countdown Latin America work hinges on the commitment of 23 regional academic institutions, United Nations agencies, and 34 researchers who generously contribute their time and expertise. Building from the first report, the 2023 report of the Lancet Countdown Latin America, presents 34 indicators that track the relationship between health and climate change up to 2022, aiming at providing evidence to public decision-making with the purpose of improving the health and wellbeing of Latin American populations and reducing social inequities through climate actions focusing on health. This report shows that Latin American populations continue to observe a growing exposure to changing climatic conditions. A warming trend has been observed across all countries in Latin America, with severe direct impacts. In 2022, people were exposed to ambient temperatures, on average, 0.38 °C higher than in 1986-2005, with Paraguay experiencing the highest anomaly (+1.9 °C), followed by Argentina (+1.2 °C) and Uruguay (+0.9 °C) (indicator 1.1.1). In 2013-2022, infants were exposed to 248% more heatwave days and people over 65 years old were exposed to 271% more heatwave days than in 1986-2005 (indicator 1.1.2). Also, compared to 1991-2000, in 2013-2022, there were 256 and 189 additional annual hours per person, during which ambient heat posed at least moderate and high risk of heat stress during light outdoor physical activity in Latin America, respectively (indicator 1.1.3). Finally, the region had a 140% increase in heat-related mortality from 2000-2009 to 2013-2022 (indicator 1.1.4). Changes in ecosystems have led to an increased risk of wildfires, exposing individuals to very or extremely high fire danger for more extended periods (indicator 1.2.1). Additionally, the transmission potential for dengue by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes has risen by 54% from 1951-1960 to 2013-2022 (indicator 1.3), which aligns with the recent outbreaks and increasing dengue cases observed across Latin America in recent months. Based on the 2023 report of the Lancet Countdown Latin America, there are three key messages that Latin America needs to further explore and advance for a health-centred climate-resilient development. Latin American countries require intersectoral public policies that simultaneously increase climate resilience, reduce social inequities, improve population health, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The findings show that adaptation policies in Latin America remain weak, with a pressing need for robust vulnerability and adaptation (V&A) assessments to address climate risks effectively. Unfortunately, such assessments are scarce. Up to 2021, Brazil is the only country that has completed and officially reported a V&A to the 2021 Global Survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO). Argentina, Guatemala, and Panama have also conducted them, but they have not been reported (indicator 2.1.1). Similarly, efforts in developing and implementing Health National Adaptation Plans (HNAPs) are varied and limited in scope. Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay are the only countries that have an HNAP (indicator 2.1.2). Moreover, self-reported city-level climate change risk assessments are very limited in the region (indicator 2.1.3). The collaboration between meteorological and health sectors remains insufficient, with only Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala self-reporting some level of integration (indicator 2.2.1), hindering comprehensive responses to climate-related health risks in the region. Additionally, despite the urgent need for action, there has been minimal progress in increasing urban greenspaces across the region since 2015, with only Colombia, Nicaragua, and Venezuela showing slight improvements (indicator 2.2.2). Compounding these challenges is the decrease in funding for climate change adaptation projects in Latin America, as evidenced by the 16% drop in funds allocated by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in 2022 compared to 2021. Alarmingly, none of the funds approved in 2022 were directed toward climate change and health projects, highlighting a critical gap in addressing health-related climate risks (indicator 2.2.3). From a vulnerability perspective, the Mosquito Risk Index (MoRI) indicates an overall decrease in severe mosquito-borne disease risk in the region due to improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) (indicator 2.3.1). Brazil and Paraguay were the only countries that showed an increase in this indicator. It is worth noting that significant temporal variation within and between countries still persists, suggesting inadequate preparedness for climate-related changes. Overall, population health is not solely determined by the health sector, nor are climate policies a sole responsibility of the environmental sector. More and stronger intersectoral collaboration is needed to pave development pathways that consider solid adaptation to climate change, greater reductions of GHG emissions, and that increase social equity and population health. These policies involve sectors such as finance, transport, energy, housing, health, and agriculture, requiring institutional structures and policy instruments that allow long-term intersectoral collaboration. Latin American countries need to accelerate an energy transition that prioritises people's health and wellbeing, reduces energy poverty and air pollution, and maximises health and economic gains. In Latin America, there is a notable disparity in energy transition, with electricity generation from coal increasing by an average of 2.6% from 1991-2000 to 2011-2020, posing a challenge to efforts aimed at phasing out coal (indicator 3.1.1). However, this percentage increase is conservative as it may not include all the fossil fuels for thermoelectric electricity generation, especially during climate-related events and when hydropower is affected (Panel 4). Yet, renewable energy sources have been growing, increasing by an average of 5.7% during the same period. Access to clean fuels for cooking remains a concern, with 46.3% of the rural population in Central America and 23.3% in South America lacking access to clean fuels in 2022 (indicator 3.1.2). It is crucial to highlight the concerning overreliance on fossil fuels, particularly liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as a primary cooking fuel. A significant majority of Latin American populations, approximately 74.6%, rely on LPG for cooking. Transitioning to cleaner heating and cooking alternatives could also have a health benefit by reducing household air pollution-related mortality. Fossil fuels continue to dominate road transport energy in Latin America, accounting for 96%, although some South American countries are increasing the use of biofuels (indicator 3.1.3). Premature mortality attributable to fossil-fuel-derived PM2.5 has shown varied trends across countries, increasing by 3.9% from 2005 to 2020 across Latin America, which corresponds to 123.5 premature deaths per million people (indicator 3.2.1). The Latin American countries with the highest premature mortality rate attributable to PM2.5 in 2020 were Chile, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Paraguay. Of the total premature deaths attributable to PM2.5 in 2020, 19.1% was from transport, 12.3% from households, 11.6% from industry, and 11% from agriculture. From emission and capture of GHG perspective, commodity-driven deforestation and expansion of agricultural land remain major contributors to tree cover loss in the region, accounting for around 80% of the total loss (indicator 3.3). Additionally, animal-based food production in Latin America contributes 85% to agricultural CO2 equivalent emissions, with Argentina, Brazil, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay ranking highest in per capita emissions (indicator 3.4.1). From a health perspective, in 2020, approximately 870,000 deaths were associated with imbalanced diets, of which 155,000 (18%) were linked to high intake of red and processed meat and dairy products (indicator 3.4.2). Energy transition in Latin America is still in its infancy, and as a result, millions of people are currently exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution and energy poverty (i.e., lack of access to essential energy sources or services). As shown in this report, the levels of air pollution, outdoors and indoors, are a significant problem in the whole region, with marked disparities between urban and rural areas. In 2022, Peru, Chile, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, El Salvador, Brazil, Uruguay, Honduras, Panama, and Nicaragua were in the top 100 most polluted countries globally. Transitioning to cleaner sources of energy, phasing out fossil fuels, and promoting better energy efficiency in the industrial and housing sectors are not only climate mitigation measures but also huge health and economic opportunities for more prosperous and healthy societies. Latin American countries need to increase climate finance through permanent fiscal commitments and multilateral development banks to pave climate-resilient development pathways. Climate change poses significant economic costs, with investments in mitigation and adaptation measures progressing slowly. In 2022, economic losses due to weather-related extreme events in Latin America were US$15.6 billion -an amount mainly driven by floods and landslides in Brazil-representing 0.28% of Latin America's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (indicator 4.1.1). In contrast to high-income countries, most of these losses lack insurance coverage, imposing a substantial financial strain on affected families and governments. Heat-related mortality among individuals aged 65 and older in Latin America reached alarming levels, with losses exceeding the equivalent of the average income of 451,000 people annually (indicator 4.1.2). Moreover, the total potential income loss due to heat-related labour capacity reduction amounted to 1.34% of regional GDP, disproportionately affecting the agriculture and construction sectors (indicator 4.1.3). Additionally, the economic toll of premature mortality from air pollution was substantial, equivalent to a significant portion of regional GDP (0.61%) (indicator 4.1.4). On a positive note, clean energy investments in the region increased in 2022, surpassing fossil fuel investments. However, in 2020, all countries reviewed continued to offer net-negative carbon prices, revealing fossil fuel subsidies totalling US$23 billion. Venezuela had the highest net subsidies relative to current health expenditure (123%), followed by Argentina (10.5%), Bolivia (10.3%), Ecuador (8.3%), and Chile (5.6%) (indicator 4.2.1). Fossil fuel-based energy is today more expensive than renewable energy. Fossil fuel burning drives climate change and damages the environment on which people depend, and air pollution derived from the burning of fossil fuels causes seven million premature deaths each year worldwide, along with a substantial burden of disease. Transitioning to sustainable, zero-emission energy sources, fostering healthier food systems, and expediting adaptation efforts promise not only environmental benefits but also significant economic gains. However, to implement mitigation and adaptation policies that also improve social wellbeing and prosperity, stronger and solid financial systems are needed. Climate finance in Latin American countries is scarce and strongly depends on political cycles, which threatens adequate responses to the current and future challenges. Progress on the climate agenda is lagging behind the urgent pace required. While engagement with the intersection of health and climate change is increasing, government involvement remains inadequate. Newspaper coverage of health and climate change has been on the rise, peaking in 2022, yet the proportion of climate change articles discussing health has declined over time (indicator 5.1). Although there has been significant growth in the number of scientific papers focusing on Latin America, it still represents less than 4% of global publications on the subject (indicator 5.3). And, while health was mentioned by most Latin American countries at the UN General Debate in 2022, only a few addressed the intersection of health and climate change, indicating a lack of awareness at the governmental level (indicator 5.4). The 2023 Lancet Countdown Latin America report underscores the cascading and compounding health impacts of anthropogenic climate change, marked by increased exposure to heatwaves, wildfires, and vector-borne diseases. Specifically, for Latin America, the report emphasises three critical messages: the urgent action to implement intersectoral public policies that enhance climate resilience across the region; the pressing need to prioritise an energy transition that focuses on health co-benefits and wellbeing, and lastly, that need for increasing climate finance by committing to sustained fiscal efforts and engaging with multilateral development banks. By understanding the problems, addressing the gaps, and taking decisive action, Latin America can navigate the challenges of climate change, fostering a more sustainable and resilient future for its population. Spanish and Portuguese translated versions of this Summary can be found in Appendix B and C, respectively. The full translated report in Spanish is available in Appendix D.
Microplastic pollution is causing a stir globally due to its persistent and ubiquitous nature. The scientific collaboration is diligently working on improved, effective, sustainable, and cleaner measures to control the nano/microplastic load in the environment especially wrecking the aquatic habitat. This chapter discusses the challenges encountered in nano/microplastic control and improved technologies like density separation, continuous flow centrifugation, oil extraction protocol, electrostatic separation to extract and quantify the same. Although it is still in the early stages of research, biobased control measures, like meal worms and microbes to degrade microplastics in the environment have been proven effective. Besides the control measures, practical alternatives to microplastics can be developed like core-shell powder, mineral powder, and biobased food packaging systems like edible films and coatings developed using various nanotechnological tools. Lastly, the existing and ideal stage of global regulations is compared, and key research areas are pinpointed. This holistic coverage would enable manufacturers and consumers to reconsider their production and purchase decisions for sustainable development goals.