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Drought is a complex natural hazard. It occurs due to a prolonged period of deficient in rainfall amount in a certain region. Unlike other natural hazards, drought hazard has a recurrent occurrence. Therefore, comprehensive drought monitoring is essential for regional climate control and water management authorities. In this paper, we have proposed a new drought indicator: the Seasonally Combinative Regional Drought Indicator (SCRDI). The SCRDI integrates Bayesian networking theory with Standardized Precipitation Temperature Index (SPTI) at varying gauge stations in various month/seasons. Application of SCRDI is based on five gauging stations of Northern Area of Pakistan. We have found that the proposed indicator accounts the effect of climate variation within a specified territory, accurately characterizes drought by capturing seasonal dependencies in geospatial variation scenario, and reduces the large/complex data for future drought monitoring. In summary, the proposed indicator can be used for comprehensive characterization and assessment of drought at a certain region. • Comprehensive drought monitoring. • Save time and resources in the forecasting of future drought. • Systematic way to combine SDI by using a Bayesian network approach. • Easy in the calculation, save time and resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faced with severe and growing social inequality among elderly individuals, a more complete understanding of the interconnection between the seasonal migration of the elderly and climate change is clearly needed. This paper tries to clarify the relation between the seasonal migration of the elderly and climate change from a multidimensional perspective. Our study adds to the research on population aging against the background of climate change. This study shows that climate change has a significant impact on regional population aging and that there are significant internal differences between the distribution and scale of the migratory elderly stemming from unequal environmental conditions. Advanced economic conditions and relatively comfortable environments have put some pressure on social endowment services in the three provinces of Northeast China, especially Liaoning Province. With their complex migration mechanism, the fate of the elderly in mainland China is closely intertwined with climatic factors, individual and socioeconomic conditions, traditional cultural backgrounds, etc. A comparatively advanced economy, well-developed endowment resources, and a comfortable environment will help in the development of regional aging resources. Regional inequality and the pursuit of a meaningful life have created different categories of migratory elderly. • Climate change makes the seasonal migration characteristics of the middle-class elderly more distinct. • The migratory elderly in mainland China is closely intertwined with climatic, individual and socioeconomic conditions. • Regional inequality and the pursuit towards value and spirit in life have formed different kinds of migratory elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Notwithstanding the proliferation of papers dealing with the corporate finance implications of the so-called "carbon risk", very few studies analysed in depth the relationship between the firm's environmental risk profile and the cost of debt financing. We contribute to this stream of research by inspecting the relationship between EuroStoxx 600 companies' carbon emissions and cost of debt financing. We argue that lenders mitigate the impact of borrowers' GHG emissions on their future cash flows primarily requiring firms with higher carbon emissions intensity to pay significantly higher costs for financing their operations through indebtedness. We also found statistically significant evidence to support the conclusion that the positive effect of carbon emissions reduction on the cost of debt financing is relevant both for high and low emitting industries. Finally, we postulated that high emitting firms pay, on average, a higher cost of debt financing than less polluting firms but are less penalized if an increase in their carbon intensity occurs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the very first study to directly document the impact of carbon emissions on the cost of debt financing for non-financial European industries, substantially enriching the existing environmental financial literature. • Non-negligible financial drawbacks are associated with carbon emissions intensity. • Financial markets incorporate firms current carbon risk profile into their lending decisions. • Companies with high carbon intensity suffer from a higher cost of debt financing. • Low emitting firms pay a lower cost of debt but are more penalized if an increase in carbon intensity occurs. • An improved environmental engagement has a positive payoff in the European capital markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen has a significant contribution to global warming and its reduction in agriculture is expected to reduce N 2 O emissions having however adverse effects on the productivity of agricultural ecosystems. Maintaining systems productivity with alternative N sources i.e manure and composts could be a strategy also to mitigate N 2 O emissions. In this paper, we present the effect of different N sources (organic and chemical) on field N 2 O emissions and how these emissions are associated with soil available N forms (NH 4 + and NO 3 −) in three different rain-fed crops namely barley, pea and vetch grown in Cyprus for two growing seasons. The daily emissions ranged from −3.11 to 12.3 g N–N 2 O/ha/day, while cumulative emissions ranged from 119 g N–N 2 O/ha to 660 g N–N 2 O/ha depending on crop and nitrogen source type. The emissions showed a seasonal pattern and WFPS has been identified as a critical soil parameter controlling daily N 2 O emissions. The daily N 2 O fluxes in the current study derives mainly from nitrification irrespectively crop type or nitrogen source type. Specific emission factors for each crop cultivated under different N source type were calculated and ranged from 0.03% ± 0.02–0.34% ± 0.09. The application of manure and chemical fertilizers cause similar intensity of N 2 O emissions while compost exhibited the lower emission factors. These findings suggest that composts could be integrated in a nutrient management strategy of rain-fed crops with less N 2 O emissions. The high background emissions found suggest also that other factors than external inputs are associated with N 2 O emissions and further studies including the response of microbial community structure and their contribution and association with N 2 O emissions. • Nitrous oxide emissions are very low in rain-fed Mediterranean like climates. • Emission factors from organic N sources ranged from 0.25 to 0.03%. • Organic manure had similar emission factor compared to ammonium nitrate. • Compost exhibited the lowest N 2 O emissions. • N 2 O fluxes had a seasonal variation and were crop depended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reviews the overall perspectives of end-use studies on urban water crisis management by analysing their beneficial application in water conservation and wastewater recycling. The paper incorporates a critical review of water end-use consumption of 16 major countries from 3 major continents, i.e. Asia, Europe, and Australia. The study reflected a different trend between the water consumption of developed and developing nations, thereby implying a need for separate prospects of end-use results in these countries. Besides, the percentage of greywater generated varies from 54% to 86% of the total indoor household water consumption and thus can be a valuable water resource to solve the urban water crisis. There exists a strong correlation between the amount of greywater generated and the amount of water used for the shower (R2 = 0.69) and laundry (R2 = 0.50). The same, i.e. R2 values, for end-uses of the toilet flushing, dishwashing, and indoor taps with the amount of greywater, were found to be 0.30, 0.26, and 0.04, respectively. Further, except for the end-use pertaining to indoor taps, water consumption of all other end-uses has witnessed an upward spiral in developing countries with time, which may be attributed to the improved accuracy of collected end-use data or increased contribution of 'leaks/others' category. In developed nations like the USA, there is not a single end-use that has shown an absolute increase with time owing to a variety of measures such as increased awareness, education, retrofitting of appliances and several other factors like governmental restrictions. Change in attitude or/and behaviour of people towards water use driven by drought-like experience could also be a valid reason. After this extensive review of the end-use pattern, we proposed specific greywater recycling models that are expected to help engineers, governments, and policymakers in sustainable urban water management. Image 1 • Water end-use estimation can adequately support the urban water crisis management. • Greywater generated at household varies from 54% to 86% of total indoor water use. • Correlation (R2) of greywater with bath and washing was 0.7 and 0.5, respectively. • Water consumption of all end-uses witnessed a temporal shift in developing countries. • Specific greywater recycling models have been proposed based on end-use studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the historical relationship between weather fluctuations and mortality evolution in China. Using panel data on the annual provincial mortality rate and daily weather variables for the 1964–2008 period, we applied a dynamic model structure with sufficient controls to estimate the short-term effects of temperature shocks on China's mortality rate. Our main results show that an additional 1 °C rise in average temperature in a given year increases the annual mortality rate by an average of 3.2%. In addition, days with daily average temperatures exceeding 27 °C (30 °C) are associated with an increase in the annual mortality rate of nearly 0.1% (0.2%) or approximately 9,520 (19,040) additional deaths. In contrast, extremely cold days do not have these effects. By applying a hybrid model structure (the long difference approach) to examine the medium-term effects of temperature changes, we find that there is little evidence of overall adaptation to high temperatures when moving from the short term to the medium term. In addition, by introducing interactions between temperatures and potential modifiers such as access to doctors, hospital beds, air conditioning and refrigerators, we determined that only residential air conditioning played an important role in mitigating the temperature-mortality relationship. However, the penetration of air conditioning in China is still relatively low. These findings indicate that climate change could partially explain the historical phenomenon of China's rising mortality rate during the unprecedented economic boom experienced since the 1980s. • Increases in the number of extreme hot days increase annual mortality rate. • Little evidence of adaptation when moving from short run to medium run. • Residential air conditioning has played an important role in mitigating the temperature-mortality relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a response to increasing urbanization and changing weather and climatic patterns, urban green infrastructure (UGI) emerged as a concept to increase resilience within the urban boundaries. Given that implementing these (semi-) natural solutions in practice requires a clear overview of the costs and benefits, valuation becomes ever important. A range of decision-support tools for green infrastructure and ecosystem services exist, developed for various purposes. This paper reviews the potential of 10 shortlisted and existing valuation tools to support investment decisions of urban green infrastructure. In the assessment, the functionality is regarded specifically from the urban planning and decision-making viewpoint. The toolkits were evaluated on 12 different criteria. After analyzing the toolkits on these criteria, the findings are evaluated on the (mis)match with specific requirements in the urban planning and management context. Secondly, recommendations and guidelines are formulated to support the design of simple valuation tools, tailored to support the development of green infrastructure in urban areas. Approaching the valuation toolkits biophysically and (socio-)economically provides an integral overview of the challenges and opportunities of the capacities of each framework. It was found that most tools are not designed for the peculiarities of the urban context. Several elements contribute to the hampering uptake of GI valuation tools. Firstly, the limited effort in the economic case for green infrastructure remains a burden to use toolkits to compare grey and green alternatives. Secondly, tools are currently seldom designed for the peculiarities of cities: urban ecosystem (dis)services, multi-scalability, life-span assessments of co-benefits and the importance of social benefits. Thirdly, toolkits should be the result of co-development between the scientific community and local authorities in order to create toolkits that are tailor made to the specific needs in the urban planning process. It can be concluded that current tools, are not readily applicable to support decision making as such. However, if applied cautiously, they can have an indicative role to pinpoint further targeted and in-depth analyses. Image 1 • Applicability of green infrastructure tools in urban planning was assessed. • Toolkits don't succeed in comprehensively assessing urban green infrastructure. • Lack of life-span assessments in tools impedes on credible economic case for UGI. • Currently, toolkits and their use are not aligned with needs of their potential users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper empirically investigates the effect of carbon emissions on sovereign risk? To answer this question, we use fixed effects model by using annual data from G7 advanced economies, which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK and USA, for the period from 1996 to 2014. We employ a novel extreme value theory to measure sovereign risk. The results indicate that climate change (carbon emissions) are likely to increase sovereign risk significantly. We also expand our analysis to some specific sectors, as some of the sectors emit more carbon than others. Specifically, we take top three polluting sectors namely: transportation, electricity and industry and show that they are more likely to increase the sovereign risk. Our results are robust to change in risk measures, estimation in differences and dynamic version of econometric models. Therefore, we have robust consideration that the carbon emissions significantly explain the sovereign risk. • We analyse the effect of carbon emissions on sovereign risk. • We use fixed effects model by using annual data from G7 advanced economies. • We employ novel extreme value theory to measure sovereign risk. • Results indicate that carbon emissions are likely to increase sovereign risk. • Top three polluting sectors are also likely to increase the sovereign risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater is key to economic growth in the Mediterranean region. This is particularly true of areas such as southern Spain, where aquifers underpin social development by supplying water to a booming tourist industry. Intensive groundwater use raises sustainability concerns, as pumping often exceeds the long-term recharge rate. Climate change and population growth are likely to exacerbate the water supply challenge in the coming years, due to the expected decrease in rainfall and to increasing competition among users. This paper examines some of the main aquifers in the Costa del Sol region, one of Spain's leading tourist destinations, where intensive groundwater extraction has led to water table drawdowns and the desiccation of all major springs. A numerical model was developed and calibrated for the purpose of evaluating the likely evolution of the system in the future. Downscaled scenarios from global circulation models were coupled with population growth forecasts to establish a range of plausible water management scenarios. Given the relatively small size of the aquifers and the limited recharge rate, the current pumping patterns appear unsustainable. Results suggest that drawdowns in excess of 150 m could take place within the next decade, thus compromising domestic supplies. Image 103287324 • A distributed model was applied to simulate water level evolution in Mijas range. • Three management scenarios were developed and tested for the 2015–2035 interval. • Climate change and current water management will produce an unsustainable situation. • New sources of water supply are needed to guarantee drinking water in Mijas area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To tackle climate change, Chinese government has applied an array of mitigating measures to reduce CO2 emissions. During the 11th Five-year Plan, Chinese government set the emission reduction target policy to reduce energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 20%. This paper attempts to estimate the effect of this emission reduction target policy on industrial performance from complexity perspective. The result shows more complex industrial structure is related to less coal consumption. In general, emission reduction target policy has a negative effect on the probability of branching into new industries and lower the productivity and profitability of a given industry. However, this negative effect is weaker for more complex industries. Only for industries with very high complexity, emission reduction target policy can improve the performance of an industry rather than exerting a negative effect. Our finding not only helps to design a more effective policy to achieve industrial development strategy, but also provides a potential way to achieve economic growth while reduce the emission of greenhouse gases at the same time. • We investigate the impact of Emission reduction target policy(ERT) on industrial performance from complexity perspective. • We apply the method of reflection to calculate the Economic Complexity of provinces and Industry Complexity of industries. • More complex industrial structure contributes to the coal consumption reduction. • ERT has negative effects on the probability of branching into new industries, lowers the productivity and profitability of a given industry. • ERT has weaker negative effects for more complex industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel climate mitigation action index to evaluate various aspects linked to the implementation of Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP), which define the carbon dioxide emission reduction targets and outline the key actions to achieve these at the municipal level. A SEAP Implementation Index (SII) is developed and applied to study climate change mitigation actions implemented by 102 Municipalities belonging to the Metropolitan City of Milan (Italy) in the framework of the Covenant of Mayors (CoM). The SII is composed of six categories and 16 sub-indicators and results in a final score ranging from 1 to 10. The average rating obtained in the case study area is 4.2, and only eleven Municipalities achieved an evaluation higher than 6. The sensitivity analysis shows the index robustness against variations in the applied weight factors. The population engagement and the management of the initiative, neglected by many Municipalities mostly because of a lack of funding and personnel, are identified as the most critical aspects. Despite the massive participation in the CoM, no quantitative analysis of the SEAPs implementation has been proposed until now and this study shows some severe shortcomings in their application. • A novel climate mitigation action index at the local scale is proposed. • The index is applied to 102 Municipalities in the Metropolitan City of Milan. • Results show low implementation of climate actions; average score is 4.2/10 • Main obstacles: lack of funding and personnel, low population engagement. • Shortcomings of local climate mitigation action are quantified and compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toll plazas are places on the road network where increased emissions of exhaust gases occur due to changes in vehicle driving regime in their corresponding impact areas. Therefore, they provide a great potential in terms of the ability to significantly reduce the emission of pollutants by using advanced technologies. In light of this, this paper aims at getting the most accurate quantification of pollutant emission (CO, CO2, HC and NOx) for the various vehicle categories which use Manuel System (MS), Electronic toll collection (ETC) with mechanical barriers and Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system, for determining ecological benefits that can be achieved using advanced tolling systems. The measurement of the emission of harmful gases was carried out in real field conditions for the five most common classes of passenger cars, light truck and semi-trailer-truck. Vehicle speed, fuel consumption and emission of pollutants were recorded every second, in various driving processes in the impact areas of toll plazas, as well as in numerous scenarios that involve a different number of vehicles in a queue. The obtained results show that the use of the MLFF system, compared to the MS, can achieve a reduction in CO2 in the range of 25%–45% and the reduction in NOx in the range of 32%–98%, depending on the type of vehicle and the considered scenario. The case study of the tolling system in the Republic of Serbia, on a sample of 77,408,112 vehicles, has shown that moving from the existing to an advanced MLFF tolling system allows for annual ecological benefits ranging from 1,349,862 € to 1,491,391 €. • Field research of car and truck pollutant emission using different toll systems. • Determination of emission of different driving modes for the tested toll systems. • Significant ecological benefits achieved by the advanced toll system implementation. • Contribution to reduction of greenhouse gases, global warming and climate change. • Ecological benefits quantified through the Case Study of the Republic of Serbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to develop novel hydrophilic ionic liquid membranes using pervaporation for the recovery of biobutanol. Multiple polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) membranes based on three commercial ionic liquids with different loading were prepared for various experimental trials. The ionic liquids selected for the study include tributyl (tetradecyl) phosphonium chloride ([TBTDP][Cl]), tetrabutyl phosphonium bromide ([TBP][Br]) and tributyl methyl phosphonium methylsulphate ([TBMP][MS]). The synthesized membranes were characterized and tested in a custom-built pervaporation set-up. All ionic liquid membranes showed better results with total flux of 1.58 kg/m2h, 1.43 kg/m2h, 1.38 kg/m2h at 30% loading of [TBP][Br], [TBMP][MS] and [TBTDP][Cl] respectively. The comparison of ionic liquid membranes revealed that by incorporating [TBMP]MS to PVA matrix resulted in a maximum separation factor of 147 at 30 wt% loading combined with a relatively higher total flux of 1.43 kg/m2h. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were also carried out to evaluate the experimental observations along with theoretical studies. The improved permeation properties make these phosphonium based ionic liquid a promising additive in PVA matrix for butanol-water separation under varying temperature conditions. Image 1 • Novel hydrophilic ionic liquid membranes were developed to recover biobutanol. • Separation was influenced by incorporation of ionic liquids in polymer matrix. • Platform provided unique opportunity to tune properties of PVA. • High ionic liquid content in membrane increased the permeation flux. • Ionic liquid proved a promising filler for butanol-water separation at a large-scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial ecosystems have received considerable attention as a significant sink for organic carbon at regional to global scales. Previous studies were focused on assessment and quantification of carbon sinks for one ecotype, and few have worked on the interconnection of terrestrial sinks. In this paper, we synthesized the data from China's second national soil survey and direct measurements from 54 lakes. Meanwhile, we investigated the controlling factors of carbon accumulation dynamics in soils and lakes. Results showed varied spatial distribution of soil and lake organic carbon in different regions, and three storage modes were found. The storage mode of watershed collection was observed in the region of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, while the northeast China and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau revealed another storage mode of autochthonous deposition, and the mode of human activities affection was represented by the East Plain and Mongolia-Xinjiang Plateau. The spatial difference throughout China was regulated by various climate patterns, geological conditions and anthropogenic interference. Our results provide insights into carbon storage modes in various regions, and also inform strategies for enhancing global carbon sequestration and future mitigation policies towards global climate change. • Climate, topography and human activity regulate regional soil and lake carbon storage. • Three carbon storage modes based on relationship between soil and lake carbon. • Suggestions to enhance carbon sequestration through soil and lake management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]