Search

Achieving the net zero emissions target that was set in the Paris Agreement to mitigate the risks of climate change seems increasingly difficult as countries and sectors of the economy are falling behind the expected trajectory. The building and construction industry, as one of the main contributors to global emissions, has an essential role to play toward this aim. Net zero emissions target has been introduced to this sector as well; however, achieving it is a very challenging and complex task. Many studies have been undertaken on implementing different measures and strategies to reduce the industry's carbon footprint. These studies identified many challenges and barriers in transforming the industry. This paper aims to provide a systematic review of challenges that organisations face in delivering new net zero emissions buildings. The relevant journal articles published since the Paris Agreement were identified and analysed using mixed-method data analysis, including quantitative (science mapping) and qualitative (thematic) analysis. The result showed increased attention to the subject over this period, with China, the UK, and Australia being the top contexts for research. The most discussed groups of barriers were "economic", "knowledge", and "technical", respectively, followed by "organisational", "market", "technological", and "legal" barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean Basin is severely impacted by anthropogenic changes affecting both natural ecosystems and human livelihoods. The region is highly vulnerable to natural hazards, with floods being considered the most important, due both to their frequency and impacts. Koiliaris watershed (northwest of Crete Island, Greece) represents a relevant case study as past land-use changes via deforestation and intense cultivation practices induce soil organic matter losses, making soils susceptible to water erosion and desertification. The restoration of native riparian forests has been identified as the most effective nature-based solution (NBS) for the area. Through modeling, our study assessed the effectiveness of this NBS in addressing flood risk and erosion while providing additional ecosystem services (carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation). A cost–benefit analysis has been then implemented to also investigate the sustainability of the investment from an economic point of view. Our results show the NBS would be successful in ensuring a better flow of targeted ecosystem services compared to the business-as-usual conditions. The associated investment would result in economic sustainability and associated costs would be paid back in five years. Though site-specific, our study provides lessons learned for dealing with future land-restoration challenges in the Mediterranean to cope with climate change-related challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon (C) in gaseous form is a component of several greenhouse gases emitted during the combustion of fossil fuels. C movement between the atmosphere, land (biosphere and lithosphere), and ocean (hydrosphere) alters the total amount in each pool. Human activities accelerate C movement into the atmosphere, causing increases in temperature. This shift from terrestrial and oceanic C pools to the atmosphere causes an increase in the intensity, frequency, and duration of catastrophic climate disturbances. Although society hears and reads about C emissions, there is a lack of understanding of its importance and the need to decrease it in the atmospheric pool to avoid exacerbating climate change. Forests and biochar are two biological methods to retain C in the terrestrial pool for a long time and at a very low cost. However, forest harvesting, the use of woody biomass as a source of renewable C for different applications, and the relationship with decreasing C emissions have created a highly controversial topic among governments, the scientific community, society in general, and social groups. The main objective of this review is to highlight the importance of C, forests, and biochar, including the benefits of C sequestration to decrease the impacts of climate change and promote sustainable forests and healthy soils in the future. The main findings show strong evidence that climate-smart forest management practices are an efficient option for managing C and increasing C stocks. This review suggests that forest management mitigation actions are another efficient C management approach with high potential. The findings show that biochar is a climate-smart tool that contributes to climate change mitigation by increasing soil carbon sequestration and reducing soil GHG emissions, including other associated benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]