This research article describes the creation of a new integrated database of adaptation and mitigation measures in Europe. The database collects data from several existing sources, classifying and interlinking different types of climate measures. It focuses on the implementation of plans and provides information important for effective planning, including timelines, costs, and synergistic effects. The methodology used is reproducible and the database is available online. The research highlights the need for a unified framework for recording and monitoring climate action in Europe. (More on zenodo.org)

Several components of the Earth's system are at high risk of undergoing rapid, irreversible qualitative changes or "overturning" with increasing climate warming. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the feasibility of stopping or even reversing the exceeding of tipping thresholds. Here, we study the feedback control of an idealized energy balance model (EBM) for Earth's climate that exhibits a “small ice sheet” instability responsible for the rapid transition to an ice-free climate under increasing greenhouse gas pressure. We develop an optimal control strategy for EBM under different forcing scenarios to reverse sea ice loss while minimizing costs. Control is achievable for this system, but the cost almost quadruples when the system flips. While thermal inertia can delay a rollover, leading to a critical force threshold being exceeded, this freedom comes with a steep increase in the control required when a rollover occurs. Furthermore, we found that the optimal control is localized in the polar region. (Parvathi Kooloth, Jian Lu, Adam Rupe, more at nature.com)

The European automotive industry reaffirms its commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and move to zero-emission mobility. However, on the way to 2025, manufacturers face increased challenges in meeting CO2 reduction targets, primarily due to weak demand for battery electric vehicles and the deteriorating economic situation.

Ahead of the upcoming Competitiveness Council meeting on Thursday 28 November, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) is calling on EU member states to put aside differences and agree on a key measure - reducing the cost of environmental compliance by 2025.

ACEA CEO Sigrid de Vries said: “Manufacturers are responsible for the transformation, which is limited by factors beyond their control, such as a lack of charging infrastructure or insufficient purchase incentives. It is positive to see EU Member States discussing concrete and realistic options to alleviate the immediate and excessive compliance pressure, such as introducing multi-year compliance periods or allowing the banking and lending of CO2 credits. Reducing the cost of compliance in 2025, while ensuring a steady transition to green mobility, is key to maintaining the resilience of the European automotive sector and its long-term ability to manage the green transition.”

Information about the EU automotive industry

– 13.2 million Europeans work in the automotive sector.

– This sector accounts for 10.3 % of all manufacturing jobs in the EU.

– The automotive industry brings 383.7 billion euros in tax revenue to European governments.

– The surplus of the EU trade balance reaches 106.7 billion euros.

– The automotive industry generates more than 7.5 % of EU GDP.

– Annual investments in research and development reach 72.8 billion euros, which represents 33 % of total EU expenditure. (Co2AI)

The Climate-ADAPT country profile panel has been updated with a new and more interactive design. The dashboard allows you to compare the adaptation policy information reported in 2023 across multiple countries or explore detailed information through each country's profile.

Urbanizing river deltas are highly vulnerable to sea level rise and extreme weather events such as floods and droughts. Water-related disasters are already occurring more frequently due to climate change, rapid urbanization, unsustainable land use and aging infrastructure, which threaten much of the human and natural environment in these low-lying and declining areas around the world. As climate change stress levels accelerate, social and physical transformations are necessary to adapt our deltas to climate change. In the Netherlands, in the last century, imagination and evidence in the form of a long-term spatial vision have played a key role in setting, sharing and implementing a new direction to overcome flood disasters by changing the Rhine coast and riverbed. – Delta Meuse – Scheldt. The unprecedented rainfall in July 2021 and the storm in December 2021 that hit Western Europe revealed the effectiveness of this new direction. We therefore call for a leading role for design in delta climate science and management to imagine, analyze and communicate future climate adaptation perspectives in delta urbanization. (Chris Zevenbergen, Maurice G. Harteveld, Ellen Trompová, more at nature.com)

Global climate changes represent the most significant threat to the environment and socio-economic development, endangering lives and livelihoods. Within the UN's current 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate action is explicitly included in Goal 13, "take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts." This perspective considers how to reformulate the Sustainable Development Goals and their successors towards incorporating climate action into the goals and indicators of all development goals.Ajit Singh, František D., Ian Thomson, more at nature.com)

At the UN climate change conference COP29 in Baku, the European Commission and EU member states took the lead in brokering an agreement to align global financial flows with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Acceptance a new collective quantified goal (NCQG) for climate finance EU successfully expanded the base of global contributors for climate finance. The NCQG allows more countries to contribute funds, reflecting their growing emissions and economic weight. The agreement also strengthens the role of multilateral development banks (MDBs), maximizing the leverage and impact of public funds by drawing and by mobilizing a significant amount of private finance . The parties agreed that the combined funding from all these sources should reach at least $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. (More on ec.europa.eu)

Welcome to the NOAA Carbon Cycle Greenhouse Gases group information website! The central site for global greenhouse gas monitoring and is in charge of operating the global air sampling network that continues to monitor the air we breathe.

24 November 424.16 ppm

Safe concentration: 350 ppm

ppm – the number of particles of carbon dioxide per million particles of air.

More on gml.noaa.gov

Based on the EU regulation on the certification of carbon removal, I bring you the outline of a sample project for carbon credits. This sample project takes into account all the requirements of the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF/2024) and contains hypothetical values that illustrate the quantifiable benefits of the project.

1. Identification and description of the project

• Type of activity:
  • Temporary carbon removal from carbon agriculture a reduction of emissions from land. A peatland restoration project includes both of these categories, as restoration leads to carbon sequestration in biomass (temporary removal) and at the same time to reduced emissions from degraded peatlands (reduction of emissions from soil).
• Description of procedures and processes:
  • The project includes the removal of invasive plant species, such as common reed and sea buckthorn willow.
  • Restoration of water courses will be implemented through damming drainage channels and building small water reservoirs, which will increase the groundwater level and restore the water regime of the peatland.
  • Protective measures will include fencing of restored areas to prevent the entry of farm animals and building information boards to increase public awareness of the importance of peatlands.
  • The activity time is scheduled for 10 years and subsequent monitoring will take place for 20 years, which ensures long-term monitoring of carbon storage and early identification of potential leakage risks.
• Identification of carbon sources and sinks:
  • Source: Atmospheric CO₂.
  • Pitfall: Organic soil and bog vegetation, while it is assumed that carbon storage will take at least 50 years.
• Geographical location:
  • Cadastral territory of Oravská Lesná village, plot no. 1501/5 and 1502/3, with the exact boundaries of the project marked on the attached on a map basis in a scale of 1:5000.
• Identification of the operator/group of operators:
  • The main operator of the project is Civic association Zelené rašeliniská, the contact person is Ing. Jana Vzorná, email: jana.vzorná@zeleneraseliniska.sk.
  • They are also involved in the project land owners, with which OZ Zelené rašeliniská concluded a cooperation agreement.
  • All the actors involved create group of operators responsible for project implementation and monitoring.

2. Quantification and verification

• Baseline calculation:
  • Current emissions from degraded peatlands are set at 20 tons of CO₂ per year per hectare based on measurements and analyses Institute of Forest Ecology SAV.
  • This value takes into account average CO₂ emissions from comparable degraded peatlands in the region and was determined in accordance with the IPCC methodology.
• Quantification of total emission reductions/carbon removals:
  • After the restoration of peatlands, emissions are expected to decrease to 5 tons of CO₂ per year per hectare.
  • This reduction will be achieved through renewed water regime, decomposition of organic matter and growth of bog vegetation, which act as a CO₂ trap.
  • Total savings in emissions for 10 years of activity it is calculated as follows: (20 t/ha – 5 t/ha) × 500 ha × 10 years = 75,000 tons of CO₂.
• Calculation of emissions associated with the project (GHGassociated):
  • CO₂ emissions associated with the implementation of the project are estimated at 2,500 tons of CO₂ for the entire implementation period.
  • This value includes emissions from of transport, uses machines and materials in the restoration of peatlands, as well as emissions associated with production and disposal of protective measures.
• Consideration of uncertainties:
  • Quantification of CO₂ emissions and sinks was performed using conservative approach and takes into account uncertainty ±10 %.
  • This uncertainty was determined based on the analysis of input data variability and methodological uncertainties in calculations.
• Verification by an independent certification body:
  • He will ensure the certification of the project certification company TÜV SÜD, which is accredited by the Slovak National Accreditation Service (SNAS) in accordance with the EU regulation.
  • SNAS is a member of the European Organization for Accreditation (EA), which guarantees that the certification will meet the requirements of the regulation.
  • Verification will include inspection all aspects of the project, including quantification of CO₂ emissions and sinks, additionality, sustainability and monitoring mechanisms.

3. Redundancy and sustainability

• Demonstration of additionality:
  • Peatland restoration project it goes beyond current agricultural practice in the region, which is characterized by intensive drainage and use of bogs for agricultural purposes.
  • Restoration of bogs it is not legally binding, though Act on the Protection of Nature and Landscape it imposes an obligation to protect bogs as valuable biotopes, it does not define concrete measures for their restoration.
• Ensuring long-term carbon storage:
  • They will be introduced as part of the project measures to protect restored peatlands from drainage and mechanical damage, such as construction of protective zones around bogs and regulation of the water regime.
  • To ensure the long-term sustainability of the project, it will be created maintenance and inspection fund in height EUR 100,000, which will be used to finance regular inspections and maintenance of protective measures.
  • The project defines monitoring period of 50 years, during which it will regularly monitored carbon storage in the peatland.
• Accountability mechanisms:
  • He assumes responsibility for any CO₂ leakage from the peatlands OZ Green bogs as the main operator of the project.
  • In the event of CO₂ leakage, OZ will be obliged to implement corrective measures, such as for example addition of peat material, restoration of the water regime or afforestation of affected areas.
  • Financing of corrective measures will be provided from the fund for maintenance and control, or from other sources, for example from insurance against CO₂ leakage.
• Meeting sustainability requirements:
  • In addition to reducing CO₂ emissions, the peatland restoration project will also positive impact on biodiversity region, because bogs are home to many rare and endangered species of plants and animals.
  • The project will also contribute to improvement of water quality in the region because peatlands act as natural filters that retain pollutants.
  • Implementation of the project will create jobs for 20 people on a part-time basis throughout the duration of the project, which will contribute to the development of the local economy.

4. Certification and registration

• Choosing a certification scheme:
  • The project will be certified according to the scheme Verra Carbon Standard.
  • Although sources cite Verra as a proven standard, it is necessary independently verify, whether this scheme meets all the requirements of the EU Carbon Removal Certification Regulation.
• Obtaining a certificate of conformity:
  • Project certification is planned until June 2025 after the completion of basic peatland restoration activities.
  • To obtain a certificate of conformity it will be necessary submit complete documentation to the certification body (TÜV SÜD). about the project, including the project plan, monitoring plan, calculations of CO₂ emissions and sinks, additionality and sustainability analysis and other relevant documents.
• Project registration and issuance of carbon credits:
  • After obtaining the certificate of conformity, the project will be registered in CRCF unified register.
  • Based on verified data on the reduction of CO₂ emissions, they will carbon credits issued in total volume 72,500 tons of CO₂ (after deducting the emissions associated with the implementation of the project).
  • Registration in the CRCF and issuance of carbon credits is expected until the end of 2025.
  • They will be in the registry published information about the project, including the name of the project, identification data of the operator, location of the project, type of activity, verified reduction of CO₂ emissions, number of issued carbon credits and other relevant data.

Expected benefits of the project

• Environmental:
  • Reduction of CO₂ emissions by 72,500 tons.
  • Support of biodiversity and protection of endangered species.
  • Improving water quality in the region.
• Social:
  • Creation of jobs for 20 people on a part-time basis.
• Economical:
  • Expected revenues from the sale of carbon credits at an estimated price of €15 per credit: 72,500 credits × €15/credit = EUR 1,087,500.
  • This value is hypothetical and depends on of the current market price of carbon credits.

Risks and their mitigation strategies

• Risk of CO₂ leakage:
  • Mitigation: Introduction of protective measures, creation of a fund for maintenance and control, insurance against CO₂ leakage, development of a corrective action plan.
• Risk of changes in legislation:
  • Mitigation: Regular monitoring of changes in legislation, consultations with legal experts, adjustment of the project in accordance with new requirements.
• Risk of insufficient demand for carbon credits:
  • Mitigation: Diversification of sales channels, building partnerships with potential buyers, monitoring market trends.

Added model project for carbon credits provides a more comprehensive overview of the peatland restoration project and takes into account relevant requirements of the EU regulation on certification of carbon removal.

It is important to emphasize that some information in the project is hypothetical and theirs the final form will depend on the details of the implementation and verification of the project.

Certification of carbon credits takes place on the basis of internationally recognized standards and methodologies that ensure the transparency, credibility and environmental benefit of projects. These certificates are awarded after thorough verification and are essential for carbon credits to be traded on voluntary or regulated markets. Key certification criteria include:

1. Carbon credits certification criteria

1.1 Additionality

The project must demonstrate that the emission reduction or carbon removal would not occur without a specific intervention. For example, a tree planting project should demonstrate that these activities are not common practice in the area.

1.2 Measurability and monitoring

Greenhouse gas emissions that have been reduced or eliminated must be accurately measured and monitored according to standard methodologies. This includes verification of input data, such as emissions before and after project implementation.

1.3 Durability (Permanence)

The project must guarantee long-term carbon preservation, especially in projects such as planting forests or geological storage of CO₂. Mechanisms must be set up to eliminate the risk of releasing carbon back into the atmosphere.

1.4 Uniqueness (Non-Double Counting)

Each carbon credit must be unique and cannot be counted more than once, which ensures the integrity of the market.

2. Certification process

Project registration

The project developer submits detailed information about his project to the certification scheme.

Third-party verification

Independent certification organizations such as Verra (VCS), Gold Standard or American Carbon Registry (ACR) carry out project verification based on established standards.

Issuance of certificates

After successful verification, carbon credits are registered in official registries and can be traded. A single European register based on the CRCF (Carbon Removal Certification Framework) will operate within the EU from 2028.

Continuous monitoring and auditing

During the entire duration of the project, regular audits are carried out to ensure compliance with criteria and methodologies.

3. Certification standards and schemes

– Verra (Verified Carbon Standard – VCS): One of the largest certification schemes for voluntary carbon credit markets.

– Gold Standard: It focuses on projects with a high environmental and social benefit.

– EU CRCF: An EU-approved carbon removal certification framework that provides harmonized rules for European projects.

Certification of carbon credits provides an important guarantee that projects bring real benefits to the climate and promote sustainability on a global level.

This ensures that each project is not only effective in terms of environmental protection, but also contributes to the credibility of the carbon trading system. Spring

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our modern age, with buildings responsible for nearly 40 % of global carbon emissions. Scientists warn that we are approaching a threshold beyond which halting global warming may be impossible. In the construction industry, this represents not only an obligation to act, but also an opportunity for innovation. By implementing building automation systems and using sustainable strategies, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint, streamline operations and adapt to changing market dynamics.

Four main ways to integrate building automation into a sustainable strategy:

1. More efficient energy consumption using automation

The key to sustainable building management is the efficient use of energy, in which building automation systems (BAS) play a vital role. By leveraging technologies such as IoT, AI and real-time data, BAS can track and optimize energy consumption across a building's various systems, including HVAC, lighting and security.

• HVAC systems: Automation adjusts heating and ventilation according to occupancy, weather and time of day, minimizing energy waste and increasing comfort.

• Intelligent lighting: Systems can regulate brightness or turn off lights in empty spaces and maximize the use of daylight.

Such systems contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions, bring cost savings and improve operational efficiency.

2. Support of ecological transport through intelligent charging

Transport accounts for nearly 29 % of global carbon emissions. The introduction of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations within building automation systems can support green commuting.

• Efficient charging: Smart systems schedule charging during off-peak hours or use renewable energy sources such as solar panels.

• Support for employees: Providing EV charging points supports sustainable commuting between employees and tenants.

Such infrastructure supports green transport while maintaining energy efficiency.

3. Automated waste management

Commercial buildings such as hospitals, schools and hotels produce a significant amount of waste. Automated waste management systems can improve recycling and composting processes, reducing environmental impact.

• Intelligent waste monitoring: Sensors monitor the amount of waste in real time and ensure proper sorting of organic and recyclable materials.

• Composting: Automation in food waste composting reduces methane emissions and produces compost that can be used in landscaping or community projects.

Such systems reduce waste management costs and help meet sustainable goals.

4. Increasing sustainability in cafes

Food and beverage operations in buildings can contribute significantly to carbon emissions, but there are ways to improve this. The support of plant-based meals and the automation of kitchen processes increase the sustainability of eating.

• Energy monitoring: BAS can optimize the energy consumption of kitchen equipment and refrigeration systems.

• Food waste reduction: Automated inventory systems monitor shelf life and consumer trends to minimize waste.

Switching to a plant-based diet reduces greenhouse gas emissions, while automation ensures efficient operation management.

The construction sector has a unique opportunity to lead the fight against climate change. By leveraging building automation systems to optimize energy resources, manage waste, and support green transportation, organizations can achieve smarter, more sustainable buildings. Whether you're upgrading existing systems or building new ones, every step you take today brings us closer to a greener future. Spring

A study by Energy and Environmental Research Associates for T&E, "How Much LNG Discharges Before Burning on a Ship?", suggests that LNG imports into Europe cause 30 % more pollution than the EU originally estimated in its plans for green shipping. Although oil and gas companies often promote LNG as a "reliable and clean" alternative that is significantly more sustainable compared to heavy fuel oil, one of the world's most polluting fuels, the study suggests that this may not be entirely accurate. There are currently nearly 1,200 LNG-powered ships in operation worldwide, with shipping companies on order for another nearly 1,000. T&E also previously estimated that up to a quarter of EU shipping could be LNG-powered by 2030. (More at "How much LNG will it release before burning on the ship?)

Today, the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation is the main driver of northward heat transport in the Atlantic Ocean and creates global climate patterns. Whether global warming has affected the strength of this overturning circulation over the past century is still debated: observational studies suggest a persistent weakening since the mid-twentieth century, while climate models systematically simulate a stable circulation. Here, using Earth system and eddy-allowing ocean–sea ice models, we show that freshening of the subarctic Atlantic Ocean and weakening of the overturning circulation increase the temperature and salinity of the South Atlantic on a decadal timescale through Kelvin and Rossby wave propagation. We also show that accounting for the upper meltwater input in the historical simulations significantly improves the model fit to data on past changes in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, yielding a slowdown of 0.46 sverdrups per decade since 1950. Including estimates of subarctic meltwater inputs for the coming century suggests that this circulation could be 33 % weaker than its anthropogenically undisturbed state below the 2°C of global warming that can be achieved within the next decade. Such a weakening of the overturning circulation would significantly affect the climate and ecosystems. (Gabriel M. Pontes & Laurie Menviel , more at earth.com)

Welcome to the NOAA Carbon Cycle Greenhouse Gases group information website! The central site for global greenhouse gas monitoring and is in charge of operating the global air sampling network that continues to monitor the air we breathe.

23 November 424.15 ppm

Safe concentration: 350 ppm

ppm – the number of particles of carbon dioxide per million particles of air.

More on gml.noaa.gov

LCA documentation is used to systematically assess the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to final disposal. This structure can serve as a simplified template to help in compiling the LCA documentation according to the standard steps and requirements of international standards such as ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 and to correspond to the ILCD methodology:

Project name: Life cycle assessment of building material XYZ

Company: Exemplary construction company, as

Date: January 2024

Prepared by: Ing. Anna Prízková, environmental manager

1. Definition of goal and scope

Objective of LCA: This life cycle assessment (LCA) aims to measure the environmental impact of building material XYZ throughout its life cycle. The main goal of the LCA study is to identify hot spots in the life cycle of material XYZ from the point of view of greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and raw materials. This study belongs to Situations B defined in the document "ILCD Handbook - General guide for Life Cycle Assessment - Detailed guidance", as its aim is to provide information for the company's internal decision-making process on optimizing the environmental profile of material XYZ. The target group of the LCA study is company managers responsible for the development and production of building materials.

Scope of LCA: LCA applies to the entire life cycle of building material XYZ, from obtaining raw materials, through production, transportation, use in construction projects, to final disposal. The functional unit for this evaluation is 1 ton of building material XYZ. Data collection for the LCA study took place from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

System boundaries: The analysis covers the entire life cycle of the product, including:

• extraction of raw materials,
• production and processing of materials,
• transportation,
• phases of use,
• disposal or recycling at the end of life.

Graphical representation of system boundaries:

• [Insert graphical representation of system boundaries here]

2. Inventory analysis (LCI)

Data collection: The data collected includes all inputs (materials, energy, water) and outputs (emissions to air, water and land, waste production) for each phase of the life cycle.

Data sources and their quality:

• Phase of extraction of raw materials: Data on energy consumption and emissions were obtained directly from the supplier of raw materials - the company "Ťažobný podnik, sro". The data are technologically representative for the year 2022 and geographically specific for the mining region in the Slovak Republic.
• Production phase: Data on energy consumption, materials, emissions and waste come from the internal monitoring system of the company "Příkladná stavebná spoločnost, as" for the year 2023. The data are technologically representative of the production process of material XYZ in the given year.
• Transport phase: Energy consumption and transport emissions data were calculated based on transport distance and vehicle type using data from the Ecoinvent v3.8 database [database link]. The data are average values for the given type of transport in Europe.
• Phase of use: Due to the complexity and variability of the use phase, average data from the Ecoinvent v3.8 database [database link] for building materials with similar properties to material XYZ were used for this phase.
• Liquidation phase: For the disposal phase, average data from the Ecoinvent v3.8 database [link to the database] for mixed construction waste was used.

Data category:

• Energy sources: Consumption of electricity and natural gas during production and transportation.
• Materials: Quantities of input raw materials such as limestone, cement, water and additives, as well as auxiliary materials used in the production and transportation phases.
• Emissions and waste: Emissions of CO₂, NOx, SO₂, PM10, as well as waste material arising during production, transportation and disposal.

Table:

3. Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA)

Impact categories: In the LCA study, the following impact categories were chosen, which are relevant from the point of view of the environmental profile of the building material XYZ:

• Climate change: This category was chosen because greenhouse gas emissions from the production of building materials represent a significant contribution to global warming.
• Acidification: This category was chosen because of the potential impact of SO₂ and NOx emissions from the production and transport of the material on soil and water acidification.
• Eutrophication: This category was chosen because nitrogen emissions from material production can contribute to the eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems.
• Consumption of non-renewable resources: This category was chosen because the production of building materials is demanding on the consumption of energy and raw materials, which are often non-renewable.

Characterizing factors: For each impact category, the characterization factors from the ReCiPe 2008 methodology (H, Europe ReCiPe H) [link to ILCD document] recommended in the "ILCD Handbook - Recommendations for Life Cycle Impact Assessment in the European context" were used to ensure comparability with other LCAs studies.

LCIA results:

• [Insert table or graph here with quantified LCIA results for each impact category and life cycle phase]
• [Insert here comparison of results with reference values for construction materials, if available]

Calculations: The complete methodology of impact calculations is documented in the appendix "Environmental Impact Calculations".

4. Interpretation of results

Key findings: A life cycle assessment of material XYZ showed that the phase production has the greatest impact on the environment in terms of CO₂ emissions, energy consumption and waste production.

• The production phase represents 60% of total CO₂ emissions.
• Extraction of raw materials is responsible for 20% of total energy consumption.
• The transport phase has the least impact on overall emissions, but contributes to local air pollution.

Recommendations for improvement: Based on the findings of the LCA study, we propose the following measures to reduce the environmental burden of material XYZ:

• Optimization of energy consumption:
  • Implementation of the energy management system (ISO 50001) in the production plant. Expected reduction in energy consumption by 10%.
  • Modernization of production technology in order to increase energy efficiency. Expected reduction in energy consumption by 5%.
• Alternative materials:
  • Investigating the possibility of using recycled materials (eg recycled cement) in the production of XYZ material. Potential reduction of CO₂ emissions and energy consumption by 5-10%.
• More efficient transport:
  • Optimization of transport logistics in order to minimize transport distances. Expected reduction of CO₂ emissions from transport by 5%.
  • Use of more ecological means of transport (e.g. rail transport).

By implementing the proposed measures, the total environmental burden of material XYZ could be reduced by 20-25%.

5. Conclusion

The life cycle assessment revealed areas where the environmental impact of material XYZ can be significantly reduced. Implementation of the proposed measures can reduce CO₂ emissions and energy consumption, making the material more sustainable.

6. Attachments

• Detailed inventory data: details of each material and energy source.
• Environmental impact calculations: Complete calculations and methodology used in the impact assessment.
• Third Party Verification: A certificate of verification issued by an independent institution "Slovak Academy of Sciences" verifier "Prof. Ing. Ján Novák, PhD.", which meets the qualification criteria stated in the document "ILCD Handbook - Reviewer qualification for Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data sets".

7. List of used literature and websites

• [Link to the document "ILCD Handbook – General guide for Life Cycle Assessment – Detailed guidance"]
• [Link to the document "ILCD Handbook – Recommendations for Life Cycle Impact Assessment in the European context"]
• [Link to document "ILCD Handbook – Specific guide for Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data sets"]
• [Link to document "ILCD Handbook – Reviewer qualification for Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data sets"]
• [Link to the Ecoinvent v3.8 database]

Note: Graphical representation of system boundaries and tables/graphs with LCIA results need to be supplemented according to the specifics of the LCA study.

Spring

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an internationally standardized methodology for assessing the environmental impacts of products, services and processes. It is applied on the basis of several standards and legislative frameworks that ensure consistency and transparency in this process. Below I present an overview of the most important standards and legislation.

International standards

1. ISO 14040 and ISO 14044
   • ISO 14040: Establishes principles and frameworks for conducting LCA, including defining objectives, inventory, impact assessment and interpretation of results.
   • ISO 14044: Specifies detailed requirements and guidelines for LCA implementation, including reporting and critical reviews. These standards form the basis for all other methodologies.
2. ISO 14067
   This standard focuses on the quantification and reporting of the carbon footprint of products based on LCA.
3. ISO 14064
   A framework for quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas emissions at the level of organizations. It includes both direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2 and 3) emissions.

European frameworks

1. ILCD Handbook (International Reference Life Cycle Data System)
   The manual provides detailed guidelines for performing LCA in a European context. It serves as a basis for eco-labelling, green public procurement and other policies to promote sustainable production and consumption.
2. Environmental Footprint Methods
   The European Commission has developed methods for assessing environmental impacts:
   • PEF (Product Environmental Footprint): Focused on products.
   • OEF (Organizational Environmental Footprint): Focused on organizations.
     These methods harmonize impact assessment in the EU and ensure consistency.

Specific methodologies and frameworks

1. GHG Protocol
   The most widely used standard for reporting greenhouse gas emissions at the organizational and product level. It includes specific frameworks for Scope 1, 2 and 3.
2. Product Category Rules (PCRs)
   Product category-specific rules that define the details of LCA assessment for specific products or sectors【64】.
3. Circular Economy and Cradle-to-Cradle
   These approaches complement the LCA methodology by emphasizing resource reuse and closure of material flows.

Legislative use

LCA is used in many areas, including ecodesign, carbon labeling, and green public procurement. For example, the EU supports the use of LCA in the circular economy action plan and sustainable consumption and production policies.

More detailed information and access to the relevant standards can be found on the ISO pages (www.iso.org) and the European platform for LCA  Spring

The United Nations (UN) is proposing a cryptocurrency mining tax of $0.045 for every kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity used for mining. This proposal aims to mitigate the environmental impact of the crypto industry and to finance climate projects.

Energy intensity of cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrency mining, especially Bitcoin, is among the biggest consumers of energy in the digital world. In 2023, the annual energy consumption for Bitcoin mining reached approx 120 terawatt hours (TWh), which is comparable to the annual consumption of countries such as Norway or Argentina.

• Comparison: A single Bitcoin transaction uses approximately 1,400 kWh of energy, which is the amount an average household would use in 47 days.
• Energy sources: Much of the energy used for mining comes from non-renewable sources, especially in regions with cheap electricity such as China, Russia or Kazakhstan.

Objectives of the proposed tax

The UN proposal pursues two main objectives:

1. Reduction of environmental impact: Incentivize cryptocurrency miners to switch to renewable energy sources or less energy intensive technologies such as "Proof of Stake".
2. Financing climate initiatives: Revenue from the tax could finance projects to promote renewable energy, protect biodiversity and mitigate climate change.

Challenges and concerns

1. Global implementation: Cryptocurrency mining is decentralized, which makes it difficult to coordinate taxation between individual countries.
2. Reaction of miners: Many could move their operations to countries with little or no environmental regulation, increasing their carbon footprint.
3. Innovations in the sector: The industry is already working to reduce energy consumption. Ethereum has reduced its energy consumption by more than 99 % by switching to "Proof of Stake".

Impact on industry and the environment

If the tax were to be successfully introduced:

• Motivation for sustainability: Miners could start using renewable energy sources more.
• Climate benefit: According to the UN, the revenues could finance projects that will reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by up to several million tons of CO2 per year.
• Technological shift: The tax could accelerate the development of more energy-efficient blockchain solutions.

The UN proposal emphasizes the need to address environmental issues associated with the growing crypto industry. Although implementing a global cryptocurrency mining tax will be difficult, its potential benefits for climate and technological progress could be significant. Spring

After two weeks of intense negotiations, delegates at COP29, formally the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), agreed to provide these funds annually, with an overall climate financing goal of "at least $1.3 trillion" by in 2035".

Countries also agreed on the rules of a UN-backed global carbon market. This market will facilitate the trading of carbon credits and encourage countries to reduce emissions and invest in climate-friendly projects. (More on news.un.org)

Microsoft has introduced the Microsoft Sustainability Academy , a free webinar series designed to support professionals in integrating sustainability into business strategies, improving ESG data management and achieving net-zero goals.

The program targets sustainability leaders, IT and business managers, ESG professionals, and data and AI enthusiasts looking for practical tools and real-world examples to effectively address sustainability challenges. (More on esgnews.com)