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Materials and design 254, 114021 (2025). doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2025.114021 Published by Elsevier Science, Amsterdam [u.a.]

The growing concern on global warming has pushed to set ambitious targets of carbon neutrality or net zero at the water sector. Meanwhile, poor data availability has been reported to restrict the national assessment of climate impacts and mitigation strategies in water sector. In national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, water sector is embedded in other sectors' emissions making it difficult to monitor separately. This study presents a national scale evaluation of climate change impacts for water sector in Finland based on life cycle analysis (LCA). In addition, the effectiveness of currently available emission reduction measures is evaluated by scenario analysis until the year 2035. According to the results, the life cycle climate change impacts from the Finnish municipal water sector were 0,67 (0,46-0,88) million tonnes CO2-eq./year (142.8 (98.9-187.1) kg CO2-eq./person/year). Drinking water services accounted for 12.5-13.9 % and wastewater services 86.1-87.4 % of the total emissions. With currently feasible emission reduction measures, the climate change impacts could be reduced approximately 14-30 % in total by 2035. The aim of carbon neutrality in the water sector was found to be unrealistic to achieve with existing and currently feasible measures for Finland and thus significant new emission mitigation measures are needed. The vague definition of carbon neutrality and system boundary of water sector as well as the uncertainties related to the assessment of direct emissions, undermine the credibility of the ambitiously set target. Prioritizing emission offsets to reach the target may inadvertently lead to unintended negative consequences due to the limitations and incompleteness of offset methods.

Applied energy 388, 125530 (2025). doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125530 Published by Elsevier Science, Amsterdam [u.a.]

Anion exchange membrane water electrolyser showing the chemical structure of hydroxyl-conductive 2D hBN-based anion exchange membrane (AEM). The developed AEMs exhibit high hydroxyl conductivity, superior mechanical and electrochemical stability.

Scenarios to stabilize global climate and meet international climate agreements require rapid reductions in human carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, often augmented by substantial carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere. While some ocean-based removal techniques show potential promise as part of a broader CDR and decarbonization portfolio, no marine approach is ready yet for deployment at scale because of gaps in both scientific and engineering knowledge. Marine CDR spans a wide range of biotic and abiotic methods, with both common and technique-specific limitations. Further targeted research is needed on CDR efficacy, permanence, and additionality as well as on robust validation methods—measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification—that are essential to demonstrate the safe removal and long-term storage of CO2. Engineering studies are needed on constraints including scalability, costs, resource inputs, energy demands, and technical readiness. Research on possible co-benefits, ocean acidification effects, environmental and social impacts, and governance is also required.

Diese Dissertation untersucht die Wechselwirkungen zwischen Getreideproduktion und Klimawandel, um Erkenntnisse für eine gezielte Klimaanpassung und -minderung im Getreideanbau zu gewinnen. Ein zentrales Augenmerk liegt auf der Rolle der Genetik (G), Umwelt (E) und Management (M) in Deutschland. Vier Studien adressieren diese Themen: In Studie 1 wurde eine Lebenszyklusanalyse des Winterweizen- und Winterroggenanbaus mit Sortenversuchsdaten über 30 Jahre durchgeführt. Es konnte erstmals bewiesen werden, dass der Züchtungsfortschritt in Deutschland den CFP von Winterweizen und Winterroggen erheblich reduziert hat. In Studie 2 wurden räumlich dynamische Wetterindizes entwickelt, um die Auswirkungen von Hitze und Trockenheit auf Winterweizen mit Praxisertragsdaten zu untersuchen. Es wurden deutliche Unterschiede in der regionalen Ertragswirkung von Hitze und Trockenheitsstress identifiziert. In Studie 3 wurden standortspezifische Einflüsse auf Hitze und Trockenstresstoleranz von Winterweizen und Winterroggen mit Sortenversuchsdaten vertiefend geprüft. Es wurde bewiesen, dass die Bodengüte einen entscheidenden Einfluss auf die abiotische Stresstoleranz hat. Darüber hinaus konnte keine Verbesserung der abiotischen Stresstoleranz durch den Züchtungsfortschritt nachgewiesen werden. In Studie 4 wurde die Rückkopplung des Klimawandels auf die CFP von Winterweizen, Winterroggen und Wintergerste mit Sortenversuchsdaten analysiert. Die Ergebnisse weisen erstmals nach, dass Hitze und Trockenheit die CO2-Emissionen erhöhen. Außerdem wurde gezeigt, dass hohe Bodenqualität zu geringeren Emissionen pro Fläche und einem geringeren CFP führt. Basierend auf den Ergebnissen der vier Studien wurden wichtige Hebel zum Klimaschutz in der Landwirtschaft unter gleichzeitigen Klimaeinflüssen identifiziert. Hier wurden insbesondere Maßnahmen entlang G × E × M hervorgehoben, die hohe und stabile Erträge sowie maximale Input Effizienzen gewährleisten. This dissertation examines the interactions between cereal production and climate change to gain insights for targeted climate adaptation and mitigation in cereal cultivation. A central focus is on the role of genetics (G), environment (E), and management (M) in Germany. Four studies address these topics: In Study 1, a life cycle assessment of winter wheat and winter rye cultivation was conducted using variety trial data over 30 years. It was demonstrated for the first time that breeding progress in Germany has significantly reduced the carbon footprint (CFP) of winter wheat and winter rye. In Study 2, spatially dynamic weather indices were developed to investigate the effects of heat and drought on winter wheat using on-farm yield data. Significant regional differences in heat and drought stress yield effects were identified across Germany. In Study 3, site-specific influences on heat and drought stress tolerance of winter wheat and winter rye were examined in depth using variety trial data. It was proven that soil quality has a decisive impact on abiotic stress tolerance. Additionally, no improvement in abiotic stress tolerance due to breeding progress was found. In Study 4, the feedback of climate change on the CFP of winter wheat, winter rye, and winter barley was analyzed using variety trial data. The results indicate for the first time that heat and drought increase the CFP of cereal production. It was also shown that high soil quality sites exhibit lower GHG emissions per unit of land (GHGL) and lower CFPs. Based on the results of the four studies, important levers for climate protection in agriculture under simultaneous climate influences were identified. Particularly, measures along G × E × M were emphasized, which ensure high and stable yields as well as maximum input efficiencies.