In Noord-Holland zijn zeer gevaarlijke en verboden stoffen aangetroffen in het water. Het gaat om het onkruidbestrijdingsmiddel dinoterb en de insecticide fenchloorfos. Op de vergadering van het... Show moreIn Noord-Holland zijn zeer gevaarlijke en verboden stoffen aangetroffen in het water. Het gaat om het onkruidbestrijdingsmiddel dinoterb en de insecticide fenchloorfos. Op de vergadering van het waterschap spraken heel veel geschrokken burgers hun zorgen uit. Over gif in de regenton, of ze nog wel kunnen zwemmen in openbaar water en of het drinkwater wel veilig is. Een verslag van de insprekers Een verslag van de insprekers, de eerste reactie van de GGD Hollands Noorden en de visie van ecotoxicoloog Martina Vijver. Show less
In an increasingly urbanized world, the concepts of ecosystem services and nature-based solutions can help tackle grand challenges. However, ambiguity in their definitions and in the relationship... Show moreIn an increasingly urbanized world, the concepts of ecosystem services and nature-based solutions can help tackle grand challenges. However, ambiguity in their definitions and in the relationship between the two concepts complicates comprehensive research efforts as well as their effective application in policy and planning in urban systems. This paper presents a framework to clarify and explicitly relate the two concepts, enhancing their applicability in the management of urban challenges. Within the framework, addressing urban challenges serves as the starting point for the development and implementation of nature-based solutions. Nature-based solutions alter the flows of ecosystem services that are produced by an ecosystem by altering the performance of the ecosystem or by changing how people engage with the ecosystem. This results both in changes in the target ecosystem services, as well as non-targeted ecosystem services, leading to benefits. Using two illustrative case studies, we show how the framework can be applied to two urban challenges that are expected to increase in intensity in cities across the world: stormwater management and urban heat stress. Moreover, we highlight key research topics that will benefit from more integrated use of nature-based solutions and ecosystem services. The framework helps emphasize co-benefits, and can be used to help make co-benefits and multifunctionality explicit in urban decision-making and planning processes. Show less
Lack of knowledge and tools hampers circular transition in the construction industry. This study analyzes the potential of a framework of circular indicators put forward by the Building Research... Show moreLack of knowledge and tools hampers circular transition in the construction industry. This study analyzes the potential of a framework of circular indicators put forward by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM-C) as an answer to the prevailing need of a metric for building circularity assessment to promote circular construction. A qualitative analysis approach is adopted, involving literature review, comparative case study and semi-structured interviews conducted for collecting expert opinions. An in-depth scrutiny of the BREEAM-C indicators revealed that they are rooted in circular principles, cover building circularity realizable through circular strategies, and have given due consideration to circularity in different impact areas, structural layers and life-cycle stages of buildings. Moreover, BREEAM-C indicators not only show capacity in identifying CE-related practices implemented, but also serve as benchmarks testifying that CE principles/strategies are incorporated in the design, construction, operation and management of the buildings. Despite having room for expansion, BREEAM-C has proven to be applicable and practical with potential for use in Taiwan as confirmed by expert opinions. Nevertheless, adaptation/localization is required to cater for different concerns with respect to climate and safety as well as local context and legislations. Show less
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzers are a promising technology for high-purity, efficient green hydrogen production, with expanding installations. This has increased demand for... Show moreProton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzers are a promising technology for high-purity, efficient green hydrogen production, with expanding installations. This has increased demand for materials like platinum (Pt) used in PEM manufacturing. Conversely, Pt, which currently serves primarily as catalysts for internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), would become available as ICEVs are phased out. Here, we simulate the Pt requirements for rapid scale-up PEM electrolyzers and quantitatively compare these requirements with the availability of Pt from scraped autocatalysts under the IEA-NZE scenario. Our results show that demand for Pt in PEM electrolyzers is expected to increase by an order of magnitude by 2050, while ICEVs are expected to cumulatively scrap ∼2500 tons of Pt. The Pt surplus from ICEVs would meet the increasing Pt demand for PEM eletrolyzers from 2030 onwards. These findings offer fresh insights into using the potential of urban mines to meet the energy transition challenges. Show less
III–V/Silicon tandem solar cells offer one of the most promising avenues for high-efficiency, high-stability photovoltaics. However, a key concern is the potential environmental release of group... Show moreIII–V/Silicon tandem solar cells offer one of the most promising avenues for high-efficiency, high-stability photovoltaics. However, a key concern is the potential environmental release of group III–V elements, especially arsenic. To inform long-term policies on the energy transition and energy security, we develop and implement a framework that fully integrates future PV demand scenarios with dynamic stock, emission, and fate models in a probabilistic ecological risk assessment. We examine three geographical scales: local (including a floating utility-scale PV and waste treatment), regional (city-wide), and continental (Europe). Our probabilistic assessment considers a wide range of possible values for over one hundred uncertain technical, environmental, and regulatory parameters. We find that III–V/silicon PV integration in energy grids at all scales presents low-to-negligible risks to soil and freshwater organisms. Risks are further abated if recycling of III–V materials is considered at the panels' end-of-life. Show less
In our globalised food system, farmers meet domestic and transboundary food needs. As a result, the contribution of farmers to domestic food production is a poor proxy for their role in national... Show moreIn our globalised food system, farmers meet domestic and transboundary food needs. As a result, the contribution of farmers to domestic food production is a poor proxy for their role in national food security. This study offers the first global assessment of how small-, medium-, and large-scale farmers contribute to global food security. We find that the role of small-scale farmers in national and global food security has been significantly underestimated due to the localised focus of previous studies, particularly in high-income nations. Future research must account for the differentiated roles, impacts, and vulnerabilities of farmers within a global context. Show less
Scenarios that limit global warming to 1.5°C rely on a combination of interventions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and capture carbon dioxide. However, the extent to which lifestyle change... Show moreScenarios that limit global warming to 1.5°C rely on a combination of interventions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and capture carbon dioxide. However, the extent to which lifestyle change contributes to mitigation relative to technological change over time remains understudied. Here, we present a scenario model that incorporates extensive supply-side technological transformations while excluding lifestyle changes. By adapting a global supply-use table from EXIOBASE using elements from Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 1 and a mitigation pathway consistent with the 1.5°C target, we assess how household footprints evolve in 2030 and 2050 and the extent to which technological change alone can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. We modeled footprints for 49 countries/regions, with a focus on the EU27. Our scenario results indicate that while technological change can substantially reduce emissions, the reductions are ultimately insufficient to achieve the 1.5°C target. Eight EXIOBASE regions, including three EU27 countries, are on a 1.5°C-consistent trajectory with just technological advancements in 2030. However, by 2050, no countries are projected to meet the 1.5°C-compatible target. The average EU27 overshoot for household footprints approaches 2.2 tCO2e/cap in 2030 and 3.1 tCO2e/cap in 2050. Global overshoots are more moderate at 0.3 tCO2e/cap in 2030 and 2.0 tCO2e/cap in 2050. Our results highlight the critical role of household lifestyle transformation in climate change mitigation. Future research can explore the diverse lifestyle change pathways necessary to align with the aspirational 1.5°C target outlined in the Paris Agreement. Show less
Meiracker, R. van den; Wesdorp K.; Tamis, W.L.M.; Zelfde, M. van 't; Visser, M.D. 2024
The increase in food demand and limited opportunities to expand agricultural land pose a threat to local and global food security. Producing food in urban areas such as green roofs can help satisfy... Show moreThe increase in food demand and limited opportunities to expand agricultural land pose a threat to local and global food security. Producing food in urban areas such as green roofs can help satisfy urban food demand and thus alleviate pressure on agricultural land. However, a modeling framework that simulates crop growth and production potential on green roofs at a city scale is missing. Here, we adapt the Aquacrop model to explore the growth potential of various types of crops on green roofs and apply it to suitable roof areas in the city of Amsterdam. Our modeling framework includes irrigation methods for water use on green roofs that are optimized according to various climate-driven scenarios of water availability. We find that cabbage has the maximum achievable crop yields ranging from 30.8 to 75.9 t ha-1 yr-1, while pea has the minimum achievable crop yields ranging from 1.7 to 6.4 t ha-1 yr-1. The potential suitable green roof area (i.e., roofs with a certain slope and bearing capacity) for Amsterdam is roughly 400 ha for crop production. This represents 16 % of the total rooftop areas of Amsterdam and can produce up to a total of 28 kt of crops on an annual basis. Our modeling framework can be easily applied to other cities to identify the crop growth potential of green roofs. Our results can help policymakers and urban planners find optimal planting strategies and contribute to shorter food supply chains. Show less
