Fossil fuel-exporting countries have the responsibility and resources to accelerate CCUS adoption

Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is an important technology for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries, but its deployment lags far behind the levels needed to meet climate targets. Here, we argue that high-income oil- and gas-exporting countries have both the capability and responsibility to drive CCUS adoption and overcome key barriers to implementation.</p

Overcoming electric vehicle data quality issues in emerging markets and developing economies

Data ambiguity and incompleteness are standing problems in the study of electric vehicle (EV) adoption, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies. In this commentary, we present a specific case study and discuss its policy ramifications. Stemming from our research into EV adoption in the United Arab Emirates, we discuss how conflicting data on EV penetration in this market can hinder the effectiveness of tailored policy tools for specific consumer segments. We argue that a key driver for EV data ambiguity and incompleteness is the proliferation of both academic and grey literature on EV adoption based on data acquisition and quality practices that are not sufficient. We conclude with three recommendations aimed at improving future EV research and related policy development.</p

A forward looking perspective on the cement and concrete industry: Implications of growth and development in the Global South

The cement and concrete industry serves as the foundation for modern infrastructure. Hence, it has a massive global impact on both energy demand and carbon emissions and so is a key focus of industrial decarbonization efforts. The relationship between cement and concrete production and societal development is made more apparent as a result of the limited degree of international trading of these products. Thus, developed and developing countries are expected to observe opposite trends in future market demand. While demand in Europe, for instance, is expected to contract after being stable for many years, demand in emerging and developing countries will continue to rise to meet the needs of growing, increasingly urban populations. Understanding how cement and concrete decarbonization goals can best be met in different geographies should be further explored, as only a few cross-cutting solutions may be applicable. Further, solutions appropriate for current dominant cement and concrete markets may not be most appropriate in markets with the greatest future demand growth. Hence, we discuss the potential implications of the growing needs of emerging markets undergoing rapid development as the global cement and concrete industry comes to terms with its need to address climate impacts. Among the ten countries expected to drive urban population growth until 2050, six have not been historically significant global cement producers. However, an additional 45.86 Gt of cement and concrete CO2 emissions may be generated by 2050 unless attention is given to these emerging cement and concrete demand centers.</p

A systematic strain selection approach for halotolerant and halophilic bioprocess development: a review

Halotolerant and halophilic microorganisms have potential applications in a number of very relevant environmental and industrial bioprocesses, from wastewater treatment to production of value-added chemicals. While numerous microbial strains have been identified and studied in the literature, the number of those successfully used in industrial applications is comparatively small. Literature is abundant in terms of characterisation of specific strains under a microbiology perspective; however, there is a need for studies tackling the selection of strains for bioprocess applications. This review presents a database of over 200 halophilic and halotolerant prokaryote strains compiled from taxonomic microbiological resources and classified by trophic groups as well as by their salinity, pH and temperature tolerance and optimum ranges, all under a process development perspective. In addition to this database, complementary systematic approaches for the selection of suitable strains for a given trophic activity and environmental conditions are also presented. Both the database and the proposed selection approaches together constitute a general tool for process development that allows researchers to systematically search for strains capable of specific substrate degradations under specific conditions (pH, T, salinity). Many exiting established halotolerant and halophilic environmental and industrial bioprocesses appear to have been developed following strategies in line with the systematic approaches proposed here. © 2014 Springer Japan.</p

A novel model for barriers to electric vehicle adoption in the Middle East

This study presents the first large-scale, representative survey to assess consumer preferences for electric vehicles (EVs) in the Middle East. Leveraging a large-scale data collection of more than 5,000 United Arab Emirates (UAE) respondents, this study employs a rigorous and novel methodology, capturing positive and negative influences on EV adoption, alongside environmental, financial, and normative dimensions. Our survey incorporates 52 specific barriers to EV adoption, covering technical, economic, infrastructural, and psychological factors. Financial cost perceptions were particularly salient; yet, general environmental views have an outsized effect on purchase likelihood, due to a large direct effect, and then notable associations with knowledge/experience of EVs, which themselves notably reduce perceived barriers to adoption. Understanding UAE consumers’ attitudes and beliefs are important for knowing how decision-makers can communicate about and target policy on EVs. We offer both a novel modelling approach, involving theoretically-derived four-stage mediation, and recommendations for government action in the UAE, Middle East and beyond.</p

Establishing leadership in bringing carbon capture, utilisation and storage to scale

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage, often referred to simply as CCUS, refers to a suite of technologies to decarbonise many hard-to-abate industries. However, commercial-scale adoption of CCUS technologies faces critical barriers related to application scope, societal acceptance, and financing. Here we propose how fossil energy-exporting countries are uniquely situated to expedite CCUS deployment at scale. Using a sociotechnical systems perspective, we show how one such country, the United Arab Emirates, serves as an important case study for addressing eight different sociotechnical barriers to CCUS adoption. We evaluate the elements that are addressed by factors related to local context and those which represent opportunities for application in other geographies. We argue that scaling-up CCUS is both a duty and opportunity for countries like the UAE as they decarbonise their industries and economies.</p

Modelling the impact of interventions on the progress of the COVID-19 outbreak including age segregation

In this work, a SEIR-type mathematical model of the COVID-19 outbreak was developed that describes individuals in compartments by infection stage and age group. The model assumes a close well-mixed community with no migrations. Infection rates and clinical and epidemiological information govern the transitions between stages of the disease. The impact of specific interventions (including the availability of critical care) on the outbreak time course, the number of cases and the outcome of fatalities were evaluated. Data available from the COVID-19 outbreak from Spain as of mid-May 2020 was used. Key findings in our model simulation results indicate that (i) universal social isolation measures appear effective in reducing total fatalities only if they are strict and the number of daily interpersonal contacts is reduced to very low numbers; (ii) selective isolation of only the elderly (at higher fatality risk) appears almost as effective as universal isolation in reducing total fatalities but at a possible lower economic and social impact; (iii) an increase in the number of critical care capacity directly avoids fatalities; (iv) the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) appears to be effective to dramatically reduce total fatalities when adopted extensively and to a high degree; (v) extensive random testing of the population for more complete infection recognition (accompanied by subsequent self-isolation of infected aware individuals) can dramatically reduce the total fatalities only above a high percentage threshold that may not be practically feasible. Copyright:</p

Benchmarking and tailoring electric vehicle policies to stimulate adoption

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is heralded as one of the most effective solutions for the decarbonization of road transport systems. However, the heterogeneous rate of EV adoption across geographies, coupled with observed or perceived slowdowns in consumer market acceptance, has raised concerns about this technology transition. Utilizing Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory, this paper develops a key component of establishing an EV adoption policy roadmap: policy benchmarking. This paper benchmarks the policy roadmaps of leading countries in EV adoption, as well as those of countries where EV adoption is accelerating or expected to accelerate in the near term. We present this approach in the context of a case study on developing an EV adoption policy roadmap tailored to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The methodology employed provides a generalizable framework for policymakers in any geography seeking to advance EV adoption. Using a sociotechnical perspective, we evaluate the policy mechanisms for their ability to reduce friction points and propose recommendations applicable across diverse contexts. Our findings highlight the importance of establishing necessary infrastructure, particularly for EV charging, alongside the importance of user awareness and education programs that are both tailored to local contexts and adaptable to global best practices. This approach underscores the potential for policymakers to create robust, enduring strategies that accelerate EV adoption globally.</p

Growth and Nitrate Uptake in Nannochloropsis gaditana and Tetraselmis chuii Cultures Grown in Sequential Batch Reactors

This study aims to determine the maximum specific biomass growth rates of Nannochloropsis gaditana and Tetraselmis chuii grown in sequential batch reactors. The maximum specific growth rates of N. gaditana and T. chuii were found to be 0.23 ± 0.04 gVSS/gVSS⋅d and 0.22 ± 0.05 gVSS/gVSS⋅d respectively. Optical density measured at 550 nm (OD550) accurately predict volatile suspended solids (VSS) concentration in N. gaditana growth media but not in T. chuii growth media. We observed decoupling of nitrate uptake from cell growth for both microalgae as growth continued well beyond the point where concentrations of nitrate in the growth media fell below the detection limit. This nitrate decoupling highlights the challenges in current microalgae growth models as growth was independent of the extracellular dissolved nitrogen in the system.</p

Addressing energy and mobility poverty in the Middle East: lived experience, spatial injustice, and temporary migrants in the United Arab Emirates

Energy and mobility poverty are often experienced together by vulnerable and disadvantaged segments of society. Effectively addressing these issues requires identifying specific groups within unique contexts and devising context-specific interventions. Based on extensive original research, this study uncovers the energy, mobility and broader socio-economic challenges faced by working class citizens housed in Abu Dhabi's labour camps and how these challenges ultimately impact their quality of life and health. Our investigation focuses on the themes of marginalisation and spatial justice to show how labour camp residents often feel excluded from society and isolate themselves from the city and its activities. In exploring the subject of poverty and vulnerability, we show how low-income and living conditions are intertwined with energy and mobility poverty and, hence, the need for holistic solutions. To remediate these circumstances, we provide a set of policy recommendations, including increased monitoring of labour camp developers to ensure compliance with UAE regulations, guaranteeing that labour camps are part of urban planning and implementing safe soft mobility options so mobility can be achieved without requiring a personal vehicle.</p