From integrated to integrative: Delivering on the paris agreement

In pursuit of the drastic transformations necessary for effectively responding to climate change, the Paris Agreement stresses the need to design and implement sustainable, robust, and socially acceptable policy pathways in a globally coordinated and cooperative manner. For decades, the scientific community has been carrying out quantitative modelling exercises in support of climate policy design, primarily by means of energy systems and integrated assessment modelling frameworks. Here, we describe in detail the context of a hitherto ineffective scientific contribution to policymaking, highlight the available means to formulate a new paradigm that overcomes existing and emerging challenges, and ultimately call for change. In particular, we argue that individual modelling exercises alone widen the gap between formal representation and real-life context in which decisions are taken, and investigate major criticisms to which formalised modelling frameworks are subject. We essentially highlight the importance of employing diverse modelling ensembles, placing the human factor at the core of all modelling processes, and enhancing the robustness of model-driven policy prescriptions through decision support systems. These altogether compose a truly integrative approach to supporting the design of effective climate policy and sustainable transitions and, therefore, strengthen the modelling-policymaking interface. © 2018 by the authors

The potential of behavioural change for climate change mitigation: a case study for the European Union

Mainstream literature on climate change concentrates overwhelmingly on technological solutions for this global long-term problem, while a change towards climate-friendly behaviour could play a role in emission reduction and has received little attention. This paper focuses on the potential climate mitigation by behavioural change in the European Union (EU) covering many behavioural options in food, mobility and housing demand which do not require any personal up-front investment. We use the Global Change Assessment Model (GCAM), capturing both their direct and indirect implications in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Our results indicate that modest to rigorous behavioural change could reduce per capita footprint emissions by 6 to 16%, out of which one fourth will take place outside the EU, predominantly by reducing land use change. The domestic emission savings would contribute to reduce the costs of achieving the internationally agreed climate goal of the EU by 13.5 to 30%. Moreover, many of these options would also yield co-benefits such as monetary savings, positive health impacts or animal wellbeing. These results imply the need for policymakers to focus on climate education and awareness programs more seriously and strategically, making use of the multiple co-benefits related with adopting pro-environmental behaviour. Apart from that, the relevance of behavioural change in climate change mitigation implies that policy-informing models on climate change should include behavioural change as a complement or partial alternative to technological change. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media B.V.This study received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 642260 (TRANSrisk project). Mikel González-Eguino and Iñaki Arto acknowledge financial support from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain (ECO2015-68023) and the Basque Government (IT-799-13)

Análisis de impacto de alternativas para la financiación de las energías renovables en España

This article analyzes the economic, social and environmental impact of various financing mechanisms for the regulated costs of renewable energies in the electricity sector (RECORE) in Spain. The scenarios analysed, alternative to the current system, in which the costs are transferred in full to the electricity bill of final consumers, are the following: financing through the General State Budgets (PGE scenario), financing through a tax proportional to final energy consumption (Energy scenario) and financed through a CO2 tax in diffuse sectors (CO2 scenario). The study uses a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model and a micro-simulation model that includes detailed information on the 22,000 households included in the Household Budget Survey. The results show that the impact at the macroeconomic level is positive but very small for all the scenarios analyzed and that the changes at the sectoral level or in emissions depend notably on the scenario. All the scenarios favor low-income households since their spending on electricity represents a relatively higher percentage of their income. Although no alternative is better in all the dimensions analyzed, taxes on energy or CO2 favor the energy transition, while the PGE alter native generates more progressive distributional effects.Este trabajo ha sido cofinanciado por Iberdrola, el programa BERC 2018-2021, el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad a través de la distinción María de Maeztu excelencia acreditación MDM-2017- 0714 y el Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades de España (RTI2018-093352-B-I00

Melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors in the ram reproductive tract

Some melatonin functions in mammals are exerted through MT1 and MT2 receptors. However, there are no reports of their presence in the reproductive tract of the ram, a seasonal species. Thus, we have investigated their existence in the ram testis, epididymis, accessory glands and ductus deferens. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) revealed higher levels of m-RNA for both receptors in the testis, ampulla, seminal vesicles, and vas deferens, than in the other organs of the reproductive tract (p < 0.05). Western blot analyses showed protein bands compatible with the MT1 in the testis and cauda epididymis, and for the MT2 in the cauda epididymis and deferent duct. Immunohistochemistry analyses revealed the presence of MT1 receptors in spermatogonias, spermatocytes, and spermatids, and MT2 receptors in the newly-formed spermatozoa in the testis, whereas both receptors were located in the epithelial cells of the ampulla, seminal vesicles, and ductus deferens. Indirect immunofluorescence showed significant differences in the immunolocation of both receptors in spermatozoa during their transit in the epididymis. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that melatonin receptors are present in the ram reproductive tract. These results open the way for new studies on the molecular mechanism of melatonin and the biological significance of its receptors

Análisis de impacto del Plan Nacional Integrado de Energía y Clima PNIEC 2021-2030 de España

Este artículo recoge un análisis del impacto del borrador del Plan Nacional Integrado de Energía y Clima (PNIEC) 2021-2030 de España, cuyo objetivo central es reducir las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI) un 23 por 100 con respecto a 1990. El estudio utiliza varios modelos (DENIO y FASTT-TM5) para abordar los impactos de una forma integrada y multidisciplinar. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el PNIEC movilizaría 241.000 millones de euros, de los cuales un 80 por 100 provendría de financiación privada. Las medidas del PNIEC reducirían en 67.000 millones de euros la importación de combustibles fósiles, que serían sustituidos por energías renovables autóctonas, y generarían un aumento del PIB del 1,8 por 100 en 2030 y del empleo neto entre 253.000 y 348.000 empleos/año. La reducción de GEI, lleva asociada una importante reducción de emisiones de contaminantes atmosféricos que causan daño a la salud (SO2, NOX, PM2.5, entre otras), lo que supondría una reducción del 27 por 100 de las muertes prematuras. Una conclusión robusta de este trabajo, similar a la de otros estudios recientes (OCDE, 2017; Comisión Europea, 2018; FUNSEAM, 2018 o IRENA, 2019), es que las soluciones para la crisis climática además de urgentes y necesarias, son una oportunidad, si son bien aprovechadas por aquellos países importadores netos de combustibles fósiles y que además disponen de recursos renovables.Los autores/as agradecen al equipo de la Subdirección General de Energías Renovables y Estudios del MITECO, a cargo de la mode-lización energética: Patricia Bañón, Miriam Bueno, Alejandro Fernández, Javier Galar-za, Víctor Marcos y Manuel Pérez. También a Pedro Linares (Universidad P. Comillas), Antxon Olabe (MITECO), Sara Aagesen (MITECO), Hugo Lucas (IDAE) y Eduardo González (OECC) por los comentarios recibi-dos, así como a IDAE y la Oficina Española de Cambio Climático y la Unidad de Inventarios por la información proporcionada. Cualquier error es responsabilidad de los autores. Fi-nalmente, agradecen la cofinanciación del Gobierno Vasco a través del programa BERC 2018-2021 y del Gobierno de España a tra-vés de la acreditación de BC3 como centro María de Maeztu (MDM-2017-0714) y MI-NECO (RTI2018-093352-B-I00)