Reflections and outlook for the New Zealand ETS: must uncertain times mean uncertain measures?

This article discusses the development and performance of New Zealand\u27s emissions trading scheme since the report of the Emissions Trading Scheme Review Panel in 2011. Introduction The New Zealand emissions trading scheme (ETS) was introduced by legislation in 2008. The legislated objectives as stated in section 3 of the Climate Change Response Act 2002 are to ‘support and encourage global efforts to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by (i) assisting New Zealand to meet its international obligations under the [UNFCCC] Convention and the [Kyoto] Protocol; and (ii) reducing New Zealand’s net emissions of those gases to below business-as-usual levels’. Beyond this, the New Zealand government has confirmed three objectives for the ETS: help New Zealand to deliver its ‘fair share’ of international action to reduce emissions, including meeting any international obligations; deliver emission relations in the most cost-effective manner; support efforts to maximise the long-term resilience of the New Zealand economy at least cost. ........ This article discusses the development and performance of the scheme since the report of the Emissions Trading Scheme Review Panel in 2011. In particular, the article presents the results of a survey undertaken by the authors in April 2013 of stakeholders’ perception of the scheme and its performance. The survey was designed and administered by the authors using FluidSurveys software

Extended Producer Responsibility for Closing Material Loops: Lessons from energy-efficient lighting products

The transition to a low-carbon economy requires enabling technologies including energy-efficient lighting products. It is increasingly recognized that a sustainable economy is not only low-carbon and energy efficient, but also resource efficient. Previous research has highlighted the importance and need for increased collection and recycling of lamps, to reduce mercury emissions, to avoid unnecessary negative environmental impacts, and to recover the critical materials they contain. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies aim to address these issues by promoting collection and recycling of waste products, closing material loops and providing ecodesign incentives. This licentiate thesis contributed to EPR research with detailed knowledge about the performance of EPR policies for energy-efficient lamps in Europe. Using a theory-based evaluation approach, both the performance in relation to EPR goals as well as challenges perceived by key stakeholders, were analyzed. Factors contributing to high operational performance and best practices in the Nordic countries were identified, as well as the areas for further improvement.The research also examined opportunities and barriers for closing critical material loops from this waste stream and found that EPR policies have been an important enabler for development of commercial scale recycling of rare earth elements (REE) from waste lamp phosphors in Europe. It is argued that both wider adoption and improved performance of EPR systems are necessary to increase potential secondary supply of REE from this waste stream. However, the feasibility of recycling REE is also dependent on complex considerations of value and contextual factors such as competition with primary supply, material prices, and markets for recycled materials. The value of waste lamps is further mapped and examined from different stakeholder perspectives. These considerations of value are discussed in the context of prior and future EPR research

WEEE with Value: Experience from Lighting Products

• WEEE with value has traditionally been considered by simple cost -benefit analysis or models, while the reality is more complex.• Lighting products demonstrate that value can also arise from moreholistic considerations of value, and is influenced by multiple stakeholders,time considerations, and market conditions.• Mapping value can help incentivise and plan for value in rapidlychanging products like lighting and other EEE

Extended producer responsibility for lamps in Nordic countries: best practices and challenges in closing material loops

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes are adopted not only to promote collection and recycling of waste products but also to close material loops and incentivise ecodesign. These outcomes are also part of creating a more circular economy. Evaluations of best practices can inform how to further optimise systems towards more ambitious collection, recycling and recovery of both hazardous and critical materials. Gas discharge lamps in particular are a key product category in this regard, considering both the presence of mercury and of rare earth materials in this waste stream. Nordic countries in particular are known for advanced collection and recycling systems and this article compares the EPR systems for gas discharge lamps. The EPR systems for lamps are evaluated using theory-based evaluation approaches to analyse both the performance of lamp EPR systems and challenges perceived by key stakeholders. The cases were constructed based on primary and secondary literature, statistical data, and interviews with stakeholders. The findings indicate that the collection and recycling performance is generally still high for gas discharge lamps in the Nordic countries, despite some differences in approach and structure of the EPR systems, but there remain opportunities for further improvement. In terms of EPR goals, there is evidence of improved waste management of these products as a result of the systems; however, there also remain significant challenges, particularly in terms of ecodesign incentives. The key factors for best practice are discussed, including aspects of the rule base, infrastructure, and operations. The particular characteristics of this waste category, including the rapidly changing technology, also pose challenges for EPR systems in the future

Greening the global classroom: Experiences using MOOCs to advance sustainability education

The proliferation of massive open online courses (MOOCs) has been a phenomenon in higher education but only recently the subject of academic literature. MOOCs combine the traditional ideas of cohort and guided learning with open access and a truly global classroom. With over twenty thousand learners attracted to such courses, we argue that they can be a powerful tool in advancing sustainability education in terms of global reach. Like traditional education, the quality of the education delivered by MOOCs is influenced by their design and this is also integral to their success in promoting deeper learning of sustainability topics. However, designing a quality course and ensuring genuine learning experiences in this open and massive context is not without challenges. We describe our practical experience with curriculum design, production and delivery of a MOOC with a wide sustainability focus of "Greening the Economy: Lessons from Scandinavia". The background of students taking the MOOC, motivations and reasons for seeking this type of sustainability education and perceived benefits from this MOOC and other MOOCs with topics related to sustainability are discussed. Combining pedagogical approaches in the form of teacher-led lectures and quizzes for basic understanding with more constructivist forum discussions and peer assessment created the opportunity for the MOOC to not only disseminate knowledge about sustainability issues, but also encourage discussion, peer interaction, and deeper engagement with these issues. An interesting aspect of this reciprocal learning was the collected insights from learners in the form of case studies and survey responses. The promise, as well as potential issues, of MOOCs in contributing to the goals of sustainability education and lifelong learning are discussed and reflected upon

Phase-coherent transport in InN nanowires of various sizes

We investigate phase-coherent transport in InN nanowires of various diameters and lengths. The nanowires were grown by means of plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Information on the phase-coherent transport is gained by analyzing the characteristic fluctuation pattern in the magneto-conductance. For a magnetic field oriented parallel to the wire axis we found that the correlation field mainly depends on the wire cross section, while the fluctuation amplitude is governed by the wire length. In contrast, if the magnetic field is oriented perpendicularly, for wires longer than approximately 200 nm the correlation field is limited by the phase coherence length. Further insight into the orientation dependence of the correlation field is gained by measuring the conductance fluctuations at various tilt angles of the magnetic field.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Greening the Economy Compendium

The concept of a ”green economy” is rapidly gaining interest around the world. However, the idea is not new. It appeared in 1989 in the book “Blueprint for a Green Economy”. During the 1990s and most of the 2000s, the green economy was not a widely used term. But it gained a new lease of life after the financial crisis of 2008 when governments and industries around the world needed to respond to economic recessions while also furthering environmental and climate protection goals. In 2012, an updated book called “A New Blueprint for a Green Economy” was published. There are many initiatives that have been launched around the world to green economies. This compendium explores greening the economy on four levels – individual, business, city, and nation. We will look at the relationships between these levels and give many practical examples of the complexities and solutions across the levels. Scandinavia, a pioneering place advancing sustainability and combating climate change, is a unique starting point for learning about greening economies. We will learn from many initiatives implemented in Scandinavia since the 1970s that are all potentially useful for other countries and contexts. Throughout this compendium, you will find many examples with links to relevant websites, documents and films

Potential Rebound Effects of 1.5° Lifestyles

Understanding how lifestyles should and could change to meet the terms of the Paris Agreement is the aim of the project ‘EU 1.5° Lifestyles’. It focuses on lifestyle options compatible with a 1.5°C target and explores the structural barriers and enablers to implementing these. Many of these lifestyle options relate to circular strategies such as sharing, reusing and repairing products.However, even if lifestyle changes are achieved, there is a risk of rebound and negative side effects that can undermine the intended outcomes. While rebound effects have been studied, particularly regarding energy and economic mechanisms, less attention was paid to other environmental effects and social mechanisms. A systematic literature review was conducted for rebound effects of sustainable lifestyles more generally and more specifically in the consumption domains: nutrition,housing, mobility, and leisure. This contribution maps the potential rebound effects of lifestyle changes and the different mechanisms by which these effects occur. It gives an overview of the literature on rebound effects related to sustainable lifestyle strategies for households. The results indicate some domain areas are more studied than others, but also a gap in understanding rebound effects empirically and holistically

Sustainable lifestyle choices in food and their rebound effects

The urgency of addressing the sustainability crisis requires a comprehensive approach encompassing both technological advancements and changes in human behavior. Food represents a crucial domain where everyday choices closely intertwine with environmental and social impacts. This study investigates the interplay between sustainable food strategies and rebound effects, which refer to the reduced effectiveness of measures due to economic and psychological responses following efficiency improvements. Drawing from the "EU 1.5-degree Lifestyles" project, we identified nine impactful strategies through a literature review and expert interviews. These strategies include minimising food waste, consuming tap water instead of bottled alternatives, reducing animal-based products, adopting vegan and vegetarian diets, and choosing organic, seasonal vegetables and fruits and food sharing. The findings from this study are valuable for policymakers seeking to develop effective and sustainable food policies while mitigating rebound effects. By understanding the rebound mechanisms associated with individual food strategies, policymakers can enhance the overall effectiveness of their measures and address the sustainability crisis more systematically