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ClientEarth argues that current EU Food Contact Materials (FCM) regulations fail because they treat symptoms rather than root causes, specifically citing a mismatch between regulatory tools and goals, a lack of clear accountability in the supply chain, and an over-reliance on self-regulation. The organization advocates for 'Option 2' from the Commission's Roadmap—a full regulatory overhaul—which would shift responsibility to the manufacturer or importer of the final product, align FCM rules with food contaminant and chemical laws (REACH/CLP), and introduce a more holistic approach incorporating life-cycle sustainability and stricter enforcement mechanisms, including NGO access to documentation and GDPR-inspired sanctions.

The QGasSP project seeks to create a standardised, modular, and open-source tool to help national, regional, and local planning authorities quantify how spatial planning decisions affect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The methodology focuses on three primary sectors: building energy use, transportation and infrastructure, and land use change and forestry (LULUCF). To ensure pan-European applicability, the tool will employ a hierarchical data structure, allowing users to start with European averages and refine results with national or local data. The project integrates this quantification process into the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) framework to support evidence-based climate mitigation. The tool's effectiveness will be tested through four pilot case studies in Ireland (County Meath), Northern Ireland (Rathlin Island), Finland (Kymenlaakso region), and Scotland (Edinburgh).

The document argues that Japan's large-scale biomass power generation, supported by the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program, is not carbon neutral and causes deforestation and biodiversity loss in exporting regions like North America. It calls for a shift toward small-scale, local biomass systems and the exclusion of projects causing forest degradation from the FIT program.

The manual describes a tool for calculating the biogenic carbon footprint of wood-based products, measured in kg CO2eq. It explains two usage levels: a 'BASIC' mode for quick checks and an 'ADVANCED' mode for detailed analysis of up to 10 products. The calculator incorporates dynamic methods to assess the 'forest carbon gap' (the time until harvested biomass is regrown) and 'storage time benefits' (delayed emissions). It provides reference values for various forest species and climate zones based on IPCC 2006 classifications, as well as default lifespans for product categories ranging from energy combustion (0 years) to building materials (50 years). The tool also allows for the customization of wood processing efficiency, allocation methods, and end-of-life scenarios such as incineration, recycling, and landfill.

The report outlines a methodology for calculating the biogenic carbon footprint of harvested wood products, moving away from the common assumption of carbon neutrality. It introduces the GWPbio approach, which accounts for the time lag between carbon emissions from harvesting and the subsequent sequestration during forest regrowth. The framework separates the impact into the 'forest carbon gap' (GWPbio, forest) and the benefits of delayed emissions through product storage (GWPbio, product), while also incorporating fossil carbon footprints. The methodology utilizes the Bern carbon cycle model to simulate atmospheric CO2 decay and provides specific growth and decomposition parameters for boreal forest (Norway spruce), Douglas fir, and Loblolly pine.

The report examines the financial and environmental impact of the UK's carbon tax exemption for biomass power plants, specifically focusing on Drax, Lynemouth, and MGT Teesside. It argues that biomass is not inherently carbon neutral and that the current tax break diverts funds from other low-carbon renewables. The author estimates that the government could forgo up to £6.4 billion in carbon taxes by 2027 based on high-end emission scenarios. The report recommends removing the tax break, tightening sustainability criteria, and requiring full life cycle assessments for Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) projects.

The construction and operation of buildings contribute nearly 40% of global CO2 emissions, yet most regulations focus only on operational carbon. This case study highlights the Meishan Near-Zero Carbon Zone in Ningbo, China, which integrates a life-cycle assessment (LCA) standard and a whole-process management mechanism to target emissions across five phases: materials production, construction, operation, demolition, and waste recycling. The document also notes international efforts, such as France's E+C- scheme and California's Buy Clean California Act, as part of a global shift toward accounting for embodied carbon in the built environment.

The document introduces a high-spatial-resolution life cycle assessment approach to quantify greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural supply chains. Applying this method to Brazilian soy exports between 2010 and 2015, the authors found significant variability in carbon footprints based on sourcing areas and destinations. The highest emissions were linked to soy from Pará and the MATOPIBA states due to natural vegetation loss, with exports to the European Union showing the highest carbon footprint per ton. Total GHG emissions for Brazilian soy exports in this period were estimated at 223.46 million tons, with China as the largest importer.

The report examines the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry, comparing conventional farming with hydroponic and aquaponic systems in greenhouse and vertical formats. A life cycle analysis (LCA) reveals that while conventional agriculture currently has the lowest overall environmental impact, CEA excels in land and water efficiency. The document identifies energy and labor as primary cost hurdles but highlights innovations in LED lighting, AI, and renewable energy as potential solutions. It specifically evaluates St. Louis as a viable location for a pilot project due to its market demand, available stranded assets like caves and brownfields, and supportive local policies.

The research identifies 61 consumption options with positive mitigation potential by synthesizing 53 studies. The highest potentials are found in transport (car-free living, electric vehicles, reduced flying), housing (renewable electricity, renovation), and food (vegan diets). The top 10 options combined offer an average mitigation potential of 9.2 tCO2eq/cap, which the authors suggest can significantly contribute to 1.5-2°C targets, especially in high-income contexts.

The report evaluates UK supermarkets' reliance on fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) for farmed seafood, arguing that the current 'fed aquaculture' model is unsustainable and threatens marine ecosystems and global food security. It ranks retailers based on their policies, transparency, and in-store practices, finding that none have a time-bound target to eliminate wild-caught fish in feed.

The document traces the development of the bioeconomy concept from its roots in biotechnology and life sciences to a broader policy framework aimed at sustainability and climate goals. It highlights the EU's leadership in establishing bioeconomy strategies, which have influenced national policies globally. The text distinguishes between biotechnology-centered and transformation-centered approaches, while emphasizing that bio-based products are not inherently sustainable. It also discusses the rise of regional bioeconomy clusters and the need for participatory governance and life-cycle assessments to ensure genuine ecological benefits.

The report outlines a comprehensive strategy for the United States to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through a diversified portfolio of carbon removal pathways. It categorizes these into 'Staples' (tree restoration and direct air capture), 'No Regrets' (agricultural soil carbon management), 'Speculative Bets' (carbon mineralization and enhanced root crops), and 'Supplemental Pathways' (BECCS, wood waste preservation, and extended timber rotations). The authors argue that an 'all-of-the-above' approach is the most robust and cost-effective, potentially removing 20 GtCO2 cumulatively by 2050. Key recommendations include federal subsidies for tree restoration, an expanded 45Q tax credit for direct air capture, and a 10-million-acre farm innovation program. The report also emphasizes the need for a 'strong enabling environment,' including low-carbon energy, credible life-cycle assessments, and improved geological storage and monitoring infrastructure.

The report describes South Africa's plastics economy as a linear "take-make-waste" model characterized by high dependency on virgin fossil-fuel-based materials and a weak waste management system. It highlights that plastic packaging is a major leakage hotspot, with over 50% of converted plastics having a lifespan of less than three years. While a recycling sector exists, it is heavily reliant on an under-supported informal waste sector and is vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices. The document argues that recycling alone is insufficient and advocates for a circular economy approach involving the elimination of problematic plastics, mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR), and the adoption of the South African Plastics Pact to achieve specific 2025 targets for recyclability and recycled content.

The document categorises natural capital tools into six technical groups: biodiversity footprint, mapping, qualitative/quantitative, monetary, absolute ecological performance, and integrated accounting. It distinguishes between tools oriented toward economic performance (utilitarian interests) and those oriented toward ecological performance (strong sustainability), advocating for the latter to ensure activities remain within planetary boundaries.

The Bioenergy Criteria provide a framework for certifying use-of-proceeds instruments, physical assets, and bioenergy companies. Certification requires meeting specific life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emission thresholds that decline over time toward a 'close to zero' target by 2050. It also mandates that biomass feedstocks meet sustainability requirements, often verified through pre-accepted certification schemes, and that facilities implement comprehensive adaptation and resilience plans to manage physical climate risks.

The report argues that current LCAs for building materials often lack transparency and omit critical data, particularly regarding biogenic carbon in wood and operational emissions. It concludes that for energy-efficient, long-lived buildings in Canada, the choice of structural material has a negligible impact compared to operational efficiency, and recommends prioritizing building longevity and energy efficiency over material substitution.

The report argues that current LCAs often produce variable results due to undisclosed assumptions and omissions, particularly regarding biogenic carbon in wood products. It emphasizes that building energy efficiency and longevity are the primary drivers of decarbonization, as operational emissions typically dominate the total life-cycle impact. The authors recommend greater transparency in LCA data, the development of a regionalized national life-cycle inventory for Canada, and a balanced policy approach that incentivizes decarbonization across all material manufacturing sectors rather than favoring one material over others.

The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and University College London (UCL) have developed a method to eliminate the opacity of cargo shipping emissions by matching satellite-based automatic identification system (AIS) data with vessel operational characteristics and shipping manifests. This approach allows for the precise allocation of greenhouse gases and air pollutants to individual commodity shipments, exporters, importers, and traders. A pilot study of Brazilian exports in 2014 revealed that shipping emissions added 5% to the country's reported CO2 emissions, with the largest shares attributed to iron ore and soybean exports to China. The authors argue that scaling this approach can inform international climate negotiations, improve lifecycle assessments, and enhance shipping industry efficiency.

The document explains that consumption-based emissions inventories (CBEIs) capture the full carbon footprint of a city by including emissions from goods and services produced outside city borders. It identifies that for wealthy, industrialized cities, CBEIs are often significantly higher than territorial inventories. The guide details three main estimation approaches: spending data with input-output models, physical data with life-cycle analysis, and hybrid methods. It advises city planners to align their choice of methodology with their specific goals, such as resident education, peer comparison, or local policy design, while emphasizing the importance of detailed categorization to identify high-leverage areas for emissions reduction.