In this episode, co-host Rhea and I spoke with Stephan Pfister, a professor at ETH Zürich in the Ecological Systems Design group . He shared insights from his research on evaluating the environmental impact of freshwater consumption within the framework of LCA, a method that assesses the full environmental impact of products from creation to disposal. We discussed how his journey began with a focus on groundwater modeling, eventually leading him to assess water scarcity and stress in LCA. He emphasized the importance of including water scarcity in environmental impact assessments, as neglecting this can lead to misleading conclusions about a product's sustainability. He also explained the differences between LCA and water footprint methodologies, highlighting past disputes over their approaches. Initially, water footprinting did not account for water scarcity, but this has changed over time, aligning more closely with LCA principles. The conversation touched on the global implications of agricultural production and trade on water resources. Professor Pfister stressed the need for sustainable practices and policies that consider both economic development and environmental preservation. This episode offered valuable insights into the complex field of LCA and its critical role in addressing global water challenges. #lifecycledassessment #waterscarcity #smartwatersolutions
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🌍💧 How can we evaluate the environmental impact of freshwater consumption? How can we address global water challenges? Professor Stephan Pfister at ESD shared some insights on the podcast 🎧!
In this episode, co-host Rhea and I spoke with Stephan Pfister, a professor at ETH Zürich in the Ecological Systems Design group . He shared insights from his research on evaluating the environmental impact of freshwater consumption within the framework of LCA, a method that assesses the full environmental impact of products from creation to disposal. We discussed how his journey began with a focus on groundwater modeling, eventually leading him to assess water scarcity and stress in LCA. He emphasized the importance of including water scarcity in environmental impact assessments, as neglecting this can lead to misleading conclusions about a product's sustainability. He also explained the differences between LCA and water footprint methodologies, highlighting past disputes over their approaches. Initially, water footprinting did not account for water scarcity, but this has changed over time, aligning more closely with LCA principles. The conversation touched on the global implications of agricultural production and trade on water resources. Professor Pfister stressed the need for sustainable practices and policies that consider both economic development and environmental preservation. This episode offered valuable insights into the complex field of LCA and its critical role in addressing global water challenges. #lifecycledassessment #waterscarcity #smartwatersolutions
Smart Water Solutions: #93 - Prof. Stephan Pfister on Apple Podcasts
podcasts.apple.com
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Ecosystem Services and Water under climate change - Using AI and data-driven approaches
🌟 Excited to announce the release of our new perspective paper on Environmental Research Letter 🌍 With rising global demand for water, energy, and food (WEF), the interconnected nature of these systems demands a systemic approach to sustainable resource management. Our research discuss the role of Ecosystem Services (ESs) in this nexus. Read the full paper here:https://lnkd.in/daSm8YqF Silvia Torresan Beatrice Sambo
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Environmental net gain (ENG) remains a relatively groundbreaking concept, with the aim of leaving both #biodiversity and the #environment in a measurably better state than prior to development. This insights webinar aims to provide an introduction to ENG, exploring what it is and how it differs from #BiodiversityNetGain and #NaturalCapital. It will also delve into how it has been applied in policy and practice, and the challenges with applying it. Speakers: • Andrew Thomson, Senior Advisor, Natural England • Sophus zu Ermgassen, Ecological Economist, Oxford University • Penny Borton, Senior Associate Director (Natural Capital), Jacobs • Chris Moss, Senior Consultant, Greengage Environmental Book now: https://bit.ly/4dL5BDW
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#AgricultureMdpi - 2023 Highly Cited Paper ⭐️ #Rice Production Chain: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment—A Review ✍️ by Giuliana Vinci et al. 🔎 More info: https://lnkd.in/g4BpmPcm #agriculturalsustainability #lifecyclethinking #lifecycleassessment #lifecyclecosting #sociallifecycleassessment
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On today's episode, Sustainable Ag Research and Education Program Project Scientist Vivian Wauters explains the importance of preparing soils for winter using practices like cover cropping, no till, slake tests and more. https://lnkd.in/gJTRAdhc
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Interesting article on how to reduce the environmental impacts of research laboratories. https://lnkd.in/gKCMqaUT #sceince #research #environmentalimpact #conservation #wastereduction
How we slashed our lab’s carbon footprint
nature.com
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The social and environmental benefits of applied research are substantial! 🌱 Over 1/3 of project partners saw a markedly reduced environmental impact, according to our recently published report. From reducing waste, to lowering energy consumption and improving health & safety - this is the power of applied research collaborations with polytechnics 🌳 Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/ebVKkmGN #AppliedResearch #Innovation #Environment
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"Ultimately, nature markets need to move beyond being voluntary. Challenges as big as reversing the decline of biodiversity cannot be contingent on ephemeral demand. Paying for environmental harms should not be something that businesses can opt out of, or defer. Compliance with the polluter-pays principle, at some point, needs to become economy-wide and mandatory." Over the coming weeks and months, we'll be sharing a series of articles outlining our view on nature markets, the natural capital sector and the generation-defining challenge of restoring the natural world. We're kicking things off with a call for the expansion of compliance markets. https://lnkd.in/eUFCcdrQ Whether you agree or disagree, we'd love to hear what you think.
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🌍 #AquaConSoil2025 Theme 4: Integrating Multidimensional Perspectives As part of the European Green Deal, the EU Soil Strategy for 2030 aims to protect and restore soils, ensuring their sustainable use. By 2050, we envision healthy and resilient soil ecosystems across the EU. 🌱 But how do we get there? We need to integrate social, economic, and health perspectives into our approach. From Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA), health-related factors are becoming essential. And with localized impacts and diverse data sources, the communication of scientific risk assessments to the public is more crucial than ever. How can we effectively communicate scientific risk assessments to the public, especially when dealing with localized impacts and diverse data sources? Let’s brainstorm together! Abstract submission for AquaConSoil 2025 opens in September. More information on the themes: https://lnkd.in/d8ZrcCcc
AquaConSoil themes
aquaconsoil.com
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Interesting piece from Matthew Hay at Nattergal Ltd arguing for a move from voluntary carbon/biodiveristy credits to compliance markets. I'm certainly hearing that voluntary demand for carbon credits is weak and uncertain. Inclusion of forest carbon credits in UK ETS could be a game changer if it's done right. I like the emphasis on the 'polluter pays' principle, though I wonder how to square it with the 3m tonnes of carbon our damaged peatlands emit each year. Should the polluter pay? Industrial emitters must buy ETS allowances to pollute - a 'stick' to incentivise abatement. The Peatland Code takes the 'carrot' approach instead (polluters get credits for abatement). I'm guessing this divergence in approaches is the barrier to Peatland Credit ETS inclusion.
"Ultimately, nature markets need to move beyond being voluntary. Challenges as big as reversing the decline of biodiversity cannot be contingent on ephemeral demand. Paying for environmental harms should not be something that businesses can opt out of, or defer. Compliance with the polluter-pays principle, at some point, needs to become economy-wide and mandatory." Over the coming weeks and months, we'll be sharing a series of articles outlining our view on nature markets, the natural capital sector and the generation-defining challenge of restoring the natural world. We're kicking things off with a call for the expansion of compliance markets. https://lnkd.in/eUFCcdrQ Whether you agree or disagree, we'd love to hear what you think.
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