All Environment Publications

This paper explores a plastics sustainability challenge, suggests novel solutions and opportunities to capture value in business transition. It considers biodegradable plastics, an orthopaedics library for product re-use, a plastics ‘value map’ for market regulation and manufacturing efficiency.

Several obstacles prevent the uptake of circular economy practices within EU photovoltaic solar panel production, including reliance on Chinese imports and economic obstacles to recycling components. This study offers a practical decision-making tool to evaluate and address these challenges.

Aquaculture, or fish farming, faces significant environmental challenges that could be addressed by adopting circular economy practices and principles. This Italian study investigates the opportunities, knowledge gaps and perceptions of circular economy policies amongst producers.

Plastic seed trays used to grow seedlings in plant nurseries are a harmful agrifood waste product. This study trialled new seed trays that align with circular economy principles. These alternatives had less environmental impact than traditional trays.

Plastic industry producers can be held accountable through policies on extending producer responsibility for treating and managing waste. This research examines the effectiveness of policy frameworks that predict future plastic waste, and highlights the need for an EU-wide approach.

Large scale forest restoration across Europe is challenging to implement and monitor. Researchers surveyed conservation practitioners to understand the ecological, economic, social and policy barriers faced. They found that restoration requires a holistic approach, learning from all stakeholders.

Understanding the ecosystem services provided by forests is essential to their good management, especially in areas threatened by climate change. Researchers in Spain have developed a policy-supporting, decision-making tool, called CAFE (Carbon, Aqua, Fire and Eco-Resilience)

An understanding of river ecosystem services helps with the EU’s mission to restore 25,000km of waterways. This paper quantifies the economic and nature benefits and costs of different river management systems on the Rhine Branches. A multifunctional, nature-based approach works best.

Restoring and maintaining wetlands in agricultural watersheds helps to combat water scarcity. Modelling the trade-offs of restoration versus agricultural-use in a Spanish study indicates that the benefits of wetland creation and restoration outweigh the costs in most climate scenarios.