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Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a well-known air pollutant, mostly elevated by car traffic in cities. To date, small, reliable, cost-efficient multipollutant sensors with sufficient power and accuracy for community-based atmospheric studies are still lacking. The HAPADS (highly accurate and autonomous programmable platforms for providing air pollution data services) platforms, developed and tested in real conditions, can be a possible approach to solving this issue. The developed HAPADS platforms are equipped with three different NO2 sensors (7E4-NO2–5, SGX-7NO2, MICS-2711 MOS) and a combined ambient air temperature, humidity, and pressure sensor (BME280). The platforms were tested during the driving test, which was conducted across various roads, including highways, expressways, and national and regional routes, as well as major cities and the countryside, to analyse the environmental conditions as much as possible (Poland, 2024). The correlation coefficient r was more than 0.8, and RMSE (root mean squared error) was in the 3.3–4.3 μg/m3 range during the calibration process. The results obtained during the driving tests showed R2 of 0.9–1.0, which proves the ability of HAPADS platforms to work in the hard environmental conditions (including high rain and snow, as well as sun and a wide range of temperatures and humidity).
2026
A multi-year analysis of aerosol optical depth (AOD, τ) and Ångström exponent (α) was conducted using ground-based photometer data from 15 Arctic and 11 Antarctic sites. Extending the dataset of (Tomasi et al., 2015) through December 2024, the study incorporates stellar and lunar photometric observations to fill data gaps during the polar night. Daily mean values of τ at 0.500 µm and α (0.440–0.870 µm) were used to derive monthly means and seasonal histograms. In the Arctic, persistent haze events in winter and early spring lead to peak τ values. A decreasing trend in Arctic τ suggests the impact of European emission regulations, while biomass-burning aerosols are becoming more significant. In Antarctica, τ increases from the plateau to the coast. Fine-mode aerosols dominate in summer-autumn, while coarse-mode particles are more prevalent in winter-spring. Shipborne photometer data align well with ground-based measurements, confirming the reliability of mobile observations. Trend analyses using the Mann-Kendall test and Theil-Sen regression indicate a significant negative trend in τ at Andenes (−2.43 % per year), likely driven by reduced anthropogenic emissions. Antarctic stations such as Syowa and South Pole show positive trends (+3.84 % and +3.54 % per year), though these are subject to uncertainties from data limitations and instrument changes. This work contributes to the Polar-AOD network (https://polaraod.net/, last access: 15 May 2025), enhancing the understanding of aerosol variability and long-term trends in polar regions while promoting open data access for the scientific community.
2026
Start-up asked for regulation changes to allow controversial marine carbon storage
Gigablue applied for permission to put a thousand tonnes of its particles in New Zealand waters - but was told its plans amounted to marine dumping.
2026
2026
Bisphenol A (BPA) alternatives are increasingly used in the manufacture of industrial and consumer products, following regulatory restrictions on BPA. However, insufficient safety data on these substitutes raise concern as regards potential regrettable substitutions. Under the EU Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC), Work Package 5 (WP5) addresses this challenge by applying a human-relevant tiered hazard assessment strategy grounded on OECD test guidelines as first tier and expanding the battery to include NAMs (New Approach Methodologies). Eight BPA alternatives were prioritized for studies addressing key toxicological endpoints, namely, endocrine disruption (ED), developmental neurotoxicity (DNT), immunotoxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity and metabolic fate examination (detoxification vs. potential bioactivation), to enable early identification of biological activity and support cross-endpoint prioritization. This manuscript describes the structure and implementation of the testing framework. This integrated testing strategy proposes a structured approach to identify substances of potential concern, guide targeted higher-tier studies, and support regulatory prioritization. PARC WP5 framework is testing whether coordinated NAM-based methods may contribute to next-generation risk assessment and help prevent regrettable substitutions among BPA alternatives for rapid regulatory adoption. Detailed experimental results will be reported separately upon completion of the project.
2026
Tracking the Path to Cleaner Cities using Global Urban NO₂ Monitoring from Space
Tracking air pollution is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of urban air-quality and emission-control policies and their impact on public health. Unlike previous satellite-based urban NO₂ studies that typically rely on linear trends, aggregated data, and limited meteorological correction, we use high-resolution TROPOMI observations with an AirGAM framework to estimate meteorology-adjusted, non-linear NO₂ TVCD trends across 5,435 cities worldwide (2019–2024). Daily satellite observations, together with ERA5 meteorology, are used to remove weather and seasonal effects so that trends primarily reflect changes in emissions. 1,400 cities had significant trends, with 79% showing declines, indicating an overall global drop in urban NO₂ TVCD. East Asia, particularly China (99% of cities with significant trend), and Europe (95%) led the global reductions. Cities in the USA with significant trends (n = 14) also experienced a decline. NO₂ TVCD levels increased most sharply in the cities of the Middle East, Central, and South Asia. The most populated examples are Tehran (3.1% yr-1 [95% CI: 0.7–5.5]) and Cairo (1.4% yr-1 [0.1–2.6]).
2026
Global mapping of city-level economic growth decoupling from fossil fuels
Cities seek to generate economic prosperity while reducing their dependence on fossil fuel combustion, yet tracking such progress at the city level remains challenging because of the limited and inconsistent emissions and economic data. Here we introduce an objective, globally consistent framework to measure decoupling between fossil fuel use and economic growth, either through reduced fuel use or shifts toward cleaner/more efficient combustion, proxied by tropospheric nitrogen dioxide columns combined with second-level administrative gross domestic product per capita based on purchasing power parity data. Analysing 5,435 cities globally over 2019–2024, we identify significant trends for 2,475 cities and classify them into 4 decoupling states. We find that 80% of these cities, mainly located in China, Europe and North America, enjoy relative decoupling, whereas 16%, mainly located in India and the Middle East, experience fossil fuel-dependent growth. Beyond these patterns, the described scalable satellite-based methodology can be revisited regularly to monitor city-level green growth and support urban policy effectiveness.
2026
Climate change intensifies multi‑hazard risks that affect ecosystems, societies, and economies. Addressing these interconnected risks requires integrated systems, harmonized data, and cross‑sectoral collaboration. Research infrastructures (RIs) that observe climate‑ and nature‑related processes generate essential data and services for understanding climate risk determinants: hazard, exposure, and vulnerability, yet their potential remains underutilised by financial, banking, and insurance sectors that increasingly face nature‑dependent risks.IRISCC (Integrated Research Infrastructure Services for Climate Change Risks; www.iriscc.eu) unites leading European Research Infrastructures (Ris) to provide open, standardized climate‑risk data, tools, and services through transnational and virtual access. With nearly 80 partners across natural and social sciences, IRISCC strengthens the scientific foundations for integrated climate‑risk assessment and supports the translation of RI data and tools into risk‑management landscapeWe conducted a stakeholder analysis to map the current and emerging climate‑risk service landscape and to assess how IRISCC services connect with academic, industry and decision making sectors. Survey data from IRISCC partners combined with a preliminary mapping of climate‑risk service providers, show that while strong links exist with EU‑level organizations, direct engagement with financial, banking, and insurance sectors is still very limited. This gap is critical: recent assessments by the European Central Bank indicate that around 72% of European companies depend heavily on at least one ecosystem service, underscoring the financial sector’s exposure to nature degradation (Elderson F.2023, Network for Greening the Financial System NGFS, 2022)Our findings highlight significant opportunities to embed scientific communities more efficiently, to enhance RI usage, harmonized datasets, and analytical tools into multi‑hazard climate‑risk services. Strengthening these connections can support more robust risk detection, prevention, and early‑warning capabilities, particularly for nature‑dependent industries.This presentation outlines the key findings from stakeholder analysis, identifies gaps in the current service landscape related to climate risks, and open the potential of IRISCC’s services to contribute to the needs of financial and insurance sectors. By fostering new collaborations and co‑created solutions, IRISCC aims to advance a more holistic, interoperable, and science‑based climate‑risk ecosystem in Europe.IRISCC is funded by the European Union (project number 101131261). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Elderson F. The economy and banks need nature to survive. European Central Bank. Published June 8, 2023. Accessed January 15, 2026. https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/blog/date/2023/html/ecb.blog230608~5cffb7c349.en.htmlNetwork for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). Nature‑related risks. Published 2022. Accessed January 15, 2026. https://www.ngfs.net/en/what-we-do/nature-related-risks
2026
This study investigates the contamination of both ingested plastics and plasma of northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) with benzotriazole UV stabilisers (BUVSs) in Kongsfjorden and Isfjorden, Svalbard. Ingested plastics were collected from fulmars in 1997, 2009, 2013, 2020 and 2021. Additionally, plasma samples were collected specifically in 2020. BUVSs, including UV-320, UV-326, UV-327, UV-328 and UV-329, were detected in both ingested plastics and plasma, suggesting a potential for transfer from plastics to the bloodstream. However, additional studies are required to confirm such a transfer mechanism. BUVSs were detected as early as 1997 in ingested plastics, highlighting the potential long-term exposure of fulmars in Svalbard. UV-326, UV-328 and total BUVS concentrations in ingested plastics increased significantly between 1997 and 2021, but likely due to outliers. In plasma, there was no significant correlation between any of BUVS concentrations and the mass of ingested plastics except for UV-327, although relying on only three values above LOD. This study represents a first step in investigating the multiple exposures of fulmars, and more generally seabirds, to plastic and plastic related chemicals and their potential ecotoxicological risks. More specifically we recommend further studies extracting microplastics from seabirds to perform additional quantification of BUVSs or other additives to provide available datasets and deeper understanding of leaching from plastics and temporal trends.
2026
This study presents insights from the EU Biodiversa+ NatureScape project (2025–2028). The project offers a new perspective for understanding nature-based solutions (NBS) in cities by focusing on the post-implementation phase, in which environmental justice in urban planning is put to the test.In recent years, cities have increasingly pursued NBS in urban development projects such as community gardens, green roofs, and temporary green spaces to support biodiversity while simultaneously improving human well-being. Despite growing recognition of NBS in urban planning, their potential for cities' socio-ecological transformation remains constrained by overlooked post-implementation challenges. While the planning and implementation of NBS already receive considerable attention, critical dimensions of environmental justice – distributive equity, accessibility, and procedural justice for continuous public participation and stakeholder engagement – become apparent only in the post-implementation phase. This phase is characterized by dynamic interactions between social and ecological components, shaping whether NBS are consolidated and sustained in ways that contribute in the long term to transformative effects and environmental justice, or whether they instead undermine these aims.NatureScape addresses this critical transition and its challenges in urban planning. Through transformation laboratories (T-Labs) in seven cities (Oslo, Dublin, Riga, Milan, Lisbon, Lublin, and St. Gallen), the research team explores two central questions: (1) What enablers and barriers in urban planning shape the post-implementation stewardship of urban NBS? (2) What governance mechanisms, strategies, and measures lead to the successful integration of urban NBS into urban planning to unfold their transformative potential for biodiversity-positive transitions and environmental justice?Initial findings from the T-Labs reveal crucial barriers. The post-implementation phase is often reduced to technical maintenance. Insufficient incorporation of NBS into urban planning is associated with fragmented institutions and responsibilities, weak strategic and instrumental anchoring, financial insecurity, and the erosion of institutional and political support.The project identifies interconnected governance mechanisms that could successfully integrate NBS into urban planning: adaptive planning processes, institutional anchoring that fosters shared ownership among stakeholders, co-management approaches with formal agreements, public planning frameworks, and institutional structures that support integrated action. Together, these mechanisms highlight stewardship as a pivotal principle for achieving just and biodiversity-positive urban futures.
2026
2026
CAMS Assessment Report on European Air Quality 2025
The full report provides reference information on air quality in Europe in 2025. The purpose of the report is to present a consistent and accurate estimate of European air quality focusing on key indicators and on the origin of selected pollution episodes. It is intended to support air quality experts in their reporting under air quality legislation by providing an overview over the status of European transboundary air pollution. It contains updated information on key indicators for background air quality for the main regulatory pollutants: ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter of 10 micrometres or less in diameter (PM10) and particulate matter of 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5).
Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service
2026
Organ-specific in vitro models for prediction of hazard assessment of nanomaterials
Organ-specific multicellular in vitro models are used to mimic the lung-blood-brain axis, and to assess the nanomaterials (NMs) safety in humans. We employed a triculture lung model, a whole-blood model, an astrocytes-neurons coculture to examine health outcomes by three cerium dioxide (CeO2) NMs and silver (Ag) nanowires. Endpoints included cytotoxicity, gene expression, genotoxicity, inflammatory markers at the air–liquid interface (ALI), complement activation, and secondary toxicity in astrocytes-neurons coculture. Post-exposure, CeO2–3.5 nm high-dose decreased cell viability, no DNA damage was detected. At epithelial-macrophages interface, CeO2–50 nm upregulated surfactant protein A (SPA), cell surface death receptor (FAS), and heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1), whereas CeO2–3.5 nm downregulated SPA. Ag-nanowires upregulated HMOX1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β), granulocyte colony-stimulator factor (G-CSF), chemokine C-X-C-motif ligand 1 (CXCL1). At endothelial side, CeO2–50 nm and − 3.5 nm, and Ag-nanowires upregulated HMOX1. In whole-blood model, CeO2–3.5 nm high-dose reduced terminal complement complex (TCC) proteins, while CeO2–50 nm and Ag-nanowires increased them. Nanomaterials activated CD11b+ on granulocytes and monocytes. Ag-nanowires conditioned-medium (CM) on astrocytes-neurons coculture, decreased cell viability. CeO2–50 nm CM upregulated IL1β, NFκB, and HMOX1. Overall, CeO₂–3.5 nm exhibits lung toxicity; CeO₂–50 nm CM triggers inflammatory response and Ag-nanowires CM may induce cytotoxicity in brain cells.
2026
Marine carbon dioxide removal is a big idea - with big hurdles
Explainer - A start-up company wants to carry out marine carbon dioxide removal in New Zealand waters. What is mCDR and why is it controversial?
2026