Articles from Science for Environment Policy

A standard method to assess effective measures for contaminated site remediation
A standardised method to help choose the most cost-effective measures to remediate contaminated sites has been developed by Austrian researchers. The method takes into account a wide range of factors, including the principles of sustainability.
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New tool to map pollinator exposure to pesticides
As bee populations decline, exposure of pollinators to pesticides is of increasing concern. Italian research has now demonstrated that an index of exposure which accounts for insect behaviour, as well as pesticide application, provides a valuable tool for assessing the realistic risk of pesticides to pollinators.
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Europe makes tentative progress in reducing transport´s environmental impact
A new report indicates that some progress has been made towards meeting key sustainable transport targets, but challenges remain. Improvements in passenger vehicle efficiency have led to reductions in emissions, however, reductions in oil consumption are not sufficient to meet targets, with more policy initiatives and continued monitoring needed to ensure that sustainability goals are achieved.
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With the land goes the water: `land grabbing´ redistributes global water resources
Under pressure from rising food prices, many nations have begun to acquire large tracts of agricultural land in foreign countries, a practice known as `land grabbing´. New research has now quantified current levels of land grabbing and demonstrated that it is accompanied by concerning levels of `water grabbing´ which could affect water supply in the `grabbed´ countries.
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New valuation of water-quality ecosystem services provides decision-making tool
Valuations of water quality as an ecosystem service often fail to include related services like recreation or human health, and do not consider the effects of water quality changes due to management. Researchers have now developed a template for valuation that considers multiple services and links management actions to changes in water quality and ultimate economic value.
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Significant economic effects of climate change on European timber industry
The impact of climate change on the distribution of tree species is likely to have economic implications for the timber industry. A new study has estimated that climate-induced shifts in range could reduce the value of European forest land for the timber industry by between 14 and 50% by 2100. At the higher end of this estimate, this could equate to a potential loss of several hundred billions of euros.
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