Articles from Science for Environment Policy

Mapping helps visualise complex environmental risk assessment
Scientists involved in a pan-European project to develop better methods of risk assessment say maps that show such cumulative risks geographically are easy to interpret and should be considered as practical tools for conveying risk information to decision makers and the general public. Download article (PDF)

Environmental impacts of electric vehicle batteries weighed up
A recent study has assessed the lifecycle environmental impact during the production and use phase of three battery types for plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and full performance battery electric vehicles (BEV). The study indicates that newer lithium-ion (Li-ion) technologies outperform current nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and identifies processes contributing to 13 environmental impacts Download article (PDF)

Urban vegetation could be an undervalued carbon sink
Urban vegetation could have been overlooked as valuable above-ground carbon storage, according to researchers. They estimated that 231,521 tonnes of carbon were stored in above-ground vegetation in a UK city, the majority of which (97 per cent) in trees. This was 10 times the amount estimated from national figures for the same city area. Download article (PDF)

First steps to eliminate hazardous chemicals in plastic
By ranking the `hazard potential´ of a wide range of chemicals used to make common plastics, Swedish researchers have highlighted which plastic polymers are made from the most hazardous chemicals. These should be prioritised for assessing the risk of causing human or environmental harm. Download article (PDF)

Land use and water consumption patterns in urban and tourist areas
A new Spanish study has highlighted current developments in the tourism sector that have significant implications for water supply and demand, but are barely addressed in recent land use policies. The findings indicate that any tourist destination that is to follow the `quality tourist´ model will have an increased water demand in domestic residential areas, which is one of the biggest threats to sustainable water management. Download article (PDF)

New holistic method for assessing Natura 2000 landscapes
High quality landscape assessments of areas protected under the Natura 2000 network are critical for effective long-term management plans. In a recent study, scientists have presented a integrated assessment of a Natura 2000 site in Sicily, Italy, which not only considers preservation of environmental features, as required by Natura 2000, but also human features, such as places of historical interest or industrial activity. Download article (PDF)