Synergies of Reducing Greenhouse Gases and Nitrogen Pollution in Europe

ongoing

"Climate change and environmental degradation caused by greenhouse gases (GHGs) and reactive nitrogen (Nr) emissions threaten our future. Two urgent, interconnected goals in Europe and globally are reducing GHG emissions to address climate change and curbing Nr pollutants for food security and ecosystem protection. However, most current studies identify technologies and pathways for ""GHG reduction"" or ""Nr mitigation"" separately, and the policies focus on mitigating either GHGs or Nr in isolation, Such narrow approaches face high costs and social barriers, conflicting with the multidimensional needs of integrated environmental policies and cost-effective solutions. Coordinated efforts to simultaneously address GHGs and Nr (GHG-Nr) could promote synergies and cost savings through shared implementation costs while driving effective, efficient reductions. To enable synergistic and cost-effective mitigation policies, SynCAN will: (1) analyze interactions and drivers of GHG-Nr emissions in Europe; (2) identify feasible sectoral mitigation options and cost-effective pathways of coordinated GHG-Nr emissions, targeting efficiency gains and cost savings; and (3) Assess the systemic changes and national gaps associated with coordinated GHG-Nr mitigation efforts in Europe. To achieve this, SynCAN will employ interdisciplinary and intersectoral approaches that bridge natural science, environmental science, economics, and management. To ensure successful implementation, I will conduct this research at IIASA under the guidance of Prof. Wilfried Winiwarter, a leading scholar. This project will strengthen my academic profile to become a tenured scholar and obtain advanced funding, allowing me to establish my own research group. Funding SynCAN is crucial to develop solutions that address today's urgent, interlinked climate and environmental challenges efficiently and effectively."