Sustainability Horizons is CISL’s monthly scan of issues and evidence coming into view, but which may not yet feature in the mainstream sustainability debate. This is not a prediction of the future, but a way of helping practitioners and policymakers to get early notice of new ideas, trends or evidence, to inform their own view of what might or should happen as a result. Find out more about our own work in developing new ideas and approaches that have the potential to deliver transformational change and rewire the economy.

Latest review

Carbon sequestration mechanism in oceans

May 2019: New evidence suggests that processes known as “particle injection pumps” are responsible for storing and moving a large amounts of carbon in the ocean. Understanding these complex mechanisms offers opportunities for more precise marine management practices and climate change mitigation.

Ocean acidification

May 2019: Greenhouse gases reacting with seawater is leading to changes in the ocean’s surface chemistry. This can lead to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss with negative knock-on effects for coastal regions, food security and marine management practices.

Sustainability reporting

April 2019: An increasing number of investors is consulting ESG data before making investment decisions. However, a lack of standardisation in reporting systems and the lack of an accreditation system for sustainability assurance professionals challenges comparability between companies.

Quantifying the pace of glacial melting

April 2019: A comprehensive overview shows that glaciers are melting and are causing sea levels to rise 3mm per year. Rising sea levels are causing coastal inundation and increase the risk of water shortage or flooding in inland communities.

Severe weather impacts on Scottish agricultural sector

April 2019: A WWF report shows that severe weather events already have a negative economic impact on Scottish farmers. The effects of climate change-driven extreme weather could be mitigated by cross-sectional policy alignment and building resilience in the agricultural sector.

Humanoids: Robotics in elderly care

April 2019: Advances in material science and Artificial Intelligence now allow for the production of autonomous, soft, lightweight robots. These humanoids could find wide spread future application in elderly care and nursing as many countries face aging populations and staff shortages.

Competitive carbon negative power generation using BECCS

April 2019: Combining coal-bioenergy gasification with carbon capture and storage technologies could be economically and technically viable. This could incentivise the transition of large coal-dependent countries such as China to a carbon negative energy system.

Expansion and intensification of neglected tropical diseases

April 2019: Milder climates in Northern Europe and North America could lead to a global spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as Malaria and Zika. Spreading mosquito populations increase pressure on health care systems and pose high risks for global public health security.

Water shortages and reallocation

April 2019: Data suggests that Britain will experience significant water shortages due to climate change by 2050. It is paramount to consider the social and environmental impact of water management projects when defining policies and investments into water security.

Bioconversion of waste into bio-jet fuel

April 2019: Genetically modified bacteria breaking down non-food biomass shows promising results in delivering sustainable plant based jet fuel. This fuel has a higher energy density per volume and could be a price competitive alternative to conventional fuels.

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Contact

Adele Wiliams

Adele Williams, Communications and Media Manager

Email | T: +44 (0)1223 768451

Disclaimer

The views expressed in these external research papers are those of the authors and do not represent an official position of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or any of its individual business partners or clients.

Sustainability Horizons: what’s coming into view?

Find out more about our own work in developing new ideas and approaches that have the potential to deliver transformational change and rewire the economy.