Priority Research Gaps (2025)

GapStatus/NeedNotes
25-year soil carbon budgetsNone publishedNo peer-reviewed, cross-climate studies
Cumulative trophic cascade studiesMajor gapFew multi-taxa, landscape-scale, long-term
Harmonized waste trackingFragmentedEPR pilots in 5+ countries; no global standard

Policy Trends and Incentives (2025-2030)

Policy/TrendStatus/ImpactNotes
Performance-linked incentivesPilots in US/EU/ChinaIRA, Green Deal, 14th Five-Year Plan
Bankability (ecosystem/community)ESG/impact requiredWorld Bank, EIB, private lenders
“Right-to-say-no”/referendaAdopted in ≥10 jurisdictionsUS, EU, Australia
Unified digital product passportEU target: 2028For renewables & circular economy
Mandatory social impact assessmentsExpandingRequired in >12 countries

Global Renewable and Market Trends

Metric/Trend2024/2025 ValueNotes
Global renewable capacity (2024)680 GW new installed560 GW in 2023 (IEA/IRENA)
Solar PV as largest renewableProjected 2029IEA milestone
Cleantech/AI/Carbon industries (US)57 GW new demand by 2030Industry, DOE
Countries with EPR pilots/mandates5+US, Germany, France, Japan, Australia
Market-based mechanismsScaling upAuctions, green certs, credit trading
Integrated decarbonization policyAcceleratingUS, EU, China, India

Data Visuals (2025)

Global Renewable Capacity Growth (GW)
PV Waste Projection (Mt)
Policy Adoption Index
Data: IEA, IRENA, World Bank, EU, DOE, peer-reviewed literature (2023-2025).

Policy and Research Frontiers to 2030