Ts. Dr. Vincent Woon and NESE Master's Student, Hoy Zheng Xuan, Published in Science (cover paper)

2023-11-23

On 17 November 2023, Hoy Zheng Xuan (master student, the first author) and Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Vincent Woon Kok Sin (the corresponding author) from the Department of New Energy Science and Engineering published their paper "Curbing Global Solid Waste Emissions toward Net-zero Warming Futures" in Science and featured in the cover image.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chin Wen Cheong from the Department of Mathematics co-authored this publication.

 

This achievement marks a major breakthrough for XMUM in the area of research. Since 1970, only three research teams from Malaysia have published in Science as the first or corresponding authors.

The research content is supported by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (Fundamental Research Grant Scheme FRGS/1/2020/TK0/XMU/02/2) and Xiamen University Malaysia (Xiamen University Research Fund XMUMRF/2019-C4/IENG/0022).

It is a collaborative project with Dr. Fan Yee Van from the Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic, and Prof. Yoo Seung Jick of Sookmyung Women's University, South Korea.

 

Continue reading the article: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adg3177

Man-made activities have resulted in a 1.1°C increase in global surface temperature relative to pre-industrial levels by the end of 2020. The paper addresses a critical gap in understanding the methane flow affecting the short-term warming effect in the global solid waste sector, which is often overlooked but is one of the highest-methane-emitting sectors and has significant methane reduction potential.

In this study, Hoy et al. forecasted the greenhouse gas emissions of the 43 highest municipal solid waste-generating countries and regions to assess their potential for alleviating global warming and meeting Paris Agreement goals and the Global Methane Pledge. Their research found that the global solid waste sector is not on track for climate targets to tackle global warming unless with abrupt interventions.

Hoy et al. proposed a few mitigation potentials that serve as focal points capable of capturing attention and fostering awareness, a crucial step in initiating and launching effective waste policies. The findings underscore the necessity of three categories of policy tools in a cohesive blend for accelerating this transition: (i) direct regulation, which encompasses laws enforced rigorously; (ii) economic instruments, that offer incentives and disincentives for particular solid waste management practices; (iii) social tools, grounded in communication and engagement with stakeholders. Their results illuminate the vital role of the global solid waste system as a catalyst for keeping our planet within its planetary boundaries.

Ts. Dr. Vincent Woon Kok Sin said: "The trend of climate change is non-linear. If we don't take action now, the impact will be irreversible when they reach the tipping point. This is the message we hope to convey through the paper - We need to act immediately, as the results of action also need time to manifest."

Navigating a study across 43 countries and regions brought formidable challenges, particularly in regions with limited data. Hoy Zheng Xuan shared that this early phase demanded patience and persistence to identify solutions for bridging those data gaps. The team adhered to best practices while remaining vigilant in addressing assumptions. Rigorous scrutiny to reduce uncertainty in their modeling became paramount to ensure the robustness of their findings.

"Collaboration is the cornerstone of overcoming hurdles," said Hoy Zheng Xuan. "Brainstorming with my research teammates was invaluable - Our diverse expertise and perspectives brought to the table were crucial in navigating complexities and refining our approach."

Hoy Zheng Xuan also said that his environmental awareness was first nurtured by his mother, which has eventually developed into his research interest. In his opinion, whether it's environmental protection or scientific research, in order to make the world a better place, people first have to start with little things.

"If we want to change the world, we have to change our own attitude first. Small changes will make the environment better."

 

Ts. Dr. Vincent Woon's Research Group Photo (Third from the left in the back row is Vincent Woon, and fourth from the left in the front row is Hoy Zheng Xuan)


Meet the XMUM Team

 

Hoy Zheng Xuan

Hoy Zheng Xuan obtained his Master's degree in New Energy Science and Engineering from Xiamen University Malaysia in June 2023, and plans to pursue a career in research in Singapore. During the past 2 years, he has published 9 research papers, including this Science paper. His research interests include solid waste management, predictive modelling and emission modelling.

 

Ts. Dr. Vincent Woon Kok Sin

Ts. Dr. Vincent Woon is an Associate Professor and Head of the PhD Programme at Department of New Energy Science and Engineering. With a passion for sustainability, his research focuses on carbon footprint analysis, life cycle assessment, solid waste management, green township and building development, as well as AI-predictive analytics and optimization in climate change. He earned his PhD from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Dr. Chin Wen Cheong

Dr. Chin Wen Cheong earned his PhD from National University of Malaysia (UKM) and now serves as a lecturer at Department of Mathematics, Xiamen University Malaysia Campus. Specializing in financial time series, his research has earned acclaim for solving volatility modelling and financial risk management.



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