Environmental policies for GHG emissions reduction and energy transition in the medieval historic centre of Siena (Italy): the role of solar energy

Major US electric utility climate pledges have the potential to collectively reduce power sector emissions by one-third

Imposing versus Enacting Commitments for the Long‐Term Energy Transition: Perspectives from the Firm

Urban water cycle systems(UWCS), including water treatment facilities, distribution facilities, sewers, and wastewater treatment facilities, are energy intensive and significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making the reduction of GHG emissions and the transition to eco-friendly energy essential. This study identifies specific GHG emission sources at each stage of the UWCS and proposes detailed methods to achieve a 40% reduction in GHG emissions, implement RE100, and attain Net Zero by employing insets and offsets. This study develops scenarios for insets and offsets based on the baseline process of the UWCS, and investigates potential pathways to reduce GHG emissions by quantifying emissions from each process. Internal insets, which are self-implemented and technical measures, are prioritized, while external offsets are applied to compensate for the remaining emissions. Internal insets include the application of anaerobic digesters and combined heat and power(CHP), improvements in energy efficiency of equipment, reduction in water pipe leakage, implementation of water footprint labeling, and installation of on-site photovoltaic system. External offsets comprise renewable energy certificates(REC), power purchase agreements(PPA), green hydrogen fuel for vehicles, natural sequestration improvement, and emission trading system. GHG emissions at each stage within the UWCS are quantified using modeling software. Based on these results, the effectiveness of insets and offsets in achieving a 40% GHG emissions reduction, Net Zero, and RE100 goal is analyzed. The baseline total GHG emissions for the UWCS are estimated at 4,732.8 tCO2eq/yr, of which 56.8% is identified as targets for internal insets, and the remaining 43.2% is reduced through external offsets. A 40% GHG reduction can be achieved through internal insets, and Net Zero can be attained by incorporating additionally applying external offsets. The total power demand of UWCS facilities and equipment is calculated as 572.8 kW. Renewable energy is generated through anaerobic digesters and CHP(116.1kW) as well as on-site PV(395.0 kW), while RE100 compliance is achieved by securing an aditional 61.7 kW through REC/PPA. Achieving Net Zero and RE100 requires prioritizing strategies for insets, offsets and efficient resource allocation. For this, the technical feasibility and self-implementation potential of reduction efforts and the external conditions for offsets, should be carefully reviewed to optimize implementation strategies. GHG reduction and renewable energy utilization in the UWCS are key priorities for addressing the climate crisis and achieving sustainable water resource management, requiring technological innovation and institutional support. The comprehensive and systematic application of GHG insets and offsets is the optimal approach to achieving these goals. Furthermore, modeling software serves as a key tool for quantifying GHG emissions and formulating concrete, viable GHG reduction strategies. In addition to the technical and institutional approaches proposed in this study, achieving Net Zero and implementing RE100 requires the integrated consideration of economic factors in the future.

In Malaysia, the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions reduction via composting of source-separated organic waste (SOW) in municipal solid waste (MSW) has not been assessed. Assessment of GHG emissions reduction via composting of SOW is important as environmental impacts from waste management are waste-specific and local-specific. The study presents the case study for potential carbon reduction via composting of SOW in University of Malaya (UM). In this study, a series of calculations were used to evaluate the GHG emission of different SOW management scenarios. The calculations based on IPCC calculation methods (AM0025) include GHGs emissions from landfilling, fuel consumption in transportation and SOW composting activity. The methods were applied to assess the GHG emissions from five alternative SOW management scenarios in UM. From the baseline scenario (S0), a total of 1,636.18 tCO(2e) was generated. In conjunction with target of 22 recycling rate, as shown in S1, 14 reduction in potential GHG emission can be achieved. The carbon reduction can be further enhanced by increasing the SOW composting capacity. The net GHG emission for S1, S2, S3 and S4 were 1,399.52, 1,161.29, 857.70 and 1,060.48 tCO(2e), respectively. In general, waste diversion for composting proved a significant net GHG emission reduction as shown in S3 (47), S4 (35) and S2 (29). Despite the emission due to direct on-site activity, the significant reduction in methane generation at landfill has reduced the net GHG emission. The emission source of each scenario was studied and analysed.

Improvement in Energy Efficiency of Re-Rolling Furnaces for Stainless Steel Industry At Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Unveiling the past, shaping the future: Analyzing three centuries of data to explore China's trajectory towards carbon neutrality

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction in the electricity sector: Implications of increasing renewable energy penetration in Ghana's electricity generation mix

Harmonizing the quantification of CCS GHG emission reductions through oil and natural gas industry project guidelines

Renewable energy achievements in CO2 mitigation in Thailand's NDCs

Currently, the energy transition is gaining more and more importance in European energy policy. This article aims to introduce the achievements, contributions and challenges of Europe's current energy transition. The article outlines some of the main energy goals and initiatives proposed and developed by EU institutions. The EU attaches great importance to renewable energy, energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), identifying them as the three ultimate supporters for achieving carbon neutrality. The EU aims to be climate neutral by 2050. However, since energy policy requires the joint efforts of EU institutions and the WTO, each WTO plays a key role in achieving the EU's goals. Differences in socio-economic and energy structures between EU WTOs lead to different speeds at which they can achieve EU targets. Taking Germany and Spain as examples, their political policies, measures and actions with regard to the energy transition are assessed. These two countries are just examples of differences in the implementation of EU energy and climate goals. The article also describes the ambitious "Green New Deal" initiative of the EU presidency. The initiative not only identifies key goals, but also safeguards Europe's commitment to the energy and climate transition. However, the plan faced major obstacles. The difference in energy level among member states in the process of energy transition may become an important factor hindering Europe from realizing the goal of energy transition. Another challenge is the opposition of some people, especially those who believe that the energy transition is designed to attract the coming economic and industrial transformation as well as harm their welfare and pose a potential threat to employment. Finally, the energy transition mentioned in this article is not only the responsibility of Spain and Germany, but also the responsibility of the entire European Union and other world economies. Only by working together to promote energy transition and build a community with a shared future for mankind can we make the world a better place. The United Kingdom (UK) also plays a major role in the European Union's (EU) energy transition ahead of its departure from the European Union in 2020. Here are some of the ways the UK is influencing the EU's energy transition:�(i) The first is renewable energy: the UK is one of the EU leaders in the deployment of renewable energy, especially offshore wind. UK expertise and investment in renewable energy helps advance the EU's renewable energy targets and develop innovative technologies for clean energy generation.�(2) The second is climate change: the UK has always been a staunch supporter of EU climate change policies, including the Paris Agreement. Its participation in the EU's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions helps strengthen the EU's position as a global leader in the fight against climate change.�(iii) The third is the energy market: as an energy consumer and producer, the UK is an important participant in the EU energy market.�(iv) The fourth is energy research and innovation: the UK actively participates in EU-funded energy research and innovation projects. Its contributions to these programs help drive the development of new clean energy technologies and increase the overall effectiveness of the EU's energy transition efforts. Overall, the UK's participation in the EU's energy transition is significant, and its withdrawal poses some challenges for the EU. The impact of Brexit on the EU's energy transition is complex, and it remains to be seen how the EU will adapt to the loss of the UK's contribution to its energy policies and initiatives.�Brexit will also have some impact on the EU's energy transition, especially in the field of renewable energy. First of all, the UK is an important energy market in Europe, and Brexit will have a certain impact on the EU energy market. Second, the UK's own energy policy and future development direction will also affect the EU's energy transition. The United Kingdom has a relatively high level of development in renewable energy, and its policies may change after Brexit, such as reducing subsidies for renewable energy. This may affect the EU's progress in renewable energy, and even delay the EU's energy transition process. In addition, after Brexit, energy trade with the EU may be subject to certain restrictions, and it will take time and resources to form a new trade relationship. This may have some impact on the EU energy market and supply chain. It can be seen that the impact of Brexit on the European Union will affect the various member states of the European Union.�Brexit has brought certain uncertainties and challenges to the EU's energy transition, but at the same time there are also opportunities and potential areas of cooperation, which require the joint efforts of the EU and the UK.Finally, It can be explained how Europe's energy transition will also affect its external relations, for example with Russia, and propose how the two blocs can maintain energy relations in light of the energy transition, in particular through the conversion of natural gas into hydrogen and the storage/use of the resulting of carbon dioxide.

Characteristics and reduction assessment of GHG emissions from crop residue open burning in China under the targets of carbon peak and carbon neutrality

Transitioning to battery electric vehicles in Japan: Impact of promotion policy, battery performance and carbon neutrality on greenhouse gas emissions reduction

Energy-related activities are a major contributor of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A growing body of knowledge clearly depicts the links between human activities and climate change. Over the last century the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil and other human activities has released carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and other heat-trapping GHG emissions into the atmosphere and thus increased the concentration of atmospheric CO2 emissions. The main human activities that emit CO2 emissions are (1) the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity, accounting for about 37% of total U.S. CO2 emissions and 31% of total U.S. GHG emissions in 2013, (2) the combustion of fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel to transport people and goods, accounting for about 31% of total U.S. CO2 emissions and 26% of total U.S. GHG emissions in 2013, and (3) industrial processes such as the production and consumption of minerals and chemicals, accounting for about 15% of total U.S. CO2 emissions and 12% of total ...

Alternative methodologies for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from crude palm oil (CPO) production by a wet extraction mill in Thailand were developed. The production of 1 t of CPO from mills with biogas capture (four mills) and without biogas capture (two mills) in 2010 produced GHG emissions of 935 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq), on average. Wastewater treatment plants with and without biogas capture produced GHG emissions of 64 and 47% of total GHG emission, respectively. The rest of the emissions mostly originated from the acquisition of fresh fruit bunches. The establishment of a biogas recovery system must be the first step in the reduction of GHG emissions. It could reduce GHG emissions by 373 kgCO2eq/t of CPO. The main source of GHG emission of 163 kgCO2eq/t of CPO from the mills with biogas capture was the open pond used for cooling of wastewater before it enters the biogas recovery system. The reduction of GHG emissions could be accomplished by (i) using a wastewater-dispersed unit for cooling, (ii) using a covered pond, (iii) enhancing the performance of the biogas recovery system, and (iv) changing the stabilization pond to an aerated lagoon. By using options i-iv, reductions of GHG emissions of 216, 208, 92.2, and 87.6 kgCO2eq/t of CPO, respectively, can be achieved.

For all its cachet, you might think that hybrid drivetrain technology is inherently green. But only 13 of 34 hybrid vehicles assessed achieve better than a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and just 3 exceed a 40% reduction, according to an evaluation by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).1 Moreover, reductions in GHG emissions do not necessarily correlate with reductions in other toxic emissions. Like any engine output–improving technology, hybrid technology can boost both fuel efficiency and power—but the more you boost one, the less you can boost the other. That dichotomy spurred the UCS to develop its “hybrid scorecard,” which rates each hybrid according to how well it lives up to its promise of reducing air pollution.2 All the vehicles were from model year 2011 except for one, the 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid. First the UCS scored each hybrid on how much it reduced its GHG emissions relative to its conventional counterpart, on a scale of zero (least reduction) to 10 (greatest reduction). These scores reflect the percentage in fuel efficiency gain. For example, the Toyota Prius gets 50 mpg3 compared with 28 mpg for the comparable Toyota Matrix. This represents a 44.0% reduction in GHG emissions, earning the Prius a GHG score of 9.4. At the bottom of the scale, the 21-mpg hybrid VW Touareg reduces GHG emissions only 10% over the 19-mpg conventional Toureg, for a score of 0.0. With a 46% improvement, the luxury Lincoln MKZ Hybrid had the greatest reduction over its conventional counterpart. The UCS also scored hybrids for absolute emissions (rather than relative to the conventional model) of air pollutants including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. These scores, on a scale of zero (dirtiest) to 10 (cleanest), are based on California certifications for tailpipe emissions. As the scorecard showed, a vehicle that emits less heat-trapping gases may not necessarily emit less of other air pollutants. For example, the Mercedes Benz S400 Hybrid scored 9 on air pollution reduction, alongside the Prius and the Lincoln MKZ, but only 1.3 on GHG emissions. HYBRID SCORECARD: Top 10 Nonluxury Hybrids by Total Environmental Improvement Score “Hybrid technology doesn’t add additional challenges [to reducing exhaust pollutants] that can’t be addressed through design of the vehicle’s emission controls,” says Don Anair, senior vehicles analyst at the UCS. “Numerous manufacturers of hybrids are meeting the lowest emissions levels. Hybrid manufacturers who aren’t delivering the lowest smog-forming emissions have chosen not to do so.” Each vehicle’s air pollution and GHG scores were averaged into a total “environmental improvement score,” again with the MKZ and the Prius leading the pack, and the Touareg scraping bottom. The UCS also scored “hybrid value” (the cost of reducing GHG emissions in dollars per percent reduction) and “forced features” (options you must buy with the hybrid whether you want them or not). HYBRID SCORECARD: Top 10 Luxury Hybrids by Total Environmental Improvement Score Luke Tonachel, vehicles analyst with the Natural Resources Defense Council, compliments the scorecard for illustrating that hybrid technology is not automatically green. He says, “We should improve the efficiency of all vehicles, and [hybrid technology] is just one technology that can get us there if applied with that goal in mind.” Nonetheless, Jamie Kitman, the New York bureau chief for Automobile Magazine, questions the wisdom of emphasizing percentage improvement in gas mileage rather than absolute miles per gallon. At 21 mpg, the hybrid Cadillac Escalade 4WD represents a 29% improvement over the 15-mpg conventional model, saving nearly 2 gallons per 100 miles. But the hybrid Escalade is still a gas guzzler, and Kitman says he wishes people would see through the marketing that encourages them to buy SUVs and “crossovers” rather than ordinary cars, which are more efficient than either. Says Anair, “The scorecard shows that automakers can pair hybrid technology with advanced emission controls to help tackle climate change while reducing the health impacts from breathing polluted air.” However, he adds, alluding to the stark variation in how much hybrid technology boosted fuel efficiency, “Not all automakers are delivering on the full promise of this technology.”