Carbon Credits Research Articles

Can You Earn Carbon Credits on Pasture and Rangeland?

Can You Earn Carbon Credits on Pasture and Rangeland?

Seas the opportunity: multi-criteria decision analysis to identify and prioritise blue carbon wetland restoration sites

IntroductionThe emergence of voluntary carbon markets is creating new opportunities to sustainably finance Natural Climate Solution (NCS) projects. In Australia, the federal government recently enacted the Tidal Restoration of Blue Carbon Ecosystems Methodology Determination 2022 (Tidal Reconnection Method), whereby restoration activities that reintroduce tidal flows to allow the re-establishment of coastal wetland (blue carbon) ecosystems, through the removal or modification of a tidal restriction, can be used to gain and sell Australian carbon credit units. Australia has the highest net blue carbon wealth in the world, with 5%–11% of global carbon stocks, yet there is currently a lack of large-scale feasibility assessments and supporting methodologies to identify and prioritise sites with the greatest potential for NCS project implementation to help inform investment decisions.MethodsIn this study, we applied a spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to identify, map, and prioritise potential sites for blue carbon coastal wetland restoration in South Australia that meet criteria outlined in the Tidal Reconnection Method. This study compared information on 1) predicted flooding extent following tidal reconnection and under sea level rise (SLR; present-day, 2050 and 2,100); 2) project implementation complexity (e.g. who possesses land tenure); and 3) carbon sequestration potential through predicted area of vegetation change under the above SLR scenarios. ResultsOur results identified 64 sites of interest, of which 32 received an overall “high” prioritisation score of 3 or more out of 5. This equates to approximately 21,114 ha of high priority potential blue carbon restoration sites.DiscussionThe MCDA enables development of a portfolio of viable restoration projects through a rapid “desktop” prioritisation of sites of interest, which can then guide investment in further detailed cost/benefit feasibility assessments. This study demonstrates an adaptable MCDA approach to map potential NCS projects at meaningful spatial scales and in-line with carbon market-based opportunities.

Transforming cropland to forests in Pakistan, reducing net carbon footprints and contributing carbon credits

Transforming cropland to forests in Pakistan, reducing net carbon footprints and contributing carbon credits

Research on Multi-Microgrid Electricity–Carbon Collaborative Sharing and Benefit Allocation Based on Emergy Value and Carbon Trading

In response to climate change, the proportion of renewable energy penetration is increasing daily. However, there is a lack of flexible energy transfer mechanisms. The optimization effect of low-carbon economic dispatch in a single park is limited. In the context of the sharing economy, this study proposes a research method for multi-park electricity sharing and benefit allocation based on carbon credit trading. Firstly, a framework for multi-park system operation is constructed, and an energy hub model is established for the electrical, cooling, and heating interconnections with various energy conversions. Secondly, a park carbon emission reduction trading model is established based on the carbon credit mechanism, further forming an optimal economic and environmental dispatch strategy for multi-park electricity sharing. Matlab+Gurobi is used for solving. Then, based on asymmetric Nash bargaining, the comprehensive contribution rate of each park is calculated by considering their energy contribution and carbon emission reduction contribution, thereby achieving a fair distribution of cooperation benefits among multiple parks. The results show that the proposed method can effectively reduce the overall operational cost of multiple parks and decrease carbon emissions, and the benefit allocation strategy used is fair and reasonable, effectively motivating the construction of new energy in parks and encouraging active participation in cooperative operations by all parks.

Implementation of Carbon Trading: Mechanisms of Execution and Legal Protection for Shareholders on the Indonesia Carbon Exchange

This research aims to find out how the trading mechanism on the carbon exchange and legal protection for company shareholders in carbon trading transactions on the Indonesian carbon exchange. Increased global awareness of climate change has prompted many countries, including Indonesia, to adopt more effective mitigation measures. A carbon exchange is a platform for buying and selling carbon credits, which can be obtained by companies that have taken decarbonisation measures. Through carbon trading, investors can be involved in reducing carbon emissions through a scheme that has been provided, namely emission trading or emission offsets. The Indonesian government issued carbon trading regulations and policies as an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally, and the presence of the Indonesian Carbon Exchange (IDX Carbon) provides positive sentiment for a number of issuers engaged in the environmentally friendly sector. This is because the presence of a carbon exchange opens up opportunities for environmentally friendly companies to increase their revenue by selling carbon credits. The method used in this research is normative juridical with statutory approach and conceptual approach. The results of this research show that shareholders of carbon exchange organisers can only be owned by sui generis institutions, Indonesian citizens, Indonesian legal entities, and/or foreign legal entities that have obtained permission or are under the supervision of the financial services regulator in their home country. In addition, members of the board of directors of the carbon exchange organiser must be domiciled in Indonesia.

Assessment of a beeswax-packed domestic solar dryer for sustainable bitter gourd drying: An experimental study

Solar dryers present a clean and affordable solution to food wastage which is one of the biggest concerns of the world. The highest contribution of domestic sector to the global food waste and lack of researches on small-scale solar dryers have created a need to develop sustainable and low cost domestic solar dryers. The present research aims to develop and analyse the output behaviour of a beeswax-packed domestic solar dryer (BDSD) for intermittent bitter gourd drying. The drying kinetics of bitter gourd slices and thermal, economic, environmental and exergetic performances of the BDSD have been evaluated with varying sample masses for passive and active drying conditions. The average final moisture content of the bitter gourd slices for passive and active conditions were found to be 3.26 and 3.93 % (wb), respectively. Midilli-Kucuk model exhibited the strongest fit to the bitter gourd drying behaviour under both the drying conditions. The total moisture evaporation, heat transfer coefficients, thermal efficiency, specific moisture extraction rate, savings for dried bitter gourd slices drying, CO2 mitigation, carbon credit earned and exergy efficiency were found to increase while the drying rate, effective moisture diffusivity, specific energy consumption, costs for bitter gourd slices drying, payback period and energy payback time decreased as the sample mass increased under both drying conditions. The performance of the BDSD was found to be a linear function of sample mass under both drying conditions.

Exploring the barriers to farmer participation in soil carbon projects under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme

ABSTRACT The Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme was established to incentivise reductions in emissions or carbon storage. However, there has been low participation by farmers in soil carbon projects since the first soil carbon method was established for agriculture in 2014, even though carbon prices are high and management changes to sequester carbon on farms should be complementary to other business outcomes. This study explores the barriers that might limit participation in soil carbon projects. A novel approach is that instead of interviewing landholders, we worked with agents, service providers and agencies in Australia to gain their insights about the participation challenges for farmers. The main barriers identified are information gaps, risk and uncertainty about returns, high upfront costs, poor knowledge, limited business cases and program complexity. Potential opportunities to overcome barriers include increasing awareness of and access to factual and science-based information, reducing risk and uncertainties, reducing measurement and practice change costs, increasing financial support and incentives, quantifying environmental benefits and complementary benefits of the practices, and simplifying the methods and program systems. This study also suggests better business models for carbon projects need to be developed, with adjustable scenarios, so that farmers can tailor them to their enterprise.

The medical conference – is there a better way?

The Climate Emergency is one of the foremost challenges of the 21st century. One of the areas in which the medical profession has been slow to adapt has been in the conduct of conferences. The most significant environmental cost arises from the travel of delegates to the conference venue, often via short or long-haul flight. Ways to address this may include more environmentally conscious location-choice, allowing for more sustainable modes of transport to and from the venue, ‘hub and spoke’ model international conferences, and increased use of virtual teleconferencing or ‘hybrid’ models. The environmental impact of catering, single use consumables, merchandise etc. all needs to be considered and addressed. Carbon offsetting via the purchase of carbon credits, or by other means, should be considered by all conference organisers. Although all measures to address climate change tend to be incremental, it is imperative that we as a profession act sooner rather than later.

Curbing price fluctuations in cap-and-trade auctions under changing demand expectations

In recent years, the carbon credit market has experienced significantly higher price volatility than initially predicted. To understand the factors driving these fluctuations, it is crucial to analyze the market within a repeated-period dynamic framework. We delve into dynamic auction design, examining how future demand expectations impact price volatility. Additionally, we propose a method to mitigate price volatility amid changing expected future demand. Our equilibrium analysis reveals that modifying the cap on per-period supply can reduce price fluctuations. Currently, either the government or the auctioneer sets a per-period limit on supply, which decreases at a fixed rate over time. However, we advocate for a flexible cap on per-period supply as a superior alternative. Specifically, we demonstrate that aligning the supply rate with expected future demand yields a more stable price. Furthermore, simulation data indicates that the optimal flexible cap should reduce supply at a faster rate than the rate of change in expected future demand. Additionally, we find that the optimal cap varies depending on auction characteristics such as competition intensity among firms.

Usage of Chlorella and diverse microalgae for CO2 capture - towards a bioenergy revolution.

To address climate change threats to ecosystems and the global economy, sustainable solutions for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are crucial. Existing CO2 capture projects face challenges like high costs and environmental risks. This review explores leveraging microalgae, specifically the Chlorella genus, for CO2 capture and conversion into valuable bioenergy products like biohydrogen. The introduction section provides an overview of carbon pathways in microalgal cells and their role in CO2 capture for biomass production. It discusses current carbon credit industries and projects, highlighting the Chlorella genus's carbon concentration mechanism (CCM) model for efficient CO2 sequestration. Factors influencing microalgal CO2 sequestration are examined, including pretreatment, pH, temperature, irradiation, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, and sources and concentrations of CO2. The review explores microalgae as a feedstock for various bioenergy applications like biodiesel, biooil, bioethanol, biogas and biohydrogen production. Strategies for optimizing biohydrogen yield from Chlorella are highlighted. Outlining the possibilities of further optimizations the review concludes by suggesting that microalgae and Chlorella-based CO2 capture is promising and offers contributions to achieve global climate goals.

Carbon management accounting an evolving approach to enhance transparency and accountability in accounting and reporting practices

Purpose This study aims to examine the factors driving the adoption of carbon management accounting (CMA) and various considerations that mediate its effectiveness in accounting and disclosure practices. Design/methodology/approach This study used an exploratory, cross-sectional, quantitative design. Academics, managements/executives, professional accountants, professional auditors and researchers served as the primary units of analysis. This study used a survey method to gather data through a structured online questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings The results revealed that the factors driving the adoption of CMA directly influence the effectiveness of CMA practices, with a significant mediating effect of regulatory and ethical aspects. Furthermore, this study revealed the difficulty of accounting, quantifying and reporting carbon emissions and revenue generation from the trading of carbon credits. This highlights the critical role of standard-setters and academics in deciding the concrete methodology to promote uniformity in carbon disclosures. Research limitations/implications The major limitations of this study are that it considered only the perception of experts and did not study the actual practices of CMA by considering companies that have already implemented CMA. Further studies should consider this aspect to validate the results of this study. Furthermore, the findings highlight the insignificant effect of economic, environmental and social aspects in enhancing the overall effectiveness of CMA. This is because of the limited number of factors considered in the study of such metrics. To overcome this limitation, future studies should consider wider aspects to validate the outcomes of this study. Practical implications The major contribution of this study is that it serves as a base input for business organizations, academics, researchers and regulatory authorities who are working to implement CMA strategies to reduce carbon emissions and promote net-zero business practices. Originality/value The outcome of this study is unique and new, as the subject matter of this study is in the nascent stage. The outcome of this study may become a significant valid input for regulators and policymaking companies to gain knowledge about CMA practices and motivate them to integrate CMA practices as part of their sustainability initiatives.

Techno-economic evaluation and improved sizing optimization of green hydrogen production and storage under higher wind penetration in Aqaba Gulf

On shore wind farms designed for hydrogen production present a promising avenue for maximizing the utilization of wind energy, achieving decarbonization and energy security objectives across various sectors. However, existing understanding of these systems, particularly in terms of economic and technical considerations, remains challenging. Hence, this paper introduces a comprehensive numerical modeling aimed at assessing the feasibility of hydrogen production from onshore wind farms for the arid costal community south of Aqaba Gulf, Saudi Arabia. This model incorporates formulas to compute wind power output, electrolyzer plant sizing, and hydrogen generation based on fluctuating wind speeds. The objective is to identify the optimal setup for a hydrogen station fueled by high wind resources, while also evaluating its economic feasibility and reliable capacity to reduce hydrogen production cost and minimize carbon emissions. The results show that the optimal Onshore Wind-Hydrogen System (OWHS) consists of 26 units of WT (each is 6.15 MW), Alkaline Electrolyzers plant with a capacity of 120 MW, and a group of hydrogen storage tanks of total size of 300 tones. The hydrogen demand and the subsidiary electric needs are successfully met with the 160 MW of wind generation capacity installed within the system with negligible capacity shortage and unmet demand. The employed set of alkaline electrolyzers has a total rated capacity of 120 MW and can stay in operation for 7335 h/yr to produce a total annual amount of 8,214,152 kg/yr of green hydrogen. The proposed system generates hydrogen with a moderate price since the LCOH obtained is found 5.26 $/kg which falls within the global range that varies from 4 to 6 $/kg. Moreover, the CO2 mitigation of the designated OWHS reaches 3343.72 Mt. with a corresponding $133,748 carbon credit gain. The sensitivity analysis shows that the total net present cost (TNPC) is highly sensitive to wind speed, hydrogen cost, and hydrogen demand but less so to inflation and discount rates. The TNPC increases by 22 % with a 5 % decrease in wind speed, as well as reducing hydrogen costs by 25 % and 50 % decreases TNPC by 14.63 % and 29.26 %, respectively. While, increasing hydrogen demand by 20 % and 40 % raises TNPC by 30.3 % and 51.4 %, respectively. This study aims to assist stakeholders and policymakers in refining onshore wind‑hydrogen systems to economically fulfill the requirements of hydrogen production for the arid costal community in Saudi Arabia.

(Invited) CO2-Negative Ethylene Via Electrolysis – Greenerene™, a Green Chemistry Start-up

Reduction of greenhouse gases is vital for the long-term environmental health of the planet. While there has been progress in reducing and capturing CO2 emissions, a vast majority of emissions are not captured, and atmospheric CO2 concentration continues to rise. This creates a large and growing market for CO2 sequestration and utilization, which presents an opportunity to rethink how commodity chemicals, which often come with a large carbon footprint, are produced in the US and globally. C2H4 is a key building block in the chemical industry to produce a wide range of plastics, solvents, cosmetics, etc. On average, the production of 1 MMT of C2H4 generates 1.5 MMT of CO2, from fuel combustion, decoking, and utilities. Globally, C2H4 production by steam cracking is ranked as the second-largest contributor of energy consumption (2.8 EJ/year) and greenhouse gas emissions (300 MMT of CO2-e/year) in the chemical industry. Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to produce C2H4 at ambient conditions, when coupled with renewable electricity, could reduce dependence on fossil fuels and decarbonize the chemical sector associated with C2H4 production.At Giner, we are developing technology to improve selectivity, productivity, and durability of the CO2 electrolyzer, enabling commercial deployment. This technology is the basis of a spin-out start-up company called Greenerene™ that is currently seeking investment funding to scale up to the pilot plant scale over the next 3-5 years. Currently, our state-of-the-art electrolyzer has achieved 60% C2H4 selectivity at 500 mA cm-2 and 3 V in a 50 cm2 MEA electrolyzer. We are in the process of translating this performance into multi-cell stacks and larger-area cells to enable 1-ton/day production of ethylene at the pilot scale.We have also developed a detailed Techno-Economic Analysis of our technology, including cost of carbon capture, renewable electricity, and balance of plant including power electronics, recirculation, and purification systems, that demonstrates a pathway to economic competitiveness. With the addition of already implemented and anticipated carbon credits, at scale our technology should be able to produce ethylene at less than current market prices, and with significant environmental and climate benefits compared with current production methods. Acknowledgement: The project is financially supported by the Department of Energy’s Office of EERE under Grants DE-EE000942l and DE-EE0010836.

Challenges in Accounting for Carbon: Analysis of Accounting Policies of the World's Largest Polluters

The study's focus was on examining the accounting policies related to carbon credits of the top 100 global GHG emitters, as mentioned by Kouloukoui et al. (2019). Of these 100, only 36 gave access to the CDP questionnaire. We used the model proposed by Lovell et al. (2010) to examine carbon credit accounting choices, employing content analysis with NVivo software and statistical analysis with Stata. The financial statements (FS) and explanatory notes of 247 companies from different countries and sectors, such as oil and gas, mining, coal, transport and marine logistics, and the chemical sector, were analyzed from 2015 to 2021. Finally, nine companies provided information on the accounting treatment for carbon credits. The results indicate a predominance of classification as inventories, followed by intangible assets, measurement at cost, and liabilities accounted for by the excess carbon credits owed about existing assets at market value. We observed significant heterogeneity in accounting policies, which remained over time. The lack of standardization and consistency in reporting methods and the concealment of accounting records in this context make it challenging to compare practices, compromising the evaluation of companies' performance, the decision-making of investors and other agents, and the transparency and accountability of this market. These findings highlight the need for a more coherent and rigorous approach to accounting for carbon credits, especially considering the urgent challenges of climate change.

The water-carbon nexus: is it worthwhile to generate carbon credits based on agricultural water management?

Abstract

Enhancing emission reductions in South African agriculture: The crucial role of carbon credits in incentivizing climate-smart farming practices

Agriculture faces environmental threats caused by climate change, exacerbated by greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). As a result, climate change is a pressing issue for agriculture, necessitating strategies like carbon credits to mitigate emissions and enhance productivity. Carbon credits are recognized as a prominent avenue for reducing emissions, as highlighted in the 2023 Climate Change Conference (COP28). However, research on carbon credit targeting non-CO2 emissions from agriculture is limited. Thus, this study employed stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) to examine panel data from 1991 to 2020, focusing on the effectiveness of climate-smart agriculture in reducing South African agricultural GHG emissions. The data included non-mechanical agricultural emissions sources, paying attention to emissions from crops and livestock. The findings supported the hypothesis, suggesting that increasing incentives, specifically carbon credits, can raise agricultural productivity while reducing emissions. The study also found that inefficiencies in agriculture significantly impact farm output and emissions. The results indicate that offering GHG carbon credits for agriculture promotes sustainable practices, as methane and nitrous oxide emissions are short-lived and can help reduce climate change impact through carbon sequestration. Prioritizing on-farm emissions, soil fertility improvement, reduced fertilizer use, and better livestock management can lead to positive change through climate-smart farming practices. Therefore, promoting customized GHG credits for agriculture mechanisms can lead to positive change through climate-smart farming practices. Thus, it is necessary to enhance mitigation strategies, policies, and farm practices. Finally, the study emphasizes the significance of evidence-based GHG credits for agriculture mechanisms policies and the need for future research into ways to persuade farmers to participate in the carbon credit market.

Green mechanism: Opportunities for corporate investment in PV/battery/diesel hybrid systems with techno-economic and environmental analysis

In rural areas, diesel generators are prevalent due to their lower initial cost, despite inefficiencies and carbon emissions. Transitioning to PV/Battery/Diesel systems offers a solution by reducing costs and emissions. However, the high upfront expenses present a significant barrier, particularly for rural communities, necessitating external financial support. This study evaluates the benefits of adopting a PV/Battery/Diesel hybrid system over traditional diesel generators in a rural community with 25 customers and a daily demand of 50 kWh. The proposed system includes a 12 kWp photovoltaic array and a 48 kWh battery bank, simulated using Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software. Results indicate a 91% renewable fraction and a cost of energy of 0.279 USD/kWh, substantially lower than the 1.05 USD/kWh of diesel-only systems, with CO2 savings of 25 t per year. The paper advocates for a case study approach to green mechanism, urging energy and environmental companies to invest in these systems. By replacing diesel generators with hybrid PV/Diesel/Battery systems, companies can offer electricity at a reduced cost, driving adoption. Selling carbon credits from emission savings can generate additional income, leveraging CO2 tax incentives. Under scenarios where investors cover 50% of diesel costs, selling electricity yields 9581 USD annually, and selling CO2 credits generates 500 USD annually. This leads to a payback period of 9.83 years without CO2 credits and 9.18 years with CO2 credits, totaling 46,848 USD without CO2 credits and 52,927 USD with CO2 credits over the project's lifespan. Meanwhile, adjusting electricity pricing to 75% of diesel costs, this increases annual income from electricity sales to 14,372 USD. This reduces the payback period to 5.89 years without CO2 credits and 5.66 years with CO2 credits, totaling 105,094 USD without CO2 credits and 111,174 USD with CO2 credits at the end of the project.

Evaluating a Computerized CCS Model Against Current Technologies to Optimize Environmental Conservation for the Patuakhali Power Plant in Bangladesh.

The burgeoning focus on power generation in Bangladesh has spurred the government to embark on ambitious plans for the installation of power plants. Among these developments is the impending operation of a 2*660MW coal-power station in Patuakhali which will operates end of the month in December 2024. There is concern about this plant's carbon-dioxide emission and mitigation in the atmosphere surrounding this area, which may cause a variety of health problems as well as threaten the biodiversity of the plant zone. The proposed technology will not cover all situations and may present some challenges when compared to other technologies. Utilizing an established operational model sanctioned within the country, our assessment revealed an approximate daily carbon emission of 4.806 million kilograms from the power plant. Employing the Sundarbans' sequestration rate, we calculated a carbon tolerance level of around 4.2 million kilograms per day for the plant area. Despite the emission levels being considered marginal, given the Sundarbans' capacity for carbon sequestration, our study highlights the potential of computerized Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology to significantly mitigate emissions, potentially reducing them to near-zero levels. This research also compares a computerized CCS model with exiting model which can optimize environmental conservation by simulating and analyzing the effectiveness of different carbon capture technologies, selecting optimal storage sites, and assessing the lifecycle impact of CCS projects. Among the most notable solutions is carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, which can cut carbon emissions by over 90%. Furthermore, the incorporation of a computerized system can reduce emissions by over 90% as well as stop CO2 leaks and lessen related risks. It enhances operational efficiency, reduces costs, and supports policy compliance through precise data-driven insights. However, the security of the entire carbon capture, transportation, and storage process is guaranteed by this all-encompassing strategy. Recognizing the Sundarbans' critical role in sustaining a diversity of life and nature, it is crucial to strike a balance between environmental preservation and economic development. If the system is fully integrated and functional, advanced technologies like computerized carbon capture and storage have the potential to minimize carbon emissions to zero. It also offers economic benefits as well as carbon credits, and improves air quality and ocean health by mitigating pollutants and CO2 emissions.

Optimized scheduling of integrated energy systems for low carbon economy considering carbon transaction costs

With the introduction of the “dual carbon” goal and the continuous promotion of low-carbon development, the integrated energy system (IES) has gradually become an effective way to save energy and reduce emissions. This study proposes a low-carbon economic optimization scheduling model for an IES that considers carbon trading costs. With the goal of minimizing the total operating cost of the IES and considering the transferable and curtailable characteristics of the electric and thermal flexible loads, an optimal scheduling model of the IES that considers the cost of carbon trading and flexible loads on the user side was established. The role of flexible loads in improving the economy of an energy system was investigated using examples, and the rationality and effectiveness of the study were verified through a comparative analysis of different scenarios. The results showed that the total cost of the system in different scenarios was reduced by 18.04%, 9.1%, 3.35%, and 7.03%, respectively, whereas the total carbon emissions of the system were reduced by 65.28%, 20.63%, 3.85%, and 18.03%, respectively, when the carbon trading cost and demand-side flexible electric and thermal load responses were considered simultaneously. Flexible electrical and thermal loads did not have the same impact on the system performance. In the analyzed case, the total cost and carbon emissions of the system when only the flexible electrical load response was considered were lower than those when only the flexible thermal load response was taken into account. Photovoltaics have an excess of carbon trading credits and can profit from selling them, whereas other devices have an excess of carbon trading and need to buy carbon credits.

Innovative biomass waste heat utilization for green hydrogen production: A comparative and optimization study of steam and organic rankine cycles

Today, designing a green hydrogen production process under an optimal, efficient, and economical configuration is one of the priorities of energy systems engineers. This research aims to explore the application of electricity produced by the steam Rankine cycle (S/RC) and Organic Rankine cycle (ORC) through biomass-based waste heat utilization in an alkaline electrolyzer (AE) system for the production of green hydrogen. The S/RC unit utilizes high-temperature waste heat, while the ORC system utilizes medium to low-temperature ones from the S/RC to improve overall system efficiency and hydrogen output. The study developed eight distinct configurations of the combined system, employing two organic fluids across four ORC designs. It aimed to assess the influence of integrating a recuperator or/and an OFOH (open feed organic heater), as well as varying the organic fluids, on the ORC unit's hydrogen production capability. A detailed thermodynamic, thermo-economic, and eco-economic analysis was conducted to assess key metrics. The environmental analysis quantified the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reductions achieved through hydrogen production, using the emission rate from the steam methane reforming method as a benchmark. This approach underscored the environmental benefits of the AE system for hydrogen production. Further, the study quantified the financial gains from CO2 reduction, referred to as carbon credit gain (CCG), through an eco-economic analysis. From the outcomes, the highest hydrogen yield and the lowest LCOH (levelized cost of hydrogen) value were 94.65 tons/year and 1.724 US$/kg, respectively, related to Case (IV)-a (biomass waste heat-based S/RC- Regenerative& recuperator ORC system-AE system under R245fa). Lastly, optimization process for maximizing hydrogen production via the optimization methodology was established.