Carbon Management Strategies Research Articles

Spatial modeling of micro‐scale carbon dioxide sources and sinks in urban environments: A novel approach to quantify urban impacts on global warming

AbstractUrban environments play a significant role in global carbon emissions and sequestration, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of their spatial distribution. This study presents a micro‐scale spatial modeling framework to elucidate the complex interplay between CO2 sources and sinks within urban settings. Utilizing advanced geospatial analysis, remote sensing data, and geographically weighted regression (GWR) modeling techniques, we provide a detailed characterization of emission patterns and identify the spatial distribution of carbon dioxide sequestration. Employing the bottom‐up method and geographic information system techniques, we quantified carbon dioxide emissions in Isfahan City, Iran, attributing 81.68% to stationary combustion sources (residential, commercial, industrial, and power plant sectors) and 18.32% to mobile combustion sources (road‐rail transportation, and non‐road transportation [agricultural machinery]). To model carbon sequestration, we calculated tree biomass using allometric equations and estimated carbon sequestration per tree unit. Subsequently, we employed GWR to map the spatial distribution of carbon deposition across the city. The results revealed an annual carbon sequestration capacity of 7,704 tons, equivalent to storing 28,275 tons of CO2. Our findings highlight the substantial contribution of urban areas to greenhouse gas emissions and the potential of urban green spaces to mitigate these emissions. The spatial modeling framework developed in this study provides a valuable tool for urban planners to optimize carbon management strategies and promote sustainable urban development. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Long‐term straw mulching alleviates microbial nutrient limitations and increases carbon‐use efficiency within aggregates

AbstractLong‐term straw mulching was known to change soil nutrient content, aggregate distribution and extracellular enzyme activities. However, the impact of long‐term straw mulching on microbial nutrient limitations and carbon‐use efficiency (CUEst) within aggregates remains unclear. To fill the gap, we conducted a 10‐year field experiment in a semi‐arid region and used an ecoenzymatic stoichiometry model to quantify microbial resource limitations in soil aggregates under long‐term mulching. We studied the effects of two mulching measures (plastic film mulching [FM] and straw mulching [SM], with no mulching as the control [CK]) on the nutrient content and limitations within aggregates. The results show that compared with FM, SM increased the proportion of aggregates to larger >2 mm and decreased the proportion of aggregates in the 2–0.25 mm classes. Additionally, FM resulted in carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) limitations in the soil, particularly in the >2 mm class, while SM alleviated these constraints. This effect was primarily attributed to the increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) and microbial biomass carbon content (Cm), especially the enhanced carbon content associated with larger aggregates (>2 mm) and the increased activities of carbon–nitrogen (C–N)‐acquiring enzymes. SM also resulted in high CUEst by influencing microbial P limitation. Random forest analysis indicates that soil abiotic factors, particularly SOC and total nitrogen (TN), were the main drivers of microbial resource limitations within the aggregates. These findings suggest that the mulching material determines the development of soil aggregates and resource allocation within these aggregates. Thus, the study provides valuable insights for formulating effective carbon management strategies in semi‐arid regions.

Examining the Carbon Management Strategies of Diebold Nixdorf

Carbon management is imperative to curb global temperature increases and mitigating climate change impacts. This report explores the carbon management strategies employed by Diebold Nixdorf, a multinational financial and retail technology company. <strong>As </strong>of 2021, the company has not established specific reduction targets and has not committed to achieving net zero emissions. The company employs diverse carbon reduction strategies, such as carbon offsetting, solar energy, and fleet improvements, with notable projects like the "green roof" initiative and a tree planting program contributing to carbon offsetting. Despite a gradual reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions since 2015 and notable decreases in energy consumption and natural gas emissions from 2020 to 2021, Diebold Nixdorf falls short in revenue-adjusted emissions compared to competitors. Critical challenges within Diebold Nixdorf's carbon management strategies revolve around controversies related to carbon offsetting and uncertainties regarding the effectiveness of specific initiatives. Although an improved Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) score and efforts in product sustainability showcase progress, the lack of specific targets remains a notable pitfall. The potential misuse of green labelling, considering significant carbon emissions from products, adds complexity to Diebold Nixdorf's carbon management approach. This report underscores the imperative need for substantial enhancements in the company's carbon management practices, emphasising a realignment of values and a firm commitment to carbon reduction and net-zero goals in response to the severity of the climate crisis.

Opportunities for rail in the transport of carbon dioxide in the United States

The deployment of carbon management strategies like carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) at scale will require significant investments in transport infrastructure to deliver CO2 to reliable storage. While pipeline transport has dominated the conversation due to economic reasons, there is increasing evidence that other modes may become viable alternatives when considering scale, regional opportunities, and social acceptance. This paper assesses the viability of rail for CO2 transport in the United States using market analysis, techno-economic assessment and geographic information systems mapping. We believe rail presents many advantages, notably in existing infrastructure with established right-of-ways, but also as an instrument to address unwanted effects of our energy transition, particularly in coal communities. We find that the strategic replacement of coal as a freight commodity could translate into 100 Mt/yr of CO2 movement by rail by 2050, and support up to 60,000 jobs in that industry. Further, we find that while rail pricing is notoriously volatile, there is strong support for rail being the least cost option over pipeline for volumes under 2 Mt CO2 per year, which aligns well with smaller, more risk-averse, and distributed carbon management projects that are scheduled to deploy over the next decade. Rail can also be an alternative in regions where CO2 pipeline projects have had limited success, like in the Midwest, where CO2 is captured from ethanol plants that are already serviced by rail networks. Likewise, rail can service roughly 25% of point-source CCS opportunities that are not proximal to projected trunk pipeline networks, of which 94% are located 1-mile from railroad. Finally, rail may be an integral part of CDR development in regions that are not coterminous with geologic storage, particularly in the Western and Northern US.

An analysis of the European Industrial Carbon Management Strategy consultation: Who makes the normative decisions?

An analysis of the European Industrial Carbon Management Strategy consultation: Who makes the normative decisions?

TREE-SPECIFIC EQUATIONS FOR ACCURATE CARBON ESTIMATION OF MAJOR FRUIT TREES IN BANGLADESH

Tropical fruit trees play an important role in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. However, estimating their carbon sequestration potential requires tree-specific equations. This study aimed to develop such equations for five major fruit tree species in Bangladesh i.e. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Mango (Mangifera indica), Litchi (Litchi chinensis), Guava (Psidium guajava), and Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba). The study was conducted in four major ecosystems of Bangladesh namely, the Coastal ecosystem, Barind ecosystem, Terrace ecosystem, and Hill ecosystem. Vegetation data were randomly collected from each ecosystem. The equations were derived for Jackfruit W (lb) = 0.26 × D² × H (for diameter <11 inches) and W (lb) = 0.14 × D² × H (for diameter >11 inches); for Mango W (lb) = 0.26 × D² × H (for diameter <11 inches) and W (lb) = 0.13 × D² × H (for diameter >11 inches); for Litchi W (lb) = 0.23 × D² × H (for diameter <11 inches) and W (lb) = 0.13 × D² × H (for diameter >11 inches); for Guava W (lb) = 0.22 × D² × H (for diameter <11 inches), and for Jujube W (lb) = 0.22 × D² × H (for diameter <11 inches) and W (lb) = 0.12 × D² × H (for diameter >11 inches). The equations will help in developing effective carbon management and climate change mitigation strategies in tropical agroforestry systems, aiding researchers, land managers, and policymakers in understanding tree growth and carbon sequestration.

Soil organic carbon loss decreases biodiversity but stimulates multitrophic interactions that promote belowground metabolism.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays an essential role in mediating community structure and metabolic activities of belowground biota. Unraveling the evolution of belowground communities and their feedback mechanisms on SOC dynamics helps embed the ecology of soil microbiome into carbon cycling, which serves to improve biodiversity conservation and carbon management strategy under global change. Here, croplands with a SOC gradient were used to understand how belowground metabolisms and SOC decomposition were linked to the diversity, composition, and co-occurrence networks of belowground communities encompassing archaea, bacteria, fungi, protists, and invertebrates. As SOC decreased, the diversity of prokaryotes and eukaryotes also decreased, but their network complexity showed contrasting patterns: prokaryotes increased due to intensified niche overlap, while that of eukaryotes decreased possibly because of greater dispersal limitation owing to the breakdown of macroaggregates. Despite the decrease in biodiversity and SOC stocks, the belowground metabolic capacity was enhanced as indicated by increased enzyme activity and decreased enzymatic stoichiometric imbalance. This could, in turn, expedite carbon loss through respiration, particularly in the slow-cycling pool. The enhanced belowground metabolic capacity was dominantly driven by greater multitrophic network complexity and particularly negative (competitive and predator-prey) associations, which fostered the stability of the belowground metacommunity. Interestingly, soil abiotic conditions including pH, aeration, and nutrient stocks, exhibited a less significant role. Overall, this study reveals a greater need for soil C resources across multitrophic levels to maintain metabolic functionality as declining SOC results in biodiversity loss. Our researchers highlight the importance of integrating belowground biological processes into models of SOC turnover, to improve agroecosystem functioning and carbon management in face of intensifying anthropogenic land-use and climate change.

Multi-habitat carbon stock assessments to inform nature-based solutions for coastal seascapes in arid regions

Coastal ecosystems are integral to global carbon cycling and are increasingly recognised for their role in mitigating climate change. Within these ecosystems, the dynamics of carbon storage are diverse, varying significantly across different habitats. However, existing management strategies often focus predominantly on vegetated habitats neglecting the contributions of non-vegetated areas. We address this knowledge gap by providing a quantitative spatial assessment of carbon storage across coastal seascapes varying in plant biomass. Our comprehensive multi-habitat inventory of carbon stocks in the United Arab Emirates confirmed that mangroves are the largest carbon-storing habitat per hectare (94.3 t/ha), followed by saltmarshes (63.6 t/ha), microbial mats (51.6 t/ha), mudflats (46.8 t/ha), seagrass (32.5 t/ha), and coastal sabkha (31.0 t/ha).Mean carbon content in the top 50 cm of mangrove soils (53.9 t/ha) was similar to saltmarshes (52.7 t/ha), microbial mats (51.6 t/ha), and mudflats (46.8 t/ha). We highlight the importance of including non-vegetated habitats in carbon accounting and management strategies. Our findings suggest that a more context-specific whole-system approach is essential for guiding effective ecosystem management and designing ecologically meaningful Nature-based Solutions (NbS). Adopting this broader perspective in NbS can ensure more comprehensive conservation and restoration outcomes, which not only protect and enhance blue carbon ecosystems but also contribute to broader ecological and social benefits. This approach is pivotal for advancing our understanding of interconnected coastal ecosystems and their role in climate change mitigation.

Intra-annual carbon fluxes and resource use efficiency of subtropical urban forests: insights from Chongming Island ecological observatory

Understanding the carbon budget within cities is crucial in the context of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. This study investigates the carbon source-sink dynamics of urban forest ecosystems using carbon flux observations from the Chongming Island Ecological Observatory in Shanghai. The study aims to reveal the intra-annual variations of carbon fluxes and explore the changes in resource use efficiency of urban forest ecosystems within the framework of the big-leaf model. The results reveal distinct patterns in temperature (Tair), relative humidity (RH), radiation, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Diurnal cycles of net ecosystem exchange (NEE), gross primary production (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (Reco) exhibit seasonal variations, with higher amplitudes observed from April to September. The observed forest ecosystem acts as a moderate carbon sink (318.47 gC m−2 year−1), with the highest carbon uptake occurring in May and the highest carbon emission in February. During the growing season, the total carbon sink was 225.37 gC m−2, composed of GPP 1337.01 gC m−2 and Reco 1111.64 gC m−2. Water-use efficiency (WUE) and light-use efficiency (LUE) exhibit seasonal variations, while carbon-use efficiency (CUE) declines after May. These findings contribute to our understanding of urban forest carbon dynamics and their potential role in carbon management strategies.

The Impact and Mechanism of Internal Informal Institutions on Green Innovation: Empirical Evidence from Chinese Listed Companies

Green innovation is a key driving force in promoting the development of a low-carbon economy and society. However, previous studies have not paid enough attention to the influence of internal informal institutions on green innovation. To address this issue, this study conducts empirical tests by using a sample of A-share listed firms in China from 2013 to 2020. This study investigates whether and how carbon management strategies, as an important part of the internal informal institutions, promote corporate green innovation. The results show that carbon management strategies have a significant and positive impact on both the quantity and quality of green innovation. In addition, emphasizing meeting the needs of stakeholders and focusing on research and development (R&D) investment can significantly enhance the positive impact of carbon management strategies on green innovation. Furthermore, at the market level, carbon management strategies significantly boost green innovation in firms with larger market shares, which is enhanced by meeting stakeholder demands. At the firm level, state-owned enterprises pay attention to the mechanisms of both stakeholders’ demands and R&D investment in driving green innovation. At the executive level, executive shareholding firms emphasize driving green innovation through R&D investment. Overall, these findings provide new evidence for the determinants of green innovation that have not been fully explored before through the perspective of internal informal institutions.

Evaluating provincial carbon emission characteristics under China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals

This study defines Provincial Carbon Emission Characteristics (PCEC) as the socioeconomic conditions influencing provincial carbon emissions, the potential for carbon neutrality, and carbon management strategies. Given China’s commitment to peak carbon emissions and to achieve carbon neutrality, the development of a robust and versatile PCEC evaluation system is imperative. However, previous studies that rely on single-objective evaluation models are limited. To address this gap, we propose a multi-objective PCEC evaluation system using a novel three-layer approach. This approach enhances the scientific rigor, comprehensiveness, and comparability of PCEC evaluation indicators (PCEC-EIs) by segregating the extraction process into three layers: (1) a factor layer, which identifies critical socioeconomic conditions; (2) a quantitative layer, which selects optimal quantitative indicators for each identified condition; and (3) a standardized layer, which standardizes these indicators, thereby improving their comparability. By applying hierarchical cluster analysis, our study classified 30 Chinese provinces into 7 distinct clusters, each with unique carbon emission characteristics. Further investigation of these clusters across various climate governance issues revealed the versatility of our multi-objective PCEC evaluation system. Our system supports the identification of provinces qualified to reach the emission peak earlier than 2030, differentiation of carbon intensity reduction efforts during the carbon peaking stage, and exploration of various emission reduction pathways to achieve carbon neutrality. Hence, our findings can guide the creation of bespoke emission-reduction strategies for each province; thus, aiding China’s national ambition to achieve peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality. Importantly, our three-layered approach has broader implications beyond China, potentially assisting other regions or countries in grappling with similar climate-mitigation challenges.

Wood decomposition, carbon, nitrogen, and pH values in logs of 8 tree species 14 and 15 years after a catastrophic windthrow in a mesic broad-leaved forest in the East European plain

There are limited studies of decomposition of coarse woody debris (CWD) in natural conditions of multi-species mesic broad-leaved forests. We investigated 49 lying logs of 7 angiosperm and 1 gymnosperm species 14 and 15 years after a mass windthrow in an old-growth broad-leaved forest. We observed high heterogeneity of logs in terms of decomposition stages: up to 4 stages in one transverse disk and up to 5 stages in longitudinal fragments of one log. Due to the high heterogeneity of logs, we investigated traits of wood samples rather than individual logs. Bulk density, carbon and nitrogen concentrations, and pH values were examined for 188 CWD samples of 8 species at 5 decomposition stages (from stage 1 least to stage 5 most decayed wood) and 24 control samples of live trees (3 replicates for each species; zero stage of decay). Changes of deadwood volume, carbon and nitrogen stocks over 14 and 15 years after the windthrow were estimated by re-surveying transects established in 2010. From the first to the fifth decay stage, the mean CWD density decreased for all species and averaged 54 ± 16 kg m−3 (SD) at the 5th stage of decay. Regarding decomposition rates, the tree species were arranged in descending rate from diffuse-porous (Populus tremula, Betula pendula, Tilia cordata, and Acer platanoides) to ring-porous (Ulmus glabra, Fraxinus excelsior, and Quercus robur) angiosperms and the coniferous Picea abies was after the diffuse-porous species series and before the ring-porous species. Carbon concentration ranged from 39 to 54 %, but did not change significantly during decomposition (mean value for all species in all decay stages was 45.8 ± 2.5 %). Nitrogen concentration (percentage of dry mass) increased with increasing decay stage and the mean value was 0.2 ± 0.1 % at the zero stage and 0.9 ± 0.5 % at the last decay stage. Despite the increase in N concentration, the mass N per volume decreased during decomposition for all samples considered together due to a significant decrease in wood density. The change in C/N values during deadwood decay reflected the transition of organic matter from the CWD to the SOM (soil organic matter) in forest ecosystems: the ratio C/N varied from 829 (Picea, zero stage) to 16 (Ulmus, last stage) with the mean values 286 ± 149 and 75 ± 45 at the zero and the last stages, respectively. We observed a quadratic trend in the variation of wood pH values by stages: pH mainly decreased from the initial values to the minimum in the middle stages of decay, and then increased in the advanced stages. The mean deadwood volume in the surveyed plots decreased 1.4-fold in the 14–15 years after the windthrow, but the mean stocks of carbon and nitrogen decreased 3 and 2-fold, respectively. Over time, the different decomposition rate of fallen logs leads to a decrease in the proportion of C and N stored in diffuse-porous species at the expense of an increase in this proportion in ring-porous species. This result is worth considering in a carbon management strategy: planting, maintaining stands, and retaining deadwood of ring-porous species, such as Quercus, Ulmus and Fraxinus, promote relatively long-term carbon storage.

Formation of soil organic carbon pool is regulated by the structure of dissolved organic matter and microbial carbon pump efficacy: A decadal study comparing different carbon management strategies.

To achieve long-term increases in soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, it is essential to understand the effects of carbon management strategies on SOC formation pathways, particularly through changes in microbial necromass carbon (MNC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Using a 14-year field study, we demonstrate that both biochar and maize straw lifted the SOC ceiling, but through different pathways. Biochar, while raising SOC and DOC content, decreased substrate degradability by increasing carbon aromaticity. This resulted in suppressed microbial abundance and enzyme activity, which lowered soil respiration, weakened in vivo turnover and ex vivo modification for MNC production (i.e., low microbial carbon pump "efficacy"), and led to lower efficiency in decomposing MNC, ultimately resulting in the net accumulation of SOC and MNC. In contrast, straw incorporation increased the content and decreased the aromaticity of SOC and DOC. The enhanced SOC degradability and soil nutrient content, such as total nitrogen and total phosphorous, stimulated the microbial population and activity, thereby boosting soil respiration and enhancing microbial carbon pump "efficacy" for MNC production. The total C added to biochar and straw plots were estimated as 27.3-54.5 and 41.4 Mg C ha-1 , respectively. Our results demonstrated that biochar was more efficient in lifting the SOC stock via exogenous stable carbon input and MNC stabilization, although the latter showed low "efficacy". Meanwhile, straw incorporation significantly promoted net MNC accumulation but also stimulated SOC mineralization, resulting in a smaller increase in SOC content (by 50%) compared to biochar (by 53%-102%). The results address the decadal-scale effects of biochar and straw application on the formation of the stable organic carbon pool in soil, and understanding the causal mechanisms can allow field practices to maximize SOC content.

Revisiting the Impact of Corporate Carbon Management Strategies on Corporate Financial Performance: A Systematic Literature Review

The objective of this research is to examine the relationship between carbon management strategies in corporations and their impact on financial performance. We employ a systematic literature review to analyze 223 articles retrieved from reputable journals indexed in Scopus. A total of 22 empirical studies covering various industry sectors and countries were selected and included in our analysis. The result indicates that 59% of the articles demonstrate positive findings. Among these, 50% show a significant positive impact, while 9% exhibit mixed results with both positive and negative outcomes in the short and long-term perspectives. These findings suggest that adopting carbon management strategies predominantly has a positive influence on corporate financial performance. In this study, we also provide a summary of the dependent, independent, and control variables, as well as commonly used indicators in this research topic, to help guide future quantitative research. Lastly, we offer a summary of the motivations, drivers, and barriers that corporations experience when implementing carbon management strategies. These insights will be valuable for business managers and policymakers, aiding them in successfully embarking on the journey to achieve net-zero emissions.

Maximizing blue carbon stocks through saltmarsh restoration

Political discourse around coastal wetland restoration and blue carbon management strategies has increased in the past decade, yet carbon storage has neither been a reason for restoration, nor a criterion to measure the success of current saltmarsh restoration schemes in the UK. To maximise climate change mitigation through saltmarsh restoration, knowledge on the key drivers of carbon stock variability is required. We use restored saltmarshes of similar age, paired with adjacent natural marshes as references, to identify drivers of carbon stocks following managed realignment within an estuary in southeastern England. From surficial soil cores (top 30 cm), we measured carbon stock alongside environmental characteristics. Carbon stock between natural and restored sites were similar after ~ 30 years when restored sites were above mean high water neap (MHWN) tidal levels. Elevated marsh platforms likely provide suitable conditions for the development of mature plant communities associated with greater capture and production of organic carbon. The restored site at Tollesbury (Essex, UK) had a 2-fold lower carbon stock than other restored sites in the estuary. We attribute this to the site’s low position in the tidal frame, below MHWN tidal levels, coupled with low sediment supply and the dominance of pioneer plant communities. As blue carbon is anticipated to become an important facet of saltmarsh restoration, we recommend that sites above MHWN tidal levels are selected for managed realignment or that preference is given to coastlines with a high sediment supply that may rapidly elevate realignment sites above MHWN. Alternatively, elevation could be artificially raised prior to realignment. Restoration schemes aiming to maximise climate change mitigation should also encourage the establishment of key plant species (e.g., Atriplex portulacoides in our study) to enhance carbon stocks. However, the overall goal of restoration ought to be carefully considered as trade-offs in ecosystem services may ensue if restoration for climate change mitigation alone is pursued.

Exploring the determinants of carbon management system quality: The role of corporate governance and climate risks and opportunities

AbstractWe examine whether board governance dimensions, carbon risks and opportunities, and environmental management affect carbon management system quality (CMSQ). Based on 1035 firm‐year observations from UK companies from 2011 to 2018, we find that internal governance is significantly related to CMSQ. In addition, firms with a heightened degree of carbon risks and/or opportunities are motivated to adopt a high‐quality carbon management system to mitigate exposure and harness opportunities. Finally, climate risk and opportunity have an interactive and complementary effect on CMSQ (i.e., both climate risk and opportunity can strengthen the effect of the other on CMSQ). This study contributes significantly to a growing body of research on how corporate governance, carbon risks and carbon opportunities may simulate proactivity of corporate sustainability in general and carbon management strategy in particular. Our results provide insights for investors, policymakers, managers and regulators on the combined effect of greenhouse gas emissions and corporate governance practice.

Carbon management Index under different land uses of Conoor region of Western ghats in Tamil Nadu

The increased land-use change (LUC) from native lands to other land use at the Conoor region of western ghats in Tamil Nadu has severely declined soil carbon concentration. Therefore to quantify this decline, Carbon Management Index (CMI) was worked out under major land uses {(Forest (FOR), cropland (CRP), tea plantation (TEA)} using total organic carbon (TOC) and carbon pools under varying degrees of lability {a) NLC (non-labile carbon) b) VLC (very labile carbon) c) LC (labile carbon) d) LLC (less labile carbon)}. Results portray that the carbon pools were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in FOR than in TEA and CRP. The contribution of active pools {(very labile carbon (VLC) and labile carbon (LC)} towards TOC was higher in TEA and CRP, whereas in FOR, the passive pool {(less labile carbon (LLC) and non-labile carbon (NLC)} was higher. TOC (0-45 cm) was concentrated on the surface soils of FOR (32.88 g kg-1), CRP (11.87 g kg-1) and TEA (18.84 g kg-1) and it gradually declined with the increase in depth. The decline in TOC was maximum between 0 – 15 and 15 – 30 cm depth in CRP (30.62%) and FOR (22.17%), whereas it was maximum (37.16%) between 15 -30 and 30 -45 cm depth in TEA. Therefore, LUC spotlights the degradation of carbon pools and its extent was quantified using the carbon management index (CMI). The CMI (0 – 45 cm) recorded at CRP (12.93) and TEA (32.62) signals the need for an implementation of carbon management strategies at Conoor to keep the soils alive and protect biodiversity.

Unravelling the carbon pools and carbon stocks under different land uses of Conoor region in Western Ghats of India

Land uses are pivotal in global carbon cycles. The native forest lands possess a greater potential to sequester higher carbon, which can directly address soil quality and climate change problems. Unfortunately, the rapid conversion of forests to other land use over the past few decades has significantly declined the concentration of carbon in the soils. Therefore, in order to estimate the impact of land-use change (LUC) on soil carbon status, this present study was attempted under major ecosystems (Forest (FOR), cropland (CRP), tea plantation (TEA)) of Conoor. Results from findings revealed that total organic carbon (TOC) concentration and carbon pools were significantly (p<0.05) higher in FOR than in CRP and TEA. TOC (0-45 cm) recorded in FOR, CRP and TEA was 32.88, 11.87 and 18.84 g kg-1 and it decreased along the depth increment. Carbon stock (t ha-1) in FOR, CRP and TEA (0-45cm) was 68.10, 26.04, 42.42. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was higher in FOR (283.08 mg kg-1) followed by TEA (94.64 mg kg-1) and CRP (76.22 mg kg-1). The microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) followed; FOR > TEA > CRP. These results clearly indicate that the LUC has inflicted a greater impact on soil carbon status and its extent was quantified using the land degradation index (LDI). The LDI (0-45 cm) recorded in CRP (-38.65) and TEA (-61.75) signals the need for immediate implementation of carbon management strategies in the CRP and TEA ecosystem to keep the soils of Conoor alive and prevent land degradation.

Carbon management strategy effects on the disclosure and efficiency of carbon emissions: A study of Colombian companies’ context and inherent characteristics

The purpose of this study is to identify the contextual characteristics and the company-inherent characteristics to analyze the disclosure of carbon emissions and the efficiency of emissions from the incorporation of a Carbon Management Strategy. This study is based on two models: i) Carbon emissions disclosure and ii) Efficiency of carbon emissions. We develop the models using the relationship between A) the adoption of a Carbon Management Strategy and the disclosure of carbon emissions and B) the impact of having a Carbon Management Strategy and the efficiency of direct and indirect emissions by Colombian companies. We use an Ordinary Least Square regression model for the carbon emissions disclosure model and a robust Ordinary Least Square model on the efficiency model of carbon emissions based on a balanced panel data of Colombian listed companies for the period 2016–2019 and we take sub-samples to analyze scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3. The study includes variables in relation to the companies’ context (fiscal strategy through carbon taxation and geographical location) and company-inherent characteristics (size and sensitive industry sector). The results of the carbon emissions disclosure model suggest that, in large companies, there is a positive relationship between the adoption of a Carbon Management Strategy and the disclosure of emissions for scopes 1 and 2. Sensitive industries disclose the three scope levels. In the regional analysis, the quantitative information on the scope is scarce and suggests that companies are not willing to disclose information that sends a negative signal of their environmental actions to the stakeholders. The results of the carbon emissions efficiency model show an important connection with the indebtedness of companies as a leverage mechanism to acquire technology or manage innovation projects for a more efficient management of Greenhouse Gas emissions. Shareholders also have an impact on efficiency. This is associated with a growing interest in incorporating environmental criteria into their investment decisions and the effect of obtaining information on emissions through voluntary reports. The Carbon Management Strategy index is positive for the efficiency of controlled indirect emissions (scope 2). This finding suggests that emission reduction strategies focus on the management of electricity consumption or the use of renewable sources to improve financial costs and emission indicators. This study is innovative because it is focused on a country without established Greenhouse Gas regulations and it is in a complex scenario where political stability and the rule of law are affected. This study raises a potential topic to explore further because the topic is in a germinal stage in the academic and business field.

Review of the Carbon Management Strategies of Retail Industry in Energy Consumption and the Whole Value-Chain of the Product - A Case Study of Auchan Holding

Scientific data are almost nonexistent regarding the health-protectiveness of most hazardous-waste-site remediation. Given this data-gap, recently the World Health Organization (WHO) urged scientists to develop methods of “cost-efficient health surveillance” of toxics’ cleanups, including any “illegal operations”. Following WHO, this article’s <strong>importance</strong> is to develop one such cost-efficient method. Given the <strong>assumption</strong> that remediators’-redevelopers’ <strong>public</strong> <strong>misrepresentations</strong> of their cleanups’ safety may warrant independently assessing the health-adequacy of their remediation, the article asks the <strong>question:</strong> “For US hazardous-waste sites, deemed by the courts ‘Imminent and Substantial Endangerment’ (ISE) health threats, are remediators’ <em>public</em> representations of testing-cleanup quality consistent with what their more <em>private</em> technical documents say?” The <strong>working hypothesis</strong> is that for representative toxic sites, remediators’-redevelopers’ public representations of cleanup often contradict their private technical documents. Using the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) weight-of-evidence <strong>method</strong>,<strong> </strong>the article (1) develops 5 transparent, reproducible criteria for discovering representative, ISE-designated, US toxic-waste sites; (2) develops 3 transparent, reproducible criteria to discover remediators’-redevelopers’ <em>public</em> representations of their testing-cleanup; (3) uses these 3 criteria to discover what remediators’-redevelopers’ <em>private</em> or technical documents say about the health-adequacy of their testing/cleanup; (4) investigates whether any <em>public</em> representations in (2) contradict any of (3)’s<em> </em>private or technical documents; and (5) discusses the degree to which such contradictions, if any, suggest waste-site threats to health or environmental justice. Our <strong>results</strong> show that for the representative hazardous sites assessed, many remediator-redeveloper public guarantees of testing-cleanup quality contradict their private or technical documents. The <strong>discussion</strong> suggests that such contradictions likely violate EPA scientific-integrity regulations, threaten public health, jeopardize environmental justice, thus may require independent investigation of the adequacy of testing-cleanup. For representative, US toxic-waste sites, posing court-determined ISE, remediators’-developers’ <strong>public</strong> representations of testing-cleanup quality threaten health by often contradicting their <strong>private</strong> technical documents. The article closes by outlining two scientific strategies to promote health-protective, hazardous-waste testing/remediation.