Estimation Of Carbon Footprint Research Articles

FP8.2 - Sustainability Within the Abscess Pathway

Abstract Background Global warming and the current climate crisis remain a threat to global health. It is estimated that 5% of the total carbon footprint of an acute NHS organisation was attributable to general anaesthetic (GA) gases, which contributes to ongoing ozone depletion. Aims To review current practices in managing abscesses and improve sustainability within the abscess pathway in our trust. Methods Retrospective data on all patients who underwent incision and drainages (I&D) between January – July 2022 were collected and analysed. A new abscess pathway was introduced in June 2023 and departmental teaching provided to junior doctors on incision and drainage of abscesses under local anaesthetic (LA). Data on patients who underwent I&D between June – September 2023 were collected and analysed to assess the impact of the new abscess pathway. Results In the first-cycle audit, 162 patients underwent I&D, of which 119 (92%) were done under GA. Of these, 71 (60%) were suitable for LA I&Ds, 91% were admitted for their procedures. The estimated carbon footprint was 4525kg CO2e/year. In the second-cycle audit, 68 patients underwent I&D, of which 37 (76%) were done under GA. Of these, 31 (46%) were suitable for LA I&Ds, 41% were admitted for their procedures. The estimated carbon footprint was 3735kg CO2e/year. Conclusions Following implementation of the new abscess pathway, we reduced the number of patients having general anaesthetic procedures and inpatient admission. This not only improves the sustainability of our practice, but makes treatment and recovery quicker for patients, and has a lower financial burden.

Carbon footprint of the predominant mechanized timber harvesting methods in the Northeastern US

Estimating carbon footprint of forest operations is essential to budget the environmental impacts of the industry. The study objectives were to a) assess the carbon footprint of whole-tree (WT), cut-to-length (CTL), and hybrid cut-to-length (Hyb CTL) harvesting methods in the Northeastern US; b) assess global warming potential of various processes involved in timber harvesting for different harvest methods; and c) evaluate variation in the carbon footprint for the summer and winter harvest. SimaPro 9.3.0.3 software and allied databases (USLCI and US-EI 2.2) adhering to ISO 14,040 and 14,044 standards were used for cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) with a functional unit of 1 tonne of green roundwood. Tool for reduction and assessment of chemicals and other environmental impacts (TRACI v 2.1) was used for impact assessment. The input variables were quantity of fuel (liter tonne-1) and lubricants (kg tonne-1) for respective harvesting operations. The results of LCA showed that carbon footprint was highest for WT (11.57 kg CO2 eq), followed by Hyb CTL (11.09 kg CO2 eq) and CTL (9.91 kg CO2 eq) methods. Secondary transportation (trucking) had highest global warming potential among the processes. Winter harvest had a higher carbon footprint than summer by 2 and 3 percent, respectively, for CTL and Hyb CTL methods. The extra time needed to warm up engine resulted in a higher carbon footprint for winter harvest. Higher carbon footprint for WT method can be attributed to greater number of equipment involved for WT resulting in more fuel consumption, compared to other methods. Among the stump-to-landing processes, skidding contributed foremost in WT, whereas felling and processing in CTL, and processing in Hyb CTL, respectively. These results could be used in the upstream process for future LCA of different wood products manufactured in the region.

Changing carbon footprints and the consequent impacts of carbon taxes and cash transfers on poverty and inequality across years: A Peruvian case study

Carbon taxes are key policies to achieve climate goals. Yet, they increase prices especially in the short term, and can affect households’ income depending on their carbon footprints. Cash transfer programs can be used to address adverse social impacts and protect the poorest. However, because carbon footprints, and the consequent tax impacts, may change over time it is important to understand how to design and adapt such cash transfer programs accordingly. As the existing studies focus on single years, we address the gap in the literature in two steps. First, we estimate changes in carbon footprints and their drivers over time; second, we simulate the effects of a carbon tax in combination with cash transfers on poverty and inequality for the years 2004, 2007 and 2011 in Peru. We combine a bottom-up household carbon footprint estimation, and multiple scenarios simulation. We show that, in a context of rapid economic growth, footprints increase over time, particularly for lower deciles. Most importantly, the distributional impacts of a reform combining carbon tax and cash transfers change by year. The paper concludes that, to maximize poverty and inequality reduction, the design of cash transfer programs and tax levels need to be adapted over time.

A retrospective audit with subsequent cost and environmental analysis of a denosumab self-injection program.

The Metabolic Bone Health Department, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, serves a local population of approximately 445 000 people. A retrospective audit of attendance data regarding the denosumab treatment clinic (the traditional treatment pathway) and the denosumab Self-Injection Program (SIP) was conducted to determine whether the SIP is both cost-effective and environmentally beneficial, compared to the traditional treatment pathway. Cost analysis was then conducted by the Finance Department. The audit was conducted over 3years following the implementation of the service development; 233 patients had enrolled in the program at the time of the audit and 69 had completed 3years of self-injected treatment. A control group of 497 patients were identified by the service. This group remained on the historical pathway and had consistent attendance activity over the 3-yr period from 2017 to 2019. Pre- and post-period activity of all patients on the program was compared, together with the activity for the independent control group. The SIP resulted in a reduction in clinical contacts, with financial analysis showing a total opportunity cost saving per patient of £420 per annum. There were obvious benefits to the patient of a reduced number of visits to a clinical site, which also resulted in an estimated carbon footprint reduction of 59 kg CO2 per patient per annum. The cost analysis is based on our organization's 2022 charges. The SIP demonstrates that by focusing on care "closer to home", it is possible to maximize resources, improve the patient experience through reduced travel, and reduce the environmental impact of healthcare.

Estimation of carbon footprint of Indian households in Kalyani subdivision of district Nadia, West Bengal, India

The present study aims to assess the contribution of Indian households to the increase in carbon footprint. Hence, this cross-sectional study was conducted in the Kalyani subdivision of Nadia district, West Bengal, India. Data were collected from 610 households, comprising 299 rural and 311 urban households, to analyse energy consumption patterns for various purposes. To summarize the dependent and continuous data, descriptive statistics were employed, while for inferences, independent sample t-test, Pearson correlation and regression were used. A significant difference was observed in total annual household carbon footprint between the urban and rural households due to varied energy consumption (t = 15.60, p < 0.05). The urban households were emitting twice (2325.20 kgCO2e) as much as the rural ones (1125.77 kgCO2e). It can also be inferred that emission was determined by the increase in household size, income, and improvement in the standard of living. Thus, in addition to several determinants, a complex cultural system, social practices, and awareness of green consumerism should also be incorporated and studied through an interdisciplinary approach to reduce the overall household carbon footprint.

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Tools for Assisting Low-Carbon Architectural Design: Merging the Use of Machine Learning, Large Language Models, and Building Information Modeling for Life Cycle Assessment Tool Development

The construction sector is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions and a major consumer of non-renewable resources. Architectural design decisions play a critical role in a building’s carbon footprint, making it essential to incorporate environmental analyses at various design stages. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and building information modeling (BIM) can support designers in achieving low-carbon architectural design. The proposed solution involves the development of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool. This study presents a novel approach to optimizing the environmental impact of architectural projects. It combines machine learning (ML), large language models (LLMs), and building information modeling (BIM) technologies. The first case studies present specific examples of tools developed for this purpose. The first case study details a machine learning-assisted tool used for estimating carbon footprints during the design phase and shows numerical carbon footprint optimization results. The second case study explores the use of LLMs, specifically ChatGPT, as virtual assistants to suggest optimizations in architectural design and shows tests on the suggestions made by the LLM. The third case study discusses integrating BIM in the form of an IFC file, carbon footprint analysis, and AI into a comprehensive 3D application, emphasizing the importance of AI in enhancing decision-making processes in architectural design.

Life cycle assessment in net zero energy building scenarios in a tropical country

The recent IPCC 2023 report reiterates that humans are responsible for global warming over the past 200 years, causing a rise in temperature of 1.1 °C above pre-industrial levels, urging the implementation of mitigation options, especially in the building energy sector. One strong mitigation strategy is designing and building net zero energy buildings (NZEB), although their implementation faces challenges such as opposition to change, especially in tropical countries with traditional and conservative design and construction practices. This paper uses data from a pilot NZEB Laboratory building at UCA, El Salvador, and details its results by comparing different construction system scenarios. The present work presents the results of the Life-cycle assessment (LCA) in three popular construction systems in El Salvador, comparing them with the baseline of its current operation, through 3 iterative calculation tools: structural, thermal and carbon footprint estimation, managing to visualize important findings on how vernacular systems could meet the NZEB performance with added insulation in the structural walls. In addition, a triple-axis sustainability analysis (environmental, economic and social) is conducted using the weighted criteria matrix, which provides nuanced results, such as the proportional share of embodied carbon between the proposals, there is not much difference between the results of the proposed systems, but compared to the baseline, the proposals represent a significant increase of more than 50%. Our results show that in this context, the scalability of NZEB buildings is feasible for different construction systems, paving the way for a progressive and incremental.

The carbon footprint of livestock farms under conventional management and silvopastoral systems in Jalisco, Chiapas, and Campeche (Mexico)

Livestock production is one of the most important agricultural sources of greenhouses gasses (GHG). Transforming the livestock sector is a critical task to mitigate the effects of climate change, and the implementation of silvopastoral systems (SPS) may be a way to do so. Carbon footprint (CF) estimation was carried out for 131 conventional livestock farms (CONF) and SPS farms (SPSF) selected in the states of Jalisco, Chiapas and Campeche (Mexico). GHG emissions were estimated based on interviews with the farmers and farm monitoring to collect information about management, milk production and the live weight gain (LWG) of calves (for meat production) using national emission factors. Emissions from animals, fossil fuels, electricity and nitrogen fertilizers were estimated using Tier I and II criteria. Land use distribution was recorded for each farm, and their carbon fixation in total biomass and soils was estimated using studies from tropical Latin America. CF was estimated for area and for production of milk and the LWG of calves. SPSF had lower GHG emissions, higher carbon fixation rates and a better CF than CONF (5.7 vs. 8.0 t CO2e/ha/year; 6.9 vs. 5.5 t C/ha/year and − 5.0 vs. −2.9 t CO2e/ha/year, respectively). The CF of milk production and calf LWG were − 68.6 to −4.6 kg CO2e/kg and − 3.2 to −0.1 t CO2e/kg, respectively. Our results highlight the importance of implementing SPS to mitigate climate change in livestock production, given its contribution to GHG emissions and the importance of capturing atmospheric carbon in biomass and soils. National and regional policies should focus on promoting implementing SPS as an active and effective strategy for improving CF in livestock farms.

Revealing the ecological footprint of Argan (Argania spinosa) derivatives: A comprehensive analysis of the carbon impact of Argan oil

Argania spinosa, commonly known as the Argan tree, assumes a crucial role in bolstering environmental sustainability by augmenting carbon storage in both biomass and soil. Despite its significant environmental contributions, there exists a conspicuous gap in scientific research and data pertaining to the carbon dynamics associated with Moroccan Argan forest ecosystems and their prized products, particularly Argan oil. To address this research gap, our study meticulously investigates the intricate details of the carbon footprint linked to Argan oil production within the "Argan Biosphere Reserve" in southern Morocco.This innovative research aims to deliver a comprehensive assessment of the carbon footprint within the Argan oil industry, conducting a thorough examination of 10 companies and 16 cooperatives actively involved in production. The foundation of this investigation rests on on-site interviews with leaders of production units, systematically gathering essential data for rigorous analysis.Employing the "Bilan Carbone" tool, we intricately calculated emissions, categorizing them into three scopes. The resulting carbon footprint outcomes were meticulously delineated across three distinct scenarios, shedding light on the nuanced dynamics of greenhouse gas emissions.In the first scenario, encompassing all scopes, including export-related emissions, companies displayed an average carbon footprint of approximately 10.17 kg CO2 eq.l−1, while cooperatives recorded 8.68 kg CO2 eq.l−1. The second scenario, excluding export-related emissions, unveiled companies with an average carbon footprint of 3.71 kg CO2-eq.l−1 and cooperatives with 6.32 kg CO2-eq.l−1. The third Scenario, concentrating solely on scopes 1 and 2, indicated companies with an average estimated carbon footprint of 1.31 kg CO2 eq.l−1, and cooperatives with approximately 3.01 kg CO2 eq.l−1.Delving deeper into the intricacies of emissions by scenario and oil-producing organizations, our findings underscore the substantial impact of electricity consumption on the overall carbon footprint of Argan oil. For companies, electricity consumption contributed between 10.84% (first scenario) and 66.97% (third scenario), while for cooperatives, the range was 26.97% (first scenario) to 75.57% (third scenario).To optimize the carbon footprint, our study recommends strategic interventions such as reducing electricity and butane consumption. Moreover, adopting sustainable practices, including leveraging photovoltaic electricity and synthetic gas from the pyrolysis of Argan byproducts, can significantly curtail the average carbon footprint of companies and cooperatives, charting a trajectory toward environmental sustainability. Specifically, a reduction of 37.05% and 40.75% (second scenario) and an impressive 71.66% and 77.01% (third scenario) for companies and cooperatives, respectively, could be achieved after a 30-year amortization period of photovoltaic panels.These findings not only contribute valuable insights into the environmental impact of Argan oil production but also pave the way for future in-depth studies and the formulation of sustainable pathways to optimize the carbon footprint of this critical industry.

47 Application of a ‘high’ or ‘low’ energy matrix to a nutrient-reduced diet supplemented with a novel phytase maintained growth performance and conferred production and sustainability benefit

Abstract This study assessed the capacity of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant (PhyG) to maintain growth performance of weaned pigs when added to a nutrient-reduced mixed cereal diet with two levels of dietary net energy (NE) reduction applied. A total of 360 newly weaned pigs [Greater York × Norsvin Landrace; initial body weight (BW) 8.4 ± 0.78 kg] were assigned to 60 floor-pens and 5 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were 2 blocks (weaning group), 6 replicate pens per block, and 6 pigs/pen (3 male, 3 female), in total of 12 replications per treatment. Diets were based on wheat, corn, barley, and soybean meal and were offered to pigs in 2 phases in pelleted form (0–14 and 14–35 d post-weaning). Treatments comprised a nutritionally adequate positive control (PC) and 4 negative control (NC) diets supplemented with PhyG. The NC diets were reduced in digestible P, Ca, Na, and digestible amino acids vs. PC, according to the expected contribution of PhyG added at 1,000 phytase units (FTU)/kg (NC1) or 2,000 FTU/kg (NC2), respectively. Each NC1 and NC2 was formulated at two NE reduction levels, designated ‘low’ and ‘high’ (‘low’: -53 to -65 kcal/kg and ‘high’: -73 to -86 kcal/kg, vs. PC at 1,000 and 2,000 FTU/kg PhyG, respectively). Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Means separation was by Tukey’s HSD test. During both phases and overall (0–35 d), average BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in all PhyG-supplemented, nutrient- and NE-reduced treatments, were either not different or were improved compared with the PC. Overall ADG, ADFI, and final BW (d 35) were greater in NC2+PhyG 2,000 FTU/kg ‘low’ vs. PC (466 vs. 424 g, 9.9%, 622 vs. 567 g, 9.7%, and 24.7 vs. 23.1 kg, 6.9%, respectively; P < 0.05). Total feed costs (ingredients price, February 2023) and estimated carbon footprint (CFP; FeedPrint, WUR, The Netherland) per kilogram of BW gain (BWG) were reduced in all PhyG-supplemented, nutrient- and NE-reduced treatments vs. PC. Feed costs saving per kg BWG were greater with ‘high’ than ‘low’ NE reduction applied (-0.013 vs. -0.007 €, respectively, vs. PC) with PhyG at 1,000 FTU/kg, and it was greatest in NC2+PhyG 2,000 FTU/kg with ‘low’ NE reduction (-0.036 € vs. PC). Similarly, the CFP was reduced from 2,068 to 1,840 g CO2 eq/kg BWG (-11 %) by NC2+PhyG 2,000 FTU/kg with ‘low’ NE reduction vs. PC. In conclusion, the application of a full nutrient matrix with ‘high’ or ‘low’ NE reduction combined with supplementation of PhyG maintained growth performance of weaned pigs and reduced the total feed costs and carbon footprint per kg BW gain, lead to production and sustainability benefits.

All's eco‐friendly that ends eco‐friendly: Short‐term memory effects in carbon footprint estimates of temporal item sequences

AbstractWhen people estimate the summative carbon footprint of a sequence of events, how are the individual events integrated? In three experiments, we found that summative carbon footprint judgments of item sequences are disproportionately influenced by items at the end of the sequence in comparison with those at the beginning—a recency effect. When, for example, sequences ended with a low carbon footprint item, they were assigned a lower carbon footprint than corresponding sequences with an identical content but different item order. The results also revealed that a green peak (presenting many low carbon footprint items at once) had a relatively large effect on estimates when the peak was contextually distinct from other items in terms of its valence. The results are consistent with an account within which distinctiveness of representations within short‐term memory differentially influences decision‐making and suggest that memory processes bias the perceived environmental footprint of temporally separated instances.

Average total weight of surgical waste and CO2 carbon footprint of orthopedic surgery in France, estimated on the basis of a representative panel

BackgroundReduction of waste and carbon footprint can be optimized. Awareness of carbon sources and quantification of the waste are two key parameters. To our knowledge, there is no study in France on waste production by the surgical team during the operation in orthopedic surgery, in a global scope. Therefore, we performed an observational investigation aiming to: (1) quantify and characterize the weight of the wastes generated after a panel of orthopedic procedures, (2) calculate the CO2 footprint generated by these wastes and extrapolate the figure at the national scale. HypothesisWaste production is highly variable according to the types of procedures and infectious clinical waste is still a predominant source of waste and CO2 emission. Materials and methodsIt is a comparative and prospective study in which a total of 14 procedures were selected as a representative panel: arthroplasties (hip, knee), spine fusions, arthroscopic procedures (shoulder, knee), nerve release, forefoot osteotomies, trauma procedures. The main outcome was the average total weight of waste for each of the fourteen categories (280 measurements: 140 times 2, at the end of each procedure), expressed in kilograms (kg), and the proportions of infectious clinical waste (ICW) and household wastes (HW), expressed in percentages. Ten measures were prospectively recorded for each type of procedure in a single teaching hospital from January to September 2022. The theoretical carbon footprint generated by the treatment of the wastes was estimated in kilograms of CO2 equivalent (KgEqCO2). The national extrapolation of the carbon footprint was performed by collecting the total number of procedures in France in 2021 using the VisuChir tool. ResultsA total of 937kg of waste were produced for the 140 procedures, amongst which 514kg of ICW (54.8%) and 423kg of HW (45.2%). The overall median waste weight was 5.9kg (Q1: 4.4, Q3: 8.1), ranging from 1.8kg to 18.3kg. The overall median waste weight for HW was 2.8kg (Q1: 2.5, Q3: 3.4), ranging from 1.8kg to 17.8kg. The overall median waste weight for ICW was 3.8kg (Q1: 2.7, Q3: 4.8), ranging from 0.8kg to 7.2kg. The knee surgeries were responsible for the heaviest waste weight; the least waste-productive procedures were the foot and the carpal tunnel release. The median proportions of ICW varied from 39% for the total knee replacements to 72% for the femoral nails. There was a significant inverse correlation between the total waste weight and the proportion of ICW: r=−0.47, p<10−4. The total median estimated carbon footprint was 4.3KgCO2Eq (Q1: 3.1, Q3: 5.8), ranging from 1.59KgCO2Eq (Q1: 1.5, Q3: 1.8) and 7.07KgCO2Eq (Q1: 6.7, Q3: 8.17). The total median estimated carbon footprint was 3.5KgCO2Eq for ICW (Q1: 2.5, Q3: 4.5) and 0.76KgCO2Eq (Q1: 0.54, Q3: 1.3) for HW. The national median estimated carbon footprint was 10.1 million KgEqCO2 in 2021 for orthopedic surgery. ConclusionOur study revealed that in most cases more than half of the wastes were ICW. The total estimated national carbon footprint for orthopedic procedures was 10 million kilograms. The reduction of the ICW constitutes a cornerstone, as they are responsible for more carbon emissions. Level of evidenceIII; prospective comparative observational in vivo study.

The computational and energy cost of simulation and storage for climate science: lessons from CMIP6

Abstract. The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) is one of the biggest international efforts aimed at better understanding the past, present, and future of climate changes in a multi-model context. A total of 21 model intercomparison projects (MIPs) were endorsed in its sixth phase (CMIP6), which included 190 different experiments that were used to simulate 40 000 years and produced around 40 PB of data in total. This paper presents the main findings obtained from the CPMIP (the Computational Performance Model Intercomparison Project), a collection of a common set of metrics, specifically designed for assessing climate model performance. These metrics were exclusively collected from the production runs of experiments used in CMIP6 and primarily from institutions within the IS-ENES3 consortium. The document presents the full set of CPMIP metrics per institution and experiment, including a detailed analysis and discussion of each of the measurements. During the analysis, we found a positive correlation between the core hours needed, the complexity of the models, and the resolution used. Likewise, we show that between 5 %–15 % of the execution cost is spent in the coupling between independent components, and it only gets worse by increasing the number of resources. From the data, it is clear that queue times have a great impact on the actual speed achieved and have a huge variability across different institutions, ranging from none to up to 78 % execution overhead. Furthermore, our evaluation shows that the estimated carbon footprint of running such big simulations within the IS-ENES3 consortium is 1692 t of CO2 equivalent. As a result of the collection, we contribute to the creation of a comprehensive database for future community reference, establishing a benchmark for evaluation and facilitating the multi-model, multi-platform comparisons crucial for understanding climate modelling performance. Given the diverse range of applications, configurations, and hardware utilised, further work is required for the standardisation and formulation of general rules. The paper concludes with recommendations for future exercises aimed at addressing the encountered challenges which will facilitate more collections of a similar nature.

Impacts of Behavioral, Organizational, and Spatial Factors on the Carbon Footprint of Traditional Retail and E-commerce in the Paris Region.

Carbon footprint assessment of retail is necessary to optimize procurement strategies and adopt sustainable shopping habits. However, estimating carbon footprints is a complex task, given the diversity of existing distribution channels. Average values for carbon emissions of "conventional" retail (i.e., purchasing and receiving the product directly at the physical point of sale) found in most studies mask a heterogeneous reality: different retail strategies entail diverse shopping behavior for consumers, as well as varied procurement processes for outlets. In this paper, we propose a methodology to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of different distribution systems related to the consumption of goods in the Paris Region by coupling traditional transport modeling with a life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach. We model and compare six distribution systems, including five traditional retail formats (hypermarkets, supermarkets, small generalist retail, small food retail, and small nonfood retail) and E-commerce home deliveries. Our model includes warehouse activity, shop and home delivery, shop energy consumption, consumer mobility, and goods packaging. Overall, we conclude that E-commerce emits fewer GHG emissions than retail outlets per kilogram of product purchased. This result is in line with the existing literature on the topic. However, the carbon footprint varies greatly within the case study depending on the characteristics of the logistics procurement processes of outlets, the behavior of shoppers, and spatial characteristics.

Optimizing roads for sustainability: Inverted pavement design with life cycle cost analysis and carbon footprint estimation

Inverted pavements have proven performance across the world and there is a need to optimize the layer thickness and material properties of the pavement addressing the critical failures in the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design. The present study is made on bituminous concrete pavement with traffic up to 50 MSA and studying the critical factors affecting the pavement performance. The Minitab’s Response Surface Methodology − Box Behnken method was used for the Design of Experiments which includes critical factors and responses obtained from ANSYS finite element modeling of the inverted pavement. The critical factors and responses are normally distributed and indicate a linear relationship with the least error. The composite desirability for minimum stress and strains in the pavement layers was found to be 0.89. The optimized pavement thickness and layer material properties were validated with two pavement field cross sections of different Indian National Highways and it is observed that the optimized cross-section is safe. Further, this research paper carried out Life Cycle Cost Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment of inverted pavement with optimized pavement cross-section obtained including the carbon footprint during the vehicle operation phase. The study demonstrated the benefits of inverted pavement with reduced costs and carbon emissions. Thus, this approach paves the way towards sustainable and long-lasting pavements.

What is the environmental impact of a blood transfusion? A life cycle assessment of transfusion services across England.

Healthcare activities significantly contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Blood transfusions require complex, interlinked processes to collect, manufacture, and supply. Their contribution to healthcare emissions and avenues for mitigation is unknown. We performed a life cycle assessment (LCA) for red blood cell (RBC) transfusions across England where 1.36 million units are transfused annually. We defined the process flow with seven categories: donation, transportation, manufacturing, testing, stockholding, hospital transfusion, and disposal. We used direct measurements, manufacturer data, bioengineering databases, and surveys to assess electrical power usage, embodied carbon in disposable materials and reagents, and direct emissions through transportation, refrigerant leakage, and disposal. The central estimate of carbon footprint per unit of RBC transfused was 7.56 kg CO2 equivalent (CO2eq). The largest contribution was from transportation (2.8 kg CO2eq, 36% of total). The second largest was from hospital transfusion processes (1.9 kg CO2eq, 26%), driven mostly by refrigeration. The third largest was donation (1.3 kg CO2eq, 17%) due to the plastic blood packs. Total emissions from RBC transfusion are ~10.3 million kg CO2eq/year. This is the first study to estimate GHG emissions attributable to RBC transfusion, quantifying the contributions of each stage of the process. Primary areas for mitigation may include electric vehicles for the blood service fleet, improving the energy efficiency of refrigeration, using renewable sources of electricity, changing the plastic of blood packs, and using methods of disposal other than incineration.

Energy audit and associated carbon footprint estimation for a Meta Abo brewery

Industrial development in Ethiopia is rapidly increasing, leading to a growing gap between energy supply and demand. To address this, efficient energy utilization in existing industries is crucial. Energy audits identify energy losses and recommend saving measures. Therefore, this study evaluates energy efficiency through an audit and estimates greenhouse gas emissions for a Meta Abo brewery. The indirect method of energy audit and the greenhouse gas protocol of carbon footprint estimation were used to evaluate the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of Meta Abo brewery. The boiler efficiency for Bono Energia and Cochran boilers was found to be 79.2% and 80.9%, respectively. Poor insulation caused an estimated annual fuel loss of 35,350 l (638,768 Ethiopian birr) for steam pipes, while steam leakage resulted in a loss of 31,614 l (571,265 Ethiopian birr). The factory's high electricity expense was attributed to a diesel generator consuming 6000 l/d. Greenhouse gas emissions raised from 9156 to 22,697 tons of CO2 equivalent between 2014 and 2018. Implementing the proposed energy-saving measures could save 20.4 TJ of thermal and electrical energy annually, costing approximately 8.5 million Ethiopian birr, and reduce boiler emissions by 455 tons of CO2 equivalent. Therefore, implementation of these measures is recommended.

Towards sustainable electricity generation: Evaluating carbon footprint in waste-to-energy plants for environmental mitigation in Iran

The environmental impacts of municipal solid waste have become a critical issue in Iran due to rising waste generation and limited waste treatment methods. From a global warming perspective, in 2018, Iran was the seventh-highest greenhouse gas emitter in the world. An implementation should demonstrate that it is possible to estimate the environmental impact of climate change. A simple carbon footprint estimation model for waste-to-energy power plants with a life cycle assessment using the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines is presented in this study. For this purpose, first the system boundary is determined. Then, the total emissions of each part within boundary are identified in terms of total greenhouse gas emission (and expressed in mass of carbon dioxide equivalent). In conclusion, the carbon footprint of generating one kWh of electricity is estimated. The final emission of the Tehran power plant is calculated at 24.46 ktCO2eq/year. Thus, the carbon footprint is estimated to be 1351.94 g CO2eq/kWh. Key parameters that affect carbon footprint are divided into two groups: emission parameters and electricity generation parameters. The sensitivity analysis of effective parameters showed the distance travelled and weight of waste transported during waste transportation, the fossil carbon content in waste composition has the highest effect on carbon footprint. The study shows a 1.2-fold difference between the carbon footprint of two current scenarios of waste treatment: landfill and waste-to-energy plant. The life cycle emissions of landfills exceed of waste-to-energy plants, indicating that these systems can contribute significantly to addressing the current environmental challenges. Additionally, they offer advantages in terms of electricity generation.

Healing patient, harming planet? A drive towards sustainable surgery: review of waste production and recyclability of surgical instrument packaging.

Healthcare contributes more than 1% of all domestic waste in the United Kingdom (UK), with operating theatre waste alone accounting for approximately 50% of all hospital waste. In November 2022, the UK Surgical Royal Colleges issued an Intercollegiate Climate Emergency Declaration and called for urgent action. We review waste production and the recyclability of surgical instrument packaging used in a common ear, nose and throat procedure (thyroidectomy) and suggest strategies to make this surgery more sustainable,. These strategies can be generalised to other surgeries. We prospectively audited packaging waste from 20 thyroidectomies performed at the Royal Marsden Hospital in the UK between July and December 2022. All packaging was weighed, categorised and analysed after the operation. On average, each thyroidectomy produced packaging waste comprising 183g (34%) of plain paper/cardboard, 167g (31%) of soft plastic film, 142g (26%) of laminated paper, 37g (7%) of hard plastic and 11g (2%) of metal foil. Of all the packaging collected, only one item had a recycling label. When extrapolated to the 7,851 thyroidectomies performed in the National Health Service during the fiscal year 2021/2022, the estimated total weight of packaging waste would be 4.2 tonnes, of which only 31.4kg would be indicated as recyclable. When converted to an estimated carbon footprint, total carbon emissions would be 1,048kg CO2e, equivalent to three round trips from London to Edinburgh in a petrol car. This audit demonstrates the different categories and vast amount of packaging waste from a common operation. Manufacturers should place clear recyclability labels on packaging, and switch to recyclable materials and a digital information booklet where possible. Local waste audit and analysis can be simple first steps towards making surgery more sustainable.

The Climate Impact of Medical Residency Interview Travel in the United States and Canada: A Scoping Review.

Background The change from in-person to virtual interviews for graduate medical education (GME) provides the opportunity to compare the potential environmental effects. Objective To explore and summarize the existing literature on the potential climate impact of medical residency interview travel through a scoping review. Methods The search was conducted in October 2022 using 5 research databases. Results were screened for inclusion by 2 reviewers in a 2-tiered process. Inclusion criteria were limited to English language articles from the United States and Canada, with no limitations on the type of study, type of applicant (allopathic, osteopathic, or international medical graduate), or type of residency. A thematic analysis focusing on the objectives and main findings of identified studies was conducted and an iteratively created standardized data extraction worksheet was used such that all studies were explicitly assessed for the presence of the same themes. Results The search identified 1480 unique articles, of which 16 passed title and abstract screening and 13 were ultimately included following full-text review. There were 3 main themes identified: the carbon footprint of residency travel, stakeholders' perspectives on virtual interviews, and advocacy for virtual interviews. All 13 articles employed persuasive language on interview reform, ranging from neutral to strongly in favor of virtual interviews based wholly or in part on environmental concerns. Conclusions Two main findings were identified: (1) Though carbon footprint estimates for in-person interviews vary, in-person interviews create considerable carbon emissions and (2) those working in GME are concerned about the climate effects of GME practices and describe them as a compelling reason to permanently adopt virtual interviewing.