GHG Inventories Research Articles

Land dataset uncertainty: effect on Romanian National Greenhouse Gas Inventory

The availability of long-term land datasets is fundamental to ensure consistent and accurate national greenhouse gas inventories for land use and land use changes. Estimation of Romania’s CO2 removals and emissions over 1970-2010 was assessed comparatively by using National Statistics (as reference dataset), Corine Land Cover data, as well as four additional datasets produced from the reference dataset and assuming some forest data changes according to other available partial datasets (NFI,LUCAS or expert judgment). A spreadsheet, implementing a model of UNFCCC national greenhouse gas inventory, allowed estimation of both net CO2 removals and emissions and gross CO2 fluxes from all carbon pools, for all land subcategories over 1970-2010. The model was run for each dataset. The reference dataset resulted in an average annual gross flux of CO2, twice as large as the corresponding annual net removals of 13 TgCO2, while annual estimates were more than double in post-1990 compared to pre - 1990. Uncertainty of net annual CO2 removals by reference dataset was estimated around 31 %, slightly lower than for gross estimate, and just around 55% when based on CLC dataset. Overall, the contribution of 12 broad land sub-categories to CO2 inventory was similar in the national net and gross estimates, for both pre- and post-1990 periods. Land under conversion represented 9% of the country’s area in pre- and only 2% in post-1990, corresponding to an annual average of 28% of gross and 6% of net annual CO2 estimates. Among the choices of datasets tested, the reference dataset provided the most conservative estimates of the CO2 inventory. Other datasets generally overestimated annual LULUCF sink and its main contributor forestland, as well as the emissions or removals from land conversion. Compared to pre-1990, when annual sink was rather low, land abandonment and moderating management in the post-1990 period has led to an increase of C stock in all pools, showing the relevance of political changes on land’s CO2 emissions/removals. Inconsistency within available land datasets impairs more accurate estimation of national GHG inventory. The development of an improved land use assessment system around National Forest Inventory is therefore suggested as a solution to implement consistent land definitions and to accurately estimate their areas in time.

The connection between 2006 IPCC GHG inventory methodology and ISO 14064-1 certification standard – A reference point for the environmental policies at sub-national scale

Abstract The article shows how a joint application of the 2006 IPCC methodology and the ISO 14064-1 standard of certification, as well as the co-operation between academic, legislative and administrative organizations, are important points for a sustainable management of an administrative jurisdiction, providing positive environmental effects. The administrative systems can choose validated ISO 14064-1 GHG inventories, produced in time series, as a strategy tool for local management, as a compass to orient future policy decisions. The Province of Siena (Tuscany, Central Italy) was one regional system in Europe to achieve the ISO 14064-1 certification of its GHG inventories, developed in time series applying the 2006 IPCC methodology. The results of the time series (year 2006–2010) of GHG inventories elaborated for the Province of Siena point out that the performed environmental management policies may bring about a significant reduction of GHG emission released to the atmosphere over time (net emission: 449 Gg CO2eq in 2006, 84 Gg CO2eq in 2010). The experience of the Province of Siena can be considered a significant reference model for all public authorities at the micro and macro scale who are interested in reducing GHG emission.

Promoting GHG mitigation policies for agriculture and forestry: A case study in Guadeloupe, French West Indies

Climate change is now accepted as self-evident. It is time to find new production methods, set up new organizations and introduce new policies and new incentives to enable our economies and societies to face this issue. Innovation is required at all levels, from farming practices to government policy. Agricultural and forestry systems are strongly linked to their local environment and are often interdependent (economically, socially, etc.). This paper discusses how a landscape scale approach can help to mitigate climate change in forestry and agriculture. It describes the French Climagri® approach, which is based on a GHG inventory and scenario analysis at sub-national scale in order to promote innovation. It discusses the strengths (transversal approach, GHG hot spot identification, impact of non-climate policies) and weaknesses (data collection, uncertainties, incentives) of such an approach based on a case study in Guadeloupe. This paper suggests ideas for tools to help in drawing up new efficient GHG policies and helps to explain landscape scale GHG inventories and data interpretation in a tropical context.

The Effect of a Consumption-Based Accounting Method in National GHG Inventories: A Trilateral Trade System Application

The allocation of emissions embodied in international trade is crucial to evaluate the real impact of countries in the climate change and their responsibility in greenhouse gas emissions. In this paper we apply a new theoretical framework that allocates the emissions embodied in international trade and computes the consequent carbon transferred across countries, according to a consumption-based accounting. The method uses the value of goods traded internationally and the respective carbon intensity as a average national emissions coefficient.. We analyze a trilateral trade system composed by Sweden, Italy and Poland during the period 2000-2008. We find that, with respect to the conventional greenhouse gas national inventory schemes, consumption-based accounting implies an increase of Italian and Swedish emission responsibility by 1.4% and 11.8%, respectively, and a decrease of Polish one by 2.81%. We also assess the relevance of this framework at the sectoral level by hypothesizing a shift of Italian imports of Machinery and Transport Equipment from Poland to Sweden. We deduce that, through appropriate policies, importer nations could be encouraged to find producers with the best environmental performances while exporter nations could be induced to reduce their carbon intensity to stimulate the international demand for their goods. Finally, we discuss some policy implications deriving from the application of the consumption-based accounting. The analysis performed in the paper suggests that the consumption-based accounting could be an important tool in the climate change challenge to reduce global emissions.

Approaches to greenhouse gas accounting methods for biomass carbon

This investigation examines different approaches for the GHG flux accounting of activities within a tight boundary of biomass C cycling, with scope limited to exclude all other aspects of the lifecycle. Alternative approaches are examined that a) account for all emissions including biogenic CO2 cycling – the biogenic method; b) account for the quantity of C that is moved to and maintained in the non-atmospheric pool – the stock method; and c) assume that the net balance of C taken up by biomass is neutral over the short-term and hence there is no requirement to include this C in the calculation – the simplified method. This investigation demonstrates the inaccuracies in both emissions forecasting and abatement calculations that result from the use of the simplified method, which is commonly accepted for use. It has been found that the stock method is the most accurate and appropriate approach for use in calculating GHG inventories, however short-comings of this approach emerge when applied to abatement projects, as it does not account for the increase in biogenic CO2 emissions that are generated when non-CO2 GHG emissions in the business-as-usual case are offset. Therefore the biogenic method or a modified version of the stock method should be used to accurately estimate GHG emissions abatement achieved by a project. This investigation uses both the derivation of methodology equations from first principles and worked examples to explore the fundamental differences in the alternative approaches. Examples are developed for three project scenarios including; landfill, combustion and slow-pyrolysis (biochar) of biomass.

Can we trust corporates GHG inventories? An investigation among Canada's large final emitters

In the public sphere and the literature on climate strategies, the measurability of corporate GHG emissions tends to be taken for granted, and few empirical studies have examined the reliability of such data. The present case study, which was conducted among 10 Canadian companies considered as large final emitters and three auditing firms, focuses on the factors which could affect the perceived credibility of GHG inventories and the strategic implications of these. The qualitative, inductive study allows identifying three main factors which affect trust in business inventories: technical issues and complexity of GHG measurements, lack of transparency on the part of the companies and unreliability of verification mechanisms. The study also makes it possible to evaluate the implications of uncertainties concerning GHG inventories which are of strategic importance for companies and policy makers. While the reliability of GHG measurement is taken for granted at the political level, uncertainties in this area can in fact have a huge impact on the establishment of the cap and trade system. The study also contributes to the literature on carbon accounting by shedding light on underexplored ethical issues, including the lack of independence of auditors and its implications.

What causes differences between national estimates of forest management carbon emissions and removals compared to estimates of large-scale models?

Under the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change all Parties have to report on carbon emissions and removals from the forestry sector. Each Party can use its own approach and country specific data for this. Independently, large-scale models exist (e.g. EFISCEN and G4M as used in this study) that assess emissions and removals from this sector by applying a unified approach to each country, still often based on country specific data. Differences exist between the national reported values and the calculations from the large scale models. This study compares these models with national reporting efforts for 24 EU countries for the period 2000–2008, and identifies the most likely causes for differences. There are no directly identifiable single input parameters that could be targeted to fully close the gap between country and model estimates. We found that the method applied by the country (i.e. stock-difference or gain-loss) contributes significantly to differences for EFISCEN and was the best explaining variable for G4M, although for the latter it was not significant. Other variables (biomass expansion factors, harvest volumes and the way harvest losses are treated) were not found to provide a conclusive explanation for the differences between the model estimations and the country submissions in an over-all analysis. However, at the level of individual countries several different causes for differences were identified. This suggests that to really close the gap between country submissions and large scale models, close collaboration between modellers and country experts is needed, calling for openness and willingness to share relevant data and to compare GHG inventories with independent estimates. This would enable to improve the confidence both in historical GHG inventories and in the models which are needed to project the future forest sink for several policy issues.

Development of National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories in the Context of International Climate Negotiations

Based on the principle ofcommon but differentiated responsibilities, the UNFCCC has different requirements on national GHG inventories submitted by Annex I and non-Annex I parties. Since 2007, the transparency of mitigation actions by developing countries, the submission frequency of national communications cored on national inventory and the relevant international consultation and analysis have become the key issues in climate negotiations. Relevant responsibilities of developing countries showed an increasing trend. Through the analysis of these different requirements, particularly on technical review system of national inventories on developed countries and of the current situation of China’s inventory development, the challenges faced by China are identified and the corresponding countermeasures are also put forward, including improving institutional arrangements and statistic system, building country-specific and comprehensive database and preparing for time-series inventory development. CitationZhu, S.-L., and W.-T. Wang, 2013: Development of national greenhouse gas emissions inventories in the context of international climate negotiations. Adv. Clim. Change Res.,4(1), doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1248.2013.060.

Assessing the measurability and comparability of GHG inventories:A case study in Canadian facilities

In the public sphere and in the literature on climate strategies, the measurability of corporate GHG emissions tends to be taken for granted, and few empirical studies have examined the reliability of such data. The present case study, which was conducted among 10 Canadian companies considered as large final emitters and three auditing firms, focuses on the factors which could affect the perceived credibility of inventories and the strategic implications of these. The qualitative, inductive study allows identifying three main factors which affect trust in business inventories: technical issues and complexity of GHG measurements, lack of transparency on the part of the companies and unreliability of verification mechanisms. The study also permits to evaluate the implications of uncertainties concerning GHG inventories which are of strategic importance for companies and policy makers. While the reliability of GHG measurement is taken for granted at the political level, uncertainties in this area can in fact have a huge impact on the establishment of the cap and trade system, such as the one which the Quebec Government adopted in 2011 as a part of the Western Climate Initiative. The study demonstrates that companies should invest significant human, financial and organizational resources to meet the emerging requirements concerning GHG measurement. The study also contributes to the literature on carbon accounting by shedding light on underexplored ethical issues, including the lack of independence of auditors and its implication

Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from livestock agriculture in 16 local administrative districts of Korea.

This study was conducted to evaluate methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from livestock agriculture in 16 local administrative districts of Korea from 1990 to 2030. National Inventory Report used 3 yr averaged livestock population but this study used 1 yr livestock population to find yearly emission fluctuations. Extrapolation of the livestock population from 1990 to 2009 was used to forecast future livestock population from 2010 to 2030. Past (yr 1990 to 2009) and forecasted (yr 2010 to 2030) averaged enteric CH4 emissions and CH4 and N2O emissions from manure treatment were estimated. In the section of enteric fermentation, forecasted average CH4 emissions from 16 local administrative districts were estimated to increase by 4%–114% compared to that of the past except for Daejeon (−63%), Seoul (−36%) and Gyeonggi (−7%). As for manure treatment, forecasted average CH4 emissions from the 16 local administrative districts were estimated to increase by 3%–124% compared to past average except for Daejeon (−77%), Busan (−60%), Gwangju (−48%) and Seoul (−8%). For manure treatment, forecasted average N2O emissions from the 16 local administrative districts were estimated to increase by 10%–153% compared to past average CH4 emissions except for Daejeon (−60%), Seoul (−4.0%), and Gwangju (−0.2%). With the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (CO2-Eq), forecasted average CO2-Eq from the 16 local administrative districts were estimated to increase by 31%–120% compared to past average CH4 emissions except Daejeon (−65%), Seoul (−24%), Busan (−18%), Gwangju (−8%) and Gyeonggi (−1%). The decreased CO2-Eq from 5 local administrative districts was only 34 kt, which was insignificantly small compared to increase of 2,809 kt from other 11 local administrative districts. Annual growth rates of enteric CH4 emissions, CH4 and N2O emissions from manure management in Korea from 1990 to 2009 were 1.7%, 2.6%, and 3.2%, respectively. The annual growth rate of total CO2-Eq was 2.2%. Efforts by the local administrative offices to improve the accuracy of activity data are essential to improve GHG inventories. Direct measurements of GHG emissions from enteric fermentation and manure treatment systems will further enhance the accuracy of the GHG data. (Key Words: Greenhouse Gas, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Emission, Climate Change)

IPCC 가이드라인을 이용한 국내 철도수송에 따른 온실가스 배출량 산정에 관한 연구

최근 선진국을 중심으로 2020년 이후의 신 기후변화체제에 대한 합의가 도출되면서 정부의 온실가스 저감정책은 구체적인 성과를 확보하기 위한 방향으로 빠르게 전환되고 있다. 특히 부문별 온실가스 감축목표 할당에 따라 수송부문의 저감방안은 고효율 에너지 소비 차량의 개발도 필요하지만 기존의 대중교통체계에서 저탄소 교통수단인 철도의 역할을 강조하고 있다. 따라서 향후 지속적으로 철도수송에 따른 온실가스 배출량을 관리하기 위해서는 체계적인 산정방법의 정립이 요구된다. 본 연구에서는 국가 온실가스 인벤토리 작성을 위한 2006 IPCC 가이드라인을 토대로 철도수송의 온실가스 배출원에 따라 Tier별 배출량 산정방법을 정의하였다. 또한 최근 3년(2008-2010) 동안의 철도수송에 따른 디젤 및 전력소비량을 기반으로 활동도 자료를 수집하여 Tier 1 수준에서의 온실가스 배출경향을 살펴보았다. 그 결과, 2010년 온실가스 총 배출량은 약 206만톤 <TEX>$CO_2e$</TEX>이었으며, 이 중 전력소비량이 73%를 차지하고, 디젤연료 소비량이 27%를 기여하였다. 향후 철도수송의 온실가스 저감방안을 도출하기 위해서는 다양한 운행패턴 인자를 반영한 Tier 3 수준의 배출량 산정 관리를 토대로 보다 세부적인 배출경향에 대한 파악이 필요하며, 이를 위해서는 무엇보다 배출계수의 개발이 선행되어야 할 것이다. Recently, new climate change mechanism after 2020 year has been accepted with the parties, and so government is pushing ahead the GHG reduction policies to achieve the effective results. Especially, it is essential to enhance the role of railroad in the public traffic system as well as to develop new cars with high energy efficiency for the GHG reduction of transportation sector. Thus, the calculation method of GHG emission of railroad should be established to manage the emission continuously. In this study, the calculation method of GHG emission of railroad was defined with Tier level considering its emission sources to refer to 2006 IPCC guideline for national GHG inventories. Also, the GHG emission of railroad at Tier 1 level was investigated using the activity data related to the amount of diesel and electricity consumption from 2008 to 2010. As a result, total GHG emission in 2010 was about 2,060 thousands ton CO2e, which have 73% of electricity and 27% of diesel. In future, the plans on the GHG reduction of railroad will be accomplished by the analysis of the detailed trends on the basis of the emission management of Tier 3 level under operating patterns. Therefore, it is important to develop the specific GHG emission factors of railroad in advance.

대학단위 온실가스 인벤토리 구축 가이드라인 개발

This research shows the improved methodology which can be applied for universities which want to set up their GHG inventories. In other words, we tried to make guideline in problems due to the unique characteristics of universities. This guideline will help university to deal with the problems they are facing: For example university has less enforcement in operational control compared to the business sector. And it also has various usage of facilities, although these facilities are not maintained by same principal agent. The difference between owner and manager is an another reason for difficulty in setting group organization. The improved and adaptable methods responding to these problems were suggested from this research. The results of this research says the new definition of function for various actors in university for quality control and quality assurance. Because the suggestions made in this research which concerns with criteria for building of universities' GHG inventories were all read by current legislation, there is an anticipation that this can be an official guideline that can be applied to the universities right away.

Comment on article “Is There a Metabolism of an Urban Ecosystem?” by Golubiewski

Comment on article “Is There a Metabolism of an Urban Ecosystem?” by Golubiewski

Politics, institutions and entrepreneurship: city decisions leading to inventoried GHG emissions

Local governments in the USA and around the globe are increasingly active in promoting energy efficiency and sustainability both in their governmental operations and in the wider community. Although in many countries, it is cities rather than the national government that have taken the lead role in reducing GHG emissions, we know little about what factors account for local adoption of climate protection at city level. In response, this article investigates how political and institutional factors, as well as various public entrepreneurs affect the adoption of GHG inventories in cities and differences in policies directed at emissions from the larger community versus governmental operations. The results confirm that elected mayors and civic entrepreneurs promote carbon reduction in the larger community, but managers and bureaucratic entrepreneurs focus their efforts on carbon emissions of governmental organizations.

토지·주택 건설부문 공공기관의 온실가스 배출량 관리방안 고찰

본 연구에서는 토지 주택 건설부문의 공공기관들에 적합한 온실가스 관리방안을 제시하였다. 토지 주택 건설부문 공공기관들에서 시행하는 사업들은 공공성과 복합성이라는 특징을 갖게 된다. 이러한 사업특성을 반영하여 온실가스 관리영역 및 감축목표를 설정하고 온실가스 관리시스템을 구축하는 방안이 필요하다. 토지 주택 건설부문 공공기관들의 사업들은 대부분 사회기간시설들을 건설하는 것이므로 온실가스 저감노력을 모두 계량화하기가 어렵다. 따라서 온실가스를 계량부문과 비계량부문으로 구분하여 체계적으로 관리하는 방안이 적합함을 제시하였다. 온실가스 배출량 관리방안의 구체적 모델로서 한국토지주택공사의 사업 분야를 대상으로 종합적인 온실가스 배출량 관리방안을 예시하였다. This study was aimed to suggest a management strategy of GHG emissions for the public organizations in land and housing costruction sector. As public organizations' businesses are characterized as 'public' and 'comprehensive', these characteristics should be considered in scoping emissions, setting-up reduction target, building GHG inventory, and establishing management system. Since public organizations' activities in construction sector involve a wide range of social infrastructure construction projects, it is not easy to account their actions to reduce GHG emissions quantitatively. Therefore, this study suggested that a twofold approach is suitable for public organizations in construction area, classifying the measurable reductions and the immeasurable actions according to the their business characteristics. To give a concrete example, a GHG emission management system for the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) was proposed.

Forest biomass extraction for livestock feed and associated carbon analysis in lower Himalayas, India

Accounting the changes in the net carbon (C) sink-source balance is an important component for greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) inventories. However, carbon emission due to the vegetation biomass extraction for household purposes is generally not accounted in forest carbon budget analysis due to miniscule volume and non-availability of data. However, if vegetation remains in the forests, then vegetation biomass decomposes after natural death and decay and fixes some carbon to soil and releases some directly to the atmosphere. The study attempts to quantify the carbon removal against the biomass extraction for livestock feed by collecting primary data on feed from 316 randomly selected households engaged in livestock rearing in the lower Himalayas, Uttarakhand, India and carbon flow components due to livestock production. The analysis results that average daily forest fodder consumption was 13 kg per Adult Cattle Unit (ACU) and total of 20.31 Million tonnes (Mt) consumption of forest biomass by total livestock of Uttarakhand. This results into absolute annual carbon removal of 3.25 Mt from Uttarakhand forests against the livestock fodder. However, overall carbon flow including the enteric fermentation and manure management system of livestock estimated as per IPCC guidelines, results into emissions of 9.42 Mt CO2 eq. Therefore, biomass extraction for household purposes should be accounted in regional carbon flow analysis and properly addressed in the GHG inventories of the forests and livestock sector. Suitable measures should be taken for emissions reduction generated due to forest based livestock production.

Estimating GHG emissions of marine ports—the case of Barcelona

In recent years, GHG inventories of cities have expanded to include extra-boundary activities that form part of the city's urban metabolism and economy. This paper centers on estimating the emissions due to seaports, in such a way that they can be included as part of the city's inventory or be used by the port itself to monitor their policy and technology improvements for mitigating climate change. We propose the indicators GHG emissions per ton of cargo handled or per passenger and emissions per value of cargo handled as practical measures for policy making and emission prevention measures to be monitored over time. Adapting existing methodologies to the Port of Barcelona, we calculated a total of 331,390 tons of GHG emissions (CO2 equivalents) for the year of 2008, half of which were attributed to vessel movement (sea-based emissions) and the other half to port, land related activities (land-based emissions). The highest polluters were auto carriers with 6kg of GHG emissions per ton of cargo handled. Knowing the highest emitters, the port can take action to improve the ship's activities within the port limits, such as maneuvering and hotelling. With these results, the port and the city can also find ways to reduce the land-based emissions.

National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory – Romania

As a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and its Kyoto Protocol, Romania is required to elaborate, regularly update and submit the national GHG Inventory. In compliance with the reporting requirements, Romania submitted in 2010 its ninth version of the National Inventory Report (NIR) covering the national inventories of GHG emissions/removals for the period 1989-2008. The inventories cover all sectors: Energy, Industrial Processes, Solvent and other product use, Agriculture, LULUCF and Waste. The direct GHGs included in the national inventory are: Carbon dioxide (CO2); Methane (CH4); Nitrous oxide (N2O); Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); Perfluorocarbons (PFCs); Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). &#x0D; The emissions trend over the 1989-2008 period reflects the changes characterized by a process of transition to a market economy. With the entire economy in transition, some energy intensive industries reduced their activities and this is reflected in the GHG emissions reduction. Energy represents the most important sector in Romania, accounting for about 69% of the total national GHG emissions in 2008.&#x0D; The most significant anthropogenic greenhouse gas is the carbon dioxide. The decrease of CO2 emissions is caused by the decline of the amount of fossil fuels burnt in the energy sector, as a consequence of activity decline.&#x0D; According to the figures, there is a great probability for Romania to meet the Kyoto Protocol commitments on the limitation of the GHG emissions in the 2008-2012 commitment period.

After the GHG Inventory; Community Climate Action Planning

After the GHG Inventory; Community Climate Action Planning

DCWASA's Certifiable GHG Inventory and Projected GHG Reductions from Cambi/Anaerobic Digestion Upgrades

DCWASA's Certifiable GHG Inventory and Projected GHG Reductions from Cambi/Anaerobic Digestion Upgrades