Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Research Articles

Characterization and utilization of sawdust waste generated from advanced manufacture for its application as a thermal insulation in sustainable buildings using the blowing technique

The construction industry is vital for economic development, but it accounts for 40% of energy consumption and 45% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, research has focused on reducing energy demand in homes, particularly through the development of insulation materials. Sawdust is a byproduct available annually in Chile in quantities exceeding 4.5 million tons. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize the physical and thermal properties of this waste to evaluate its use as a thermal insulation material. Stability and thermal conductivity tests, as well as density and moisture content measurements, were conducted on the sawdust. Additionally, to assess the functionality of this thermal insulator, the material was applied using the blowing technique in partitions, followed by physical tests. The results indicate that the proposed insulation material has thermal stability up to 270 °C. The thermal conductivity was comparable to conventional mineral wool and fiberglass (0.042–0.048 [W/mK]). The density ranged from 123.77 to 198.15 [kg/m³] depending on the filling time of the specimens but remained low compared to other organic materials. The moisture content was 11.31%, suitable for maintaining good thermal conductivity. This study concludes that sawdust is a viable alternative for thermal insulation, especially when applied through blowing. Its stability and thermal conductivity are comparable to conventional materials, while its thermal inertia is 200% higher than that of glass wool. Furthermore, the low moisture content suggests that there would be no proliferation of pathogens, making it a promising thermal insulator for sustainable construction development. Finally, it is mentioned that the material carbonizes within a limited time, leading to self-extinguishment of the flame.

Exploring the technical feasibility of carbon capture onboard ships

International shipping is crucial for freight transport, but it relies primarily on fossil fuels, contributing 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This calls for urgent action to decarbonize the shipping industry. While renewable-based e-fuels are a strong candidate for decarbonization of this sector in the long run, deploying these to the required scale will take significant time, considering technical modifications onboard the vessels, as well as the changes in fuel production and infrastructure for distribution. Carbon capture from ships is another route to emission reduction that can be implemented faster due to the relatively high maturity of the technology. Tankers, dry bulk carriers, and container vessels contribute a majority of global shipping emissions and are therefore prime candidates for carbon capture and storage. Solvent-based post-combustion capture is chosen for this study as it is mature and suitable for marine applications, though technical, economic, environmental, and practical challenges remain. This paper assesses the technical feasibility of the capture system for ships; both retrofit and newbuild vessels. While achieving zero-emissions presents a significant challenge, it is feasible to attain 70%–90% CO2 reduction through carbon capture in the near term. This reduction is crucial for transforming the industry into a more sustainable and environmentally friendly state. The limitation of space onboard is identified as a key factor in determining the viability, and the 70%–100% increase in energy consumption between existing ships and newbuild will be a substantial operational challenge. However, the high fuel consumption of the capture system could be economically acceptable if the price of alternative fuels remains high.

Bad avocados, culinary standards, and knowable knowledge. Culturally appropriate rejections of meat reduction

Cultural conventions are central to tackling unsustainable consumption. In the Global North food conventions are increasingly contested due to the political importance of climate change and the share of global greenhouse gas emissions tied to animal food production and consumption. Significant reductions in meat consumption are touted as pathways to adaptation, but most consumers remain committed to consuming meat-based meals and diets with meat. To explore how consumers handle these issues in today’s cultural context, this article examines culturally appropriate ways of rejecting meat reduction. The theoretical framework is based on interactionism and accounts. The empirical material is from focus group discussions with Danish consumers. We find that in discussions about using plant-based meat, norms of proper culinary conduct are held to be more pressing guides for normative assessment than climate impacts. We also show that the status and function of climate impact “knowledge” is complex and ambiguous. A shared social knowledge of the climate impacts of meat consumption appears to exist alongside “questionable knowledge” and “lack of knowledge”, both of which are referred to excuse, justify, and charge others in reasoning supporting continued meat consumption. Knowledge of climate impacts is accepted when it fits cultural conventions but appears less knowable if it poses challenges to contemporary consumer culture. The article contributes insights into the ways in which cultural conventions and complex knowledge negotiations help to preserve unsustainable consumption.

Utilisation of Reused Steel and Slag: Analysing the Circular Economy Benefits through Three Case Studies

This research explores sustainable construction practices focusing on material reuse, specifically reclaimed structural steel and slag. In general, the building stock is not designed for deconstruction, and material recovery for reuse at the end of life of buildings is complex and challenging. The study evaluates the benefits of content reuse through a thorough analysis of three case studies—BedZED eco-friendly housing, Angus Technopôle building, and the use of steel slag aggregate in road construction. It highlights the value of reclaimed structural steel and by-products like steel slag in waste reduction, energy conservation, and resource preservation. The BedZED case study showcases recycled steel’s cost-effectiveness and economic viability in construction, while the Angus Technopôle building exemplifies the adaptive reuse of an old steel frame building. Additionally, the third case study showcases the benefits of using Electric Arc Furnace C slag in asphalt-wearing courses, highlighting the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact. The versatility of reclaimed structural steel and slag is evident in integrating material reuse in building construction and road infrastructure. These case studies illustrate the potential for reusing steel and its by-products in various construction contexts, from eco-friendly housing to road development. Therefore, the study aims to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of sustainable practices within the construction industry by showcasing the successful incorporation of reclaimed steel and slag in these projects. Considering the significant contributions of building construction to global greenhouse gas emissions, raw material extraction, and waste production, the study advocates for adopting circular economy (CE) principles within the construction industry. Finally, the analysis of case studies underscores the advantages of reclaimed structural steel and the valorisation of steel slag through the lens of CE and their contribution to sustainable development.

The relationship of health with the sustainable development goals

By 2050 the planet will face several and complex challenges: feeding 9 billion people, creating homes for 2 billion new urban residents, providing universal access to health services, clean water, affordable and renewable energy, basic sanitation, reducing poverty, reducing the consumption of goods and natural resources, reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases, so that the future becomes sustainable. Human health and disease are determined by multiple and complex factors. Threats to health are at the human-animal-ecosystems interface. Zoonoses pose risks and costs to public health and if the environment is contaminated, degraded and polluted, more diseases will be transmitted. This article specifically illustrates the importance of diverse paradigms to actual and potential threats to health. More specifically, it intends to discuss the specific aspects of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No 3 (Health and Well-Being) and its correlations with the other SDG`s and implications with the multiple dimensions of sustainability. For this, a search was carried out in the databases, SciELO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science; and websites with magazines, ScienceDirect, CAPES Journal Portal. The importance of health is highlighted in the Magna Cartas of the countries, being considered a priority for human dignity. All areas of health are somehow linked to all SDGs, but in this text SDGs 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 13 were highlighted. Health is an SDG that is intensive in scientific research and that it needs public policies. Poor quality in health directly affects the sustainability of the environment.

Carbon Emission and Economical Impact of Conversion Yamaha N-Max 150cc into Electric Motorcycle

Due to the increasing usage of oil-powered vehicles, the transportation industry is the largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles can be a potential solution to the climate change problem because the greenhouse gas emissions produced by electric vehicles are significantly lower than those produced by vehicles with fossil view resources. On the other hand, cost of ownership electric vehicles is highly priced for the middle and lower classes. Therefore, the conversion of conventional vehicles to electric vehicles is growing popularity in the community. As a result, the Indonesian Government, through the Ministry of Transportation, has issued several regulations to control conversion operations so that they can give the benefits they should. Compared to traditional ICE vehicles of the same motorcycle type, Yamaha N-Max-type convertibles can save up to 7.7 times the energy expenses and emit 4 times fewer greenhouse gas emissions; consequently, conversion vehicles can be an alternate solution.

Country Risk and Sustainable Development: Mediating Role of Economic Growth

Sustainable development is of great significance for present and future generations. This study examines the mediation role of economic growth on sustainable development through country risk. We have employed the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique to examine the direct and indirect effects of exogenous and endogenous variables. We conducted this analysis using a sample of 24 countries that contributed approximately 65% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 2000 to 2019. The empirical analysis based on direct effects establishes that country risk reduces economic growth and sustainable development. Interestingly, the empirics of indirect effects reveal that country risk has a positive and significant indirect impact on sustainable development by using economic growth as a mediator. Moreover, the negative direct effect of country risk on sustainable development is greater than the total negative effect due to the positive indirect effect. Finally, policymakers should minimize country risk to promote economic growth, ensuring environmental, social, and economic sustainability for the safety of current and future generations.

Assessing the Pathways of Sustainable Development: A Structural Equation Modeling Investigation of Regulatory Framework, Innovation and Economic Indicators

The concept of sustainable development holds significant importance for both current and future generations. This research examines the different pathways and relationships among sustainable development, stock market performance, foreign direct investment, regulatory framework, and innovation. The structural equation modelling technique and analysis have been conducted using a sample of 24 countries that contributed around 65% of global greenhouse gas emissions over the period from 2000 to 2019. The empirical analysis, based on direct effects, confirms that innovation enhances stock market performance and necessitates stringent regulations. Conversely, innovation reduces foreign direct investment. Similarly, a set of regulations and stock market performance have an adverse impact on sustainable development. Additionally, the empirics of indirect effects reveal that innovation and stock market performance encourage foreign direct investment by using regulations as mediators. Moreover, innovation reduces sustainable development indirectly, considering stock market performance and foreign direct investment as mediators.

Nexus among Regulatory Framework, Economic Growth and Sustainable Development: Insights from Structural Equation Modeling Approach

The concept of sustainable development holds immense importance for both current and future generations. This study investigates the manner in which economic growth acts as a mediator in the relationship between sustainable development and the regulatory framework. We have utilized the structural equation modeling technique to investigate the direct and indirect impacts of exogenous and endogenous variables. We executed this investigation using a sample of 24 countries that accounted for about 65% of global greenhouse gas emissions between 2000 and 2019. According to empirical results based on direct effects, the regulatory framework hinders sustainable development and economic growth. The empirical findings indicate that the regulatory framework has a noteworthy and favorable indirect influence on sustainable development, with economic growth serving as a mediating factor. Furthermore, because of the positive indirect effect, the regulatory framework's negative direct effect on sustainable development outweighs its total adverse effect. In the end, legislators should give utmost importance to creating a balanced regulatory framework that promotes economic expansion while incorporating concepts of environmental, social, and economic sustainability to ensure the well-being of present and future generations.

Complete elimination of methane formation in stored livestock manure using plasma technology

Plasma-based nitrogen fixation has recently been shown to be applicable in the domain of manure management, as it has the ability to reduce ammoniacal nitrogen losses and increase the nitrogen content of organic wastes, with air and electricity as the only input. In addition, the plasma treatment confers antimicrobial properties, which we hypothesize to be transferable to methanogenic archaea and hence prevent methane formation during manure storage – a major contributor to global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. In this work we compared the methane formation from cow manure to the methane formation in nitrogen enriched cow manure, kept in two outdoor storage tanks for 70–80 summer days over three consecutive years. In all instances, the methane formation was eliminated completely. To investigate the cause of inhibition, a controlled incubation experiment was conducted to show that neither the acidification nor the addition of nitrate or nitrite, alone or in combination, could explain the inhibition of methanogenesis and denitrification that occurred in plasma treated cow manure at moderate pH.

The Dynamic Impact of Renewable Energy Consumption on Economic Growth in Zimbabwe: An ARDL Approach

Motivated by the study country’s active involvement in the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions and the positive strides it has made domestically in increasing renewable energy in its energy mix, on the one hand, and the need to find out whether renewable energy consumption can also assist in reviving the economy, on the other hand, this study empirically examines the dynamic impact of renewable energy consumption on economic growth in Zimbabwe. Using annual time-series data from 1990 to 2019, and the autoregressive distributed lag approach, the results of the study show that in Zimbabwe, renewable energy consumption has apositive impact on economic growth, both in the short and long run. Increasing the usage of renewable energy increases the growth of the economy in the country of study. These results imply that Zimbabwe can achieve two goals using one strategy – increasing renewable energy consumption to decrease the negative impact climate change and greenhouse gas emission have on the environment and the economy, and increasing economic growth. Policy makers in Zimbabwe are, therefore, recommended to supportincreased use of renewable energy over alternative energy sources, as this would have positive implications on the economy, both in the short and long term.

Greenhouse gas emissions patterns and insertion in global value chains: a comparative study between Brazil and China (2000–2016)

PurposeThis study aims to analyze and compare the relationship between international trade in global value chains (GVC) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for Brazil and China from 2000 to 2016.Design/methodology/approachThe input-output method apply to multiregional tables from Eora-26 to decompose the GHG emissions of the Brazilian and Chinese productive structure.FindingsThe data reveals that Chinese production and consumption emissions are associated with power generation and energy-intensive industries, a significant concern among national and international policymakers. For Brazil, the largest territorial emissions captured by the metrics come from services and traditional industry, which reveals room for improving energy efficiency. The analysis sought to emphasize how the productive structure and dynamics of international trade have repercussions on the environmental dimension, to promote arguments that guide the execution of a more sustainable, productive and commercial development strategy and offer inputs to advance discussions on the attribution of climate responsibility.Research limitations/implicationsThe metrics did not capture emissions related to land use and deforestation, which are representative of Brazilian emissions.Originality/valueComparative analysis of emissions embodied in traditional sectoral trade flows and GVC, on backward and forward sides, for developing countries with the main economic regions of the world.

A Review of Metaheuristic Optimization Techniques for Effective Energy Conservation in Buildings

The built environment is a significant contributor to global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Advancements in the adoption of environmentally friendly building technology have become crucial in promoting sustainable development. These advancements play a crucial role in conserving energy. The aim is to achieve an optimal design by balancing various interrelated factors. The emergence of innovative techniques to address energy conservation have been witnessed in the built environment. This review examines existing research articles that explore different metaheuristic optimization techniques (MOTs) for energy conservation in buildings. The focus is on evaluating the simplicity and stochastic nature of these optimization techniques. The findings of the review present theoretical and mathematical models for each algorithm and assess their effectiveness in problem solving. A systematic analysis of selected algorithms using MOT is conducted, considering factors that influence wellbeing, occupant health, and indoor environmental quality. The study examines the variations among swarm intelligence MOTs based on complexity, advantages, and disadvantages. The algorithms’ performances are based on the concept of uncertainty in consistently providing optimal solutions. The paper highlights the application of each technique in achieving energy conservation in buildings.

Unveiling the Potential of Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Maritime Applications

The maritime sector is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating urgent action to mitigate its carbon footprint. Hydrogen fuel cells have emerged as a promising solution for marine propulsion, offering the potential to reduce emissions and enhance energy efficiency. This paper presents a thorough examination of the challenges and opportunities linked to hydrogen fuel cells in marine contexts. It delves into the environmental advantages, such as emission reductions and enhanced efficiency, while also discussing hydrogen's role in bolstering energy security and diminishing reliance on fossil fuels. Regulatory incentives propelling hydrogen fuel cell adoption in shipping are highlighted. Safety aspects are addressed, emphasising the importance of safe handling, storage, and transportation, along with technical strategies for ensuring safety. The paper also tackles the hurdles in scaling up these solutions for widespread implementation.

Coalition Stability in International Environmental Matching Agreements

This study presents empirically calibrated simulations of three different variants of environmental matching agreements aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. We determine whether matching agreements can produce larger stable coalitions and increase abatement contributions and payoffs as compared to standard agreements. The matching agreements we analyze feature uniform matching rates by which coalition members match the unconditional contributions of (i) the other coalition members, (ii) all other players, or (iii) only non-members, while non-members do not commit to any matching and maximize their individual payoffs. The simulation considers twelve asymmetric world regions with linear abatement benefits and quadratic costs, calibrated based on the STACO 3 model, and uses emissions data from the shared socioeconomic pathways database. We find that the first variant of the matching game fails to produce any stable coalitions and thus performs worse than the standard agreement that produces a stable two-player coalition. The second variant produces a stable grand coalition and significantly increases the abatement and payoff levels beyond the non-cooperative Nash baseline. Partial coalitions are unstable in this game. The third variant produces a two-player coalition similar to the standard coalition formation game, but with different members and higher abatement and payoff levels due to the matching mechanism.

Mitigating farmland use carbon emissions: The dynamic role of farmland use transition

China's carbon emissions contribute to approximately one-quarter of the global greenhouse gas emissions, with farmland use carbon emission (FUCE) emerging as a significant contributor. Recognizing the global importance of the farmland use system and the spatial intricacies of FUCE, it becomes imperative to examine the spatial impact of farmland use transition (FUT) on FUCE. This study reveals noteworthy spatial correlation disparities between FUCE and various FUT forms within the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. Employing spatial econometric models, we explore the direct and spillover effects of dominant farmland use transition (DFUT) and recessive farmland use transition (RFUT) on FUCE. Among these transformations, quantitative farmland use transition (QFUT), production function farmland use transition (PFFUT), and living function farmland use transition (LFFUT) exhibit substantial positive direct effects and spatial spillover effects on FUCE. Conversely, spatial structure farmland use transition (SSFUT) and ecological function farmland use transition (EFFUT) demonstrate noteworthy reduction effects on FUCE. In both the short and long run, SSFUT and EFFUT play vital roles in suppressing FUCE, with the long-term effects proving more pronounced than their short-term counterparts. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing farmland use spatial structure and promoting ecologically sound land use practices to mitigate FUCE effectively.

Aging Increases Global Annual Food Greenhouse Gas Emissions up to 300 Million Tonnes by 2100.

The dietary preferences of the elderly population exhibit distinct variations from the overall averages in most countries, gaining increasing significance due to aging demographics worldwide. These dietary preferences play a crucial role in shaping global food systems, which will result in changed environmental impacts in the future such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We present a quantitative evaluation of the influence of population aging on the changes in GHG emissions from global food systems. To achieve this, we developed regional dietary coefficients (DCs) of the elderly based on the Global Dietary Database (GDD). We then reconciled the GDD with the dataset from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to calculate the food GHG emissions of the average population in each of the countries. By applying the DCs, we estimated the national food GHG emissions and obtained the variations between the emissions from aged and average populations. We employed a modified version of the regional integrated model of climate and the economy model (RICE) to forecast the emission trends in different countries based on FAO and GDD data. This integrated approach allowed us to evaluate the dynamic relationships among aging demographics, food consumption patterns, and economic developments within regions. Our results indicate that the annual aging-embodied global food GHG emissions will reach 288 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (Mt CO2e) by 2100. This estimation is crucial for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and researchers as it provides insights into a potential future environmental challenge and emphasizes the importance of sustainable food production and consumption strategies to GHG emission mitigations associated with aging dietary patterns.

The Global Environmental Impacts of China's Accession to the WTO: A 20-Year Review.

Robust empirical assessments of the long-term cumulative global effects of free trade and economic globalization on the environment are limited. This account fills this gap by constructing a dynamic computable general equilibrium model to estimate the environmental effects of a milestone in the recent history of trade liberalization: China's 20-year World Trade Organization (WTO) accession. The modeling shows that China's accession could have resulted in an increase in the global cumulative greenhouse gases (GHGs), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by roughly 14,000 Mt CO2-eq, 64 Mt, and 46 Mt, respectively. The global production scale effect contributed to most of these estimated increases. The regional total output composition effect also caused higher emissions. Meanwhile, the sectoral output composition effect helped reduce total emissions to a limited extent. Fortunately, a package of emission abatement measures led to a decrease in emission factors and a drop in the global cumulative emissions of GHGs, SO2, and NOx. The findings suggest that to enjoy the free trade and economic globalization benefits and minimize the induced emission increases, it is vitally important to systemically reduce emissions across the entire economy and nurture a low-carbon trade regime.

Low-carbon transition paths and benefits for the power sector at city level: A case study in Zhengzhou, China

The power sector significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions, making its transition to low-carbon energy crucial for achieving carbon neutrality. Zhengzhou, recognized as one of the China's "National Central Cities", has a high energy demand. Its power sector, which is primarily reliant on coal, is responsible for half of the city's CO2 emissions. The low emissions analysis platform (LEAP) model serves as an effective tool for exploring the power sector's transition to low-carbon sources. However, studies on the combined reduction in air pollutants and CO2 at the city level are scarce. This study focuses on Zhengzhou's power sector, examining the power composition, coal usage, CO2 and air pollutant emissions, social costs, and employment effects across five scenarios using LEAP. The five scenarios are the business-as-usual scenario, the reference scenario, the carbon neutrality scenario, and two optimization scenarios with different carbon peak and carbon neutrality time. CO2 emissions will peak in 2030 at 34.6 Mt in the reference scenario, and in 2022 at 32.4 Mt in the carbon neutrality scenario. Emissions in the reference and carbon neutrality scenarios will decrease by 64.8% and 75.2%, respectively, from those in the business-as-usual scenario due to emission reduction strategies. In the carbon neutrality scenario, coal power reformation is the most significant measure, accounting for 45.7% of the total CO2 reduction compared to that in the business-as-usual scenario, followed by the integration of external electricity (17.8%) and solar energy (13.6%). This scenario also demonstrated a strong synergistic effect on reducing air pollutants and CO2 emissions. Although the carbon neutrality scenario incurs costs 60.4 billion yuan higher than those of the reference scenario, its CO2 mitigation cost is 66.1 yuan/t lower. This indicated that more rapid CO2 reduction, despite higher economic inputs, is justified by ambitious CO2 reduction goals and environmental benefits. Enhancing the use of renewable energy technologies for research and development to lower costs could increase the economic feasibility of the carbon neutrality scenario. In the two optimization scenarios, complete elimination of CO2 and air pollutant emissions is achieved by 2060, with all the electricity generated from renewable sources, although issues of uncertainty and stability need to be addressed. The study also highlights that renewable energy development will significantly boost employment, with an estimated 1.19 million jobs in 2060 in the carbon neutrality scenario. Finally, the paper concludes with a sensitivity analysis and offers policy recommendations for the power sector's low-carbon transition.

NAVIGATING DECARBONIZATION: EXAMINING SHIPPING COMPANIES’ FLEET MODERNIZATION STRATEGIES WORLDWIDE

The shipping industry's heavy reliance on fossil fuels has significantly contributed to global greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating urgent decarbonization measures. In this context, the trend towards environmentally friendly alternative fuels has accelerated and shipping companies has begun fleet modernization such as retrofitting vessels to accommodate alternative fuel systems or investing in new ships designed for specific alternative fuels. However, there are contradicting approaches in practice on viable option(s) to decarbonize. In this study, it is aimed to determine which strategies the shipping companies in fleet modernization mainly prefer. In this context, the current news under the title of "Shipping-Decarbonization" in the Thompson Reuters Refinitiv terminal has been scanned to seek answers about the direction in which the preferences of practitioners have evolved. Although there are different investment preferences, it has been determined that companies are predominantly investing in ships with methanol and LNG propulsion systems or retrofitting their existing fleets in this area on their decarbonization journey. Based on the analysis, this study aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders especially on identification of preferred alternative fuels in order to customize incentives and regulations aimed at encouraging the adoption of these particular alternative fuels