Greenhouse Gas Emissions Research Articles

A hybrid metaheuristic and simulation approach towards green project scheduling

AbstractThis research tackles the environmental concern of greenhouse gas emissions in the execution of projects, with a focus on multi-site projects where the transportation of resources is a major source of emissions. Despite growing consciousness among consumers and stakeholders about sustainability, the domain of project scheduling has often overlooked the environmental impact. This paper seeks to bridge this oversight by exploring how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during both project activities and resource transportation. A novel approach is proposed, combining a simulation model with an improved non-dominated sorted genetic algorithm. The simulation model incorporates the stochastic nature of emission rates and costs. This method is further refined with innovative techniques such as magnet-based crossover and mode reassignment. The former is a genetic algorithm operation inspired by magnetic attraction, which allows for a more diverse and effective exploration of solutions by aligning similar ’genes’ from parent solutions. The latter is a strategy for reallocating resources during project execution to optimize efficiency and reduce emissions. The efficacy of the proposed method is validated through testing on 2810 scenarios from established benchmark libraries, 100 additional scenarios adhering to the conventional multi-site problems, and a case study. The Best-Worst Method (BWM) is applied for identifying the best solution. The findings indicate substantial enhancements compared to traditional methods with a 12.7% decrease in project duration, 11.4% in costs, and a remarkable 13.6% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Optimizing residue return with soil moisture and nutrient stoichiometry reduced greenhouse gas fluxes in Alfisols

Optimum soil moisture and high crop residue return (RR) can increase the active pool of soil organic carbon and nitrogen, thus modulating the magnitude of greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes. To determine the effect of soil moisture on the threshold level of RR for the wheat production system, we analyzed the relationship between GHG fluxes and RR at four levels, namely 0, 5, 10, and 15 Mg ha−1 (R0, R5, R10, and R15) under two soil moisture content (80% FC and 100% FC) and three levels of nutrient management (NS0: no nutrient; NS1, NS2= 3x NS1). Nutrient input (N and P) in NS1 balanced the residue C/nutrient stoichiometry to achieve 30% stabilization of the residue C input in RR (R5). All RR treatments (cf. R0) were found to significantly reduce N2O emission in moderate soil moisture content (80% FC) by 22–56% across nutrient management due to enhanced soil C mineralization, microbial biomass carbon, and N immobilization. However, averaged across nutrient management, a linear increase in N2O emission was observed with increasing RR under 100% FC soil moisture. A significant decrease in CH4 emission by ca. 46% in most RR treatments was observed in 100% FC compared with the R0. The N2O emission was negatively correlated (p = <0.001) with nutrient stoichiometry. Partial least square (PLS) regression indicated that GHG emissions were more responsive (values > 0.8) to management variables (RR rate, nitrogen (N) input rate, soil moisture, and nutrient stoichiometry of C: N) and post-incubation soil properties (SMBC and NO3-N) in Alfisols. This study demonstrated that the mechanisms responsible for RR effects on soil N2O, CH4 fluxes, and carbon mineralization depend on soil moisture and nutrient management, shifting the nutrient stoichiometry of residue C: N: P.

The LTAR Integrated Common Experiment at Southern Plains.

The Southern Plains (SP) is one of 18 Long-Term Agroecosystem Research network sites that combine strategic research projects with common measurements across multiple agroecosystems. Projects at the SP site focus on the use of indicator measurements to aid in assessment of land and nutrient management's impact on soil health, water quality, carbon and water balances, and forage biomass-quality in diversified, adaptive crop-livestock systems designed to overcome shifts in natural resources and climate. The prevailing treatment is tilled winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that is grazed, hayed, harvested for grain, or grazed and harvested for grain. The alternative treatment is year-round annual cover crop forage mixes for cattle (Bos taurus) production planted in fall and spring under conservation tillage management. The area is subject to variable weather and climatic shifts that reduce the potential to diversify forage crops and limit grazing in southern tall grass prairies and small grain systems. Incorporation of fertilized, rain-fed, annual cool and warm season mixtures of cover crops could fill forage gaps. The presence of year-round ground cover reduces sediment and nutrient loading to surface waters while enhancing soil health and water holding capacity. Tools to aid agricultural producers and land and water resource managers have been developed and implemented to determine how climate, topography, and varying conservation management practices alter hydrological structures, greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and soil resources.

Technology and material-oriented strategies can reduce lead industry carbon emissions in China

Achieving carbon neutrality in the lead industry requires both technological decarbonization and comprehensive reduction of surplus lead to mitigate environmental risks from stacking. A successful decarbonization pathway requires integrating material-oriented and technology-oriented factors synergistically. In this study, a comprehensive dynamic model was developed to encompass emissions of greenhouse gases throughout various processes and levels of lead redundancy across different scenarios. The results show that China’s cumulative lead consumption amounts to 190.24 million tonnes, with greenhouse gases emissions reach 250.96 million tonnes CO2-equivalent between 2021 and 2060. Strategies focused on material-oriented approaches to achieve an earlier carbon peak can yield short-term success, while a technology-oriented strategy demonstrates superior long-term optimization. In order to achieve synergistic outcomes in reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, it is imperative to prioritize short-term improvements in recycling rates and long-term technological advancements. Additionally, exploring new applications for surplus lead should also be pursued.

Are Climate Change Strategies Effective in Managing Urban Water Resources? The Case of Portugal

This study examines the relationship between climate mitigation, adaptation strategies, and water management practices in Portugal from 2015 to 2021. Utilizing climate and water resource data from 2015 to 2021, including meteorological data (emperature, rainfall), wastewater treatment volumes, and energy efficiency metrics, the data are sourced from national agencies such as IPMA, ERSAR, APA, and Eurostat. The methodology employs correlation analysis to assess the relationships between climate variables (e.g., temperature, rainfall) and water resource indicators (e.g., reclaimed wastewater, energy efficiency). Despite notable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improvements in wastewater treatment efficiency, water resource stability remains a complex issue, particularly with regional disparities such as severe droughts in the Algarve. Additionally, the study evaluates the effectiveness of rainwater harvesting systems, reclaimed wastewater, and infiltration facilities, revealing a decline in reclaimed wastewater efficiency despite increased wastewater treatment. Rainwater harvesting systems (RWHSs) offer resilience, but their broader adoption is hindered by high costs and public perception challenges. Key recommendations include the development of resilient infrastructure, enhanced support for reclaimed water use, and increased investment in research to address water management challenges amid climate variability.

Trends in Global Agricultural Carbon Emission Research: A Bibliometric Analysis

As climate change intensifies and countries actively pursue carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets, agriculture has emerged as a significant source of carbon emissions. A comprehensive analysis of global agricultural carbon emission research can enhance the agricultural environment and achieve a mutually beneficial outcome for environmental protection and economic development. Despite the evolution of research domains and methodologies, the global context remains closely connected to the current state of the discipline. Drawing on the Web of Science core collection, this paper develops a knowledge network framework, examines the current status and hotspots of agricultural carbon emissions, forecasts future development trends, and analyzes the findings using CiteSpace visualization software. The findings indicate that the number of papers on agricultural carbon emissions has been increasing annually, with minor fluctuations; time series analysis and sustainable development have emerged as the current focal points, and relevant institutions are collaborating increasingly closely. However, cooperation among scholars requires further enhancement. Countries such as China, the United States, and Germany are the primary nations for paper publication. The hotspot analysis reveals a high frequency of keywords such as greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, indicating that research on agricultural carbon emissions has matured and the emphasis has shifted from accounting to management. This paper develops a domain knowledge framework to assist readers in understanding agricultural carbon emission patterns and provide resources for further research. Follow-up studies should enhance both comprehensiveness and breadth, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, provide a scientific foundation for policymakers, and outline future research directions.

Historical Evolution and Current Developments in Building Thermal Insulation Materials—A Review

The European Climate Law mandates a 55% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030, intending to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. To meet these targets, there is a strong focus on reducing energy consumption in buildings, particularly for heating and cooling, which are the primary drivers of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, the demand for energy-efficient and sustainable buildings is increasing, and thermal insulation plays a crucial role in minimizing energy consumption for both winter heating and summer cooling. This review explores the historical development of thermal insulation materials, beginning with natural options such as straw, wool, and clay, progressing to materials like cork, asbestos, and mineral wool, and culminating in synthetic insulators such as fiberglass and polystyrene. The review also examines innovative materials like polyurethane foam, vacuum insulation panels, and cement foams enhanced with phase change materials. Additionally, it highlights the renewed interest in environmentally friendly materials like cellulose, hemp, and sheep wool. The current challenges in developing sustainable, high-performance building solutions are discussed, including the implementation of the 6R principles for insulating materials. Finally, the review not only traces the historical evolution of insulation materials but also provides various classifications and summarizes emerging aspects in the field.

Synergistic Effects of Mannan Oligosaccharides and Onion Peels on In Vitro Batch Culture Fermentation of High Concentrate and Forage Diets

The current study evaluated the effect of combining mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) and onion peel (OP) on ruminal in vitro total gas (GP), greenhouse gas emissions, dry matter and fiber fraction digestibility, partitioning factor (PF24; mg degradable DM per mL gas), microbial mass, and volatile fatty acids using two dietary substrates: high forage (HF) and high concentrate (HC) diets. The study was arranged as a 2 × 2 × 6 factorial design with two dietary substrates, two time points (6 and 24 h), and six treatments. The treatments included a control group with no MOS or OP administration and groups administered with 2% of a mixture containing MOS and OP in the following ratios: 1:0 (MOS), 0:1 (OP), 1:1 (MOS:OP), 1:2 (MOS:2OP), and 1:3 (MOS:3OP). No significant diet × treatment interactions were observed for any of the measured parameters. However, treatments decreased (p < 0.05) the undegraded portion of HC, and treatment × substrate interactions were significant (p < 0.05) for PF24 and microbial mass. The treatments in the HC diet produced higher GP (p < 0.001) at 6 h compared to the treatments in the HF diet. Administration of MOS:2OP to the HC diet increased GP at 24 h of incubation, while the lowest GP was observed with the OP in the HF diet. The administration of MOS, OP, and MOS:2OP to the HC diet decreased methane production at 24 h of incubation. Additionally, MOS:2OP and MOS:3OP increased (p < 0.001) degradable acid detergent fiber (dADF) in the HC diet at 6 h of incubation. Both OP and MOS:3OP decreased the degradability of acid detergent lignin in the HC diet (p < 0.001). The OP also resulted in the lowest DM disappearance (p < 0.001) at 24 h of incubation in the HF diet, while the MOS:3OP had the highest dADF. At the end of incubation, the highest productions of total volatile fatty acids and acetate were observed (p = 0.002) with the MOS:OP administration in the HC diet, whereas the lowest values were observed with MOS and OP administration to the HF diet. The inclusion of mannan oligosaccharide and onion peel combinations as additives improved substrate (HC and HF) fermentation, leading to higher GP and volatile fatty production, and modulated fiber degradability by improving the breakdown of acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin.

Optimizing Energy Renovation in Building Portfolios: Approach and Decision-Making Platform

The building sector contributes significantly to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, with many buildings being energy inefficient. In response, the European Green Deal promotes improving energy efficiency to support decarbonization goals. However, managing energy consumption and integrating data from multiple sources presents challenges, especially for large building portfolios. This study introduces a novel methodology designed to optimize energy renovation strategies, balancing technical, financial, and maintenance considerations. The methodology is implemented in CERPlan 1.0, a web-based decision-support platform that combines data on building energy performance, renovation costs, and maintenance needs. Through simulations, CERPlan 1.0 helps decision-makers prioritize retrofit interventions based on economic criteria while leveraging synergies between energy improvements and regular maintenance. Application of this methodology to real estate portfolios reveals opportunities to enhance cost-effectiveness and energy savings. The results show that integrating maintenance into renovation planning reduces payback times and allows for more comprehensive renovation strategies. The conclusions highlight CERPlan 1.0’s potential to improve decision-making, making building renovations more efficient and sustainable.

A prospective approach to the optimal deployment of a hydrogen supply chain for sustainable mobility in island territories: Application to Corsica

This study develops a framework for designing hydrogen supply chains (HSC) in island territories using Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) with a multi-period approach. The framework minimizes system costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and a risk-based index. Corsica is used as a case study, with a Geographic Information System (GIS) identifying hydrogen demand regions and potential sites for production, storage, and distribution. The results provide an optimal HSC configuration for 2050, specifying the size, location, and technology while accounting for techno-economic factors. This work integrates the unique geographical characteristics of islands using a GIS-based approach, incorporates technology readiness levels, and utilizes renewable electricity from neighboring regions. The model proposes decentralized configurations that avoid hydrogen transport between grids, achieving a levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of €8.54/kg. This approach offers insight into future options and incentive mechanisms to support the development of hydrogen economies in isolated territories.

The impact of replacing chemical nitrogen fertilizer with monosodium glutamate waste liquid residue on yield, quality, and carbon emission of rice production

Replacing chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer with monosodium glutamate waste liquid residue (MSGWLR) is beneficial for achieving clean production in both the monosodium glutamate (MSG) industry and agriculture. However, the impact of this method on rice production and environment has not yet been clear. This study adopted field experiments to clarify the rice yield, quality and carbon emissions applying conventional application of chemical N fertilizer (CF), reduction of N fertilizer by 20% (N80%), based on reduction of chemical N fertilizer by 20% and replacing 50% chemical N fertilizer with MSGWLR (MSGWLR50%), and replacing 100% chemical N fertilizer (MSGWLR100%). The results showed that compared with CF treatment, MSGWLR100% showed no significant changes in rice yield, milling quality, fatty acid value, and taste quality. The chalkiness rate of rice significantly decreased, and the protein content significantly increased. On the other hand, the carbon emissions from rice production treated with MSGWLR100% were the lowest, with a 58.5% decrease in global warming potential (GWP) compared to CF treatment. This was mainly because MSGWLR100% treatment could provide rich and balanced nutrients for rice growth, and it did not promote greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from paddy field. At the same time, it effectively reduced the indirect carbon emissions in chemical fertilizer production by reducing chemical N fertilizer. Therefore, the MSGWLR100% fertilization treatment is beneficial for cleaner production in the MSG industry and rice cultivation.Graphical

Behind the Renewed Interest in Nuclear Power

Electricity demand is outstripping the ability of markets and electric grids to respond quickly to meeting the generation and transmission and distribution system needs for supporting a 21st‐century economy. Electricity demand is increasing faster than it has in decades as manufacturing rebounds, and data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations proliferate across the United States. At the same time, there is mounting pressure on governments globally to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the electricity sector by transitioning buildings and transportation systems away from fossil fuels to electricity.

Rethinking Natural Gas Infrastructure: How Non‐Pipe Alternatives are Shaping Utility Planning

As greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction efforts accelerate, utility regulators nationwide are rethinking the role of natural gas in reducing GHG emissions over current levels. A key strategy emerging in several states is the mandatory consideration of non‐pipe alternatives (NPAs); solutions that avoid the need for new natural gas hook‐ups. California, Massachusetts, New York, and Colorado are leading the effort, and other states like Maryland, Hawaii, Oregon, Minnesota, and New Jersey are not far behind. Before gaining approval for traditional new pipeline investments as opposed to pipeline replacement, regulators are requiring utilities to thoroughly analyze the costs and benefits of NPAs. This is compelling natural gas utilities to rethink their business models and find the most effective ways to present NPAs to regulators and customers. With this enhanced scrutiny and regulatory mandates that are increasingly focusing on sustainability, natural gas distribution utilities are at a crossroads. The challenge lies in adapting to these expectations and innovating scalable investments that will meet regulatory demands while driving the transition to a cleaner energy future.

Application of GIS in Introducing Community-Based Biogas Plants from Dairy Farm Waste: Potential of Renewable Energy for Rural Areas in Bangladesh

Dairy production is one of the most important economic sectors in Bangladesh. However, the traditional management of dairy cow manure and other wastes results in air pollution, eutrophication of surface water, and soil contamination, highlighting the urgent need for more sustainable waste management solutions. To address the environmental problems of dairy waste management, this research explored the potential of community-based biogas production from dairy cow manure in Bangladesh. This study proposed introducing community-based biogas plants using a geographic information system (GIS). The study first applied a restriction analysis to identify sensitive areas, followed by a suitability analysis to determine feasible locations for biogas plants, considering geographical, social, economic, and environmental factors. The final suitable areas were identified by combining the restriction and suitability maps. The spatial distribution of dairy farms was analyzed through a cluster analysis, identifying significant clusters for potential biogas production. A baseline and proposed scenario were designed for five clusters based on the input and output capacities of the biogas plants, estimating the location and capacity for each cluster. The study also calculated electricity generation from the proposed scenario and the net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction potential of the biogas plants. The findings provide a land-use framework for implementing biogas plants that considers environmental and socio-economic criteria. Five biogas plants were found to be technically and spatially feasible for electricity generation. These plants can collectively produce 31 million m3 of biogas annually, generating approximately 200.60 GWh of energy with a total electricity capacity of 9.8 MW/year in Bangladesh. Implementing these biogas plants is expected to increase renewable energy production by at least 1.25%. Furthermore, the total GHG emission reduction potential is estimated at 104.26 Gg/year CO2eq through the annual treatment of 61.38 thousand tons of dairy manure.

Modulation of Northern Europe near-term anthropogenic warming and wettening assessed through internal variability storylines

Internal variability arising from the inherently chaotic nature of the climate system has amplified or obscured human-caused changes, especially at regional scales in the extratropics, where its contribution to climate variability is the largest. It is virtually certain that this will continue in the near-term. We here focus on the Northern Europe region, whose variability is largely controlled by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) through remote dynamical and thermodynamic processes, and introduce the concept of internal variability storylines (IVS) to explore, understand, and quantify the role of the two combined drivers of internal variability in the modulation of the anthropogenic warming by 2040 in winter. Based on a large ensemble of historical-scenario simulations, we show that the high-impact IVS, characterised by weak AMOC decline and a decadal shift of the NAO toward dominant positive phase, leads faster to warmer-wetter conditions independently of actual and future greenhouse gases emissions. By contrast, amplified AMOC reduction and more recurrent negative NAO can considerably damp both warming and wettening at near-term. In the latter IVS, we provide evidence that winter-severe conditions similar to those in 2010, that had been responsible for widespread socio-economic disruptions, remain almost as likely to occur by 2040. Reframing the uncertain climate outcomes into the physical science space in a conditional form through the prism of IVS makes climate information relevant for accurate risk assessments and adaptation planning.

Industrial Symbiosis Practices: A Case Study of Türkiye and Denmark

The term "industrial symbiosis (IS)" refers to a cooperative strategy where industrial actors share services and exchange physical resources. This method improves resource efficiency and lessens the environmental effects of industrial operations within the network. It is a cooperative method in which businesses trade and reuse physical resources such as by-products, water, and energy, as well as share services such as waste management and infrastructure. It has several advantages, such as (i) lowering greenhouse gas emissions through energy, process, input, disposal, and transportation savings, as well as fuel substitution; (ii) cutting energy expenses; (iii) diverting waste from landfills; (iv) avoiding the use of virgin materials; (v) lowering transportation and logistics costs; (vi) lowering pollution to land, water, and air; (vii) lowering industrial water use; (viii) lowering hazardous waste; (ix) creating economic value from waste material; and (x) simplifying environmental legislation and regulation compliance. In Türkiye and Denmark, the number of industrial companies is rapidly increasing. These industries consume many resources (such as raw materials, water, electricity, natural gas, coal, etc.) and generate a large amount of solid, liquid, and gaseous waste. IS is gaining popularity as an approach for improving the sustainability of industrial systems. The efforts to develop IS have emerged as a critical issue over the last decade in these two European countries. The paper presents the current implementation of IS in Türkiye and Denmark’s process sectors, focusing on well-known IS practices.

Sustainable Solutions in Gas Separation: Exploring the Potential of Deep Eutectic Solvents

In the face of escalating environmental concerns, particularly related to greenhouse gas emissions, this study delves into the potential of Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) as a sustainable alternative in gas separation technologies. Focusing on the significant emissions of CO2, SO2, and H2S from industrial processes, this work reviews the application of DESs for their capture and separation. We investigate the physical properties of DESs, such as solubility and viscosity, which are crucial for their efficacy as sorbents. This review includes a comprehensive analysis of various DES formulations, exploring their roles in CO2 absorption, SO2 removal, and the separation of other gases like H2S. Additionally, we extend our examination to the applicability of DESs in the oil and gas industry, highlighting their effectiveness in removing sulfur and nitrogen impurities, and their potential in the extraction of organic constituents. The study reveals that DESs, characterized by their biodegradability and environmental sustainability, offer promising performance in gas separation, aligning with the principles of green chemistry. However, challenges such as high viscosity and the need for further understanding of their solubility dynamics under different conditions are addressed. This work underscores the importance of DESs as novel sorbents for gas purification and sets a foundation for future research aimed at enhancing their application on a broader industrial scale.

Disentangling regional climate change: Assessing the contribution of global– and regional–scale anthropogenic factors to observed regional warming

Abstract While the influence of uniformly-distributed well-mixed greenhouse gas emissions on global warming is well-documented and robustly attributed through multiple lines of evidence, regional attribution remains more challenging and dependent on the performance and resolution of climate models. This study investigates the extent to which observed regional temperature trends are attributable to global-scale anthropogenic factors, mainly the direct effects of CO2, aiming to differentiate the portion of the change attributable to regional-scale drivers and local feedback mechanisms. To quantify the contribution of global– and regional–scale climate drivers to observed temperature change, we conducted regression analyses using the observed temperature change in HadCRUT4 and the Global Warming Index (GWI) derived from global radiative forcing series. Results indicate that in certain regions — specifically West Asia, East N. America, and West Africa — 62±4%, 61±12%, and 58±3% of the warming observed over 1991-2020 can be attributed to global anthropogenic warming, primarily the direct effects of CO2. The remaining portion, which represents 22±5%, 21±13%, and 27±3% of the observed warming, is attributable to regional drivers. The Mediterranean showcases high sensitivity, with regional drivers contributing 31±8% of the observed 1.2°C warming, amplifying the warming attributed to global anthropogenic drivers, estimated at 55±7% of the warming. The Arctic Ocean along with the Russian-Arctic region exhibits a substantial contribution from regional drivers and local feedback mechanisms to the observed warming amplification, quantified at 43±10% of the 3°C warming over 1991-2020. Regional cooling drivers, however, are significant in East Asia and the Tibetan Plateau, with the latter experiencing a cooling contribution of -42±11%. By breaking down the contributions of climate drivers into global and regional-scale components, we gain valuable insights into the local climate mechanisms responsible for the observed regional warming, which is a crucial factor that affects agriculture, ecosystems and societies.

Advanced Biofuel Value Chains Sourced by New Cropping Systems With Low iLUC Risk

ABSTRACTIncreasing lignocellulosic feedstock for advanced biofuels can tackle the decarbonization of the transport sector. Dedicated biomass produced alongside food systems with low indirect land use change (iLUC) impact can broaden the feedstock availability, thus streamlining the supply chains. The objective of this study was the design and evaluation of advanced ethanol value chains for the Emilia‐Romagna region based on low iLUC feedstock. Two dedicated lignocellulosic crops (biomass sorghum and sunn hemp) were evaluated in double cropping systems alongside food crop residues (corn stover and wheat straw) as sources to simulate the value chains. A parcel‐level regional analysis was carried out, then the LocaGIStics2.0 model was used for the spatial design and review of the biomass delivery chain options regarding cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the different feedstock mixes. Literature data on bioethanol production from similar feedstocks were used to estimate yields, process costs, and GHG emissions of a biorefinery process based on these biomasses. Within the chain options, GHG emissions were overly sensitive to cultivation input, mostly N‐fertilization. This considered, GHG emissions resulted similar across different feedstock with straw/stover (averaging 13 g CO2eq MJ−1 fuel), sunn hemp (14 g CO2eq MJ−1 fuel), and biomass sorghum (16 g CO2eq MJ−1 fuel). On the other hand, the bioethanol produced from biomass sorghum (608 € Mg−1 of bioethanol) was cheaper compared with straw (632 € Mg−1), sunn hemp (672 € Mg−1), and stover (710 € Mg−1). The bioethanol cost ranged from 0.0017 to 0.020 € MJ−1 fuel depending on the feedstock, with operations and maintenance impacting up to 90% of the final cost. In summary, a single bioethanol plant with an annual capacity of 250,000 Mg of biomass could replace from 5% to 7% of the Emilia‐Romagna's ethanol fuel consumption, depending on the applied sourcing scenario.

A novel life-cycle analysis framework to assess the performances of tall buildings considering the climate change

Structural performance against wind hazards is necessary in modern tall building design, especially for structures in the region prone to tropical cyclones. In fact, wind-related failures and building life-cycle analysis (LCA) may be impacted by climate change on the increase of frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones. In this study, a novel LCA framework considering the climate change is proposed, which includes taking into account the climate change via the serviceability failure cost for the cases where the building vibrates exceeding the corresponding thresholds. In detail, the non-stationary Poisson process is used to model the occurrence and intensity of tropical cyclones, which in turn leads to the financial loss of the coastal building. Specifically, the vulnerability of the building is derived considering both the uncertainty of the extreme wind speeds in the tropical cyclone boundary layer and the fragility curve which includes the uncertainty from the structural damping ratio. To estimate the maintenance cost, the financial values associated with maintenance-related operations and the emission of greenhouse gas are combined. In order to illustrate the proposed LCA framework, a case study targeting a 240 m high benchmark building located close to the coast of Hong Kong is conducted. In addition, the sensitivity of the damping ratio, limit threshold, and climate change are assessed via the LCA results of the benchmark building.