Greenhouse Gas Research Articles

Does GHG reduction matter for external funding in green countries? New evidence on the role of environmental policies

ABSTRACT Motivated by the regulatory pressure from environmental policies, our study aims to analyse the effect of greenhouse gases (GHG) reduction on debt maturity, as well as the moderating effect of environmental policies in this relationship. Using a sample of 695 firms from green countries over the period 2005–2020, we find that reducing GHG emissions decreases debt maturity, supporting both agency and signalling theories. Furthermore, we reveal that the environmental policies play a crucial role in attenuating the positive effect of GHG emissions on debt maturity, confirming the role of legitimacy in the context of green countries. Our results remain robust across different estimation techniques, including FGLS and 2SLS, as well as alternative measures of debt maturity and environment policies. We also account for the growth levels across our sample, confirming the consistency of our findings. Ultimately, our study highlights that adherence to environmental policies facilitates firms’ access to the long-term debt market.

Exploring the Relationship between Economic Growth, Renewable Energy and Carbon Emissions: A Case of Cuba

In the modern era, balancing economic growth and environmental sustainability has become one of the greatest challenges, especially for the emerging nations. As a case of examining the decoupling of economic growth from carbon emissions, Cuba’s historical reliance on fossil fuels, especially during the U.S. embargo, is quite interesting. In this article we have examined the impact of economic growth upon the carbon emissions of Cuba. We extracted annual time series data for the dependent variable (Carbon Emissions) and explanatory variables (Economic Growth and Renewable Energy Consumption) for the period spanning from 1990 to 2020. To determine the long run relationship between the variables, we used Auto regressive distributed lags (ARDL) bounds test of co-integration. The empirical findings revealed the existence of a long-run relationship among the variables of the model. We found that economic growth has a significant positive impact upon carbon emissions; furthermore, there is also a bi-directional causality between the economic growth and the carbon emissions. This research could help the policymakers to establish novel and efficient policies to tackle the environmental issues and move closer to the attainment of sustainable development goals.

Daily Variation of Soil Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Rubber Plantations Under Different Levels of Organic Fertilizer Substitution

It has been widely recognized that replacing chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers (organic substitution) could significantly increase the long-term productivity of the land and potentially enhance resilience to climate change. Nevertheless, there is limited information on the accurate monitoring of soil greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes at different levels of organic substitution in rubber plantations. Before accurate estimation of soil GHG fluxes can be made, it is important to investigate diurnal variations and suitable sampling times. In this study, six treatment groups of rubber plantations in the Longjiang Farm of Baisha Li autonomous county, Hainan Island, including the control (CK), conventional fertilizer (NPK), and organic substitution treatments in which organic fertilizer replaced 25% (25%M), 50% (50%M), 75% (75%M), and 100% (100%M) of chemical nitrogen fertilizer were selected as study objectives. The soil GHG fluxes were observed by static chamber-gas chromatography for a whole day (24 h) during both wet and dry seasons. The results showed the following: (1) There was a significant single-peak daily variation of GHGs in rubber plantation soils. (2) The soil GHG fluxes observed from 9:00–12:00 are closer to the daily average fluxes. (3) Organic fertilizer substitution influenced soil CO2 and N2O fluxes and had no significant effect on soil CH4 fluxes. Fluxes of soil CO2 and N2O increased firstly and then decreased gradually when the substitution ratios exceeded 50% or 75%. (4) Soil CO2 and N2O fluxes were positively correlated with soil temperature and soil moisture, and CH4 fluxes were negatively correlated with soil temperature and soil moisture in both wet and dry seasons. The study indicated that understanding the daily pattern of GHG changes in rubber forest soils under different levels of organic fertilizer substitution and the optimal observation time could improve the accurate assessment of long-timescale observation studies.

Research on the Selection of Carbon Quota Trading Modes for Shipping Enterprises under the EU Emissions Trading System

Against the background of the global emphasis on carbon emission reduction, the reform of the European Union's carbon emission trading system (EU ETS) will be incorporated into the shipping industry from 2024, which will have a significant impact on the operation of shipping enterprises. In this context, China's shipping enterprises urgently need to choose an appropriate carbon emissions trading model to effectively respond to the impact of the EU ETS, so as to accelerate the low-carbon transformation. Based on this, this paper constructs the Gounod competitive game model of two shipping companies under the baseline scenario and the cooperative strategy scenario, takes into full consideration the key factors of the shipping companies' market potential, cost, carbon emission quota and price in the model, and researches on the choice of carbon quota trading modes of the shipping companies under the EU ETS, such as purchasing emission allowances or cooperating with other companies to obtain allowances, etc. The equilibrium transportation of the shipping companies under different scenarios is also studied, and the impacts of different scenarios are also examined. The equilibrium volume, price and profit of shipping companies under different scenarios are solved, and MATLAB is applied to numerically analyze the decision-making variables of the model to further analyze the potential impact of EU ETS on the shipping industry. The results show that EU ETS policies always have a negative impact on traditional shipping companies, while sustainable shipping companies are affected.

A Comparative Analysis of Life Cycle Costs and Emissions in Mae Sariang’s Microgrid Energy Scenarios

This study evaluates the life cycle costs, net present value (NPV), and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of three energy scenarios for the Mae Sariang microgrid system to assess the economic and environmental impacts of different energy sources. The reliance on renewable energy has become increasingly vital in addressing energy sustainability and reducing carbon footprints. The analysis reveals that Scenario I, primarily utilizing solar energy, achieved the lowest life cycle cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) at 6.18 and the highest NPV of 226,583,036 baht, while also producing the fewest GHG emissions at 21,239 kgCO₂e/year. In contrast, Scenario II, dependent on grid electricity, incurred the highest costs and emissions at 25,180 kgCO₂e/year, reflecting its reliance on higher-carbon sources. Scenario III, which incorporates diesel generation, demonstrated moderate emissions at 22,240 kgCO₂e/year but resulted in a negative NPV of -2,690,330 baht due to high fuel expenses. The findings highlight that prioritizing renewable energy sources not only enhances financial viability but also minimizes environmental impact. Therefore, the study concludes that adopting a renewable-focused approach in microgrid systems offers substantial economic and ecological benefits. Policy recommendations include incentivizing renewable energy integration, promoting energy efficiency measures, and developing supportive frameworks to reduce reliance on high-carbon electricity, ultimately enhancing the feasibility and sustainability of energy systems.

Enhancing Sustainability in Indian Rice–Wheat Agroecosystem: a Review and Analysis of Fertilizer Management Practices and Greenhouse Gas (N2O) Emission Mitigation

Enhancing Sustainability in Indian Rice–Wheat Agroecosystem: a Review and Analysis of Fertilizer Management Practices and Greenhouse Gas (N2O) Emission Mitigation

Trade, financial development and the environment: analysis of BRI countries having direct connectivity with China

Abstract The number of countries participating in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been increasing since its official launch in 2013. Although the number of BRI participating countries has reached 145, only some are directly connected with China through land, sea, and other trade routes developed under the BRI project. Because of their direct links with China, these countries have significantly increased their trade with China. In addition to increased trade, these countries have also been undergoing financial development (FD). Since trade and financial development are closely related to the production of goods and services, therefore; both of these are expected to have environmental impact. The current study examines the effect of trade and FD on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in selected BRI countries for the period 2001–2019. This study follows a proper estimation strategy based on preliminary tests, cointegration analysis, and coefficient estimation. The results suggest that trade between China and selected BRI countries has no significant effect on CO2 emissions, whereas, financial development has significantly increased CO2 emissions in these countries. Moreover, BRI countries’ imports from China significantly reduce CO2 emissions, whereas their exports to China significantly increase CO2 emission in the BRI countries. The policy recommendations suggest that these BRI countries should leverage their direct connections with China for technology transfer. By utilizing environmentally friendly technology, these countries could also reduce the pollution associated with their exports to China and the rest of the world. Furthermore, their financial sectors should divert funds to industries advancing trade in environmental rather than pollution-intensive goods.

Sustainable Shipping: Modeling Technological Pathways Toward Net-Zero Emissions in Maritime Transport (Part I)

Maritime transport accounts for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a figure projected to rise by 17% by 2050 without effective mitigation measures. Achieving zero-emission shipping requires a comprehensive strategy that integrates regulatory frameworks, alternative fuels, and energy-saving technologies. However, existing studies often fail to provide an integrated analysis of regulatory constraints, economic incentives, and technological feasibility. This study bridges this gap by developing an integrated model tailored for international maritime transport, incorporating regulatory constraints, economic incentives, and technological feasibility into a unified framework. The model is developed using a predictive approach to assess decarbonization pathways for global shipping from 2018 to 2035. A multi-criterion decision analysis (MCDA) framework, coupled with techno-economic modeling, evaluates the cost-effectiveness, technology readiness, and adoption potential of alternative fuels, operational strategies, and market-based measures. The results indicate that technical and operational measures alone can reduce emissions by up to 44%, while market-based measures improve the diversity of sustainable fuel adoption. Biofuels, particularly BISVO and BIFAME, emerge as preferred alternatives due to cost-effectiveness, while green hydrogen, ammonia, and biomethanol remain unviable without additional policy support. A strict carbon levy increases transport costs by 46%, whereas flexible compliance mechanisms limit cost increases to 14–25%. The proposed approach provides a robust decision-support framework for policymakers and industry stakeholders, ensuring transparency in evaluating the trade-offs between emissions reductions and economic feasibility, thereby guiding future regulatory strategies.

Assessment of biowaste potential for biogas and biofertilizer production in the Gedeo zone: a study of commercial, institutional, coffee, and wood processing industries

ABSTRACT Organic waste is both abundant and inevitable, making anaerobic digestion an effective method for converting it into valuable resources. This study aimed to highlight the potential advantages of organic waste from the Gedeo zone as a renewable source for biofuel and biofertilizer production. The research employed a systematic and comprehensive approach, combining various data collection and sampling techniques with mathematical models based on standard assessments. The Gedeo zone produces approximately 3.8 million tons of selected biowaste annually, which could potentially yield about 133 million m3 of biogas and 1.9 million tons of biofertilizer each year. This biogas could replace kerosene and coal for domestic cooking, reducing wood fuel consumption. Implementing an effective biogas program in Ethiopia could significantly mitigate environmental and public health issues, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions. A key conclusion is that biodegradable waste, being a major fraction with suitable properties for recycling, can provide economic benefits while eliminating the need for disposal.

A Comprehensive Environmental Cost–Benefit Analysis of Using Reclaimed Water for Irrigation in Southern Spain

Water scarcity and pollution are critical challenges affecting agriculture and aquatic ecosystems. This study evaluates the environmental benefits of using reclaimed water (RW) for irrigation in southern Spain by applying a comprehensive cost–benefit analysis (CBA) to a water reuse project. This method allows us to assess financial feasibility and environmental externalities of RW use for irrigation, with particular focus on the reduction in eutrophication and greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the proposed CBA highlights the potential of RW to provide essential nutrients for crops, reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and mitigate the ecological impact of fertilizer manufacturing and transportation. Results indicate that, while the direct financial returns of RW are limited, the integration of environmental benefits significantly improves the overall economic viability of water reuse projects. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses suggest that policy measures, such as adjusted water pricing and financial incentives, could enhance the adoption of RW in agriculture. This study supports the role of RW as a sustainable alternative for irrigation, contributing to water conservation, pollution reduction, and climate resilience. Future research should focus on long-term agronomic impacts, optimized pricing models, and policy frameworks that promote water reuse as a key strategy in sustainable water management.

Mitigation justice

Mitigating climate change and social injustice are critical, interwoven challenges. Climate change is driven by grossly unequal contributions to elevated greenhouse gas emissions among individuals, socioeconomic groups, and nations. Yet, its deleterious impacts disproportionately affect poor and less powerful nations, and the poor and the less powerful within each nation. This climate injustice prompts a call for mitigation strategies that buffer the poorest and the most vulnerable against climate change impacts. Unfortunately, all emissions mitigation strategies also reshape social, economic, political, and ecological processes in ways that may create climate change mitigation injustices—i.e., a unique set of injustices not caused by climate change, but by the strategies designed to stem it. Failing to stop climate change is not an answer—this will swamp all adverse impacts of even unjust mitigation in terms of the scope and scale of disastrous consequences. However, mitigation without justice will create uniquely negative consequences for the more vulnerable. The ensuing analysis systematically assesses how climate change mitigation strategies can generate or ameliorate injustices. We first examine how climate science and social justice interact within and among countries. We then ask what there is to learn from the available evidence on how emissions reductions, well-being, and equity have unfolded in a set of countries. Finally, we discuss the intersection between emissions reduction and mitigation justice through actions in important domains including energy, technology, transport, and food systems; nature-based solutions; and policy and governance.

Perancangan Sistem Pengereman Regeneratif pada Sepeda Listrik dengan Menggunakan DC-DC Boost Converter

The increasing use of electric vehicles offers an alternative solution amidst the scarcity of fossil fuels and as an effort to reduce carbon emissions. However, energy optimization in electric vehicles, particularly in regenerative braking systems, remains a challenge. This study aims to design a regenerative braking system for electric bicycles utilizing a DC-DC boost converter. The system operates the BLDC motor as a generator during braking, allowing power to flow from the motor to the battery for charging, which is controlled by the DC-DC boost converter. This study focuses on designing a DC-DC boost converter as a power flow regulator controlled by a TLP250 MOSFET driver to maintain a stable output voltage and facilitate battery charging. The design involves implementing the BLDC motor as a generator, a three-phase rectifier to convert AC output into DC, and a DC-DC boost converter circuit based on the TLP250 MOSFET for voltage regulation. The system is managed by an Arduino Nano, which generates PWM signals to control the MOSFET switching. Testing results show that the DC-DC boost converter operates effectively, achieving a maximum output voltage of 54 V and an output current of 0.59 A at a switching frequency of 31.25 kHz. The system demonstrated an average efficiency of 83.4% under load variations of 47 Ω, 94 Ω, 100 Ω, 147 Ω, and 200 Ω

The Efficiency of Government Health Expenditure in ASEAN Countries

Inefficiencies in health expenditure result in an estimated 1–1.4% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) being wasted across various regions, presenting a significant challenge for countries striving to optimize healthcare spending. This study aims to assess the efficiency of government health expenditure in six ASEAN countries with the lowest per capita government health spending, using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method. In addition, Tobit regression is employed to identify factors that influence the efficiency of government health expenditure. The results indicate that most countries have not achieved maximum efficiency scores over the years, underscoring the need for improved budget management and reforms in health policy implementation. The Tobit regression analysis reveals that economic growth, urbanization rate, and the proportion of government health expenditure in current health expenditure have a positive and significant effect on efficiency scores. This suggests that increased public investment and urban development contribute to improved efficiency in healthcare spending. Conversely, total carbon emissions have a negative impact on efficiency, emphasizing the influence of environmental factors on health system performance.

Examining the Environmental Impact of High-Powered Computing

In recent years, the popularity of high-performance computing (HPC) has made its environmental impact increasingly prominent. The operation of HPC equipment generates ecological problems such as air pollution, water wastage, and solid waste pollution, posing a serious threat to ecosystems and human health. This study aims to develop a broad model to assess the environmental impacts of carbon emissions, cooling water resources required, and e-waste generated during HPC operation. The ecological effects of HPC in terms of atmosphere, water resources, and solid waste were assessed through the model. We suggest technical and policy solutions designed to enhance energy efficiency, boost the share of renewable energy sources, refine the placement of data centers, encourage sustainable supply chains, and strengthen e-waste recycling programs. It highlights the criticality of the environmental impact of HPC and presents our research insights and recommendations to support global efforts to achieve sustainable development.

Assessing the Strategic, Financial, and Legal Dimensions of Baosteel's Innovation and Market Expansion

The volatility of market conditions, environmental regulations, and technological advancement increases the challenges faced by the global steel industry, thus innovative strategies are needed to achieve sustainable growth. Baosteel's investment strategies, including technological innovations, financial risk management, and legal related issues, and that are subjected to Chinas industrial policies and global trade relations, are discussed in this paper. A case study was conducted to analyze the adoption of automation alongside carbon emission reduction initiatives, and supply chain processes restructuring for sustainability and efficiency enhancing purposes. The research found that Baosteel minimizes exposure to financial risks such as volatility in the foreign exchange and stock markets through strategic investments and risk hedging. In addition, the company addresses trade and legal policy disputes and ambiguities through strengthened compliance and contract management. Baosteels business strategies serve as an example of how robust resilience and adaptability enable businesses to offset environmental and economic competitiveness while maintaining their supremacy. Using Baosteel as a case study adds to the discussions around corporate social responsibility and industry regulation by illustrating how big steel firms balance fiscal responsibility with technology development. Observations recommend improving R&D in green technologies, restructuring global trade negotiations, and diversifying investment approaches to maintain competitiveness over time. These findings will help those responsible for driving and managing change, as well as investment within the steel industry.

Price Determinants in the Global Emissions Trading Systems: A Systematic and Bibliometric Review

The Carbon Emissions Trading Price (CETP) is crucial in the Carbon Emissions Trading System (ETS). This study conducts a systematic and bibliometric review of 57 articles to explore the Determinants of Carbon Emissions Trading Price (DCETP) in global ETSs. The study revealed a substantial increase in the number of pertinent publications since 2018, driven by the expanding carbon market. China leads in contributions, although author collaboration is still limited. The analysis shows that energy factors are the most influential DCETP, while economic indicators, market policies, and environmental variables also play key roles. Methodologies are evolving, with recent research focusing on predictive models and advanced econometric techniques to address fluctuations in CETP. The research focus is shifting from the EU ETS to emerging markets such as China, highlighting the need for context-specific studies due to differences in the impacts of determinants across markets and models. This review integrates fragmented research, offering insights for policymakers and academics to optimize ETS design, enhance price stability, and support the low-carbon transition. Future research should prioritize new determinants, cross-market comparisons, and interdisciplinary theoretical integration.

Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Determinants of Land Use Carbon Emissions in Jiangsu Province, China

This study investigates the changes in carbon emissions resulting from land use in Jiangsu Province, China, over the past two decades. It constructs a land use transition matrix to analyze spatio-temporal dynamics, applies the carbon emission coefficient method to calculate land use carbon emissions, and employs the Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression to investigate the determinants of land use carbon emissions. The findings reveal the following: (1) From 2000 to 2020, construction land in Jiangsu Province, China, exhibited a significant increasing trend, primarily due to the conversion of cultivated land. Meanwhile, the area of other land use types decreased. (2) The primary sources of carbon emissions are construction land and cultivated land. Between 2000 and 2020, the total carbon emissions from land use in Jiangsu Province, China, showed a clear upward trend. However, between 2015 and 2020, these emissions gradually stabilized. (3) Economic development level and consumption level have significant positive effects on land use carbon emissions, while the technological level has a significant negative effect.

Sustainable soil and organic matter managements for reducing straw burning, greenhouse gas production and emission, and their influencing factors in Northwest India

ABSTRACT Rice-wheat cropping system in Northwest India has been established since green revolution starting in the 1960s, based on modern varieties of crops and sufficient supply of water and nutrients. However, due to decrease in water availability and intensive cropping, soil fertility and soil organic matter contents started to decline. Also, mismanagement (burning) of crop residue induces air pollution, affecting human health. To address the issue of burning straw, other sustainable straw management alternatives are being evaluated from agronomic viewpoint. As for mitigation of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from soil, crop residue can be converted to biochar for various applications. We conducted field and laboratory incubation experiments to investigate the effects of two kinds of biochar (made from rice husk and rice straw) on soil properties and greenhouse gas emissions from wheat fields. After two seasons of field experiments, soil total C were increased only by rice-husk biochar application as compared with no amendment, rice straw biochar and chemical fertilizers. Greenhouse gases (GHGs; CO2, CH4 and N2O) were sampled by chamber method, measured by gas chromatography, then calculated emissions as CO2eq using Global Warming Potentials (GWPs). We found CO2 emission as dominant among three gases in the field experiment, although this included root respiration, and were not significantly changed by biochar application, compared to the control (chemical fertilizer application only). The incubation experiment showed that N2O was dominant among the three gases and increased by biochar application as compared to the control, corresponding to 0.9 and 14% of GHGs increase by rice-husk and rice-straw biochar, respectively, while the latter was equivalent to 0.2% of total C from rice-straw biochar applied. Although wheat yield was not significantly increased, the co-benefit of reduction in crop residue burning by rice-husk biochar application and contribution to international efforts of GHG emission mitigation envisage for sustainable carbon neutrality in an agriculture system.

Greenhouse gas emissions under perennial bioenergy crops with various nitrogen fertilization rates.

Little information exists about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under perennial bioenergy crops (PBCs) with various N fertilization rates. Our objectives were to evaluate the effect of PBCs receiving various N fertilization rates on N2O and CH4 emissions, GHG balance (GHGB), and yield-scaled GHGB (YSGB) and compare them with an annual crop from 2012-2013 to 2013-2014 in the northern Great Plains. The PBCs were intermediate wheatgrass (IW, Thinopyrum intermedium [Host] Barkworth and Dewey), smooth bromegrass (SB, Bromus inermis L.), and switchgrass (SG, Panicum virgatum L.), and N fertilization rates were 0, 28, 56, and 84kg N ha-1. The annual crop was spring wheat (WH, Triticum aestivum L.) with 80kg N ha-1. The N2O flux peaked immediately after planting, fertilization, intense precipitation (>15mm), and snowmelt. Cumulative N2O flux was greater for SG than IW and SB with 56kg N ha-1 in 2012-2013 and with 28-84kg N ha-1 in 2013-2014. The CH4 flux was not affected by treatments. Carbon sequestration rate at 0-30cm from 2009 to 2019 was greater for IW than other PBCs. The GHGB and YSGB were greater for SG and SB than IW with almost all N fertilization rates in both years. Comparing PBCs and an annual crop, cumulative N2O flux, GHGB, and YSGB were greater for SG than IW, SB, or WH in 2013-2014. The IW can reduce GHG emissions per unit area and per unit crop yield compared to other PBCs and WH.

Analysis of the Correlation Between Electric Bus Charging Strategies and Carbon Emissions from Electricity Production

Reducing carbon dioxide emissions in transportation has become a priority for achieving emission targets. Transitioning to electric vehicles significantly decreases global CO2 emissions and reduces urban noise and air pollution. The selection of efficient charging strategies for electric bus fleets substantially influences their environmental impact. This study analyzes the charging strategy for electric bus fleets based on real operational data from Győr, Hungary. It evaluates the impact of different charging times and strategies on CO2 emissions, considering the energy mixes of Hungary, Poland, Germany, and Sweden. A methodology has been developed for defining sustainable and environmentally friendly charging strategies by incorporating operational conditions as well as daily, monthly, and seasonal fluctuations in emission factors. Results indicate substantial potential for emission reduction through the recommended alternative charging strategies, although further studies regarding battery lifespan and economic feasibility of infrastructure investments are recommended. The novelty of this work lies in integrating real charging data with hourly country-specific emission intensity values to assess environmental impacts dynamically. A comparative framework of four charging strategies provides quantifiable insights into emission reduction potential under diverse national energy mixes.