Greenhouse Gas Emissions Research Articles

Designing a dual-channel production-distribution network for reducing greenhouse gas emissions based on customer segmentation

ABSTRACT Growing environmental concerns call for supply chains that balance cost-efficiency with emission reduction, yet many models overlook customer behavior on distribution and recycling. This study introduces a dual-channel production-distribution network using customer segmentation to optimize costs, emissions, and recycling returns. A multi-objective model connects operational costs with environmental outcomes, compares online and intermediary sales, and includes recycling strategies with penalties. Results show that segmentation boosts channel efficiency, cutting emissions by 12–18%, while online sales reduce transport emissions by 9–15%. Exact algorithms outperform heuristics by 20–30% in speed and precision. This work fills a gap in sustainable supply chain research by integrating customer-centric strategies. Aligning channel choices with consumer behavior enhances sustainability without raising costs, providing actionable insights for eco-efficient operations. The study’s scientific value lies in validating behavioral segmentation’s role in green supply chains, advancing theory and practice in emission reduction.

Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Impacts of Population-Wide Adoption of Dietary Guidelines in China.

This paper uses an optimisation model to quantifythe necessary food consumption adjustments for Chinese diets to fulfil the requirements in the health-based Chinese Dietary Guidelines (CDG) or WHO dietary guidelines. We further aim to determine whether adopting these guidelines could lead to lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) while maintaining diet affordability. Modelling outcomes under the CDG and WHO scenarios differ significantly from nutritional, GHGE and diet affordability perspectives: relative to observed eating patterns, diets following the WHO guidelines are equally emissionsintensive, while diets consistent with the CDG recommendations are less sustainable. Further optimisationsimposing significant reductions in GHGE indicate important environmental and nutritional co-benefits can be achieved through the WHO guidelines, while maintaining diet affordability. In the WHO scenario, the maximum diet-related GHGE reduction policymakers could aim for is 30%, since above this threshold, recommended diets would deviate considerably from observed patterns. The CDG model with a 20% emissions reduction does not converge for 64% of the initial data set, casting doubt on the affordability and compatibility of the CDG with China's decarbonisation goal. We recommend that future versions of the CDG be reformulated to closer align with WHO advice and explicitly include environmental considerations.

Fungal-mediated soil aggregation as a mechanism for carbon stabilization.

Soils can potentially be turned into net carbon sinks for atmospheric carbon to offset anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Occlusion of soil organic carbon (SOC) in soil aggregates is a key mechanism which temporarily protects it from decomposition by soil organisms. Filamentous fungi are recognized for their positive role in the formation and stabilization of aggregates. In this review we assess the current knowledge of the contribution of fungi to soil aggregation, and set a new research agenda to quantify fungal-mediated aggregation across different climates and soils. Our review highlights three main knowledge gaps: (1) the lack of quantitative data and mechanistic understanding of aggregate turnover under field conditions, (2) lack of data on the biochemical and biological mechanisms by which filamentous fungi influence soil aggregation, and (3) uncharacterized contribution of soil fungi across environments. Adopting a trait-based approach to increase the level of mechanistic understanding between fungal diversity and soil structure seems promising, but will need additional experiments in which fungal diversity is manipulated by either removal through sieving or dilution, or addition through using synthetic communities of cultured fungi. We stress the importance of integrating ecological and physicochemical perspectives for accurate modeling of soil aggregation and SOC cycling, which is needed to successfully predict the effects of land management strategies.

Carbon footprint of private dental laboratories in Egypt: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundClimate change poses a serious threat to the planet, mainly driven by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Dental laboratories contribute to GHG emissions through staff travel, waste, energy and water consumption, and procurement. Carbon footprinting is the process of quantifying the direct and indirect GHG emissions associated with a service. This study aimed to assess the Carbon Footprint (CFP) of private dental laboratories in Egypt.Materials and methodsData were collected from private dental laboratories in Cairo, Alexandria, and Elbeheira, Egypt in August 2024 through interview questionnaires. A CFP calculator was used to estimate carbon emissions from staff travel, waste, energy and water consumption, and procurement. The data of all laboratories was summed and divided to determine the average CFP per laboratory and per prothesis/appliance, both with and without the depreciation of dental equipment.ResultsData from 21 dental laboratories were collected. An average private dental laboratory in Egypt worked 309 days with a staff of around 7 persons and makes around 7119 prostheses/appliance per year. The CFP of dental laboratories was around 20,820 kg CO2e, equal to 2.9 kg CO2e per prosthesis/appliance. The largest contributor to the CFP was staff travel (43.6%), followed by procurement (27.8%), energy consumption (25%), waste (3.3%), and water consumption (0.1%). After including the depreciation of dental equipment, the CFP increased by 7.7%.ConclusionPrivate dental laboratories in Egypt produce a significant amount of carbon emissions. Staff travel was the major contributor to the carbon emission because each laboratory hired several couriers to deliver the prostheses/appliances and impressions. The CFP of electricity consumption was significant, likely because the air conditioning ran throughout the year to cool the machines down. Future studies are needed to develop customized country-specific CFP calculators to accurately measure the carbon emissions of dental laboratories in various settings. Preventing oral diseases, educating technicians on sustainable dental practices, optimizing public transportation, using bulk delivery services, shifting to renewable energy, and adopting circular economy are essential to mitigate the carbon emissions of dental laboratories.

Urban lakes as significant sources of greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4, and N2O) emissions: insights from field measurements and statistical analyses.

Urban lakes contribute to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions driven by both natural processes and anthropogenic activities. In this study, we conducted seasonal sampling and analysis of GHG concentrations and water chemistries in Xuanwu Lake, Nanjing, China. Concurrently, we observed pore water chemistry within the lake bottom sediments. Radon isotope activity in lake water was also measured. Then, this study expanded to a broad understanding of urban lake GHG emissions by conducting a meta-analysis of over 100 lakes of similar size but various types (urban vs. non-urban). Xuanwu Lake is a net source of GHG, with mean annual diffusive fluxes of 10.2 ± 9.3mmol∙m-2∙d-1 for CO2, 3.1 ± 0.3mmol∙m-2∙d-1 for CH4, and 12.4 ± 1.0μmol∙m-2∙d-1 for N2O. The lake emitted 614.9 tons of CO2, 68.6 tons of CH4, and 0.84 tons of N2O throughout the year. CO2 levels were positively correlated with dissolved organic and inorganic carbon, while CH4 peaked in winter due to increased anaerobic decomposition. N2O concentrations were strongly linked to nutrient levels. Furthermore, statistical analysis showed that urban lakes demonstrated significantly greater CH4 and N2O emissions compared to non-urban lakes. These findings emphasize the need for further research and targeted mitigation strategies to address GHG emissions from urban lakes, especially in the context of increasing anthropogenic pressures and climate change.

Effect of operating conditions and technology on residential wood stove emissions of criteria, greenhouse gas, and hazardous air pollutants

ABSTRACT Residential wood heating (RWH) is a known source of particulate matter (PM), hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and greenhouse gases (GHGs). However, the influence of operating conditions on emissions from certified cordwood stoves in the United States (U.S.) remains poorly understood. This study analyzes emissions data from different operational phases, including start-up, high heat, and low heat, to improve indicators of real-world stove performance. We tested five commercially available U.S. stoves through the four distinct operational conditions or phases of the novel Integrated Duty Cycle (IDC) testing protocol, which simulates typical residential wood-burning patterns by incorporating start-up, high heat, medium (or “maintain) heat, and low heat (“overnight” burn) phases. We determined emissions factors (EFs) by IDC phase for criteria, GHG, and HAP compounds, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We also developed a multiple linear regression model to assess the effect of dry burn rate (DBR) and IDC phase on each pollutant EF by stove technology type. IDC phase significantly influenced (p < 0.01) pollutant EFs from uncertified stoves and most emissions from catalytic/hybrid stoves, while DBR played a more substantial role in emissions from non-catalytic stoves. Current stove certification methods rely on a single nominal load under steady-state combustion, which does not reflect typical residential use. Additionally, we found DBR to be an inconsistent predictor of emissions in cordwood stoves. These findings underscore the importance of stove technology and operating conditions in determining RWH emissions, with implications for air quality science and regulatory policy. Implications Statement: Pollution from cordwood stoves includes fine particulate matter (PM), hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), greenhouse gases (GHGs), and other compounds that impact human health and climate. To better understand emissions under typical homeowner use patterns, we tested five U.S. cordwood stoves (four meeting 2020 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and one pre-NSPS, circa 1980 stove) across three technology types using the novel Integrated Duty Cycle (IDC) protocol. We report emissions factors by IDC phase, which better represent “real world” operating conditions (such as “start-up,” “high heat,” and “overnight burn”) and fuel loading patterns. We evaluated the effect of operating conditions and dry burn rate on PM, HAP and GHG emissions and determined significant effects from IDC phase in uncertified and catalytic/hybrid stove emissions, but not in noncatalytic stoves. This has important implications for use of emissions factors in air quality science, policy, and stove design, as different U.S. climate zones will influence the number of cordwood stove starts, fuel loading patterns, and the frequencies of the IDC phases.

Exploring the carbon sequestration of an asphalt base course mixture containing novel cold-bonded biochar-rich lightweight aggregates

An emerging strategy to compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions of products is to incorporate carbonaceous materials obtained from removed atmospheric carbon dioxide, mainly obtained through biomass conversion. This approach can turn asphalt pavements into a functional carbon sink. In particular, biochar has been used as a bitumen modifier. However, due to performance limitations, carbonaceous materials were only added in small quantities to asphalt mixtures. An alternative approach is to produce lightweight aggregates to substitute a part of the mineral aggregates of the asphalt mixture. To this end, biochar is pelletised with a hydraulic binder and water in a cold-bonding process, forming spherical pellets labelled as carbon-rich lightweight aggregates (C-LWA). Like other lightweight aggregates, C-LWA showed a reduced mechanical strength compared to conventional mineral aggregates, adversely affecting the asphalt mixture performance. Cracking and rutting resistance almost linearly decreased with C-LWA content. The direct addition of biochar had a similar adverse influence on the mixture performance. Despite a reduced performance, adding biochar and C-LWA reduces the greenhouse gas emissions of asphalt mixtures. Net-zero emissions were estimated for the produced asphalt mixture by adding 5.5 ± 0.4% C-LWA or 3.0 ± 0.2% biochar obtained from the pyrolysis of landscape management wood. A wider range of C-LWA addition (1% to 35.1%) was estimated considering the greenhouse gas emission estimation variability of both asphalt and biochar production.

Kesiapan Pajak Karbon Indonesia dan Implementasinya Dalam Mewujudkan Sustainability Living

Growing awareness of climate change and social justice is shifting people’s desires towards more sustainable and ethical choices. Indonesia is one of the world’s largest carbon emitters, grappling with rapid economic growth and environmental challenges. The country relies heavily on fossil fuels, which produce greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants. Rising global temperatures illustrate the urgent need for climate action, exemplified by the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit warming to 1.5-2 degrees Celsius. To combat climate change, countries must transform their economies and policies. Indonesia’s commitments include targets to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. The implementation of a carbon tax, as part of the Tax Regulation Harmonization Law, is critical in curbing emissions. A carbon tax creates financial incentives for businesses and individuals to adopt sustainable practices and invest in renewable energy. This study uses qualitative normative legal analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of Indonesia’s carbon tax policy by emphasizing the principle of sustainability. Ultimately, the implementation of a carbon tax not only aims to reduce emissions but also encourages sustainable living while aligning with international climate agreements and sustainable development goals.

A multi-population multi-objective maritime inventory routing optimization algorithm with three-level dynamic encoding

This paper proposes a multi-population-based multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MP-MOEA) for solving complex maritime inventory routing problems, aiming to simultaneously minimize transportation costs and greenhouse gas emissions. To maintain population diversity, this paper employs a multi-population-based initialization operator to generate multiple populations containing solutions with varying numbers of vessels. Additionally, the proposed initialization operator utilizes a dynamic three-level encoding strategy, which significantly reduces the dimensionality of decision variables and lowers the complexity of encoding and decoding compared to traditional fixed-length encoding. To address the complex constraints of the studied maritime inventory routing problem, an individual modification operator is designed to improve solution feasibility. Furthermore, to accelerate population convergence and expand the search range, a hybrid crossover operator and a contribution-based mutation operator are proposed to balance the convergence and diversity in MP-MOEA. In this paper, the proposed MP-MOEA is compared with five state-of-the-art multi-objective evolutionary algorithms, including NSGAII, BiCo, MSCEA, TSTI, and AGEMOEAII, on maritime inventory routing problems of three different scales. The experimental results indicate that the solutions provided by the MP-MOEA outperform those of the other compared algorithms in addressing different problem instances.

Emissions of ammonia and greenhouse gases from broiler chickens can be reduced by growing younger birds.

Ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from poultry production have become of increasing interest over the past decade. The objectives of this study were (1) to quantify the emissions of NH3, nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) from poultry houses and (2) to estimate the amount of each gas produced per kilogram of bird grown for flocks of various duration to determine if emissions per kg vary with flock length (i.e., bird marketing age). Two commercial broiler houses in Northwest Arkansas were used for this study. Gas concentrations and emissions were measured during 4-week flocks (n=12), 7-week flocks (n=3), and 8-week flocks (n=4). Average emissions per kg bird for the 4-week flocks were 2.9g NH3 kg-1, 0.3g N2O kg-1, 3.5g CH4 kg-1, and 658g CO2 kg-1. Ammonia emissions per kg bird increased by 179% and 293% for 7- and 8-week-old birds, respectively, compared to the 4-week-old birds.Nitrous oxide emissions per kg bird increased by 164% and 387% for 7- and 8-week birds, respectively.Methane emissions increased by 35% and 225% for 7- and 8-week-old birds, respectively. Carbon dioxide emissions increased by 185% and 351% for 7- and 8-week-old birds, respectively. Higher emissions from older birds were likely due to less efficient feed conversion as birds age.These results indicate that growing younger (i.e., smaller) chickens may be more sustainable, since it results in much lower emissions of NH3 and GHGs per kg of bird produced, while also utilizing much less feed and being more efficient.

Waste to Energy Conversion for a Sustainable Future

Air pollution, climate change, and plastic waste are three contemporary global concerns. Air pollutants affect the lungs, green gases trap heat radiation, and plastic waste contaminates the marine food chain. Two-thirds of climate change and air pollution drivers are emitted in the process of burning fossil fuels. Pollutants settle in months, green gases take centuries, and plastics take thousands of years. The most polluted regions on the planet are also the ones that are greatly affected by climate change. Air pollutants grow in most climate-change affected areas, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Smog affects local and regional transboundary countries. The biggest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters may not be the worst-hit victims because wind and water flow distribute green gases and plastic waste worldwide. The major polluters are often rich and developed countries, and the worst affected countries are the underdeveloped poor communities. Technologically advanced countries may help the developing countries in research into removing particulate matter, green gases, and plastic waste. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Paris Accord have emphasized on immeasurable efforts to encourage the conversion of pollution, green gases, and plastic waste into energy. Conversion of CO2 into petrol, GHG gases into chemicals, biowaste into biofuels, plastic waste into building bricks, and concrete waste into construction materials fosters a circular economy. This work reviews existing waste to power, energy, and value-added product conversion technologies. Key Words: Energy recovery, Waste management, Incineration, Gasification, Sustainability, Renewable energy

Iodine-Mediated Redox Strategy for Sustainable Lithium Extraction From Spent LiFePO4 Cathodes.

With the widespread application of lithium-ion batteries, the recycling of spent batteries, especially those involving LiFePO4 (LFP) cathodes for their low-cost and high safety, has become an urgent environmental and resource challenge. Traditional recycling methods (hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy) struggle to achieve green and efficient recycling. Herein, this study proposes an iodine-mediated electrochemical strategy to utilize a recyclable I3 -/I- redox system and efficiently extract Li+ from spent LFP through liquid-phase reactions on one side (achieving a 93% leaching rate and recovery as lithium carbonate), while simultaneously producing metallic zinc through electrodeposition, which can be directly used in Zn-air batteries or hydrogen production. Furthermore, the delithiated LFP is upcycled into an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst, achieving an overpotential of only 250mV at 10mA cm-2, superior to commercial RuO2 catalysts. Eventually, this system reduces energy consumption by 32% (9.2MJ kg-1) compared to traditional hydrometallurgical processes, decreases greenhouse gas emissions by 35% compared to traditional pyrometallurgical processes, while achieving a net profit of ≈$0.44 per kg. This work establishes a novel, scalable recycling system, providing a robust sustainable solution for spent LFP cathodes recycling and clean energy storage.

Carbon farming co-benefits optimization in south-eastern Australian rangeland.

Carbon farming co-benefits optimization in south-eastern Australian rangeland.

Algal-bacterial granules for circular bioeconomy: Formation mechanisms and biotechnological applications.

Algal-bacterial granules for circular bioeconomy: Formation mechanisms and biotechnological applications.

Changes in carbon and nitrogen contents and greenhouse gas emissions during the vermicomposting of rice straw amended with Azolla

ABSTRACT Rice straw (RS) composting, while time-consuming and associated with substantial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to its high carbon (C) content, may be accelerated by the application of Azolla and earthworms, which stimulate the composting of agricultural residues. To outline this issue, an indoor box experiment was set up in a composting house for 12 weeks at Yamagata University, Tsuruoka, Japan in 2022, with and without applying Azolla and earthworms. Four treatments as ① RS only, ② RS with earthworm (RSE), ③ RS amended with Azolla (RSA, the ratio of RS and Azolla was 9:1), and ④ RSA with earthworm (RSAE) were set in the experiment. The total C (TC), total nitrogen (TN), δ13C, δ15N, and total phosphorus (TP) were measured after composting, while methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes were measured twice a week during the composting period. As a result, δ13C, δ15N, N2O, CH4, and CO2 significantly changed as affected by different input materials. The Azolla (RSAE and RSA) treatments recorded substantially higher total N2O and CH4 emissions (P < 0.001) but, significantly lower CO2 emissions than the non-Azolla (RS and RSE) treatments. Furthermore, Azolla treatments had higher TN and TP contents but lower TC contents than non-Azolla treatments. Compared with non-Azolla treatments, the Azolla treatments increased TN and TP contents by 69% and 29% for RSA and by 60% and 19% for RSAE, respectively. The higher TN and TP contents in both Azolla treatments could be attributed to substantial N and P supplied by Azolla, which is a main substrate to stimulate microbial activity. Conclusively, a combination of Azolla and earthworm could trigger (GHG) emissions (CH4 and N2O) while Azolla improved the quality of RS composting.

Population aging mitigates food consumption-induced non-CO2 GHG emissions in China

China has been experiencing rapidly growing agricultural non-CO2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and aged population owing to its vast population and enormous food demands. However, the response of non-CO2 GHG emission to population aging-related food consumption is unclear. The food inspection survey reveals a significant difference in ruminant meat and staple food grain (typically rice) consumption between aged and young populations during the past decades. As a result, this dietary pattern in the aging population of 60+ reduce non-CO2 GHG emissions from 1.0 Tg CO2eq in 2005 to 10.1 Tg CO2eq in 2020 by one order of magnitude. By 2050, the net total non-CO2 GHG emissions from population aging-induced changes in food consumption will be further reduced by 34.5 Tg CO2eq under the shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs), of which 86.8% is attributed to decreasing ruminant meat consumption (RMC), or 29.9 Tg CO2eq, accounting for 15.3% of total non-CO2 GHG emission from China’s RMC in 2050.

Improved biomass cookstove use in the longer run: results from a field experiment in rural Ethiopia

Abstract This study examines longer-run usage frequency of Mirt improved biomass cookstoves (ICS), one of the most important ICS promoted in Ethiopia. Mirt has been shown to improve childhood health, and reduce fuelwood consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, but to generate those benefits, households must regularly use it over extended periods. Thus, this paper focuses on longer-run use using stove surface temperature data over five time intervals. We find that, close to its estimated lifespan, 63 per cent of households had their stoves in place after more than 3.5 years. Of those who abandoned their stoves, over 80 per cent did so due to breakage, indicating little abandonment of functional stoves. Among those who retained their stoves, despite the relatively long time frame, we observe no decline in regular usage, suggesting the ICS deliver long-term benefits. We find no correlation of dis-adoption with three randomly assigned monetary treatments and no effect of treatments on long-run usage frequency.

Litter Input-Induced Variability in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Across the Organic Horizon and Mineral Soils

Litter Input-Induced Variability in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Across the Organic Horizon and Mineral Soils

Development of Renewable Energy Sources in Poland and Stability of Power Grids—Challenges, Technologies, and Adaptation Strategies

The development of renewable energy sources (RESs) is a key element of the energy policy in Poland and the European Union. The transition to green energy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, and decrease dependence on fossil fuels. In Poland, the RES sector, particularly photovoltaics and wind energy, is growing, which is changing the operation of energy generation. However, the increasing share of RESs in the energy mix presents challenges for the stability of the national power grid. This study focuses on renewable energy sources in Poland because the development of RESs is crucial for the country’s energy transition. Poland is striving to achieve its climate goals and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and increasing the share of RESs in the national energy mix is a key element of energy policy. The transition to green energy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, and support sustainable development in Poland. (1) The aim of this article was to analyze the impact of RES development on power grids in Poland, identify key issues, and review adaptation strategies. (2) Methods such as a literature review and statistical data analysis were used to build scenarios. (3) In Poland, the RES sector is being developed through the application of both national and European policies. The main sources of renewable energy are wind energy and photovoltaics. (4) The introduction of technologies such as energy storage systems, smart grids, and advanced management strategies is a key response to the challenges posed by the development of renewable energy in Poland, particularly in relation to the stability of the power grid.

Advancements in sustainable pavement materials: A literature review

This paper reviews the research progress of sustainable pavement materials, focusing on the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and improve the recyclability of road construction materials. Traditional materials such as asphalt and cement contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions due to their reliance on fossil fuels. This study explores innovative solutions including bio-based asphalt substitutes, recycled aggregates, and industrial by-products that comply with circular economy principles and offer similar or better mechanical properties. Integrating these materials into road construction can not only solve environmental problems but also support global climate governance efforts. Despite the progress made, challenges remain, such as the need for a comprehensive life cycle assessment framework and improved performance evaluation systems. This paper emphasizes the importance of building a multi-dimensional collaborative innovation research framework to overcome the technological bottleneck and promote the sustainable development of green infrastructure.