Low-carbon Practices Research Articles

Will short-term behavior changes during the COVID-19 crisis evolve into low-carbon practices?

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many people have changed established routines in everyday life, often involuntarily. Some of these changes implied a lowering of carbon emissions. Will this behavior change lead to sustainable habits that extend beyond the pandemic? Recapitulating conditions of behavior change, we suggest policy measures that could support a lasting adoption of low-carbon habits.In the course of the COVID-19 crisis, there were a number of behavioral adaptations to the extraordinary conditions that temporarily reduced individual carbon footprints. The question is whether these short-term changes will evolve into sustainable behavioral habits and how to support these changes through policy measures. During the three waves of the pandemic, there has been an increase in surveys as well as in social science studies and research in Germany and other countries on the topic of behavioral changes due to the pandemic. The paper recapitulates what is known about behavior change from psychology and sociology, and synoptically summarizes the preliminary findings from the empirical studies conducted so far. The emphasis will be on the behavioral changes, with a focus on mobility and work routines, as witnessed in Germany. However, the insights from Germany may also shed a light on similar processes in other countries.

Exploration in carbon emission reduction effect of low-carbon practices in prefabricated building supply chain

Prefabricated buildings (PBs) are recognized as an effective solution to reduce emissions in the construction industry. Existing researches reveal abatement potential of prefabrication comparing to traditional construction methods, but overlook low-carbon practices adopted by stakeholders during prefabrication processes which can unlock green opportunity for PBs. This paper develops a game-based system dynamics (SD) model to explore the implementation effects of low-carbon practices from prefabricated building supply chain (PBSC) perspective. SD model describes the equilibriums of game model and reflects the sources of carbon emissions during prefabrication processes, including prefabricated components production, transportation and on-site assembly. Major variables influencing carbon emission reduction level of PBSC are also discussed. The results demonstrate that 1) low-carbon practices can effectively mitigate carbon emissions while the participants' profits are improved; 2) with gradual enhancement of developers’ environmental awareness and continuous promotion of prefabrication, effects of low-carbon practices can be further strengthened; 3) carbon taxes cannot always stimulate implementation of low-carbon practices, especially in the initial development stage of prefabricated buildings. This research can provide the PBSC members with supports for adopting low-carbon practices and help government formulate a prospective carbon-reduction policy.

Strategies and way forward of low carbon construction in Malaysia

ABSTRACT The need for a paradigm shift to achieve low carbon construction is becoming increasingly apparent. Nonetheless, most existing publications have focused on lowering emissions during the operational phase of buildings, emphasizing the need for improved emissions management during construction. Thus, this study aims to investigate industry behaviours and practices and recommend strategies to improve low carbon in construction. The triangulation of information in this study was supported by observations of eight construction sites, expert interviews and responses from 79 respondents involved in construction projects. The findings suggest that limited investment and budget, resistance to change, lack of knowledge and experience on low-carbon technologies are the key impediments to effective carbon reduction strategies. The main determinants of behavioural change and industrial commitment to low carbon practices are boosting financial and economic value, strengthening institutional capacity development, establishing credible policy, promoting awareness, and expanding resources and skills. The findings of this paper may benefit construction stakeholders in identifying specific hurdles to low-carbon implementation and developing appropriate strategies to promote low-carbon development in Malaysia. This research contributes to the current knowledge about the industry’s behaviour and practice in emissions management and the significant challenges and drivers connected with low-carbon growth in developing countries.

Ant Forest - China's low-carbon consumption practices driven by a community currency mechanism

Ant Forest - China's low-carbon consumption practices driven by a community currency mechanism

Farming experience and farmers' adoption of low-carbon management practices: the case of soil testing and fertilizer recommendations in China.

In response to global climate change, the Chinese Government has taken numerous measures to promote low-carbon management practices, but the overall adoption rate has been lower than expected. Empirical studies on the path dependence of farming experience, that is, long-standing planting concepts that will hinder farmers from adopting new technologies, have not been reported. Hence, to fill the research gaps, this paper uses survey data from 805 rice farmers in Zhejiang, Hubei, and Jiangxi provinces, China, to examine the impact of farming experience on the adoption of soil testing and fertilizer recommendations. The results show that farming experience significantly negatively affects the adoption of low-carbon practices, especially among farmers with low resource endowment. However, farmers, who make decisions based jointly on farming experience and social networks, are more likely to adopt low-carbon practices. This means that as long as farming experience is used reasonably, for example, by broadening the social network of farmers and urging them to form a decision-making method that comprehensively utilizes farming experience and social networks, it can also demonstrate value. Our findings contribute meaningfully to the development of efforts to promote the adoption of low-carbon management practices in China.

Understanding low-carbon housing retrofit within a wider nexus of practices

Low-carbon retrofit of owner-occupied housing will make a significant contribution to reducing UK CO2 emissions. However, despite placing the home within its social context, there remain concerns that existing practice theory studies on this topic fail to adequately conceptualise ‘large’ phenomena such as retrofit. In response to this gap, this research adopts a novel nexus-of-practice approach to understanding home improvements. Drawing on thirty-one in-depth interviews and walk-through tours with owner-occupiers in Bristol, a rigorous line-by-line coding and analysis of the relationships between components of practice is undertaken. Particular attention is given to: connections between home improvement practices and the wider nexus of practices; how these connections can increase adoption of low-carbon retrofit measures; and the implications of these for the role of the architect. The findings reveal indirect relationships between low-carbon retrofit measures and other home improvement practices. They also illustrate that professional competences associated with low-carbon retrofit measures are poorly connected to the wider nexus. These connections have implications for policy seeking to encourage higher levels of low-carbon retrofit, and contribute to architects’ ability to recognise and seize opportunities to maximise the environmental benefits of owner-occupier home improvement projects.

Low Carbon Policy and Sustainable Development of Environment of the Indigenous Ceremonial Holiday in Taitung County, Taiwan

Low-carbon tourism is an emerging topic that the tourism industry and academia have paid attention to in recent years. In the past, many researchers have designed low-carbon tourism package itinerary from the point of view of practitioners, and rarely used the view of policy operation to guide self-service tourists how to engage in energy-saving and carbon reduction behaviour in tourism. The purpose of this study is to analyse the government departments in Taitung County, Taiwan as a case study on how to guide and promote the activities of participants in energy conservation and carbon reduction during ceremonial holiday. This study draws preliminary conclusions that the key to the success of low-carbon tourism lies in the specific implementation of government policies. In addition, the key to success is that people can abide by the law and government policies. There is also communication with indigenous tribes about low-carbon practices, and the use of mass media and school to promote this policy.

An original information entropy-based quantitative evaluation model for low-carbon operations in an emerging market

Drawing on the mixed results provided by the existing literature on low-carbon operations management practices, this paper proposes an original evaluation model for CO2 emission reduction practices in Brazil, based on the concept of information entropy. We model the information entropy of different low-carbon operations management practices, such as logistics, manufacturing processes and new product development. Then, in light of the role of stakeholder pressures, motivations and barriers, we take a novel approach to assessing the relative importance of elements of the model by using information entropy to develop probabilistically distinctive weightings for low-carbon managerial practices, computed using a variety of models. These models include (a) the Fuzzy Rasch model, which combines Item Response Theory (IRT) and fuzzy set theory; (b) the Fuzzy AHP (Analytic Hierarch Process) model; and (c) the crisp AHP model, based on eight different judgment scales concerning the relative evolution of each criterion/construct. Our results, both expected and unexpected, suggest that: (i) there is heterogeneity in the ways that different companies perceive the issue of low-carbon practices; (ii) while the firms studied are motivated to reduce CO2 emissions and such reduction is required by various stakeholders, the reduction is implemented solely through low-carbon logistics. Unexpectedly, we find that companies are not adopting a full-range of low-carbon operations practices, which may damage their overall performance. Implications for end-users and policy makers are highlighted.

Farming Practices for Reducing Ammonia Emissions in Polish Agriculture

The main source of ammonia emissions in Poland is agriculture. In 2017, approximately 94% of the total ammonia emissions in Poland came from agriculture, of which the largest part (78%) was related to livestock manure and 22% to nitrogen fertilization. This study presents the results of representative research on the implementation of technologies and techniques that reduce ammonia emissions on farms in Poland. The research methodology, including statistical data analysis (multiple correspondence analysis), allowed comparisons to be made of the applied low-carbon practices, taking into account farmers’ characteristics (e.g., age and education) and farm attributes (area size, location, etc.). According to the research, both in the case of mineral fertilization and animal production, farmers in Poland relatively rarely undertake pro-ecological practices aimed at reducing ammonia emissions. The most frequently undertaken activities include dividing the doses of nitrogen fertilizers (in terms of plant production) and the use of feed additives (in terms of livestock production). Empirical studies, supported by correspondence analyses, confirmed a significant differentiation of coexistence and strength of the relationship between the studied variables. The use of correspondence analysis made it possible to precisely recognize the differentiation and co-occurrence of variable categories. In the course of analytical work, a relatively strong correlation was found between the use of divided doses of nitrogen fertilizers and the economic size of farms (φ2 = 0.11571). In turn, the use of feed additives was most strongly determined by the economic size of farms (φ2 = 0.072614) and the location of farms (φ2 = 0.072223).

“Green” effects of hybrid actors through carbon trading: Cases in Beijing

The global climate change is resetting the regime complex and mindsets of countries and cities. To provide global public goods of climate governance, multilevel, multidisciplinary, public and private actors interact through “trial-and-error” experiments. Local institutions and mechanisms are likely to be innovated during such interactions. Carbon trading mechanism has been a key unlocking China's low-carbon practices, placing “caps” to pilot cities like Beijing. The first Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project of China started at Anding Landfill Plant in Daxing District, which was the miniature for provincial CDM Centers in China. Since 2011, Beijing was chosen as a pilot city to carry out cap-and-trade mechanism to mitigate carbon emission. In 2013, China Beijing Environment Exchange (CBEEX) was established, enabling more diverse carbon trading projects to be carried out. After the Paris Agreement was reached in 2015, more stringent emission cap was imposed. On the basis of CDM experiences, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games provided various industries to fulfill their “Green” corporate social responsibilities. Challenged by the international questioning about the wind power projects and carbon footprint tagging criteria, domestic voluntary carbon market standard, “Panda Standard” was given birth to; and the independent intellectual property right of electricity-saving refrigerant was invented. Public and private actors became an integral part of China's Innovation-driven and Sustainable Development Strategies. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) derive into hybrid networks with local voluntariness. This paper focuses on the stages reflecting the development of “voluntary hybridity”, by analyzing several cases in representative industries in Beijing.

Business as Usual?: The Limited Influence of Climate Change Disclosure and Fiduciary Duties on the Low-Carbon Investment Practices of Canada's Big 10 Public Pension Funds

Canada must achieve an estimated CAD 2.6 trillion in low-carbon investments by 2030 to meet its commitment under the Paris Agreement. To reach this investment benchmark, Canada must secure the financial support of its ten largest public pension funds. But low-carbon investing is not currently “business as usual” for the majority of these “Big 10” funds. The recently commissioned Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance (EPSF) recommends two regulatory changes to address this problem: (1) implementing the disclosure recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures; and (2) clarifying the relevance of climate change to the fiduciary duties pension funds owe to their beneficiaries. I argue that these recommendations will not guarantee that the Big 10 will meaningfully contribute capital towards Canada’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy over the next decade. A disclosure regime is unlikely to incentivize the Big 10 to increase their domestic low-carbon investments. The Big 10’s independent governance structures would likely prevent plan beneficiaries, civil society and the courts from holding them accountable for poor low-carbon investment disclosure or practices. Any clarification to the fiduciary duty of prudence would simply require the Big 10 to consider low-carbon investment opportunities as part of their investment decision-making; the duty could still be fulfilled by adopting a range of investment strategies that do not directly support Canada’s transition. These insights have important implications for how Canada responds to the EPSF’s recommendations and for any future regulatory action to secure a sustainable economic future.

Circular bio-economy via energy transition supported by Fuzzy Cognitive Map modeling towards sustainable low-carbon environment

Several energy transition plans attempt to establish low-carbon practices towards a circular bio-economy in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, most actions only try to assuage the impacts of climate change without improving the resource flows generated by human activities. In this paper, we propose a semi-quantitative assessment of the impacts of biowaste-based energy transition by engaging all relevant social stakeholders' evaluation in the strategic plan. This holistic approach models a Decision Support System (DSS) to effectively evaluate the interplay of local and sectoral low-carbon actions. Regional energy alliances and stakeholders are used for participatory modeling to promote the buildup of the learning base of this DSS. The core pillar of the DSS involves the application of advanced features of soft computing for the development of a Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM) that elicits the inter-causalities of the critical factors affecting the energy transitions towards bio-economy options. The concepts participating in the map are established by experts, and their interrelations via a learning process that utilizes survey statistics. The strands of research include scenarios to highlight the effect of energy provision to urbanization and the increase of urban actors (social, technological, political) in influencing the decision making related to low-carbon policies. Particularly, we study a use case of a Greek region that, despite its munificent agricultural production, also disclosures a stimulated manufacturing economy sector. The proposed decision making tool uses analytics and optimization algorithms to guide competent authorities and decision makers to sustainable energy transitioning towards decarbonization.

A new experience mining approach for improving low carbon city development

AbstractDeveloping low carbon city (LCC) has been widely appreciated as an important strategy for sustainable development. In line with this, an increasing number of cities globally have launched low carbon practices in recent years and gained various types of experience. However, it appears that existing studies do not present methods of how to use these valuable LCC experience in solving new problems. This study therefore introduces an experience mining approach to assist decision‐makers in reusing previous experience when tailoring LCC development strategies. The mining approach consists of three processes, namely, collecting historical cases which have been experiencing LCC, establishing LCC experience base, and mining similar experience cases. This study innovates the existing experience mining approach by introducing a two‐step mining process with considering the perspective of problem‐based urban characteristics (PBUCs) and the perspective of solution‐based urban characteristics (SBUCs). The application of the introduced mining approach has been demonstrated by a case study, where Shenyang's energy structure is adopted as the target problem. The new experience mining approach provides a valuable reference for decision‐makers to retrieve similar cases for improving LCC development with the consideration of city characteristics.

Mitigation of CO2 and N2O Emission from Cabbage Fields in Korea by Optimizing Tillage Depth and N-Fertilizer Level: DNDC Model Simulation under RCP 8.5 Scenario

In this study, we applied the Denitrification and Decomposition model to predict the greenhouse gas (GHGs; CO2 and N2O) emissions and cabbage yields from 8072 cabbage fields in Korea in the 2020s and 2090s. Model outputs were evaluated as a function of tillage depth (T1, T2, and T3 for 10, 20, and 30 cm) and fertilizer level (F1, F2, and F3 for 100, 200, and 400 kg N ha−1) under the Representative Concentration Pathways 8.5 climate change scenario. For both time periods, CO2 emissions increased with tillage depth, and N2O emissions were predominantly influenced by the level of applied N-fertilizers. Both cabbage yields and GHGs fluxes were highest when the T3F3 farming practice was applied. Under current conventional farming practices (T1F3), cabbage yield was projected at 64.5 t ha−1 in the 2020s, which was close in magnitude to the predicted cabbage demand. In the 2090s, the predicted cabbage supply by the same practice far exceeded the projected demand at 28.9 t ha−1. Cabbage supply and demand were balanced and GHGs emissions reduced by 19.6% in the 2090s when 94% of the total cabbage farms adopted low carbon-farming practices (e.g., reducing fertilizer level). Our results demonstrate the large potential for Korean cabbage farms to significantly contribute towards the mitigation of GHGs emissions through the adoption of low-carbon farming practices. However, in order to incentivize the shift towards sustainable farming, we advise that lower yield and potential economic losses in farmlands from adopting low-carbon practices should be appropriately compensated by institutional policy.

How cultural values and anticipated guilt matter in Chinese residents’ intention of low carbon consuming behavior

Abstract Effectively triggering residents’ intrinsic motivation of low carbon consuming behaviors and mobilizing public participation in low carbon practices are important parts of China’s carbon emission reduction goal. In this study, anticipated guilt is introduced into model of the Theory of Planned Behavior to compensate for neglect of emotional factors. Meanwhile, cultural values are taken as antecedent variables of the extended model to further explore the driving mechanism of residents’ intention of low carbon consuming behavior. By establishing structural equation model and using Mplus7.4 to analyze the data of 848 questionnaires from Jiangsu Province, it is found that: (1) when incorporated into the model of Theory of Planned Behavior, anticipated guilt has a positive and direct impact on intention of low carbon consuming behavior along with attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control; (2) attitude, perceived behavioral control and anticipated guilt play a positive and parallel multiple mediating role between collectivist value and intention of low carbon consuming behavior; (3) attitude and anticipated guilt play parallel multiple mediating role between man-to-nature orientation value and intention of low carbon consuming behavior. Among them, attitude plays a positive mediating role and anticipated guilt plays a negative mediating role. The present study provides empirical evidence for the effect mechanism of cultural values and emotions on the intention of low carbon consuming behavior, thus providing new ideas to mobilize the public’s participation in low carbon consuming behaviors.

The application of low-carbon city (LCC) indicators—A comparison between academia and practice

Many cities are pursuing low-carbon practices in order to reduce carbon emissions. In line with this, various low-carbon city (LCC) indicator systems have been established across the world. However, there are only few studies available investigating if the established LCC indicators have been effectively utilized in practice. Through a comprehensive literature review, this study composed a list of LCC indicators (LCCIL), which were classified into eight dimensions, namely, economy, energy use, social aspect, carbon and environment, urban mobility, solid waste, water, and land use. The quotation frequency of LCCIL indicators in 10 LCC indicator systems addressed in academia was reviewed. The application frequency of LCCIL indicators in 21 global cities was then examined. A comparative study was then conducted between academia and practice across these eight dimensions of LCCIL. The results reveal that (1) LCCIL indicators have not been effectively utilized in practice; (2) None of the LCCIL indicators related to social aspect has been used in practice; 3) The indicator “total carbon emission” has extensively been applied in practice, but it has not been used in academia. 4) The most popular LCCIL dimension in academia has been energy use, while urban mobility has mostly been in practice. The findings suggest that the applicability of LCC indicators must be considered when establishing a LCC indicator system. The findings provide important reference for further studies in establishing effective LCC indicators to guide development of low-carbon cities.

The urban material politics of decarbonization in Stockholm, London and San Francisco

This paper examines the implementation of carbon governance initiatives targeting urban buildings and energy infrastructure and uses a material politics approach to evaluate whether these practices are triggering trajectories towards decarbonization. Urban low carbon transitions suggest a substantial re-ordering of urban infrastructure. However, there is a critical need to engage with the material implications of low carbon practices since research so far has painted a picture of incremental ambitions struggling in implementation. This paper interrogates how carbon governance is implemented through urban buildings and energy systems, and the implications for urban decarbonization, by drawing on three urban case studies: Stockholm, London and San Francisco. The analysis draws on interviews with representatives from government, industry, utilities, building owners, and non-governmental organizations who are striving to achieve decarbonization in their cities. Patterns are emerging in what is being made to matter politically through the translation of carbon governance into building-energy infrastructure. In particular, the paper finds that (1) a short-term decision making timeline encourages action that incrementally reduces greenhouse gas emissions without fundamentally overcoming carbon lock-in, (2) actors are harnessing exceptional urban space to overcome the tyranny of cost-effectiveness in maintaining fossil fuel entrenchment (with concerning implications for justice and uneven development), (3) there is a pattern of individualization of responsibility for decarbonization, and (4) material politics are limiting the application of low carbon retrofits for the existing built form. Overall, this paper examines the implementation of urban carbon governance while encompassing the messy, materially embedded, and contested nature of infrastructure transformations.

Visualisation approach and economic incentives toward low carbon practices in households: A survey study in Hyogo, Japan

Considering the great significance of residential sector for deep decarbonisation in the medium and long term, this study analyses the effectiveness of an emissions visualisation approach and economic incentives in promoting household low-carbon practices. The data was gathered by a questionnaire survey from 406 households in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, which received eco-home diagnosis in the past three years. The result confirms that around 40% of the samples installed home energy management system (HEMS) as the visualisation tool, and many households received low-carbon subsidies; however, few of them have utilised the low-interest loan from the government of Hyogo. Household lifestyle efforts are less associated with the policy measures and some differ due to family characteristics, i.e., the age of head of the household. Replacing household equipment with low-carbon items is largely determined by the visualisation approach and availability of economic incentives. As an example, the installation of HEMS would increase the probability of replacement with an electric heat pump water heater by 25.6% and the introduction of solar PV system by 55.9%. This study assists in understanding household low-carbon practices and their relationship with the related policy measures.

Role of culture in low carbon supply chain capabilities

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a low carbon culture (LCC) adoption model for gaining the right carbon capabilities by integrating the dimensions of flexibility or control and external or internal of competing values framework (CVF) with that of level of carbon emission (LCE).Design/methodology/approachThis study reviewed literature related to low carbon supply chain, CVF and carbon capabilities to synthesize currently available frameworks for assessing culture and carbon-related insights. Based on these insights, this study proposes the carbon culture adoption model and presents some research propositions.FindingsThis study has extended categorization of culture suggested in CVF from four categories to eight distinct categories by adding “LCE” as a third dimension. The new categories of carbon culture are: “Red,” “Antagonist,” “Obligatory,” “Early Adopter,” “Follower,” “Transitive,” “Pragmatist” and “Green.” This categorization of organizations would help in selecting appropriate low carbon practices (LCPs).Research limitations/implicationsThis study presents purely conceptual framework with some research propositions which needs to be empirically tested.Practical implicationsOrganizations can formulate right policies for low carbon capabilities based on the LCC of their supply chain.Originality/valueWith increasing awareness about environment across stakeholders, organizations around the world are under pressure to reduce their carbon footprints. The extent of reduction in carbon footprints depends on the right capabilities across the supply chain which in turn depends on selection of the right combination of LCPs based on the supply chain culture.

Investigating personal carbon emissions of employees of higher education institutions: Insights from Mauritius

Whilst higher education institutions are often being referred as sustainability change agents, employees of such organizations have an essential role towards promoting low-carbon practices amongst students, who are also influenced by the attitudes and behaviours of teachers. For this, employees of higher education institutions need to properly understand their personal carbon emissions along with reduction mechanisms, in order to instil such knowledge and skills to students. However, previous studies focused principally on estimating carbon emissions of higher education institutions to set reduction targets, rather than emphasizing on the human factor related to reduction of greenhouse gases. Furthermore, limited studies have been undertaken to estimate the carbon footprint of employees of higher education institutions. Taking cognizance of these gaps, this paper investigates the perceptions and behaviour pertaining to personal carbon emissions of employees of higher education institutions through answering different research questions, in order to conceptualize a carbon management framework. To achieve this purpose, a survey was conducted in different higher education institutions in Mauritius and involved 440 employees. Results revealed that carbon emissions of this target group are influenced by demographic factors and nature of activities. In addition, the average carbon footprint of participating employees was found to be approximately two times higher than the per-capita carbon footprint of the inhabitants of the island. These findings also mean that more efforts are needed at different levels in order to better engage employees of higher education institutions to reduce their personal carbon footprints. For this, a carbon management framework has been proposed in this study.