Net Carbon Emissions Research Articles

Diligence analysis for micro grid systems in islanded mode of operation with optimal switching control of converter

To operate a microgrid system in islanded mode, it is essential to analyze the economic feasibility and performance of the system. The proposed system integrates two or more renewable energy sources, providing a promising solution for meeting energy needs sustainably. Conducting a techno-economic analysis of such microgrid systems is critical to maximizing the efficient utilization of renewable energy sources. The simulations for these microgrid systems are performed using HOMER Pro software, where various economic parameters—such as cost of energy (COE), electricity production, net present cost (NPC), carbon emissions, fuel consumption, and payback period—are evaluated for the proposed systems. Additionally, the system's performance is analyzed using PSIM software, which incorporates optimal switching control. The results are further validated using a prototype hardware setup. The findings indicate that the PV/hydro system with NPC: 705,658 Rs and payback period: 9.65 years is the most suitable option for meeting the electricity demand in rural areas. Also, through optimal switching control applied to the micro grid converter the output voltage achieved is seven levels and harmonic distortion is 3.7% for voltage and 1.7% for the current.

Part-4: Concept development of ‘LNG Abscissa’ for REMARIS Island

This paper is brought by the fact that, ‘LNG Abscissa’ will be an LNG producer of End User Investor Agreement. This technology is still again an island operation, as with that of ‘REMARIS Island’. A new Super giant reservoir iCloud with Gas Crude Networks is brought by Data loggers & SCADA controllers that will revisit LNG producers such as (i) Intelli LNG Max Booster and (ii) Intelli LNG Box Thunder. The LNG is further re-gasified to Natural Gas to feed Customers. However, as the World moves towards net zero carbon emissions and renewable energy sources, LNG may be the ‘clean’ fossil fuel that is best placed to help us transition to a carbon free future. The below sessions explain the importance and uses of LNG operation in ‘REMARIS Island’ as an adjacent source of initiative.

Effects of carbon pricing on inflation

ABSTRACT This paper provides ex-post empirical evidence on the effects of carbon pricing policies on headline consumer price inflation, as well as on its food, energy and core inflation subcomponents. It considers both carbon taxes and prices of carbon emissions trading systems (ETS) as carbon pricing policies, and a large number of OECD economies from 1995 to 2020. The paper uses dynamic panel estimation of New-Keynesian Phillips curves, which are commonly used for modelling inflation dynamics, and control for macroeconomic variables including the output gap, exchange rate changes and inflation expectations. An increase in prices of ETS by US dollar $10 per ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents is found to increase energy consumer price inflation by 0.8 percentage points, and headline inflation by 0.08 percentage points, but has no significant effects on food and core consumer price inflation. An increase in carbon taxes by $10 per ton of CO2 equivalents increases food consumer price inflation by 0.1 percentage points, but has no significant effects on energy consumer price inflation, headline and core consumer price inflation. These findings are relevant for future climate policies. They suggest that higher carbon taxes and prices of ETS permits have not led to large increases in headline inflation. Consequently, based on this evidence the use of carbon pricing to speed up the necessary transition to net zero carbon emissions need not be held back by concerns about large overall inflationary effects. This is relevant since these carbon pricing policies have been shown to be effective in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Spatial–Temporal Difference of Urban Carbon Budget and Carbon Compensation Optimization Partition from the Perspective of Spatial Planning

Spatial planning, recognized as a systematic policy instrument for regional development and governance, plays a crucial role in achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality. This study establishes a framework for carbon sources/sinks estimation and carbon compensation optimization and conducts empirical research in a representative coal resource-based city. We analyzed the spatial–temporal distribution characteristics of net carbon emissions in Huaibei from 2006 to 2020 using a spatial correlation model and an improved Carnegie–Ames–Stanford approach (CASA). Then, we applied the normalized revealed comparative advantage (NRCA) index and the SOM-K-means clustering model to categorize the carbon pattern into payment, balance, and compensation areas. These areas were further integrated with the “Three-zones and Three-lines” to reclassify nine spatial partition optimization types. Finally, we proposed a targeted emission reduction and sink enhancement optimization scheme. We found that urban carbon emissions and carbon sinks exhibit a significant mismatch, with the net carbon emission intensity reaching 166.76–383.27 t·hm−2 from 2006 to 2020, showing a rapid increase followed by stabilization. The high-value area, centered in Xiangshan District, exhibits a circularly decreasing spatial characteristic, gradually extending to the central city of Suixi County. In the optimized payment area, the level of the carbon emission contributive coefficient surpasses the ecological support coefficient (3.92 < ECC < 6.04, 2.09 < ESC < 3.58). The optimized space in the balance area type is primarily situated in mining subsidence areas, leading to a lower overall level (0.42 < ECC < 0.57, 0.49 < ESC < 1.13). The optimized space in the compensation area type (2.24 < ECC < 3.25, 4.59 < ESC < 5.69) requires economic or non-economic compensation from the payment area. The study combines the “Three-zones and Three-lines” with the results of carbon compensation to formulate an urban emission reduction and sink enhancement program, which not only helps to consolidate the theory of low-carbon cities but also effectively promotes the realization of the regional carbon peak goal.

A Policy Scan of Cumulative Effects Assessment in Support of Renewable Clean Growth Projects in Canada.

In Canada, clean growth has been viewed as an essential strategy for achieving net zero carbon emissions by the year 2050. However, clean growth initiatives can create cumulative effects. Moreover, such initiatives are evolving rapidly and it is unclear if conventional environmental assessments are sufficient. The assessment of cumulative effects of clean growth remains a relatively novel activity, yet is seemingly important given that some of the emerging actions and technologies could themselves yield a variety of unanticipated environment impacts. To support evidence-based policy development for clean growth, we conducted a policy scan at subnational and national levels in Canada supported by targeted scans in other jurisdictions to assess the scope at which cumulative effects are assessed for renewable clean growth projects, and to identify best practices, approaches, and/or methods for assessing the cumulative effects of clean growth. Our policy scan revealed that approaches for assessing cumulative effects of renewable clean growth activities are inadequately developed across Canada. Though we confirmed few existing cumulative effects frameworks in practice, we found a diverse set of cases where cumulative effects have been effectively identified and managed (in Canada and afar) for projects predominately in the natural resource sector. Four policy insights were generated for assessing cumulative effects of renewable clean growth in Canada; (1) adopt a regional approach that considers local context, (2) support the development of valued ecosystem components, (3) conduct rigorous and comprehensive baseline monitoring, and (4) prioritize collaborative governance including with Indigenous governments and communities. Failure to consider cumulative effects during the early phases of renewable clean growth could impede the ability to meet targets and yield the environmental and socio-economic benefits that are promised by the clean growth movement.

Optimal scheduling of solar powered EV charging stations in a radial distribution system using opposition-based competitive swarm optimization

Solar-powered EV charging stations offer a sustainable and reliable alternative to traditional charging infrastructure, significantly alleviating stress on legacy grid systems. However, the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources poses a challenge for energy management in power distribution networks. To address this, optimal charge/discharge scheduling of EVs becomes crucial. This paper introduces an innovative Opposition-based Competitive Swarm Optimization (OCSO) technique to minimize the total charging cost of EVs in the IEEE 33-bus distribution system. Five strategically placed solar-powered charging stations on distinct buses are evaluated under three charging modes: dumb charging, smart grid-to-vehicle (G2V) charging, and smart vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging. Comprehensive analyses are performed on critical parameters, including bus voltage stability, EV charging load profiles, electricity cost profiles, state-of-charge (SOC) dynamics, and the thermal performance of distribution transformers. Notably, total power losses are reduced by 13.7% and 21.6% in smart G2V and smart V2G modes, respectively, compared to dumb charging. Furthermore, the cumulative ageing factor of distribution transformers under smart V2G charging is reduced by 11.86%, indicating extended transformer lifespan. These findings demonstrate that solar-powered EV charging stations, coupled with advanced energy management strategies, can effectively mitigate grid impacts, enhance operational efficiency, and contribute to reducing net carbon emissions.

Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Spatial Spillover Effects of Net Carbon Emissions: A Case Study of Shaanxi Province, China

Scientifically evaluating net carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is the pivotal strategy for mitigating global climate change and fostering sustainable urban development. Shaanxi Province is situated in central China, and boasts robust energy resources in the north and a significant carbon-sink zone in the southern Qinling Mountains. Therefore, uncovering the spatial distributions of net CO2 emissions and identifying its influencing factors across cities in Shaanxi Province would furnish a crucial theoretical foundation for advancing low-carbon development strategies. In this research, the net CO2 emissions of cities in Shaanxi Province from 2005 to 2020 are calculated using the carbon-emission-factor calculation model, then the Geodetector is utilized to evaluate the single-factor explanatory power and two-factor interactions among the fourteen various influencing variables, and then the spatial econometric model is employed to analyze the spatial spillover effects of these key factors. The results show the following: (1) The net CO2 emissions present significant regional differences among the ten cities of Shaanxi Province, notably Xi’an City, Yulin City, and Weinan City, which have recorded remarkable contributions with the respective totals reaching 72.2593 million tons, 76.3031 million tons, and 58.1646 million tons. (2) Regarding temporal trend changes, the aggregate net CO2 emissions across whole province underwent a marked expansion from 2005 to 2019. Yulin City and Shangluo City exhibit remarkable surges, with respective average annual growth rates soaring at 7.38% and 7.39%. (3) From the perspective of influencing factors, GDP exhibits the most pronounced correlation spanning the entire province. Meanwhile, foreign investment emerges as a significant contributor specifically in Xi’an and Yulin City. Moreover, interaction detection reveals most factor combinations exhibit bi-enhancement, while a few exhibits intricate and non-linear enhancement. (4) The SDM regression and fixed-effect analysis reveal that city GDP had a positive spillover effect on neighboring cities’ net CO2 emission, while investment in scientific research and technology services, along with per capita construction land, exhibit notable negative spillovers, suggesting potential emission reduction benefits across cities.

DESTiny, an online farm-wide tool to estimate the net carbon emissions of a pasture-based dairy farms in South Africa

The dairy farming industry is an important contributor to both South Africa’s economy and food security. However, dairy in South Africa, like elsewhere in the world, has come under scrutiny because of animal welfare concerns and contributions to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To address GHG mitigation, we have constructed a farm-level system dynamics model to assess both the emissions, and capture and storage of carbon (C) on farms, to determine whether farms are net emitters of C (i.e., sources) or sequestrators (i.e., sinks). We have considered nutrient flows, the type and volume of feed, the effluent management system, various parameters relating to the herd dynamics, and the overall effect on the farm economy. The resulting online Dairy Environment Sustainability Tool (DESTiny) can help dairy farmers adopt sustainable practices, as well as improve competitiveness and financial sustainability while reducing the farm’s emissions profile, thereby building value-chain and consumer trust. DESTiny can be considered a science-informed evidence-based tool for estimating, monitoring and understanding nutrient and C flows in dairy production systems. It is also a web-based tool (see https://assetresearch.org.za/destiny-tool/) with a user-interface which allows remote users, researchers, practitioners, farmers and technicians ease of access while integrating the system dynamics models with on-farm realities.

Spatial Temporal Differences in Carbon Emissions from Land-Use Change and Carbon Compensation in Gansu Province, China

This study employs land use and energy consumption data from Gansu Province spanning the years 2005 to 2020 and utilizes models to estimate carbon emissions and the corresponding carbon compensation values. The research calculated the carbon emissions and compensation for various administrative regions over different time periods, revealing the following insights: (1) There is a notable increasing trend in net carbon emissions due to land-use changes in Gansu Province, characterized by an initial swift rise, followed by a more gradual growth pattern. Construction land is identified as the primary contributor to carbon emissions, increasing from 26 million tons in 2005 to 55.3 million tons in 2020, which is an increase of 1.80 times; meanwhile, forested areas, as significant carbon sinks, show a slight increase in carbon absorption from 2.33 million tons in 2005 to 2.35 million tons in 2020. (2) The municipalities with high net carbon emissions are predominantly Lanzhou, Qingyang City, and Jiuquan City, which are marked by high levels of carbon emissions and low compensation rates. In contrast, regions with lower net carbon emissions are mainly found in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, where emissions are minimal and compensation rates are relatively high. A similarity in the spatial distribution patterns of both net carbon emission intensity and total net carbon emissions is observed among these cities. Alterations in land use have a significant impact on regional carbon emissions. Investigating the spatiotemporal variations of land-use change and carbon compensation in Gansu Province is essential for comprehending the dynamics of regional carbon emissions, developing effective emission reduction strategies, and fostering low-carbon development.

Dynamic Simulation and Reduction Path of Carbon Emission in “Three-Zone Space”: A Case Study of a Rapidly Urbanizing City

Understanding the current and future net carbon emission trajectories in “Three-Zone Space” is crucial for China to promote the formation of a low-carbon development pattern in territorial space and realize carbon neutrality. Taking Wuhan as the study area, we developed carbon emission and sequestration inventories for “Three-Zone Space”. Key driving factors of net carbon emissions were analyzed using the logarithmic mean division index, and future emissions and sequestration under six scenarios were projected with a system dynamics model. The optimal emission reduction pathway was identified through the intelligent decision-making index analysis. Our results show that Wuhan’s net carbon emission increased from 18.589 Mt in 2000 to 42.794 Mt in 2020. The emissions during this period primarily came from urban production space and urban living space. Economic development is the primary factor contributing to the increase in net carbon emissions (36.412 Mt). The efficiency of territorial space utilization is the strongest mitigator of net carbon emissions, reducing net carbon emissions by 74.341 Mt (accounting for 42.06% of total emissions). The comprehensive scenario is the most effective for net carbon emission reduction in urban and ecological spaces, while the technological progress scenario provides the greatest reduction potential in agricultural spaces. These findings provide actionable insights for optimizing spatial planning, enhancing ecological restoration, and adopting low-carbon agricultural technologies to achieve targeted emissions reductions in “Three-Zone Space”. The results of this study can further provide scientific basis for the formulation of targeted emission reduction measures for “Three-Zone Space” and guide the construction of low-carbon territorial space patterns.

Variable impacts of land-based climate mitigation on habitat area for vertebrate diversity.

Pathways to achieving net zero carbon emissions commonly involve deploying reforestation, afforestation, and bioenergy crops across millions of hectares of land. It is often assumed that by helping to mitigate climate change, these strategies indirectly benefit biodiversity. Here, we modeled the climate and habitat requirements of 14,234 vertebrate species and show that the impact of these strategies on species' habitat area tends not to arise through climate mitigation, but rather through habitat conversion. Across locations, reforestation tends to provide species more habitat through both land-cover change and climate mitigation, whereas habitat loss from afforestation and bioenergy cropping typically outweighs the climate mitigation benefits. This work shows how and where land-based mitigation strategies can be deployed without inadvertently reducing the area of habitat for global biodiversity.

Research on the impact of county urbanization in Jiangxi Province on carbon budget balance.

Investigating the effects of urbanization at the county level on the balance of the carbon budget is essential for progress toward achieving "dual carbon" objectives at the county scale. Based on land use and economic data, this study elucidates the spatiotemporal evolution of urbanization and carbon budget balance ratio in 84 counties in Jiangxi Province from 1980 to 2020. Optimal geographic detectors and geographically weighted random forests were used to explore the impact of urbanization on the carbon budget balance ratio. The results indicate that (1) after 2000, the net carbon emissions of Jiangxi Province increased rapidly from - 0.54 × 106 to 217.99 × 106 tonnes, with the overall carbon sink area transitioning into a carbon source area; (2) the average carbon budget balance ratio of the counties decreased from 5.45 in 1980 to 0.49 in 2020, and the number of regions with a moderate or higher carbon deficit increased from 8 to 59, primarily concentrated in the Poyang Lake urban agglomeration. Carbon surplus areas decreased from a majority of counties to only 10, now concentrated in less developed areas. (3) The 4km grid is the optimal spatial scale, and the patch cohesion index, night light index, population density, and civilian vehicle ownership are the main factors affecting the carbon budget balance ratio across different dimensions of urbanization. (4) In terms of spatial relationships, influenced by different stages of urbanization and policy interventions, the nonlinear impact of key urbanization factors across various dimensions on the carbon budget balance ratio is significantly greater than that of the linear model. The effect of the same variable on the carbon budget balance ratio shows significant differences across counties. Therefore, it is essential to comprehensively consider the diverse impacts of urbanization on the carbon budget balance when formulating policies aimed at "carbon reduction and increase."

Thermal Environmental Impact of Urban Development Scenarios from a Low Carbon Perspective: A Case Study of Wuhan

Amidst the increasingly escalating global concern regarding climate change, adopting a low-carbon approach has become crucial for charting the future developmental trajectory of urban areas. It also offers a novel angle for cities to avoid high-temperature risks. This paper estimates carbon emissions in Wuhan City from both direct and indirect aspects. Then, the ANN (artificial neural network)–CA (Cellular Automata) model is employed to establish three distinct development scenarios (Ecological Priority, Tight Growth, and Natural Growth) to predict future urban expansion. Additionally, the WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting Model)—UCM (Urban Canopy Model) model is used to investigate the thermal environmental impacts of varying urban development scenarios. This study uses a low-carbon perspective to explore how cities can develop scientifically sound urban strategies to meet climate change challenges and achieve sustainable development goals. The conclusions are as follows: (1) The net carbon emission for Wuhan in 2022 is estimated to be approximately 20.8353 million tonnes. Should the city maintain an average annual emission reduction rate of 10%, the carbon sink capacity of Wuhan would need to be enhanced by 382,200 tonnes by 2060. (2) In the absence of anthropogenic influence, there is a propensity for the urban construction zone of Wuhan to expand primarily towards the southeast and western sectors. (3) The Ecological Priority (EP) and Tight Growth (TG) scenarios are effective in alleviating the urban thermal environment, achieving a reduction of 0.88% and 2.48%, respectively, in the urban heat island index during afternoon hours. In contrast, the Natural Growth (NG) scenario results in a degradation of the urban thermal environment, with a significant increase of over 4% in the urban heat island index during the morning and evening periods. (4) An overabundance of urban green spaces and water bodies could exacerbate the urban heat island effect during the early morning and at night. The findings of this study enhance the comprehension of the climatic implications associated with various urban development paradigms and are instrumental in delineating future trajectories for low-carbon sustainable urban development models.

Effects of cutting height and frequency on tall fescue and buffalograss

AbstractMowing is a cultural practice needed to maintain an attractive lawn but requires labor and increases net carbon emissions. Reducing mowing decreases labor and net carbon emissions but may decrease the visual quality of lawns. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.; syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.; syn. Lolium arundinaceau (Schreb.) Darbysh) and buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides (Nutt.) Columbus) lawns are recommended to remove only 33% of leaf tissue at every mowing event, whereas this has not been compared to other mowing frequency treatments. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine how mowing frequency and height of cut affect visual quality; (ii) quantify how different mowing frequencies and heights of cut affect cumulative clipping yield; (iii) quantify how cumulative mowing events varied among mowing frequencies; and (iv) determine the ideal number of mowing events to maintain ideal visual quality with the lowest cumulative biomass. The visual quality of both tall fescue and buffalograss increased with increasing mowing frequency. Cumulative annual biomass production is 13% and 43% higher at the 5.1 cm height of cut for both tall fescue and buffalograss, respectively. As mowing frequency increases, the cumulative annual biomass production decreases in tall fescue to the monthly, semiannual, or annual mowing frequencies. Mowing frequency has no significant effect on buffalograss cumulative annual biomass production. Mowing based on removing 25% and 33% of the leaf maintains acceptable visual quality while having the fewest mowing events in both species. Quadratic regression quantifies that the ideal number of mowing events was from 8 to 19, and at least 13 in tall fescue and buffalograss lawns, respectively, in Lincoln, NE, to maintain acceptable visual quality with the minimum amount of cumulative biomass production.

Seafood supply mapping reveals production and consumption mismatches and large dietary nutrient losses through exports in the United Kingdom

AbstractSeafood can contribute towards healthy and sustainable food systems by improving public health and helping achieve net zero carbon emissions. Here, we provide a high-resolution perspective on UK seafood supplies and nutrient flows at the species level. We mapped seafood production (capture and aquaculture), trade (imports and exports), purchases (within and out of home) and seafood consumption between 2009 and 2020. UK dietary recommendations for finfish consumption were not achieved by domestic production nor national supplies. Mapping dietary nutrient flows revealed that the UK undergoes substantial losses of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12 and vitamin D, which could contribute 73%, 46% and 7% towards UK-recommended nutrient intakes, respectively, through exports of oily fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel. Policies should consider promoting greater consumption of locally produced oily fish species to improve public health and seafood system resilience.

Carbon footprinting of railway infrastructure: a standardized, consistent data collection method

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transport industry, comprised almost entirely of CO2, account for around 23% of global emissions. Reducing these emissions is crucial, if countries are to meet their carbon reduction targets. Given that net zero carbon emissions are beginning to be enacted into various countries’ laws, transport infrastructure owners now have time bound targets to meet. The accurate measurement of carbon currently expended by transport infrastructure is the first, and most critical, step of infrastructure owners’ journey towards carbon reduction, as this Business as Usual carbon expenditure will form the basis for both carbon reduction measures and expansion of carbon measurement from limited embodied and construction scopes though to whole life cycle carbon assessment. This article provides an overview of a transferable method for calculating the carbon footprint of railway infrastructure assets, based on a novel carbon calculation data form. Use of this form will ensure a standardized and consistent approach in data collection methods, enabling the creation of carbon footprints for small scale case studies of individual railway earthworks (around 100 m linear length) with a specific focus on the construction life cycle stages. These stages form the basis for future expansions to the whole life cycle and therefore accuracy in carbon footprinting is vital. These figures can also be used for aggregation across multiple interventions, and again accurate data are required to ensure inaccuracies are not amplified.

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Land Use Carbon Balance and Its Response to Urbanization: A Case of the Yangtze River Economic Belt

Urbanization and its impact on land use and land cover change are key drivers of global carbon balance shifts. Understanding the spatiotemporal evolution of carbon balance in relation to urbanization helps optimize regional planning and sustainable development. This study develops a city-level land use carbon balance system to quantify the spatiotemporal dynamics of land use carbon balance across 130 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB). Moran’s Index is applied to assess the spatial correlation of carbon balance, and the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) is used to explore the relationship between urbanization levels and net carbon emissions. The results show the following: (1) From 2005 to 2021, land use carbon absorption in YREB cities remained relatively stable, whereas carbon emissions increased. Net carbon emissions increased by 574.61, 456.16, and 1163.60 Mt C in the upper, middle, and lower reaches, respectively. Nearly 98% of the cities exhibited a carbon balance index greater than 1, indicating a carbon deficit. Carbon emission intensity displayed a decreasing trend, with the most significant reductions observed in the middle reaches. (2) Land use carbon balance exhibits significant positive spatial correlation, with cities in the northeastern lower reaches and southwestern upper reaches forming “high–high” and “low–low” net carbon emission clusters. (3) Urbanization and per capita net carbon emissions followed an inverted “N”-shaped curve, with turning points at around 30% and 85% urbanization. This study provides insights into optimizing land use carbon management amidst urban growth in the YREB.

Realizing Carbon Neutrality in Top-Emitter Countries: Do Green Technology Innovation, Renewable Energy, Financial Development, and Environmental Tax Matters?

As a result of the growing global climate crisis, many countries have pledged to cut carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gas emissions to achieve net-zero emission goals. These goals can be successfully realized with the rollout of environmental regulations, utilization of green technology innovations, and a greater use of renewable energies. This study explores the influence of green technology innovations, renewable energy, financial development, environmental taxes, and economic growth on CO2 emissions in the 19 highest emitting countries from 1994 to 2022. The results reveal that renewable energy use and environmental taxes negatively affect CO2 emissions, reinforcing the essential role of these variables in the journey toward carbon neutrality. Green technological innovations, financial development, and economic growth have positive effects on CO2 emissions, suggesting that appropriate regulations and policies are necessary to attain net zero carbon emissions. The findings also indicate that financial development positively affects environmental quality by promoting green technological innovations. The causality results indicate a bidirectional causal link between green technology innovations, renewable energy, environmental taxes, economic growth, and CO2 emissions. Additionally, a unidirectional causal relationship exists between financial development and CO2 emissions. Based on these results, the study offers policy suggestions.

The Relationship Between Carbon Emissions and Ecosystem Services in Guangdong Province, China: The Perspective of Ecological Function Zones

Ecosystem carbon sinks can offset part of the carbon emissions from human activities, playing a significant role in the carbon neutrality process. Clarifying the relationship between carbon emissions and ecosystem services is crucial for achieving the dual goals of carbon neutrality and ecological environmental protection. Effective ecosystem management is a prerequisite for controlling carbon emissions, as well as for ecosystem conservation and restoration, making a significant contribution to emission reduction and the enhancement of ecosystem services. Therefore, this study takes Guangdong Province as an example, starting with ecological functional zones—units that can enhance the effectiveness of ecosystem management—combining multi-source data and localized methods to develop annual carbon emissions (CEs) and ecosystem service value (ESV) data from 2000 to 2020, and reveals the spatiotemporal relationships between CEs and the ESV. The results showed the following from 2000 to 2020: (1) The net CEs increased from 203.73 to 482.80 million tons, representing an increase of 279.07 million tons, or 136.98%. The metropolitan residential security zone (MRSZ) was the dominant carbon source area, accounting for more than 60% of the total net CEs. (2) The total ESV gradually decreased from CNY 596.95 to 504.56 billion, representing a decline of CNY 92.39 billion, or 15.48%. The WCZ had the highest ESV, accounting for more than 50% of the total in all periods. (3) Temporally, the net CEs were negatively correlated with the total ESV in the study area, especially in the MRSZ, while a positive correlation was observed in the agricultural products provision zone (APZ). Spatially, the main clusters were Low–Low and High–Low clusters, primarily distributed in the APZ and MRSZ. This study explores and reveals the spatiotemporal relationship between CEs and the ESV, providing valuable references for related research in Guangdong Province and other regional comparative studies.

Diagnostic Approach and Tool for Assessing and Increasing the Sustainability of Renewable Energy Projects

The imperative of achieving net zero carbon emissions is driving the transition to renewable energy sources. However, this often leads to carbon tunnel vision by narrowly focusing on carbon metrics and overlooking broader sustainability impacts. To enable these broader impacts to be considered, we have developed a generic approach and a freely available assessment tool on GitHub that not only facilitate the high-level sustainability assessment of renewable energy projects but also indicate whether project-level decisions have positive, negative, or neutral impacts on each of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). This information highlights potential problem areas and which actions can be taken to increase the sustainability of renewable energy projects. The tool is designed to be accessible and user-friendly by developing it in MS Excel and by only requiring yes/no answers to approximately 60 diagnostic questions. The utility of the approach and tool are illustrated via three desktop case studies performed by the authors. The three illustrative case studies are located in Australia and include a large-scale solar farm, biogas production from wastewater plants, and an offshore wind farm. Results show that the case study projects impact the SDGs in different and unique ways and that different project–level decisions are most influential, highlighting the value of the proposed approach and tool to provide insight into specific projects and their sustainability implications, as well as which actions can be taken to increase project sustainability.