Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Research Articles

Going beyond carbon: Influence of structural parameters on the environmental impacts of typical building structures

The construction sector has a large impact on the environment, be it climate change, biodiversity loss or resources depletion. Part of those impacts comes from construction materials, and more specifically, concrete and steel building structures. Early-stage design tools including environmental damage assessment are therefore required to achieve sustainable construction practices. This article presents a parametric approach aiming at studying the influence of early-stage structural parameters on the environmental impacts of a structure. The developed methodology combines parametric structural design with a multicriteria cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment, applied to typical housing structures such as grid based beam column structures with a central core for lateral stability. Results show that span, number of levels and materials greatly influence the environmental impacts of considered structures. Climate change scores per floor area range from 80 kgCO2/m2 for short span timber structure to 215 kgCO2/m2 for long span steel buildings with few levels. Beams and slabs have the largest contribution in such impacts. Changing the production processes of materials is a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, decarbonizing steel production processes or reducing the cement content of concrete participate in burdenshifting with increased scores in several impact categories, such as carcinogenic toxicity or ozone depletion.

The Synergistic Effect of the Carbon Emission Trading Scheme on Pollution and Carbon Reduction in China’s Power Industry

The synergistic effect of pollution and carbon reduction can alleviate the dual pressure of improving environmental quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in China. The carbon emission trading scheme (CETS) is a crucial market-based tool for carbon emission reduction, and understanding its synergistic impact on air pollution control is essential. Based on data from 30 provincial panels in China spanning from 2007 to 2021, we employ the difference-in-differences (DID) method to analyze the synergistic effects of the carbon emission trading plan in the power industry and its influence mechanisms are examined. We observe that the CETS significantly enhances both pollution and carbon reduction in China’s power sector, particularly demonstrating effective synergy in reducing CO2, SO2, and PM2.5 emissions. Furthermore, mechanism analysis reveals that the CETS achieves joint emission reductions by lowering energy consumption, influencing the power industry’s generation structure, promoting technological innovation among enterprises, and thereby realizing synergistic pollution and carbon reduction effects in China’s power sector. Heterogeneity analysis shows that regions with limited power facility, low electricity generation, and small economic scale exhibit the most pronounced synergistic benefits from pollution and carbon reduction efforts.

Improving Legal Regulation in the Field of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Russian Federation

Improving Legal Regulation in the Field of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Russian Federation

Low-carbon development vector in circular economy

Within the framework of the Industry 4.0 concept, transition from a linear economy model to a circular economy model aimed at energy saving, regenerative green production, circulation, and consumption is becoming increasingly relevant. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the low-carbon development model consistency with the goals and objectives of circular economy (hereinafter referred to as CE) for subsequent development of a green growth strategy. Objectives of the study: to use the criteria and methods of CE to develop a toolkit for transition to low-carbon economy and to formulate its development strategy. The study used general scientific methods, in particular, analysis, synthesis, and periodization. In the course of the study the criteria for green economy growth have been identified, and in accordance with them the stages of CE have been established such as conceptual, institutional, and regulatory. The author’s variant of the combined regulatory system based on a combination of administrative and economic measures has been proposed. Matrices of problem situations by individual types of activity have been formed. As the study result, the authors outlined the circular economy stages, substantiated the possibility of low-carbon transformation within the framework of CE, relying on carbon emissions management, low-carbon technologies and a system of financing “green” projects implementation. The tools to stimulate “green” growth have been defined: a tax on greenhouse gas emissions, emissions trading system, subsidizing alternative energy, environmental projects, energy-saving technologies development and their implementation into the production process. The novelty of the study lies in a scheme development for building a low-carbon economic development strategy aimed at achieving the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the level of both the region and industrial enterprises.

THE HOUSING UNITS OF THE POSITIVE CLIMATE NEIGHBORHOOD PEDRA BRANCA SC/BR

In response to the global climate crisis, urgent measures are required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement. As energy consumption accounts for 36% of total emissions, and buildings contribute significantly to both direct and indirect emissions, it is crucial to enhance the energy efficiency and self-sufficiency of buildings. This article conducts a case study to evaluate the formal structure, spatial layout, and sustainable strategies employed in residential units within the Pedra Branca neighborhood (Santa Catarina, Brazil), using the methodology developed by Brandão and Schneider. The findings indicate that the housing units predominantly consist of three bedrooms, along with two to four bathrooms. The analysis revealed partial integration between the kitchen and service areas, with full integration being less common. Corridor layouts were found to make the greatest contribution to sustainability and internal space quality. Although some configurations did not directly support cross-ventilation, there was a clear focus on environmental comfort and the use of passive design strategies. This study highlights the potential of such configurations to improve energy performance and contribute to the development of climate-positive neighborhoods.

Crude oil price behavior and the adoption of sustainable measures in companies before and after COVID-19

The objectives achieved in the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels have caused, in recent years, a growing importance on sustainability in companies in order to reduce Environmental, social and economic impacts. This study is focused on understanding how the variation in West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices affects the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and therefore the companies included in it, and vice versa. The research aims to examine the statistical properties of both indices, using fractional integration methods, the fractional cointegration vector autoregressive (FCVAR) approach and the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) technique. The results warn of a change in trend, with the application of extraordinary measures being necessary to return to the original trend, while the analysis of cointegration and wavelet analysis measures reflect that an increase in those adopted based on sustainability by the different companies that make up the index imply a drop in the price of crude oil.

Strategies and tactics to reduce the impact of healthcare on climate change: systematic review

ObjectiveTo review the international literature and assess the ways healthcare systems are mitigating and can mitigate their carbon footprint, which is currently estimated to be more than 4.4% of global...

Investigation of mixed matrix membranes of graphene and acid‐treated graphene fillers in cellulose acetate and polyetherimide polymers for CO2 separation from biogas

AbstractGas separation membranes are crucial for upgrading biogas by separating carbon dioxide (CO2) from biogas, thereby enhancing its calorific value and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This study aims to improve CO2/CH4 separation using mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs) by incorporating graphene (Gr) and acid‐treated graphene (AGr) fillers in a cellulose acetate (CA) polymer matrix. Similarly, polyetherimide (PEI) MMMs were also prepared with Gr and AGr fillers to draw a comparison. Various characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction, were employed to investigate the structural and morphological properties of the membranes and fillers. Gas permeation tests using a model biogas mixture (40% CO2 and 60% CH4) revealed that the 0.1%AGr/CA membrane achieved the highest CO2 permeability of 43 Barrers, which is approximately 307% more than that of the pure CA membrane, and showed a CO2/CH4 selectivity of 14.80. The 0.5%Gr/PEI membrane demonstrated the best performance among PEI‐based MMMs, with a CO2 permeability of 17.48 Barrers and a CO2/CH4 selectivity of 8.96. These results indicate that the incorporation of Gr and AGr significantly enhances the gas separation performance over pure CA and PEI membranes.Highlights Graphene (G) and acid‐treated Gr‐based cellulose acetate (CA) and polyetherimide (PEI) mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs) were fabricated. Model biogas was used for testing CO2 and CH4 gas permeation. The 0.1% AGr/CA MMM showed 307% higher CO2 permeability than pure CA. The 0.5% Gr/PEI MMM showed 435% higher CO2 permeabilit than pure PEI. Structural properties were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman, and X‐ray diffraction.

Considering Embodied Greenhouse Emissions of Nuclear and Renewable Power Plants for Electrolytic Hydrogen and Its Use for Synthetic Ammonia, Methanol, Fischer-Tropsch Fuel Production.

Recent concerns surrounding climate change and the contribution of fossil fuels to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have sparked interest and advancements in renewable energy sources including wind, solar, and hydroelectricity. These energy sources, often referred to as "clean energy", generate no operational onsite GHG emissions. They also offer the potential for clean hydrogen production through water electrolysis, presenting a viable solution to create an environmentally friendly alternative energy carrier with the potential to decarbonize industrial processes reliant on hydrogen. To conduct a full life cycle analysis, it is crucial to account for the embodied emissions associated with renewable and nuclear power generation plants as they can significantly impact the GHG emissions linked to hydrogen production and its derived products. In this work, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the embodied emissions associated with solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, hydro, and nuclear electricity. We investigated the implications of including plant-embodied emissions in the overall emission estimates of electrolysis hydrogen production and subsequently on the production of synthetic ammonia, methanol, and Fischer-Tropsch (FT) fuels. Results show that average embodied GHG emissions of solar PV, wind, hydro, and nuclear electricity generation in the United States (U.S.) were estimated to be 37, 9.8, 7.2, and 0.3 g CO2 e/kWh, respectively. Life cycle GHG emissions of electrolytic hydrogen produced from solar PV, wind, and hydroelectricity were estimated as 2.1, 0.6, and 0.4 kg of CO2 e/kg of H2, respectively, in contrast to the zero-emissions often used when the embodied emissions in their construction were excluded. Average life cycle emission estimates (CO2 e/kg) of synthetic ammonia, methanol, and FT-fuel from solar PV electricity are increased by 5.5, 16, and 49 times, respectively, compared to the case when embodied emissions are excluded. This change also depends on the local irradiance for solar power, which can result in a further increase of GHG emissions by 35-41% in areas of low irradiance or reduce GHG emissions by 21-25% in areas with higher irradiance.

N-doped Porous Carbon Derived from the Pyrolysis of a Polydopamine-coated Hypercross-linked Polymer for Enhanced CO2 Adsorption.

Porous carbon materials can simultaneously capture and convert carbon dioxide, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and using carbon dioxide as a feedstock for the production of valuable chemicals or fuel. In this work, a series of N-doped porous carbons (PDA@HCP(x:y)-T) was prepared; the CO2 adsorption capacity of the prepared PDA@HCP(x:y)-T was enhanced by coating polydopamine (PDA) on a hypercross-linked polymer (HCP) and then adjusting the mass ratio of PDA to HCP and the carbonization temperature. The results showed that the prepared PDA@HCP(1:1)-850 exhibited a high CO2 adsorption capacity due to abundant micropores (0.6762 cm3/g), a high specific surface area (1220.8 m²/g), and moderate surface nitrogen content (2.75%). Notably, PDA@HCP(1:1)-850 exhibited the highest CO2 uptake of 6.46 mmol/g at 0 °C and 101 kPa. Critically, these N-doped porous carbons can also be used as catalysts for the reaction of CO2 with epichlorohydrin to form chloropropylene carbonate, with chloropropylene carbonate yielding up to 64% and selectivity of the reaction reaching 94%. As a result, these N-doped porous carbons could serve as potential candidates for CO2 capture and conversion due to their high reactivity, excellent CO2 uptake, and good catalytic performance.

High altitude dilemmas: Assessing academic air travel reduction measures by comparing reduction potential and willingness

Abstract Many researchers consider air travel crucial for a successful career and fly frequently to attend conferences, participate in meetings, teach classes, and conduct fieldwork, which creates significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that often account for the largest share of a university’s emission total. Several universities have attempted to address this issue by implementing measures to reduce GHG emissions from academic air travel. Ideally, these measures are both effective in reducing emissions and acceptable to the academic staff willing to endorse them. We evaluated five air travel reduction measures and compared their GHG emission reduction potential to academics’ willingness to implement them. We calculated reduction potentials based on empirical flight data from the University of XXXX’s Department of Geography and conducted an online survey among the department’s academic staff to assess willingness. On average, academic staff were willing to implement all five measures. Measures restricting travel showed the highest reduction potential but the lowest willingness to adopt among academic staff. Conversely, measures involving the transition to alternative travel modes showed higher willingness but lower reduction potentials. Our results suggest that there is no straightforward answer for universities aiming to reduce their air travel emissions. In addition to implementing more acceptable low-impact measures, universities must explore examples of good practices and endeavor to remove obstacles to high-impact measure implementation.

Green horizons: Using fodder crops to harness carbon and combat climate change

Climate change, influenced by both natural processes and human activities, has notably transformed Earth's atmospheric composition, primarily due to heightened energy use in industrial and agricultural sectors. To combat this, a study was conducted focusing on soil management strategies, particularly using cumbu napier hybrid grass, to mitigate climate change by enhancing carbon sequestration. The research evaluated the effects of different nutrient sources including inorganic fertilizers, farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM) and biofertilizers like Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) and Azophos on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, soil carbon pools and soil organic carbon (SOC). The findings revealed that integrating organic manures with biofertilizers, particularly in the treatment involving PM at 75 % nitrogen equivalent combined with AM and Azophos (T10), significantly increased SOC levels (1.04 %) and lowered GHG emissions. This treatment also recorded the highest levels of soil inorganic carbon (0.131 %), passive carbon (7890 mg kg-1), permanent soil carbon stock (14.91 t ha-1 year-1), carbon pool index (1.37), carbon management index (201.1) and green fodder yield (370.2 t ha-1 year-1). On the other hand, the treatment with FYM alone at 100 % nitrogen equivalent (T7) resulted in the highest CO2 emissions (71.4 t ha-1 year-1), while the untreated control plot (T11) exhibited the highest global warming potential (GWP). This study underscores the effectiveness of strategic soil management in forage crop systems as a sustainable method to boost soil health, increase carbon sequestration and reduce GHG emissions, thus contributing to climate change mitigation.

A comparative study on combustion characteristics of PPC and RCCI combustion modes in an optical engine with renewable fuels

Application of renewable fuels in compression ignition engines provides one solution to reduce greenhouse gas emission in heavy-duty transportation sector. However, it is a big challenge to find a single alternative fuel to replace the traditional diesel under full load conditions. In this study, the combustion characteristics of two kinds of renewable fuels with different reactivity, namely methanol and hydrogenated catalytic biodiesel (HCB), were investigated in an optical engine under partially premixed combustion (PPC) and reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) modes, respectively. A two-color (2C) method was employed to quantify the in-flame soot formation. Meanwhile, the flame oscillation phenomenon was captured and evaluated. The results indicate that the RCCI mode exhibits reduced peak cylinder pressure, resulting in smoother and more stable combustion compared to that of the PPC mode. Moreover, the more uniform fuel distribution in the RCCI mode further decreases soot formation from the blended fuel. Additionally, with increasing methanol proportion, the rise in oxygen content within the blended fuel significantly reduces soot formation. The flame oscillations are primarily related to the rate of cylinder pressure variation. Under PPC mode, multi-point autoignition causes a rapid increase in cylinder pressure, leading to larger oscillation amplitudes (M15: 0.268, M25: 0.772). Conversely, under the RCCI mode, the heat release process is more stable, resulting in weaken oscillations (M15: 0.161, M25: 0.064) compared to that of PPC.

Space–Time Analysis of Refueling Patterns of Alternative Fuel Vehicles Using GPS Trajectory Data and Machine Learning

ABSTRACTThe urgency to combat climate change has led countries worldwide to embrace clean energy solutions across various sectors, including transportation, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This shift is evident in the growing popularity and adoption of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), such as natural gas vehicles and electric vehicles. AFVs have significantly lower carbon footprints compared to conventional petrol‐powered vehicles with internal combustion engines. Consequently, there arises a need to gain a deeper understanding of AFV refueling demand to optimize the distribution of refueling stations. To address this, our research proposes an innovative space–time method that integrates GPS trajectory data with the support vector machine technique to accurately identify and analyze patterns in AFV refueling behavior. The results highlight distinct space–time patterns, notably the clustering of refueling activities in areas like Shuiguohu, Shouyilu, Houhu, Hanshuiqiao, Zhoutou, and Yongfeng around noon, influenced by taxi drivers' breaks. This underscores the importance of increasing staff levels at refueling stations in these areas during peak refueling periods, forming alliances with local eateries, and coordinating taxi shift hours to evenly distribute refueling demand throughout the day, ultimately reducing congestion during peak refueling periods in these areas. The proposed method by this research is applicable to urban contexts worldwide and equips policymakers and planners with a powerful tool for effective planning of future AFV refueling stations.

OPTIMIZING THE ROLE OF KPM STUDENTS IN DEVELOPING CIAWIGAJAH VILLAGE THROUGH DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WITH WEB PLATFORM

Two critical innovations that support environmental sustainability and community empowerment are waste processing into alternative fuels and village digitalization through the Internet. Both innovations offer solutions to the problem of waste accumulation while reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. This technology converts organic and inorganic waste into usable energy, such as biogas or RDF. This method can produce cleaner energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On the contrary, village digitization through web platforms is a strategic step in increasing access to information, services, and economic opportunities for rural communities. By using this platform, villages can develop local potential, improve the efficiency of public services, and encourage broader digital inclusion. This platform can meet many needs, including village administration management, promotion of local products, and further training and education. The combination of these two innovations demonstrates collaborative efforts to realize sustainable development that combines environmentally friendly technology solutions and digital community empowerment. The results are hoped to improve the quality of life, reduce unpleasant environmental effects, and accelerate economic transformation in rural areas

Ionomer and Membrane Designs for Low-Temperature CO2 and CO Electrolysis.

Low-temperature electroreduction of CO2 and CO (CO(2)RR) into valuable chemicals and fuels offers a promising pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality. Today's low-temperature CO(2)RR technology relies on the use of ionomers, polymers with ionized groups, primarily as catalyst layer (CL) additives. In the meantime, ionomers can assemble into ion-exchange membranes (IEMs), serving as important components of electrolyzers. According to the ion-exchange functions, ionomer additives are classified as cation-exchange ionomers (CEIs) and anion-exchange ionomers (AEIs); similarly, IEMs are divided into cation-exchange membranes (CEMs) and anion-exchange membranes (AEMs), as well as the multilayer polymer electrolytes (MPEs). Recent studies show that ionomer additives can regulate the catalytic microenvironment and thereby enhance performance towards desired products. This Review discusses the roles of ionomer additives and IEMs in CO2 and CO reduction reactions, highlighting the latest mechanistic insights and performance advances. It outlines challenges in designing ionomer additives and IEMs to improve product selectivity, energy efficiency (EE), and operational lifetime of CO(2)RR electrolyzers, while also providing perspectives on future research directions. The aim is to connect the current status of ionomer and membrane development with performance metrics analysis, offering insights for the advancement of commercially relevant low-temperature CO(2)RR electrolyzers.

A Preliminary Methodological Framework of the Potential Hydrogen Economy for a Sustainable Transport in Malaysia

The transition to a hydrogen economy is vital for achieving sustainable transport in Malaysia, particularly in mitigating the environmental impact of heavy-duty mobility. This paper proposes a preliminary methodological framework to evaluate hydrogen's potential as a transformative solution for decarbonizing the transportation sector, focusing on key areas such as hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and vehicle integration, with an emphasis on green hydrogen from renewable sources. Our assessment reveals the significant potential of hydrogen to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, positioning it as a viable alternative to fossil fuels and battery-electric vehicles, especially in heavy-duty applications. The study assesses the technological feasibility, economic viability, and environmental benefits of adopting hydrogen in Malaysia, considering current infrastructure, production capabilities, and regulatory frameworks. Key challenges identified include the high costs of hydrogen production and infrastructure, technological barriers in storage and vehicle integration, and gaps in policy and market readiness. To address these, we propose strategic recommendations for stakeholders, highlighting the need for government support, public-private partnerships, and international collaborations. This framework aims to guide Malaysia’s transition to a hydrogen-powered transport sector, aligning with the nation’s sustainability and energy security goals while positioning Malaysia as a leader in hydrogen technology in Southeast Asia.

Greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation potential of crop production in Northeast China

Agricultural management practices that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been identified as effective mitigation strategies. However, research on carbon emissions from major crops in Northeast China focuses on national and provincial data, overlooking city-scale variability and uncertainties, which prevents fine-scale assessment of crop emissions reduction potential. To address this, a life cycle assessment (LCA) combined with the Monte Carlo method was conducted to estimate the carbon footprint of rice, maize, and soybean production for different cities in Northeast China from 1991 to 2020. The results showed that the top one-third of cities with the highest total carbon emissions (TCE) account for approximately 40 % of the region's TCE. Nitrogen losses and production processes related to nitrogen fertilizer application were identified as the primary contributors to TCE from crop production, accounting for 29.6–62.5 % of the total, with a relative importance of 58.5–78.2 %. Scenario analysis indicated that optimizing nitrogen fertilizer management and reducing active nitrogen losses are the most effective strategies for reducing TCE from major crop production, offering a reduction potential of 34.5–60.6 %. Recommended strategies include phased application of nitrogen fertilizer, the addition of nitrification inhibitors, or using slow-release nitrogen fertilizers, combined with appropriate increases in crop planting density, straw return decomposition technologies and water-saving irrigation methods to reduce GHG emissions. These strategies aim to achieve low-carbon sustainable grain production and provide a foundation for exploring the emissions reduction potential of agricultural inputs and optimizing regional crop layouts, offering new insights for developing more effective GHG reduction strategies.

Strategic conversion of plastic containers with food waste into energy through thermochemical processes

Plastic valorization has received particular attention as an environmentally benign approach to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, contaminated plastic and biomass waste mixtures suffer from single-stream recycling. Waste mixtures are currently discarded through landfilling and incineration. As a sustainable disposal and valorization method for converting plastic and biomass waste mixtures into energy-intensive products, especially syngas (H2 and CO), this study utilizes catalytic pyrolysis and a CO2 flow gas. A plastic container contaminated with a food waste mixture (PFW) was used as the model waste. The major products of the pyrolysis of PFW were liquid hydrocarbons (HC) (C7–30) and wax-like HCs with negligible formation of oxygen-containing HCs. However, the high production of wax-like HCs becomes a problem. Catalytic pyrolysis was employed to convert HCs into simpler product streams such as syngas. Although syngas formation tripled with the Ni catalyst, catalyst deactivation was observed. To suppress catalyst deactivation and promote CO formation, CO2 was introduced instead of N2. During the CO2-assisted catalytic pyrolysis, the syngas yield from PFW increased to 95.5 % because the chemical reactions between CO2 and liquid/wax-like HCs produced additional H2 and CO. The catalytic reaction with CO2 suppressed carbon deposition because long-chain HCs were converted to CO rather than coke.

Microwave-induced alterations in the structure of coals at different metamorphic stages

Despite the global trend toward decarbonization, coal continues to play a significant role in energy production, as current renewable energy sources cannot fully meet the increasing global energy demand. The main objective of decarbonization is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide. Enhancing coal usage efficiency can help decrease these emissions. Electromagnetic activation of bituminous coal is already employed for dehydration, ash removal, desulfurization, and improving the grinding process of raw coal. This research aims to study the specifics of coal electromagnetic activation using microwave radiation and its effects on the physical and chemical processes occurring in coals at different metamorphic stages. The results suggest that this electromagnetic treatment leads to the destruction of hydroxyl groups and the formation of free hydrogen. Coals at higher metamorphic stages heat up faster due to their higher structural density. Coals at lower metamorphic stages take longer to heat up and require more processing time to be effective, while lower power levels are necessary to avoid mechanical breakdown. Activation time and coal particle size are significant factors; their optimal combination provides the maximum effect. These findings contribute to optimizing microwave treatment parameters for different coal types, potentially enhancing coal utilization efficiency and reducing environmental impact.