Reduce Carbon Emissions Research Articles

The Promoting Effect of Green Bonds on Reducing Carbon Emission Intensity Through Energy Structure Transition

Climate change poses a significant threat to the sustainable development of all countries. The transition to low-carbon energy sources is a crucial strategy for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change. We investigate the mediating role of clean energy consumption (EC) and fossil energy supply (ES) on the promoting of carbon emission intensity per unit of GDP (CO2/GDP) reduction by green bonds (GBs). We develop a mediating model to analyze how GB influences CO2/GDP reduction through EC and ES, utilizing panel data from 13 prefecture-level cities in Jiangsu province spanning the years 2007 to 2021. Additionally, we assess the model’s reliability through endogeneity and robustness tests. We find that GBs contribute to reducing CO2/GDP by facilitating the structural transition of energy supply and consumption. Furthermore, the development of GBs enhance the consumption of clean energy and plays a direct role in advancing the transition in structure of both energy supply and energy consumption. Notably, we observe heterogeneity in the effectiveness of GBs on CO2/GDP reduction across different regions. Therefore, it is imperative for the government to actively promote the development of GBs to achieve sustainable economic growth. Furthermore, both financial and energy policies should be tailored to align with the specific energy structures of various regions.

Unlocking Urban Breathability: Investigating the Synergistic Mitigation of PM2.5 and CO2 by Community Park Green Space in the Built Environment Using Simulation

Reducing carbon emissions and controlling air pollution is a dual challenge for China in addressing climate change. Analyzing the synergistic relationship between PM2.5 and CO2 in urban green spaces has become an important part of promoting pollution control. The study investigated the influence and synergistic relationship between the spatial pattern of community parks on PM2.5 and CO2 in Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, through practical measurement and ENVI-met/Open Studio simulation calculations. The results showed that: (1) Within the sphere of influence, community parks exhibit a positive synergy varying with distance, peaking at 400 m and declining as 300 m > 500 m > 200 m > 100 m. (2) The green space rate, total edge (TE), and mean patch shape index (SHAPE_MN) positively influence the synergistic mitigation of PM2.5 and CO2, with a defined maximum impact boundary. The strongest synergistic reduction of PM2.5 and CO2 occurs at a green space rate of 85%, TE1200, and SHAPE1.2, with optimal influence boundaries of 300 m, 200 m, and 100 m, respectively. This conclusion demonstrates the key role of green space in community parks in the synergistic abatement and provides a scientific basis and practical guidance for the planning and design of urban green space under the goal of “dual-carbon”.

Bridging ESG and SDGs Clean Air and Water Through CSR Committee: A New Pathway for Sustainability in the Utility Sector

This study aims to bridge Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly related to clean air and water, through the role of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) committee in the utility sector. As global awareness of climate change rises, utility companies worldwide are adopting ESG strategies to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and manage water resources. This research proposes a new evaluation framework to assess the contribution of utility companies to achieving SDGs focused on air and water quality. Using data from annual reports and Refinitiv LSEG, the study examines the relationship between ESG scores, asset size, debt-to-equity ratio, and the moderating role of CSR committees in achieving SDG goals. Regression analysis results indicate that ESG scores have a significant positive influence on company contributions to achieving SDGs, especially in terms of clean air and water quality. Additionally, the CSR committee acts as an effective moderator in optimizing asset use and managing company debt to meet sustainability goals. This study provides both theoretical and practical contributions to support evidence-based decision-making for more sustainable policies in the utility sector.

Analysis of the Potential Carbon Emission Reduction Through Interaction Between New Energy Vehicles and Smart Grids

Abstract: This paper analyzes the potential for carbon emission reduction through the interaction between new energy vehicles and smart grids, discussing how the optimization of energy efficiency and balancing of grid loads can be achieved through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. The interaction between new energy vehicles and smart grids can enhance energy utilization efficiency, optimize grid management, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels by leveraging renewable energy sources, thereby achieving the goal of carbon emission reduction. However, this process faces multiple challenges including technological integration, cost-effectiveness, policy support, and societal acceptance. The paper proposes a series of strategic recommendations, including promoting technological standardization, enhancing policy and economic incentives, and increasing public awareness and participation, to support the effective interaction between new energy vehicles and smart grids, and to achieve long-term carbon emission reduction goals.

A low-carbon supply chain pricing mechanism considering CSR under carbon cap-and-trade policy.

In the context of environmental deterioration and people's growing environmental protection awareness, governments or regions have put forward corresponding carbon emission reduction policies. Among them, the carbon trading mechanism, as an effective means to promote enterprises to implement emission reduction measures, plays a crucial role in regulating enterprise behavior and promoting social sustainable development. Since various industries and sectors support each other in social and economic development, it is more reasonable to study the carbon emission reduction optimization decisions of society and enterprises from the perspective of the supply chain. To achieve the carbon reduction target of the supply chain system, manufacturing enterprises usually need to incur additional costs to invest in emission reduction technologies, and retail enterprises also need to conduct low-carbon publicity to increase product market share. On one hand, considering the impact of the government's emission reduction constraints and consumers' low-carbon preferences, manufacturers will take corporate social responsibility (CSR) into consideration to enhance product competitiveness. On the other hand, smaller retailers are more concerned about being treated fairly than about their own profits due to the extra cost of low-carbon advertising. In this paper, considering the background of carbon trading, the manufacturer's CSR and retailer's fairness concern behavior are introduced into the decision-making process of the low-carbon supply chain (LCSC), and the relevant emission reduction decision-making model is constructed by using Stackelberg game theory and backward derivation method. Through comparative analysis of relevant parameters, members' profits and utilities, this paper focuses on the influence of CSR and fairness concerns on system decision-making. The results show that the optimal way for LCSC decision-making is to cooperate with fair-concerned retailers and manufacturers with CSR. When manufacturers consider social responsibility within a certain range and retailers bear part of the cost of social responsibility as followers, it can not only effectively improve the emission reduction level of the supply chain and the profits of each entity, but also help to increase the enthusiasm of each entity for carbon emission reduction and the overall social welfare.

The carbon emission reduction benefits of the transformation of the intensive use of cultivated land in China

The transformation of the intensive use of cultivated land has an important impact on agricultural carbon emissions (ACE). However, the existing research on the impact mechanisms of the transformation of intensive use of cultivated land on carbon emissions is not clear. In view of this, this study constructs the impact mechanism of the transformation of intensive use of cultivated land on carbon emissions from the perspective of production factors substitution based on the theory of induced technological change and the theory of marginal returns. Using the Cobb-Douglas production function, this study identifies the transformation patterns of intensive use of cultivated land in China from 1980 to 2021. Furthermore, this study simulates the carbon emission reduction benefits brought about by the transformation of the intensive use of cultivated land by considering the cost of agricultural production. The results show that, first, from 1980 to 2021, the price of agricultural labor increased by 224.10%, while the price of other agricultural production factors significantly decreased. China’s intensive use of cultivated land methods has undergone four stages: agricultural labor–intensive (ALI), yield–enhancing factor–intensive (YEFI), labor–saving factor–intensive (LSFI), and innovation factor–intensive (IFI). In 2021, most of China’s provinces were in the YEFI or ALI stages. Second, between 1993 and 2021, the transformation of China’s intensive use of cultivated land brought about an 87.48% increase in carbon emissions, while the spatial clustering effect of carbon emissions weakened. Furthermore, the results show that, the transition of the use of cultivated land from ALI to YEFI and YEFI to LSFI will reduce carbon emissions by 7.89%, and input factors costs will increase by 23.85%. If all regions, except for those in the IFI stage, transition to the LSFI model, it will result in a 17.56% reduction in carbon emissions, with a corresponding increase of 33.40% of the input factors input costs. This research enriches the theoretical foundation of literature about the transformation of the intensive use of cultivated land. It also expands the research perspective on agricultural carbon emissions. This research also helps provide references for the direction of the transformation of the intensive use of cultivated land in China and the achievement of the dual carbon goals.

Research and Case Application of Zero-Carbon Buildings Based on Multi-System Integration Function

This study focuses on developing and implementing zero-carbon buildings through the integration of multiple systems to meet China’s carbon neutrality goals. It emphasizes the significant role of the building sector in carbon emissions and highlights the challenge of increasing energy consumption conflicting with China’s “dual carbon” targets. To address this, the research proposes a comprehensive framework that combines multifunctional envelope structure (MES) systems, photovoltaic power generation, energy storage, direct current (DC) systems, flexible energy management (PEDF), and regional energy stations. This framework integrates different technologies such as phase change materials, radiation cooling, and carbon mineralized cement, aiming to reduce carbon emissions throughout the building’s lifecycle. The method has been successfully applied in the Yazhou Bay Zero Carbon Post Station project in Sanya, Hainan, with precise calculations of carbon emission reductions. The carbon emission calculations revealed a reduction of 44.13 tons of CO2 annually, totaling 1103.31 tons over 25 years, primarily due to the rooftop photovoltaic systems. It demonstrates that the multi-system integration can reduce carbon emissions and contribute to China’s broader carbon neutrality goals. This approach, if widely adopted, could accelerate the transition to carbon-neutral buildings in China.

Towards net-zero operating in neurosurgery

Background The climate crisis is one of the greatest threats to public health and surgery is a significant contributor to carbon emissions generated by the NHS. In this paper, we describe our experience of sustainable operating by using evidence-based methods to reduce our carbon footprint across three neurosurgical theatres during our ‘Green operating day’. Methods The Green operating day was run at a single site over a 12-hour operative day and included 10 neurosurgical cases. Following discussions with the theatre, anaesthetic and sustainability team, each operative case was reviewed and changes in the consumables, surgical instruments and utilities recorded. Carbon footprint was calculated using an environmentally extended input-output model for baseline and Green operating day. Qualitative data was collected on the participants of the Green operating day to assess attitudes and behaviours towards sustainability in neurosurgery. Results There was a total reduction of carbon emissions by 31%, equivalent to 1.04 tonnes CO2e. Reductions were seen across different aspects of surgery including anaesthetics, surgical instruments, waste and utilities. Discussion This study demonstrates the feasibility of carbon footprint reduction within neurosurgical theatres which was not associated with increases in operative duration or adverse patient outcomes. This study advocates for environmentally conscious decision making in neurosurgical procedures.

Explaining the changes in the green technology innovation efficiency of construction enterprises

Based on the objective of global carbon emission reduction, the green technology innovation efficiencies of construction enterprises (GTIE–CE) have attracted attention in various countries and regions worldwide. However, researchers have not yet assessed GTIE–CE from the perspectives of asymmetric innovation theory, resource orchestration theory and eco-innovation theory. To reveal the changes in GTIE–CE, an index system is constructed to measure this efficiency based on resource orchestration theory and eco-innovation theory. In addition, based on the asymmetric innovation theory, this study uses the spatial variance function and PVAR model to reveal the evolution mechanism of GTIE–CE with respect to market, government and technology dimensions. The main conclusions are as follows. (1) Regional heterogeneity is present in GTIE–CE in China, and the appearance of high efficiency spreads from the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta to the surrounding areas. (2) The market dimension positively affects the green technology innovation efficiency of construction enterprises, but this effect is delayed. (3) The government dimension significantly promotes the improvement in GTIE–CE, but this effect is delayed. This study provides an integrated theoretical perspective that reveals the mechanism of GTIE–CE, helps to broaden the research in the field of GTIE–CE, in addition to insights from China to further promote the green transformation of these enterprises.

Offshore wind farms interfacing using HVAC-HVDC schemes: A review

Offshore wind farms (OWF) have emerged as a pivotal component in the transition towards renewable energy, offering substantial potential for reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy security. Integration these offshore installations into the existing power grid present opportunities and challenges, particularly in terms of efficiency, stability, and cost-effectiveness. This review explores the interfacing of OWF with the power grid through High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) schemes. This research offers a thorough examination of the latest technologies, and comparing the benefits and drawbacks of HVAC and HVDC systems for offshore wind applications. The review delves into various aspects, including technological advancements, economic considerations, and environmental impacts of HVAC and HVDC technologies. The review also addresses recent developments and contrasting viewpoints in the field, highlighting innovations and ongoing debates related to integrating OWF. By synthesizing recent studies and industry reports, this paper offers a balanced overview of the strengths and weaknesses associated with HVAC and HVDC schemes. It identifies critical areas for future research and provides recommendations for optimizing offshore wind farm integration. This review seeks to enhance understanding of current technologies and support decision-making in the development and deployment of offshore wind energy infrastructure.

Carbon Neutral Strategies in the Case of Google Inc: A Case Study of Carbon Offset Mechanisms and Renewable Energy Projects

Abstract: Facing the serious challenge of global climate change, Google Inc. has adopted a series of innovative strategies to reduce its carbon footprint and promote corporate sustainability. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of how Google reduces carbon emissions and promotes sustainable development through a series of innovative measures, including large-scale investment in renewable energy, improving data center efficiency, implementing carbon offset projects, and promoting technological innovation in the field of transportation. These actions demonstrate Google's commitment to environmental protection and provide a model for other companies to follow. The study evaluated the economic feasibility and environmental benefits of Google's strategies through a cost-benefit analysis. The results show that despite technical challenges and market uncertainty, Google's environmental investments can bring significant economic benefits in the long term while having a positive impact on the environment. These strategies help Google achieve its carbon neutrality goals and provide momentum for the global transition to a low-carbon economy. In addition, the study emphasizes the importance of socio-cultural factors in promoting environmental strategies. Google has raised public awareness of climate change and enhanced social support for environmental actions through community involvement and educational programs. These findings reveal the need for companies to adopt environmental protection measures in the context of globalization and provide practical guidance for other organizations to implement sustainable development strategies.

A Stochastic Approach to the Power Requirements of the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: The Case of Spain

Battery electric vehicles represent a technological pathway for reducing carbon emissions in personal road transport. However, for the widespread adoption of this type of vehicle, the user experience should be similar to that of combustion engine vehicles. To achieve this objective, a robust and reliable public charging infrastructure is essential. In Spain, the electric recharging infrastructure is growing quickly in metropolitan areas but much more slowly on roads and highways. The upcoming charging stations must be located along high-volume traffic corridors and in proximity to the Trans-European Transport Network. The main contribution of this research is to offer a method for examining the essential electricity infrastructure investments required in scenarios involving substantial electric vehicle adoption. The methodology includes a sensitivity analysis of fleet composition and market share, recharging user behavior, charging station density, and vehicle efficiency improvements. To this end, the authors have developed a simplified probabilistic model, addressing the effect of the involved parameters through a comprehensive scenario analysis. The results show that the actual number of high-capacity charging plugs on Spanish roads is significantly lower than the European regulation requirements for the year 2030 considering an electric vehicle market share according to the Spanish Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan 2021–2030 objectives and it is far from the necessary infrastructure to cover the expected demand according to the traffic flow. Under these circumstances, the charging peak power demand reaches over 7.4% of the current Spanish total power demand for an electric vehicle fleet, which corresponds to only 12% of the total.

ESG performance and corporate carbon emission intensity: based on panel data analysis of A-share listed companies

This study investigates the impact of ESG performance on enterprise carbon emission intensity, using panel data from A-share listed companies over 2011–2022. The findings suggest that ESG can encourage enterprises to actively engage in environmental governance, enhancing their profitability and reducing carbon emission intensity, thereby achieving dual optimization of environmental and economic benefits. The mechanism test reveals the intermediary roles of institutional investors’ participation, total factor productivity, and green technology innovation. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the relationship between ESG performance and enterprise carbon emission intensity varies with different degrees of management shortsightedness, ownership separation, equity balance, legitimacy status, and industrial pollution characteristics, reflecting the heterogeneous influence driven by Intrinsic motivation and external factors. Notably, the mitigating influence of ESG on enterprise carbon emission intensity is mainly attributed to enhanced corporate profitability, which effectively decelerates the growth rate of enterprise carbon emissions, albeit insufficient to arrest the overall increase. This observation points to a certain degree of “green paradox” phenomenon. Overall, the analysis underscores the significant contribution of ESG in promoting enterprises’ green transformation efforts.

Evaluation of the Properties and Compositions of Blended Bio-jet Fuels Derived from Fast Pyrolysis Bio-oil made from Wood According to Aging Test

AbstractThe aviation industry has set ambitious goals for reducing carbon emissions, with the International Civil Aviation Organization targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Bio-jet fuel is expected to play a crucial role in achieving this target, and the demand for bio-jet fuel is projected to rapidly increase. Bio-oil from fast pyrolysis of lignin, such as waste wood, is considered a promising alternative for production of bio-jet fuel through processes such as hydrodeoxygenation. In this study, the physical properties and compositions of bio-jet fuel produced from wood-derived pyrolysis bio-oil blended with petroleum-based jet fuel as well as their changes during 16 weeks storage were investigated. Consistently, 0%, 10%, 50%, and 100% blended bio-jet fuels were prepared. After 16 weeks of aging, the total acid number of the all-blended bio-jet fuel showed a sharp increase from 12 weeks, reaching over 0.1 mg KOH/g. Additionally, kinematic viscosity showed a steady increase over 16 weeks whereas oxidative stability decreased by approximately 20% at 16 weeks for the 100% bio-jet fuel alone. The final boiling point increased by up to 20% in higher blends of bio-jet fuel and the average molecular weight increased. Bio-jet fuel has a high olefin content, which can further increase during storage, leading to a decrease in the combustion characteristics. This study suggests that using up to 10% the bio-jet fuel in aircraft is safe considering storage stability, but further research is required to confirm this finding.

CO2 flux emissions at two urban sites in Beijing and responses to human activity

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2021, continuous measurements of CO2 flux were conducted using the eddy covariance method at two representative urban sites in Beijing, China, to assess the temporal and spatial variability of CO2 emissions in urban areas. We further examined the impacts of vegetation and human activities on CO2 emissions. Both sites exhibited characteristics of urban carbon sources in the two years, with higher carbon emissions observed at the Beijing Academy of Landscape and Greening Science (BALGS) site compared to that in the campus of the Research Center of Eco-Environment (RCEES), Chinese Academy of Science. Although the seasonal and diurnal patterns of CO2 flux were similar at both sites, differences in the magnitude of CO2 flux emissions were primarily attributed to variations in underlying surface characteristics within the source area. Seasonal variations and daytime carbon uptake reflected the role of urban vegetation in carbon sequestration. Additionally, our observations revealed that the implementation of COVID-19 control measures effectively reduced urban carbon emissions, with stricter controls associated with lower carbon emissions. Furthermore, we compared the differences in carbon emission reductions between anthropogenic controls and seasonal variations at the two sites. We found that at the densely trafficked BALGS site, the impact of control measures on carbon emission reductions was more pronounced, while at the RCEES site, seasonal variations contributed more to carbon uptake compared to control measures.

The role of green and digital technology convergence on carbon emission reduction: evidence from China

The role of green and digital technology convergence on carbon emission reduction: evidence from China

Investigating the impediments to carbon emission mitigation in prefabricated construction: a stakeholder perspective

ABSTRACT Prefabricated construction is a promising global technology for reducing carbon emissions (CEs) in the construction sector. This study aims to identify critical factors affecting the life cycle of prefabricated buildings, understand their interrelationships, and develop targeted carbon reduction measures. A mixed-methods approach is employed, incorporating bibliometric analysis to identify key factors and the Delphi method to refine these factors through iterative surveys with diverse stakeholders. A 24-member scoring panel and a 3-member review panel consisting of experienced corporate practitioners were selected for the study. The DEMATEL-ISM approach was utilized to analyze causal and hierarchical relationships, revealing both direct and indirect impacts on CEs. The findings indicate that factors such as energy efficiency and behavior change significantly affect CEs in prefabricated buildings. The study categorizes 15 key factors, including energy efficiency, environmental properties, behavioral change, and water and solid waste management. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of building design, energy-saving awareness and habits, and policies and regulations in reducing carbon emissions in prefabricated construction. These insights are valuable for advancing sustainable building research, analyzing stakeholder attitudes, and informing engineering project studies.

The green product investment policy of carbon emission reduction on a competition duopoly and dual-channel supply chain

Considering the increasing emphasis on sustainable development, global warming effects have received attention for properly managing enterprise activities such as manufacturing, energy utilisation, resource consumption, and carbon emissions. The effect of greenhouse gases generated by carbon emissions is the most significant. This study develops a dual-channel supply chain system that consists of duopoly manufacturers and two common retailers and investigates the effects of the pricing policy, the decision-maker’s mental accounting, and carbon emission reduction investments on the channel members’ decisions. We conduct a numerical experiment, demonstrating that investments in carbon emissions reduction decrease carbon emissions while enhancing market competitiveness and profitability. This is primarily because customers prefer green products and exhibit higher brand loyalty, which makes them willing to pay premium prices for environmentally friendly products. Additionally, the leader-follower model shows the dominant role of leaders in pricing and investment decisions, while the multichannel structure highlights the importance of channel synergy. This study contributes to the field by examining intra- and inter-channel competition issues among leader-follower channel members within a multi-channel structure. This analysis facilitates practical profit-maximisation decision-making.

A Modified Johnson Cook Model-Based Kalman Filter Method to Determine the Hot Flow Behavior of Sustainable AA6082 Al Alloy

AA6082 alloys play a significant role in advancing sustainable development goals (SDGs) by contributing to environmental sustainability, economic growth, and social well-being. These alloys are highly recyclable and align with SDG 12 by promoting resource efficiency and reducing waste. Their application in lightweight vehicles and improving energy efficiency in construction supports SDG 9 and SDG 11, as they help reduce carbon emissions and enhance the sustainability of urban environments. While AA6082 alloys offer significant advantages, their use has limitations that can hinder their industrial applications. One key challenge is their lower formability, particularly at room temperature. Elevated-temperature deformation is frequently employed to enhance the formability of these alloys and address their limitations. Thus, a deep understanding of the constitutive analysis of these alloys under a wide range of T and ε is essential for manufacturing sound components from these alloys. Thus, this study aims to propose a new modification for the JC model (PJCM) and compare its reliability to predict the warm/hot flow behavior of AA6082 alloys with that of the original JC model (OJCM) and the modified JC model by Lin et al. (LMJCM). By comparing the experimental results with these model results and confirming the determining correlation coefficient (R), average absolute relative error (AARE), and root mean square error (RMSE) values, it is concluded that the stresses predicted by the PMJCM closely match the experimental stresses of the LMJCM and OJCM because of the interaction between ε, ε, and T, which might be a reason for the complex nonlinear behavior of AA6082 alloys during hot deformation.

Where to start with climate-smart forest management? Climatic risk for forest-based mitigation

Abstract. Natural disturbances like windthrows or forest fires alter the provision of forest ecosystem services such as timber production, protection from natural hazards, and carbon sequestration. After a disturbance, forests release large amounts of carbon and therefore change their status from carbon sinks to carbon sources for some time. Climate-smart forest management may decrease forest vulnerability to disturbances and thus reduce carbon emissions as a consequence of future disturbances. But how can we prioritise the stands most in need of climate-smart management? In this study we adopted a risk mapping framework (hazard times vulnerability) to assess the risk to climate-related forest ecosystem services (carbon stock and sink) in forests prone to windthrow (in the Julian Alps, Italy) and forest fires (in the Apennines, Italy). We calculated hazard by using forest fire and windthrow simulation tools and examined the most important drivers of the respective hazards. We then assessed vulnerability by calculating current carbon stocks and sinks in each forest stand. We combined these values together with the calculated hazard to estimate “carbon risk” and prioritised high-risk stands for climate-smart management. Our findings demonstrate that combining disturbance simulation tools and forest carbon measurements may aid in risk-related decision-making in forests and in planning decisions for climate-smart forestry. This approach may be replicated in other mountain forests to enhance our understanding of their actual carbon vulnerability to forest disturbances.