Total Emissions Research Articles

Underestimated contribution of open biomass burning to terpenoid emissions revealed by a novel hourly dynamic inventory

Terpenoids play a crucial role in atmospheric chemistry, contributing significantly to the formation of ozone and secondary organic aerosol. However, the accurate quantification of terpenoid emissions from biomass burning is currently lacking, leading to underestimated air quality impacts. This study developed a near real-time hourly open biomass burning (OBB) emission inventory named OBEIC, which incorporated geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite fire radiative power. The OBEIC inventory provided emission estimates of 69 terpenoids, categorized into four groups, at an hourly resolution. Monoterpenes were the dominant contributors to the total emissions, accounting for 58 % of the total terpenoid emissions from OBB. Notably, only 24 % of the total monoterpenes emitted from OBB were accounted for by α-pinene and β-pinene, indicating the importance of quantifying emissions of other monoterpene species such as limonene and camphene. Additionally, oxygenated terpenoids, which were previously overlooked, contribute to 20 % of total terpenoid emissions from OBB. Diurnally, the emissions of terpenoids were primarily concentrated during the daytime (61 %); however, this study revealed the significance of nighttime emissions (39 %) as well. When compared to the biogenic and anthropogenic emissions, OBB made substantial contributions to nighttime isoprene (99.8 %), monoterpene (66.8 %), and sesquiterpene (61.7 %) emissions where OBB occurs (in 3 km range), suggesting its significant role in nighttime secondary pollutant formation. The methodology developed in this study has the potential to reduce uncertainties in OBB emissions estimation.

Estimating emission flux of H2S from fumarolic fields using vertical sensor array system

The emission flux of volatiles from each fumarolic field in volcanic and geothermal areas can be used to evaluate the current state of magmatic activity and predict its future trends. The emission flux of SO2 has been quantified in many fumarolic fields using remote sensing techniques, such as differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS). However, most of these remote sensing techniques are inapplicable to fumarolic fields emitting volatiles depleted in SO2 to which most of the geothermal fields are classified. In this study, we developed a vertical sensor array system to quantify the emission flux of H2S from each fumarolic field by integrating the cross-sectional distributions of H2S concentrations in the volcanic plume using the vertical sensor array system. In Iwo-yama of the Kirishima volcanic complex, the cross-sectional distribution of H2S concentrations was determined using the walking traverse method by moving the vertical sensor array system in the plume perpendicular to the direction of plume transport. The emission flux of SO2 (2.2 ± 0.4 ton SO2/day) was estimated from that of H2S using the walking traverse method (2.6 ± 0.5 ton H2S/day) and the molar ratio of the plume (SO2/H2S=0.45) corresponds well with that estimated optically by JMA. We concluded that the emission flux quantified using the vertical sensor array system was reliable. In the Oyunuma pond in the Kuttara volcano, the emission flux of H2S was quantified as 2.0 ton H2S/day through the fixed point method, wherein the vertical sensor array system was fixed in one point, whereas the cross sectional distribution of H2S in the plume was estimated using the natural variation in wind direction. The topography is often irregular and wind direction is variable in most fumarolic fields; thus, in general, the fixed point method should be more suitable to determine the emission flux of H2S from fumarolic fields, wherein H2S occupies a major portion of the total sulfur emission.

Low carbon strategy and coordination for a two-echelon automotive supply chain considering dual credit policy

The dual-credit policy currently plays a crucial role in the automobile industry and significantly contributes to low-carbon operations in the automotive supply chain. This paper employs the game-theoretic approach to build a supply chain comprising a supplier (leader) and an automaker (follower), considers the impact of dual-credit policy, and incorporates vertical spillovers into the supply chain abatement. Both parties lower carbon emissions through vertical spillovers while maximizing profits, thereby studying the low-carbon strategy of the automobile supply chain. Our findings reveal that (1) increased vertical spillover rate reduces the prices of fuel vehicles (FVs) and new energy vehicles (NEVs), raises the low-carbon levels and profits of automakers and suppliers. (2) An increase in the NEV credit ratio under the centralized system raises both price and demand for NEVs, while the low-carbon levels of automotive enterprises are reduced. (3) The carbon emissions of each vehicle under the centralized system will be lower than those of the decentralized system, and the order of total carbon emission levels under both systems is closely related to the credit trading price and credits per NEV. Moreover, we explore the automotive supply chain coordination and find that the Nash bargaining model fully coordinates the supply chain, while the cost-sharing and revenue-sharing contracts do not. Also, numerical analysis shows that the optimal system profit under revenue-sharing is greater than cost-sharing.

Enhanced reaction extraction distillation via multi-objective optimization and 4E analysis for sustainable recovery of organic compounds from wastewater

Resource utilization and sustainable treatment of wastewater, which can achieve efficient energy utilization and environmental protection, have received hot social attention. Tetrahydrofuran and methanol are the two most common substances in pharmaceutical wastewater. It is very necessary to explore the wastewater treatment process containing these two substances. In this study, extractive distillation and reactive distillation were proposed to effectively separate the tetrahydrofuran-methanol-water component of pharmaceutical wastewater. To further reduce energy consumption, two strengthening processes, double-column reactive-extractive distillation and reactive-extractive dividing wall column distillation were designed. Taking the minimum operating and equipment cost as the objective function, the processes were optimized by using the multi-objective genetic optimization algorithm to obtain the best process parameters. Four processes were evaluated in terms of total annual cost, energy consumption, gas emissions and thermodynamic efficiency. Compared to the traditional three-column extractive distillation process, the above-mentioned four aspects of the reactive-extractive dividing wall column process was reduced by 40.63%, 43.13%, 43.14% and 17.71%, respectively. The reactive-extractive dividing wall column distillation process is of great significance for the efficient purification of valuable organic matter in wastewater and environmental protection.

Radiative and mechanical energies in galaxies. I. Contributions of molecular shocks and PDRs in 3C 326 N

Atomic and molecular lines emitted from galaxies are fundamental tracers of the medium responsible for the emission and contain valuable information regarding the energy budget and the strength of the different feedback mechanisms. The goal of this work is to provide a new framework for the interpretation of atomic and molecular lines originating from extragalactic sources and a robust method to deduce the mechanical and radiative energy budget from a set of observations. Atomic and molecular lines detected in a given object are assumed to result from the combination of distributions of shocks and photo-dissociation regions (PDRs) within the observational beam. The emission of individual structures is computed using the Paris-Durham shock code and the Meudon PDR code over a wide range of parameters. The total emission is then calculated assuming probability distribution functions for shocks and PDRs. A distance between the observational dataset and the model is finally defined based on the ratios of the observed to the predicted intensities. As a test case scenario, we consider the radio galaxy 3C 326 N. The dataset is composed of 12 rotational and ro-vibrational lines of and the fine structure lines of C$^+$ and O. Our interpretative framework shows that both shocks and PDRs are required to explain the line fluxes. Surprisingly, viable solutions are obtained at low density only ($ n_H < 100 $), indicating that most of the emission originates from diffuse interstellar matter. The optimal solution, obtained for $ n_H = 10 $, corresponds to a distribution of low-velocity shocks (between $5$ and $20$ km s$^ $) propagating in PDR environments illuminated by a UV radiation field ten times larger than that in the solar neighborhood. This solution implies that at least 4<!PCT!> of the total mass carried by the PDRs is shocked. The 0-0 S(0) $28 CII and OI lines originate from the PDR components, while all the other lines are mostly emitted by shocks. The total solid angles sustained by PDRs and shocks imply that the radiative and mechanical energies reprocessed by these structures are $ L UV L_ odot $ and $ L K L_ odot $, respectively, in remarkable agreement with the values of the IR luminosity deduced from the fit of the spectral energy distribution (SED) of 3C 326 N, and consistent with a small fraction of the active galactic nuclei (AGN) jet kinetic power dissipated in the interstellar medium ($ 1$<!PCT!>). This work shows that the radiative and mechanical energy budget of galaxies can be derived from the sole observations of atomic and molecular lines. It reveals the unexpected importance of the diffuse medium for 3C 326 N, in contrast to previous studies. A last-minute comparison of the model to new JWST data obtained in 3C 326 N shows a striking agreement and demonstrates the ability of the model to make accurate predictions. This framework opens new prospects for the prediction and interpretation of extragalactic observations, in particular in the context of JWST observations.

Challenges in Standardizing Global Emission Factors for Peatlands

Peatlands have a crucial role in the global carbon cycle, acting as significant carbon sinks, but become a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when peat extraction is taking place. This article presents a comprehensive overview of peatland ecosystems, emphasizing their classification across various climatic zones and the complex set of different characteristics that determine contribution to GHG emissions. Currently, inconsistency exists in definition of emission factors used between countries leading to varied approaches in estimating peatland emissions and posing significant challenges in the comparison and aggregation of global data on peat extraction related GHG. The aim of the study is to analyse the disparities in emission factors and calculation methodologies employed by different countries. Data from national GHG emission reports are submitted under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. Emissions report data calculations and emission factors can be based either on nationally determined data or on data specified in the IPCC guidelines. Consequently, emission factor data for four countries - Latvia, Finland, Sweden and Germany - are collected and processed, which were compared with IPCC guideline data. The data were compared in two ways: by equating units of measurement and by modeling. The results show there is a pronounced difference between the emission factors of each country, however, all these factors are lower than the maximum values specified in the IPCC guidelines. It was also determined that comparing the total emission factors with the modeled results, no significant difference is observed between these results. The study concludes that emission factors are predetermined differently for each country, and it is not possible to specify the differences among assumptions for parameters included in the determination of the emission factors. The results suggest there is a need for development of more transparent accounting of emissions with regard to the diverse environmental and anthropogenic factors influencing peatland ecosystems. Factors like composition, depth of peat, water table levels, and local land-use practices further compound this variability in emission accounting. Addressing these challenges is crucial for enhancing the accuracy and reliability of GHG emission reporting under international frameworks like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.

Surgical Procedures for a Greener Future: An Approach to Assess the Environmental Impact

The healthcare sector is responsible for around 4.4% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, according to estimates. These emissions comprise both direct and indirect sources, with direct emissions encompassing aspects like patient transport, fuel consumption, and anaesthetic gases. Indirect emissions are associated with energy usage, including electricity purchases, as well as the products employed in healthcare, such as drugs and medical supplies. Operating rooms (OR) are responsible for the greatest rate of resource consumption and overall hospital waste, varying from 20% to 33%. Hence, it is essential to comprehend the environmental impact of surgical procedures to obtain insight into the total emissions associated with the healthcare sector. Moreover, the lack of uniformity in data collection and the discrepancy of the data used by researchers makes it challenging, if not ineffective, to conduct a rigorous scientific comparison among the currently available studies on the environmental impacts of surgical procedures. This study aims to provide a practical and standardised framework that can be utilised to evaluate, simply and consistently, the environmental impacts of surgical procedures. The adoption of a uniform methodology guarantees the inclusion of important variables and factors, preventing any oversights in the evaluation of the entire process. This allows for emphasis on the most sustainable techniques and permits the identification of controllable factors that can be modified within a short timeframe and are under the direct control of healthcare professionals. These factors include the selection of disposable or reusable instruments, the use of different anaesthetic gases, and the installation of different equipment.

Investigating the Nexus Between GHG Emissions and AFOLU Activities: New Insights from C-Vine Copula Approach

AbstractThe greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) account for more than 10% of the total GHG emissions in Iran. To reduce the environmental impact, assessments of Iran’s GHG emissions status are critical for identifying the national policies to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the bio-based industry. However, there is no study exploring the dependency between AFOLU and GHG emissions in Iran by using the Vine Copula approach. Hence, the study aims to examine the causality direction and correlation structure among selected horticulture, farming crops, livestock, and poultry products and carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (N2O), and methane emissions (CH4) in the Iranian agriculture sector over the period 1961–2019, to determine which crops or products are more responsible to deteriorate the environment. The empirical strategy used a C-Vine Copula model to measure the correlations together with the Granger causality (GC) test to analyze the causality links. According to the empirical findings, several crops and products are the sources of emissions. Rice and vegetable cultivations, as well as meat and milk products (Kendall’s τ values of 0.37, 0.33, 0.31, and 0.31, respectively), are the leading sources of CH4 emissions. Legumes, eggs, maize, rice, and milk enhance N2O emissions, while CO2 emissions are caused by apple, potato, and apricot crops (Kendall’s τ values of 0.22, 0.18, and 0.16, respectively). Finally, based on the findings, policy implications are offered.

A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Dietary Yeast Mannan-Rich Fraction on Broiler Performance and the Implication for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Chicken Production

Dietary supplementation of yeast-derived mannan-rich fraction (MRF) could improve the gastrointestinal health and production efficiency of broilers, and, consequently, lower the environmental impacts of chicken production. The objective of this meta-analysis was to quantify the retrospective effects of feeding MRF (Actigen®, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) on the production performance of broilers. The meta-analysis database included 27 studies and consisted of 66 comparisons of MRF-supplemented diets vs. basal (i.e., negative control) and antibiotic-supplemented (i.e., positive control) diets. A total of 34,596 broilers were involved in the comparisons and the average final age of the birds was 35 days. Additionally, the impact of feeding MRF on the carbon footprint (feed and total emission intensities) of chicken production was evaluated using the meta-analysis results of broiler performance (MRF vs. basal diets) to develop a scenario simulation that was analyzed by a life cycle assessment (LCA) model. A database of all trials (MRF vs. basal and antibiotic diets) indicated that feeding MRF increased (p < 0.01) average daily feed intake (ADFI; +3.7%), final body weight (FBW; +3.5%), and average daily gain (ADG; 4.1%) and improved (p < 0.01) feed conversion ratio (FCR; −1.7%) without affecting (p > 0.05) mortality. A subdatabase of MRF vs. basal diets indicated that dietary MRF increased ADFI (+4.5%), FBW (+4.7%), and ADG (+6.3%) and improved FCR (−2.2%) and mortality (−21.1%). For the subdatabase of MRF vs. antibiotic diets, both treatments exhibited equivalent effects (p > 0.05) on broiler performance parameters, suggesting that MRF could be an effective alternative to in-feed antibiotics. Subgroup analysis revealed that different study factors (year of study, breed/strain, production challenges, and MRF feeding duration) influenced the effect of dietary MRF on broiler performance. Simulated life cycle analysis (LCA) indicated that feeding MRF decreased feed and total emission intensities, on average, by −2.4% and −2.1%, respectively. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that dietary MRF is an effective nutritional solution for improving broiler performance, an effective alternative to in-feed antibiotic growth promoters, and reduces the environmental impact of poultry meat production.

Switches in food and beverage product purchases can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Australia.

Switching between similar food and beverage products may reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe). Here, using consumer data linked to 23,550 product-specific GHGe values, we estimated annual GHGe attributable to product purchases consumed at home in Australia and calculated reductions from specific switches. Potential changes to mean Health Star Rating, mean energy density and the proportion of ultraprocessed foods purchased were assessed. Approximately 31 million tonnes of GHGe were attributable to products consumed at home in 2019, the three highest contributors of GHGe being 'meat and meat products' (49%), 'dairy' (17%) and 'non-alcoholic beverages' (16%). Switching higher-emission products for 'very similar' lower-emission products could reduce total emissions by 26%. Switches to 'less similar' lower-emission products could lead to a 71% reduction. Switches had little impact on the average Health Star Rating, energy density of purchases and proportion of ultraprocessed foods purchased. Directing manufacturing and marketing towards lower-environmental-impact products and signposting such options to consumers are key.

Feasibility study of hybrid renewable energy systems for off-grid electrification in Kuwait’s rural national park reserve

ABSTRACT This study demonstrates the optimal design of a hybrid renewable energy system for the electrification of a potential rural national park reserve. The objective is to evaluate the feasibility of utilising renewable energy sources (RESs) to reduce GHG emissions. The core components studied are photovoltaic solar (PV) panels, wind turbines (WTs), diesel generators (DGs), and battery banks (BBs). The research involves estimating the reserve’s load profile, assessing the potentials of RESs, and designing various system configurations. Each configuration is evaluated to derive the most efficient option. For a building with an energy demand of 832,640 kWh/yr, it is found that PV-WT-BB is the best configuration which comprises of 500-kW PV, 200-kW WT, and 1424-kW BBs and contributes an annual generation of 1,821,732 kWh/year. With a net present cost of $2,206,308 for the lifetime of the project, it saves 757,162 kg/year of total GHG emissions if the reserve operated using DGs.

Jasmonic acid and heat stress induce high volatile organic compound emissions in Picea abies from needles, but not from roots.

Plants emit diverse volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from their leaves and roots for protection against biotic and abiotic stress. An important signaling cascade activated by aboveground herbivory is the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway that stimulates the production of VOCs. So far it remains unclear if the activation of this pathway also leads to enhanced VOC emissions from conifer roots, and how the interplay of above- and belowground defenses in plants are affected by multiple stressors. Therefore, we simultaneously analyzed needle and root VOC emissions of Picea abies saplings, as well as CO2 and H2O fluxes in response to aboveground JA treatment, heat stress and their interaction in a controlled climate chamber experiment. Continuous online VOC measurements by PTR-TOF-MS showed an inverse pattern of total needle and root VOC emissions, when plants were treated with JA and heat. While needle sesquiterpene emissions increased nine-fold one day after JA application, total root VOC emissions decreased. This was mainly due to reduced emissions of acetone and monoterpenes by roots. In response to aboveground JA treatment, root total carbon emitted as VOCs decreased from 31% to only 4%. While VOC emissions aboveground increased, net CO2 assimilation strongly declined due to JA treatment, resulting in net respiration during the day. Interestingly, root respiration was not affected by aboveground JA application. Under heat the effect of JA on VOC emissions of needles and roots was less pronounced. The buffering effect of heat on VOC emissions following JA treatment points towards an impaired defense reaction of the plants under multiple stress. Our results indicate efficient resource allocation within the plant to protect threatened tissues by a rather local VOC release. Roots may only be affected indirectly by reduced belowground carbon allocation, but are not involved directly in the JA-induced stress response.

Unveiling Unprecedented Methane Hotspots in China's Leading Coal Production Hub: A Satellite Mapping Revelation

AbstractChina is likely the world's largest anthropogenic source of methane emissions, with coal mine methane (CMM) being the predominant contributor. Here, we deploy 2 years of satellite observations to survey facility‐level CMM emitters in Shanxi, the most prolific coal mining province in China. A total of 138 detected episodic events at 82 facilities are estimated to emit 1.20 (+0.24/−0.20, 95% CI) million tons of methane per year (Mt CH4/yr) during 2021–2023, roughly equivalent to 4.2 times the integrated flux from the Permian plumes and four times of the integrated flux from the Four Corners plumes, two of the world's largest hotspots for oil and gas methane emissions. This work reveals the heavy‐tailed distribution characteristic of CMM emission sources for the first time, with 20% of emitters contributing approximately 50% of total emissions. Comparison with the Global Energy Monitor (GEM) inventory reveals that the GEM estimate is about 4.1 times our estimate.

Modeling of Wind Power Plants and Their Impact on Economic and Environmental Development

Abstract This research addresses the environmental dynamics of wind power plants and their impact on the economy and environment. A system dynamics framework is used as a tool for model development since it accommodates relationships between complex and nonlinear variables affecting the wind power plants and their impact on the economy and environment. The scientific contribution of this research is the creation of scenario modeling that describes the interrelationships of variables and parameters affecting wind power plants and their impact. By changing the structure of the model, projections on the future of wind power plant generation can be estimated. Several scenarios being developed include adding turbines in the Sidrap and Jeneponto regencies to increase the fulfillment ratio of wind energy and scenarios to reduce CO2 emissions using solid direct air capture (S-DAC). The data and information used in this research come from the Central Statistics Agency, articles on wind energy power plants, and data from related previous studies. These models and scenarios can be applied in other regions by adjusting the parameter values of the case study model. Total wind energy depends on density, wind speed, blade cross-sectional area, and the efficiency of the Betz limit. With the addition of 25 turbines in Sidrap and 20 turbines in Jeneponto, the average fulfillment ratio is estimated to increase by around 7% due to increased production. Meanwhile, total CO2 emissions are estimated to decrease by approximately 45% due to solid direct air capture.

Changes in HCFC emissions from foam sector in eastern China from 2000-2019

Abstract Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances, and existing HCFC emission studies lacked a comprehensive study of multiple HCFCs in a single consumption sector. China is a large producer and consumer of HCFCs. The HCFC bank in foam sector in 2019 accounted for 91.3% of the national total, and foam sector was also the second largest source of HCFC emissions. Therefore, the estimation of HCFC emissions and banks for the foam sector is quite important. In this study, the multiple HCFCs emission inventory for foam sector in eastern China from 2000 to 2019 was firstly established by using the bottom-up method. The results showed that the HCFC emissions and bank were 14.9 Kt and 453.5 Kt in 2019. HCFC-141b used in polyurethane (PU) foam sector had the largest annual emissions, cumulative emissions and bank due to its high consumption. The total emissions of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b used in extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam sector were similar with those of HCFC-141b. The HCFC emissions from the foam sector were mainly distributed among the three provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shandong. The cumulative GWP- and ODP-weighted emissions of HCFCs were 240.6 Mt CO2-eq and 14.3 Kt CFC-11-eq, respectively. So in order to response to climate change or ozone depletion, we should prioritize the emission reduction of HCFC-22 and XPS foam sector, or HCFC-141b and PU foam sector. And in order to jointly response to the two scientific questions, effective emission reductions of the above HCFCs and foam sectors are crucial.

#2769 The impact of carbon footprint in advanced chronic kidney disease treatments

Abstract Background and Aims Climate change has been classified as “the greatest global threat to health in the 21st century”. The quantification of the carbon footprint (CF) currently stands as the most accepted model for assessing the ecological impact of various businesses and healthcare systems. Renal treatments have a significant impact on the CF of healthcare systems, especially in terms of supple chains and waste management. The choice of the most environmentally friendly treatment for pathologies arising from advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) can impact the amount of waste generated and energy consumed. The objective was to analyze the carbon footprint (CF) impact resulting from the use of two different drugs in patients with the same medical condition: advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). One group received cinacalcet and another group received subcutaneous darbepoetin. Method Transversal observational study including 41 patients (19 receiving cinacalcet and 22 received darbepoetin alfa) that collected medication from the hospital pharmacy from February 1 to March 30, 2023. The CF was calculated using analytical techniques from hybrid life cycle models of the analyzed medications. For this analysis, three groups were considered: patient travel (distance traveled, trips/year, pickup, mode of transportation, and type of fuel), energy (energy consumption for refrigeration), and waste disposal and transportation (self-administration or administration by a family member, disposal location, and recycling information received). Quantification was performed using the formula: activity x emission factor (activity = sum of CF of the variables composing each group, emission factor = constant provided by the “Ministerio de transición ecológica” database: https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico). Results Forty-one patients were included with a median age of 72 years [IQR 63-80]. Twenty-seven patients (65%) were male and 28 (68%) were on PD. Nineteen patients (46%) were on treatment with cinacalcet and 22 (54%) with darbepoetin alfa. There were no differences in calcium, phosphorus, parathormone or hemoglobin within the groups. Overall impact: The overall impact of the CF derived from the subcutaneous treatment process with darbepoetin alfa was 95,512.93 kg of CO2/year compared to that derived from cinacalcet treatment, which was 12,199.85 kg of CO2/year (p< 0.001) (Fig. 1). Patient travel to hospital and transportation of supplies Group-wise analysis did not detect significant differences in consumption derived from patient's travel to collect darbepoetin alfa or cinacalcet in the hospital (15.97 [IQR 5.25-28.66] vs 10.20 [IQR 2.08-24.5] kg CO2/year, p = 0.45). The CF of transporting supplies of darbepoetin alfa was 41,526.15 kg CO2/year compared with 10,361.54 kg CO2/year in cinacalcet group. Waste generation and transportation The waste derived CF of patients treated with darbepoetin alfa was 132 kg CO2/year [IQR 93.5-143] compared to patients treated with cinacalcet 36.4 kg CO2/year [IQR 36.3-36.5] with p-value < 0,001. Moreover, the transportation of waste for darbepoetin alfa resulted in a carbon footprint of 42,224.55 kg CO2/year, mainly attributable to the disposal of sharp waste. Energy: The refrigeration of darbepoetin alfa was calculated with a total emission of 8,286.96 kg CO2. Cinacalcet treatment did not require any refrigeration. Conclusion The CF derived from the subcutaneous administration of darbepoetin alfa was significantly greater than the CF derived from oral medication like cinacalcet. This may represent a negative environmental impact of the administration of medications via the subcutaneous route compared to oral medications in this group of patients. The use of drugs that do not require subcutaneous administration could be more sustainable, reducing the carbon footprint by 85%, as they do not require refrigeration or waste incineration.

Unlocking the potential of peatlands and paludiculture to achieve Germany’s climate targets: obstacles and major fields of action

Greenhouse gas emissions from drained peatlands must be substantially reduced to meet climate mitigation targets. In Germany, annual peatland emissions of 53 Mt CO2e account for more than 7% of total national GHG emissions. Peatland drainage and reclamation is traditionally considered as a symbol of progress and technical achievement, where agriculture has been the major driver. In Germany, an area of 1.3 million ha of drained peatlands used for agriculture ought to be rewetted by 2050 to meet the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement. Paludiculture allows a productive use of wet peatlands instead of abandonment following rewetting. This approach might therefore pave the way for voluntary large-scale peatland rewetting. However, implementation remains scarce. The long history and large extent of peatland drainage has shaped the political and legal framework as well as perceptions and attitudes, thus impeding rewetting and climate-friendly peatland use. This policy and practice review investigates the political, legal, economic and social aspects that hinder the implementation in Germany and derives approaches to overcome multifold restrictions. Finally, three major fields of action are identified: (1) To increase and accelerate rewetting, a consistent peatland mainstreaming approach is needed that overcomes structural barriers and adapts the policy and legal framework, e.g., the Common Agricultural Policy, planning law, water law and nature conservation law. (2) To motivate for a rapid transition, a system of immediate, comprehensive and attractive positive incentives is needed. This should be accompanied by early announcement and gradual introduction of negative incentives to set a clear course and provide planning certainty for farmers and landowners. (3) A just transition depends on empowering local communities to develop and pursue perspectives tailored to their peatland region. Future research of peatlands as social-ecological systems can help to identify region-specific drivers for sustainable peatland management.

Mitigation of non-CO2 greenhouse gases from Indian agriculture sector

Abstract The Indian agriculture sector is driven by small and marginal farmers and employs two-thirds of the Indian work force. Agriculture also accounts for around a quarter of the total greenhouse gas emissions, mainly in the form of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Hence, agriculture is an important sector for India’s transition to net-zero emissions and for the achievement of the sustainable development goals. So far, very few studies have assessed the future trajectories for CH4 and N2O emissions from the agriculture sector. Moreover, assessment of CH4 and N2O mitigation potential at a subnational (state) level is missing but is important owing to the regional diversity in India. To fill this gap, we focus on methane and nitrous oxide emissions from the agricultural activities using 23 sub-regions in India. We use the GAINS modelling framework which has been widely applied for assessing the mitigation strategies for non-CO2 emissions and multiple air pollutants at regional and global scales. We analyze a current policy and a sustainable agriculture scenario using different combinations of structural interventions and technological control measures to inform the Indian and global climate policy debates. Our results suggest that a combination of sustainable agricultural practices and maximum feasible control measures could reduce the CH4 and N2O emissions by about 6% and 19% by 2030 and 27% and 40% by 2050 when compared to the current policies scenario with limited technological interventions. At a sub-national level, highest mitigation potential is observed in Uttar Pradesh, followed by, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The mitigation of agricultural CH4 and N2O also has co-benefits in terms of reduced local pollution, improved health, and livelihood opportunities for the local communities.

Carbon emission reduction in public buildings of extreme cold regions: A study on enclosure structure and HVAC system parameter optimization

AbstractThe implementation of strategies aimed at curtailing energy consumption and carbon emissions in buildings is of paramount importance. Priority should be accorded to the reduction of embodied carbon emissions from construction materials and operational carbon emissions during the usage phase. A public building situated in an extremely cold region is chosen as the subject of this study. An initial investigation is conducted into the impact of various enclosure structure materials on embodied carbon. The impact of different heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems on the total carbon emissions of public buildings are studied as well. The findings indicate that the amalgamation of W3 + R + G4 + H4 culminates in the least total carbon emissions. Upon establishing the foundational scheme for the public building, an optimization (nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II [NSGA II] and Criteria Importance Through Intercrieria Correlation [CRITIC]) of the enclosure structure parameters is initiated to examine the optimal parameters of the public building's enclosure structure. The findings reveal that a decrease in the heat transfer coefficient could trigger an increase in total carbon emissions. This is attributed to the fact that the carbon emissions embodied in the production process of these materials could potentially outweigh the reduction observed in operational carbon emissions. Further adjustments were also made to the parameters of the HVAC system in the buildings. The findings indicate that within the context of public buildings, given the presence of optimal parameters and an HVAC system that utilizes solar energy for both heating and cooling in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air‐Conditioning Engineers, Inc. 6 A climatic zone, the efficiency of the cooling system can exert a significant influence on the operations carbon emissions reduction.

A holistic life cycle assessment of steel bridge deck pavement

Transportation serves as a cornerstone of economic development and is a significant contributor to carbon emissions. This study established a life cycle assessment model that incorporates refined carbon emission calculation parameters, streamlining the computation process while maintaining precision. A case study was conducted to quantify the life-cycle CO2 emissions of steel bridge deck pavements, a pivotal component within the transport network. The study suggests using the average annual CO2 emissions as a metric to gauge the carbon emission potential of steel bridge deck pavements with different service lives. This study addresses a void in the existing work by standardizing the grading of typical pavement diseases and quantifying the carbon emissions of the corresponding maintenance measures. It reveals that the pivotal determinant of life-cycle CO2 emissions for steel bridge deck pavements is the service performance of the paving material. Comparative analysis indicates that epoxy asphalt concrete could be deemed a low-carbon material, achieving a 77.6% reduction in life-cycle carbon emissions compared to gussasphalt concrete. Emissions during the maintenance phase constitute 66.7%–71.4% of the total life-cycle emissions, predominantly due to end-of-life and traffic delay units. The methodology and calculated data presented herein can inform subsequent carbon reduction strategies in transportation and promote the development of resilient infrastructure, thus making a substantial contribution towards carbon neutrality and climate change mitigation.