Volume Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Research Articles

Evaluating hybrid nuclear-thermal power systems for reduced carbon footprint: A comparative analysis

The article provides an estimated substantiation of the concept of expanding the fuel and energy base and reducing the volume of greenhouse gas emissions with the joint use of organic and nuclear fuel in the structure of hybrid nuclear-thermal power plants. It is shown that the technological scheme (the production of saturated steam in a nuclear steam-producing plant - NPPU, and then overheating to the maximum achieved parameters in the thermal power industry due to organic fuel) leads to a decrease in the specific consumption of gas fuel for the production of electrical energy by 25–30 %, emissions of combustion products by 2.5 times (compared to thermal power plants), consumption of industrial water (compared to nuclear power plants) - by 1.5 times. It is indicated that it is possible to expand the fuel base of modern nuclear energy with thermal neutron reactors through the use of technologies mastered (breeder reactors) and promising (hybrid thermonuclear reactors). The fundamental advantage of the considered complex - JPPP-TPP - its feasibility in a short period of time with a significant reduction in the carbon footprint per unit of energy produced, which is an important condition for the sustainable growth of energy production while maintaining the ecological balance in the geosphere.

Разработка критериев оценки эффективности методов обращения с твердыми коммунальными отходами

One of the most socially significant environmental problems is the problem of solid municipal waste (SMW) management. In Russia, the most common method of waste management is waste disposal, i.e., landfilling depositing. However, waste disposal in such a way prevents the use of their resource potential, and also, harms the environment. Along with this method, such methods as recycling, incineration, anaerobic digestion, and thermal destruction are used. The choice of a particular waste management method depends on many factors, for example the morphological composition of the waste, the cost of its implementation, the total impact on the environment, etc. Thus, development of a comprehensive criterion that allows evaluating the effectiveness of a specific waste management method under specified conditions is relevant. The substantiation of the most effective method of waste management, as well as the development of a comprehensive criterion for evaluating efficiency, is carried out using the method of analyzing hierarchies by T. Saati. Six criteria have been developed to assess the reduction of waste volume, the impact of the SMW recycling process on the environment, volume of greenhouse gas emissions, and the energy and economic attractiveness of various waste management methods. A comprehensive criterion has been proposed. The use of this criterion with the expert assessments makes it possible to choose a method for the disposal of SMW. As a result of the analysis of the results obtained, it is found that the most effective method of waste management is thermal destruction, and waste disposal is less preferable. A method has been developed to compare and select a method for the disposal of SMW of a given composition based on a comprehensive account of energy, environmental and economic factors.

SPATIAL DIFFERENTIATION OF THE EMISSIVITY OF AGRICULTURE IN EUROPE

This paper presents the results of a study aimed at determining the spatial variation in the carbon intensity of the agricultural sector in Europe. The analyses used the volume of greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector (in 2020), expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent, calculated according to the IPCC methodology for 31 European countries. To reduce variance and the impact of country size on emissions, three emissivity factors were calculated, depending on: agricultural area, value of goods produced by agriculture and population. To verify the relationship between emissivity and location, the Moran autocorrelation coefficient was used, calculated on a modified weighting matrix that, in addition to the criterion of a common border, takes into account the similarity of objects in terms of the values of diagnostic variables (similarity determined using cluster analysis) – in this case indicators describing the emissivity of the agricultural sector. The study showed that there was no reason to reject the hypothesis of a random distribution of objects in space with respect to the values of the indicators included in the study. It can therefore be concluded that there are some similarities in the emissivity from the different European economies, as evidenced by the cluster analysis results, while there is no spatial correlation.

Building a database system of greenhouse gas emissions from concentrated domestic wastewater treatment plants in urbans of the Northern region to prepare for Vietnam's carbon market

In the field of wastewater treatment, a quality-assured carbon database system will serve as a basis for determining greenhouse gas emission quotas and aiming to prepare Vietnam's carbon market in the period from now to 2025. This article presents the results of calculations to determine the volume of greenhouse gas emissions (including emissions of methane CH4 and nitrous oxide N2O) from concentrated domestic wastewater treatment plants in urbans of the region North. The inventory calculation period is determined from the official operation of the plant to 2024. Total CH4 and N2O emissions during the calculation period of 29 plants correspond to normal emission scenarios (BAU) is 378.0 and 79.7 x 106 tons CO2e, low emission scenario is 363.8 and 6.4 x 106 tons CO2e, high emission scenario is 476.1 and 13,103.9 x 106 tons CO2e. On this basis, state management agencies as well as local authorities can propose the most appropriate and effective strategic directions for green growth urban development.

ESG-transformation of hospitality and tourism infrastructure in Russia

The purpose of the article is to offer recommendations for improving the process of ESG transformation of the hotel business and tourism in general. The article uses methods: historical-logical, modeling, structural-system and inductive-deductive approaches, analysis and synthesis, ascent from abstract to concrete. The concept of “sustainability of enterprise development” and the criteria for the formation and types of sustainability of its development are analyzed, changes in the structure of global energy consumption by type of fuel since 1860 are shown, the characteristics of four energy transitions are given, the main areas of disclosure in reports on sustainable development, the volume of greenhouse gas emissions from the point of view various power generation facilities. Recommendations are given. It was concluded that the adoption of effective decisions and the formation of strategic goals of the hotel and tourism business as a whole is based on an assessment of their economic factors and depends on their social and environmental responsibility

Switchable catalysis for methanol and synthetic natural gas synthesis from CO2: A techno-economic investigation

The oil and gas sector produces a considerable volume of greenhouse gas emissions, mainly generated from flaring and venting natural gas. Herein, a techno-economic analysis has been performed of a switchable catalytic process to convert the CH4 and CO2 in flared/vented natural gas into syngas or methanol. Specifically, it was shown that depending on greenhouse gas composition, dry methane reforming (DRM), reverse water-gas shift (RWGS), and CO2 methanation could be chosen to valorise emissions in an overall profitable and flexible operation scenario. The switchable process produced methanol and synthetic natural gas as its products, resulting in an annual income of €687m and annual operating expenses of €452m. The pre-tax profit was calculated at €234m, and at the end of the project, the net present value was calculated as €1.9b with a profitability index of 4.7€/€. The expected payback time of this process was ca. 4 years, and with a 35% internal rate of return (IRR). Most importantly, this process consumed 42.8m tonnes of CO2 annually. The sensitivity analysis revealed that variations in operation time, green hydrogen price, and products' prices significantly impacted the profitability of the process. Overall, this techno-economic analysis demonstrated that switchable catalysis in greenhouse gas utilisation processes is profitable, and thus it could play an important role in achieving net zero emissions.

Wildfire Intensity and Fire Emissions in Siberia

An analysis of fire characteristics in the boreal forests of Siberia (50–75° N, 60–140° E) was performed for the period 2002–2022. We found a positive trend in the proportion of high-intensity fires in dominant forest stands of Siberia based on long-term series of variations in the Fire Radiative Power (FRP) measurements from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Our results showed that there was an increase in the proportion of areas of high-intensity fires over the past decade on about ~30% of the boreal forests of Siberia, including the Arctic zone. For the sample group of fires, the level of correlation (R2 = 0.80–0.94) between the fire impact, classified according to the NBR/dNBR technology, and the integral FRP values was revealed. The intensity of combustion in terms of FRP is associated with the volume of burned biomass and determines the dynamics of specific emissions values per unit area. The results suggest that further increase in fire emissions in Siberia will be determined not only by an increase of burned areas, but also by a redistribution of low- and high-intensity burning and an increase in specific emission values. Finally, we estimated that Siberian fires are responsible for about 5–20% of the total volume of greenhouse gas emissions in the Russian Federation, depending on the fire season scenario. The recurrence of extremely high emissions (296–350 Tg C/year) will make it possible to consider part of Siberian forests as a source of carbon in the nearest future.

Conceptual principles for formation of the supply chains' decarbonization strategies

The article examines the conceptual foundations of the formation of a strategy for the decarbonization of supply chains, the identification of strategic solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the management of green chains from the point of view of ecological and economic efficiency. A structural and logical diagram of the formation of the strategy of decarbonization of supply chains has been built. Seven key business processes in supply chains/networks have been identified that significantly affect the volume of greenhouse gas emissions: ecological design, environmental procurement, energy- and resource-saving production, green transportation, ecological storage, smart eco-consumption, recycling and disposal. It was established that in closed-loop chains, managerial environmental solutions should be aimed at: preservation or restoration of products to extend their life cycle, which includes diagnostics and repair; reuse of products for the same or new purposes in their original form or with some changes; restorative repair of products or individual components; processing of waste and end-of-life products, or recycling (any recovery operations, with the help of which waste and old products are processed into materials, resources, substances for the production of other products or for other purposes).

ОЦЕНКА ПРИГОДНОСТИ РАЗЛИЧНЫХ СОРТОВ ЯРОВОЙ ПШЕНИЦЫ ДЛЯ КАРБОНОВОГО ЗЕМЛЕДЕЛИЯ

The paper presents an assessment of the suitability of various genotypes (cultivars) of spring wheat for use in carbon farming. For these purposes, indicators of the carbon footprint and the balance of greenhouse gases in the cultivation of each of the genotypes were determined. The studies were carried out in 2022 on the experimental fields of the Kazan State Agrarian University, under conditions of sufficient moisture, especially in the first half of the plant growing season. Agrotechnology for cultivation of varieties was recommended for the area of the Pre-Kama region of the Republic of Tatarstan. The calculation of the carbon footprint (CFR) was carried out on the basis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 equivalent) per kg of product (grain). To determine the volume of greenhouse gas emissions, data on the consumption of fuel, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides were used, and direct and indirect N2O emissions associated with the mineralization of wheat plant residues were also taken into account. The objects of research were nineteen genotypes of spring wheat of domestic selection. In the conditions of 2022, the yield of various varieties of spring wheat fluctuated over a wide range (from 2.64 t/ha for the Tulaikovskaya 108 variety to 4.75 t/ha for the Ulyanovsk 105 variety), reaching an average of 3.76 t/ha for all varieties. The results of the assessment of the CFP value showed that on average it amounted to about 0.49 kg CO2 eq. per kg -1, and the coefficient of variation of the indicator for all varieties was 9.99%, which indicates a weak variability. The lowest carbon footprints were found in Khayat (0.40 kg CO2 eq/kg-1), Ulyanovskaia 105 and Ura-Losibirskaya 2 (0.42 kg CO2 eq/kg-1). For most of the studied spring wheat varieties, the greenhouse gas balance was negative (on average -386.08 kg CO2 eq. per ha). However, in the varieties Idelle, Tulaikovskaya Nadezhda and Zlata, the balance was positive, which is associated with the entry into the soil of a significant amount of plant residues and straw in these varieties. Thus, out of 19 varieties of spring wheat, only 3 have prospects for use in carbon farming. The results obtained confirmed the need to study the carbon footprint and balance of greenhouse gases when assessing spring wheat genotypes in breeding programs for carbon farming.

Climate neutrality through economic growth, digitalisation, eco-innovation and renewable energy in European countries

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of economic growth, digitalisation, eco-innovation, energy consumption and patents on environmental technologies on the volume of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) recorded in European countries for a period of nine years (2010–2018).Design/methodology/approachTwo empirical methods were integrated into the theoretical approach developed based on the analysis of the current scientific framework. Multiple linear regression, an extended version of the OLS model, and a non-causal analysis as a robustness method, Dumitrescu–Hurlin, were used to achieve the proposed research objective.FindingsDigitalisation described by the number of individual Internet users and patents on environmental technologies determines the amount of GHG in Europe, and economic growth continues to have a significant effect on the amount of emissions, as well as the consumption of renewable energy. European countries are not framed in well-established patterns, but the economic growth, digitalisation, eco-innovation and renewable energy have an impact on the amount of GHG in one way or another. In many European countries, the amount of GHGs is decreasing as a result of economic growth, changes in the energy field and digitalisation. The positive influence of economic growth on climate neutrality depends on its degree of sustainability, while patents have the same conditional effect of their translation into environmentally efficient technologies.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has a number of limitations which derive, first of all, from the lack of digitalisation indicators. The missing data restricted the inclusion in the analysis of variables relevant to the description of the European digitalisation process, also obtaining conclusive results on the effects of digitalisation on GHG emissions.Originality/valueA similar analysis of the relationship among the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and economic growth, digitalisation, eco-innovation and renewable energy is less common in the literature. Also, the results can be inspirational in the sphere of macroeconomic policy.

ВЛИЯНИЕ РЕЦИРКУЛЯЦИОННОГО ПРОВЕТРИВАНИЯ НА СНИЖЕНИЕ ВЫБРОСОВ ПАРНИКОВЫХ ГАЗОВ КАЛИЙНОГО РУДНИКА

The paper considers air recirculation as an event to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the power consumption of the main ventilation fan. The results are presented based on calculations of the required amount of air and modeling of air distribution in the ventilation network of the mine in the AeroSet software package. The methodology of determining the quantitative volume of greenhouse gas emissions, followed by comparison and analysis of the data obtained, has been studied.

DIRECTIONS FOR REDUCING THE ANTHROPOGENIC LOAD FROM GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TYVA

The article discusses the features of the environmental situation under the influence of the development of the fuel and energy complex to solve energy problems in the context of sustainable development. Based on the application of expert assessment methods, calculation methods for determining the volume of greenhouse gas emissions and pollution from motor vehicles, an assessment of CO2 emissions from anthropogenic sources was carried out and ways to reduce the burden on the environment were determined. Directions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions based on the implementation of a target program consisting of a number of projects are outlined: to increase the area of forests; reduction of emissions from coal generation; cleaning the air basin of cities from automobile emissions by increasing the share of environmentally friendly transport; increasing the use of renewable sources. It was revealed that heat production in Tyva is «carbon-intensive», environmentally friendly energy sources are not used enough with a significant potential for their use. The level of anthropogenic load poses a risk for the sustainable development of the republic, negatively affects the state of health of the population, morbidity and life expectancy of the population. It is advisable to introduce innovative energy-saving technological solutions in the region, to implement a set of measures to reduce anthropogenic emissions by designing new innovative tools for regulating the environmental situation at the regional and federal levels.

Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in Yakutia: A Retrospective Analysis Based on the Fuel and Energy Balance

ABSTRACT The development of fuel and energy balances has been rather widely validated at the level of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. These balances could become the basis for retrospective assessments of greenhouse gas emissions. The dynamics of emissions are to a significant degree determined by the structure of final internal consumption of fuel and energy resources. Aggregate data make it possible to assess changes in the energy and carbon intensities of the GRP [gross regional product]. They are also the prerequisite for the creation of regional inventories as part of the national system for monitoring, reporting, and verifying the volume of greenhouse gas emissions. A correlation and regression analysis of data for 1990–2015 established a direct correlation between anthropogenic emissions and economic growth and also the public’s quality and standard of living.

Состояние парниковых газов и их ассимиляция в природе. Обзор

A brief review of the state and influence of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, on possible changes in climatic parameters is presented. It was noted that the main greenhouse gases are water pore, the amount of which in the total mass can be from 36 to 72 %, as well as carbon dioxide (9...26 %), methane (4...9 %) and ozone (3...7 %). The main sources of formation of the concentration of carbon dioxide, which attracts the attention of researchers, as a result of anthropogenic impact as a result of industrial development, as well as significant natural factors, such as the consequences of volcanic activity, are described. Concentration changes in the content of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in the historical period are discussed. A certain contribution of individual economies to the total volume of greenhouse gas emissions on the planet is shown and it is noted that in annual terms the amount of carbon dioxide formed as a result of human activity can reach 35–40 billion tons of CO2. It is noted that in recent years the concentration of CO2 has consistently exceeded 400 ppm and this level is, apparently, the highest in the history of observations. The most significant sources of greenhouse gases are described — industry, transport and volcanoes. An assessment was made of the contribution of volcanic activity to the increase in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, which can be at the level of 60...250 million tons of CO2 per year, and according to some estimates, reach 0,5 billion tons of CO2. The potential influence of the most significant factors of absorption of excess CO2 — the world’s oceans and forests on the possibility of removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere is shown. An assessment is given of the assumption that the world ocean absorbs up to 2,6 billion tons of CO2 per year. It is believed that its absorption capacity is much higher. Consideration of the protective role of forests and vegetation cover in carbon dioxide sequestration shows that, under certain conditions, existing forest areas are likely to be able to absorb at least most of the anthropogenic emissions. The assessment made of the contribution of individual countries to the necessary negative carbon balance shows the groundlessness of claims against the Russian Federation on this issue. A certain forecast of the prospects for climate change is presented in relation to geographical and economic factors.

Impact of EU carbon border adjustment mechanism on the economic efficiency of russian oil refining

The carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) leads not only to the expected environmental changes, but also to the transformation of market environment. The study estimates the losses of the oil refining sector from the introduction of CBAM for the export of oil products from Russia to the countries of the European Union. An approach to assess the impact of CBAM on the cost of oil products has been formed and the mechanisms of its impact on the economy of Russian oil refineries have been identified. The study was carried out on the basis of actual data on the volume of greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the current rules of the European emissions trading system. Decomposition of assessments of the CBAM impact was carried out into direct and indirect effects, as well as the effect of adaptation. It is shown that with the introduction of the CBAM mechanism, the prices of oil products in the domestic market will be determined not only by the logistical factor, but also by the requirements for environmental friendliness of oil refining. The introduction of CBAM will have a significant impact on the economics of oil refining, including refineries that do not export to the EU. The total impact of CBAM on the economy of Russian oil refineries will be about 250 mln dollars.

New Challenges Faced by Russian Oil and Gas Sector in Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy

The requirement to reduce the volume of greenhouse gas emissions generated as a result of economic activity is one of the key factors that will have a significant impact both on the external economic situation in the long term and on the development of companies in the energy sector, primarily in the oil and gas sector. We found that in Russian oil and gas companies, the development of mechanisms that contribute to the decarbonization of production is at an early stage of their development and not a single vertically integrated oil and gas company has reevaluated carbon units throughout the entire life cycle, especially with the inclusion of the stage of creating primary infrastructure. The purpose of the study is to propose a methodology for accounting for the carbon footprint at the stage of construction of infrastructure facilities by oil and gas companies. We examined the possibility to reduce carbon footprint by using carbon dioxide accounting methods when choosing a method for utilizing logging residues generated during the construction of a section of the Gazprom PJSC gas pipeline in a wooded area. The study showed the need to develop methods for accounting for carbon units along the entire production chain (from design to consumption) to introduce methods for regulating carbon dioxide emissions. We concluded that the management of oil and gas companies needs to start transition from the principle of cost savings to the principle of decarbonization as soon as possible.

Technical Potential of Biogas Technology to Substitute Traditional Fuel Sources and Chemical Fertilizers and Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The Case of Arba-Minch Area, South Ethiopia.

A study was conducted in South Ethiopia with the aim of assessing the technical potential of biogas energy in replacing traditional bioenergy and chemical fertilizers and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. A household survey with both a quantitative and qualitative approach was employed for data collection. Primary data were gathered from 182 biogas adopters as well as 10 key informants and three group discussions. Secondary data were also collected from different sources. The average biogas production potential of installed biogas plants was 205 m3 per day. The average reduction in use of firewood, charcoal, dung cakes, and crop residues due to biogas adoption was 66%, 72%, 68%, and 89%, respectively. The use of bio-slurry as an organic fertilizer reduced the quantity of chemical fertilizers used by more than 50% per household per year. The reduction in the quantity of biofuel consumption reduced the volume of greenhouse gas emissions by 418 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per household per year. If the reduced firewood and charcoal use reduced the felling of live trees, this could potentially conserve 45 ha of forest per household per year. Therefore, biogas energy could help reduce the anthropogenic pressure on forest resources by addressing the major drivers of deforestation and forest degradation.

Assessment of the applicability of methodological guidelines and guidelines for the quantitative determination of greenhouse gas emissions

The article deals with the problem of climate change. The aim of the study is to analyze and improve methodological recommendations for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. The urgency of reducing the volume of greenhouse gas emissions has been substantiated. Statistical data of emissions volumes are analyzed, the reason for the growth of emissions and the main contributors are determined. The main gases that give the greenhouse effect are identified, and their brief characteristics are given. The need to improve the monitoring and reporting system of greenhouse gas emissions at the global level has been substantiated. The goal of a perfect system for accounting and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions is to timely obtain relevant data for the systematic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The methodological tools for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions, approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia, are analyzed from the point of view of their applicability by organizations. Measures for their improvement are proposed, based on the international experience of building guidelines for the IPCC greenhouse gas inventory. The results obtained may be of interest to energy companies when developing corporate guidelines for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions.

СОВРЕМЕННОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ И ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ РАЗВИТИЯ УГЛЕРОДНОГО ЗЕМЛЕДЕЛИЯ В РЕСПУБЛИКЕ ТАТАРСТАН

Global climatic changes have a negative impact on the development of all sectors of the economy, including agriculture. However, the very production of agricultural products is one of the most important sources of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere. Taking into account the need to reduce the “carbon footprint” in food production, a special place is occupied by the analysis of the volume of greenhouse gas emissions and the development of measures for their sequestration in agriculture.
 One of the main directions for reducing emissions and immobilizing greenhouse gases is the development of special techniques for their sequestration in the soil, including those used in agriculture. Adaptation of existing farming systems for this task will significantly reduce the “carbon footprint” from agricultural production, including animal husbandry. The development of carbon farming allows not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also to significantly increase the level of soil fertility, primarily by increasing the content of organic matter in them. As a result, it becomes possible, along with the production of crop production, to produce “carbon units” that are sold on local and international markets.
 The paper analyzes possible greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and the potential for their sequestration in agricultural soils. The role of various elements of the farming system in solving the problem of reducing the “carbon footprint” is considered and ways of developing carbon farming in the Republic of Tatarstan are proposed

Greening Wine Exports? Changes in the Carbon Footprint of Spanish Wine Exports

Spain is one of the leading wine-producing and -exporting countries and has traditionally been dominant in trade and world production in the sector. In an increasingly changing context, in which worldwide wine exports are growing exponentially, it is essential to study their impact on climate change as the transport of goods generates a significant volume of greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of this work, then, was to analyse the variation in the carbon footprint generated by Spanish wine exports between 2011 and 2016. To this end, a multi-regional input–output (MRIO) model was used, showing that the emissions associated with wine operations have increased less than exports, which might suggest that sustainable growth has been included as a goal in the wine supply chain. The methodology used has the advantage of allowing the calculation of direct and indirect emissions. At the same time, the results can provide relevant information to practitioners and policymakers due to the expected evolution of European environmental regulations and trades, in terms of carbon footprint.