Volume Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Research Articles

Reducing the resource intensity of production as the most important condition for ensuring economic growth without compromising the environment

Solving the problem of reducing the resource intensity of production and resource conservation in modern conditions means moving towards a more responsible and efficient use of natural resources. It is aimed at solving a complex task, on the one hand, meeting growing needs in conditions of resource scarcity, on the other hand, reducing environmental consequences and minimizing losses associated with them. In addition, the desire to use natural resources more efficiently and responsibly gives another synergetic effect, this is the stimulation of innovation and the development of a closed-cycle economy. The purpose of this article is to substantiate the need to form mechanisms for solving the problem of ensuring economic growth in conditions of reducing resource intensity and minimizing damage to the environment. Based on the systematization of the goals of sustainable economic development, the concept of resource efficiency and the model of the «green» economy, the пthree-pronged goal of the concept of reducing the resource intensity of production is identified, the foundations of the cardinal transformation of the global economy and its transition to a resource-efficient model are determined. The main directions of implementation of measures in the field of increasing resource efficiency and reducing the resource intensity of production are identified. Based on the analysis of the implemented measures and technologies used in the field of resource saving and reducing the resource intensity of production, conclusions are drawn about their low effectiveness and the main problems that reduce the effectiveness of the transformation of the economy and its transition to a resource-efficient model are identified. The contradictions that require attention in the process of forming approaches to solving the problem of ensuring economic growth without harming the environment are identified, among them the lack of the possibility of a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impact of products throughout the entire life cycle, the effect of environmental rebound and restrictions on the cyclical use of resources. The author’s view of the main stages of the transition to the concept of a circular economy is presented and a forecast is made to reduce the volume of greenhouse gas emissions in general and by sectors of the economy.

The inward FDI - Energy intensity nexus in OECD countries: A sectoral R&D threshold analysis

Over recent years, concerns about the need to reduce energy intensity have intensified due to the increasing volume of greenhouse gas emissions that has amplified problems related to global climate change and environmental pollution. At the same time, foreign direct investment (FDI) has been found to have a prominent effect on energy intensity. This study empirically examines the relationship between sectoral FDI inflows and energy intensity by investigating the possibility of a threshold effect of research and development (R&D) technological absorptive capacity. Our sample covers 34 OECD countries over 1987–2013, with FDI and R&D data disaggregated at three sectoral levels (primary, secondary and tertiary sectors), an analysis that is absent in existing literature. We uncover a significant R&D input threshold in the relationship between FDI inflows to non-primary sectors and energy intensity. FDI inflows to non-primary sectors increase the level of energy intensity when the level of sectoral R&D is below the threshold, but such effect decreases when the sectoral R&D level is above the threshold point. Important implications flow from our findings with respect to the type of FDI and the level of indigenous R&D to be encouraged (or discouraged) by policymakers to effectively reduce energy intensity.

State legal mechanism for ensuring environmental and technogenic safety

In the light of the ongoing state administration reform, it is relevant to examine the state legal mechanism for ensuring environmental and technogenic security as the types of national security. The subject of this research is the definition of the concept and structure of such mechanism, which is an essential condition for ensuring the protection of favorable environment; observance of the interests of citizens and legal entities, society and the state; prevention of threats of natural and technogenic emergency situations; and minimization of the consequences of such situations. On the institutional level, the state legal mechanism for ensuring environmental safety represents the system of governing institutions assigned with the implementation of the key directions and mechanisms for ensuring environmental and technogenic safety; as well as private and legal entities, whose legal status includes the rights and responsibilities in the sphere of ensuring environmental and technogenic safety. On the technological level, the state legal mechanism is characterized by the types of legal activity. On the instrumental level, it represent a set of means and methods at the disposal of the entities. The scientific novelty of this research lies in examination of the essential aspects of the state legal mechanism for ensuring certain types of national security, as well as in formulation of the concept of the state legal mechanism applicable to ensuring environmental and technogenic safety, the absence of which impedes the assessment of the effectiveness of such mechanism in relation to protection of identity, society, and the state from environmental and technogenic hazards, threats and conflicts. The conclusion is made that a range of problems arises in the context of formation of the state legal mechanism for ensuring environmental safety: the existing model of state regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, which is based on voluntary inventory, obstructs the acquisition of information on the volume of greenhouse gas emissions by the administrative authorities; the created information systems in the sphere of environmental security are not an effective mechanism for achieving the goals of the Strategy of Environmental Security; there is certain inconsistency in environmental surveillance regulation.

Оценка экологической эффективности нефтеперерабатывающих производств

The criteria for assessing environmental efficiency and mechanisms for selecting environmental indicators are analyzed. It is proposed to use a new criterion - the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions, which determines the ratio of the volume of greenhouse gas emissions and the result of the organization's activities. The results of the environmental efficiency assessment allow us to assess environmental risks, work out ways to reduce the anthropogenic load on the environment and develop long-term production development plans, taking into account possible changes in the state of the environment in the region of oil refining production.

Auswirkungen der Corona-Krise auf die europ\xe4ische Klimaschutzpolitik

ZusammenfassungNeben vielen anderen negativen Folgen hat die Corona-Krise auch direkte Auswirkungen auf den EU-weiten Handel mit Emissionszertifikaten für Treibhausgasemissionen. Dieser stellt einen Eckpfeiler der europäischen Klimaschutzpolitik dar. Den kurzfristig geringer zu erwartenden Treibhausgasemissionen stehen aufgrund der erwarteten Rezession mittel- und langfristig niedrigere Preise für Emissionsrechte gegenüber. Diese machen die gegenwärtigen Produktionstechnologien tendenziell attraktiver. Dadurch wird eine wesentliche Zielsetzung europäischer Klimaschutzpolitik, der ökonomisch-rationale Wechsel der Unternehmen auf klimafreundlichere Produktionstechnologien, erschwert.

Drivers of the national and regional crop production-derived greenhouse gas emissions in China

Modern crop production practices are now recognized as being responsible for a significant volume of greenhouse gas emissions. Here, an analysis was undertaken to quantify crop production-related greenhouse gas emissions in China over the period 1991–2015, using Kaya’s equation to identify its drivers. The Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index method was adopted to separately quantify the contributions of the efficiency, structure, economy and labor factors. The analysis identified that the efficiency, structure and labor factors acted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of 455.93, 49.42, 98.75 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, respectively, while the economy factor contributed to increase of 637.30 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents. On a regional basis, the contributions to the national greenhouse gas emissions differed, ranging from −8.24 to 20.86 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents. Furthermore, the influence of efficiency, structure, economy and labor factors also varied significantly by region. For each region, the management of different factors or combinations of these would be necessary in order to decrease the greenhouse gas emissions in the future: for the northern, north-western and north-eastern regions, it was the efficiency, structure and labor factors; for the eastern region it was the economy factor; for the central-southern region it was the economy and the labor factors; and for the south-western region it was all four factors. Regarding the effect of the efficiency factor, controlling this requires the reduction of chemical fertilizer usage and submerged irrigation time, and the selection of good varieties. With respect to the structure factor effect, the optimization of the agriculture structure is required, particularly in Gansu, Hainan and Shanghai. As for the economic factor, managing its effect requires a moderate economic growth rate with a higher quality of economic development, and the acceleration of the development of agricultural science and technology innovation, guidance and promotion. Finally, the labor factor effect may be controlled with the improvement of the level of agricultural intensification. This study identified, decomposed and quantified the driving factors of the national and regional crop production-derived greenhouse gas emissions and provided practice ways for greenhouse gas inhabitation in China.

Unstoppable climate change? The influence of fatalistic beliefs about climate change on behavioural change and willingness to pay cross-nationally

ABSTRACTAlthough climate change is an urgent problem, behavioural and policy responses have not yet been sufficient to either reduce the volume of greenhouse gas emissions or adapt to a disrupted climate system. Significant efforts have been made to raise public awareness of the dangers posed by climate change. One reason why these efforts might not be sufficient is rooted in people’s need to feel efficacy to solve complex problems; the belief that climate change is unstoppable might thwart action even among the concerned. This paper tests for the effect of fatalistic beliefs on behavioural change and willingness to pay to address climate change using two cross-national surveys representing over 50,000 people in 48 nations.Key policy insightsThe perception that climate change poses a risk or danger increases the likelihood of behavioural change and willingness to pay to address climate change.The belief that climate change is unstoppable reduces the behavioural and policy response to climate change and moderates risk perception.Communicators and policy leaders should carefully frame climate change as a difficult, yet solvable, problem to circumvent fatalistic beliefs.

Experimental Study of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfills and Nonauthorized Waste Damps Impact on the Environment

A purpose was an analysis of waste disposal sites existing in the Leningrad region and a choice of facilities potentially suitable for the removal and utilization of greenhouse- and other gases. In order to achieve the purpose in view, data were collected on the arrangement of non-authorized landfills and waste dumps within the Leningrad region. The preliminary visual evaluation and instrumental monitoring were carried out for 10 facilities. The evaluation of greenhouse- and other gas emissions into the atmosphere as well as of ground water pollution near places of waste disposal was performed. A databank was created for waste disposal sites where it could be possible to organize the work on removing and utilizing of greenhouse gas.
 The conducted examination stated that landfills exert negative influence on the environment in the form of emissions into the atmosphere and impurities penetrating underground and surface water. A volume of greenhouse gas emissions calculated in units of СО2 – equivalent from different projects fluctuates from 63.8 to 8091.4 t in units of СО2 – equivalent. Maximum summarized emissions of greenhouse gases in units of СО2 – equivalent were stated for MSW landfills of the towns of Kirishi, Novaya Ladoga and Slantsy, as well as for MSW landfills near Lepsari residential settlement and the town of Vyborg.

Multi-agent Simulation for Promoting Clean Energy Vehicles from the Perspective of Concern for the Environment and Local Interactions

Clean energy vehicles (CEVs) such as EV or PHV should be promoted for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. However, it is important to note that social interactions affect the promotion of CEVs. Therefore, a multiagent simulation system for promoting CEVs has been developed in the present study from the perspective of not only concern for the environment but also for local interaction processes in terms of social conformity. Intention of holding CEV is described with the database of the questionnaire survey about purchasing vehicles. The social network of the artificial society is described as a small-world network model. The time series changes of the numbers of clean energy vehicles and the volume of greenhouse gas emissions are estimated by the proposed multiagent simulation. Finally, it can be concluded that the proposed multiagent simulation with local interaction is useful for promoting the planning of CEVs.

An estimation of amount greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural waste treatment systems in the Odessa oblast

Greenhouse gases retain radiation in the Earth's atmosphere and contribute to its excessive heating. Human activity, related to agriculture and burning of fossil fuels, is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions influencing the climate change. The greenhouse gas emissions due to the agricultural activities have almost doubled for the last 50 years. They tend to further increase by 30 percent up to 2050, if no measures are taken to reduce their content. The paper aims at assessment of the volume of greenhouse gas emissions, generated in various systems of agricultural waste treatment by the districts of the Odessa oblast, and development of recommendations for selection of measures to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. Analysis of the calculated data reveals significant excess of the volumes of greenhouse gas emissions in traditional agricultural waste treatment systems over the emissions in the course of anaerobic fermentation of biomass.

Africa as a new potential of the global economy

The analytical focus in this paper is to determine the tenability of two theoretical concepts of environmental economics in the Slovak Republic: the hypothesis of the environmental Kuznets curve and the hypothesis of Slovakia as a pollution haven. We have chosen to focus on a few selected sources of environmental pollution in the Slovak Republic, specifically greenhouse gas emissions. First we examine the hypothesis of the environmental Kuznets curves in connection with selected greenhouse gas emissions in the Slovak Republic from the years 1993-2011. Next we analyze the possible causal relationship between the net inflows of foreign direct investment and the volume of selected greenhouse gas emissions in the Slovak Republic. The existence of an environmental Kuznets curve was not confirmed. It is also possible to make the same conclusion in the relationships of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and per fluorocarbons emissions and economic growth (GDP per capita). Only in the case of methane was neither a linear nor a cubic relationship confirmed between the variables of interest. A quadratic relationship was confirmed suggesting that this is the only type of greenhouse gas where estimates indicate a relationship which follows an environmental Kuznets curve. Based on the calculated values of the Granger causality test we conclude that the volume of greenhouse gas emissions per capita in the present period and in any of the previous four periods has no effect on the amount of net FDI inflows as a percentage of GDP in the Slovak Republic.

リスクトレードオフを考慮した次世代低GWP 冷媒の選定

Because the refrigerants currently used in air-conditioners have high global-warming-potentials (GWP), substances with lower GWPs, such as R-1234yf, are considered to be candidates for next-generation refrigerants. However, low-GWP substances often have comparatively high chemical reactivity and may carry increased risks of combustibility, toxicity, generation of degraded products, and increased CO2 emission caused by poor energy-saving performance. Therefore, a possible risk trade-off exists between currently used refrigerants and those with low-GWPs. In this research, I proposed a framework for evaluating this trade-off in the following five categories: (1) environmental characteristics; (2) combustion characteristics; (3) toxicity; (4) volume of greenhouse gas emissions; and (5) applicability to air-conditioning equipment. I then selected substances well suited as next-generation refrigerants in accordance with a specific screening process. I showed the importance of clearly specifying the combination of a number of end points and assessment criteria in the process of decision-making based on risk trade-off. This method yielded a rapid understanding of the necessary data, as well as flexible decision-making that is relevant to social conditions.

Climate change and agriculture: A Nepalese case

Despite having slight disagreements on the magnitude, timing and spatial distribution of climate change, scientists agree that the recent climate change has been much faster than in the past. This has been partly to the natural phenomenon but mostly because of human activities. There is also an agreement that the poorer nations will suffer more as a consequence of the climate change than the developed nations. In this connection, the Nepalese agriculture does not seem to gain but rather lose during the process of global climate change. Even so, serious preparedness and actions can be taken that can hopefully impede the process of climate change and slowly but surely adapt to the rapidly changing climate. To achieve that, agriculture’s role as a driving force for climate change can be condensed by taking measures that reduce the rate and volume of Greenhouse Gas emissions from agriculture on the one hand, and developing diverse and resilient plant and animals breeds, on the other, that are capable of yielding as much as the current levels or even better under the foreseen changed climatic conditions. 
 
 The Journal of AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT Vol. 8, 2007, pp. 92-95

Geological storage of carbon dioxide

Abstract Carbon dioxide is the main compound identified as affecting the stability of the Earth’s climate. A significant reduction in the volume of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere is a key mechanism for mitigating against climate change. Geological storage of CO 2 , or the injection and stabilization of large volumes of CO 2 in the subsurface in saline aquifers, existing hydrocarbon reservoirs or unmineable coal-seams, is one of the more technologically advanced options available. A number of studies have been carried out aimed at understanding the behaviour and long term fate of CO 2 when stored in geological formations.

About this title

Carbon dioxide (CO 2) is the main compound identified as affecting the stability of the Earth's climate. A significant reduction in the volume of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere is a key mechanism for mitigating climate change. Geological storage of CO 2, or the injection and long-term stabilization of large volumes of CO 2 in the subsurface in saline aquifers, in existing hydrocarbon reservoirs or in unmineable coal seams, is one of the more technologically advanced options available. A number of studies have been carried out and are reported here. They are aimed at understanding the safety, physical and chemical behaviour and long-term fate of CO 2 when stored in geological formations. Until efficient, alternative energy options can be developed, geological storage of CO 2, the subject of this volume, provides a mechanism to reduce carbon emissions significantly whilst continuing to meet the global demand for energy.