scholarly journals Bioenergy technologies in long-run climate change mitigation: results from the EMF-33 study

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (3) ◽  
pp. 1603-1620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vassilis Daioglou ◽  
Steven K. Rose ◽  
Nico Bauer ◽  
Alban Kitous ◽  
Matteo Muratori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Integrated Assessment Model ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Biomass Feedstock ◽  
Technology Deployment ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Change Mitigation

AbstractBioenergy is expected to play an important role in long-run climate change mitigation strategies as highlighted by many integrated assessment model (IAM) scenarios. These scenarios, however, also show a very wide range of results, with uncertainty about bioenergy conversion technology deployment and biomass feedstock supply. To date, the underlying differences in model assumptions and parameters for the range of results have not been conveyed. Here we explore the models and results of the 33rd study of the Stanford Energy Modeling Forum to elucidate and explore bioenergy technology specifications and constraints that underlie projected bioenergy outcomes. We first develop and report consistent bioenergy technology characterizations and modeling details. We evaluate the bioenergy technology specifications through a series of analyses—comparison with the literature, model intercomparison, and an assessment of bioenergy technology projected deployments. We find that bioenergy technology coverage and characterization varies substantially across models, spanning different conversion routes, carbon capture and storage opportunities, and technology deployment constraints. Still, the range of technology specification assumptions is largely in line with bottom-up engineering estimates. We then find that variation in bioenergy deployment across models cannot be understood from technology costs alone. Important additional determinants include biomass feedstock costs, the availability and costs of alternative mitigation options in and across end-uses, the availability of carbon dioxide removal possibilities, the speed with which large scale changes in the makeup of energy conversion facilities and integration can take place, and the relative demand for different energy services.

scholarly journals The water-food-energy-land nexus: Hotspots and scenario-dependency of competition for water between energy, food and nature

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lotte de Vos ◽  
Hester Biemans ◽  
Jonathan Doelman ◽  
Elke Stehfest
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Integrated Assessment Model ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Food Energy ◽  
Water Demands ◽  
Water Energy Nexus ◽  
Change Mitigation ◽  
Global Water

<p>Freshwater is a shared resource needed both for food and energy production, and to sustain  ecosystems worldwide. Freshwater ecosystems are already experiencing biodiversity declines that are higher than in most terrestrial systems. With climate change and an expected increase in global population and income, the trade-offs between societal demand and nature become even more stringent. Insight in how these developments might impact future water use helps to identify strategies to ensure a healthy environment while still meeting global water demands. </p><p>This study evaluates competition for water within the food-water-energy nexus, while explicitly accounting for the amount of water required by nature. It does so by implementation of Environmental Flow Requirements (EFRs), which are in this case defined as the quantity and timing  of  water  flows  required  to  sustain  freshwater  and  estuarine ecosystems. Simulations are performed with the integrated assessment model framework IMAGE, which includes the global vegetation and hydrology model LPJmL.  This framework combines regional agro-economic, energy and climate policy modelling with land-use, dynamic vegetation and hydrological modelling. </p><p>Different pathways of socio-economic developments (Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSPs)) are evaluated up until the year 2100, including a climate change mitigation scenario aiming for the long-term mitigation target of 2 °C. Earlier studies for SSP-1, SSP-2 and SSP-3 have already shown that while global water withdrawals are expected to increase for all cases, the demands for SSP-3 are generally higher than the demands for SSP-1. This study adds to this by showing how water demands affect environmental flows, or vice versa. The results present an overview of hotspots where future water demand for food, energy and nature might still compete, and where the effects are ameliorated if the world will develop towards a more sustainable path. Additionally, the results present how irrigation efficiency improvements and climate change mitigation measures can help alleviate the pressure in the food-water-energy nexus, although the latter depends on the choice of mitigation pathway. </p>

scholarly journals COP Adoption, Implications and Projections of Climate Change Mitigation Policy for ASEAN Region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
adeel ahmed ◽  
Abul Quasem Al-Amin ◽  
Md. Mahmudul Alam ◽  
Brent Doberstein
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Carbon Tax ◽  
Carbon Price ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Industrial Emissions ◽  
Asean Member ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Change Mitigation

Abstract Climate Change is a critical concern for Southeast Asia as this region is extremely vulnerable to the extreme weather patterns, temperature fluctuations and uneven precipitation expected under climate change, and thus vulnerability is expected to increase in the future. With this background, this study aims to analyze the readiness of ASEAN member countries to undertake the promised determinants of INDCs by the Paris Agreement and transfer these into measurable actions, and also to explore how ASEAN nations may reduce climatic threats over time. Consequently, a long run RICE (Regional Integrated Climate and Economy) based dynamic non-linear numerical model for the economy and environment was utilised. Simulation forecasts investigated several alternatives in order to determine optimal climate strategies against global-warming in the region, using both an Optimal Scenario (OS) and Business-as-usual (BAU) projections from 2020 to 2060. The results indicate that under an optimal scenario, industrial emissions are estimated in monetary values, RM14.05 (US$1=RM4.30)(btCO2 per year) in 2040 and RM31.99 (btCO2 per year) by 2060. These estimated values under OS are striking for sustainable development since they are far lower than BAU projections. Carbon price (RM per tCO2) by OS indicates that the carbon tax could be RM224.65 in 2040, RM258.16 in 2050 and RM245.41 in 2060 per tCO2. The collected carbon tax can be reinvested by ASEAN nations in order to implement alternative backstop technologies and technological innovation. The optimal scenario outcomes examined for carbon emission reduction are tempting since they can support a strong balance between sustainable development and quality environment. Despite long-run economic assumptions, the findings are still a worthy means by which ASEAN governments can compare climate change mitigation strategies while also making amendments for any unexpected developments.

scholarly journals Promoting Renewable Energy to Cope with Climate Change—Policy Discourse in Israel

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3170
Author(s):  
Avri Eitan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Renewable Energies ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Policy Discourse ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Change Mitigation

Evidence shows that global climate change is increasing over time, and requires the adoption of a variety of coping methods. As an alternative for conventional electricity systems, renewable energies are considered to be an important policy tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore, they play an important role in climate change mitigation strategies. Renewable energies, however, may also play a crucial role in climate change adaptation strategies because they can reduce the vulnerability of energy systems to extreme events. The paper examines whether policy-makers in Israel tend to focus on mitigation strategies or on adaptation strategies in renewable energy policy discourse. The results indicate that despite Israel’s minor impact on global greenhouse gas emissions, policy-makers focus more on promoting renewable energies as a climate change mitigation strategy rather than an adaptation strategy. These findings shed light on the important role of international influence—which tends to emphasize mitigation over adaptation—in motivating the domestic policy discourse on renewable energy as a coping method with climate change.

scholarly journals Evaluating process-based integrated assessment models of climate change mitigation

2021 ◽  
Vol 166 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlie Wilson ◽  
Céline Guivarch ◽  
Elmar Kriegler ◽  
Bas van Ruijven ◽  
Detlef P. van Vuuren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Integrated Assessment ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Evaluation Research ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Integrated Assessment Models ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Change Mitigation

AbstractProcess-based integrated assessment models (IAMs) project long-term transformation pathways in energy and land-use systems under what-if assumptions. IAM evaluation is necessary to improve the models’ usefulness as scientific tools applicable in the complex and contested domain of climate change mitigation. We contribute the first comprehensive synthesis of process-based IAM evaluation research, drawing on a wide range of examples across six different evaluation methods including historical simulations, stylised facts, and model diagnostics. For each evaluation method, we identify progress and milestones to date, and draw out lessons learnt as well as challenges remaining. We find that each evaluation method has distinctive strengths, as well as constraints on its application. We use these insights to propose a systematic evaluation framework combining multiple methods to establish the appropriateness, interpretability, credibility, and relevance of process-based IAMs as useful scientific tools for informing climate policy. We also set out a programme of evaluation research to be mainstreamed both within and outside the IAM community.

scholarly journals Historic Context of European Union Leadership in Climate Change Mitigation

2017 ◽  
pp. 74-96
Author(s):  
Volodymyr Shatokha
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
European Union ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Mitigation Policy ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation Policy ◽  
International Climate ◽  
Change Mitigation ◽  
The Eu ◽  
International Climate Change

The role of European Union in defining of the international climate change mitigation policy was studied in the historic context of overcoming the differences in the approaches to reaching the sustainable development targets among the EU, the USA, China and some other influential countries. It has been shown that currently the processes of climate policy definition became more polycentric than in 1992, when the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed. The ability to adjust to a new context, to build coalitions and to reach compromise with the wide range of international actors has been crucial for maintaining the EU’s influence on definition of the international climate change mitigation policy. Despite not always supportive internal and external factors, during a quarter of century the EU has managed to maintain its leadership and many times helped to enhance the ambition of global climatic targets by establishing the high level of own commitments and implementing relevant policy instruments. The EU and its members played a decisive role in ensuring of the non-interruptive international climate action during implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and in setting of the Paris Agreement which will define climate regime after 2020. Mitigation of climate change is a complicated task not only in terms of technology and socio-economic aspects but also with respect to policy implementation. Therefore the EU leadership in this sphere remains very important.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document