Climate change impacts on life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions savings of biomethanol from corn and soybean

Climate change is one of the main nowadays problem in the world. The politics and strategies for climate change and tools for reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and green technologies are created and implemented. Mainly it is focused on energy, transport and construction sectors, which are related and plays a significant role in the roads life cycle. Most of the carbon footprint emissions are generated by transport. The remaining emissions are generated during the road life cycle. Therefore, European and other countries use methods to calculate GHG emissions and evaluate the impact of road construction methods and technologies on the environment. Software tools for calculation GHG emissions are complicated, and it is not entirely clear what GHG emission amounts generate during different stages of road life cycle. Thus, the precision of the obtained results are often dependent on the sources and quantities of data, assumptions, and hypothesis. The use of more accurate and efficient calculation-evaluation methods could let to determine in which stages of road life cycle the largest carbon footprint emissions are generated, what advanced road construction methods and technologies could be used. Also, the road service life could be extended, the consumption of raw materials, repair, and maintenance costs could be reduced. Therefore the time-savings could be improved, and the impact on the environment could be reduced using these GHG calculation-evaluation methods.

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Mitigation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through the Shift From Fossil Fuels to Electricity in the Mass Transport System in Guayaquil, Ecuador

Volume 6A: Energy ◽

10.1115/imece2018-87732 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Angel D. Ramirez ◽

Danilo Arcentales ◽

Andrea Boero

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Partial Replacement ◽

Transport Sector ◽

Carbon Intensity ◽

Gas Emissions

Climate change is a serious threat to sustainability. Anthropogenic climate change is due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere beyond natural levels. Anthropogenic GHG emissions are mostly associated with carbon-dioxide (CO2) originated in the combustion of fossil fuels used for heat, power, and transportation. Globally, transportation contributes to 14% of the global GHG emissions. The transport sector is one of the main contributors to the greenhouse gas emissions of Ecuador. In Guayaquil, the road mass transportation system comprises regular buses and the bus rapid transit (BRT) system. Electricity in Ecuador is mostly derived from hydropower, hence incurs relatively low GHG emissions along its life cycle. Therefore, electrification of transport has been seen as an opportunity for mitigation of GHG emissions. In this study, the effect of partial replacement of the bus rapid system fleet is investigated. Feeders have been chosen as the replacement target in five different scenarios. GHG emissions from diesel-based feeders have been calculated using the GREET Fleet Footprint Calculator tool. The GHG emissions associated with the electricity used for transportation is calculated using the life cycle inventory of the electricity generation system of Ecuador. Three energy mix scenarios are used for this purpose. The 2012 mix which had 61% hydropower; the mix of 85% hydropower and the marginal electricity scenario, which supposed the extreme case when the new demand for electricity occurs during peak demand periods. Results indicate that mitigation of GHG emissions is possible for almost all scenarios of percentage fleet replacement and all mix scenarios. Electric buses efficiency and the carbon intensity of the electricity mix are critical for GHG mitigation.

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Evaluation of GHG Emissions from the Production of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT): Analysis of Different Life Cycle Inventories

10.4028/www.scientific.net/cta.1.635 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Lucas Rosse Caldas ◽

Jorge Sierra-Pérez ◽

Romildo Dias Toledo Filho ◽

Marcos Silvoso

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Electricity Consumption ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

The United States ◽

Life Cycle Inventories ◽

Cross Laminated Timber ◽

Mass Timber

The Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) has been receiving special attention in recent research as an alternative for climate change mitigation since it is a renewable source and can remove and stock high amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. Some countries, such as Brazil, still do not have mature and large CLT industry. However, the development of this industry in other countries is expected since the CLT is considered the main wood material to be used in high-rise mass timber buildings. It is particularly important to have environmental information, especially concerning the climate change impacts, in terms of life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, for this product to increase its competitiveness in a new market. In this context, this research aimed to evaluate three different Life cycle inventories (LCIs) for CLT production of studies from Japan and the United States. Based on the first findings, we summarized the critical items in the LCI of CLT production and listed some actions for the reduction of GHG emissions that occur in this process. The LCIs are adapted considering the context of Brazil (a country with a cleaner electricity matrix) and China (a country with the highest share of fossil fuels). The main inconsistencies present in the LCIs are presented and discussed. The GHG emissions are concentrated in the following hotspots: (1) Roundwood production; (2) electricity consumption; and (3) adhesives production for CLT production. Therefore, the reduction of the consumption of these materials and activities should be encouraged for the decrease of GHG emissions. The data of Roundwood used in the modelling severely affects the final results. Their GHG emissions are related to the consumption of diesel in forestry activities. This research brings insights into the evaluation of the life cycle GHG emissions from the production of CLT.

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The potential of bio-methane as bio-fuel/bio-energy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions: a qualitative assessment for Europe in a life cycle perspective

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2008.039 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 57 (11) ◽

pp. 1683-1692 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Andrea Tilche ◽

Michele Galatola

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Anaerobic Digestion ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Industrial Wastewater ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Energy Crops ◽

Qualitative Assessment ◽

Potential Contribution ◽

Ghg Reduction

Anaerobic digestion is a well known process that (while still capable of showing new features) has experienced several waves of technological development. It was “born” as a wastewater treatment system, in the 1970s showed promise as an alternative energy source (in particular from animal waste), in the 1980s and later it became a standard for treating organic-matter-rich industrial wastewater, and more recently returned to the market for its energy recovery potential, making use of different biomasses, including energy crops. With the growing concern around global warming, this paper looks at the potential of anaerobic digestion in terms of reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The potential contribution of anaerobic digestion to GHG reduction has been computed for the 27 EU countries on the basis of their 2005 Kyoto declarations and using life cycle data. The theoretical potential contribution of anaerobic digestion to Kyoto and EU post-Kyoto targets has been calculated. Two different possible biogas applications have been considered: electricity production from manure waste, and upgraded methane production for light goods vehicles (from landfill biogas and municipal and industrial wastewater treatment sludges). The useful heat that can be produced as by-product from biogas conversion into electricity has not been taken into consideration, as its real exploitation depends on local conditions. Moreover the amount of biogas already produced via dedicated anaerobic digestion processes has also not been included in the calculations. Therefore the overall gains achievable would be even higher than those reported here. This exercise shows that biogas may considerably contribute to GHG emission reductions in particular if used as a biofuel. Results also show that its use as a biofuel may allow for true negative GHG emissions, showing a net advantage with respect to other biofuels. Considering also energy crops that will become available in the next few years as a result of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, this study shows that biogas has the potential of covering almost 50% of the 2020 biofuel target of 10% of all automotive transport fuels, without implying a change in land use. Moreover, considering the achievable GHG reductions, a very large carbon emission trading “value” could support the investment needs. However, those results were obtained through a “qualitative” assessment. In order to produce robust data for decision makers, a quantitative sustainability assessment should be carried out, integrating different methodologies within a life cycle framework. The identification of the most appropriate policy for promoting the best set of options is then discussed.

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Cosmopolitan Luck egalitarianism and the greenhouse effect

Canadian Journal of Philosophy Supplementary Volume ◽

10.1080/00455091.2005.10716857 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 31 ◽

pp. 279-309 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Axel Gosseries

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Greenhouse Effect ◽

Human Activities ◽

Scientific Community ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Luck Egalitarianism ◽

Straightforward Manner ◽

Global Regime ◽

Principles Of Justice

Evidence provided by the scientific community strongly suggests that limits should be placed on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This means that states, firms, and individuals will have to face potentially serious burdens if they are to implement these limits. Which principles of justice should guide a global regime aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions originating from human activities, and most notably from CO2 emissions? This is both a crucial and difficult question. Admittedly, perhaps this question is too ambitious, given the uncertainties and complexities characterizing the issue of climate change. Yet, rather than listing them all at this stage, let us address the question in a straightforward manner, introducing some of these complexities as the need arises.

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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculation Methodology in Thermal Power Plants: Case Study of Iran and Comparison With Canada

ASME 2008 Power Conference ◽

10.1115/power2008-60071 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

Farshid Zabihian ◽

Alan S. Fung

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Global Climate Change ◽

Gas Turbines ◽

Electricity Generation ◽

Power Plants ◽

Global Climate ◽

Thermal Power ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Thermal Power Plants

Nowadays, the global climate change has been a worldwide concern and the greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions are considered as the primary cause of that. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) divided countries into two groups: Annex I Parties and Non-Annex I Parties. Since Iran and all other countries in the Middle East are among Non-Annex I Parties, they are not required to submit annual GHG inventory report. However, the global climate change is a worldwide phenomenon so Middle Eastern countries should be involved and it is necessary to prepare such a report at least unofficially. In this paper the terminology and the methods to calculate GHG emissions will first be explained and then GHG emissions estimates for the Iranian power plants will be presented. Finally the results will be compared with GHG emissions from the Canadian electricity generation sector. The results for the Iranian power plants show that in 2005 greenhouse gas intensity for steam power plants, gas turbines and combined cycle power plants were 617, 773, and 462 g CO2eq/kWh, respectively with the overall intensity of 610 g CO2eq/kWh for all thermal power plants. This GHG intensity is directly depend on efficiency of power plants. Whereas, in 2004 GHG intensity for electricity generation sector in Canada for different fuels were as follows: Coal 1010, refined petroleum products 640, and natural gas 523 g CO2eq/kWh, which are comparable with same data for Iran. For average GHG intensity in the whole electricity generation sector the difference is much higher: Canada 222 vs. Iran 610g CO2eq/kWh. The reason is that in Canada a considerable portion of electricity is generated by hydro-electric and nuclear power plants in which they do not emit significant amount of GHG emissions. The average GHG intensity in electricity generation sector in Iran between 1995 and 2005 experienced 13% reduction. While in Canada at the same period of time there was 21% increase. However, the results demonstrate that still there are great potentials for GHG emissions reduction in Iran’s electricity generation sector.

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GHG emissions in KG-CO2 / M2 generated by a House Type INFONAVIT

ECORFAN Journal Republic of Nicaragua ◽

10.35429/ejrn.2019.8.5.15.28 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 10-23

Author(s):

Humberto Aceves-Gutierrez ◽

Oscar López-Chávez ◽

Santa Magdalena Mercado-Ibarra ◽

Cesar Alejandro Contreras-Quintanar

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Urban Growth ◽

Greenhouse Effect ◽

Human Population ◽

Building Materials ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Iso 14040 ◽

Fundamental Factor ◽

The Earth

Climate change is one of the main current problems, it concerns the entire human population since its effects are worldwide, especially now we have seen its consequences, according to Menghi (2007), the average global temperatures grew by more than 0.5 ° C in the last century, and the glaciers are disappearing from the earth. The greenhouse effect generated mainly by the gases of the same name (GHG), is the fundamental factor of climate change. Construction is one of the ways in which the human being contaminates in a constant way this due to urban growth and the demand for infrastructure that this generates. This research has the purpose of determining the KG-CO2 / M2 generated by a 44 m2 house of interest type INFONAVIT using the Life Cycle methodology (ACV) of the products or materials, established in ISO 14040, employee an inventory of KG-CO2 emissions from building materials, obtained from various bibliographic sources and databases and using the work volumes required to build the house. The results obtained of 161.57 Kg-CO2 / M2.

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Estimating Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Oman Using Different Frameworks

The Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management ◽

10.5276/jswtm/2021.332 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 332-348

Author(s):

Tariq Umar

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Municipal Solid Waste ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Solid Waste ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Organic Waste ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Gulf Cooperation Council ◽

Council Member ◽

Tackle Climate Change

Reduction in emissions is the key to tackle climate change issues and achieve environmental sustainability. The Gulf Cooperation Council member countries however, not only generate the highest quantity of MSW/capita when compared globally but also in most of these countries such waste is just dumped at different landfill stations. In Oman, the total quantity of MSW stood at 2.0 million tonnes/year. The emission from this waste is estimated at 2,989,467 tonnes/year (CO2 Equivalent). This article attempts to develop frameworks that considered landfilling, composting, and recycling of MSW and compared the emissions of these frameworks. The framework (F2) which proposes the landfilling and composting process for the organic waste which normally goes to landfills results in an increase of emissions by 7% as compared to landfill practice. Similarly, the samples of MSW collected in Oman show a good amount of recycling waste. The framework (F3) which considers the landfill, composting, and recycling reduced the total Greenhouse Gas emissions from 2,989,467 tonnes/year to 2,959,735 tonnes/year (CO2 Equivalent); representing a total reduction of 1% in emissions. Although composting increases the emissions, however, considering composting and recycling will not only reduce the burden on landfills but will promote agricultural and industrial activates.

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Introduction

10.1093/oso/9780197502556.003.0001 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Eelco J. Rohling

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Global Warming ◽

Greenhouse Gases ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Emission Reduction ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

Paris Agreement ◽

Gas Emissions ◽

Is Implementation

This chapter outlines the challenge facing us. The Paris Agreement sets a target maximum of 2°C global warming and a preferred limit of 1.5°C. Yet, the subsequent combined national pledges for emission reduction suffice only for limiting warming to roughly 3°C. And because most nations are falling considerably short of meeting their pledges, even greater warming may become locked in. Something more drastic and wide-ranging is needed: a multi-pronged strategy. These different prongs to the climate-change solution are introduced in this chapter and explored one by one in the following chapters. First is rapid, massive reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Second is implementation of ways to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Third may be increasing the reflectivity of Earth to incoming sunlight, to cool certain places down more rapidly. In addition, we need to protect ourselves from climate-change impacts that have already become inevitable.

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