scholarly journals Assessing the Economic Structure, Climate Change and Decarbonisation in Europe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elias Giannakis ◽  
George Zittis
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Emission Reduction ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Electricity Sector ◽  
Climate Projections ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Regional Warming ◽  
Economic Output

AbstractAnthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions coming mainly from fossil fuel combustion for energy use are causing air temperature increases resulting in climate change. This study employs an environmentally extended input–output model to conduct an economy-wide assessment of GHG emissions in the European Union (EU). Model results indicate that the assumed growth of economic activity by 2030 will lead to a large increase in GHG emissions by 89%, assuming no technological change and no additional policy mitigation efforts. The electricity sector and agriculture create the highest direct and indirect GHG emissions per unit of economic output across the 27 EU member states (EU-27); for every 1-million-euro-increase in the final demand for the products and services of the electricity sector and agriculture, 2198 and 1410 additional tons of GHG emit, respectively. Regional climate projections under a low-decarbonisation pathway (RCP8.5), in accordance with our economic analysis, indicate a further increase of regional warming, combined with pronounced changes in the hydrological cycle. Contrariwise, following a strong mitigation pathway (RCP2.6) will result in warming levels lower than 1.5 °C with respect to the 1986–2005 reference period. Our findings reveal the importance of both direct and indirect contribution of economic sectors in the generation of GHG emissions, taking into consideration the size of the sectors and the assumed growth rates. The design and implementation of sectoral emission reduction policies from the perspective of the whole production supply chain can effectively contribute to GHG emission reduction commitments.

scholarly journals Persistent Effect of Temperature on GDP Identified from Lower Frequency Temperature Variability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernardo Bastien-Olvera ◽  
Frances Moore
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Temperature Variation ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Temperature Variability ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Human Welfare ◽  
Economic Productivity ◽  
Economic Output ◽  
Frequency Temperature

Abstract It is well established that temperature variability affects a range of outcomes relevant to human welfare, including health (Gasparrini et al., 2017) emotion and mood (Baylis et al., 2018), and productivity across a number of economic sectors (Carleton & Hsiang, 2016; Dell et al., 2014). However, a critical and still unresolved empirical question is whether temperature variation has a long-lasting effect on economic productivity and, therefore, whether damages compound over time in response to long-lived changes in temperature expected with climate change. Several studies have identified a relationship between temperature and GDP (Burke et al., 2015; Dell et al., 2012; Kalkuhl & Wenz, 2020), but empirical evidence as to the persistence of these effects is still weak. This paper presents a novel approach to isolate the persistent component of temperature effects on output using lower frequency temperature variation. Using three different datasets we find that longer temperature anomalies affect GDP growth as much or more than short-lived anomalies, implying persistent and therefore cumulative effects of climate change on economic output. The population-weighted global effect of -0.8 pp per degree is sufficient to reduce per-capita income in 2100 by 44% under RCP6, approximately an order of magnitude larger than damages currently represented in cost-benefit integrated assessment models (Diaz & Moore, 2017).

scholarly journals The International Influence of the Emissions Trading System in Mexico

2021 ◽  
pp. 91-107
Author(s):  
Alicia Gutierrez González
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Emissions Trading ◽  
Carbon Tax ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Learning By Doing ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Trading System ◽  
Reduce Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Emissions Trading System

AbstractThis article aims to give an overview of the international influence of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) in Mexico. It is divided into three parts. First, it briefly examines both the international Climate Change regime through the description of such instruments as the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the 2015 Paris Agreement, and the national regime by reviewing as the 2012 General Law on Climate Change (LGCC), the National Emissions Registry (RENE) and its Regulations, as well as other instruments regarding mitigation from carbon tax and clean energy. Second, it analyzes the legal framework of the pilot phase of the ETS in Mexico (under the cap and trade principle) which seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) only in the energy and industry sectors whose emissions are greater than 100 thousand direct tonnes of CO2. In doing so, it also explains the relevance of implementing an ETS as a cost-effective mitigation measure to achieve the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in order to reduce 22% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 (increasing to 36% if there is international support and financing) and 50% by 2050 as a developing country. Third, it focuses on the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) experience and shows that all its phases must be done gradually by adopting the learning-by-doing approach.

scholarly journals Energy Savings by Optimization of Thrusters Allocation during Complex Ship Manoeuvres

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 4959
Author(s):  
Jarosław Artyszuk ◽  
Paweł Zalewski
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Emission Reduction ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Gradual Transition ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Twin Screw ◽  
Joystick Control

The International Maritime Organization adopted a strategy to reduce the total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 50% by 2050, compared to 2008 levels. The European Union proposed an even farther reaching transformation: the European Commission adopted a set of proposals to make the EU’s transport policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. Therefore, all industrial actions in line and consistent with these strategies are essential. One of such activities may be a gradual transition from the most common independent controls of transport ships’ thrusters, propellers, and rudders to an integrated, power optimized, 3 degrees of freedom joystick control. In this paper, the full mission bridge simulator (FMBS) research on potential energy savings and, consequently, a GHG emission reduction, while steering a RoPax twin-screw ferry equipped with bow thrusters by a joystick control, is presented. The task of navigators engaged in the research was to steer the vessel either via classic engine, rudder, and thruster levers or via a joystick while (1) following the predefined straight track, (2) rotating at the turning area, and (3), finally, crabbing (moving sideways) until stopping at the quay fenders. The conclusions are that energy savings of approximately 10% can be expected for berthing manoeuvres controlled by a joystick, compared to independent actuators’ controls. These conclusions have been drawn from a statistical analysis of the ship’s energy consumption during typical manoeuvring phases of 18 berthing operations performed in FMBS.

scholarly journals The Paris Climate Agreement and the Three Largest Emitters: China, the United States, and the European Union

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miranda A. Schreurs
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
United States ◽  
European Union ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Emission Reduction ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
The United States ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Gas Emissions

The Paris Agreement would not have come into being had China, the United States (US), and the European Union (EU), which together contribute more than half of all global greenhouse gas emissions, not signaled their intent to take major steps to reduce their domestic emissions. The EU has been at the forefront of global climate change measures for years having issued binding domestic emission reduction targets for 2020 and 2030. For many years, China refused to announce a target date for when it might begin reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, and the US Congress blocked action on climate change.  In the lead up to the Paris climate negotiations, however, there were major shifts in China’s and the US’s climate positions. This commentary examines the climate policies of the three largest emitters and the factors motivating the positions they took in the Paris negotiations. Given that the commitments made in Paris are most likely insufficient to keep global temperature from rising 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, the commentary also considers what the likelihood is that these three major economies will strengthen their emission reduction targets in the near future.

scholarly journals The Contribution of Energy Taxes to Climate Change Policy in the European Union (EU)

Resources ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genovaitė Liobikienė ◽  
Mindaugas Butkus ◽  
Kristina Matuzevičiūtė
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Panel Data Analysis ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy Consumption ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Change Policy ◽  
Energy Taxes

Energy taxes are one of the main market-based tools directed toward mitigating climate change in the European Union (EU). Therefore, the aim of this article was to analyze whether energy taxes really contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the successful implementation of climate change policy. Applying the Granger causality test on time series and using panel data analysis, the direct and indirect (via the reduction of fossil energy consumption (FEC) and energy intensity (EI), as well as the increase of renewable energy consumption (REN)) impacts of energy taxes on GHG emissions in EU countries were analyzed in the present study. The results showed that energy taxes did not Granger-cause fossil energy consumption, energy intensity, renewable energy consumption, and GHG emissions in almost all EU countries. Regarding the panel data analysis, the results showed that energy taxes did not, directly and indirectly, influence GHG emissions. Therefore, this paper shows that generally, energy tax policy in EU countries is ineffective. Thus, tax policy should be reformed and matched with an emissions trading system in seeking climate change mitigation.

scholarly journals Animal Welfare, Health and the Fight against Climate Change: One Solution for Global Objectives

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1248
Author(s):  
Giancarlo Bozzo ◽  
Marialaura Corrente ◽  
Giovanni Testa ◽  
Gaia Casalino ◽  
Michela Maria Dimuccio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Current System ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Welfare Policies ◽  
Climate Transition

Climate change is internationally recognized as a source of concern by governments, scientists and public opinion. In this context, the need to find concrete solutions becomes increasingly urgent. Numerous economic sectors contribute to alteration of climate, especially livestock and, more generally, food production-related activities. For this reason, animal welfare policies, the complex of norms and regulations adopted by single Member States and the European Union in the field of meat production, could be a useful instrument in the climate transition invoked by policy makers and scientists. The aim of this paper was to analyze the current system of animal welfare from a legal and veterinary perspective, and to demonstrate how important and useful, it could be in the fight against climate change; at least if correctly implemented and applied.

scholarly journals Towards Climate Neutrality in Poland by 2050: Assessment of Policy Implications in the Farm Sector

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (22) ◽  
pp. 7595
Author(s):  
Adam Wąs ◽  
Vitaliy Krupin ◽  
Paweł Kobus ◽  
Jan Witajewski-Baltvilks ◽  
Robert Jeszke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computable General Equilibrium ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Economic Modelling ◽  
Policy Options ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Farm Sector ◽  
Climate Neutrality

Climate neutrality achievement in the European Union assumes the necessity of efforts and transformations in most economic sectors of its member-states. The farm sector in Poland, being the second largest contributor to the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and in the top fifth of farm sectors in the EU-27 countries, needs to undergo structural and technological transformations to contribute to the climate action goals. The article assesses the potential impacts of Poland’s climate neutrality achievement path on the domestic farm sector in terms of its structure, output, income, and prices of agricultural products. The approach is based on complex economic modelling combining computable general equilibrium (CGE) and optimisation modelling, with the farm sector model consisting of farm, structural, and market modules. While the modelling results cover three GHG emission-reduction scenarios up to 2050, to understand the transformation impact within varying policy approaches, the study for each scenario of farm sector development also outlines three policy options: carbon pricing, forced emission limit, and carbon subsidies. Results in all scenarios and policy options indicate a strong foreseeable impact on agricultural output and prices (mainly livestock production), shifts in the production structure toward crops, as well as changes in farm income along the analysed timeframe.

scholarly journals Distributed modelling of climate change impacts on snow sublimation in Northern Mongolia

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 117-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Wimmer ◽  
S. Schlaffer ◽  
T. aus der Beek ◽  
L. Menzel
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Interpolation Method ◽  
Meteorological Parameter ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Climate Projections ◽  
Global Circulation Models ◽  
Future Climate Projections

Abstract. Sublimation of snow is an important factor of the hydrological cycle in Mongolia and is likely to increase according to future climate projections. In this study the hydrological model TRAIN was used to assess spatially distributed current and future sublimation rates based on interpolated daily data of precipitation, air temperature, air humidity, wind speed and solar radiation. An automated procedure for the interpolation of the input data is provided. Depending on the meteorological parameter and the data availability for the individual days, the most appropriate interpolation method is chosen automatically from inverse distance weighting, Ordinary Least Squares interpolation, Ordinary or Universal Kriging. Depending on elevation simulated annual sublimation in the period 1986–2006 was 23 to 35 mm, i.e. approximately 80% of total snowfall. Moreover, future climate projections for 2071–2100 of ECHAM5 and HadCM3, based on the A1B emission scenario of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, were analysed with TRAIN. In the case of ECHAM5 simulated sublimation increases by up to 17% (26...41 mm) while it remains at the same level for HadCM3 (24...34 mm). The differences are mainly due to a distinct increase in winter precipitation for ECHAM5. Simulated changes of the all-season hydrological conditions, e.g. the sublimation-to-precipitation ratio, were ambiguous due to diverse precipitation patterns derived by the global circulation models.

scholarly journals Research of a Biomass Boiler with Stirling Engine Microgeneration Unit

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 587-599
Author(s):  
Jānis Kramens ◽  
Edgars Vīgants ◽  
Ivars Liepiņš ◽  
Linards Vērnieks ◽  
Viktorija Terjanika
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Climate Policy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Policy Goals ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
Electrical Energy Production

Abstract A number of intergovernmental agreements, the most important of which are the Paris Agreement (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) and the European Green Deal, provide for resource efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas and particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) emissions to 2030 (short-term program to reduce emissions by at least 55 %) and to achieve emissions-neutral production, transport and household activities by 2050. The European Union (EU) has taken the lead in developing and implementing climate change mitigation policies for both industrial and private residential homes in the world through a green course. As an EU country, Latvia has joined both the EU-level climate policy and developed its policy, regulatory documents and action plans for 2021–2030 (Latvia’s National Energy and Climate Plan for 2021–2030), climate policy, including a policy aimed at significantly reducing GHG emissions and increasing efficiency in the household sector. Achieving these climate policy goals requires both a change in human habits and more efficient technologies. This article discusses one of the technological solutions that can reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and the release of PM2.5 and PM10 from individual heating systems in private homes and small commercial facilities. Calculations of electrical energy production in mCHP mode of the system for household self-consumption based on experiments will be done. The technology involves the production of heat from biomass or other types of renewable energy sources while generating electricity for self-consumption. Conclusions of CHP mode on overall efficiency will be done.

scholarly journals Assessment of future water availability under climate change, considering scenarios for population growth and ageing infrastructure

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erle Kristvik ◽  
Tone M. Muthanna ◽  
Knut Alfredsen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Climate Projections ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
The City ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Abstract Climate change is likely to cause higher temperatures and alterations in precipitation patterns, with potential impacts on water resources. One important issue in this respect is inflow to drinking water reservoirs. Moreover, deteriorating infrastructures cause leakage in water distribution systems and urbanization augments water demand in cities. In this paper, a framework for assessing the combined impacts of multiple trends on water availability is proposed. The approach is focused on treating uncertainty in local climate projections in order to be of practical use to water suppliers and decision makers. An index for water availability (WAI) is introduced to quantify impacts of climate change, population growth, and ageing infrastructure, as well as the effects of implementing counteractive measures, and has been applied to the city of Bergen, Norway. Results of the study emphasize the importance of considering a range of climate scenarios due to the wide spread in global projections. For the specific case of Bergen, substantial alterations in the hydrological cycle were projected, leading to stronger seasonal variations and a more unpredictable water availability. By sensitivity analysis of the WAI, it was demonstrated how two adaptive measures, increased storage capacity and leakage reduction, can help counteract the impacts of climate change.

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