Climate Change and Trade Facilitation: Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emission Savings from Implementation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific

2021 ◽  
pp. 263168462110355
Author(s):  
Yann Duval ◽  
Simon Hardy

The Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific entered into force in February 2021. While economic benefits associated with paperless trade facilitation are well known, little attention has been paid to measuring the potential environmental benefits. Accordingly, this article sets out to quantify the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that could be saved if all trade-related paper documents in the region are ultimately replaced by digital documents and data exchange, as foreseen in the regional framework agreement. This is carried out by combining detailed descriptions of trade transactions, data on trading volumes and relevant emission factors. Even with conservative assumptions, the emissions saved by fully digitalising a single end-to-end trade transaction are equivalent to planting 1.5 trees. For the Asia-Pacific, this implies savings of about 13 million tons of CO2e annually, equivalent to the carbon absorbed by 400 million trees. The results are driven by efficiency gains from handling data digitally rather than by the direct savings of paper and ink. JEL Classification: F18, H83, Q56

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-31
Author(s):  
Y. Duval ◽  
T. Wang ◽  
C. Utoktham ◽  
A. Kravchenko

Reducing trade costs is essential to achieve Asian integration. Trade costs in the Asian and the Pacific region remain high, in particular, between different Asian subregions. Significant progress has been made in implementation of trade facilitation measures between 2015 and 2017, particularly those included in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). However, progress in implementing of next-generation digital trade facilitation measures, such as cross-border paperless trade measures, has been more limited. Simulation results suggest that full implementation of such measures could nearly double trade costs reductions expected from WTO TFA implementation. A new regional United Nations (UN) treaty, the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific, may accelerate progress in this area. JEL Codes: F13, F15, F17


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 3582
Author(s):  
Sungwoo Lee ◽  
Sungho Tae

Multiple nations have implemented policies for greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction since the 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21) at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2015. In this convention, participants voluntarily agreed to a new climate regime that aimed to decrease GHG emissions. Subsequently, a reduction in GHG emissions with specific reduction technologies (renewable energy) to decrease energy consumption has become a necessity and not a choice. With the launch of the Korean Emissions Trading Scheme (K-ETS) in 2015, Korea has certified and financed GHG reduction projects to decrease emissions. To help the user make informed decisions for economic and environmental benefits from the use of renewable energy, an assessment model was developed. This study establishes a simple assessment method (SAM), an assessment database (DB) of 1199 GHG reduction technologies implemented in Korea, and a machine learning-based GHG reduction technology assessment model (GRTM). Additionally, we make suggestions on how to evaluate economic benefits, which can be obtained in conjunction with the environmental benefits of GHG reduction technology. Finally, we validate the applicability of the assessment model on a public building in Korea.


2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Vellini ◽  
Jacopo Tonziello

Hydrogen technology is becoming ever more relevant because hydrogen use can help in containing greenhouse gas emission if CO2 capture and storage technologies are implemented in the hydrogen production pathway (when hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels). This work aims at carrying out a comparative analysis of possible energy scenarios in urban districts. A medium-small Italian city is considered as a reference case, and its energy consumption both for domestic and industrial use is evaluated. The current situation in which conventional technologies meet the energy needs is compared with a hypothetical scenario where hydrogen is largely used. Two options of hydrogen production from commercially ready technologies are investigated: coal gasification and steam methane reforming, as well as hydrogen use in advanced energy systems for transports and for thermal and electric energy generations. Also, the environmental impacts are evaluated. This study is particularly focused on greenhouse gas emissions with specific reference to carbon dioxide. The final goal is to define an alternative scenario, quantifying the energy needs and the relative environmental impacts in order to obtain quantitative information on the environmental benefits of the hydrogen scenario, as well as to identify its possible structural and functional criticalities.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriano Vinca ◽  
Simon Parkinson ◽  
Keywan Riahi

<p>The Indus Basin, a densely irrigated area home to about 300-million people, has expected growing demands for water, energy and food in the coming decades.  With no abundant surface water left in the basin and accelerating use of groundwater, long-term strategic and integrated management of water and its interlinked sectors (water-energy-land) is fundamental for the sustainable development of the region. Cooperation among riparian countries is an alternative to current situation that could help achieving water-energy-land related Sustainable Development Goals, maximizing socio-environmental benefits and minimizing costs. We show a scenario-based analysis using numerical models (The Nexus Solution Tool) where we link local issues and policies to the Sustainable Development Goals, showing magnitude and geographical location of required investments to meet SDG and the associated impacts. Finally, we discuss the barriers to cross-border cooperation and explore cases of partial cooperation, which confirms significant environmental and economic benefits.</p>


2021 ◽  
pp. 089033442199476
Author(s):  
JP Dadhich ◽  
Julie P. Smith ◽  
Alessandro Iellamo ◽  
Adlina Suleiman

Background There is growing recognition that current food systems and policies are environmentally unsustainable. There is an identified need to integrate sustainability objectives into national food policy and dietary recommendations. Research Aims To (1) describe exploratory estimates of greenhouse gas emission factors for all infant and young child milk formula products and (2) estimate national greenhouse gas emission association with commercial milk formulas sold in selected countries in the Asia Pacific region. Method We used a secondary data analysis descriptive design incorporating a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) concepts and methodology to estimate kg CO2 eq. emissions per kg of milk formula, using greenhouse gas emission factors for milk powder, vegetable oils, and sugars identified from a literature review. Proportions of ingredients were calculated using FAO Codex Alimentarius guidance on milk formula products. Estimates were calculated for production and processing of individual ingredients from cradle to factory gate. Annual retail sales data for 2012–2017 was sourced from Euromonitor International for six purposively selected countries; Australia, South Korea, China, Malaysia, India, Philippines. Results Annual emissions for milk formula products ranged from 3.95–4.04 kg CO2 eq. Milk formula sold in the six countries in 2012 contributed 2,893,030 tons CO2 eq. to global greenhouse gas emissions. Aggregate emissions were highest for products (e.g., toddler formula), which dominated sales growth. Projected 2017 emissions for milk formula retailed in China alone were 4,219,052 tons CO2 eq. Conclusions Policies, programs and investments to shift infant and young child diets towards less manufactured milk formula and more breastfeeding are “Triple Duty Actions” that help improve dietary quality and population health and improve the sustainability of the global food system.


2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gernot Bodner ◽  
Axel Mentler ◽  
Andreas Klik ◽  
Hans-Peter Kaul ◽  
Sophie Zechmeister-Boltenstern

SummaryCover cropping is a key agro-environmental measure in Europe. Cover crops may reduce N2O emissions by reducing soil nitrate content, while easily decomposable residues can enhance greenhouse gas losses. In a field study, emissions from the cover cropped fields compared to the fallow at two climatically different sites (semi-arid vs. humid) in Austria were measured with closed chambers and different driving factors were studied. The height of post-cover crop emissions was compared to gaseous losses during the management operations in the subsequent main crop maize. N2O and CO2emissions following the cover crops were low even at high emission moments compared to the losses induced by the main crop management operations. Highest risk of N2O losses was from mustards due to low C/N ratio and possibly as a consequence of glucosinolate decomposition. CO2emissions in the cover cropped plots were generally higher compared to the fallow, indicating an enhanced soil microbiological activity. Dissolved organic carbon was found as a sensitive indicator related to the greenhouse gas emissions. We concluded that the environmental benefits from cover cropping are not achieved at the cost of an enhanced greenhouse gas emission and that pure stands of late sown brassica cover crops should be avoided to prevent any risk of increased N2O losses.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
AISDL

In a globalized economy, countries actively participate in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to bring their advantageous products to the global market through cross-border transport to satisfy customers. Trade Facilitation (TF) has become key to address the difficulties faced by traders in cross-border transport. In the trend of global TF, Vietnam has always been committed to implement TF measures by simplify customs procedures and improving customs clearance efficiency at the border crossing in order to help traders reduce their trading costs. This paper mainly considers the impact of TF measures on Vietnam‘s trade flow under the effect of FTAs. Using the gravity model extended with quantitative measures of customs environment, regulatory environment, and service infrastructure, this paper estimates the impact of TF on bilateral trade flows with Vietnam. The results show that port and customs effects have positive impacts on Vietnam's trade flows. The results also show that these impacts are consistent despite the existence of FTAs. The implementation of TF measures always requires coordination of countries to produce the best results. Indeed, the increase in trade flows between countries will bring economic benefits. And when the reforms of TF are strictly implemented, reducing trade costs will increase trade volume. In a nutshell, TF has gradually become one of the important factors of economic growth.


2021 ◽  
Vol 885 (1) ◽  
pp. 012025
Author(s):  
A V Moshkov ◽  
O S Kornienko

Abstract Pacific Russia is a region with a unique natural resource and economic potential, where effective socio-economic development is possible due to its favourable economic and geographical location and cross-border cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. An important role in the development of foreign economic cooperation belongs to the sectors of the marine industry. At the same time, it should be noted that the commodity structure of exports from the Pacific region of Russia is dominated by products with low added value, and in the structure of imports, on the contrary, manufacturing products. The current trends in cross-border cooperation are due to the current structure of production in Pacific Russia, the influence of natural resource and transport factors, and the demand of foreign consumers. In Pacific Russia, there are coastal (Pacific) “Northern” and “Southern” socio-economic zones - in the “Northern”, there is the highest share of mining, production and distribution of electricity; in the “Southern” – a high share of fishing and fish farming, manufacturing, services, transport and communications.


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