scholarly journals Production efficiency and GHG emissions reduction potential evaluation in the crop production system based on emergy synthesis and nonseparable undesirable output DEA: A case study in Zhejiang Province, China

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. e0206680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Dong ◽  
Zhengzao Wang ◽  
Xianqiang Mao
Keyword(s):  
Production System ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Reduction Potential ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Emissions Reduction ◽  
Undesirable Output ◽  
Emergy Synthesis ◽  
Potential Evaluation

Down scaling to regional assessment of greenhouse gas emissions to enable consistency in accounting for emissions reduction projects and national inventory accounts for northern beef production in Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra J. Eady ◽  
Guillaume Havard ◽  
Steven G. Bray ◽  
William Holmes ◽  
Javi Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Emissions Reduction ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Reproduction Rate ◽  
National Accounts ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
National Inventory ◽  
State Territory

This paper explores the effect of using regional data for livestock attributes on estimation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the northern beef industry in Australia, compared with using state/territory-wide values, as currently used in Australia’s national GHG inventory report. Regional GHG emissions associated with beef production are reported for 21 defined agricultural statistical regions within state/territory jurisdictions. A management scenario for reduced emissions that could qualify as an Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) project was used to illustrate the effect of regional level model parameters on estimated abatement levels. Using regional parameters, instead of state level parameters, for liveweight (LW), LW gain and proportion of cows lactating and an expanded number of livestock classes, gives a 5.2% reduction in estimated emissions (range +12% to –34% across regions). Estimated GHG emissions intensity (emissions per kilogram of LW sold) varied across the regions by up to 2.5-fold, ranging from 10.5 kg CO2-e kg–1 LW sold for Darling Downs, Queensland, through to 25.8 kg CO2-e kg–1 LW sold for the Pindan and North Kimberley, Western Australia. This range was driven by differences in production efficiency, reproduction rate, growth rate and survival. This suggests that some regions in northern Australia are likely to have substantial opportunities for GHG abatement and higher livestock income. However, this must be coupled with the availability of management activities that can be implemented to improve production efficiency; wet season phosphorus (P) supplementation being one such practice. An ERF case study comparison showed that P supplementation of a typical-sized herd produced an estimated reduction of 622 t CO2-e year–1, or 7%, compared with a non-P supplemented herd. However, the different model parameters used by the National Inventory Report and ERF project means that there was an anomaly between the herd emissions for project cattle excised from the national accounts (13 479 t CO2-e year–1) and the baseline herd emissions estimated for the ERF project (8 896 t CO2-e year–1) before P supplementation was implemented. Regionalising livestock model parameters in both ERF projects and the national accounts offers the attraction of being able to more easily and accurately reflect emissions savings from this type of emissions reduction project in Australia’s national GHG accounts.

scholarly journals Energy recovery and efficiency improvement for an activated sludge, agro-food WWTP upgrade

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 909-921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arianna Callegari ◽  
Joanna Boguniewicz-Zablocka ◽  
Andrea G. Capodaglio
Keyword(s):  
Energy Recovery ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Surface Water Quality ◽  
Regulatory Compliance ◽  
Emissions Reduction ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Local Water ◽  
By Products

Abstract Wastewater treatment's primary purpose is to protect surface water quality, aquatic life, beneficial and recreational uses of waterways, and primarily comply with local water emission standards. Lately, additional requirements were added for these facilities, concerning minimization of a series of sidestream environmental impacts (i.e., odours, generated waste by-products, etc.), air emissions, including CO2, methane and nitrogen greenhouse gases (GHGs), and mitigation of various other likely impacts resulting from energy and chemical use in treatment processes. This paper describes a case study in Northern Europe, where critical analysis of an industrial wastewater treatment plant's present conditions, during an evaluation of upgrade possibilities to improve regulatory compliance, led to a sustainable intervention proposal. According to the formulated proposal, process improvement, energy recovery, and overall savings and GHG emissions reduction could be simultaneously achieved with a series of relatively simple interventions.

scholarly journals Adaptation and mitigation synergies to improve sanitation: a case study in Morelos, Mexico

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 671-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ines Navarro González ◽  
Blanca Jiménez Cisneros ◽  
Nidya Aponte Hernández ◽  
Raquel Montes Rojas
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Emissions Reduction ◽  
Baseline Scenario ◽  
Ipcc Guidelines ◽  
Business As Usual

Abstract The management of wastewater is the fifth largest single source of CH4 emissions and the sixth of N2O. Options to improve sanitation within the Morelos State in Mexico were compared applying a modification of the IPCC guidelines to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A 2030 business-as-usual scenario which considers current sanitation practices and 2010 baseline-scenario, showed that septic tanks, the main state option for sanitation, were the principal source of emissions, even higher than from non-controlled wastewater discharges. These scenarios also revealed that the two metropolitan areas were key in terms of mitigation as they contributed 88% of the total GHG emissions. For the 2030A scenario (sanitation + adaptation), it was seen that if the policy of septic tank usage continues, and the existing wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are rehabilitated, the GHG emissions would be reduced by 2% compared to the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario. In contrast, if a policy were adopted considering in addition mitigation measures, 26% GHG emissions reduction might be achieved. Additional co-benefits will be obtained in several sectors, including health (diarrheal and dengue diseases control), agriculture, and the environment, performing a more efficient and integrated management of water and achieving savings on the operating costs of WWTPs through co-generation.

The 2020 emissions reduction impact of urban water conservation in California

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Haley ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Gallo ◽  
Abigail Kehr ◽  
Michael Perry ◽  
David Siao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Emissions Reduction ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
End Use ◽  
Year 2000 ◽  
The Impact

This paper assesses the potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction impacts of urban water conservation. Using California as a case study, it estimates this co-benefit of California's statewide urban water conservation goal of 20% per capita reduction by 2020 (relative to a year 2000 baseline). We developed a model of a water supply system to assess the impact of reduced urban water demand on emissions. Embedded energy and emissions were established for each stage of the water supply cycle: supply and conveyance, treatment, distribution, end use and wastewater treatment. We conclude that water conservation, in addition to being an important strategy for adaptation to climate change, represents a significant opportunity for mitigation. Under policies that prioritize savings of water that is heated, the most energy-intensive process in the supply cycle, water conservation offers the potential to conserve 3.5 Mt CO2e in 2020. This result suggests that water conservation could be an important mitigation strategy in other states, even those that are not water-constrained and do not have highly energy intensive supply sources.

scholarly journals Meeting National Emissions Reduction Obligations: A Case Study of Australia

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tek Maraseni ◽  
Kathryn Reardon-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Kyoto Protocol ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
National Level ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Emissions Reduction ◽  
Cumulative Impact ◽  
Commitment Period

Akin to a public good, emissions reduction suffers from the ‘free rider’ syndrome. Although many countries claim that they are meeting their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction commitments, the average global temperature and GHG emissions continue to rise. This has led to growing speculation that some countries may be taking advantage of the system by effectively exploiting a range of loopholes in global agreements. Using a case study approach, we critically review the evidence from Australia, exploring how Australia has participated in global climate change negotiations and the way in which this emissions intensive country’s national emissions reduction obligations have been met. The findings suggest that: (1) successful negotiation to include Article 3.7 (‘Adjusting the 1990 Baseline’ or ‘the Australia Clause’) in the Kyoto Protocol significantly favored Australia’s ability to meet its First Kyoto Commitment (2008–2012); and (2) successful bargaining for the accounting rule that allowed carbon credits from the first commitment period to be carried over to the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol benefitted Australia by 128 MtCO2e. At the national level, a lack of bipartisan political support for an effective mechanism to drive emissions reduction has also been problematic. While the introduction of the Carbon Pricing Mechanism (CPM) in 2012 reduced emissions from electricity production from about 199.1 MtCO2e to 180.8 MtCO2e in 2014, a change of government led to the abolition of the CPM in 2014 and emissions from electricity production subsequently rose to 187 MtCO2e in 2015 and 189 MtCO2e in 2016 with adverse impacts in many sectors as well as Australia’s overall emissions. The current Australian government continues to undermine its commitment to mitigation and the integrity and credibility of its own emissions reductions policy, introducing a softer ‘calculated baseline’ for its own Safeguard Mechanism, which allows companies to upwardly adjust their calculated baselines on the basis of their highest expected emissions, permitting emissions in excess of their historical emissions. While disappointing in the context of the global emissions reduction project, Australia’s actions are sadly not unique and we also provide examples of loopholes exploited by countries participating in a range of other negotiations and emissions reduction projects. Such strategies undoubtedly serve the short-term political and economic interests of these countries; however, it is increasingly apparent that the cumulative impact of such tactics will ultimately impact the entire global community.

scholarly journals Opportunities for Agricultural Producers to Participate in Compliance and Voluntary Carbon Markets

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Smith ◽  
Robert Parkhurst
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Reduction Potential ◽  
Emissions Reduction ◽  
Carbon Markets ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Agricultural Producers ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Voluntary Carbon Markets ◽  
Potential Complex

The agricultural sector’s potential for carbon offset generation is widely recognized, but few offset protocols in North American compliance or voluntary markets have successfully generated large volumes of offset credits. Here we use the Rice Cultivation Projects Compliance Offset Protocol—which has generated no offsets since its adoption by the California Air Resources Board in 2015—as a case study to examine barriers to agricultural offset generation. These barriers, which include small projects; low emissions reduction potential; complex emissions quantification; complex, non-standardized data management; and high verification costs, apply to many unproductive agricultural offset protocols and present an opportunity for additional policy action. By examining other protocols in North America’s compliance and voluntary offset markets, we identify design elements that can overcome these barriers and facilitate offset generation. These elements include standardized, technology-aided data management; streamlined emissions quantification methods such as emissions factors or N-balance; and project bundling.

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