scholarly journals Constructing a greenhouse gas emissions inventory using energy balances: the case of South Africa for 1998

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 21-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
JN Blignaut ◽  
MR Chitiga-Mabugu ◽  
RM Mabugu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Emissions Inventory ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Equivalents ◽  
Energy Balances

This paper discusses the procedures and results of constructing a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory for South Africa, using the official national energy balance for 1998. In doing so, the paper offers a snapshot of the South African energy supply and demand profile and encompassing greenhouse gas emissions profiles, disaggregated into 40 economic sectors, for the reference year. For convenience, energy supply and use are reported in both native units and terra joule (TJ), while emissions are expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents and reported in giga-gram (Gg). While carbon dioxide makes an overwhelming contribution to global anthropogenic GHG emissions, the inclusion of methane and nitrous oxide offers considerable richness to the analysis of climate change policies. Applying the energy balances, it was possible to compile a comprehensive emissions inventory using a consistent methodology across all sectors of the economy. The inventory allows the economic analyst to model various economic policies either with fuel as an input to production, or the consumption of fuel or the emissions generated during combustion, as a base of the analysis. The dominant role of coal as a source of energy, with a total primary energy supply (TPES) of 3.3 million TJ or 70 per cent of the total TPES, is clearly shown. Emissions from coal combustion (263 783 Gg of carbon dioxide equivalents or 74.7 per cent of total emissions) are henceforth the largest contributor to total emissions, estimated to be 352 932 Gg carbon dioxide equivalents.

scholarly journals Greenhouse gas emissions from the water–air interface of a grassland river: a case study of the Xilin River

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Hao ◽  
Yu Ruihong ◽  
Zhang Zhuangzhuang ◽  
Qi Zhen ◽  
Lu Xixi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Sand Land ◽  
Very High

AbstractGreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from rivers and lakes have been shown to significantly contribute to global carbon and nitrogen cycling. In spatiotemporal-variable and human-impacted rivers in the grassland region, simultaneous carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide emissions and their relationships under the different land use types are poorly documented. This research estimated greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4, N2O) emissions in the Xilin River of Inner Mongolia of China using direct measurements from 18 field campaigns under seven land use type (such as swamp, sand land, grassland, pond, reservoir, lake, waste water) conducted in 2018. The results showed that CO2 emissions were higher in June and August, mainly affected by pH and DO. Emissions of CH4 and N2O were higher in October, which were influenced by TN and TP. According to global warming potential, CO2 emissions accounted for 63.35% of the three GHG emissions, and CH4 and N2O emissions accounted for 35.98% and 0.66% in the Xilin river, respectively. Under the influence of different degrees of human-impact, the amount of CO2 emissions in the sand land type was very high, however, CH4 emissions and N2O emissions were very high in the artificial pond and the wastewater, respectively. For natural river, the greenhouse gas emissions from the reservoir and sand land were both low. The Xilin river was observed to be a source of carbon dioxide and methane, and the lake was a sink for nitrous oxide.

The End of Meat

World on Fire ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 109-128
Author(s):  
Mark Rowlands
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Global Warming Potential ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Eating Meat ◽  
Very High

The edge required by renewable technologies is provided by a simplification of the energy supply train. This simplification consists in no longer eating animals. Animals have upside-down energy returned on energy invested values (EROIs), with up to 30 times as much energy having to be put into raising them as we get out of them through eating them or their products. At one time, when our fossil fuels sported extraordinarily high EROIs—100:1 in some cases—we could afford to take this sort of hit on our food-based energy supply. Now, however, we can no longer afford to do so. Moreover, the results of this grossly inefficient energy exchange are rising greenhouse gas emissions. By no longer eating meat, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 14%. Importantly, much of this reduction will be in methane and nitrous dioxide, which have very high global warming potential relative to carbon dioxide.

scholarly journals Climate Change-Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis and Forecast in Romania

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 12186
Author(s):  
Georgiana Moiceanu ◽  
Mirela Nicoleta Dinca
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Exponential Function ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gases (GHG), such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other gases, are considered to be the main cause of global climate change, and this problem has received significant global attention. Carbon dioxide has been considered the most significant gas contributing to global climate change. Our paper presents an analysis of the greenhouse gas emissions in Romania along with a forecast for the years to come. For the study, data from the National Institute of Statistics and Eurostat were gathered and used for the analysis in order to present the results. To obtain the results, the data gathered were analyzed using forecasting methods that can be of help in solving some uncertainties that surround the future. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions trends in Romania were analyzed both for linear and exponential function methods. The obtained results showed that the linear function analysis of total GHG emissions in Romania had a forecast accuracy higher than the exponential function method. From the analytical methods used we can draw the conclusion that the emissions are on a descending scale and choosing a proper method is important in analyzing data.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Food Retailers Regarding Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-73
Author(s):  
Ayanda Pamella Deliwe ◽  
Shelley Beryl Beck ◽  
Elroy Eugene Smith
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Food Chain ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Food Retailers ◽  
Earth’S System

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and its associated effects have been a debate in literature for many years (Hoffman, 2011:5; Williams & Schaefer, 2012:175; Whitmarsh, 2011:690). According to Jackson (2016), climate change is seen as a yearly change within the earth's climate that is a result of changes in its atmosphere, as well as interactions between the atmosphere and other chemical, geologic, geographic and biological factors within the earth's system. Climate change has primarily caused a warming effect of the earth's atmosphere that has affected all aspects of life (Pachauri & Reisinger, 2007:7). While there are limited studies that measure greenhouse gas emissions arising from the entire global food chain, there have been estimates of GHG emissions attributable to global agricultural production (Garnett, 2011:23). Energy consumption is one of the biggest challenges food retailers are facing as it not only increases overhead costs but also GHG emission (Tassou, Hadawey & Marriott, 2011). Garnett (2011) alleges that the food chain produces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at all stages in its life cycle, from the farming process and its inputs, through to manufacture, distribution, refrigeration, retailing, food preparation in the home and waste disposal. Technological improvements, while essential, will not be sufficient in reducing GHG emissions. The combination of population growth and rising per capita anticipated consumption of meat and dairy products will undermine the cuts that technological and managerial innovation can achieve. Over the last few years food retailers in South Africa started to focus their attention towards GHG emissions, but there is still no framework for food retailers to reduce GHG emissions in South Africa (Tassou et al. 2007:2988). Various studies have argued that the food and drink, transportation, and construction industry sectors are regarded as the most significant contributors to GHG emissions (European Commission, 2006; SEI, WWF & CURE, 2006 and UNEP, 2008). Significant changes in food production and increases in food transport have resulted. The production of food on farms has become increasingly mechanised, large-scale, and specialised; and food supply chains have become more complicated and transport-intensive (Roelich, 2008). Food retailers are contributing to GHG emissions by means of electricity usage through refrigerator equipment, lighting, heating, air conditioning, baking and other secondary services. There is no general strategy for food retailers to reduce GHG emission and minimal research has been done in this sector (Tassou et al, 2011). Keywords: climate change; food retailers; greenhouse gas emission; perceptions; strategies

scholarly journals Nigeria’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Estimations Based on the 5th Assessment Report

2021 ◽  
pp. 52-59
Author(s):  
C. E. Ezeokoro ◽  
T. G Leton ◽  
Y. Momoh
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Gas Composition ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Emissions Inventory ◽  
Assessment Report ◽  
Gas Flaring ◽  
Gas Utilization

The lack of GHG emissions inventory and absence of standardized estimation methods necessitated this study. American Petroleum Institute’s method of Greenhouse gas estimation methods combined with the global warming potential in the 5th assessment report and Nigeria’s unique gas composition were used to estimate volume of GHG’s resulting from gas flaring in Nigeria between 1965 to 2020, as reported by NNPC. The findings show the total CO2, CH4, N2O and GHG emission between 1965 to 2020 were 1.86*109 tons, 3.3*108 tons, 5.76*109 tons, and 7.94*109 tons respectively. In the 56 years under review, the gas produced was estimated at 2,14*106 MCM, while 9.44*105 MCM of the gas was flared, accounting for 44% of the total gas produced over the years. Overall, the study revealed a striking cause for concern due to the predicted continuous increasing amount of gas flaring and release of greenhouse gas emissions which could have significant effects on the environment. Curbing gas flaring: increased gas utilization for domestic and export uses and standardization of GHG estimation methods were recommended.

Variation of greenhouse gas emissions and identification of their drivers during the fattening of Belgian Blue White bulls based on a LCA approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 322
Author(s):  
Michaël Mathot ◽  
Eric Elias ◽  
Edouard Reding ◽  
Amélie Vanlierde ◽  
Werne Reuter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Mitigation Options ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Equivalents ◽  
The Impact

Greenhouse gas emission intensity (GHGI; kilograms carbon dioxide equivalents/kilograms liveweight gain) have to be reduced so as to limit the impact of human activities on global warming while furnishing food to human. In this respect, performances of 654 Belgian Blue double-muscled bulls (BBdm) during their fattening phase were recorded. On this basis, their greenhouse gas emissions were modelled to estimate variation in GHGI and investigate mitigation options at that level. The relevance of theses option is discussed, taking into account the whole life and production system scales. Large variations (mean (s.d.)) were observed (from 7.2 (0.4) to 10.0 (0.7) kg carbon dioxide equivalents/kg liveweight gain) for, respectively, the 1st- and 4th-quantile groups defined for GHGI. Early culling, low liveweight and age at start of the fattening phase of the bulls would lead to a reduction of GHGI. Nevertheless, more than 32% of the variation remained unexplained. However, decision leading to reduction of GHG intensity at this stage of the life may be compensated in the early stage of BBdm. Attention is drawn on the necessity to encompass the whole life of BBdm for investigating mitigation options and on the sensitivity of the results on models and methodological choices.

Ecological specificities of the interaction between animal breeding and climate changes, caused by greenhouse gas emissions

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 62-72
Author(s):  
O. Zhukorsky ◽  
O. Nykyforuk ◽  
N. Boltyk
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Animal Breeding ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Emissions Inventory ◽  
Theoretical Substantiation ◽  
Global Problems

Aim. Proper development of animal breeding in the conditions of current global problems and the decrease of anthropogenic burden on environment due to greenhouse gas emissions, caused by animal breeding activity, require the study of interaction processes between animal breeding and external climatic conditions. Methods. The theoretical substantiation of the problem was performed based on scientifi c literature, statistical informa- tion of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the data of the National greenhouse gas emissions inventory in Ukraine. Theoretically possible emissions of greenhouse gases into atmosphere due to animal breeding in Ukraine and specifi c farms are calculated by the international methods using the statistical infor- mation about animal breeding in Ukraine and the economic-technological information of the activity of the investigated farms. Results. The interaction between the animal breeding production and weather-and-climate conditions of environment was analyzed. Possible vectors of activity for the industry, which promote global warming and negative processes, related to it, were determined. The main factors, affecting the formation of greenhouse gases from the activity of enterprises, aimed at animal breeding production, were characterized. Literature data, statistical data and calculations were used to analyze the role of animal breeding in the green- house gas emissions in global and national framework as well as at the level of specifi c farms with the consid- eration of individual specifi cities of these farms. Conclusions. Current global problems require clear balance between constant development of sustainable animal breeding and the decrease of the carbon footprint due to the activity of animal breeding.

Remotely sensed temperature is a proxy of greenhouse gas emissions in intact and managed peatlands

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ain Kull ◽  
Iuliia Burdun ◽  
Gert Veber ◽  
Oleksandr Karasov ◽  
Martin Maddison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Water Table Depth ◽  
Gas Emissions

<p>Besides water table depth, soil temperature is one of the main drivers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in intact and managed peatlands. In this work, we evaluate the performance of remotely sensed land surface temperature (LST) as a proxy of greenhouse gas emissions in intact, drained and extracted peatlands. For this, we used chamber-measured carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) and methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) data from seven peatlands in Estonia collected during vegetation season in 2017–2020. Additionally, we used temperature and water table depth data measured in situ. We studied relationships between CO<sub>2</sub>, CH<sub>4</sub>, in-situ parameters and remotely sensed LST from Landsat 7 and 8, and MODIS Terra. Results of our study suggest that LST has stronger relationships with surface and soil temperature as well as with ecosystem respiration (R<sub>eco</sub>) over drained and extracted sites than over intact ones. Over the extracted cites the correlation between R<sub>eco</sub> CO<sub>2</sub> and LST is 0.7, and over the drained sites correlation is 0.5. In natural sites, we revealed a moderate positive relationship between LST and CO<sub>2</sub> emitted in hollows (correlation is 0.6) while it is weak in hummocks (correlation is 0.3). Our study contributes to the better understanding of relationships between greenhouse gas emissions and their remotely sensed proxies over peatlands with different management status and enables better spatial assessment of GHG emissions in drainage affected northern temperate peatlands.</p>

scholarly journals Emissions of carbon dioxide and methane from fields fertilized with digestate from an agricultural biogas plant

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Czubaszek ◽  
Agnieszka Wysocka-Czubaszek
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Eddy Covariance ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Gas Fluxes ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
Eddy Covariance System

AbstractDigestate from biogas plants can play important role in agriculture by providing nutrients, improving soil structure and reducing the use of mineral fertilizers. Still, less is known about greenhouse gas emissions from soil during and after digestate application. The aim of the study was to estimate the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) from a field which was fertilized with digestate. The gas fluxes were measured with the eddy covariance system. Each day, the eddy covariance system was installed in various places of the field, depending on the dominant wind direction, so that each time the results were obtained from an area where the digestate was distributed. The results showed the relatively low impact of the studied gases emissions on total greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Maximum values of the CO2and CH4fluxes, 79.62 and 3.049 µmol s−1m−2, respectively, were observed during digestate spreading on the surface of the field. On the same day, the digestate was mixed with the topsoil layer using a disc harrow. This resulted in increased CO2emissions the following day. Intense mineralization of digestate, observed after fertilization may not give the expected effects in terms of protection and enrichment of soil organic matter.

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