scholarly journals Restore: an R of sustainability that can tame the “conundrum”

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eckart Bindewald
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emission ◽  
Carbon Offsets ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Feedback Mechanisms ◽  
Rebound Effects ◽  
The Common ◽  
Environmental Causes ◽  
Fourth Component

The environmental benefits of sustainability efforts can be rendered less effective due to economic feedback mechanisms. As a remedy against such rebound effects, a reinvestment strategy towards environmental causes has been suggested. Here, a practical implementation of such a reinvestment strategy is presented. It involves a) estimating the financial savings resulting from sustainability efforts, b) informing the participants that the environmental benefit of the efforts is reduced by economic feedback mechanisms and c) asking them to donate a fraction of the expected savings towards environmental causes. An easy-to-use methodology for estimating rebound effects of sustainability efforts is presented in order to quantify the efficacy of this approach. CO2 emission offsets are used as an example of donations towards environmental causes. It is shown, that donating even a small amount (less than 1% of financial savings obtained from conservation or engineering savings) of donated carbon offsets can more than eliminate the estimated rebound effects. This then leads to the restore principle, that states that the environmental benefit of reducing activities with average environmental impact is dramatically improved if a fraction of the resulting financial savings is applied towards environmental causes. This approach is made practical by augmenting the common reduce, reuse, recycle motto with a fourth component: reduce, reuse, recycle and restore.

scholarly journals Restore: An R of sustainability that can tame the “conundrum”

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eckart Bindewald
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Carbon Offsets ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Feedback Mechanisms ◽  
Rebound Effects ◽  
The Common ◽  
Environmental Causes ◽  
Fourth Component

The environmental benefits of sustainability efforts can be rendered less effective due to economic feedback mechanisms. As a remedy against such rebound effects, a reinvestment strategy towards environmental causes has been suggested. Here, a practical implementation of such a reinvestment strategy is presented. It involves a) estimating the financial savings resulting from sustainability efforts, b) informing the participants that the environmental benefit of the efforts is reduced by economic feedback mechanisms and c) asking them to donate a fraction of the expected savings towards environmental causes. An easy-to-use methodology for estimating rebound effects of sustainability efforts is presented in order to quantify the efficacy of this approach. CO2 emission offsets are used as an example of donations towards environmental causes. It is shown, that donating even a small amount (less than 1% of financial savings obtained from conservation or engineering savings) of donated carbon offsets can more than eliminate the estimated rebound effects. This then leads to the restore principle, that states that the environmental benefit of reducing activities with average environmental impact is dramatically improved if a fraction of the resulting financial savings is applied towards environmental causes. This approach is made practical by augmenting the common reduce, reuse, recycle motto with a fourth component: reduce, reuse, recycle and restore.

scholarly journals Restore: An R of sustainability that can tame the “conundrum”

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eckart Bindewald
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Carbon Offsets ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Feedback Mechanisms ◽  
Rebound Effects ◽  
The Common ◽  
Environmental Causes ◽  
Fourth Component

The environmental benefits of sustainability efforts can be rendered less effective due to economic feedback mechanisms. As a remedy against such rebound effects, a reinvestment strategy towards environmental causes has been suggested. Here, a practical implementation of such a reinvestment strategy is presented. It involves a) estimating the financial savings resulting from sustainability efforts, b) informing the participants that the environmental benefit of the efforts is reduced by economic feedback mechanisms and c) asking them to donate a fraction of the expected savings towards environmental causes. An easy-to-use methodology for estimating rebound effects of sustainability efforts is presented in order to quantify the efficacy of this approach. CO2 emission offsets are used as an example of donations towards environmental causes. It is shown, that donating even a small amount (less than 1% of financial savings obtained from conservation or engineering savings) of donated carbon offsets can more than eliminate the estimated rebound effects. This then leads to the restore principle, that states that the environmental benefit of reducing activities with average environmental impact is dramatically improved if a fraction of the resulting financial savings is applied towards environmental causes. This approach is made practical by augmenting the common reduce, reuse, recycle motto with a fourth component: reduce, reuse, recycle and restore.

Counting Fish: Environmental Benefits Calculation for Avoided Costs Analysis in Urban Water Use Efficiency Planning

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Shulte Joung ◽  
Mary Ann Dickinson
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Conservation Programs ◽  
Water Utility ◽  
Water Savings ◽  
Urban Water Use ◽  
Use Efficiency

This report documents a project undertaken for the California Urban Water Conservation Council to create a method to calculate water utility avoided costs and assign economic value to the environmental benefits of raw water savings as a result of implementing urban water conservation programs. It is assumed that water savings associated with implementation of conservation programs can be quantified and represented as a reduction in the demand for water from a particular set of supply sources. This demand reduction may in turn result in a change to the availability of an environmental benefit provided by that source. Environmental valuation, as it is applied here, is relatively new and there are numerous complications, ambiguities, data gaps and differences of opinion in the application of the methodology. For that reason, this report should be considered a pioneering effort to put together all the required elements in a single coherent framework.

scholarly journals Economic Feasibility of Solar Irrigation Pumps: A Study of Northern Bangladesh

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Md. Tawhidul Islam ◽  
Md. Elias Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Service Model ◽  
The Government

Bangladesh is the most densely populated country in the world. With a total population of around 165 million, the country has constantly been facing food security challenges and other problems. Therefore, increasing food production is one of the feasible solutions to this challenge, and proper agricultural land use for food production bears critical importance. Adopting sustainable irrigation systems and viable technologies would be vital for ensuring efficient use of agricultural land in Bangladesh to safeguard the country's food security. Solar irrigation pumps (SIPs) can be a reliable option in this regard. However, Bangladesh has experienced a prolonged growth rate of SIP installation in the last decade.  The countryhas set a target to install 10000 SIPs by the year 2027, albeit it is a tiny share of the 1.57 million conventional irrigation pumps operating in the country. This study aims to investigate the economic feasibility of the SIPs operating in the northern region of Bangladesh in terms of estimating financial feasibility and environmental benefits. The study is mainly based on primary data collected from the users of SIPs from two Upazilas of Dinajpur and Rangpur districts. A total of 14 SIPs, categorized into large, medium, and small pumps, are selected randomly from the available SIPs in the study areas. The financial analysis reveals that small SIPs are the most profitable option (20% IRR) for investment. Large SIPs are moderately profitable (10% IRR), and their profitability can be improved (10.50% IRR) by introducing additional uses of solar energy. However, medium SIPs are the worst (5% IRR) option for investment. In the study areas, large and medium SIPs are designed for the 'fees for service model', and small SIPs are designed for the 'fees for ownership model'. It is found that the 'fees for ownership model' is more profitable than the 'fees for service model'. Moreover, the net environmental benefit for all SIPs is found almost equal to the given subsidy for installing them. Also, the net environmental benefit per kilowatt peak (kWp) is highest for the small SIPs. This paper recommends that additional use (e.g., husking, grinding, supply excess electricity to grid, and so on) of solar energy can improve the profitability of investmenton SIPs. Further, the government should continue giving grants for installing SIPs and promote 'fees for ownership model' (small SIPs) for personal use. It would speed up the dissemination rate of SIPs and help increase the country's agricultural production and improve the environmental conditions.

scholarly journals Kazakhstan experience in adopting NEBA within its legal framework

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dinara Amanzholova ◽  
Peter M. Taylor ◽  
Aliya Sadvokassova ◽  
Gulnara Dospayeva
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Response Options ◽  
Contingency Plans ◽  
Implementation Methodology ◽  
National Industry ◽  
International Experts ◽  
Simulation Exercises

ABSTRACT Kazakhstan's legal framework concerning oil spill issues has been reviewed and updated during 2015–2019, driven by the adoption of good international practice. Ensuring the full response toolkit is available and options are chosen to mitigate the overall impact of an incident were critical principles. The Oil Spill Preparedness Regional Initiative (OSPRI), in conjunction with national industry (North Caspian Operating Company - NCOC and KazMunaiGaz - KMG), shared the net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA) approach and later the Spill Impact Mitigation Assessment (SIMA) with key agencies and authorities as part of this effort. As the first step, workshops and seminars on NEBA were organized at local and national levels. These were facilitated by international experts and national consultants to build awareness and understanding. The second step was to embed NEBA within the legal framework. The legal system has a strong hierarchy including Codes, Laws and Orders. The National Contingency Plan (2015), approved by Order, acknowledged NEBA and gave impetus to develop additional legislation on the NEBA process. To ensure proper legal force, it was suggested to embed NEBA higher up the hierarchy, in the Subsoil Use Code (2017). Practical implementation of NEBA (during simulation exercises) and review by authorities of a draft NEBA report prepared by NCOC, revealed that the process required further clarification. It was not clear how NEBA should be presented in contingency plans, for authorities' review and approval i.e. whether it should be a separate report or incorporated within the plan. It was mooted that proposed amendments to the Environmental Code would aid clarification. In order to support a coherent process of contingency plans' approval, NEBA should be supported by a suitable and recognized implementation methodology. The SIMA methodology has been proposed as an option in Kazakhstan. Work on the Environmental Code's amendments, incorporating suitable clarifications, is expected to be completed in 2020. Based on the experience of NEBA adoption in Kazakhstan, cooperation between industry and authorities, exercises and workshops leads to positive results. The process has taken some years, as capacity building and legislative developments were required, but is reaching a successful conclusion. This will inform the choice of response options for any future incidents, to achieve least overall ecological and socio-economic impacts.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Willingness to Pay for Using Recycled Water for Irrigation

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 5220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitra Lazaridou ◽  
Anastasios Michailidis ◽  
Konstantinos Mattas
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Contingent Valuation Method ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Complete Information ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
Alternative Water

The present study attempts to estimate individuals’ willingness to pay for recycled water irrigation, in order to enhance the water supply and ensure the continuation of irrigated agriculture in Nestos catchment. Contingent valuation method has been developed for the investigation of farmers’ preferences, in monetary terms, to adopt this alternative water source for irrigation purposes. The applied method is regularly followed in the framework of environmental valuation. The results of the survey are based on data collected from questionnaires, which were answered by respondents at a river basin scale. In a representative sample of 302 farmers, we find that 64.2% of them expressed a positive stance towards using recycled water, a fact that results in lower environmental impacts. However, findings indicate that participants are willing to pay a significantly less amount of money than they already pay, for freshwater. Additionally, the analysis demonstrates that the use of recycled water in agriculture is more acceptable to respondents who are aware of its environmental benefits. Therefore, the provision of complete information on the welfare of using recycled water for irrigation to farmers may lead to greater adoption intention and a greater environmental benefit.

scholarly journals Conservation Reserve Program: Environmental Benefits Update

2007 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
LeRoy Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Conservation Reserve Program ◽  
Current Level ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Farm Production ◽  
Forest Lands ◽  
National Environmental

This paper presents the methodology, assumptions, and data used to generate regional and national environmental benefit estimates of the USDA's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). It's assumed that, without the program, production and conservation practices on CRP lands would be the same as those used on surrounding lands. When range and forest lands are (are not) included as land-use options, 54 (71) percent of the CRP land would be in crop production—which is consistent with past analyses. Soil erosion would be 222 to 248 million tons per year—about 11 percent—higher than the current level. Benefits are estimated by applying environmental benefit models, estimated in previous analyses, to the CRP's estimated effect on erosion and wildlife habitat. Nationally, the CRP is estimated to provide $1.3 billion in annual benefits, which represents 75 to 80 percent of the program's cost. In seven of the 10 USDA Farm Production Regions, the CRP's environmental benefits exceed costs. Thus, reallocating acreage to these regions could increase net program benefits. However, because many benefits could not be estimated, one cannot conclude that regional and national benefits do not exceed costs.

scholarly journals Climate and Environmental Benefit Study of PV Resource Development: Case Study of Angola

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Lei ◽  
Xi Lu ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Haoqiang Guo ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Combine Application ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Real Time Scheduling ◽  
Cost Of Electricity ◽  
Time Scheduling ◽  
Power Generation Systems

Vigorously promoting the development of photovoltaic (PV) resources is a positive measure taken by humanity in response to the changes in global climate and environment. At the same time, combining photovoltaic power generation systems with traditional power generation systems, using the advantages of different power generation systems to achieve real-time scheduling optimization has become an urgent problem to be solved in engineering applications. This paper attempts to study the climate and environmental benefits of the development of photovoltaic resource in Africa by taking Angola as an example based on actual project data. According to the characteristics, load requirements, seasonal characteristics and actual engineering background of Tombwa in Angola, a baseline Scenario and four comparative Scenarios were established, and the operating costs of the five Scenarios in local rainy season and dry season were obtained respectively. The cost of electricity for the five Scenarios calculated subsequently. Through real-time scheduling and optimization of the software, the emission characteristics of CO2, NOx and CO under five Scenarios are obtained, and the climate benefits and environmental benefits of the five scenarios are further analyzed and compared. The results show that the development of photovoltaic resources in Angola has good climate and environmental benefits. In addition, the combine application of diesel, PV and battery power system will be the most effective of the five Scenarios to reduce the CO2 emissions with the lowest levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of 0.38 yuan/kwh, as a cost-effective solution in remote areas of Angola, Africa.

scholarly journals The potential environmental benefits of reusable and recyclable materials stocks in Toronto's single-detached housing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deniz N Ergun
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Material Volume ◽  
Material Reuse ◽  
The City ◽  
Common Barriers

This study examines the stocks of building materials in Toronto’s in-use and annual obsolete single detached housing, to provide potential environmental benefit parameters for city scale material reuse and recycling. The material volumes of five archetypes, developed to represent typical Toronto housing, were measured and extrapolated to the city scale. Applying established criteria for reusability and recyclability, city scale reusable and recyclable stocks were determined for three environmental indicators: material volume headed to landfill, carbon dioxide emissions, and primary energy consumption. It was determined that 61-66% of the material volume in Toronto’s in-use and annual obsolete housing could be reclaimed for reuse/recycling, and was mostly composed of masonry, concrete, and framing lumber from houses built from 1930-1960. Additionally, annual obsolete reusable materials represented an embodied carbon of 2,287-4,116 tonnes and energy of 52,883-95,189 GJ. By addressing common barriers to widespread uptake of reuse/recycling, Toronto could reap these determined potential environmental benefits.

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