Collaborative Optimization of Emissions and Abatement Costs for Air Pollutants and Greenhouse Gases from the Perspective of Energy Structure: An Empirical Analysis in Tianjin

Both air pollution and greenhouse effect have become important issues with regard to environmental protection both in China and across the world. Consumption of energy derived from coal, oil, and natural gas forms the main source of China’s major air pollutants, SO2 and NOX, as well as the major greenhouse gas CO2. The energy structure adjustment approach provides a sensible way, not only to achieve climate change mitigation and air pollutant reduction, but also to reduce abatement costs. In this paper, a multi-objective optimization method was adopted in order to analyze the collaborative optimization of emissions and abatement costs for both air pollutants and greenhouse gases. As a typical industrial city and economic center with fossil fuels as its main energy source, Tianjin of China is used as the research sample to prove that this method can mitigate air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions and reduce abatement costs. Through demonstration, the results show that the optimization method proposed can reduce SO2, NOX, and CO2 emissions by 27,000 tons, 33,000 tons, and 29,000 tons, respectively, and the abatement costs will be reduced by 620 million yuan by adjusting the energy structure of Tianjin. The proposed method also suggests that China can achieve reductions of abatement cost and greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions under the proposed energy structure. The results indicate that collaborative optimization would help China and other countries cope with climate change while improving domestic air quality.

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Should India move towards vehicle electrification? Assessing life-cycle greenhouse gas and criteria air pollutant emissions of alternative and conventional fuel vehicles in India.

10.26434/chemrxiv-2021-l0lrr ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tapas Peshin ◽

Shayak Sengupta ◽

Inês Azevedo

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Greenhouse Gases ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Electric Vehicles ◽

Hybrid Electric Vehicles ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Pollutant Emissions ◽

Indian States ◽

Vehicle Class ◽

Hybrid Electric

India is the third largest contributor of greenhouse gases and its transportation emissions account for nearly one-fifth of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Furthermore, the transportation sector accounts a significant part of other air pollutant emissions that have damaging consequences to human health. Up until now, it was unclear what the greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions consequences of electrifying vehicles in India would be, as replacing traditional vehicles with electrified ones reduces tailpipe emissions, but it will increase the emissions from the power sector when vehicles are charging. We mitigate that gap in the literature by performing a state specific life-cycle assessment of GHGs and criteria air pollutant emissions for representative passenger vehicles (four-wheelers, three-wheelers, two-wheelers and buses) driven in Indian states/union territories. We consider several vehicle technologies (internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)). We find that in most states, four-wheeler BEVs have higher greenhouse gases and criteria air pollutant emissions than other conventional or alternative vehicles and thus electrification of that vehicle class would not lead to emissions reductions. In contrast, in most states, electrified buses and three-wheelers are the best strategy to reduce greenhouse gases, but these are also the worst solution in terms of criteria air pollutant emissions. Electrified two-wheelers have lower criteria air pollutant emissions than gasoline only in five states. The striking conclusion is that unless the Indian grid becomes less polluting, the case for widespread electrification of vehicles for sustainability purposes is simply not there. Moving towards a sustainable, low carbon and low pollution electricity grid is a requirement to make a widespread transportation electrification case for India.

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Collaborative Governance Mechanism of Climate Change and Air Pollution: Evidence from China

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13126785 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 6785

Author(s):

Bing Wang ◽

Yifan Wang ◽

Yuqing Zhao

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Synergistic Effect ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Emission Reduction ◽

Industrial Sector ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Pollutant Emissions ◽

Pollutant Emission ◽

Industrial Carbon

Since entering the industrialized era, China’s greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutant emissions have increased rapidly. China is the country with the most greenhouse gas emissions, and it is also facing serious local air pollution problems. China’s industrial sector is the largest contributor to CO2 and air pollutants. The resulting climate change and air pollution issues have caused China to face double pressures. This article uses the CO2 and comprehensive air pollutant emission data of China’s industrial sector as a starting point and uses econometric research methods to explore the synergy between China’s industrial carbon emission reduction and industrial comprehensive air pollutant emission reduction. The synergistic effect between industrial carbon emissions and industrial comprehensive air pollutant emissions has been quantified, and the transmission path of the synergistic effect has been explored. The empirical results show that there are benefits of synergistic governance between climate change and air pollution in China’s industrial sector. Every 1000 tons of carbon reduction in the industrial sector will result in 1 ton of comprehensive air pollutant reduction. The increase in R&D expenditure in the energy and power sector can significantly promote the reduction of air pollutants in the industrial sector. Increasing the intensity of environmental regulations is the main expansion path for synergy. However, in eastern, central, and western China, the synergy is not the same. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate regionally differentiated emission reduction policies. The research conclusions of this article can provide policy references for the coordinated governance of climate change and air pollution in China.

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Air pollution and associated human mortality: the role of air pollutant emissions, climate change and methane concentration increases from the preindustrial period to present

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-13-1377-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 1377-1394 ◽

Cited By ~ 78

Author(s):

Y. Fang ◽

V. Naik ◽

L. W. Horowitz ◽

D. L. Mauzerall

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Surface Ozone ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Pollutant Emissions ◽

Global Changes ◽

Human Mortality ◽

Concentration Changes ◽

Global Population

Abstract. Increases in surface ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (≤2.5 μm aerodynamic diameter, PM2.5) are associated with excess premature human mortalities. We estimate changes in surface O3 and PM2.5 from pre-industrial (1860) to present (2000) and the global present-day (2000) premature human mortalities associated with these changes. We extend previous work to differentiate the contribution of changes in three factors: emissions of short-lived air pollutants, climate change, and increased methane (CH4) concentrations, to air pollution levels and associated premature mortalities. We use a coupled chemistry-climate model in conjunction with global population distributions in 2000 to estimate exposure attributable to concentration changes since 1860 from each factor. Attributable mortalities are estimated using health impact functions of long-term relative risk estimates for O3 and PM2.5 from the epidemiology literature. We find global mean surface PM2.5 and health-relevant O3 (defined as the maximum 6-month mean of 1-h daily maximum O3 in a year) have increased by 8 ± 0.16 μg m−3 and 30 ± 0.16 ppbv (results reported as annual average ±standard deviation of 10-yr model simulations), respectively, over this industrial period as a result of combined changes in emissions of air pollutants (EMIS), climate (CLIM) and CH4 concentrations (TCH4). EMIS, CLIM and TCH4 cause global population-weighted average PM2.5 (O3) to change by +7.5 ± 0.19 μg m−3 (+25 ± 0.30 ppbv), +0.4 ± 0.17 μg m−3 (+0.5 ± 0.28 ppbv), and 0.04 ± 0.24 μg m−3 (+4.3 ± 0.33 ppbv), respectively. Total global changes in PM2.5 are associated with 1.5 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.2–1.8) million cardiopulmonary mortalities and 95 (95% CI, 44–144) thousand lung cancer mortalities annually and changes in O3 are associated with 375 (95% CI, 129–592) thousand respiratory mortalities annually. Most air pollution mortality is driven by changes in emissions of short-lived air pollutants and their precursors (95% and 85% of mortalities from PM2.5 and O3 respectively). However, changing climate and increasing CH4 concentrations also contribute to premature mortality associated with air pollution globally (by up to 5% and 15%, respectively). In some regions, the contribution of climate change and increased CH4 together are responsible for more than 20% of the respiratory mortality associated with O3 exposure. We find the interaction between climate change and atmospheric chemistry has influenced atmospheric composition and human mortality associated with industrial air pollution. Our study highlights the benefits to air quality and human health of CH4 mitigation as a component of future air pollution control policy.

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Response of Global Air Pollutant Emissions to Climate Change and Its Potential Effects on Human Life Expectancy Loss

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11133670 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (13) ◽

pp. 3670 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Qianwen Cheng ◽

Manchun Li ◽

Feixue Li ◽

Haoqing Tang

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Human Life ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Pollutant Emissions ◽

Pollutant Emission ◽

Air Pollution Control ◽

Geographical Environment

Geographical environment and climate change are basic factors for spatial fluctuations in the global distribution of air pollutants. Against the background of global climate change, further investigation is needed on how meteorological characteristics and complex geographical environment variations can drive spatial air pollution variations. This study analyzed the response of air pollutant emissions to climate change and the potential effects of air pollutant emissions on human health by integrating the air pollutant emission simulation model (GAINS) with 3 versions and CMIP5. The mechanism by which meteorological characteristics and geographical matrices can drive air pollution based on monitoring data at the site-scale was also examined. We found the total global emission of major air pollutants increased 1.32 times during 1970–2010. Air pollutant emissions will increase 2.89% and 4.11% in China and developed countries when the scenario of only maximum technically feasible reductions is performed (V4a) during 2020–2050. However, it will decrease 19.33% and 6.78% respectively by taking the V5a climate scenario into consideration, and precipitation variation will contribute more to such change, especially in China. Locally, the air circulation mode that is dominated by local geographical matrices and meteorological characteristics jointly affect the dilution and diffusion of air pollutants. Therefore, natural conditions, such as climate changes, meteorological characteristics and topography, play an important role in spatial air pollutant emissions and fluctuations, and must be given more attention in the processes of air pollution control policy making.

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Air pollution and associated human mortality: the role of air pollutant emissions, climate change and methane concentration increases during the industrial period

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions ◽

10.5194/acpd-12-22713-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 22713-22756 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Y. Fang ◽

V. Naik ◽

L. W. Horowitz ◽

D. L. Mauzerall

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Surface Ozone ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Pollutant Emissions ◽

Dominant Factor ◽

Human Mortality ◽

Concentration Changes ◽

Surface O3

Abstract. Increases in surface ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (≤2.5 μm} aerodynamic diameter, PM2.5) are associated with excess premature human mortalities. Here we estimate changes in surface O3 and PM2.5 since preindustrial (1860) times and the global present-day (2000) premature human mortalities associated with these changes. We go beyond previous work to analyze and differentiate the contribution of three factors: changes in emissions of short-lived air pollutants, climate change, and increased methane (CH4) concentrations, to air pollution levels and the associated premature mortalities. We use a coupled chemistry-climate model in conjunction with global population distributions in 2000 to estimate exposure attributable to concentration changes since 1860 from each factor. Attributable mortalities are estimated using health impact functions of long-term relative risk estimates for O3 and PM2.5 from the epidemiology literature. We find global mean surface PM2.5 and health-relevant O3 (defined as the maximum 6-month mean of 1-h daily maximum O3 in a year) have increased by 8 ± 0.16 μg m−3 and 30 ± 0.16 ppbv, respectively, over this industrial period as a result of combined changes in emissions of air pollutants (EMIS), climate (CLIM) and CH4 concentrations (TCH4). EMIS, CLIM and TCH4 cause global average PM2.5(O3) to change by +7.5 ± 0.19 μg m−3 (+25 ± 0.30 ppbv), +0.4 ± 0.17 μg m−3 (+0.5 ± 0.28 ppbv), and −0.02 ± 0.01 μg m−3 (+4.3 ± 0.33 ppbv), respectively. Total changes in PM2.5 are associated with 1.5 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.0–2.5) million all-cause mortalities annually and in O3 are associated with 375 (95% CI, 129–592) thousand respiratory mortalities annually. Most air pollution mortality is driven by changes in emissions of short-lived air pollutants and their precursors (95% and 85% of mortalities from PM2.5 and O3, respectively). However, changing climate and increasing CH4 concentrations also increased premature mortality associated with air pollution globally up to 5% and 15%, respectively. In some regions, the contribution of climate change and increased CH4 together are responsible for more than 20% of the respiratory mortality associated with O3 exposure. We find the interaction between climate change and atmospheric chemistry has influenced atmospheric composition and human mortality associated with industrial air pollution. In addition to driving 13% of the total historical changes in surface O3 and 15% of the associated mortalities, CH4 is the dominant factor driving changes in atmospheric OH and H2O2 since preindustrial time. Our study highlights the benefits to air quality and human health of CH4 mitigation as a component of future air pollution control policy.

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The effects of energy paths and emission controls and standards on future trends in China's emissions of primary air pollutants

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-14-8849-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (17) ◽

pp. 8849-8868 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Y. Zhao ◽

J. Zhang ◽

C. P. Nielsen

Keyword(s):

Air Pollutants ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Emission Control ◽

Pollution Prevention ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Pollutant Emissions ◽

Carbonaceous Aerosols ◽

Emission Controls ◽

Control Devices ◽

Anthropogenic Pollutant

Abstract. To examine the efficacy of China's actions to control atmospheric pollution, three levels of growth of energy consumption and three levels of implementation of emission controls are estimated, generating a total of nine combined activity-emission control scenarios that are then used to estimate trends of national emissions of primary air pollutants through 2030. The emission control strategies are expected to have more effects than the energy paths on the future emission trends for all the concerned pollutants. As recently promulgated national action plans of air pollution prevention and control (NAPAPPC) are implemented, China's anthropogenic pollutant emissions should decline. For example, the emissions of SO2, NOx, total suspended particles (TSP), PM10, and PM2.5 are estimated to decline 7, 20, 41, 34, and 31% from 2010 to 2030, respectively, in the "best guess" scenario that includes national commitment of energy saving policy and implementation of NAPAPPC. Should the issued/proposed emission standards be fully achieved, a less likely scenario, annual emissions would be further reduced, ranging from 17 (for primary PM2.5) to 29% (for NOx) declines in 2015, and the analogue numbers would be 12 and 24% in 2030. The uncertainties of emission projections result mainly from the uncertain operational conditions of swiftly proliferating air pollutant control devices and lack of detailed information about emission control plans by region. The predicted emission trends by sector and chemical species raise concerns about current pollution control strategies: the potential for emissions abatement in key sectors may be declining due to the near saturation of emission control devices use; risks of ecosystem acidification could rise because emissions of alkaline base cations may be declining faster than those of SO2; and radiative forcing could rise because emissions of positive-forcing carbonaceous aerosols may decline more slowly than those of SO2 emissions and thereby concentrations of negative-forcing sulfate particles. Expanded control of emissions of fine particles and carbonaceous aerosols from small industrial and residential sources is recommended, and a more comprehensive emission control strategy targeting a wider range of pollutants (volatile organic compounds, NH3 and CO, etc.) and taking account of more diverse environmental impacts is also urgently needed.

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Wildfire air pollution hazard during the 21st century

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-17-9223-2017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (14) ◽

pp. 9223-9236 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Wolfgang Knorr ◽

Frank Dentener ◽

Jean-François Lamarque ◽

Leiwen Jiang ◽

Almut Arneth

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Pollutant Emissions ◽

Anthropogenic Sources ◽

World Health ◽

Fire Season ◽

Worst Case ◽

The World

Abstract. Wildfires pose a significant risk to human livelihoods and are a substantial health hazard due to emissions of toxic smoke. Previous studies have shown that climate change, increasing atmospheric CO2, and human demographic dynamics can lead to substantially altered wildfire risk in the future, with fire activity increasing in some regions and decreasing in others. The present study re-examines these results from the perspective of air pollution risk, focussing on emissions of airborne particulate matter (PM2. 5), combining an existing ensemble of simulations using a coupled fire–dynamic vegetation model with current observation-based estimates of wildfire emissions and simulations with a chemical transport model. Currently, wildfire PM2. 5 emissions exceed those from anthropogenic sources in large parts of the world. We further analyse two extreme sets of future wildfire emissions in a socio-economic, demographic climate change context and compare them to anthropogenic emission scenarios reflecting current and ambitious air pollution legislation. In most regions of the world, ambitious reductions of anthropogenic air pollutant emissions have the potential to limit mean annual pollutant PM2. 5 levels to comply with World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines for PM2. 5. Worst-case future wildfire emissions are not likely to interfere with these annual goals, largely due to fire seasonality, as well as a tendency of wildfire sources to be situated in areas of intermediate population density, as opposed to anthropogenic sources that tend to be highest at the highest population densities. However, during the high-fire season, we find many regions where future PM2. 5 pollution levels can reach dangerous levels even for a scenario of aggressive reduction of anthropogenic emissions.

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Chimney Filter Model Wet Scrubber to Reduce Air Pollutant Emissions on the Incinerator

Health Notions ◽

10.33846/hn50201 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 41-45

Author(s):

Hurip Jayadi ◽

Frida Hendrarinata ◽

Beny Suyanto ◽

Sunaryo Sunaryo

Keyword(s):

Air Pollutants ◽

Filter Design ◽

Water Discharge ◽

Quality Standard ◽

Health Care Facilities ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Pollutant Emissions ◽

Particulate Emission ◽

Filter Model ◽

Infectious Waste

In general, inpatient health care facilities produce infectious and non-infectious waste 0.3 mᶟ / day. Non-infectious waste that is burned in an incinerator without a chimney filter, can cause particles, CO, SO2, NOx (air pollutants) and cause environmental pollution. This study aims to make a chimney filter design with a Scrubber model on an incinerator at the Public Health Center, Maospati District, Magetan Regency to reduce the amount of air pollutants emitted. This type of research is experimental research. This research designed a particle trapping device, gas by spraying water into the scrubber. The independent variable of this research was the variation of the water flow sprayed in the scrubber (3.2 liters / minute, 4 liters / minute, 5.6 liters / minute). The dependent variables of this study were particles, SO2, NOx, CO. Data collection using a digital gas detector method in the form of a UV spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed descriptively, in the form of frequency distribution, and percentage, presentation of data in a table based on air emission quality standards from thermal waste processing. The results illustrate that the use of a chimney scrubber filter with water spraying 3.2 liters / minute, 4 liters / minute, 5.6 liters / minute can reduce air pollutants, emission of SO2, CO to below the air quality standard. In addition, this tool can also reduce NOx gas and particles, but not yet below the quality standard. The conclusion from the results of this study is particulate emission air pollutants, gas SO2, CO, NOx. the incinerator can be lowered by modifying variations by spraying water 3.2 liters / minute, 4 liters / minute, 5.6 liters / minute on the chimney scrubber filter on the incinerator. Keywords: incinerator; scrubber; water discharge variations; particle; gas

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Introduction

10.1093/oso/9780197502556.003.0001 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Eelco J. Rohling

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Global Warming ◽

Greenhouse Gases ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Emission Reduction ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

Paris Agreement ◽

Gas Emissions ◽

Is Implementation

This chapter outlines the challenge facing us. The Paris Agreement sets a target maximum of 2°C global warming and a preferred limit of 1.5°C. Yet, the subsequent combined national pledges for emission reduction suffice only for limiting warming to roughly 3°C. And because most nations are falling considerably short of meeting their pledges, even greater warming may become locked in. Something more drastic and wide-ranging is needed: a multi-pronged strategy. These different prongs to the climate-change solution are introduced in this chapter and explored one by one in the following chapters. First is rapid, massive reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Second is implementation of ways to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Third may be increasing the reflectivity of Earth to incoming sunlight, to cool certain places down more rapidly. In addition, we need to protect ourselves from climate-change impacts that have already become inevitable.

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Primary Air Pollutants Emissions Variation Characteristics and Future Control Strategies for Transportation Sector in Beijing, China

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12104111 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 4111 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yifeng Xue ◽

Xizi Cao ◽

Yi Ai ◽

Kangli Xu ◽

Yichen Zhang

Keyword(s):

Air Pollutants ◽

Freight Transportation ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Pollutant Emissions ◽

Motor Vehicles ◽

Railway Transportation ◽

Road Transportation ◽

Transportation Sector ◽

Variation Characteristics ◽

Beijing China

Air pollutant emissions from vehicles, railways, and aircraft for freight and passenger transportation are major sources of air pollution, and strongly impact the air quality of Beijing, China. To better understand the variation characteristics of these emissions, we used the emission factor method to quantitatively determine the air pollutant emissions from the transportation sector. The emission intensity of different modes of transportation was estimated, and measures are proposed to prevent and control air pollutants emitted from the transportation sector. The results showed that air pollutant emissions from the transportation sector have been decreasing year by year as a result of the reduction in emissions from motor vehicles, benefiting from the structural adjustment of motor vehicles. A comparison of the emission intensity of primary air pollutants from different modes of transportation showed that the emission level of railway transportation was much lower than that of road transportation. However, Beijing relies heavily on road transportation, with road freight transportation accounting for 96% of freight transportation, whereas the proportion of railway transportation was low. Primary air pollutants from the transportation sector contributed significantly to the total emissions in Beijing. The proportion of NOX emissions increased from 54% in 2013 to 58% in 2018. To reduce air pollutant emissions from the transportation sector, further adjustments and optimization of the structure of transportation in Beijing are needed. As for the control of motor vehicle pollutant emissions, vehicle composition must be adjusted and the development of clean energy must be promoted, as well as the replacement of diesel vehicles with electric vehicles for passenger and freight transportation.

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