scholarly journals Innovative Strategy to Reduce Single-Use Plastics in Sustainable Horticulture by a Refund Strategy for Flowerpots

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8532
Author(s):  
Michael M. Blanke ◽  
Sabine D. Golombek
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Environmental Awareness ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Great Success ◽  
Innovative Strategy ◽  
Innovative Idea ◽  
Annual Carbon ◽  
Sustainable Horticulture ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Present Case Study

(1) Background: Black plastics pose a general problem in sustainability issues, as the recycling is hampered by the black colour disguising the type of plastics in the NIR scanner on the garbage sorting belt, as the black colour absorbs NIR radiation. Sorting flower/plant pots suffer from their additional soil contamination in the strive for sustainable flower production in horticulture. As these black plastic flowerpots are currently rarely recycled, a study was instigated of reusing them based on Heino Schwarz’s innovative idea. (2) Methods: In the first step, the carbon footprint was calculated for the flowerpots of two sizes employed in the nursery, their customised production from virgin polypropylene and the delivery from the Netherlands to the nursery in Bavaria. In step 2, the carbon footprint was calculated based on PAS 2050-1 for the number of flowerpots in circulation and return rates in 2019 and in 2020 to assess the GHG saved by the innovation. (3) Results: The innovative concept of Heino Schwarz is a discount on returning the customised used flowerpots, with a 40% increase from 24,533 returned flowerpots in 2019 to 39,797 in 2020. This shows the increasing acceptance and environmental awareness of the consumer and the great success. (4) Conclusions and outlook: The present case study has shown that innovative approaches such as discounts for reused/returned flowerpots of the Schwarz nursery can save 3.85–4.56 t CO2eq, a valuable contribution to reducing GHG emissions, creating environmental awareness among the consumers and building a close B2C relationship. The amount of CO2eq saved is equivalent to ca. 40% of the annual carbon burden of a European/German citizen or ca. 23,000 km driven in a private vehicle, the average mileage driven privately in two years.

scholarly journals Carbon Footprint Estimation in Road Construction: La Abundancia–Florencia Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianela Espinoza ◽  
Noelia Campos ◽  
Rebekah Yang ◽  
Hasan Ozer ◽  
José P. Aguiar-Moya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The Public ◽  
San Carlos ◽  
Present Case Study ◽  
Departments Of Transportation

The environmental impact of road construction and rehabilitation can be associated with the increase of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are highly related to climate change. Consequently, departments of transportation have recently focused on the development and implementation of tools to evaluate the performance of projects and minimize GHG emissions. An example is the use of life cycle assessment (LCA) to analyze and quantify the environmental impact of a product, system, or process, from cradle to grave. In this regard, the present case study quantifies the carbon footprint associated with the construction of the La Abundancia–Florencia highway, located in the province of San Carlos in Costa Rica. The analysis is also intended to generate consciousness both in the public and private sectors on the environmental impacts of road construction. After an LCA study, it was determined that the construction of the hot mix asphalt (HMA) layer generates a carbon footprint of 65.8 kg of CO2e per km of road. In addition, it was evident that HMA production generates the greatest environmental impact, among all the considered LCA production and construction stages, with a GHG contribution of 38% to 39% from bitumen only. Consequently, special attention to HMA production is required in order to minimize GHG emissions.

scholarly journals The carbon footprint of a Malaysian tropical reservoir: measured versus modelled estimates highlight the underestimated key role of downstream processes

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 515-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Soued ◽  
Yves T. Prairie
Keyword(s):  
Surface Diffusion ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Tropical Reservoir ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Emission Pathway ◽  
Temporal Sampling ◽  
Annual Carbon ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2 ◽  
Downstream Processes

Abstract. Reservoirs are important sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere, and their number is rapidly increasing, especially in tropical regions. Accurately predicting their current and future emissions is essential but hindered by fragmented data on the subject, which often fail to include all emission pathways (surface diffusion, ebullition, degassing, and downstream emissions) and the high spatial and temporal flux variability. Here we conducted a comprehensive sampling of Batang Ai reservoir (Malaysia), and compared field-based versus modelled estimates of its annual carbon footprint for each emission pathway. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) surface diffusion were higher in upstream reaches. Reducing spatial and temporal sampling resolution resulted in up to a 64 % and 33 % change in the flux estimate, respectively. Most GHGs present in discharged water were degassed at the turbines, and the remainder were gradually emitted along the outflow river, leaving time for CH4 to be partly oxidized to CO2. Overall, the reservoir emitted 2475 gCO2eqm-2yr-1, with 89 % occurring downstream of the dam, mostly in the form of CH4. These emissions, largely underestimated by predictions, are mitigated by CH4 oxidation upstream and downstream of the dam but could have been drastically reduced by slightly raising the water intake elevation depth. CO2 surface diffusion and CH4 ebullition were lower than predicted, whereas modelled CH4 surface diffusion was accurate. Investigating latter discrepancies, we conclude that exploring morphometry, soil type, and stratification patterns as predictors can improve modelling of reservoir GHG emissions at local and global scales.

scholarly journals The carbon footprint of a Malaysian tropical reservoir: measured versus modeled estimates highlight the underestimated key role of downstream processes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Soued ◽  
Yves T. Prairie
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Tropical Reservoir ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Emission Pathway ◽  
Temporal Sampling ◽  
Co2 Diffusion ◽  
Annual Carbon ◽  
Diffusive Fluxes ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

Abstract. Reservoirs are important sources of greenhouse gases (GHG) to the atmosphere and their number is rapidly increasing, especially in tropical regions. Accurately predicting their current and future emissions is essential but hindered by fragmented data on the subject, which often fail to include all emission pathways (diffusion, ebullition, degassing, and downstream emissions) and the high spatial and temporal flux variability. Here we conducted a comprehensive sampling of Batang Ai reservoir (Malaysia), and compared field-based versus modeled estimates of its annual carbon footprint for each emission pathway. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) diffusive fluxes were higher in upstream reaches. Reducing spatial and temporal sampling resolution resulted in up to 64 and 28 % change in flux estimate respectively. Most GHGs present in discharged water were degassed at the turbines, and the remainder were gradually emitted along the outflow river, leaving time for CH4 to be partly oxidized to CO2. Overall, the reservoir emitted 2639 g CO2 eq m−2 yr−1, with 90 % occurring downstream of the dam, mostly in the form of CH4. These emissions, largely underestimated by predictions, are mitigated by CH4 oxidation upstream and downstream of the dam, but could have been drastically reduced by slightly raising the water intake elevation depth. CO2 diffusion and CH4 ebullition were lower than predicted, whereas modeled CH4 diffusion was accurate. Investigating latter discrepancies, we conclude that exploring morphometry, soil type, and stratification patterns as predictors can improve modeling of reservoir GHG emissions at local and global scales.

scholarly journals Effect of straw retention on carbon footprint under different cropping sequences in Northeast China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiulai Song ◽  
Jie Zhu ◽  
Zhenping Gong ◽  
Yanjiang Feng ◽  
Qi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Annual Carbon ◽  
Straw Retention ◽  
Carbon Balances

Abstract Inappropriate farm management practices can lead to increased agricultural inputs and changes in atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, impacting climate change. This study assessed the potential of straw retention to mitigate the negative environmental impact of different cropping systems on the Songnen Plain using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method combined with field survey data. Straw retention (STR) and straw removal (STM) treatments were established in continuous corn (CC) and corn-soybean rotation (CS) systems in a split-plot experiment. The effects of straw retention on the carbon footprint (CF) of cropland under different cropping systems were compared. The CF under CC was 2434.0–2706.9 kg CO 2 ha -1 yr -1 , 49.3%–57.3% higher than that under CS. Nitrogen fertilizer produced the most CO 2 , accounting for 66.2%-80.4% of the CF. The carbon balances of the CC and CS systems with STR were positive, with annual carbon sequestrations of 9632.5 and 2715.9 kg CO 2 ha -1 yr -1 , respectively. The carbon balances of the CC and CS systems with STM was negative, with annual carbon sequestrations of -3589.2 and -3006.2 kg CO 2 ha -1 yr -1 , respectively. This study demonstrates that STR under CC cultivation is an environmentally friendly practice for agricultural production, can help achieve high-yield and low-carbon production in rainfed cropland, and can support the sustainable development of grain production in Northeast China.

scholarly journals Influence of the Water Source on the Carbon Footprint of Irrigated Agriculture: A Regional Study in South-Eastern Spain

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Bernardo Martin-Gorriz ◽  
Victoriano Martínez-Alvarez ◽  
José Francisco Maestre-Valero ◽  
Belén Gallego-Elvira
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Carbon Balance ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Regional Study ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Hypothetical Scenario ◽  
Co2 Sink

Curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to combat climate change is a major global challenge. Although irrigated agriculture consumes considerable energy that generates GHG emissions, the biomass produced also represents an important CO2 sink, which can counterbalance the emissions. The source of the water supply considerably influences the irrigation energy consumption and, consequently, the resulting carbon footprint. This study evaluates the potential impact on the carbon footprint of partially and fully replacing the conventional supply from Tagus–Segura water transfer (TSWT) with desalinated seawater (DSW) in the irrigation districts of the Segura River basin (south-eastern Spain). The results provide evidence that the crop GHG emissions depend largely on the water source and, consequently, its carbon footprint. In this sense, in the hypothetical scenario of the TSWT being completely replaced with DSW, GHG emissions may increase by up to 50% and the carbon balance could be reduced by 41%. However, even in this unfavourable situation, irrigated agriculture in the study area could still act as a CO2 sink with a negative total and specific carbon balance of −707,276 t CO2/year and −8.10 t CO2/ha-year, respectively. This study provides significant policy implications for understanding the water–energy–food nexus in water-scarce regions.

scholarly journals There is a silver lining: carbon footprint reduction by holding Preventive Cardiology conference 2020 virtually

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Batool ◽  
A Neven ◽  
Y Vanrompay ◽  
M Adnan ◽  
P Dendale
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Carbon Emission ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Air Travel ◽  
Co2 Production ◽  
Scientific Conference ◽  
Preventive Cardiology ◽  
Transport Modes

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Special Research Fund (BOF), Hasselt University Introduction The transportation sector is one of the major sectors influencing climate change, contributing around 16% of total Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. Aviation contributes to 12% of the transport related emissions. Among other climate change impacts, elevated heat exposure is associated with increased cardiac events and exposure to air pollution caused by GHG emissions has also well-known association with increased cardiovascular related morbidity and mortality. The global temperature rise should be restricted to less than 2 °C which requires keeping carbon emission (CO2) less than 2900 billion tonnes by the end of the 21st century. Assuming air travel a major contributing source to GHG, this study aims to raise the awareness about potential carbon emissions reduction due to air travel of international events like a scientific conference. Purpose Due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, the Preventive cardiology conference 2020 which was planned to be held at Malaga Spain, instead was held in virtual online way. This study aims to calculate the contribution of reduced CO2  emissions in tons due to ESC preventive cardiology conference 2020, which was then held online and air travel of the registered participants was avoided. Methods Anonymized participant registration information was used to determine the country and city of the 949 registered participants of the Preventive Cardiology conference 2020. It is assumed that participants would have travelled from the closest airports from their reported city locations to Malaga airport, Spain. At first, the closest city airports were determined using Google maps and flights information, then the flight emissions (direct and indirect CO2-equivalent emissions) per passenger for the given flight distances were calculated. The CO2 emissions (tons) were calculated for round trips in economy class from the participants of 68 nationalities (excluding 60 participants from Spain as they are assumed to take other modes of transport than airplane). Results In total, 1156.51 tons of CO2  emissions were saved by turning the physical conference into a virtual event. This emission amount is equivalent to the annual CO2 production of 108 people living in high-income countries. Conclusion The pandemic situation has forced us to rethink the necessity of trips by air and has shown us the feasibility of digitally organized events. The information from this study can add to the awareness about reduced amount of carbon emission due to air travel by organizing events in a virtual way when possible. Apart from only digitally organized events there are others options to reduce the carbon footprint of conferences such as limiting the number of physical attendees, encouraging the use of relatively sustainable transport modes for participants from nearby countries (e.g. international trains and use of active transport modes at conference venue etc.) and including CO2 emission offsetting costs.

scholarly journals Tourism, Transport and Climate Change: The Carbon Footprint of International Air Traffic on Islands

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1795
Author(s):  
Pedro Dorta Antequera ◽  
Jaime Díaz Pacheco ◽  
Abel López Díez ◽  
Celia Bethencourt Herrera
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Canary Islands ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Average Distance ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Air Transport ◽  
Small Islands ◽  
The World

Many small islands base their economy on tourism. This activity, based to a large extent on the movement of millions of people by air transport, depends on the use of fossil fuels and, therefore, generates a large amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this work, these emissions are evaluated by means of various carbon calculators, taking the Canary Islands as an example, which is one of the most highly developed tourist archipelagos in the world. The result is that more than 6.4 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 are produced per year exclusively due to the massive transport of tourists over an average distance of more than 3000 km. The relative weight of these emissions is of such magnitude that they are equivalent to more than 50% of the total amount produced by the socioeconomic activity of the archipelago. Although, individually, it is travelers from Russia and Nordic countries who generate the highest carbon footprint due to their greater traveling distance, the British and German tourists account for the greatest weight in the total, with two-thirds of emissions.

Making the world’s longest subsea tunnel sustainable

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ketil Søyland ◽  
Christer Wolden ◽  
Christopher Garmann ◽  
Debbie Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Subsea Tunnel ◽  
Engineering Practices

<p>How can large-scale infrastructure projects be sustainable? The purpose of this paper is to discuss how engineering practices were changed in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the E39 Rogfast project, the world’s longest roadway sub-sea tunnel. The project will generate greenhouse gas (GHG)-emissions exceeding 1% of Norway’s total annual GHG-emissions. The paper covers the project process, including some of the challenges to be overcome.</p>

scholarly journals Annual follow-up of gross diffusive carbon dioxide and methane emissions from a boreal reservoir and two nearby lakes in Québec, Canada

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Demarty ◽  
J. Bastien ◽  
A. Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Budget ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Co2 Flux ◽  
Reliable Estimate ◽  
Minor Importance ◽  
Layer Model ◽  
Thin Boundary Layer ◽  
Ch4 Flux ◽  
Annual Carbon

Abstract. Surface water pCO2 and pCH4 measurements were taken in the boreal zone of Québec, Canada, from summer 2006 to summer 2008 in Eastmain 1 reservoir and two nearby lakes. The goal of this follow-up was to evaluate annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including spring emissions (N.B. gross emissions for reservoir), through flux calculations using the thin boundary layer model. Our measurements underscored the winter CO2 accumulation due to ice cover and the importance of a reliable estimate of spring diffusive emissions as the ice breaks up. We clearly demonstrated that in our systems, diffusive CH4 flux (in terms of CO2 equivalent) were of minor importance in the GHG emissions (without CH4 accumulation under ice), with diffusive CO2 flux generally accounting for more than 95% of the annual diffusive flux. We also noted the extent of spring diffusive CO2 emissions (23% to 52%) in the annual carbon budget.

scholarly journals Evalution of Carbon Footprint

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 282-285
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Footprint Analysis ◽  
The One ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2 ◽  
Building Operation

Due to manufactured technology enchantment the living being has much convenience and luxury. Though, at the same time, our current existence is doing damage to the environment. Like water pollution, air pollution and Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on so forth. But CO2 emissions are the one of the major reason polluting the environment. Furthermost of what we utilise in our daily life lead to emitting CO2 into the environment. Due to this it leads to global warming and climate change problems. Therefore, carbon auditing (Carbon Footprint Analysis) is the first essential step to review the use of energy, to improve energy conservation and to allow building to go green. For this reason we need carbon audit to reduce usage raw materials, waste generation so on so forth to minimise GHG emissions .“CARBON AUDIT” is conducted within the building’s boundary which includes the following stages:- People Survey to gather employee-level data, Building Survey to gather building-operation data, Carbon Footprint Analysis to evaluate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and Final Carbon Audit Report to provide tailored recommendations for going green along with action plan to get started

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