Search

The Cuajimalpa campus of the Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM) is located in the western region of Mexico City. In 2016, its global average population (students, faculty and staff) was around 2750 people. Campus policies include sustainability as one of its main aims. To evaluate and eventually reduce the environmental impact of the campus, its greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory was assessed and the carbon footprint was calculated, using the GHG protocol (GHGP): Scope 1: direct GHG emissions; Scope 2: indirect GHG emissions; and Scope 3: other indirect GHG emissions, on a calendar year basis. Scope 1 includes mobile and stationary sources and leakage of refrigerants; Scope 2 includes electrical energy usage; Scope 3 includes consumption of paper, food, water, gases, cleaning products, solvents, wastewater treatment, municipal and hazardous wastes and academic travel. In 2016, the campus produced around 3000 tons of CO2 equivalent, with Scope 1, 2 and 3 accounting for 4%, 24% and 72%, respectively. Emissions analysis by activity indicated 51% for commuting; 24% for electricity usage; 14% for academic travel; 11% for other activities. The inventory will aid the establishment of policies for reduction and mitigation of GHG, resulting in environmental and potential economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the viability and practical utility of sectoral and cross-sectoral emission intensity thresholds in enhancing the consistency of individual investment decisions with global climate targets expressed as CO2emission budgets. It compares historic global emission intensity values to levels consistent with climate targets and to current emission intensity levels typical for selected technologies and sectors. The authors discuss the practical application of these indicative portfolio emission intensity thresholds for financial institutions and governments in the context of a global transformation to low-carbon development. In taking the investor's perspective the paper points at a number of critical uncertainties and shortcomings of emission intensity based investment criteria for portfolios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to engage in carbon management at the household level, individuals need to understand how their everyday activities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and how they can reduce their personal carbon footprint. This implies a need for ‘carbon literacy’, a term that has emerged in the literature in the last few years without being formally defined. This paper proposes a definition of carbon literacy and compares this with other, related concepts. Next the results of two qualitative studies are presented that reveal how three mechanisms help to increase carbon literacy: energy monitoring; carbon footprint statements; and peer/social learning through sharing information, skills and resources with others. The different aspects of carbon literacy that these mechanisms contribute to are highlighted. Especially notable is the significance of carbon footprint statements, which enable understanding of the relative emissions associated with different activities, and the value many interviewees placed on learning within a group. These two mechanisms enhance the impact of energy monitoring by individuals, which is part of the focus of schemes such as the introduction of ‘smart’ energy meters in several countries. The implications of these findings for policymakers and others who wish to promote carbon literacy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automobile manufacturers have been contributing a large quantity of carbon emission on the earth for decades. This study examined an environmental impact problem of an automobile ignition coil within a supply chain. An assessment based on the methodology of Life Cycle Assessment to certify total carbon emission that a product contributes to the environment at various stages of production, packing and transportation. In this case, a production of every automobile ignition coil will generate a total of 0.8649 kg carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq). An analysis exhibits that these constituent parts, including core, insulating filling resin and shell, are the major sources of CO2 emissions, which account for 23.78%, 16.37% and 15.04%, respectively. The major ingredients of these components are iron, epoxy resin and polybutylene terephthalate. A further investigation shows that the carbon emission of the packaging material should be considered in this case, due to paper and wood-containing materials. Also, while setting an environmental impact problem for a product, a generic analysis development can classify into three categories: human health, ecosystem quality and resource consumption. The analysis result showed that both of materials, i.e., polymer and metal, heavily influence the environment, especially metal. For a green manufacturing process, reducing the consumption of these raw materials in manufacturing is essential to achieve sustained economic growth but diminish carbon emission problem in the life cycle of an automobile ignition coil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ports as an industry account for ∼3% of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide. The Port of Chennai, India, uses an enormous amount of electricity and diesel for intermodal transportation of goods and for other essential services. The inventory of GHG emissions in the Port of Chennai is made by accounting the various facilities of the port along with the housing colony and fishing harbor which come under the management of the Port of Chennai. Quantification of GHG emissions is made following the guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and World Port Climate Initiative (WPCI). The estimation of GHG emissions showed that 280,558 tonnes of CO2e/year was generated from the port and port-related facilities. Several GHG mitigation strategies and their impact are quantified and discussed. The technology suggestions presented in the paper will be very useful to plan effective mitigation strategies incorporating technological advancement and management policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As China's outwards foreign direct investment (OFDI) has grown dramatically, the environmental impact of the production activities of Chinese multinational enterprises (MNEs) has received substantial attention. Using a multiregional input-output model reflecting firm heterogeneity, this study measures the carbon footprint (CF) and value-added (VA) of Chinese MNEs' foreign affiliates to quantify the trade-off between economic benefits and environmental damage. The results show that Chinese MNEs' affiliates' CF is not large but grows quickly, mainly driven by investment and scale effects. The CF of foreign affiliates is primarily distributed in resource-intensive countries. The economic-environmental effect of Chinese MNEs' foreign affiliates is heterogeneous across countries and sectors. The best performance is found in the manufacturing sectors of most developing countries, with the worst performance in the service sectors of developed countries. Chinese MNEs' affiliates can transfer clean technology from developed host countries to China through reverse technology spillovers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ethiopia, there is an urge to enhance milk production where urban and peri-urban farms play important role. Therefore, the role of such production system in Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions should be known. This study was conducted with the objective of estimating the carbon footprint (CF) of milk within Mekelle milkshed, Ethiopia. 50 urban and 42 peri-urban dairy farms were selected randomly and both primary and secondary data was collected. Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) approach was employed to quantify GHG emissions using cradle to- farm gate approach. The mean GHG emissions per cattle unit (000 kg CO2-e y-1) were 2.84 ± 1.23 and 3.19 ± 1.99 for peri-urban and urban farms, respectively. The share of enteric fermentation was 75.5% and 73.6% for peri-urban and urban farms, respectively. Milk contributed for 88.5% and 90.8% to the economic value of peri-urban and urban farms, respectively. Overall, the CF of milk production in urban and peri-urban farms was 2.2 kg CO2-e/kg and 3.2 kg CO2-e/kg without economic allocation, and 2.0 kg CO2-e/kg and 2.8 kg CO2-e/kg with economic allocation. In order to reduce GHG emission intensity from dairy farms it is important to adopt climate smart dairy practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mono-cropping, burning of crop residues, imbalanced fertilization and limited use of farm manure are resulting in loss of soil organic carbon (SOC). In this study, integrated soil-crop management (ILMsoil), improved management (IMsoil) and conventional management (CMsoil) was studied to enhance the soil carbon sequestration for mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was used to estimate carbon footprint from successive crops of rice, mustard and jute with or without intercrops or mixed crops. The adoption of ILMsoil helped in reducing the carbon footprint by 78%. The overall economic yield increased by 25% over IMsoil as well. Net CO2-eq emission was 68% less under ILMsoil as compared to other systems. The reduction in net LCA-GHG emission was mainly due to high SOC sequestration by jute crop and leguminous intercrops and mixed crops. Improved crop diversification and agronomic productivity as used in ILMsoil system may decrease the inputs of non-renewable energy and consequently reduce the emission of GHGs from agroecosystems. Improvement of soil health, minimization in nutrient and water losses, and application of the increased amount of organic fertilizers were found helpful in reducing the carbon footprint. ILMsoil method of cultivation in 0.70 million hectare of jute growing area may reduce about 0.40 million tonnes of CO2-eq from atmosphere every year and provide carbon credit of 1.22 million US$to the farmers of eastern India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automobile manufacturers have been contributing a large quantity of carbon emission on the earth for decades. This study examined an environmental impact problem of an automobile ignition coil within a supply chain. An assessment based on the methodology of Life Cycle Assessment to certify total carbon emission that a product contributes to the environment at various stages of production, packing and transportation. In this case, a production of every automobile ignition coil will generate a total of 0.8649 kg carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq). An analysis exhibits that these constituent parts, including core, insulating filling resin and shell, are the major sources of CO2 emissions, which account for 23.78%, 16.37% and 15.04%, respectively. The major ingredients of these components are iron, epoxy resin and polybutylene terephthalate. A further investigation shows that the carbon emission of the packaging material should be considered in this case, due to paper and wood-containing materials. Also, while setting an environmental impact problem for a product, a generic analysis development can classify into three categories: human health, ecosystem quality and resource consumption. The analysis result showed that both of materials, i.e., polymer and metal, heavily influence the environment, especially metal. For a green manufacturing process, reducing the consumption of these raw materials in manufacturing is essential to achieve sustained economic growth but diminish carbon emission problem in the life cycle of an automobile ignition coil.

The Cuajimalpa campus of the Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM) is located in the western region of Mexico City. In 2016, its global average population (students, faculty and staff) was around 2750 people. Campus policies include sustainability as one of its main aims. To evaluate and eventually reduce the environmental impact of the campus, its greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory was assessed and the carbon footprint was calculated, using the GHG protocol (GHGP): Scope 1: direct GHG emissions; Scope 2: indirect GHG emissions; and Scope 3: other indirect GHG emissions, on a calendar year basis. Scope 1 includes mobile and stationary sources and leakage of refrigerants; Scope 2 includes electrical energy usage; Scope 3 includes consumption of paper, food, water, gases, cleaning products, solvents, wastewater treatment, municipal and hazardous wastes and academic travel. In 2016, the campus produced around 3000 tons of CO2 equivalent, with Scope 1, 2 and 3 accounting for 4%, 24% and 72%, respectively. Emissions analysis by activity indicated 51% for commuting; 24% for electricity usage; 14% for academic travel; 11% for other activities. The inventory will aid the establishment of policies for reduction and mitigation of GHG, resulting in environmental and potential economic benefits.

Developing more effective mitigation strategy to achieve the carbon reduction targets set by the Paris Climate Agreement requires to more comprehension of the driving factors of the decline in carbon emissions. Production-based and consumption-based carbon emission in Germany declined by 2.8% and 8.5% from 2000 to 2015, respectively. In this work, the key drivers behind decline in carbon emission in Germany is explored by combing the multi-regional input-output and structural decomposition analysis. The results show German carbon emissions has been undergoing structural changes. Although its production-based and consumption-based emission declined, German carbon footprint embodied in exports increased, and its share in the production-based carbon footprint also increased. Germany's embodied emission exports to emerging countries increased, although Germany's embodied carbon exports remained mainly concentrate in developed countries, especially in EU (over 40%) and USA (∼10%). The decomposition results revealed that economic scale effect was the leading contributor to increase in carbon footprint in Germany's trade, followed by the industrial structure effect of final demand. The effects of production structure on German's exports was less than its imports. The carbon intensity coefficient was the most significant factor of decreased carbon emission. Generally, the decreasing effect of carbon intensity coefficient exceeded the increasing effect of economic scale, which lead to carbon reduction. The example of Germany shows that improving carbon emission efficiency and optimizing production structure can reduce carbon emission without lowering economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past 50 years, higher education institutions worldwide have progressively implemented sustainability policies focused on improving their environmental indicators and institutional image. This trend also occurs in Colombia, both in private and public institutions. One of the issues associated with sustainability that has experienced increasing interest by these entities is Climate Change, which is reflected in an increasing number of inventories of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) of an organizational nature. Following this trend, the Technological University of Pereira (UTP), as a state higher education institution, quantified its organizational carbon footprint of 2017. Through the application of the GHG Protocol methodology, direct emissions (Scope 1), indirect emissions associated with electricity (Scope 2) and other indirect GHG emissions (Scope 3) were established. In total, in 2017 UTP emitted 8969 t CO2-eq, of which 97% were scope 3 emissions, mainly due to the daily mobility of students and officials, and the construction of infrastructure. Likewise, in 2017 each member of the university community emitted 0.4 t CO2-eq. Compared to other universities in the rest of the world, the carbon footprint per person at the UTP is low, among other reasons, because the campus does not generate electricity or use heating and furthermore, in terms of proximity, UTP students and employees residences in relation to the campus are close, which allows that the daily commuting is mostly short. Additionally, the impact on total emissions of the years 2017 and 2018 of three strategies in favor of reducing the carbon footprint of UTP based on better management of water, electricity and the mobility of students and teachers was evaluated. If these strategies had been implemented in both years, the carbon footprint would have been decreased 3.1% on average in a conservative scenario and 4.8% on average on an optimistic scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have confirmed the agricultural stage as an important contributor to total tea life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We therefore focus on the growing and processing of black tea and evaluate the GHG reduction potential of possible agricultural management interventions for tea produced from Unilever's tea estates and factories in Kenya. A baseline GHG footprint was calculated using data collected over four years. Potential interventions to reduce the GHG footprint per kg of black tea focused on key drivers (yield and fertiliser use) of the GHG footprint. These interventions and their effects on production are evidence-based but hypothetical and relate to possible changes in: (1) Harvesting practices; (2) Fertiliser application (timing) and (3) Organic production. Improvements in fertiliser application and harvesting practices could potentially deliver 16% and 9% reduction in GHG emissions, respectively. Under favourable conditions (sourcing fertiliser locally and no yield decline), changing to organic production could theoretically deliver 25% reduction in GHG emissions. However, under less favourable conditions (European sourced fertiliser and 30% yield decline), GHG emissions could increase by 41%. The availability of locally sourced organic fertiliser, sufficient to maintain nitrogen application rates, is seen as the biggest challenge in delivering sustainable organic tea cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing emergence of carbon calculators and the absence of specific standards to regulate these tools, may lead to inconsistencies in the results. This article evaluates individual carbon calculators that are publicly available in Brazil. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of 15 calculators were performed. Input and output data, conversion factors, as well as the costs associated with the possibilities of mitigation were evaluated. The analyses showed that there is a great discrepancy between the Emission Factors (EF), which have been highlighted by the coefficient of variation of EF adopted for the emission of liquefied petroleum gas (146.5%). The values of carbon stock also showed a large amplitude (139.45 to 359.84 kgCO2 tree−1). Furthermore, it was observed that tips on the possibility of reducing emissions are poorly provided by the calculators (27%). However, most tools (67%) make it possible to offset quantified emissions, and carbon offset plantations are widely suggested. The discrepancies found may affect calculators reliability, their potential for raising environmental awareness and their influence on decision-making. Thus, the diffusion of the calculators should be accompanied by more specific guidelines in order to minimize the uncertainties associated with the estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to engage in carbon management at the household level, individuals need to understand how their everyday activities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and how they can reduce their personal carbon footprint. This implies a need for ‘carbon literacy’, a term that has emerged in the literature in the last few years without being formally defined. This paper proposes a definition of carbon literacy and compares this with other, related concepts. Next the results of two qualitative studies are presented that reveal how three mechanisms help to increase carbon literacy: energy monitoring; carbon footprint statements; and peer/social learning through sharing information, skills and resources with others. The different aspects of carbon literacy that these mechanisms contribute to are highlighted. Especially notable is the significance of carbon footprint statements, which enable understanding of the relative emissions associated with different activities, and the value many interviewees placed on learning within a group. These two mechanisms enhance the impact of energy monitoring by individuals, which is part of the focus of schemes such as the introduction of ‘smart’ energy meters in several countries. The implications of these findings for policymakers and others who wish to promote carbon literacy are discussed.

This study examines the convergence hypothesis of per capita ecological footprint (PCEF) and per capita carbon footprint (PCCF) for a sample of 77 countries covering the period 1961–2014. In particular, we study whether countries are moving toward a common steady-state equilibrium condition or converging into different groups. To do so, this study used the Phillips and Sul technique. The results do not support the convergence of full sample or similar environmental quality; instead, we find two different steady-state (or club convergence) equilibriums for PCEF and PCCF. Further, our results show that countries which have the lowest PCEF and PCCF are converging (growing) faster than those countries which have the highest PCEF and PCCF. Finally, the speed of convergence of PCEF for club 1 is noted at around 0.126% while for club 2, it is 0.165%. Hence, the climate change policies need to be designed by following the club convergence of the sample countries. CO2 Carbon dioxide EKC Environmental Kuznets curve EU European Union EF Ecological footprint G20 Group of twenty GHGs Greenhouse gases IPCC Intergovernmental panel on climate change OECD Organization for economic co-operation and development PCEF Per capita ecological footprint PCCF Per capita carbon footprint PS Phillips and Sul UNDP United Nations development programme [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ports as an industry account for ∼3% of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide. The Port of Chennai, India, uses an enormous amount of electricity and diesel for intermodal transportation of goods and for other essential services. The inventory of GHG emissions in the Port of Chennai is made by accounting the various facilities of the port along with the housing colony and fishing harbor which come under the management of the Port of Chennai. Quantification of GHG emissions is made following the guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and World Port Climate Initiative (WPCI). The estimation of GHG emissions showed that 280,558 tonnes of CO2e/year was generated from the port and port-related facilities. Several GHG mitigation strategies and their impact are quantified and discussed. The technology suggestions presented in the paper will be very useful to plan effective mitigation strategies incorporating technological advancement and management policies.

The carbon footprint of shale gas combusted in Europe was estimated from nine European shale gas plays as potential production regions. Greenhouse gas emission sources during shale gas production, such as fugitives from hydraulic fracturing or combustion emissions from horizontal drilling, were added to emissions occurring for conventional gas extraction. Greenhouse gas emissions are expressed as g CO2-equivalents per MJ delivered, and calculated for a kWh of electricity generated. Estimated total GHG emissions from the use of European shale gas for electricity production range from 0.42 to 0.75 kg CO2-eq/kWh when the combustion in the power plant is included. This is within the range reported in the literature. The cumulative carbon footprints for a number of fossil electricity generation scenarios for Europe were also calculated. The results indicate an advantage of gas over other fossil sources in a wide range of scenarios. These results are only reversed with very high (10%) upstream losses for shale gas. With the current knowledge there is still a substantial climate benefit of replacing coal with (shale) gas even in the EU reference scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present assess the green house gas (GHG) emission from cultivation over the past 50 years in India. Emission has increased by 161% over 50 years from 14.81 TgCE/year (0.12 tCE ha−1yr−1) in 1960 to 38.71 TgCE/year (0.28 tCE ha−1yr−1) by 2010. This is due to increase in the use of inputs primarily; chemical nitrogen fertilizer, shifting from conventional animal and human energy sources to carbon-intensive diesel and electricity-dependent machineries. It is also due to 16% decrease in area of less carbon-intensive coarse cereals and 22% increase in rice cultivation. Among crops, rice recorded maximum emission (23.75 Tg CE/ha) while it was lowest in redgram (2.98 Tg CE/ha). Nitrogen among inputs, accounted for 92 and 83% emission between 1960 and 2010 respectively while, nitrogen use efficiency declined, suggesting loss of added nitrogen to atmosphere as N2O. Methane accounted for 90 and 58% of emission over 1960 and 2010, respectively, indicating a declining trend over the years. Thus, amending nitrogen fertilizer use and measures to reduce methane emission alone can substantially reduce the carbon footprint of the crop cultivation process. There is also ample scope for reducing emissions from energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil palm waste from South Sumatra may represent an abundant source of biochar for beneficial agronomic use in Australian broad-acre farming systems. Here a cost-benefit analysis and carbon footprint of biochar applied to three different Australian broad-acre crops are presented, covering application rates of between 1 and 40 Mg ha−1 and considering either the effect of the biochar on yield or the effect of the biochar on reduced fertilizer requirement. Yield and nutrient efficiency effects are assumed to be constant across all crops. Analysis reveals that empty fruit bunch biochar could be produced in South Sumatra and transported to the farm gate in Australia at a minimum acceptable sale price per Mg of USD $266 to the biochar manufacturer. Despite assumed uniformity of the biochar effect, the return on investment for the biochar user from the perspective of yield increase varied significantly by crop (sugarcane: 67% return on investment [ROI], irrigated cotton: 43% ROI, dry land cotton: −22% ROI, wheat: −72% ROI). The study found that the average carbon footprint in CO2e over 100 years was −691 kg Mg−1 biochar when used to influence crop yield, and −286 kg Mg−1 biochar when used to reduce fertilizer requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly, universities are taking responsibility for climate protection. While there has been a growth of activities and studies on greening campus operations and curricula, student lifestyles may also be interesting to look at. This study focuses on student carbon emissions from consumption at the University of Applied Science in Konstanz, Germany. The study includes almost 10% of the university's students. Data on student lifestyle and emission patterns was collected via questionnaires and calculated with a web-based carbon calculator. The study analyzes personal carbon emissions and influencing factors from four consumption categories; housing (including heating and electricity), mobility (including private car use, public transport and aviation), food and other consumption. The findings show average students’ carbon footprint to be 10.9 t CO2 equivalent per year and of the same order of magnitude as the German average. While students cause less emission through heating because of smaller living space per person, they cause considerably more emission by aviation. A relatively small group of frequent flyers dominates aviation emissions. The study shows that the correlation between low income/expenditure and low carbon emissions is not valid for students due to high long-distance mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]