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Abstract: Many developing countries are acutely vulnerable to global climate changes. Pakistan ranks amongst the top of those nations where vulnerability index due to climate changes is very high. Though many of these are not major contributors to the Green House Gases (GHGs) emissions, yet they have adequate potential to mitigate GHGs in various sectors. The power sector, for instance, is one of the major contributors to GHGs in Pakistan and has prospects of abating GHGs by undertaking alternative and improving measures. The GHG contribution from grid connected power plants can be estimated through baseline emissions factor. This paper has calculated this baseline emission factor by determining annual fossil fuel consumption in the grid connected power plants, their net efficiencies, energy outputs and carbon emissions from each fuel source. The data in this regard has been collected from Pakistan Energy Year Book published in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and through related government agencies. The tools, procedures and methodologies of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are followed in this regard. The paper has calculated that the weighted average baseline emissions factor for power sector in Pakistan is 0.566tCO2/MWh (tons of carbon dioxide per megawatt hour) for wind and solar power projects and 0.478tCO2/MWh for hydro power projects excluding Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) grid and 0.606tCO2/MWh for wind and solar power projects and 0.505tCO2/MWh for hydro by including KESC grid. This baseline emissions factor is also a determinant of the amount of Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) that can be accrued by implementing clean Alternative and Renewable Energy (ARE) projects. The amount of CERs generated by an ARE project also have the prospects to earn the carbon revenue streams. The paper has also suggested measures for mitigating grid emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This review paper discusses the perspectives for development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies in the global fight against climate change, such as low-carbon technology which is a vital component to reduce future carbon emissions. The information on the level and growth of CO2 emissions, their source and geographic distribution, will be essential to lay the foundation for a global agreement; considering only for energy-related CO2, and not for any other greenhouse gases. We analyzed the distribution of the CO2 emission intensity related to them. Besides, in order to predict possible future situations of energy consumption, CO2 emissions intensity and the CCS role like the largest emission reduction potential, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has developed a number of scenarios; the baseline scenarios and comparative scenarios. We used the approach of the Blue Map Scenarios, bringing the 2005s emissions to a level of 50% by 2050 for a non-catastrophic human intervention in the climate system. Moreover, this paper shows the barriers, strategies for accelerating and the stages in the technology deployment. We also analyzed the CCS projects status; Challenges, SWOT analysis, and the currently Global CCS Technology Activity. For this, we consider the Large Scale Integrated Projects (LSIP), and the asset life-cycle model was used to categorize the status of a project according to its development stage. Alongside, the analysis involves: Total LSIPs by geographic region, by Industry and CO2 Capture Technology. In addition, we also made a scope on some of the most relevant international actions in order to stimulate the fulfillment of the CO2 intensity target. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The goal of this paper is to estimate the perspectives of the Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on meeting the new European Union climate commitments, i.e., to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% to the year 2020 in comparison with 1990. This ambitious target could be reached based on other EU climate and energy package commitments: increase of the share of renewables and improvement of energy efficiency as tools for fulfilling the GHG emissions reduction target. The paper gives an overview on the current situation and future plans of the Baltic States in the field of energy efficiency, consumption of renewables and reduction of GHG emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is commonly understood that households must change their behavior to reduce problems related increased energy consumption and climate change therefore in the search of cheap GHG emission reduction measures households are an important target group because they are responsible for more than 20% of total energy consumption in developed countries. In addition waste management and responsible consumption of products are the key issues in GHG emission reduction. The aim of the paper is to assess GHG emission reduction potential in households in terms of behavioral changes towards sustainable consumption. The review of literature on analysis of households behavioral changes impact on GHG emission reduction was performed; the daily survey of household agenda and energy use records were performed in Lithuania for two scenarios – baseline and GHG emission reduction scenario including energy saving. GHG emission reduction potential in household was assessed based on daily survey data and energy consumption records by applying carbon calculator based on modified coefficients. Evaluated GHG emission reduction potential in households was compared with GHG emission reduction potentials in other sectors of Lithuania. Based on analysis performed in the paper the tools to promote household behavioral changes towards sustainable consumption were proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Climate change, food crisis, energy generation and environmental pollution are among the greatest threats and challenges faced by mankind today. Biochar production from various biomass sources has gained a lot of interests since its addition to degraded agricultural soils not only improve soil fertility and biomass yield, but also mitigate climate change through soil carbon sequestration and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. There are enormous amounts of oil palm biomass generated along with the main palm oil production streams. A lot of research has been carried out to convert oil palm biomass into value-added products, but none except biochar has come close to be labeled as carbon negative products. In this paper, a review about production and application potential of biochar from oil palm biomass in Malaysia is given. Besides, some of the challenges in promoting biochar production and application, such as nature of the feedstocks, economic and logistical factors and market acceptance are highlighted as well. Producing biochar from oil palm biomass can potentially lead to a healthier environmental, societal and economic growth for the oil palm industry specifically, and enhances sustainability in worldwide context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Industrialization, development and social transformation has brought together issues of over exploitation of limited energy resource base (e.g. fossil fuel), accelerated threats of energy insecurity, and liberation of greenhouse gas emissions across the continents. The global challenge for the 21st century and way ahead is to find other means of satisfying energy needs, diversifying the energy supply, up-scaling the make-up of renewable energy to a greater extent, optimization of energy consumption and supply system. Denmark has been continuously moving towards optimization of energy production, usage and its overall management, during and even after the first global oil crisis. The country has been delivering its priority in the development of renewable energy and standing the country an energy self sufficient from last three decades. Country''s overall consumption of energy has decreased than that of the decades of 1980 and 1990s, with wider range of energy mix and saving options. The Danish government has strategized to make the country fossil fuel free by 2050, where special attention and interventions is required to boost up its development of renewable energy in the country. The past efforts of the Danish government in the energy development has helped not only making the country ‘energy self sufficient’, but also lowering the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Danish energy policy and strategies have been found more conducive and reflective of the joint EU priorities on the matter of dealing with climate change and energy security. All the past progress and its allied policies seem to be quite supportive in fulfilling its strategies for greener future. This review paper will discuss on the past efforts of Danish government in energy management and highlights on some political initiatives, which have been realised to support the country moving towards clean and green energy future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]