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• A technology-rich system model is created by integrating operations at MRFs and recycling paper mills. • Our model assesses sustainable pathways for U.S. domestic paper recycling industry. • Domestic recycling rate can increase by 15 % with better collection rate and sorting efficiency. • Use of recycled fibers can reduce energy and carbon intensities for most paper products. Dramatic changes in global recovered paper markets, triggered in large part by Chinese import restrictions, challenge the U.S. to find sustainable pathways for increasing the domestic paper recycling rate. This study presents a technology-rich process model of the U.S. domestic paper recycling industry to assess the energy consumption, carbon emissions, and system costs. A scenario analysis shows the viability of three potential pathways for achieving the national goals of a 15 % increase in both the paper recycling rate and the recycled paper utilization rate. The results suggest that the national goals can be achieved by recovering 80 % of recyclable papers from households and commercial stores, while trading all exported bales to domestic recovery with additional investments in processing capacity expansion. The deployment of advanced technology can enable material recovery facilities (MRFs) and paper mills to produce most recycled paper products that are more energy efficient with fewer CO 2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, an increasing focus has been placed on the mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions, underscoring the significance of the sustainable energy-conservation industry as a prominent and consequential field of development. As an energy-intensive procedure within the papermaking sector, the process of pulp-fiber beating necessitates an imperative exploration of alternative approaches aimed at mitigating energy consumption. This study has synthesized renewable cationic cellulose nanoparticles (CCNPs) extracted from the parenchymal cells of maize stalk pith. The objective is to demonstrate their viability as a reinforcing additive for paper sheets, thereby reducing the reliance on conventional beating processes. The results showed that CCNPs were prone to augment the physical strength of bleached papers, compared with unbleached papers. The inclusion of 9% CCNPs led to a remarkable 163.5% and 140.0% increase in tear and tensile indexes for bleached Eucalyptus paper, respectively. Incorporating CCNPs into non-refined paper yields physical traits akin to wood pulp paper beaten over 40 °SR. The CCNP-strengthened handsheets exhibited superior tensile and tear index in comparison to commercial dry strength additives such as cationic starch (CS) and cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM). Additionally, at 80 μg/ml concentration, E-B-9 displayed significant bactericidal effectiveness, achieving an impressive 97% reduction in Escherichia coli. This notable outcome is attributed to the presence of quaternary ammonium salt moieties in the formulation. This investigation introduces a promising approach where in the utilization of CCNP as an innovative multifunctional agent for paper holds the potential to enhance paper performance and concurrently reduce production costs. [Display omitted] ● The agro-waste CCNP acted well as a paper multifunctional addictive. ● The CCNPs promoted physical strengths of the paper from non-refined wood pulps. ● 9% CCNP-added sheet has mechanical properties akin to that from the 40°SR paper. ● 80 μg/ml of the bleached hardwood showed 97% bactericidal efficacy against E. coli. ● The improvement of CCNPs applied to bleached pulps is superior to unbleached pulps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Mechanical properties of waste papers are closely correlated with devolatilization. • Start of devolatilization caused a sudden decrease in relative storage modulus ( E ′ r). • Kinetics of storage modulus change is investigated referring to activation energy. • E ′ r can be predicted with mass loss ratio and CO 2 emission. Abstract This article details a correlation study on early devolatilization behaviors (drying & volatile emission at 25–240 °C) and the change in mechanical properties (expressed by viscoelasticity) of four types of waste papers. The early stage of devolatilization was investigated using the TG-FTIR and mechanical properties using the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) method. The results show that the elastic and viscous mechanical properties showed obvious correlations with free and bound water evaporation and volatile emission. The storage modulus (E ′) and loss modulus (E ″) of the papers decreased as temperature increased and at the two important temperatures, namely 100 °C, the start of bound water evaporation, and 150 °C, the start of devolatilization in TG & DTG curves, E ′ showed extrema. Especially the relative storage modulus ( E ′ r) exhibited a sudden decrease at around 150 °C, where the activation energy of thermochemical conversion jumps from low values to high values, indicating the start of devolatilization. CO 2 is the major compound of the volatiles and it is well correlated with E ′ r in exponential function model and can be used as an index for predicting the E ′ r of the waste papers in their early devolatilization stage; while during the drying stage, mass loss ratio can be used to predict E ′ r of the waste papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper has shaped society for centuries and is considered one of humanity's most important inventions. However, pulp and paper products can be damaging to social and natural systems along their lifecycle of material extraction, processing, transportation, and waste handling. The pulp and paper industry is among the top five most energy-intensive industries globally and is the fourth largest industrial energy user. This industry accounts for approximately 6% of global industrial energy use and 2% of direct industrial CO 2 emissions. The pulp and paper industry is also the largest user of original or virgin wood, with deleterious impacts on both human health and local flora and fauna, including aquatic ecosystems. This critical and systematic review seeks to identify alternatives for mitigating the climate impacts of pulp and paper processes and products, thus making the pulp and paper industry more environmentally sustainable. This study reviews 466 studies to answer the following questions: what are the main determinants of energy and carbon emissions emerging from the pulp and paper industry? What are the benefits of this industry adopting low-carbon manufacturing processes, and what barriers will need to be tackled to enable such adoption? Using a sociotechnical lens, we answer these questions, identify barriers for the pulp and paper industry's decarbonization, and present promising avenues for future research. •This review identifies carbon-intensive processes in the pulp and paper industry. •Presents decarbonizing practices, potential transformations and innovations. •Presents promising avenues for future research. •No agreed consensus on the most promising technologies to achieve net-zero in the pulp and paper industry. •Pulp and paper products are associated with other sociotechnical systems that create compelling interdependencies among industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi continue to be the main cause of biodeterioration in libraries. In addition to degrading paper, fungi are an important health issue for librarians and even library users. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO 2 ) to ancient paper contaminated with fungi. For this purpose, SCCO 2 was applied in two processes to treat samples of paper pieces: addition of 4% and 8% ethanol (w/w) at a pressure of 150 bar and temperature of 40 °C for 1 hour. Control samples (no processing) and processed samples were directly plated onto culture media to evaluate the frequency of fungal growth. Morphological and molecular analysis of the 294 samples showing mold growth on paper revealed that Aspergillus niger , Aspergillus flavus , and Eurotium amstelodami were the most frequently isolated fungi. In the control group, 47.6% of the samples were contaminated with fungi. This percentage was only 1.9% after treatment with both processes. The difference between unprocessed control samples and samples treated under the two conditions was statistically significant ( P < 0.1) for a confidence interval of 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper industry accounts for approximately 5% of total industrial energy consumption and contributes 2% of direct carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from industries. World paper and paperboard demand and production are increasing significantly, leading to an increase in this sector's energy use and CO 2 emissions. Although current studies identify a wide range of energy-efficiency technologies that have already been commercialized for the pulp and paper industry, information is limited or scattered regarding new energy-efficiency technologies that are not yet fully commercialized. Development of emerging or advanced energy-efficiency technologies and their deployment in the market will be crucial for this industry's mid- and long-term energy saving and climate change mitigation strategies. This paper compiles available information on energy savings, environmental and other benefits, costs, and commercialization status for 25 emerging technologies to reduce the energy use and CO 2 emissions. The purpose is to provide a well-structured comprehensive review on these emerging energy-efficiency technologies for engineers, researchers, investors, policy makers, pulp and/or paper companies, and other interested parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The pulp and paper industry is placed in a unique position as biomass used as feedstock is now in increasingly high demand from the energy sector. Increased demand for biomass increases pressure on the availability of this resource, which might strengthen the need for recycling of paper. In this study, we calculate the energy use and carbon dioxide emissions for paper production from three pulp types. Increased recycling enables an increase in biomass availability and reduces life-cycle energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. Recovered paper as feedstock leads to lowest energy use (22GJ/t) and CO2 emissions (−1100kgCO2/t) when biomass not used for paper production is assumed to be converted into bio-energy. Large differences exist between paper grades in e.g. electricity and heat use during production, fibre furnish, filler content and recyclability. We found large variation in energy use over the life-cycle of different grades. However, in all paper grades, life-cycle energy use decreases with increased recycling rates and increased use of recovered fibres. The average life-cycle energy use of the paper mix produced in The Netherlands, where the recycling rate is approximately 75%, is about 14GJ/t. This equals CO2 savings of about 1tCO2/t paper if no recycled fibres would be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper an approach for analysing the potential for implementation of different technology pathways for the European pulp and paper industry (PPI) is presented. The approach is based on detailed technical research and aggregates the knowledge from previous studies to incorporate the whole European PPI. Thus, the potential for different technology pathways can be estimated on a European level whilst still considering important characteristics of individual mills. The usefulness of the approach was exemplified by applying it to a case study of the potential for introduction of carbon capture and storage (CCS) within the European PPI. The results from the case study show that for the European PPI, CCS has an up-hill road in order to be a viable, large scale alternative for reduction of CO2 emissions. If CCS is to be introduced in large scale within the European PPI, large biomass-based point sources of CO2 emissions need to be included when planning for CCS infrastructure and also the infrastructure needs to be built out for clusters emitting <20 MtCO2/yr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The pulp and paper industry is one of the most energy-intensive industries worldwide. In 2007, it accounted for 5% of total global industrial energy consumption and 2% of direct industrial carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. An energy audit is a primary step toward improving energy efficiency at the facility level. This paper describes a plant-wide energy audit aimed at identifying energy conservation and CO2 mitigation opportunities at a paper mill in Guangdong province, China. We describe the energy audit methods, relevant Chinese standards, methods of calculating energy and carbon indicators, baseline energy consumption and CO2 emissions of the audited paper mill, and nine energy-efficiency improvement opportunities identified by the audit. For each of the nine options, we evaluate the energy conservation and associated CO2 mitigation potential. The total technical energy conservation potential for these nine opportunities is 967.8terajoules (TJ), and the total CO2 mitigation potential is equal to 93,453tonnes CO2 annually, representing 14.4% and 14.7%, respectively, of the mill’s total energy consumption and CO2 emissions during the audit period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A simple framework to estimate the potential of solar industrial process heating (SIPH) and corresponding CO 2 emissions mitigation in paper industry in India is presented. Geographical locations with clusters of paper mills have been identified and the annual process heating requirement for paper production (based on raw material use) at each cluster has been estimated. The total process heating potential for the paper industry in India has been estimated at 25.2 PJ/annum. Using the estimated performance of a commercially available parabolic trough based SIPH system with collector area requirement of 1.11 million m 2 annual solar fraction in the range of 0.25–0.30 have been estimated. Annual energy delivery of SIPH systems estimated at 4.34 PJ per annum. Finally at 8 main locations with clusters of paper mills in India considered in this study, adoption of SIPH without storage is expected to mitigate 0.34 million tonnes of CO 2 emissions annually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Scandinavian mechanical pulp and paper industry has been facing great challenges during the past decades, mainly because of declining demand for newsprint, and higher prices on raw material and energy. One way of increasing profitability is to produce more value-added products besides the production of pulp and paper. In this study, integration potentials of three possible future biomass gasification-based energy mills with an existing thermo-mechanical pulp (TMP) mill, co-located with a sawmill, have been evaluated. The product gas was utilized for electricity production in a gas turbine, for production of methanol or for production of Fischer–Tropsch (FT) liquids. Integration of the energy mills showed good potential as the TMP mill constitutes a heat sink for which the excess heat from the energy mills can be utilized all year round. However, since there is little excess heat from the TMP mill at the required level to be utilized for biomass drying, for example, heat integration is typically one way. It has also been shown that integration of biomass gasification with a TMP mill results in larger CO2 emissions reduction than stand-alone operation. Still, compared to co-firing biomass in a coal power plant, the energy mills all have lower potentials for CO2 emissions reduction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The pulp and paper industry, which provides cellulose pulp and paper, bio-based energy and chemicals, is one of the largest energy consumers, greenhouse gases (GHG) and pollutant emitters among manufacturing industries. Although the environmental impact of the pulp and paper industry has been extensively studied, life cycle assessment (LCA) results have not yet reached a consensus. By means of a systematic review and meta-analysis, this article contributes to the quantification and harmonization of the life cycle environmental impacts of pulp making and paper making systems. Based on the screening of 45 cases of paper making and 18 cases of pulp making, we found that 1 t of paper results in about 950 kg carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) equivalent (CO 2 -eq) GHG emissions on average. However, there are distinct differences between countries and pulp and paper categories. The dominant factor influencing GHG emissions is energy use. In paper making, the pulp making process is responsible for 62% of energy use, 45% of GHG emissions, 48% of acidification potential, and 49% of eutrophication potential. The kg CO 2 -eq emissions of three different types of pulp were as follows: Kraft, 508 kg CO 2 -eq/t; chemi-mechanical, 513 kg CO 2 -eq/t; and recycled pulp, 408 kg CO 2 -eq/t. Excluding emissions from electricity and steam production, the convergence of carbon emissions is observed within the same categories of pulp. Straw-based pulp caused far more environmental impact than any other type because of the intensive inputs in agricultural activities as well as in the pulp making process. This research highlighted the inconsistencies in functional units, system boundaries, and methodologies and carbon neutrality assumptions in different LCA studies of pulp and paper making. Future studies should focus on the environmental impact of straw-based pulp making, system boundary unification, and calculation of biogenic carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing presence of e-books (electronic books) has become a major focus in countries around the world. In the United States, e-books represented 28% of the total book sales for 2012. In Japan, the conversion from paper books to e-books is expected to accelerate by the prevalent use of smartphones and tablet PCs. It is therefore important to quantitatively evaluate the environmental load of paper books and e-books for a sustainable society. In this study, paper books are compared to e-books read on different electronic devices (e-ink tablets, tablets, cell phones, smartphones, laptop computers, desktop computers and portable music players) through a case study on a 224-page book. The study is based on key primary data such as use time and reading speed for each device and aims to minimize assumptions made in other studies. GHG emissions for paper books are 1.24 kg-CO 2 e/book, and are reduced to 1.11 kg-CO 2 e/book when the effect of paper recycling is taken into consideration. The results for e-books under average use-time conditions range from 0.25 to 0.91 kg-CO 2 e/book with the e-ink tablet having the lowest emissions. When the average use time of each e-book device is applied, the paper book has a higher impact than all the e-books. However, sensitivity analysis shows that the impact of paper books can be lower than that of e-books for larger screen devices such as tablets, laptops and desktops when the reuse of books is considered or the e-book reading device is hardly used during its life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper studies allocation of fuel costs and CO2-emissions to heat and power in a CHP plant producing heat to an integrated pulp and paper mill and electricity to the liberalized electricity markets (or to the mill by the market price). The CHP plant and the mill are considered to be two separate economical units and both the mill and the CHP plant perspectives are discussed. Fuel costs and CO2-emissions are allocated using the energy, exergy and market based methods. The CHP plant purchases black liquor and bark from the mill. It also purchases oil from the markets to cover the whole fuel demand of the plant. The results indicate that the marked based method can be recommended as a “neutral” cost allocation method, because with that, the energy producer is not collecting extra margins from selling steam. This means that heat pricing is cost based. The results also indicate that depending on the emission factor and efficiency of alternative energy production form, the marked based method or the exergy method allocate the lowest CO2-emissions to heat. Therefore, the use of market based method for allocating costs and CO2 emissions can be recommended in order to use one single approach in both. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Ultrasound-assisted drying (UAD) could intensify the moisture separation in pulp drying process. • The drying time was shortened by 26 %∼42 % as a result of UAD intensification. • Drying at 55 °C and 60 W led to the minimized energy consumption with UAD. • The Page model was found to be the best for predicting the pulp drying kinetics. • No significant differences in drying rates were observed when the moisture ratio was below 0.43. Traditional pulp convective drying (CD) is time-consuming and energy-intensive. This study aimed to assess the drying performance of pulp using ultrasound-assisted drying (UAD) and compared it with CD to intensify moisture separation. UAD was found to be fast and efficient with high effective moisture diffusivity of 2.77 × 10–10 ∼ 3.20 × 10–10 m2/s, low activation energy of 20.2 kJ/mol, and short drying time of 21.0 ∼ 16.5 min. It demonstrated that applying ultrasound could promote moisture separation with 26 %∼42 % reductions in drying time and 42 %∼22 % savings in energy consumption. The constant rate period was not presented and no significant differences in drying rates were observed when the moisture ratio was below 0.43 under the investigated conditions. The kinetics modeling results indicated that the Page model was the best to predict the pulp drying kinetics for both methods. It may lead to an alternative efficient approach for decarbonizing the drying process in pulp and paper production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study analyzes the potential of an environmentally benign integration of a parabolic trough solar collector (PTSC) with a heat-intensive multi-effect evaporator (MEE) used in pulp and paper industry. Actual plant data was used to simulate the MEE and estimate the steam economy (SE) and steam consumption (SC), which are used to judge the performance of PTSC-MEE system. Four distinct alternatives for the integration are investigated with Self-adaptive Differential Evolution (SaDE) utilized for optimization. Initially, a normal PTSC with four different model configurations of MEE, basic or with energy reduction schemes (ERSs) are tested and found that SE is slightly increased for each. Next, a geometrically optimized/combinatorial optimized PTSC with basic MEE is examined, a rise of ∼3.4% in SE is noted for both, with current integration outperforming one out of three ERSs. Subsequently, geometrical plus combinatorial optimized PTSC with basic MEE is inspected, increase in SE reached 7.59% and two of the three ERSs outperformed. Economic analysis is conducted to estimate the steam saving with different PTSC-MEE systems and corresponding payback periods. The possibility of decarbonization with the various integration possibilities is also explored by evaluating the fuel savings and related CO 2 savings. • Integration of PTSC with an MEE used in pulp and paper industry is investigated. • The fusion of PTSC with MEE is studied with various possibilities. • Self-adaptive Differential Evolution (SaDE) is used for various optimizations. • The steam savings and payback times are estimated for various PTSC-MEE systems. • Decarbonization is studied by analyzing fuel savings and CO 2 reductions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper develops a statistical model for optimizing the Hydrogen-injected Natural gas (H-NG) high-pressure pipeline network. Gas hydrodynamic principles are utilized to construct the pipeline and compressor station model. The model developed is implemented on a pipeline grid that is supposed to carry Hydrogen as an energy carrier in a natural gas-carrying pipeline. The paper aims to optimize different objectives using ant colony optimization (ACO). The first objective includes a single objective optimization problem that evaluates the maximum permissible hydrogen amounts blended with natural gas (NG) for a set of pipeline constraints. We also evaluated the variations in operational variables on injecting Hydrogen into the natural gas pipeline networks at varying fractions. The study further develops a multi-objective optimization model that includes bi-objective and tri-objective problems and is optimized using ACO. Traditional studies have focused on single-objective optimization with minimal bi-objective issues. In addition, none of the earlier research has shown the effect of introducing Hydrogen to the NG network using tri-objective function evaluations. The bi-objective and tri-objective functions help evaluate the effect of injecting Hydrogen on different operational parameters. The study further attempts to fill the gap by detailing the modelling equations implemented through a bi-objective and tri-objective function for the H-NG pipeline network and optimized through ACO. Pareto fronts that show the tradeoff between the different objectives for the multi-objective problem have been generated. The primary objective of the bi-objective and tri-objective optimization problems is maximizing hydrogen mole percent in natural gas. The other objective chosen is minimizing compressor fuel consumption and maximizing delivery pressure, throughput, and power delivered at the delivery station. The findings will serve as a roadmap for pipeline operators interested in repurposing natural gas pipeline networks to transport hydrogen and natural gas blend (H-NG) and seeking to reduce carbon intensity per unit of energy-delivered fuel. [Display omitted] • Effect of adding hydrogen to a natural gas carrying pipeline grid is examined. • Multi-objective ant colony optimization is used. • Pareto fronts for bi-objective and tri-objective functions are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The REpowerEU plan prioritizes combining electrification with low-carbon hydrogen for a green energy shift. However, uncertainties surrounding the future hydrogen market and its supply costs impede the establishment of its value chain. Without definite plans for hydrogen production and infrastructure, investing in low-carbon hydrogen industrial processes is risky. Simultaneously, the absence of solid market interest poses challenges in deploying a hydrogen backbone. In recent years, European gas Transmission System Operators (TSOs) in Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany, have introduced various roadmaps for their prospective national hydrogen network. Despite the infrastructure proposals, detailed quantitative scenario analysis for the future hydrogen supply chain is still missing. This paper presents a hydrogen infrastructure model that employs Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) for investment and operational cost optimization at detailed spatiotemporal resolution. A regionalization method is proposed to allocate the potential hydrogen consumption in different industrial sectors across various clusters within a country, represented as the prospective hydrogen demand nodes. The model assesses extreme supply scenarios to examine the robustness of the resulting network infrastructure and compare the system-levelized cost of hydrogen. A real-life case study focusing on the potential Belgian hydrogen supply chain showcases the model's capabilities and outputs. • Regionalization of the industrial hydrogen consumption derived from a national-scale energy system model. • MILP cost optimization model for hydrogen infrastructure design. • Comparative analysis of diverse extreme low-carbon hydrogen supply scenarios. • In-depth case study focusing on the prospective Belgian hydrogen backbone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, there has been an increasing demand for policy research focusing on market-based measures for decarbonizing shipping. It is increasingly recognized that more than just technological and operational measures will be needed to achieve the objectives of decarbonizing shipping. This paper presents a quantitative review of the existing research leveraging bibliometric analysis techniques, highlighting the concepts, general trends, research themes and applications within the maritime industry in this field. It sheds light on the evolution of policy and regulations, design details, impacts and methods of quantifying the effects of environmental policies and provides future research directions in this area. The findings and future research agenda may become valuable resources for academic research and industrial practice. • This paper presents a quantitative review on market-based measures towards shipping decarbonization. • A bibliometric analysis on research themes and applications of decarbonization within maritime industry is made. • It sheds light on the evolution of environmental policies and future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: India accounts for 4.5% of industrial energy use worldwide. This share is projected to increase as the economy expands rapidly. The level of industrial energy efficiency in India varies widely. Certain sectors, such as cement, are relatively efficient, while others, such as pulp and paper, are relatively inefficient. Future energy efficiency efforts should focus on direct reduced iron, pulp and paper and small-scale cement kilns because the potentials for improvement are important in both percentage and absolute terms. Under business as usual, industrial energy use is projected to rise faster than total final energy use. A strong focus on energy efficiency can reduce this growth, but CO2 emissions will still rise substantially. If more substantial CO2 emissions reductions are to be achieved then energy efficiency will need to be combined with measures that reduce the carbon intensity of the industrial fuel mix. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The growing carbon crisis threatens sustainable development. This paper verifies that the rise of green finance contributes to overcoming this challenge. The benchmark results show that green finance can directly drive decarbonization of the economy. High-level openness, government support, human capital and urbanization are prerequisites of this effect, and green finance is more effective in promoting decarbonization in areas with high carbon intensity. Moreover, green finance drives economic decarbonization by promoting economic growth, technical innovation, industrial upgrading, and renewable energy transition. Internet availability, financial level and higher education have moderating roles in boosting this effect. Furthermore, the implementation of green finance policy also contributes to decarbonization. The robustness of the basic result is proven with several methods, thus strengthening the reliability of the basic conclusion in this paper. Based on the above main findings, targeted policy recommendations concerning how to further develop green finance are proposed in this paper. • Green finance can directly drive economic decarbonization. • Some high-level external circumstances are the prerequisite of that effect. • Green finance can drive economic decarbonization through mediating paths. • Moderating paths are Internet availability, financial level and education. • Green finance policy makes contributions to the economic decarbonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass can partially replace fossil fuels for power to reduce CO 2 emissions and save non-renewable resources. In the pulp and paper industry, a waste biomass of calcium lignin was obtained by treating chemo-mechanical pulp (CMP) wastewater with calcium oxide. To investigate waste calcium lignin and its potential use in power generation systems in place of fossil fuels, a basic experiment on calcium lignin gasification was conducted. A model of gasification combined power generation was developed. The results showed that, the gasification temperature was 800 °C, the equivalence ratio (ER) was 0.25, the syngas yield was 78.2 wt%, the lower heating value (LHV) of the syngas was 5.15 MJ/Nm3, and the highest cold gas efficiency (CGE) was 57.84%. In the model, the generated electricity and CO 2 emissions were 1.10 kg/kWh and 0.62 kg CO 2 /kWh, respectively. The use of calcium lignin biomass reduced 35.42% of CO 2 emissions compared to a traditional coal-fired power plant. In addition, the product value-added was 1.17 RMB per kWh, and this was 82.81% higher than that of the 0.64 RMB of traditional coal-fired power plant. [Display omitted] • Production of syngas from the solid waste of calcium lignin by gasification. • Syngas was used for power generation to reduce the use of fossil fuels. • A model was established to investigate the emission reduction effect of CO 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy transition strongly leads researcher to find short-term alternative carbon-free fuels to be used in internal combustion engines. An interesting and transient solution can be the dual fuel (DF) technology. It can offer significant reduction of carbon dioxide and pollutant emissions. In this paper, DF operation was performed in an optically accessed research diesel engine running at a constant speed of 1500 rpm. Substitute fuels (methane or hydrogen) were injected in the intake manifold in front of the entrance of the tumble intake port. The objective was to compare the two DF modes using simultaneously Fast UV–Visible and Fast Infrared (IR) Imaging. We observed that IR camera was able to give deeper combustion information and allowed to grab the whole phenomenon for both DF hydrogen and methane, while identifying the combustion starting points. Also, IR acquisitions for premixed hydrogen evidenced an unpredictably behaviour of the mixture, demonstrating the necessity of a specific Diesel injection strategy to avoid hydrogen auto-ignition at higher engine load. Finally, a comparison of the measured emissions at the exhaust evidenced that in DF mode (both with CH 4 and H 2) a significant reduction of particulate matter is achieved with respect to conventional diesel operation. In addition, when hydrogen is used as primary fuel, a more efficient combustion is obtained drastically reducing HC and CO 2. • Dual fuel use for energetic transition. • Emission reduction. • E-fuel possibility use. • High potential for fast IR camera in engine studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing research provides for the development of general technical solutions for the creation of a methane-hydrogen water-heating boiler unit. The advantages of this source of thermal energy over similar units is the reduction in specific carbon dioxide emissions per unit of thermal energy produced, which is relevant for the decarbonization of the Russian heat and power industry. As part of the work, a mathematical model was created for the mixed thermal calculation of a hot water boiler unit (calibration for the furnace and constructive for the convective part) in the Python programming language. The calculation in the model is carried out on the basis of the normative method. Implemented the ability to calculate the conversion of the most popular standard sizes of hot water boilers to another gas composition: KVGM-10, KVGM-20, KVGM-30, KVGM-50, KVGM-100, KVGM-180, PTVM-30, PTVM-50, PTVM-100 and PTVM-180. The result of the calculation of the reconstruction of the convective part is the required area of the heat-receiving surface, which makes it possible to estimate the volume of reconstruction. The paper analyzes the volume of reconstruction of burners RGMG-10, RGMG-20 and RGMG-30 when switching to a methane-hydrogen mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To effectively mitigate climate change, policymakers worldwide established various GHG tracking and trading systems. In the light of ambitious climate goals, stricter regulations, and increasing demand for climate action, various groups such as researchers and governmental institutions suggested additional approaches. This paper addresses the complexity that arises from the breadth of suggested approaches and implemented systems for GHG tracking and trading. By doing so, it synthesizes relevant dimensions in a way that is understandable to enterprises and policymakers, enabling them to design meaningful systems incorporating the reduction of GHG emissions and advance cleaner production. Therefore, this paper presents a first-of-its-kind taxonomy of GHG tracking and trading approaches through a systematic literature review. It illustrates ten main design and implementation dimensions with 30 corresponding characteristics. To accelerate decarbonization, this paper sets impulses for future GHG tracking in the electricity sector based on semi-structured expert interviews. Consecutively, it provides policy directions for CO 2 -adaptive decision-making for enterprises, formulated as a Call for Action with seven prospective questions. These include, for example, questions concerning technical aspects like data management, legal issues like the sufficiency of existing data security and privacy regulations, as well as economic topics like the calculation of an appropriate local and temporal granularity. • Presenting a first-of-its-kind taxonomy of GHG tracking and trading approaches through a systematic literature review. • Creating targeted knowledge for enterprises and policymakers for designing meaningful systems to reduce GHG emissions. • Setting impulses for future GHG tracking in the electricity sector based on semi-structured expert interviews. • Providing policy directions for CO 2 -adaptive decision-making for enterprises, formulated as a Call for Action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faced with the difficult but urgent task of reducing carbon emission intensity, considering urban agglomeration as a fundamental spatial unit for this purpose has become increasingly important. However, as a long-standing and pivotal phenomenon in the development of urban agglomerations, the potential role of spatial functional division in urban agglomerations in reducing carbon emission intensity has been largely overlooked. To fill this gap, this paper explores the relationship between spatial functional division in urban agglomerations and carbon emission intensity, relying on a dataset of 19 urban agglomerations in China. The main results reveal an inverted U-shaped relationship between spatial functional division in urban agglomerations and carbon emission intensity. Spatial functional division in urban agglomerations increases carbon emission intensity in the initial stage; once it reaches a turning point, spatial functional division in urban agglomerations can reduce carbon emission intensity. This conclusion remains robust after conducting various robustness checks and addressing endogeneity concerns. This paper identifies productivity enhancement as an underlying mechanism that shapes this relationship. Moreover, the relationship between spatial functional division in urban agglomerations and carbon emission intensity exhibits heterogeneity based on function types and urban types. These findings emphasize that spatial functional division in urban agglomerations plays a unique role in reducing carbon emission intensity, which offers a new strategy for reducing carbon emission intensity from an individual city level to an entire urban agglomeration level. • An inverted U-shaped relationship exists between SFD and CEI. • Productivity enhancement derived from SFD is a crucial influencing mechanism. • Function types and urban types influence the relationship between SFD and CEI. • Improving SFD adds a novel urban agglomeration-level strategy to reduce CEI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Calcium looping (CaL) captures carbon dioxide and waste heat from industrial flue gases. • Methane dry reforming (MDR) produces blue hydrogen with high thermal energy penalty. • Synergy of MDR and CaL shows huge potentials for industry decarbonisation. • Major challenges are catalyst deactivation, sorbent sintering and system integration. Industry is the biggest sector of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, whose decarbonisation is essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Carbon capture, energy efficiency improvement and hydrogen are among the main strategies for industrial decarbonization. However, novel approaches are needed to address the key requirements and differences between sectors to ensure they can work together to well integrate industrial decarbonisation with heat, CO 2 and hydrogen. The emerging Calcium Looping (CaL) is attracting interest in designing CO 2 -involved chemical processes for heat capture and storage. The reversibility, relatively high-temperature (600 to 900 °C) and high energy capacity output, as well as carbon capture function, make CaL well-fit for CO 2 capture and utilisation and waste heat recovery from industrial flue gases. Meanwhile, methane dry reforming (MDR) is a promising technology to produce blue hydrogen via the consumption of two major greenhouse gases, i.e., CO 2 and CH 4. It has great potential to combine the two technologies to achieve in-situ CO 2 utilization with multiple benefits. In this paper, progresses on the reaction conditions and performance of CaL for CO 2 capture and industrial waste heat recovery, as well as MDR were screened. Secondly, recent approaches to CaL-MDR synergy have been reviewed to identify the advantages. The major challenges in such a synergistic process include MDR catalyst deactivation, CaL sorbents sintering and system integration. Thirdly, the paper outlooks future work to explore a rational design of a multi-function system for the proposed synergistic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to present innovative maritime shipping initiatives to reduce carbon footprint and gases emission. Indeed, large international shipping firms and banks are generally reluctant to finance innovative sailboats' construction, due to technology uncertainties, extra costs and delivery times. This context justifies the need to finance shipping decarbonization as emissions are high and increasing. Hence, this paper contributes to the existing literature as it fills the gap of lack of studies on maritime transportation using wind-power vessels, by exploring business models adopted by French companies and shippers' coalition, models that can be adopted or serve as a source of inspiration for other decarbonization initiatives in the future. Besides, this paper gives an appropriate interpretation of the EU regulatory context evolving to be favorable for agreements aiming to reduce the carbon footprint. The methodology consists of an analysis of the French ventures in sailboat shipping through case-studies and the interpretation of the regulatory context applicable to the financing of innovation in the maritime industry. We conclude the need for additional support and change in regulation even that recent EU regulatory adjustments appear as a signal sent to private investors to finance technological innovation for maritime decarbonization. • Wind power innovative maritime shipping to reduce carbon footprint and gases emission is investigated. • Recent sailboat shipping literature from environmental and regulatory contexts are explored. • Relevant French ventures in sail maritime shipping are explored and compared. • Articulation of EU competition policy and decarbonization objectives for maritime transport is investigated and interpreted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant increases in renewable energy are needed in electricity systems in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the face of increasing electricity demand arising from the electrification of heat and transport. Greater flexibility is required in the electricity system to facilitate this, using proven flexibility providers such as batteries and interconnection or new technologies yet to be proven. This paper investigates how the relationship between battery and interconnection development and carbon price can impact carbon dioxide emissions and renewable energy curtailment. The study simulates twenty-eight scenarios and sensitivities using a unit commitment and economic dispatch model of a 2030 European power system that acknowledges that coal will not be fully eliminated from the 2030 generation mix. The results show that interconnection and battery deployment can alleviate renewable energy curtailment by over 2.4 TWh for the basecase, but a high carbon price is critical to ensuring their deployment plays a complementary role in reducing emissions. The paper also examines the impact of batteries and interconnection on solar and wind energy curtailment. It reveals that battery development nearly doubled the solar energy benefits achieved by interconnection development in some cases, while wind energy benefited more from interconnection development. • A high CO 2 price is critical to IC and batteries achieving emissions reductions. • IC can facilitate production of cheaper higher emitting fuels when CO 2 price is low. • Solar energy benefits more from deployment of batteries due to similar timescales. • Diversity of wind profiles can be leveraged with increased interconnection. • Regardless of CO 2 price IC and batteries alleviate renewable energy curtailment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For several decades, modal shift within the freight transport sector has been promoted by policy makers as an important basis for achieving lower transport emission targets. Even though the literature on mode choice is well established, there is less consensus about the volume of freight with the potential to shift and, more importantly, the actual contribution of freight modal shift to achieving less climate and air pollution impacts. The climate contribution of freight modal shift can be increasingly questioned, as decarbonization is taking place at increasing rates within road freight transport. In this paper, the role of modal shift policies in realizing climate objectives is scrutinized by focusing on the case of Sweden, which serves to illustrate some general insights. We highlight how modal shift is often analyzed and discussed in isolation, even though it forms an important part of a policy mix in which it may contribute to achieving climate objectives. Treating modal shift as an objective in its own right may render less effective and cost-efficient policy instruments. • The climate contribution of freight modal shift is increasingly questioned. • The role of modal shift policies in realizing climate objectives is scrutinized by focusing on the case of Sweden. • Modal shift is often analyzed and discussed in isolation. • Treating modal shift as an objective in its own right may render policy instruments less effective and cost-efficient, [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to cast-in-situ construction, prefabricated construction reduces the generation of construction waste; however, construction waste cannot be entirely eliminated through prefabrication and can be generated at each stage of its life cycle. This paper generates a system dynamics model, comprising two causal-loop diagrams and one stock-flow diagram, to simulate the effectiveness of policies on decarbonizing prefabricated concrete building waste. The model can predict the annual and total construction waste, along with the associated carbon emissions, under different policy scenarios in China by 2030. This paper focuses on prefabricated concrete buildings in China, with specific attention to the wastage of concrete, bricks, mortar, and metal. In single-factor scenario simulations, increasing landfilling fee is the most effective policy for waste decarbonization, potentially reducing carbon emissions by 31%. Increasing prefabrication rate and enhancing regulation degree at the design phase of prefabrication can directly reduce prefabricated building waste generation, subsequently resulting in an 18% and 7% carbon emissions reduction. Multi-factor scenario simulations demonstrate that the simultaneous application of all four policies is most effective, achieving a 44% reduction in carbon emissions. This research establishes a theoretical framework for prefabricated concrete building waste management and provides the Chinese government with practical insights on optimizing policies for waste decarbonization in the dynamic landscape of prefabrication. • This paper develops the prefabricated building waste generation and disposal systems. • The model predicts the construction waste and associated carbon emissions by 2030. • Raising landfill fee is an effective policy for decarbonizing construction waste by 31.06%. • Prefabrication rate reaching 100% can reduce 18.04% of carbon emissions from waste. • Applying all policies is most effective, achieving a 44.34% carbon emissions reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the editorial for the virtual special issue (VSI) of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (RSER) dedicated to three Sustainable Development of Energy Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) Conferences held in 2022, namely: (i) the 5th South East European Conference SEESDEWES 2022 held from May 22 to 26, 2022 in Vlore, Albania; (ii) the 3rd Latin American LASDEWES 2022 held from July 24 to 28, 2022 in Sao Paulo, Brazil and (iii) the 17th SDEWES 2022 held from November 6 to 10, 2022 in Paphos, Cyprus. The VSI collected both high quality review papers and original research articles presented at these conferences, aligning with the aims and scope of RSER. Following a rigorous peer review process, seventeen articles were accepted and published. These articles explore techniques and technologies essential for advancing feasible Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems. Spanning multidisciplinary topics, many of them address almost all the Sustainable Development Goals, offering feasible solutions for much-needed decarbonization pathways. • The VSI SDEWES 2022 presents the ready solutions for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems. • Five clusters for presenting the Renewable and Sustainable energy cutting edge solutions. • The positioning in the scientific context of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems. • Feasible solutions for much-needed decarbonization pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of energy and climate policy is usually seen as an 'expert' domain, relying on technical tools such as economic analysis. However, policy requires the support of politicians and citizens alike, through the democratic process. Many policies, such as reducing carbon emissions from homes and transport, also affect people's lives directly. It is thus necessary to supplement technical analysis with methods that allow an exploration of people's views, values and behaviours. One such method is codesign, whereby groups of citizens work with policy analysts to develop strategies informed by the lived experience of citizens, as well as the specialist knowledge of analysts. There is a history of co-design approaches in public services such as healthcare, but there have been few attempts to co-design public policy measures. This paper reports on a Citizens' Panel, a representative group of people working with specialists to create co-designed policy recommendations for reducing carbon emissions from homes. The process revealed that policy co-design can provide detailed, viable proposals. In this case, panellists emphasised the necessity of leadership and support from government; tailored, consistent information; targeted regulation; and financial incentives. Finally, the wider potential role for policy co-design for energy and climate is addressed. • Co-design processes are widely used but rarely applied to the design of energy and climate policy. • Co-design processes can embed citizen perspectives in policy design. • The paper reports on an experimental panel on home energy decarbonisation. • Co-design can ensure that policies are effective and will gain support of politicians and publics. • Changes to cultures of policymaking are needed to embed such approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon neutrality agenda requires that carbon lock-in enters an endgame. A well-developed energy system, which is secure, equitable, and sustainable is paramount to getting rid of carbon lock-in and realizing decarbonization. We carry out systematic research to empirically study the possible carbon lock-in reduction effect of energy trilemma based on the instrumental variable-generalized method of moment (IV-GMM) model. We also detect heterogeneous effects in terms of geographical locations and endowments of capital, as well as the impact mechanisms. Moreover, this paper highlights the mediating and threshold role of environmental regulation. We thus get the following conclusions. (1) The paper's primary findings underscore that the continuous increase of energy trilemma exacerbates carbon lock-in and hampers the process of decarbonization; (2) Energy trilemma has a higher stimulating effect on carbon lock-in in provinces that lie in the central region and that have a comparatively low level of physical, social, and human capital; (3) Energy trilemma can also indirectly aggravate carbon lock-in by inhibiting technology innovation and exacerbating carbon emissions intensity; (4) The interaction of environmental regulation and energy trilemma can alleviate the energy trilemma - carbon lock-in nexus, and environmental regulation also shows a significant threshold effect. • We investigate the impact of the energy trilemma on carbon lock-in. • Energy trilemma eradication is an effective way to realize the carbon lock-in endgame. • The nexus between energy trilemma and carbon lock-in is more prominent in provinces with high capital endowments. • Environmental regulation shows significant mediating and threshold effects. • The exacerbate carbon lock-in effect of energy trilemma depends on technology and intensity effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric ships are becoming a promising way in shipping decarbonization. Nevertheless, the promotion of electric ships encounters obstacles related to indirect emissions, energy and costs. This paper proposes the Shipping Emission-Energy-Economic Impact Assessment Model (SE3IAM) to assess the decarbonization potential of electric ships. China is selected for the case study. This paper also analyzes the impact of climate policies and other factors on CO 2 emissions. Results indicate that as the market share of electric ships gradually reaches 1%, 20%, and 35% by 2050, accompanied by advancements in other technological aspects, the total emissions to 2050 are estimated to be around 2, 1.5, and 1 billion tons, respectively. There is a positive correlation between energy demand and decarbonization costs with the level of economic development. Technological progress can alleviate pressures on energy and costs. It is recommended to advance decarbonization at a fundamental level by enhancing energy efficiency and fostering electrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Most papers show that the Paris Agreement (PA) has led to decline in global emissions. • However, it is not clear whether this is due to efficiency gains or economic decline. • We adopt a treatment method to study impact of the PA on global emissions intensity. • Our results show a 4.1% decline in global emissions intensity driven by the PA. • We also find that some countries might be too poor to achieve reductions under the PA. Dozens of studies point to evidence of significant reductions in carbon emissions driven by climate agreements, such as the Paris climate agreement. However, these studies fail to answer a pertinent question, that is, are global carbon emission reductions due to reduced production activities or are production processes becoming more efficient as less carbon is emitted per unit output due to technical progress? Such an understanding is important to evaluate the tension between environmental quality and economic growth. Therefore, drawing on difference-in-differences approaches, our results suggest a significant decline in global carbon emission intensity due to the 2015 Paris climate agreement, which is estimated at a 4.1% reduction on average over the sample period. Our evidence also shows that while some countries may be too poor to generate meaningful outcomes from climate agreements, the associated rate of reduction in carbon intensity in others tends to decline above a certain income threshold. These results imply that although there has been a worldwide increase in production efficiency and technical progress, at least owing to the Paris climate agreement, reaching net zero carbon emissions globally requires new approaches, especially for the very poor countries relative the ones at the top of the income ladder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen technology is one of the promising solutions to the problems of decentralization and reducing the carbon intensity of the energy sector. This is true even despite the current technological, economic and political barriers to its large-scale use. This paper proposes a concept of combining two technologies for producing hydrogen - partial oxidation of methane with oxygen and water electrolysis, a byproduct of which is oxygen. The analysis and evaluation of the proposed scheme showed that: 1) the synergy of water electrolysis and methane partial oxidation technologies allows the production of hydrogen with a low carbon footprint; 2) the hybrid system allows optimizing electricity and natural gas consumption using energy demand management technologies; 3) the technology synergy allows using excess thermal energy released during methane partial oxidation to increase the electrolysis temperature and its efficiency; 4) it was found that LCOH of the proposed system is 4.66 USD/kg that meets the average estimates in existing studies. At the same time, breakeven price of the project is 9.658 USD/kg H2, which is too high to be competitive without state support. • Hydrogen production in a hybrid system with methane partial oxidation and water electrolysis is discussed. • When modeling the process of hydrogen production in a hybrid system, the main technological parameters are determined. • Possible operating modes of the hybrid system are reviewed. • A preliminary assessment of the economic indicators of the system was made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Carbon dioxide capture and mitigation are key to the technological response to combat climate change and reduce CO 2 emissions. • Proposal of a novel system for performance improvement of the conventional post-combustion process. • Thermodynamic, economic, and environmental analyses of the proposed cycles. • The desorption column has the largest contribution to the exergy destruction 257.48 k W. • The solvent regeneration energy decreases to 2.77 G J / t C O 2 , 20.17 % lower compared to the conventional system. An optimum process with a novel method for improving the thermodynamic efficiency of the conventional post-combustion process based on a mono-ethanolamine (MEA) 30 wt% solvent is presented. The presented process, by preheating the rich solvent stream twice and using lean vapor compression (LVC), causes the solvent regeneration energy (E regen) to decrease, the exergy efficiency of the desorption column to increase, and the net CO 2 emission to diminish. According to the simulation results, the solvent regeneration energy in the base process is 3.47 GJ/t CO2 and has a value of 2.77 GJ/t CO2 in the proposed scheme, which exhibits a 20.17% decrease. The exergy analysis showed that the desorption column contributes the most to the exergy destruction in the post-combustion process. According to the performed analysis, in the proposed scheme, the exergy destruction in the desorption column reduces from 476.67 kW to 257.48 kW, which shows a 45.98% decrease. Under these conditions, the exergy efficiency of the desorption column is improved by 12.2%. Comparing E r e g e n parameter with that of previous studies demonstrated that the proposed scheme in this paper has significant superiority regarding optimizing the reboiler's energy. Due to the addition of a compressor, heat exchanger, expansion valve, and separator, the annual capital expenditure (CAPEX y) of the proposed scheme is 13.71% higher than the conventional process, which results in a 12.5% increase in the cost of CO 2 capture ( C o s t C O 2 , c a p t u r e ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The power system transition to large penetrations of renewable generation has become a core target of decarbonisation roadmaps in many countries. However, switching from synchronous to variable inverter-based resources has prompted technical concerns linked to the reduction in system inertia and short circuit levels. This may result in significant deviations in frequency and bus voltages during fault events. Hence, this paper provides a comprehensive review of power system stability challenges when integrating up to 100% inverter-based resources. The potential solutions from several enabling technologies (i.e., energy storage, controllable loads, wind, solar PV, etc.) are also assessed to mitigate anticipated issues. The review further details the role of grid codes and international standards in maintaining dynamic stability in power systems with extremely high up to 100% variable renewable generation. Finally, discussion and recommendation pathways are provided to inform industries and accelerate a secure power system transition to meet Net Zero targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Branching points: key decision-points forming and maintaining sociotechnical pathways. • Applied to UK heat decarbonisation shows structural challenges faced by policy actors. • Recommend UK heat policy approaches decarbonisation decisions as coordinated pathways. • Branching point analysis can be a tool to support policy decisions for transition. This paper develops the use of the branching point concept as a tool to support key decisions for reorienting systems for sustainability. In this approach, a pathway is seen as arising from accumulation of many specific decisions which create momentum in a particular direction and so reinforce the irreversibility of the pathway. Three complementary approaches to branching point analysis are identified within the transitions literature: 1) in pathway-scenarios for sustainability, 2) framing key decision-points in historical analysis, 3) to deconstruct the politics of transition pathways. A case study of UK heat decarbonisation is used to apply the branching point concept. This analysis highlights the tension where a policy approach, framed by a sector-wide target, interacts with distinct socio-technical responses and an alternative policy approach to decision-points is proposed. This paper demonstrates the potential to develop branching point analysis into a tool to support and help structure policy decisions for transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scale of the decarbonisation challenge and the short timeframes over which action is required demand urgent action. This paper is set within the surface transport sector, now the largest sector of emissions with the slowest pace of change in many advanced liberal economies. It focuses on the strategies and actions of local government which is recognised to be a central player in catalysing change. Our evidence is derived from the actions of two UK local areas which claim to be at the forefront of the decarbonisation challenge. The paper focuses on the role of funding and financial mechanisms in addressing the climate crisis. In the face of an established pattern of austerity and hollowing out of local government we explore how deep transformation is being envisaged. We find a recursive set of issues which derive from a dependence on funding from outwith. This dependence means that despite comprehensive overarching strategies and goals the funding available is the core of the strategy. This means that the nature of the funds, such as the requirement for experimentation, innovation or private sector leverage, defines direction. In turn, and to maintain success in attracting funds, there is an emphasis on presenting 'premium spaces of ambition' with little evidence of attention to broader systemic change. This duality is openly recognised. This paper advances a wider point that greater emphasis should be placed on the 'financialisation' of climate policy and the reality rather than the rhetoric of change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU has set itself demanding objectives to achieve complete decarbonisation by 2050. The building sector plays an important role for this purpose, hence monitoring its progress towards decarbonisation is essential to identify measures that work and to readjust policies when necessary. However, collecting information to monitor the building sector is a complex task due to the scarcity and low quality of available data. The European digital building logbook (DBL) has great potential in this regard because it allows the collection of data at the building scale, which could be combined at a national level. Thus, this paper proposes a new functionality for the DBL -as an enabler for the collection of data for the assessment of the progress of the main EU policy objectives related to the building sector decarbonisation-, and it evaluates the potential of the DBL for it. To do so, the main policy objectives were associated to a set of progress indicators –mandatory and optional- and matched to DBL indicators. Mandatory indicators are for all Member States and they have been included in the 2023 amended version of the proposal for the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive recast. Optional indicators are considered country-specific in this paper and are sourced from various literature references. Here we have studied the optional progress indicators for the case of Spain. Results show that the DBL has great potential to contribute to the collection of more than half of the mandatory indicators and a very high share of the optional ones for Spain. • Monitoring the decarbonisation progress of national building sectors is crucial. • Mandatory and optional indicators are needed to monitor buildings decarbonisation. • The DBL has great potential for monitoring national building stocks decarbonisation. • The DBL will provide the majority of the decarbonisation progress indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an opportunity to reduce methane emissions from Australian, open pit, metallurgical coal (MC) mines and substantially reduce the carbon intensity of a high-value Australian export industry. MC is critical to the production of steel products and is essential to meet international urbanisation and energy system transformation goals. Initial research on this topic, outlined the application of subterranean barriers in coal mining towards the reduction of gas influx and whole-of-life coal mine methane (CMM) emissions in underground applications. Initially, the technology lacked economic viability for a majority of cases and especially after carbon pricing was eliminated in 2014. Today, with the imperative for the industry to reduce emissions, the technology becomes significant in its potential for emissions reduction for both underground and open-cut coal mines. The basis of barriers is similar to naturally occurring barriers (i.e., igneous intrusions or dikes) that have shown effective separation of drained and undrained mine works (as observed in adjoining mines in Central Queensland). Barriers have also been applied in the environmental, civil engineering and oil and gas industries, to manage or restrict subterranean flow patterns or contain contaminants. In this case, subterranean barriers are being implemented in conjunction with mine pre-drainage to reduce methane emissions from an open pit, MC mine. In addition, barriers can be used in underground mining operations.to improve mine pre-drainage and safety as well as reduce methane emissions. This paper describes the design, execution, and evaluation workflows and the relative importance of variables required for a barrier implementation in subterranean applications for open-cut and underground mining applications. This paper details the results of ongoing planning and modelling to implement and assess a barrier application for reducing gas migration from unmined in-seam or underground mine sections into open-cut MC mining operations. Finally, this paper builds on previous research and available technologies and is complementary to current pre-drainage for surface or underground mining operations. Barrier implementation in conjunction with the beneficial use of gas provides a working framework to reduce mine emissions toward necessary methane reductions by 2030. • Reducing methane emissions from open pit and underground metallurgical coal mines is required to reduce the carbon intensity of the industry. • The design, execution, evaluation, and verification steps for subterranean barrier placements in coal mines are presented. • Example models show the benefits of barrier placements in reducing overall emissions from open-cut and underground coal mines. • The technology is dependent on the permeability and anisotropy of the coals, and the process improves with additional and external drainage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of pledges to reach net-zero emissions has revealed a wide range of understandings of what such a pledge entails. The lack of international standards to define decarbonisation pathways and the many kinds of speculative offsets available for net-zero calculations have generated a multiplication of public commitments not tethered to any specific mechanism of accountability. Many have criticised this state of affairs as a governance vacuum allowing extravagant forms of 'greenwashing,' with corporations and countries asserting ostensibly ambitious goals without adopting verifiable instruments for their delivery. This paper addresses the situation from a slightly different perspective, exploring instead how net-zero pledges create new climate publics and counter-publics. Drawing on three case studies (UK national net-zero policy, the Race to Zero campaign, and the Science Based Targets Initiative), and informed by a pragmatist understanding of 'public' and 'public formation,' we examine how the adoption of a formal but ambiguous target leads to a collective consideration of consequences, thus expanding the range of actors engaged in disputes over alternative climate futures. • Imaginations of net zero futures are unavoidably ambiguous and open to interpretation. • Setting net zero targets and delineating their consequences can enable the formation of new publics and counter publics. • This process hinges on the deployment of specific devices to imagine and deliberate on plausible futures. • The paper develops a pragmatist framework for investigating the formation of publics as a political consequence of net zero publics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the challenges faced by the global automotive industry as it transitions towards decarbonization. The article presents a comprehensive survey of hybrid, battery electric, and fuel cell electric vehicles, offering insights into their merits, drawbacks, and the potential implications they might have on consumers. It also highlights advancements in electrochemical storage devices, improvements needed to make them competitive with conventional fuels, and the role of government policies in driving adoption. Factors that influence the adoption of low- and ultra-low carbon technologies are also examined from a market perspective. The paper concludes by calling for further research, development, and collaboration to overcome challenges and fully realize the potential of these technologies. Ultimately, the adoption of low-carbon technologies is influenced by government regulations, consumer demand, technological progress, and economic considerations within the automotive industry. [Display omitted] • Automotive shift: Decarbonizing via hybrid, electric, fuel cell vehicles. • Policies, demand, tech drive low carbon auto adoption. • Battery concerns: materials, supply. solutions: recycling, renewables. • Collaboration, R&D vital for low-carbon tech success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a directionality framework that highlights goal, sector and solution as key dimensions of transformative policy missions. The framework is used to investigate the directionality of process industry decarbonization in Sweden, by analyzing the orientation of projects supported by the major national funding program the 'Industry Leap' between 2017 and 2022. The results show that innovation activities (i) mainly aim to reduce fossil emissions rather than produce negative emissions, (ii) focus on the steel and chemicals industries, and (iii) engage mostly with carbon capture, electrification and hydrogen. This indicates that innovation activities are somewhat narrow and imbalanced, which suggests that policymakers should promote broader experimentation. The theoretical and empirical contribution of this paper supports academics, policymakers and other actors in understanding, evaluating and shaping the directionality of transformative policy missions. [Display omitted] • Transformative policy missions unfold in goal, sector and solution dimensions. • The directionality of process industry decarbonization in Sweden is analyzed. • Innovation activities focus on decarbonizing steel and chemicals production. • Carbon capture, electrification and hydrogen are the main solution pathways. • Swedish policymakers should promote broader experimentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial chain structure optimization and digital transformation are crucial factors for achieving carbon emission reduction goals. Based on China's non-competitive input-output tables, this paper constructed industrial chain panel data using the structural path analysis method. We explored the influence of industrial chain division (ICD) on CO 2 emission intensity through panel fixed effects model, and examined the moderating effect of digitization. The research found that: (1) The ICD can significantly reduce CO 2 emission intensity, the results are robust after some endogeneity tests. (2) The emission reduction effect brought by ICD will be more obvious in high-stage, high-energy consumption, and high-intelligence industrial chains. There is still room to improve the emission reduction brought by the division network effect. (3) Digitization plays a positive moderating role on this effect. Furthermore, digital manufacturing and digital services exhibit heterogeneity in various types of industrial chains. (4) The ICD can reduce carbon emission intensity through pathways such as intelligent transformation, technological innovation, and energy efficiency, and digitization has positively moderated these impact pathways. Based on research results, targeted policy suggestions are provided for optimizing industrial chain structure and promoting digital transformation. • This paper constructed industrial chain carbon emission intensity panel data. • This paper assessed the industrial chain digitization by digital intermediate input. • This paper constructed industrial chain synergistic division (ICSD) index. • This paper explored the influence of ICSD on CO 2 emission intensity. • Digitization plays a positive moderating role on carbon emission reduction effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation and adaptation of renewable energy technologies significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and increase energy efficiency. Understanding the convergence patterns in renewable energy innovation will enable policymakers to design policies to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy consumption and reduce CO2 emissions. This paper applies the convergence algorithm proposed by Philips and Sul to assess the convergence in renewable energy innovation for 90 countries covering the period between 1993 and 2018. This paper also examines the determinants/factors driving the convergence clubs of the countries using Probit and Logit regression. The convergence analyses suggest that there is no global convergence in renewable energy innovation. Findings highlight two convergence clubs: i) a club comprising more innovative countries and ii) another club that includes less innovative countries. We find that countries with higher income per capita, CO2 emissions per capita, research and development (R&D) investment, better environmental regulations and stronger institutional settings are more likely to be part of the innovative club. Countries should increase their R&D investment and environmental regulations and improve their institutional quality to increase their likelihood of belonging to a more innovative club. Furthermore, less innovative countries could promote policies to transfer renewable energy technologies from innovative countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a significant source of carbon emissions, road logistics operators are under increasing pressure from governments and customers to find ways to decarbonize as part of broader global efforts to reach net zero. Decarbonization of road logistics relies on the widespread diffusion of existing and emerging technological transport solutions. These include alternative fuel vehicles, battery technologies, renewable energy and charging solutions. All promise to reduce carbon emissions, but their implementation remains challenging, expensive, and risky. As early adopters of alternative fuel vehicles have reported, transitioning from fossil fuels poses challenges that must be prepared for and understood to minimize the obstacles to genuine emissions reductions in road logistics. A considerable volume of academic research has been published advocating emission reduction solutions and providing detailed analyses of their potential positive environmental impacts. However, to our knowledge, no frameworks integrate these analyses with practical insights into current and anticipated challenges for road logistics operators transitioning from fossil fuels to a decarbonized future. This paper analyses contemporary evidence and insights on current and future issues and presents an integrated framework for road freight logistics decarbonization challenges. The framework primarily focuses on decarbonization through alternative fuels and analyses three categories of challenges from socio-technical, economic, and environmental perspectives. The three categories of challenges relate to alternative fuel vehicles and fleets, alternative fuel distribution infrastructure and renewable energy generation. The underlying principle of the framework is to provide a practical tool that supports a more informed view of both the advantages and challenges of transitioning to alternative fuels. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a framework to help direct future research into tackling these logistics decarbonization challenges. The insights presented in this paper may also inform practitioners by sensitizing them to potential roadblocks in the transition away from fossil fuels. • Framework integrating road freight logistics decarbonization challenges. • Analyse alternative fuels, alternative fuel distribution and renewable energy. • Three perspectives on decarbonization: socio-technical, economic, and environmental. • Highlight logistics services provider strategies to minimize risk and uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the global north, climate-smart fisheries (CSF) policies prioritise steps to combat CO 2 emissions from SSF, in a response to the fact that globally, CO 2 emissions from small-scale fisheries (SSFs) increased by over 5.8 times between 1950 and 2016. However, in the global south, CSF policies on SSF prioritise food and income security over CO 2 emission reduction. In this paper, we examine this apparently contrasting interpretation of CSF as a conceptual framework to interpret the case study of Sierra Leone, one of Africa's poorest countries where we found that small-scale coastal fishers are preoccupied with mitigating the impact of climate change on their food and income security rather than with lowering their CO 2 emissions. The self-image of SSF in Sierra Leone is that of being victims of climate change rather than perpetrators of it, and they justify this stance by claiming their livelihoods are being threatened by climate change. However, it could be argued that the best way to keep Sierra Leonean SSF CO 2 emissions low is to prioritise their food and income security: in other words, that food security and CO 2 reductions are complementary not contradictory. This, at any rate, is the argument of the current paper. The fieldwork for this study entailed co-created research in Sierra Leone and it involved 103 stakeholders who met face-to-face and online between January and March 2022 and through village meetings. The results of this fieldwork showed that food and income security and not CO 2 emissions are the priorities in the stakeholders' interpretation of CSF. However, if food and income security are not prioritised, communities are likely to adopt maladaptive strategies which undermine marine protected areas (MPAs) and exacerbate overfishing, thereby increasing CO 2 emissions. Moreover, investment in aquaculture as a supplementary or alternative livelihood can directly increase food security and incomes and at the same time indirectly serve as a CO 2 mitigation measure. In addition, weather information communication is an important CSF measure which both protects fishers from the impact of climate change and reduces their CO 2 emissions. Accordingly, we argue that the contrast between reducing CO 2 emissions and protecting food security from climate change may be more apparent than real in Sierra Leone coastal fisheries, since both policies may work in tandem together. This study therefore contributes a new interpretation of CSF in the global south: instead of seeing it as posing a conflict between CO 2 emissions reductions and food security, we have shown the two objectives can be complementary. The wider implication of this paper is that CSF strategies for SSFs do not have to be polarised between the global north's focus on the reduction of CO 2 emissions from fishing vessels and the global south's focus on the mitigation of the impact of global warming on SSFs. There are circumstances when the two objectives may be in harmony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]