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Growing consumption is both necessary to end extreme poverty 1 and one of the main drivers of greenhouse gas emissions 2 , creating a potential tension between alleviating poverty and limiting global warming. Most poverty reduction has historically occurred because of economic growth 3-6 , which means that reducing poverty entails increasing not only the consumption of people living in poverty but also the consumption of people with a higher income. Here we estimate the emissions associated with the economic growth needed to alleviate extreme poverty using the international poverty line of US $2.15 per day (ref.  7 ). Even with historical energy- and carbon-intensity patterns, the global emissions increase associated with alleviating extreme poverty is modest, at 2.37 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year or 4.9% of 2019 global emissions. Lower inequality, higher energy efficiency and decarbonization of energy can ease this tension further: assuming the best historical performance, the emissions for poverty alleviation in 2050 will be reduced by 90%. More ambitious poverty lines require more economic growth in more countries, which leads to notably higher emissions. The challenge to align the development and climate objectives of the world is not in reconciling extreme poverty alleviation with climate objectives but in providing sustainable middle-income standards of living., (© 2023. The World Bank.)

Global warming has accelerated the formation of permafrost thaw ponds in several subarctic and arctic regions. These ponds are net heterotrophic as evidenced by their greenhouse gas (GHG) supersaturation levels (CO2 and CH4), and generally receive large terrestrial carbon inputs from the thawing and eroding permafrost. We measured seasonal and vertical variations in the concentration and type of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in five subarctic thaw (thermokarst) ponds in northern Quebec, and explored how environmental gradients influenced heterotrophic and phototrophic biomass and productivity. Late winter DOM had low aromaticity indicating reduced inputs of terres trial carbon, while the high concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) suggests that some production of non-chromophoric dissolved compounds by the microbial food web took place under the ice cover. Summer DOM had a strong terrestrial signature, but was also characterized with significant inputs of algal-derived carbon, especially at the pond surface. During late winter, bacterial production was low (maximum of 0.8mgCm-3 d-1) and was largely based on free-living bacterioplankton (58%). Bacterial production in summer was high (up to 58mgCm3 d1), dominated by particleattached bacteria (67%), and strongly correlated to the amount of terrestrial carbon. Primary production was restricted to summer surface waters due to strong light limitation deeper in the water column or in winter. The phototrophic biomass was equal to the heterotrophic biomass, but as the algae were mostly composed of mixotrophic species, most probably they used bacteria rather than solar energy in such shaded ponds. According to the δ13C analyses, non-algal carbon supported 51% of winter and 37% of summer biomass of the phantom midge larvae, Chaoborus sp., that are at the top of the trophic chain. Our results point to a strong heterotrophic energy pathway 25 in these thaw pond ecosystems, where bacterioplankton dominates the production of new carbon in both summer and winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the effect of the deep-burrowing earthworm Lumbricus terrestris on the greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes and global warming potential (GWP) of arable no-till soil using both field measurements and a controlled 15 week laboratory experiment. In the field, the emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were on average 43 and 32% higher in areas occupied by L. terrestris (the presence judged by the surface midden) than in adjacent, unoccupied areas (with no midden). The fluxes of methane (CH4) were variable and had no consistent difference between the midden and non-midden areas. Removing the midden did not affect soil N2O and CO2 emissions. The laboratory results were consistent with the field observations in that the emissions of N2O and CO2 were on average 27 and 13% higher in mesocosms with than without L. terrestris. Higher emissions of N2O were most likely due to the higher content of mineral nitrogen and soil moisture under the middens, whereas L. terrestris respiration fully explained the observed increase in CO2 emissions. The activity of L. terrestris increased the GWP of field and laboratory soil by 50 and 18%, but only 6 and 2% of this increase was due to the enhanced N2O emission. Our results suggest that high N2O emissions commonly observed in no-tillage soils can partly be explained by the abundance of L. terrestris under no-till management and that L. terrestris can markedly regulate the climatic effects of different cultivation practises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a known greenhouse gas and one of the largest contributors to global warming in the Earth's atmosphere. The remote detection and measurement of CO2 from industrial emissions are not routinely carried out and are typically calculated from the fuel combusted or measured directly within ducted vents. However, these methods are not applicable for the quantification of fugitive emissions of CO2. This work presents the results of remote measurement of CO2 emissions using the differential absorption lidar (DIAL) technique at a wavelength of ~2 µm. The results from the DIAL measurements compare well with simultaneous in-stack measurements, these datasets were plotted against each other and can be described by a linear regression of y (t/h) = 1.04 x − 0.02, suggesting any bias in the DIAL data is likely small. Moreover, using the definition outlined in EN 15267-3 a lower detection limit of 0.12 t/h was estimated for the 2 µm wavelength DIAL data, this is three orders of magnitude lower than the corresponding CO2 detection limit measured by NPL in the 1.5 µm wavelength region. Thus, this paper demonstrates the feasibility of high-resolution, ground-based DIAL measurements for quantifying industrial CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming potential (GWP) is an important impact category in life-cycle-assessment modelling of waste management systems. However, accounting of biogenic CO2 emissions and sequestered biogenic carbon in landfills and in soils, amended with compost, is carried out in different ways in reported studies. A simplified model of carbon flows is presented for the waste management system and the surrounding industries, represented by the pulp and paper manufacturing industry, the forestry industry and the energy industry. The model calculated the load of C to the atmosphere, under ideal conditions, for 14 different waste management scenarios under a range of system boundary conditions and a constant consumption of C-product (here assumed to be paper) and energy production within the combined system. Five sets of criteria for assigning GWP indices to waste management systems were applied to the same 14 scenarios and tested for their ability to rank the waste management alternatives reflecting the resulting CO2 load to the atmosphere. Two complete criteria sets were identified yielding fully consistent results; one set considers biogenic CO2 as neutral, the other one did not. The results showed that criteria for assigning global warming contributions are partly linked to the system boundary conditions. While the boundary to the paper industry and the energy industry usually is specified in LCA studies, the boundary to the forestry industry and the interaction between forestry and the energy industry should also be specified and accounted for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from burning fossil fuels play a crucial role in global warming/climate change. The effective removal of CO2 from the point sources or atmosphere (CO2 capture), its conversion to value-added products (CO2 utilization), and long-term geological storage, or CO2 sequestration, has captured the attention of several researchers and policymakers. This review paper illustrates all kinds of CO2 capture/separation processes and the challenges faced in deploying these technologies. This review described the research efforts put forth in gas separation technologies. Recent advances in the existing gas separation technologies have been highlighted, and future directives for commercial deployment have also been outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emission of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, accelerates global warming and poses a crisis to the environment and human society. The carbon emission of products is mainly determined by the design stage of the life cycle. However, the data in the scheme design stage has certain fuzziness and uncertainty. Therefore, it is difficult to calculate the carbon footprint directly. In this paper, a carbon footprint prediction model of linkage mechanism scheme design stage (CFPL-SDS) is proposed to help designers make decisions. Firstly, the CFPL-SDS is built to quantify the carbon performance of linkage mechanism. Secondly, according to the structural characteristics of the closed-loop cascade rehabilitation robot, a four-finger training mechanism is designed. Finally, the model is applied to the four-finger training mechanism to verify its feasibility. The results show that the CFPL-SDS can calculate the carbon footprint of the linkage in the design stage. Moreover, the CFPL-SDS establishes the mathematical model foundation for the low-carbon optimization problem of linkage mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is the leading sector that is responsible for global climate change through its significant contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Intriguingly, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is experiencing higher temperatures and lesser rainfall due to climate change enhanced by anthropogenic GHG emissions. Agriculture and energy use in the SSA predominantly influence the anthropogenic GHG leading to global warming. Therefore, reducing agricultural GHG emissions (such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane) plays a significant role in climate change adaptation. This paper reviews the potential implication of agriculture and energy use on climate change and its implications on environmental sustainability in SSA. Herewith, we explored various GHGs emitted through agriculture-energy use, their effects on climate change, as well as several climate change adaptation mechanisms, and gaps in existing knowledge that necessitate more research, were also explored. We found that agriculture had negative implications on climate change impacts in the SSA countries and that a more focused strategy that is both economically and technically feasible in terms of preferences for land use, effective energy use, and food supply would aid in GHG emission reduction and environmental sustainability. Adapting to the projected changes in the short term while investing in long-term mitigation strategies might be the only way toward a sustainable environment in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the effectiveness of the environmental-related commitments contained in preferential trade agreements (PTAs) on climate change mitigation. A novel and detailed database identifying nearly 300 different types of environmental provisions from more than 680 PTAs since 1947 allows us to distinguish the PTAs with climate-related provisions (PTAwCP) from those with provisions related to other environmental issues. Using panel data covering 165 countries over the period 1995 to 2012, controlling for endogeneity issues, our main result shows that PTAwCP statistically reduce the emissions while the effect of PTAs with provisions related to other environmental issues remains negative but does not significantly affect GHG emissions. Our results suggest that it is rather the specific climate-related provisions in PTAwEP that reduce emissions (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide). Thus, to be effective in terms of mitigating climate change, PTAwEP should contain climate-related commitments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Anthropogenic activities including the combustion of fossil fuels have led to a dramatic increase in the rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission in the last three decades. Since fossil‐based fuels are still the predominant energy source for this century, CO2 is a colossal problem. It is emitted as a consequence of combustion and human activities and is a major greenhouse gas (GHG) that significantly contributes to climate change and global warming, making CO2 emission a worldwide problem. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has proposed a 45% decrease in anthropogenic CO2 emissions by 2030, with a target of "net‐zero" CO2 emissions by 2050. Despite its harmful effects, CO2 has the potential to be used for a wide range of different industrial needs, after its capture. CO2 capture technologies are still in the early stage of development because of economic and technological issues. However, in the future, carbon capture and related application technologies and methods may become easier and more accessible due to the new developments in the materials synthesis, strategies and skills and inexpensive utilization, and functioning cost of the employed methods. Furthermore, carbon capture system (CCS) might improve the recent power plan system properties. Concerning climate change, carbon capture is deemed as a promising solution to prevent CO2 emissions. CO2 capture, storage, and utilization are garnering intensive interest from scientists worldwide. This review paper identifies and gave particular attention to the literature on the recent CO2 capture technologies, for example, adsorption, absorption, membrane, and algae‐based separation techniques for pre‐combustion, oxy‐fuel combustion, and post‐combustion periods. Aside from all of these capture technologies, the utilization and application of captured CO2 in various industrial fields such as solvents, chemicals, and fuels are evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wetlands have exacerbated global warming, attracting worldwide attention. However, the research process and development trends in this field remain unknown. Herein, 1865 papers related to wetlands GHG emissions published from January 2000 to December 2023 were selected, and CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used for bibliometric analysis to visually analyze the publications distribution, research authors, organizations and countries, core journal and keywords, and discussed the research progress, trends and hotspots in the fields. Over the past 24 years, the research has gone through three phases: the "embryonic" stage (2000–2006), the accumulation stage (2007–2014), and the acceleration stage (2015–2023). China has played a pivotal role in this domain, publishing the most papers and working closely with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and Australia. In addition, this study synthesized 311 field observations from 123 publications to analyze the variability in GHG emissions and their driving factors in four different types of natural wetlands. The results suggested that the average carbon dioxide (CO 2), methane (CH 4), and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) fluxes in different wetlands were significantly different. River wetlands exhibited the highest GHG fluxes, while marsh wetlands demonstrated greater global warming potential (GWP). The average CO 2 , CH 4 and N 2 O fluxes were 60.41 mg m−2·h−1, 2.52 mg m−2·h−1 and 0.05 mg m−2·h−1, respectively. The GWP of Chinese natural wetlands was estimated as 648.72 Tg·CO 2 -eq·yr−1, and CH 4 contributed the largest warming effect, accounting for 57.43%. Correlation analysis showed that geographical location, climate factors, and soil conditions collectively regulated GHG emissions from wetlands. The findings provide a new perspective on sustainable wetland management and reducing GHG emissions. [Display omitted] • A 24-year bibliometric analysis of GHG emissions from wetlands was conducted. • The historical evolution and future trends in the field were summarized. • River wetlands exhibited the highest GHG fluxes. • GWP of China's wetlands was estimated to be 648.72 Tg·CO 2 -eq·yr−1. • CH 4 emissions contribute 57.43% to the GWP value in China's wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Scholars and practitioners acknowledge the benefits of organizations understanding their contribution to global warming and implementing carbon management strategies to address climate change concerns. A key element of a carbon management strategy is to reduce emissions, which requires an assessment of a firm's greenhouse gas emissions. For most organizations the indirect (scope 3) emissions represent the largest portion of their total carbon footprint. When facility-specific data are not available, firms are encouraged to use standard emission factors to calculate scope 3 emissions. This paper investigates how sampled Australian organizations assess their scope 3 emissions with respect to the emission factors they are using to convert activity data into units of carbon dioxide equivalent emission (CO2-e), and the implications for producing an accurate emission assessment. The research study found that, where conversion information was not available in a recognized government publication, the use of varying conversion value sources resulted in wide discrepancies in reported emissions for like activities. This undermines the assessment quality, makes comparison of results across organizations difficult and can lead to inappropriate carbon management strategy choices and misallocation of resources. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we analyze the Granger causality from natural or anthropogenic forcings to global temperature anomalies. The lag-augmented Wald test is performed, and its robustness is also evaluated considering bootstrap method. The results show there is no-evidence of Granger causality from natural forcings to global temperature. On the contrary, a detectable Granger causality is found from anthropogenic forcings to global temperature confirming that greenhouse gases have an important role on recent global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ever-increasing amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has an adverse impact on the environment, causing global warming and related adverse effects. One of the most important greenhouse gases is carbon dioxide, the production of which is perceived as a carbon footprint. The carbon footprint is intended to be a tool for appropriate emission reductions and verification, so there is a great need for its standardization at the global level. In carrying out basic research and after working out the advantages and disadvantages, many methods of decarbonization have been identified. The author believes that by simplifying the classification of carbon footprint reduction approaches into appropriate classes, a clear tool guiding companies in decarbonizing their operations will be created so that the negative impacts of global warming on the Earth are averted as quickly as possible. The aim is, therefore, to identify similarities and differences in methods, which will lead to the identification of new main groups of approaches. Within the framework of the evaluation and after making a comparison according to selected aspects of intensity, seven basic approaches have emerged, thus achieving greater clarity, usability, and better orientation for companies on the issue of reducing their carbon footprint. The results are illustrated at the end of the paper. The least challenging method for low-carbon technology adoption is the promotion of education and dissemination of climate impact awareness. Conversely, the most challenging method appears to be the construction of new green buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main determinant to the process of global warming among other greenhouse gases (GHGs). As being responsible for the largest part of the CO2 emissions from industrial activities, the cement sector has an important position for Turkey on the path to achieving CO2 reduction targets. By referencing the relationship between cement industry and CO2 emissions based upon this sector, we aim to analyze environmental efficiency of the Turkish cement industry at firm level and attempt to reveal a comparison study under both output-oriented and non-oriented approaches with the aid of radial and non-radial Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models: (i) the output-oriented BCC model; (ii) the output-oriented slack-based measures (SBM) model; (iii) the non-oriented SBM model; and (iv) the non-oriented super-efficiency SBM model. In this context, CO2 emission is considered an undesirable output and relative efficiency of 51 integrated cement factories operating in Turkey for the year 2016 is evaluated. Within the scope of this paper, efficiency scores, reference sets and target values are also determined and a list of measures are proposed. According to the results, only 15.7% of all integrated cement factories are identified as being relatively efficient in all models and a clear imbalance among cement factories in terms of environmental efficiency is determined. Moreover, it is concluded that the output-oriented BCC, output-oriented SBM, and non-oriented SBM models are highly correlated and monotonically related in the presence of undesirable output. The empirical findings also suggest that up to 5.13% CO2 emissions saving can be achieved by taking the necessary precautions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the major component of greenhouse gas. Increase in concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere leads to global warming. To remove the CO2 from waste flue gas a four-stage counter-current multistage fluidized bed adsorber was developed and operated in continuous bubbling fluidization regime for the two-phase system. This paper describes the optimum condition for CO2 removal efficiency in a multistage fluidized bed reactor using amine impregnated activated carbon. Response surface methodology with central composite design was used to determine the effect of three variables on the response. The variables are inlet concentration of CO2 in ppm (ranging from 3000 to 20,000), impregnation ratio of monoethanol amine (ranging from 0.2 to 0.6) and weir height in mm (20–60). The response was CO2 removal efficiency. The factor which was most influential has been identified from the analysis of variance. The optimum CO2 removal efficiency for the amine impregnated activated carbon (MEA-AC) was found to be 95.17%, at initial concentration of CO2 7312.85 ppm, chemical impregnation ratio of 0.31, and weir height 48.65 mm. From the experiment, the CO2 removal efficiency was found to be 95.97% at the same operating conditions. The predicted response was found to relevance with experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are powerful anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs) with high global-warming potentials (GWPs). They have been widely used as refrigerants, insulation foam-blowing agents, aerosol propellants, and fire suppression agents. Since the mid-1990s, emissions of HFCs have been increasing rapidly as they are used in many applications to replace ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) whose consumption and production have been phased out under the Montreal Protocol (MP). Due to the high GWP of HFCs, the Kigali Amendment to the MP requires the phasedown of production and consumption of HFCs to gradually achieve an 80 %–85 % reduction by 2047, starting in 2019 for non-Article 5 (developed) countries with a 10 % reduction against each defined baseline and later schedules for Article 5 (developing) countries. In this study, we have examined long-term high-precision measurements of atmospheric abundances of five major HFCs (HFC-134a, HFC-143a, HFC-32, HFC-125, and HFC-152a) at Gosan station, Jeju Island, South Korea, from 2008 to 2020. Background abundances of HFCs gradually increased, and the inflow of polluted air masses with elevated abundances from surrounding source regions were detected over the entire period. From these pollution events, we inferred regional and country-specific HFC emission estimates using two independent Lagrangian particle dispersion models and Bayesian inversion frameworks (FLEXPART-FLEXINVERT + and NAME-InTEM). The spatial distribution of the derived "top-down" (measurement based) emissions for all HFCs shows large fluxes from megacities and industrial areas in the region. Our most important finding is that HFC emissions in eastern China and Japan have sharply increased from 2016 to 2018. The contribution of East Asian HFC emissions to the global total increased from 9 % (2008–2014) to 13 % (2016–2020). In particular, HFC emissions in Japan (Annex I country) rose rapidly from 2016 onward, with accumulated total inferred HFC emissions being ∼ 114 Gg yr -1 , which is ∼ 76 Gg yr -1 higher for 2016–2020 than the "bottom-up" (i.e., based on activity data and emission factors) emissions of ∼ 38 Gg yr -1 reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This is likely related to the increase in domestic demand in Japan for refrigerants and air-conditioning-system-related products and incomplete accounting. A downward trend of HFC emissions that started in 2019 reflects the effectiveness of the F-gas policy in Japan. Eastern China and South Korea, though not obligated to report to the UNFCCC, voluntarily reported emissions, which also show differences between top-down and bottom-up emission estimates, demonstrating the need for atmospheric measurements, comprehensive data analysis, and accurate reporting for precise emission management. Further, the proportional contribution of each country's CO 2 -equivalent HFC emissions has changed over time, with HFC-134a decreasing and HFC-125 increasing. This demonstrates the transition in the predominant HFC substances contributing to global warming in each country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Man is a researcher as well as a discoverer. Each time human being new dimensions in the comfort of mankind. But each new discovery and innovation side by side brings some ill effects on our environment. Today manmade activities are responsible for increasing the carbon foo the shift of our society from primitive agrarian economies to Carbon-Di-Oxide, Methane, Nitrous-oxides and other fluorinated Gases increased at a fast pace. These gases trap heat and are responsible for the global warming. Global warming leads to climate change and again which is responsible for the increase in carbon footprints. Both direct and indirect human activities are responsible for the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and electricity are our necessities but use of air conditioners at low temperature and unmindful use of other luxurious gadgets and technology are our greed which are a major source of beings must learn to live in harmony with their environment and should minimise their greed to conserve natural resources and maintain ecological balance so that all forms of life can sustain for a longer period of time mother earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change, especially global warming, has caused widespread concern in the international community. Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4) produced by human activities, are the main cause of global warming. According to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), agriculture is an important source of greenhouse gas emissions, so reduction of such emissions is of great significance to global climate change. There are many driving factors affecting agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. These factors are interrelated and interact with each other, so the mechanism of action is complicated. In this paper, first, the driving factors of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and emission sources are introduced. Second, the factors influencing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions are analyzed and summarized. Third, to clarify the factors influencing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, measures and countermeasures for reducing greenhouse gas emission are proposed, discussed, and compared. Finally, action mechanisms, action pathways, and long‐term reduction measures for agricultural greenhouse gases are described. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of the present status of the global warming science is presented in this paper. The term global warming is now popularly used to refer to the recent reported increase in the mean surface temperature of the earth; this increase being attributed to increasing human activity and in particular to the increased concentration of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) in the atmosphere. Since the mid to late 1980s there has been an intense and often emotional debate on this topic. The various climate change reports (1996, 2001) prepared by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), have provided the scientific framework that ultimately led to the Kyoto protocol on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (particularly carbon dioxide) due to the burning of fossil fuels. Numerous peer-reviewed studies reported in recent literature have attempted to verify several of the projections on climate change that have been detailed by the IPCC reports. The global warming debate as presented by the media usually focuses on the increasing mean temperature of the earth, associated extreme weather events and future climate projections of increasing frequency of extreme weather events worldwide. In reality, the climate change issue is considerably more complex than an increase in the earth’s mean temperature and in extreme weather events. Several recent studies have questioned many of the projections of climate change made by the IPCC reports and at present there is an emerging dissenting view of the global warming science which is at odds with the IPCC view of the cause and consequence of global warming. Our review suggests that the dissenting view offered by the skeptics or opponents of global warming appears substantially more credible than the supporting view put forth by the proponents of global warming. Further, the projections of future climate change over the next fifty to one hundred years is based on insufficiently verified climate models and are therefore not considered reliable at this point in time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossil fuels are the major contributors to the emission of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere, rendering global warming a challenging issue to the researchers and industries. Although natural gas has been recommended as a clean fuel compared to other fossil fuels, geological sources of natural gas are not free of impurities. Economical commercialization of natural gas with high sour gas contents as well as facilitating the geosequestration of sour gases for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) need several environmentally sound and cost-effective gas separation methods. Moreover, stringent restrictions should be drawn to mitigate the unfettered greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. In the present study, existing low-temperature conventional CO2 capture methods, namely, cryogenic distillation process along with emerging nonconventional and hybrid methods, have been demonstrated. Also, the limitations and operational conditions during the application of these processes have been mentioned. The future prospects of the emerging technologies have been compared with conventional methods. Hybrid cryogenic distillation networks for multiproduct industrial production of different hydrocarbons and CO2 products at higher pressures of 40 bar and above showed promising potentials. A concise classification and summary of innovative emerging technologies along with conventional methods has been presented in this paper for possible future commercial exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field campaign was conducted using six treatments under the summer rice-winter wheat cultivation system to evaluate the response of soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to long-term differentiated fertilisation regimes. The treatments included control, phosphorus plus potassium, nitrogen only, nitrogen plus phosphorus (NP), nitrogen plus potassium, and NP plus potassium (NPK). Compared to the control, mineral fertilisation increased CH4 emissions during the rice season by 69% to 175%. Phosphorus amendment also enhanced seasonal CO2 emissions by 21% to 34% when compared with the treatments without receiving P, while combined use of P and potassium suppressed seasonal N2O emission to the same level of control. Net CO2 and N2O emissions from the dried fallow and wheat seasons and CH4 emissions from the flooding rice season dominated annual budgets of individual GHGs. All of the soils under different treatments were net sources of global warming and the overall net global warming potential ranged from 9 799 to 14 178 kg CO2 eq/ha/year with CO2 emission contributing 52% to 76%, CH4 contributing 20% to 40% and N2O occupying the rest. The annual maximum grain yields and minimum GHG intensity was observed at the NPK treatment, suggesting it to be the environmental-friendly optimum fertilisation regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent and long-lived greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming with a global warming potential (GWP) 298 times that of carbon dioxide (CO2). In this paper, we analyzed the trend of N2O concentration in vertical layers of the stratosphere from 2005 to 2020 using the N2O observed from the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) that is on board the Aura satellite. We found that the local N2O concentration showed a downward trend in the lower stratosphere but rose or fluctuated in the upper stratosphere. The reduction reached −5 ppb/yr at pressure levels of 31.62 hPa and 68.13 hPa, with a confidence level of over 90%. The growth was around 1–2 ppb/yr in the upper stratosphere. In addition, a concentration anomaly was observed in the tropical stratosphere in 2013. After the appearance of this anomaly, the N2O concentration in the middle and lower layers of the tropical stratosphere was lower than before 2013. We speculated that the enhancement of the Brewer–Dobson circulation (BDC) upwelling before and after stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) is the main reason for the abnormal concentration distribution in 2013. Stratospheric N2O has changed significantly in the past 16 years with the mutual coupling effect of BDC and SSW and such changes can have further impact on the chemical equilibrium and radiation balance in the stratosphere, as well as on the persistent climate-warming trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Industrial Revolution has led to a substantial increase in the emission of greenhouse gas (GHG) such as carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, exacerbating the global-warming phenomenon. One option to mitigate GHG emission is by capturing and safely storing the CO2 in suitable deep underground geological formations. This paper provides a literature review on the potential changes in permeability and geomechanical properties of the caprock and sedimentary reservoir rock caused by the injected CO2 under in situ conditions, highlighting the factors that can potentially hamper the caprock's integrity. A two-dimensional (2D) axisymmetric numerical model of an ideal CO2 reservoir with 30 years of injection and 70 years of monitoring phase is also presented. The model results suggest that, for the parametric values and reservoir conditions used in the model, the injection pressure leads to an increase in pore pressure, thereby reducing the effective stress in the formation. An induced vertical displacement of less than 3 mm is observed at the caprock-reservoir interface at the end of the 100-year period. The observed relationships between injection pressure, effective stress, and total displacement are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossil fuels (petroleum oil, natural gas) are the only type of fuel used for electric power generation to desalt seawater in Kuwait, Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC), and all Arab countries. The main constituents of fossil fuel are carbon (C) and hydrogen (H2) besides small portions of impurities such as sulphur (S), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), water moisture and particulate matters (ashes). When the fossil fuel is combusted (i.e. reacted with the oxygen in the air to generate heat), the produced gases include mainly carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapour, carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NO). The CO, SO2 and NO gases pollute the air and are harmful to human health and the environment. CO2 is the main component of the greenhouse gases (GHG) which cause global warming. The emission of CO2 CO and NO gases from power plants to the environment creates great international concern. The basics of the environmental issues related to fossil fuel combustion and its released gases are outlined in this paper. The emitted gases due to fuel combustion to produce electric power and distilled water in Kuwait and some Arab and other countries are calculated. The mitigation of GHG is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a school project on making students understand the severity of the effects of global warming. The project consists of students formed into groups where they are asked to collect the same data. Each group was required to show their findings in a research paper and through visual presentation which includes the types and numbers of cars being driven to school, the time and length it takes to drive to school and the total greenhouse gas emissions put into the atmosphere by the cars. The findings show that each car coming through the driveway and parking lot waited an average of 14 minutes per day in the morning and 11 minutes in the afternoon which emits a total of 148,97 pounds of greenhouse gases every school year.

This paper investigates how land use relates to greenhouse gas emissions, using data sources that are readily available to municipal planners. It presents a causal framework linking settlement patterns to greenhouse gas emissions via landscape impacts (deforestation, carbon sequestration by soils and plants, urban heat island), infrastructure impacts (transportation-related emissions, waste management-related emissions, electric transmission and distribution losses) and buildings (residential, commercial). This is not a full accounting because it does not include impacts from industrial activities, agriculture and consumer behavior not related to land use, such as food consumption and air travel. Exploratory case studies of municipalities lying along a gradient of increasing population density suggest that per-capita carbon dioxide emissions vary widely, following an inverted 'U' shape, with post-war suburbs riding the pinnacle. Reflecting their central regional roles, municipalities with good jobs-to-housing ratios have higher per-capita emissions because they host both residential and commercial buildings. Buildings typically contribute more emissions than personal transportation. Vehicle-miles traveled per capita shrink most dramatically at very high population densities and where transit options exist. Changing land-use patterns is a political challenge because localism and outdated zoning ordinances subvert regional solutions. Technical fixes, especially green buildings, must be part of the solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of fossil fuels has caused an increase in GHG concentration in the atmosphere, which has a direct effect on global warming. Among the possible technologies to mitigate GHG emissions, carbon capture and storage (CCS) can be applied to existing plants and now it is being accepted officially in order to gain emission reduction certificates. This paper presents a feasible solution for CO2 capture and storage network in Italy from sources that are included in the National Allocation Plan and that are forced to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the second phase of the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. The technical aspects of carbon sequestration are derived from industrial applications, while transportation and storage depend on local and geological characteristics. Since Italy has complex geological characteristics, the selection of the most convenient sites should include hydrocarbon reservoirs that are currently used or are depleted. To select these sites, all oil wells that are located in the Italian territory and are managed by UNMIG (National Mining Office for Hydrocarbons and Geothermy) were considered, and a short list was selected among those that have safety and lasting characteristics to ensure a long time permanence. The position of the selected storage sites is drawn on a GIS map containing all the plants included in the National Allocation Plan to be able to identify the optimal networks for carbon dioxide transportation. The case study is located in an area that includes Milan, Pavia and Lodi districts. Knowing the amount of CO2 produced by plants in the selected zone, it is possible to determine the tons of CO2 to capture and the size of transportation and storage systems. Pipelines are, in this case, the most appropriate transport technologies. From emission and sequestration points to storage sites it is necessary to build 122 km pipelines for 8 MtCO2 capacity. Using this CCS grid it is possible to avoid CO2 emission with economic feasibility close to the cost of carbon trading values. In fact, the market cost of a European Union Allowance (EUA) at the start of the first period of application of Directive 2003/87/CE was about 30 €/tCO2. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economic benefits of a multi-gas approach to climate change mitigation are clear. However, there is still a debate on how to make the trade-off between different greenhouse gases (GHGs). The trade-off debate has mainly centered on the use of Global Warming Potentials (GWPs), governing the trade-off under the Kyoto Protocol, with results showing that the cost-effective valuation of short-lived GHGs, like methane (CH4), should be lower than its current GWP value if the ultimate aim is to stabilize the anthropogenic temperature change. However, contrary to this, there have also been proposals that early mitigation mainly should be targeted on short-lived GHGs. In this paper we analyze the cost-effective trade-off between a short-lived GHG, CH4, and a long-lived GHG, carbon dioxide (CO2), when a temperature target is to be met, taking into consideration the current uncertainty of the climate sensitivity as well as the likelihood that this will be reduced in the future. The analysis is carried out using an integrated climate and economic model (MiMiC) and the results from this model are explored and explained using a simplified analytical economic model. The main finding is that the introduction of uncertainty and learning about the climate sensitivity increases the near-term cost-effective valuation of CH4 relative to CO2. The larger the uncertainty span, the higher the valuation of the shortlived gas. For an uncertainty span of ±1°C around an expected climate sensitivity of 3°C, CH4 is cost-effectively valued 6.8 times as high as CO2 in year 2005. This is almost twice as high as the valuation in a deterministic case, but still significantly lower than its GWP100 value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ruminant livestock systems contribute to global warming through the emission of nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). This paper discusses a general framework for a whole-farm approach to develop cost-effective GHG mitigation strategies. A dairy farm is a complex system with different interacting components. Generally, whole-farm approaches distinguish at least an animal component and a soil–crop component. Whole-farm models should be able to give an accurate representation of the internal cycling of materials and its constituents as well as the exchange between the farming system and its environment. The paper gives an overview of current whole-farm models that are able to simulate GHG emissions for dairy farms. These models are DairySim, FarmGHG, SIMSDAIRY and FarmSim. All models are able to calculate CH4 and N2O emissions, but differences appear in the ability to calculate CO2 emissions, economics and other parameters. The effects of selected mitigation strategies are demonstrated with some of the models. It is concluded that a whole-farm approach is a powerful tool for the development of cost-effective GHG mitigation options as it reveals relevant interactions between farm components. Model calculations underlined the relationship between farm gate N surplus and GHG emissions, and thus the possibility to use N surpluses as an indicator for GHG emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Since 1990 carbon dioxide emissions in Africa have increased by about 50%. The total carbon dioxide emissions of the entire African continent are not, however, anywhere near those of countries such as India or China. Yet certain African countries have per capita emissions comparable to some European countries. What is the outlook for Africa? How should African countries respond as it becomes increasingly likely that climate change is occurring? Increased industrial growth and more foreign investment in Africa, especially in countries that are politically and economically stable, have led to huge commercial developments such as the In Salah gas project in Algeria, which releases more than a million tons of carbon dioxide annually; and synthetic fuel plants and power stations in South Africa that generate more than 350 million tons per year. In this perspective should some African countries be required to limit greenhouse gas emissions or should they be immune to 'environmental taxation'? This paper critically reviews the carbon dioxide problem in some parts of Africa and its role in climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines different concepts of a 'warming commitment' which is often used in various ways to describe or imply that a certain level of warming is irrevocably committed to over time frames such as the next 50 to 100 years, or longer. We review and quantify four different concepts, namely (1) a 'constant emission warming commitment', (2) a 'present forcing warming commitment', (3) a 'zero emission (geophysical) warming commitment' and (4) a 'feasible scenario warming commitment'. While a 'feasible scenario warming commitment' is probably the most relevant one for policy making, it depends centrally on key assumptions as to the technical, economic and political feasibility of future greenhouse gas emission reductions. This issue is of direct policy relevance when one considers that the 2002 global mean temperatures were 0.8 ± 0.2°C above the pre-industrial (1861-1890) mean and the European Union has a stated goal of limiting warming to 2°C above the pre-industrial mean: What is the risk that we are committed to overshoot 2°C? Using a simple climate model (MAGICC) for probabilistic computations based on the conventional IPCC uncertainty range for climate sensitivity (1.5 to 4.5 °C), we found that (1) a constant emission scenario is virtually certain to overshoot 2°C with a central estimate of 2.0°C by 2100 (4.2°C by 2400). (2) For the present radiative forcing levels it seems unlikely that 2°C are overshoot. (central warming estimate 1.1 °C by 2100 and 1.2°C by 2400 with ∼10% probability of overshooting 2°C). However, the risk of overshooting is increasing rapidly if radiative forcing is stabilized much above 400 ppm CO2 equivalence (1.95 W/m²) in the long-term. (3) From a geophysical point of view, if all human-induced emissions were ceased tomorrow, it seems 'exceptionally unlikely' that 2°C will be overshoot (central estimate: 0.7°C by 2100; 0.4°C by 2400). (4) Assuming future emissions according to the lower end of published mitigation scenarios (350 ppm CO2eq to 450 ppm CO2eq) provides the central temperature projections are 1.5 to 2.1 °C by 2100 (1.5 to 2.0°C by 2400) with a risk of overshooting 2°C between 10 and 50% by 2100 and 1-32% in equilibrium. Furthermore, we quantify the 'avoidable warming' to be 0.16-0.26°C for every 100 GtC of avoided CO2 emissions - based on a range of published mitigation scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of global warming on the environment, economy and society are presently receiving much attention by the international community. However, the extent to which anthropogenic factors are the main cause of global warming is still being debated. There are obviously large stakes associated with the validity of any theory since that will indicate what actions need to be taken to protect the human race’s only home-Earth. Most studies of global warming have investigated the rates and quantities of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere since the beginning of the industrial revolution. In this paper, we focus on the earth’s carbon budget and the associated energy transfer between various components of the climate system. This research invokes some new concepts: (i) certain biochemical processes which strongly interact with geophysical processes in climate system; (ii) a hypothesis that internal processes in the oceans rather than in the atmosphere are at the center of global warming; (iii) chemical energy stored in biochemical processes can significantly affect ocean dynamics and therefore the climate system. Based on those concepts, we propose a new hypothesis for global warming. We also propose a revolutionary strategy to deal with global climate change and provide domestic energy security at the same time. Recent ocean exploration indicates that huge deposits of oceanic methane hydrate deposits exist on the seafloor on continental margins. Methane hydrate transforms into water and methane gas when it dissociates. So, this potentially could provide the United States with energy security if the technology for mining in the 200-mile EEZ is developed and is economically viable. Furthermore, methane hydrate is a relatively environmentally benign, clean fuel. Such technology would help industry reduce carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere, and thus reduce global warming by harnessing the energy from the deep sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors believe that recent global warming of Earth’s atmosphere is not due to an increase in anthropogenic carbon dioxide emission but rather to long-term global factors. The human contribution to the CO2content in the atmosphere and the increase in temperature is negligible in comparison with other sources of carbon dioxide emission. Discussed in this paper are sources, avenues of migration, and the amounts of naturally produced carbon dioxide and methane (greenhouse gases) and long-term changes in the Earth’s climate, which are necessary for understanding the causes of current temperature trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Urban wastewater, mine water and agricultural inputs dominated GHG generation. • Anthropogenic urban nutrient sources disproportionality increased GHGs in summer. • Low oxygen and high riverine residence time increased nutrient impacts on GHGs. • A source-to sea methodology enabled easy identification of GHG sources and sinks. • Load appointment modelling enabled separation of point and diffuse GHG sources. There is growing global concern that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from water bodies are increasing because of interactions between nutrient levels and climate warming. This paper investigates key land-cover, seasonal and hydrological controls of GHGs by comparison of the semi-natural, agricultural and urban environments in a detailed source-to-sea study of the River Clyde, Scotland. Riverine GHG concentrations were consistently oversaturated with respect to the atmosphere. High riverine concentrations of methane (CH 4) were primarily associated with point source inflows from urban wastewater treatment, abandoned coal mines and lakes, with CH 4 -C concentrations between 0.1 - 44 µg l−1. Concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO 2) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) were mainly driven by nitrogen concentrations, dominated by diffuse agricultural inputs in the upper catchment and supplemented by point source inputs from urban wastewater in the lower urban catchment, with CO 2 -C concentrations between 0.1 - 2.6 mg l−1 and N 2 O-N concentrations between 0.3 - 3.4 µg l−1. A significant and disproportionate increase in all GHGs occurred in the lower urban riverine environment in the summer, compared to the semi-natural environment, where GHG concentrations were higher in winter. This increase and change in GHG seasonal patterns points to anthropogenic impacts on microbial communities. The loss of total dissolved carbon, to the estuary is approximately 48.4 ± 3.6 Gg C yr−1, with the annual inorganic carbon export approximately double that of organic carbon and four times that of CO 2, with CH 4 accounting for 0.03%, with the anthropogenic impact of disused coal mines accelerating DIC loss. The annual loss of total dissolved nitrogen to the estuary is approximately 4.03 ± 0.38 Gg N yr−1 of which N 2 O represents 0.06%. This study improves our understanding of riverine GHG generation and dynamics which can contribute to our knowledge of their release to the atmosphere. It identifies where action could support reductions in aquatic GHG generation and emission. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere occurs as the result of various chemical, physical, and biological processes. The presence of CO2 around atmosphere greatly affects the agroforestry and agroindustry of coffee. This study aimed to describe the CO2 cycle in agroforestry and agroindustry of Gayo Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) and net CO2 ha-1 of coffee plantation. CO2 cycle was analyzed based on the movement of CO2 around the agroforestry and agroindustry of coffee. CO2 cycle model describes net CO2, CO2 emission, CO2 reduction, and CO2 sequestration. Net CO2 ha-1 of coffee plantation was 162.75 x 10-2 t CO2 e ha-1, with CO2 emission was 203.84 x 10-2 t CO2 e ha-1, CO2 reduction was 3.10 x 10-2 t CO2 e ha-1, and CO2 sequestration was 363.49 x 10-2 t CO2 e ha-1. This research formulates the calculation of equivalent carbon emissions in the arabica coffee production system in the field and primary processing, using various methods (remote sensing analysis and calculation of direct and indirect equivalent carbon emissions). The CO2 cycle positively impacts the sustainability of agroforestry and agroindustry of Gayo Arabica coffee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Synthesis, characterization, screening and performance assessment of ionic liquids in carbon capture. • Single and hybrid ionic liquids in carbon capture. • Modelling and Simulation. • Correlations between synthesis protocols and physico-chemical properties achieved. The accumulation of greenhouse gases, leading to global warming necessitated the research for efficient and recyclable CO 2 capture solvents. Ionic liquids (ILs) and IL-based solvents have paved the way for a new generation of highly efficient, economic, and eco-friendly CO 2 capture solvents. This paper discusses the process of synthesizing different ILs and IL-based solvents, emphasizing the merits and demerits of different processes, followed by the characterization tools and techniques, and the important considerations in developing novel ILs. An extension of characterization is the screening process. Properties of synthesized ILs and IL-based solvents have been discussed in detail, along with properties of hybrid IL-based solvents. The highly tunable nature of ILs leads to a multitude of possible ILs and IL-based solvents that can be customized for specific requirements. The latter part of the paper describes various modelling and simulation techniques used to analyse and predict the CO 2 -IL interactions. In each section, the trends and technology used, are analysed and discussed, duly emphasizing the latest advances. The paper concludes with a discussion on the prospects and challenges in adopting ILs and IL-based solvents in CO 2 capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contemporary era, carbon sequestration has become an important issue. Rapidly increasing population, higher lifestandards and technological advancements consistently increase the amount of emissions, especially CO2. Nowadays, the most promising solution is to minimize the carbon dioxide emissions with using carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies for a better future. The problem is to choose the best location for CO2 storage which is a crucial and challenging multicriteria decision problem. The objective of this paper is to determine the most appropriate city for carbon dioxide storage in Turkey, by demonstrating a successful implementation of Multi-criteria Decision Making (MCDM) tool. This study presents the use of MCDM method based on Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to assess the suitable location for CO2 storage. For that purpose, 4 alternative locations were evaluated via 8 criteria which are determined according to the opinions of the experts with background information from the field. Towards this end, MCDM method, namely, TOPSIS, was utilized for the location evaluation. Consequently, this method detects Diyarbakır as CO2 storage area which is also one of the most important city of Turkey for having finished oil reservoirs and for its geopolitical location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising levels of greenhouse gases (GHG) in our atmosphere make it necessary to find pathways to reduce the amount of GHG, especially emissions of CO2. One approach is carbon capture and utilization by mineralization (CCUM). With this technology, it is possible to bind CO2 chemically from exhaust gas streams in magnesium or calcium silicates. Stable products of this exothermic reaction are carbonates and amorphous silica. Being amongst the biggest emitters of CO2, the cement industry has to find ways to reduce emissions. Geological mapping in Europe has been carried out to find suitable feedstock material, mainly olivines but also slags, to perform lab‑scale carbonation tests. These tests, conducted in a 1.5 L autoclave with increased pressure and temperature, have been scaled up to a 10 L and a 1000 L autoclave. The outcomes of the carbonation are unreacted feed material, carbonate, and amorphous silica, which have to be separated to produce substitutes for the cement industry as pozzolanic material (amorphous silica) or a value‑added product for other applications like paper or plastics (magnesite/calcite with bound anthropogenic CO2). Therefore, a process for the separation of ultrafine carbonation product was developed, consisting mainly of classification and flotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we model the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of the electric grid in Ontario, Canada, at different temporal resolutions from 2010 through 2018. We developed a stochastic approach to estimate the lifecycle GHG emissions from each type of source of electricity, by assigning uncertainties to critical parameters (carbon dioxide (CO 2), methane and nitrous oxide emissions, and global warming potentials (GWP)), based on variations reported in the literature. The annual mean lifecycle GHG emissions from electricity generated in the province has declined from 175 to 58 g CO 2 e/kWh from 2010 to 2018, considering the GWP time horizon of 100 years. The downward trend is largely associated with the phasing out of coal plants, coupled with the gradually reduced use of natural gas plants, and the increased participation of nuclear and renewables in the mix over the years. We were also able to identify large variations in the lifecycle GHG emissions across months and hours: higher values are generally associated with demand peaks registered in the months of summer and winter, and daily from 5 to 8 p.m. The method employed for the analysis in this paper can serve as a benchmark for other studies on the lifecycle GHG emissions from electricity at various levels (national, provincial, regional, etc.). The Ontario-specific data obtained can serve as a basis for the evaluation of the lifecycle of various activities and sectors within the province. At the corporate level, companies reporting the GHG emissions of their projects and products can improve their estimates by capturing the variations of emissions from electricity generation at the various temporal resolutions. Image 1 • We used hourly generation data to model GHG intensity of electricity in Ontario. • Emissions from electricity declined from 175 to 58 g CO 2 e/kWh from 2010 to 2018. • Higher emissions are due to demand peaks: summer and winter, daily from 5 to 8 p.m. • Hourly GHG intensity varies by a factor of 4–5 within a single year. • Data obtained are useful for LCA practitioners, policy makers and companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article builds on the premise that human consumption of goods, food and transport are the ultimate drivers of climate change. However, the nature of the climate change problem (well described as a tragedy of the commons) makes it difficult for individuals to recognise their personal duty to implement behavioural changes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, this article aims to analyse the climate change issue from a human-scale perspective, in which each of us has a clearly defined personal quota of CO2 emissions that limits our activity and there is a finite time during which CO2 emissions must be eliminated to achieve the “well below 2°C” warming limit set by the Paris Agreement of 2015 (COP21). Thus, this work’s primary contribution is to connect an equal per capita fairness approach to a global carbon budget, linking personal levels with planetary levels. Here, we show that a personal quota of 5.0 tons of CO2 yr-1 p-1 is a representative value for both past and future emissions; for this level of a constant per-capita emissions and without considering any mitigation, the global accumulated emissions compatible with the “well below 2°C” and 2°C targets will be exhausted by 2030 and 2050, respectively. These are references years that provide an order of magnitude of the time that is left to reverse the global warming trend. More realistic scenarios that consider a smooth transition toward a zero-emission world show that the global accumulated emissions compatible with the “well below 2°C” and 2°C targets will be exhausted by 2040 and 2080, respectively. Implications of this paper include a return to personal responsibility following equity principles among individuals, and a definition of boundaries to the personal emissions of CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon-dioxide (CO 2 ) is the main contributor to anthropogenic global warming, and the timing of its peak concentration in the atmosphere is likely to be the major factor in the timing of maximum radiative forcing. Other forcers such as aerosols and non-CO 2 greenhouse gases may also influence the timing of maximum radiative forcing. This paper approximates solutions to a linear model of atmospheric CO 2 dynamics with four time-constants to identify factors governing the timing of its concentration peak. The most important emissions-related factor is the ratio between average rates at which emissions increase and decrease, which in turn is related to the rate at which the emissions intensity of CO 2 is reduced. Rapid decarbonization of CO 2 can not only limit global warming but also achieve an early CO 2 concentration peak. The most important carbon cycle parameters are the long multi-century time-constant of atmospheric CO 2 , and the ratio of contributions to the impulse response function of atmospheric CO 2 from the infinitely long lived and the multi-century contributions respectively. Reducing uncertainties in these parameters can reduce uncertainty in forecasts of the radiative forcing peak. A simple approximation for peak CO 2 concentration, valid especially if decarbonization is slow, is developed. Peak concentration is approximated as a function of cumulative emissions and emissions at the time of the concentration peak. Furthermore peak concentration is directly proportional to cumulative CO 2 emissions for a wide range of emissions scenarios. Therefore, limiting the peak CO 2 concentration is equivalent to limiting cumulative emissions. These relationships need to be verified using more complex models of Earth system's carbon cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: A methodology to estimate vehicular GHG emissions and project them, whilst considering vehicle performance improvements, which are applicable to help urban planners or decision makers to improve vehicular flow on urban roads and to mitigate the CO2e generated. Transport is one of the sectors with the highest greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) that is imperative to reduce in order to decrease global warming. Although modern vehicles and arterial roads have adopted technological and structural improvements to enhance fuel use efficiency, the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere by the transport sector has been increasing in different Mexican cities. In generating mitigation strategies, modeling scenarios of decreased equivalent carbon dioxide, CO2e emissions, may be useful as an evaluation tool. In this study, the aim was to model a trend scenario and a scenario, including improvements with a projection to the year 2039 on one of the main urban roads of the border city of Mexicali, Mexico. In order to create a dynamic emission model of GHG, including emission factors, the main variables for the simulation were vehicle volume, travels, motor performance, and fuel consumption. These last two parameters were the most important for vehicular emissions estimations and for the projection of them in this period. As a result of the projections, CO2e was observed to increase in a trend scenario, while modeled improvement actions resulted in emission reductions of up to 5%. The model showed that the key variable to achieve this reduction is vehicle engine performance (Pf), whose increase factor was 1.1% per year. Replicating this methodology to evaluate and mitigate the GHG emissions on different city roads or in other cities, can be a contribution for the urban designers, authorities, and involved institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the leading greenhouse gas with the greatest contribution to global warming. Ever-increasing CO2 emissions and atmospheric accumulations result in serious global environmental problems. Limitation of greenhouse gasses causing global warming and keeping them at certain levels are under the responsibility and obligation of entire humanity. Therefore, international treaties and agreements have been established to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and to specify the measures to be taken. Kyoto Protocol obligates signatory parties with calculation and mitigation of carbon emissions and brings them emission quotas. Countries should calculate their carbon footprints and create an inventory so as not to exceed the relevant CO2 quotas. Countries can calculate CO2 quantities with the use of various calculation methods. Sector-based CO2 quantities could be calculated with the use of Tier 1, 2, and 3 methods developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In the present study, Tier 1 approach was used to calculate the transportation-induced carbon footprint of Kayseri province for CO2, methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) gases for the years 2016, 2017, 2018. The total carbon footprint for 2016, 2017, and 2018 was respectively calculated as 1726.4 Gg, 1710.58 Gg, and 1585.87 Gg CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]