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In order to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality, hydrogen generated from renewable sources will play an important role. Additionally, as underlined in the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), new technologies to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere are required on a large scale. A novel concept for hydrogen production with net negative emissions referred to as HyBECCS (Hydrogen Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage) combines these two purposes in one technological approach. The HyBECCS concept combines biohydrogen production from biomass with the capture and storage of biogenic carbon dioxide. Various technology combinations of HyBECCS processes are possible, whose ecological effects and economic viability need to be analyzed in order to provide a basis for comparison and decision‐making. This paper presents fundamentals for the techno‐economic and environmental evaluation of HyBECCS approaches. Transferable frameworks on system boundaries as well as emission, cost, and revenue streams are defined and specifics for the application of existing assessment methods are elaborated. In addition, peculiarities concerning the HyBECCS approach with respect to political regulatory measures and interrelationships between economics and ecology are outlined. Based on these considerations, two key performance indicators (KPIs) are established, referred to as levelized cost of carbon‐negative hydrogen (LCCNH) and of negative emissions (LCNE). Both KPIs allow deciding whether a specific HyBECCS project is economically viable and allows its comparison with different hydrogen, energy provision, or negative emission technologies (NETs). Carbon‐negative hydrogen production referred to as HyBECCS (Hydrogen Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage) combines hydrogen production from biomass with the capture and storage of biogenic carbon dioxide. Various technology combinations of HyBECCS processes are possible, whose ecological effects and economic viability need to be analysed. This paper presents fundamentals for the techno‐economic and environmental evaluation of HyBECCS approaches. Transferable frameworks on system boundaries as well as emission, cost and revenue streams are defined and specifics for the application of existing assessment methods are elaborated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the climate crisis, the development and the path of growth and expansion of renewable energy systems is an urgent task, but must carried out with great care on environmental compatibility and protection. Renewable energy supply systems that are suitable for grid-bound heat supply, particularly in urban areas in Europe, are geothermal binary plants that provide power as well as power and heat. This paper will present studies whose objective was the assessment of hydrogeothermal power and heat generation in low-enthalpy regions from the environmental standpoint. The German Environment Agency published results of a network of studies conducted between 2008 and 2016 on the analysis of detailed and comprehensive environmental impacts of the geothermal energy generation in Germany and has continuously evaluated these findings. In this article, the results of the Life Cycle Assessment are discussed, taking into account all effects and material flows within the entire life cycle. Based on these balances, differing geothermal systems are compared to each other and to other renewable and fossil energy generation systems in order to assess the ecological advantages and disadvantages of these systems. Taking into account local environmental impacts as well a comprehensive ecologic evaluation of potential environmental and human health impacts becomes possible. The paper presents the results of a) the mass and energy fluxes of the process chain along the life cycle, and b) the local environmental impacts along the life cycle with regard to the environmental indicators of these cases. The focus is on the impact of site and plant parameters. Concluding, it can be summarised that geothermal power and heat generation is a very low-carbon technology and can contribute to a sustainable energy supply. Hydrogeothermal plants show a significantly low surface consumption, and environmental impacts are only locally relevant and technically controllable. Through the development of optimised overall concepts, geothermal based power and heat generation can achieve minimal environmental impacts in all areas. The combined heat and power generation from geothermal resources is by far the most environmentally and climate-friendly energy supply compared to all other regenerative and fossil systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines individual preferences for a reduction of life-cycle CO 2 emissions in vehicle purchase decisions. The empirical analysis is based on data from a stated choice experiment among citizens in Germany that refers to decisions between three types of electric vehicles and one conventional vehicle that are characterized by several attributes. With respect to CO 2 emissions, we specifically examine emissions in vehicle production besides the commonly considered emissions in vehicle use. Our econometric analysis reveals a strong stated preference for the reduction of both components of life-cycle CO 2 emissions. Furthermore, we find that conventional vehicles are significantly preferred over electric vehicles. Surprisingly, environmental attitudes, i.e. environmental awareness and ecological policy identification, have no significant effects on the reduction of CO 2 emissions. Instead, citizens with a strong environmental identity rather tend to avoid the purchase of conventional vehicles. We discuss several practical policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses EU nature conservation and EU climate protection policies within the context of their local implementation in Vienna/Austria in order to gain insights into the decision-making process as well as to show the extent of achievements and experienced difficulties. In this connection, this paper also investigates based on published knowledge and the perceptions of stakeholders the awareness of nature conservation measures as climate-change adaptation and possibly ways of improvement. In order to address these issues, additionally to an in-depth literature review, 16 experts working in Vienna in the field of either nature conservation or climate protection were interviewed. The transcriptions of these interviews were then used in a qualitative content analysis. The findings show that the vast majority of the interviewed stakeholders see EU climate policy and nature conservation policy separately. Furthermore, the implementation of EU climate and nature conservation policy in Vienna is indicated as a “learning by doing” process. There the currently limited cooperation between stakeholders can be improved. Our study also finds that the awareness of different stakeholder groups of the possibility to use nature conservation as a measure against climate change is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This theological reflexion explores climate as a common good and looks at how dialogue can contribute to climate preservation. The paper is structured around three main points. The first point -- raising awareness of the meaning of the common good -- starts with a question -- how much awareness of the common good is present at this time of particularism and fragmentation of life. The central purpose is the actualization of the common good, »a central and unifying principle of social ethics« (laudato si', no. 156). Its fundamental role stems from its direct connection with global society, and, thus, the common good connects us all at a very fundamental level. The second point -- Climate protection as a common good -- centres around the farreaching consequences of climate change that create new forms of injustice and impoverishment of human beings on the planetary level. It is possible to encourage new forms of mutual collaboration and organization only through solidarity and shared preferential option for the poor. This ought to develop in the direction of thorough and cross -linked interdisciplinary discussions about the common good that will contribute to activities which preserve life on the planet and enable new generations to have a future. The third point -- Dialogue as the way forward -- highlights the key significance of dialogue when considering the issue of championing the common good. The path that leads to the common good ought to reach the whole through the realisation of the integral development of all societal stakeholders, which at the same time, includes a step towards gathering around climate protection as a common good. In this context, social teaching of the Catholic Church, with an interdisciplinary dimension (cf. Centesimus annus, no. 59), enables collaboration in the service of the common good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The notion of integrated land-use and transport planning is linked to hopes that it may be possible to reverse the traffic-inducing effects of interactions between the built environment and transport, and to use planning interventions in land-use and transport provision to effectively contribute to the reduction of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. However, the targeted design of mixed-use and compact structures on the local and regional level is superimposed by societal and spatial trends that make large-scale mobility politically desirable or necessary. Against this background, the aforementioned hopes appear clearly exaggerated. Written from a German, at times also a wider European perspective, this paper develops the following argument. Land-use and transport are indeed interrelated, but the historical transport growth we face is mainly driven by other societal factors, such as economic growth, the spatial division of labour, large-scale societal integration, and gender equity. In addition, the effects of land-use on transport are uncertain due to limited knowledge on cause-impact relationships. Even in cases where cause and impact can be established, the impact of planning is limited. We conclude that the scope of integrated land-use and transport planning on the local level should not be overestimated so as to avoid false hopes and corresponding failures. This type of planning can hardly be justified by arguments related to the prevention of carbon dioxide emissions, but is useful in pursuing other urban development goals, such as ensuring accessibility without the use of cars, providing a healthy and livable environment, and – to a lesser extent – shifting travel to other modes and, indeed, reducing it overall. Local and regional land-use and transport planning should be justified by realistic and achievable goals, while at the same time highlighting that it has little effect on the general increase in distances travelled and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, we conclude that the necessary reduction of emissions within the transport sector must be tackled by interventions on the national and supranational levels, rather than expecting or demanding success from largely ineffective, more local interventions and the actors involved with them. Highlights • Integrated land-use/transport planning is often said to reduce transport CO2 emissions. • We argue that transport growth is driven by other factors than local land-use. • We conclude that the impact of integrated local-level planning is limited. • Integrated local planning is useful in pursuing other urban development goals. • Transport emissions reductions need interventions on the (supra)national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore how learning technology could be applied to the development of educational tools for global climate change. The task to be performed in an informed dialogue is to assess the causes and drivers for global climate change and to produce an improved basis of scientific understanding for the implementation of the climate protection targets suggested for each country. By character, this approach integrates the political and the scientific level. Design/methodology/approach - The paper applies learning theories and options for educational technologies to socio-economic, technological, biospheric, political and scientific themes relevant to present climate change. Findings -Drivers, effects and subsequent measures are subject to highly nonlinear effects. Thus, the combination of a (scientific, fact based) "Global Change Data Base" and a (dialogic, communication based) discourse (in the spirit of "Surfing Global Change") seems best suitable to produce solutions for the seemingly unresolvable issues of climate protection. This combination of approaches is entitled "Tackle the Task of a Transition through Technological Targets (T5)" and allows the application of hypotheses generated by students in a scaffolded setting of discursive learning. Social implications - Suggestions for CO2 abatement measures are currently passing the process of political negotiation in all countries in the world. The different views and patterns of ethical values are harmonised during the T5 learning process and symbolise the required political process of consensus finding among and between different ministries, countries and global interest groups. Originality/value - This approach includes social and natural driving factors such as population, land use, economics, politics, energy systems, the global carbon cycle, biosphere and climate, and thus offers a more comprehensive learning endeavour than many other approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Port of Seattle (the port) as the operator of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) has been a leader in supporting research and development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). After completing a collaborative effort to define a 'flight path' to create an SAF industry in Washington State, the port decided to shift toward a market development role. This role involves developing adequate infrastructure to receive, store and handle aviation biofuels; participating in programmes to reduce the incremental cost of aviation biofuels relative to fossil jet fuel; and finding means to send a market signal to incentivise regional aviation biofuels production. This paper discusses recent studies which laid the foundation for the port's next steps. The studies, which were sponsored by the port, address infrastructure feasibility and funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High levels of observed city involvement in energy and climate initiatives indicate that free-riding has been much less of a barrier to local climate protection efforts than suggested by theories of collective action. This study investigates why local governments have adopted various energy and climate change policy instruments despite the non-excludability of climate benefits. This paper advances theories of institutional collective action (ICA) and policy diffusion by testing ICA based hypotheses that local officials are able to overcome collective action problems to the extent that the costs of these initiatives are minimized through policy network interactions, the extent to which climate action produces localized benefits or compliments local environmental, development or growth management efforts, and the extent to which energy and climate protection efforts generate selective benefits to elected and appointed local government officials who advance their career interests depending on the existing configurations of political system institutions. Analysis of adoptions of the Climate Protection Agreements by Florida Cities indicates larger cities are more likely to adopt climate agreement, while district elections decrease the likelihood of climate policy adoption. Moreover, economic development rather than growth management or environmental problem situation is linked to climate initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schools play an important role in achieving climate protection goals, because they lay the foundation of knowledge for a responsible next generation. Therefore, schools as institutions have a special role model function. Enabling schools to become aware of their own carbon footprint (CF) is an important prerequisite for being able to tap the substantial CO2 reduction potential. Aiming at the direct involvement of students in the assessment process, a new assessment tool was developed within the Schools4Future project that gives students the opportunity to determine their own school's CF. With this instrument the CO2 emissions caused by mobility, heating and electricity consumption as well as for food in the school canteen and for consumables (paper) can be recorded. It also takes into account existing renewable energy sources. Through the development of the tool, not only a monitoring instrument was established but also a concrete starting point from which students could take actions to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. This paper presents the tool and its methods used to calculate the CF and compares it with existing approaches. A comparative case study of four pilot schools in Germany demonstrates the practicability of the tool and reveals fundamental differences between the GHG emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Based on different current long-term energy scenarios the paper discusses the future perspectives of hydrogen in the German energy system as a representative example for the development of sustainable energy systems. The scenario analysis offers varying outlines of the future energy system that determine the possible role of hydrogen. The paper discusses the possibilities of expanding the share of renewable energy and the resulting prospects for establishing clean hydrogen production from renewable energy sources. Emphasis is given to the questions of an ecologically efficient allocation of limited renewable energy resources that can only be assessed from a systems analysis perspective. Findings from recent studies for Germany reveal a strong competition between the direct input into the electricity system and an indirect use as fuel in the transport sector. Moreover, the analysis underlines the paramount importance of reducing energy demand as the inevitable prerequisite for any renewable energy system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To fully analyze the forestry and wood products sector's impact on climate protection through the reduction of CO2emissions, it is necessary to integrate all aspects of both carbon storage and the substitution effects of forestry and wood use. Substitution effects are assessed based on specific assumptions derived from life-cycle assessment studies, which for the purpose of comparison usually refer to the respective energy mix. This definition is, however, normative. Different assumptions regarding fossil fuel substitution, such as marginal benefit or changing energy mix, are also possible. This paper discusses which of these alternative assumptions are most appropriate for analyzing fossil fuel substitution and then, based on three different approaches (status quo, changing energy mix, marginal fossil), shows the variation in the results these assumptions provide. The calculations include three different forest management strategies in order to show the effects of forest C sinks and different wood volumes available for use (material and energy). Long-term simulations tracking the C effects of forestry and wood use reveal the greatest variations. These findings are useful for deciding between different forestry management scenarios and strategies for wood product and energy use from a climate protection perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Taking into account the fact of global economic integration, this paper improves the RICE model and the MRICES model, and establishes a new integrated assessment model MRICES-2012, which takes Ramsey utility as the standard of fairness. Based on the model, schemes which meet the global emission mitigation targets as well as the interests of developing countries are simulated to assess the international fairness of emission reduction. Therefore, a new feasible scheme is proposed, which can not only reach the Copenhagen Consensus but also ensure interests of every country. Specifically speaking, the US and Japan cut emissions 80% and 70% respectively by 2050 relative to the 1990 level; the EU and other developed countries cut 80% by 2050 relative to 1990 level; high human development countries cut 50% by 2050 relative to 1990 level; all above-mentioned countries start emission reduction from 2020 and keep emission on 2050 level by 2100; China begins emission reduction from 2030 and cuts emission 15% by 2050 and 25% by 2100 relative to 2005 level; medium human development countries keep emission on 2020 level by 2100; low human development countries do not take part in reduction on emission intensity and global emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local climate protection initiatives are receiving increased attention and support. However, most of the current understanding about their content, motivation, and impact is based on qualitative studies, whose findings cannot be generalised, or quantitative studies, which consider superficial measures of policy adoption. There is a lack of information about the type and extent of greenhouse gas (GHG)-reducing actions that 'typical' cities have implemented, whether or not they are explicitly framed as part of a broader climate protection strategy. In an effort to address this gap, this paper examines original data collected from a nation-wide sample of US cities on their implementation of a comprehensive list of GHG-mitigating activities. An assessment of the data reveals considerable variation in the frequency with which the different activities are implemented, particularly when considered across policy instrument type and target population. Further analysis suggests that cities utilise three broad 'types' of climate protection strategies, based on the number and nature of the relevant actions that they have implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of climate protection policy, it has been suggested that global CO2 emissions should be reduced significantly (contraction) and that per capita emissions should gradually be equalized across countries (convergence). This paper uses an intertemporal multi-region computable general equilibrium model of the world economy to assess the economics of “Contraction and Convergence” (C&C). Upon comparing a regime of tradable and non-tradable emission rights for implementing C&C, we find that international emissions trading increases crucially the political feasibility of the C&C proposal. The reason is that the distribution of the total efficiency gains from permit trading not only improves the economic well-being of all regions as compared to strictly domestic action, but in particular raises economic welfare of major opponents to carbon restrictions from the developing world even beyond non-abatement baseline levels. A decomposition of the general equilibrium effects associated with C&C shows that changes in the terms of trade constitute a key determinant of the overall welfare effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]