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Ethylene is one of the most important products in the emissions-intensive petrochemical industry. Decarbonizing the ethylene industry is thus important for achieving global carbon neutrality. This study is the first to explore future long-term zero-emissions production pathways for the ethylene industry in China, the world's biggest ethylene producer. An optimization model was built in the context of China's carbon neutrality target of 2060. Four scenarios were developed where the policy ambitions for climate mitigation and for plastic management including waste were varied. Based on this, authors assessed the cumulative total emissions, technology options, future geographical location of ethylene production, and policy challenges associated with each scenario. This is also the first time that scope 3 emissions from waste incineration are included, motivated by the short lifetime of most ethylene products. Results show the cumulative CO 2 emissions for the scenarios differ considerably, ranging from 4.3 to 7.8 Gt, even if carbon neutrality by 2060 is achieved in all scenarios. The results suggest that ambitious plastic focused policies can result in lower costs and less cumulative emissions compared to ambitious climate focused policies. The results demonstrate the importance of adopting CCS for waste incineration. This reduces cumulative CO 2 emissions by up to 2 Gt. However, reduced overall demand and increased recycling rates should be priority options due to CCS challenges. Results suggest Chinese ethylene industry should adopt a mixed portfolio of production technologies, where the share of emission-intensive coal-based methanol-to-olefins is limited. These findings on decarbonization pathways can contribute to achieving the Paris agreement. [Display omitted] • Ambitious plastic policies lead to 1.3 Gt less cumulative CO 2 than climate policies. • Cumulative CO 2 until 2060 can be reduced by 3.5 Gt compared to reference scenario. • Adopting CCS in incineration can reduce cumulative CO 2 emissions by 2 Gt. • Ethylene industry should adopt a mixed production portfolio due to uncertainties. • Coal-based MTO with CCS does not appear to be a cost-competitive option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CO 2 concentration in the atmosphere has crossed an unprecedented level of 420 ppm, causing catastrophic events like climate change. Climate change mitigation via carbon capture is crucial for reducing CO 2 emissions. Among various CO 2 capture technologies, adsorption is considered one of the most efficient and promising techniques. In recent times, substantial research has been conducted on producing cost-effective and efficient adsorbents for CO 2 capture via the thermal and chemical treatments of biomass. In this review, we discuss key scientific results to give broad insight into the recent progress in biomass conversion to activated porous carbon (APC). The effects of various chemical and thermal treatments on the textural properties and CO 2 adsorption capacity of APC are comprehensively discussed. CO 2 adsorption mechanism based on interaction with the surface functionality is thoroughly explained. The economic aspects of APC synthesis and post-combustion CO 2 capture using APC are systematically reviewed. [Display omitted] • Use of biomass based activate porous carbon (APC) for CO 2 capture is reviewed. • CO 2 adsorption mechanism on APC surface is thoroughly explained. • APC surface functionalization via metal doping and heteroatom doping is discussed. • Economics of APC synthesis & large-scale CO 2 capture on APC is critically reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities represent unique spaces for climate mitigation where wide-ranging action to reduce emissions meets ambition and collaboration. This research work distils climate neutrality narratives for 362 cities that expressed interest in the European Mission on 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities and focuses on the 112 cities selected to spearhead the process of reaching climate neutrality by 2030 (representing a mitigation potential of 318.3 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions). The method involves steps that profile the characteristics of these cities, enunciate cross-cutting patterns in cities' visions by thematic groupings, and compare 14 contextual factors with 77 possible main barriers. There are both similarities and differences among the results as a basis for learning together and certain barriers can be relatively more dominant in some thematic groupings, such as fragmentation of responsibilities. As a synthesis of the main findings, the original analyses are used to derive and prioritise nine high-level recommendations based on the cities' visions, contextual factors, and expected main barriers. Opportunities for mobilising transformative change relate to transforming siloed into integrated approaches, inclusive climate governance and collaborations, innovative financing, welfare and just transition as well as planning, implementation, and policy coherence. The advances provide pioneering steps for stimulating co-learning processes among Mission Cities and beyond to support the transition to climate neutrality and open up opportunities to progress together in climate action while producing impact with global reach. [Display omitted] • Visions and narratives for achieving climate neutrality by 2030 are enunciated across cities. • The 112 Mission Cities represent an emissions reduction potential of 318.3 MtCO 2 eq. • Thematic groupings are formed by cross-comparing degree of ambition and collaboration. • Recommendations are prioritised based on enablers and barriers in the thematic groupings. • Cross-cutting patterns in cities' visions provide opportunities to stimulate co-learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal production faces challenges related to thermal comfort, air quality, and carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions, thereby the need for more efficient and sustainable systems due to climate change. This study examines green roofs and their potential to absorb atmospheric CO 2 and reduce heat load through photosynthesis and evapotranspiration, resulting in decreased energy consumption and increased CO 2 emissions. The maximum CO 2 concentration limit in animal production facilities is 3000 ppm. Depending on the ventilation system used in broiler production facilities, the CO 2 concentration can exceed 2000 ppm. Dark House poultry facilities tend to have higher concentrations reaching up to 777 ppm. In pig farming, the nursery sector has higher concentrations of CO 2 , exceeding 1200 ppm. In dairy farming, the number of milkings, the type of ventilation system and local climatic conditions can affect the CO 2 concentration, reaching values of up to 1401 ppm. C3 plants have a CO 2 saturation point at 800 ppm and C4 plants at 200 ppm. The CO 2 balance in animal production facilities that use a green roof can be done considering the CO 2 produced and the CO 2 absorbed. Green roofs are therefore considered a sustainable solution for animal production. Its implementation enhances air quality in the facilities, supporting the reduction of environmental impacts and mitigation of climate change effects caused by the agroindustry. This investigation underscores the significance of green roofs, emphasizing their environmental, social, and economic benefits, as well as their applicability in animal production. • It is possible to estimate the CO 2 balance in animal production facilities with a green roof. • Green roof can improve air quality in animal production. • Green roof can reduce the thermal stress of the animals in the premises. • Green roof can contribute to the sustainability of animal production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, electric fuels (E-fuel), which are the chemicals produced from the conversion of renewable-based hydrogen (H 2), are actively being developed as a sustainable energy carrier. Renewable methane is particularly a promising alternative to fossil-based natural gas, which can be produced from CO 2 or syngas methanation. In this work, techno-economic assessment (TEA) and life-cycle assessment (LCA) for renewable methane production are performed through syngas methanation, where CO 2 is collected using direct air capture (DAC) and syngas is produced by solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) with renewable-based electricity. This research considers the different technical, economic, and environmental performances of the systems for renewable methane production. A favorable reduction in a maximum of 23.3% of CH 4 production cost is observed by the scale-up effects of SOE system from 1 MW to 10 MW. TEA draws the conclusion that economic infeasibility is proved at the current level, but additional research and improvement of SOE system and a plunge in renewable electricity prices can lead to the economic equivalent of conventional natural gas. Furthermore, given that certain energy resources with low energy intensity (0.0394 kg CO 2 -eq MJ−1) are integrated with SOE system for methane production, the LCA results that renewable methane production at a large scale has a potential to access negative CO 2 emissions and accelerate climate change mitigation. Consequently, it is concluded that syngas methanation with renewable-based energy systems and DAC can make a considerable opportunity for climate change mitigation under the assumption that SOE system and renewable energy are significantly improved. [Display omitted] • Feasibility of renewable methane production from syngas methanation is investigated • Solid oxide electrolysis for syngas production with renewable energy is covered • Direct air capture as CO 2 capture technology is considered for renewable methane • Possibility of negative CO 2 emission is confirmed by utilizing direct air capture • Mitigating climate change is proved by renewable methane with direct air capture [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapidly increasing catastrophic environmental incidents and changes in global climate have compelled researchers to take proactive measures for climate change mitigation. Consequently, reducing greenhouse gas emissions has become one of the most significant global targets. The transportation sector has a massive carbon footprint accounting for 22% of the total carbon dioxide emissions. In this regard, road transport contributes the largest fraction of the total emissions within the transportation sector. Conversely, the railway which is the cleanest form of transportation contributes slightly more than 1% of the total emissions. Moreover, since most of the rail systems are operated by government or private companies, it is relatively convenient to implement policies and replace conventional technology with environmentally friendly ones. This could be achieved by taking certain measures from technical and operational viewpoints for conserving energy to lower the carbon intensity of all transport modalities. Hence, this review paper focuses on investigating the railway sector to encourage a modal shift to the least carbon-intensive option. This study provides a critical review of the past and present rail technologies in terms of the environmental, economic, social, and technical perspectives. Moreover, a comparative assessment of the various locomotive types has been performed. The results reveal that battery-hydrogen hybrid locomotives are the best choice to be considered as a future locomotive technology. Hydrogen locomotives have the potential to be a promising alternative to diesel railway locomotives. However, certain technical barriers need to be overcome to enhance the overall system's performance and reliability to further improve the viability of its deployment in the railway sector. [Display omitted] • A critical review of the various rail technologies is provided through different viewpoints. • The assessment constitutes environmental, economic, social, and technical perspectives. • A decision-support tool for comparison of four rail technologies is also developed. • Battery-hydrogen hybrid locomotive results in the highest score of 1.47. • Standalone hydrogen locomotive results in the second highest score of 1.38. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the sufficiency, efficiency, and renewable frameworks for reducing energy use and energy-related carbon emissions, Building Energy Sufficiency (BES) is gaining attention from policy makers and engineers. Despite the significant role of the building sector in the success of national energy and climate plans, there is a lack of research on the drivers, technologies, and effective policy instruments required to achieve BES in the building operational phase. To fill this gap, this study presents a systematic review of the definition and paradigm of BES and concludes that BES should address both occupant demand and energy or emissions requirements simultaneously. The characteristics of occupant demand in building services are divided into four dimensions: time and space, quality and quantity, control and adjustment, and flexibility. Technical options regarding the building architecture, the envelope system, and the building energy system are reviewed. Finally, policy implications and recommendations are discussed. The multiple benefits and multidisciplinary nature of BES justify further research and accelerated policy implementation in developed and developing countries. [Display omitted] • Building Energy Sufficiency(BES) are important to address building energy and climate issues, but research is lacking. • Building occupant demand is partial in time and space, diversified and heterogeneous in quality and quantity, and requires adjustment. • Passive and flexible architecture, and building integrated photovoltaics are effective in reducing building demand at the building level. • Decentralized design and operation, and flexible terminals are sufficient measures from building energy systems perspective. • Different policy pathways are recommended for different regions according to their own status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The residential sector has been targeted as the one with a huge potential for reducing carbon emissions. In order to determine the present carbon footprint and the potential for achieving carbon neutrality, the study examines electricity consumption in average households, whose electricity is supplied by their national power grids. 31 European countries (27 EU and 4 non-EU countries) were included in this analysis. Our results indicate that the annual carbon emissions of these average households range from 0.09 to 6.44 tCO 2 e (1.36 tCO 2 e on average), depending on a country. In addition, the calculated electricity costs per tCO 2 e emission for an average household vary significantly (from 94 to 10,135 EUR/tCO 2 e).Carbon offsetting is a mechanism which enables households to achieve carbon neutrality, i.e. households can compensate for the emissions caused by their electricity consumption by purchasing voluntary carbon offsets. This study also analyses the financial implications of purchasing voluntary carbon offsets. The results indicate that voluntary carbon offsets do not burden household budgets significantly because their share in total electricity costs is small. European households, particularly those in countries where electricity is more expensive, can comfortably achieve carbon neutrality with voluntary carbon offsets. In this way, they can contribute to global sustainable development. [Display omitted] • Average carbon footprint of grid-connected household in Europe is less than 2 tCO2e. • The cost of electricity per CO2 emissions varies from 94 to 10,135 EUR/tCO2. • Voluntary carbon offset costs in electricity costs vary widely across Europe. • Carbon offsetting is a practical solution for achieving a carbon-neutral household. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar amendment has been proposed as a promising solution to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture and sustainably enhance crop yield. However, the net GHG mitigation potential of biochar remains uncertain, especially the controversial results from field and laboratory experiments. Using 9970 published observational data derived from 592 peer-reviewed papers, this study highlighted the effects of biochar in field experiments on crop yield, soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, carbon dioxide (CO 2) and methane (CH 4) fluxes, and soil nitrogen (N) dynamics (i.e., soil inorganic N stocks, nitrous oxide [N 2 O] emissions, ammonia [NH 3 ] volatilization, and inorganic N leaching). Overall, field data indicated that biochar significantly increased gross SOC stocks (26.6%) and crop yield (15.7%), reduced soil CH 4 (−14.8%) and N 2 O (−23.1%) emissions, and ammonium (−24.9%) and total inorganic N leaching (−23.2%) but had no effect on soil CO 2 emissions. Whereas laboratory data generally showed greater effect sizes of biochar on these indictors. Global warming potential was decreased only in field experiments, but both experiments showed similar reductions in GHG intensity. Both experiments suggested that soil and biochar cation exchange capacity, pH, biochar application rate, and nitrogen fertilization interactively regulated biochar effects on crop yield and GHG emissions. The unrealistically high rates of biochar in laboratory experiments may overestimate its benefit on soil C sequestration and/or underestimate its mitigation potential. These findings provide a comprehensive view that biochar amendment may serve as a viable climate-smart agricultural practice that can help in partial achievement of multiple sustainable development goals. • Biochar is an effective strategy for climate-smart agriculture. • Biochar added to field (∼20 Mg ha−1) can increase gross SOC stock by ∼27%. • Biochar can decrease global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity. • Unrealistically high biochar rates in lab overestimated soil carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Switchgrass is a promising feedstock for cellulosic biorefineries, due to its ability to maintain comparatively high biomass yields across a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. However, there is an incomplete understanding of the economic and environmental tradeoffs associated with cultivating switchgrass on low-productivity land for conversion to biofuels. This study surveys prior literature and demonstrates a new integrated assessment framework, including agroecosystem, ecosystem services valuation, technoeconomic, and life-cycle assessment models, to quantify and contextualize the economic and environmental impacts of switchgrass cultivation on marginal land with downstream conversion to biofuels. Monetizing and incorporating the value of ecosystem services, such as improved water quality benefits from nitrate and sediment reductions, climate change mitigation benefits from CO 2 emission reduction, and recreational and pollination benefits from increased biodiversity, the modeled multifunctional landscape reduces the ethanol production cost by 33.3–58.9 cents/ l -gasoline-equivalent ($1.3–2.2/gge). Planting switchgrass in low productivity land improves soil health, resulting in the carbon footprint reduction credit of 12.8–20.2 gCO 2e /MJ. For an improved switchgrass-to-ethanol conversion pathway with the maximum benefits from ecosystem services, the minimum ethanol selling price and carbon footprint of ethanol, respectively, could reach to 31 cents/ l -gasoline-equivalent (47% reduction relative to average gasoline price) and 3 gCO 2e /MJ (97% reduction relative to gasoline). This low carbon renewable ethanol leads to substantial State and/or Federal policy incentives (∼$1/ l -gasoline-equivalent) providing a large benefit to biorefinery operators, farmers, and the public as a whole. • Ecosystem services benefits reduced the delivered switchgrass cost by $29–104/bdt. • Switchgrass grown on marginal land increased carbon sequestration by 0.1–0.36 MgC/ha. • Ecosystem services benefits reduced ethanol selling price reduced by 20–55%. • Carbon footprint of ethanol reduced by 44–81% with ecosystem services benefits. • Biorefinery operators could make profit of 28 cents/ l -gasoline-equivalent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar has received increasing attention in agricultural and environmental fields as an integrated solution to agricultural waste recycling, soil amendment, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. However, obtaining the environmental benefits of biochar is limited by an inadequate number of soil applications. Currently, the willingness to use biochar in soil management is relatively low, which results from the insufficient understanding and promotion of the roles of biochar in soil management and climate change mitigation. This review article presents biochar applications based on carbon-neutral strategies in agricultural soil systems. The primary roles of biochar in soil improvement and remediation are discussed and the main soil application methods are introduced. The focus of this article is on biochar-based soil management strategies for contributing to carbon neutrality. Carbon sequestration using biochar is an application-dependent strategy, as the key to obtaining this ecological benefit is to store biochar products in soil via effective agricultural management. This article offers insights into biochar-based soil management strategies and their contribution to carbon neutrality in agricultural soil systems, with recommendations for appropriate government involvement in promoting biochar-based soil management and for incorporating biochar into the carbon trading market. • The non-CO 2 GHGs account for the majority of carbon emission via agricultural soil. • Incorporating biochar into the global carbon trading market is recommended. • Using biochar to help achieve carbon neutrality is an application-dependent strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy plays a crucial role in both climate change mitigation and adaptation in highly climate-vulnerable nations such as Nepal. This paper reviews various types of renewable energy technologies and their status, potential for adoption, relationship to climate change, and mitigative and adaptive roles in Nepal. Nepal has installed micro-hydro projects, solar power, improved cooking stoves, biogas technology, improved water mills, and wind energy to mitigate and adapt to climate change. There is a growing potential for renewable energy development in Nepal, such as hydropower, solar, wind energy, biogas, and improved cooking stoves. Roughly 70% of Nepal's energy consumption is generated from traditional energy sources while renewable energy accounts for approximately three percent. The gradual increase in the use of renewable energy has reduced greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced carbon sequestration. By adopting renewable energy technologies, Nepal has reduced emissions by 221,129 tCO 2 e from 2017 to 2018. Nepal's second Nationally Determined Contribution targets a 15% increase in national energy use from renewables with a reduction of 23% of CO 2 emissions by 2030 using biogas and improved cooking systems. Furthermore, a significant increase in the adoption of renewable energy has become a pivotal strategy in adaptation to climate change in social, health, and economic sectors resulting in time savings, alternative income sources, improved health and educational status, local job opportunities, and the promotion of social capital. The benefits of adapting to climate change and mitigating CO 2 emissions via renewable energy are significant at the local, national, and international levels. This study recommends that the government of Nepal focus work on energy policy reviews to address local energy demand and climate change issues by utilizing renewable energy resources at the local level, which has global implications. • Suitable, potential renewable energy technologies in Nepal. • The relationship between energy and climate change. • Relevant data on energy and climate change in tables and figures. • Social, economic, and environmental benefits of renewable energy. • Climate change adaptation and mitigation via renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting technology development co-operation is particularly relevant while addressing global climate change or regional pollution. Investors may contribute to increasing environmental-related patents, which may help to improve the quality of the environment as long as supported by proper regulations and policies. In the quest towards a cleaner environment via the mitigation of climate change, this study investigates the relationship between technological innovation, income level, renewable energy and carbon emissions in both the United States and China. Applying the dynamic auto-regressive distributive lag (DARDL) simulation method revealed varying impacts of regressors on CO 2 emissions in the short-run and long-run. Accordingly, this study empirically confirms that (i) technological innovation reduces carbon emissions in the United States but it is not statistically significant in China. (ii) Renewable energy reduces carbon emissions in both countries. (iii) The impact of income level on emissions decreases from short-run to long-run in both countries. Decision-makers in China should stimulate more effective environmental-related innovations to decrease CO 2 emissions and should permit easy access to environmental-related patents together with reducing its cost of registration. • Investigates the role of green technological innovation in decreasing CO 2 emissions. • Applies the novel Dynamic ARDL simulation. • Green technological innovation reduces CO 2 emissions in the U.S. Only. • Confirms that renewable energy mitigates CO 2 emissions both in the U.S. and China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioenergy is considered a promising alternative to achieve carbon neutrality and emission reduction. There is a debate over the role of bioenergy in climate change mitigation because of carbon emissions from the production and utilization of biofuels. Recently, studies on emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) have substantially increased as they have a significant impact on human health and climate change due to large emissions and high reactivity. A scientometric analysis of 2895 journal papers during 1991 and 2020 related to BVOC emissions from the Web of Science Core Collection was conducted by CiteSpace and Carrot2. Results showed that three main knowledge domains were BVOC emissions and drivers, BVOCs and their oxidation products in biosphere-atmosphere exchange, and soil BVOCs in plant-microbe interactions during the period under study. Generally, the relationships between plant BVOC emissions and environmental variables (e.g., temperature, drought, light solar radiation, humidity, availability of nutrients, carbon dioxide, ozone, etc.) can be investigated by measurement techniques (i.e., chamber) or models (i.e., Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature). Soils could work as both the sink and source of BVOCs through various processes that are affected by soil temperatures, pH, organic matter, and moisture. Anthropogenic activities might affect the emission of BVOCs and promote the formation of BVOC-derived pollutants (e.g., ozone, particles, etc.). Incorporating BVOC emissions and their relationships with pollutants, biomass, and energy into environmental management and decision-making is a promising direction. [Display omitted] • A scientometric analysis was conducted on the research evolution of BVOC emissions. • Ten clusters generated by CiteSpace were logically reclassified into three hotspots. • MEGAN is the most frequently empirical model for BVOC emission assessment. • BVOC-derived pollutants like SOA are likely affected by anthropogenic activities. • Soils in terrestrial ecosystems can act as both the source and sink of BVOCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of low-carbon energy and trade on the environment has drawn several studies that have looked at issues from different perspectives, thus yielding differing conclusions. Considering the current emphasis on the COP25 conference and the commitment to cut down carbon emissions level, this study also draws strength from the United Nations Sustainable development Goals (UNSDGs) that comprises of positive strides for access to clean and responsible energy consumption (SDGs 7, 12) and climate change mitigation issues (SDG-13). To this end, this study is a timely outlook that underpins the case of the European Union (EU) countries as well as the root cause of anthropogenic activities on clean trajectory of global environment. Hence, we investigate the connection between alternative and sustainable energy source, trade, income and emissions in 27 selected European Union economies by utilizing data covering the period 1990–2017 on an annual frequency. We used second-generation panel model estimators to analyze the relationship between the variables in the long-run. Specifically, the long run results from the MG (Mean Group), AMG (Augmented Mean Group), and CCEMG (Common Correlated Effects Mean Group) estimators reveal that sustainable and alternative energy sources have a negative significant impact on pollutant emissions while trade and income have a positive impact on carbon emissions except that the impact of trade is insignificant. Although the positive impact of openness in trade on carbon emission is insignificant, the positive impact suggests that the free-trade policy that is currently in place in the EU should further incorporate sustainable development goals (SDGs) to avoid the outsourcing of carbon emissions among the member countries. Causality tests reveal a feedback hypothesis between renewable energy, income, trade, and carbon emanations. The investigation proposes expanded utilization of sustainable power source to mitigate carbon emissions in the European Union. • Outlook of EU-27 alternative energy and regional trade. • The panel techniques of common correlated effect is employed. • Alternative energy utilization in the regional bloc aids. • Regional trade policy in the EU could posit environmental hardship. • Real income growth in the region hampers environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the energy system of the Basilicata region (southern Italy) to highlight, through a scenario analysis, its possible future development in compliance with the European Commission's long-term vision. The IEA-ETSAP methodology was utilized to model and analyse the Basilicata energy system in a business- as -usual scenario, based on the assumptions of the 2010 Regional Energy and Environmental Policy Plan, and in two low-carbon scenarios, decarbonisation and high energy efficiency, which, in line with the long-term European strategy, foresee an 85% carbon dioxide emission reduction and a 20% energy efficiency increase in 2050. The results highlight that electricity production from renewable energy sources (in particular wind energy), strongly supported by the regional policy, goes beyond the Basilicata Regional Energy-Environmental Plan forecast, with a further increase in the decarbonisation scenarios. In addition, solar thermal and highly efficient technologies are adopted in commercial and residential end-use sectors. An additional 9% reduction in energy consumption is achieved in the high energy efficiency scenario by passive houses. The proposed approach shows the usefulness of a modelling framework typically used for national and supranational analyses to support regional authorities in their decision-making process to obtain results in line with the European and national strategies. Application to the Basilicata region shows the usefulness of a consolidated framework for policy assessment at a local scale to assess regional contribution to the achievement of national climate mitigation targets that tend towards climate neutrality. • The role of regional authorities is essential to reach national decarbonisation goals. • TIMES can be advantageously used for regional energy system modelling and analysis. • Scenario analysis can be a powerful tool for policy evaluation. • A cap on carbon dioxide emissions leads to a 28% increase of electricity production. • Passive houses in Residential allow a further 5% reduction of energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests can help mitigate climate change in different ways, such as by storing carbon in forest ecosystems, and by producing a renewable supply of material and energy products. We analyse the climate implications of different scenarios for forestry, bioenergy and wood construction. We consider three main forestry scenarios for Kronoberg County in Sweden, over a 201-year period. The Business-as-usual scenario mirrors today's forestry while in the Production scenario the forest productivity is increased by 40% through more intensive forestry. In the Set-aside scenario 50% of forest land is set-aside for conservation. The Production scenario results in less net carbon dioxide emissions and cumulative radiative forcing compared to the other scenarios, after an initial period of 30–35 years during which the Set-aside scenario has less emissions. In the end of the analysed period, the Production scenario yields strong emission reductions, about ten times greater than the initial reduction in the Set-aside scenario. Also, the Set-aside scenario has higher emissions than Business-as-usual after about 80 years. Increasing the harvest level of slash and stumps results in climate benefits, due to replacement of more fossil fuel. Greatest emission reduction is achieved when biomass replaces coal, and when modular timber buildings are used. In the long run, active forestry with high harvest and efficient utilisation of biomass for replacement of carbon-intensive non-wood products and fuels provides significant climate mitigation, in contrast to setting aside forest land to store more carbon in the forest and reduce the harvest of biomass. • Most climate benefit from active forestry with high harvest and efficient utilisation of biomass. • Renewable biomass replaces carbon-intensive non-wood products and fuels. • Less climate benefit from setting aside forest land to store more carbon in the ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]