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Integrated energy systems for multi-purpose applications are garnering increased interest in the international nuclear energy community, energy system designers and planners and decision makers in the context of deep decarbonization and net zero targets. They are expected to reduce costs and increase flexibility in operation of nuclear reactors when coupled with intermittent renewable energy sources, while also producing various commodities such as hydrogen or potable water. Adaptive solutions must be considered for each geographical area and based on the involved components of the energy system, available infrastructure, and policy in place. This paper provides an in-depth look at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of such systems, while addressing different aspects related to the creation of the business case for such systems including decentralization and digitalization of future energy systems. The regulatory aspects are the ones that impose challenges on the emerging hybrid energy systems and this paper highlights some of the considerations that are needed for the couplings involved, in terms of licensing procedures and safety analysis. The potential contribution of such integrated energy systems towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) are also discussed. Concerning the stakeholders, special attention should be paid to building social acceptance and trust as this lays the foundation for successful implementation of such projects. By focusing on areas such as research and development, integration of technologies, policy support, market development, grid integration, energy storage, efficiency improvement, system modelling and simulations, significant advances in integrated/hybrid energy systems deployment can be achieved. • Role of integrated energy systems in deep decarbonization for climate change mitigation. • Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of multigeneration energy systems. • Decarbonization, decentralization and digitalization based business models. • Integrated systems can help achieving sustainable development goals (SDG7,11,13). • Hybrid energy systems can address the challenges of intermittency and grid stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract 1.1 billion of the world's population still does not have access to electricity in the 21st century. Most of that population resides in the rural communities in developing countries in South Asia, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. Access to electricity can eliminate existing problems related to health, education, social life, economy and the environment, and can increase the income of underserved communities. Most of the yet to be energized regions are in remote, isolated areas, that cannot be serviced through the central grid. While decentralized diesel generators can potentially be installed in these areas, they have a poor effect on climate change mitigation. Clean renewable energy alternatives for off-grid systems are being deployed to reduce the non-electrification rate in the world, and The United Nation Foundation's 2030 Agenda has the objective of universal access to electricity by 2030. While there has been some progress towards that goal, the challenges are countless. If no changes in models, policies and practices are made, the universal access objective will not be achieved, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa that has a level of electrification projection of 30% by 2030. To determine the necessary changes, this paper reviews the rural electrification initiatives in eight developing countries, from Asia to Sub-Saharan Africa to Latin America, and aims to provide an assessment of their success and to discuss the lessons that can be learned and applied on future initiatives. Highlights • Different approaches to first-access systems have been studied. • The role of policy-making and its impact on project success is highlighted with real examples. • Experiences of different countries and different regions have been compared. • Lessons learned from these experiences are shared and keys parameters for more effective project development have been shared. • The research direction of this field and possible future work are documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Green gas is a promising renewable energy carrier compatible with existing gas networks, whose environmental impact and capacity to decarbonise the energy sector is evaluated by life cycle assessment (LCA). This articles reviews 42 LCAs applied to biomethane, produced by anaerobic digestion, and bio-SNG, produced by gasification and methanation, discussing the main methodological choices and their effects on the results, and highlighting the limits of the use of LCA as a stand-alone approach in real-case applications. While uncertainty analysis was performed in 34 of the reviewed studies, only 3 studies integrated the LCA with process modelling or geospatial modelling. The lack of data for pre-commercial or newly-commercialised technologies has necessitated to the introduction of thermodynamic models giving mass and energy flows, especially in the case of bio-SNG. Limits due to geospatial case-specific constraints have been overcome by two studies introducing geographical information systems (GIS) based models to evaluate the impact of green gas production system on a regional level. Facility siting and sizing has been also found to be fundamentally important in evaluating the trade-off between profitability and environmental impact. Finally, this work highlights the need for a hybrid LCA, in which LCA is integrated with thermodynamic models of the process, GIS-based infrastructure design, and uncertainty quantification, in order to inform stakeholders of the economic, environmental and energy potential of green gas production systems. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • 42 LCAs of bio-SNG and biomethane production have been reviewed. • Thermodynamic models overcome the lack of data for emerging technology. • GIS-based models are used to design the supply chain in a limited number of reviewed LCAs. • A hybrid-LCA has been proposed for the evaluation of sustainability of green gas production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global firms are increasingly adopting greenhouse gas mitigation targets in response to climate change. These targets serve as a spur for carbon mitigation initiatives, provide guidelines to select appropriate mitigation actions, and set the standards to measure the progress of the mitigation efforts. Despite their important functionalities, firm-level mitigation targets have rarely been studied. In this paper we aim to provide a comparative view on mitigation targets set by global firms across different countries and industrial sectors. The analysis focuses on four dimensions, i.e., adoption, metric, scope, and stringency. We find Japan far leads the other major countries in terms of target adoption, but the targets of Japanese firms are generally less stringent. Canadian firms are laggards in both target adoption and target stringency. The mitigation targets are also considerably uncommon among Australian firms. Firms in developing countries fall behind in target stringency and display a significantly greater divergence than developed countries in sectoral adoption rate. The European Union firms are most likely to cover the emissions in their supply chains in targets. Target stringency has substantially tightened from 2005 to 2012. For all the countries in this study, around 95% of the firm-level targets are more stringent than the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions submitted to the Paris Agreement. Setting mitigation target has a significant positive impact on both the likelihood of investing in renewable energy and the amount of investment in renewable energy. However, there is no evidence that more stringent targets lead to higher investment. These findings point to the most pressing issues with regard to corporate mitigation target-setting that policymakers and corporate management should address. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy is an efficient tool to support China's endeavors to keep energy independence and mitigate climate change. This paper applies a Divisia index approach to investigate the factors governing renewable energy development in China, including the supply mix, energy security, carbon emission, and to forecast these requirements for the year 2020 and 2030. Grey relational model is employed to verify the relationships between renewable energy and its drivers. The results of the forecasts reveal the challenges of long-term deployment for renewable energy technologies. Other results show that during the research period, energy security makes a major contribution to renewable energy development. Energy security and substitution rate have relatively closer relationships with new and total renewable energy consumption respectively than that of other factors. Scenario analyses suggest that strong and continuing renewable energy policies will be helpful to achieve sustainable energy development in China and a strong synergy between renewable energy and energy security would emerge in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic activities and advancements in industries boost global energy demand and increase fossil fuel consumption, causing several global environmental problems, such as climate change. As a climate change mitigation strategy, the use of renewable energy technologies has gained unprecedented interest. In particular, the thermochemical processing of lignocellulosic biomass integrated with other renewable energy technologies has emerged rapidly. It is critical to select appropriate integrated renewable energy system configurations for sustainable and feasible power generation towards higher environmental benefits. Understanding the possible configurations of thermochemical lignocellulosic biomass processing technologies (gasification, pyrolysis, hydrothermal gasification, or hydrothermal carbonization) integrated with renewable energy technologies (solar thermal, fuel cell, fusion power, or energy storage) is crucial for the further development and propagation of the integrated renewable energy system. Hence, we provide a systematic review of the thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass integrated with the other renewable energy technologies. Finally, the challenges associated with the implementation of these systems and suggestions for future research on the systems are discussed. • Renewable energy technology is integrated with thermochemical biomass conversion process. • The integrated bioenergy systems help overcome limitations of single-source energy systems. • Challenges and prospects for the integrated systems are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to carbon capture and storage, efforts are also being focussed on using captured CO 2 , both directly as a working fluid and in chemical conversion processes, as a key strategy for mitigating climate change and achieving resource efficiency. These processes require large amounts of energy, which should come from sustainable and, ideally, renewable sources. A strong value chain is required to support the production of valuable products from CO 2 . A value chain is a network of technologies and infrastructures (such as conversion, transportation, storage) along with its associated activities (such as sourcing raw materials, processing, logistics, inventory management, waste management) required to convert low-value resources to high-value products and energy services, and deliver them to customers. A CO 2 value chain involves production of CO 2 (involving capture and purification), technologies that convert CO 2 and other materials into valuable products, sourcing of low-carbon energy to drive all of the transformation processes required to convert CO 2 to products (including production of hydrogen, syngas, methane etc.), transport of energy and materials to where they are needed, managing inventory levels of resources, and delivering the products to customers, all in order to create value (economic, environmental, social etc.). Technologies underpinning future CO 2 value chains were examined. CO 2 conversion technologies, such as urea production, Sabatier synthesis, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, hydrogenation to methanol, dry reforming, hydrogenation to formic acid and electrochemical reduction, were assessed and compared based on key performance indicators such as: CAPEX, OPEX, electricity consumption, TRL, product price, net CO 2 consumption etc. Technologies for transport and storage of key resources are also discussed. This work lays the foundation for a comprehensive whole-system value chain analysis, modelling and optimisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union launched a set of policies as part of its 2020 climate and energy package aimed at meeting its 20/20/20 headline targets for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. This paper evaluates how successful new-to-the-market climate change mitigation technologies (CCMT) are in helping EU member states (MS) reach these goals and, furthermore, whether there are differences between sectors subject to EU-wide polices. To do so, we relate CCMT patent counts to two specific headline targets: (1) achieving 20% of gross final energy consumption from renewables, and (2) achieving a 20% increase in energy efficiency. Our results provide the first ex-post evaluation of the effectiveness of these technologies for combating climate change. Moreover, our sectoral impact assessment points to significant differences in the way in which these technologies contribute to policy goals across the sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is a prime element both for sustaining life on Earth and for complex human activity. In 2015 in Romania the average electricity production was of 7343 MW h and the average consumption was of 6590 MW h. The average hydropower generated was of 1894 MW h, which is equal to 26% of the total production. In this paper, we aim at reviewing the hydropower system in Romania from its beginnings, in 1884, to its present development. The first hydropower plant in Romania was in Sinaia and had an installed capacity of 4×250 kW. Now, Romania has more than 200 HPPs, with a total installed capacity of 6.443 MW. In Romania, hydropower is the first main source of energy among RES, followed by wind energy. Between 1950 and 1990 were built 115 hydropower stations. This period is characterized by the construction of most of the hydroelectric power plants in Romania, including the largest. The development of the hydro potential has begun in Bistrița basin. After 1990, in the transition period, after the fall of communism, the number of installed hydropower plants decreased, by 2010 totaling an installed capacity of only 838 MW, which means less than 14% of what was done before 1990. About 54% of Romania's hydropower potential is now arranged, and there are plans to reach 63.5% by 2025. The largest artificial lake of Romania is Lake Iron Gates I (Porțile de Fier I), constructed between 1964 and 1972 behind a 60 m’ dam. Iron Gate I rank position 52 out of 66, in the list of largest hydroelectric power stations in the world. Iron Gates I system is one of the largest hydro constructions in Europe and the largest on the Danube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing literature related to climate change mitigation measures and policy interventions, a systematic review of the application of computable general equilibrium (CGE) model is inevitable. Therefore, this article aims to characterise the relevant studies, define a comparative framework to identify the current state-of-the-art and the gaps in applied general equilibrium models. Firstly, the systematic review found a total of 301 research articles from Scopus and Web of Science databases and finally analysed 154 articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria from 67 refereed journals. The review analysis found that application of CGE model is very vital in addressing climate change mitigation issues at the national, regional and global levels. However, China attracted the most substantial research interests followed by the USA, India and Australia, among others, which are in line with their share of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Most of the research themes focus on the carbon tax, emission reduction target, emission trading, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon capture and storage as primary drivers of low carbon economy. Nevertheless, there is a trend of employing more static CGE model compared to the dynamic CGE, although application of the latter has a limitation of providing right inputs to the macroeconomic policy. Finally, research directions and gaps envision other complementary models such as dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) and agent-based model (ABM) for proper policy interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducted a comparative assessment and a meta-analysis of 48 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction scenarios based on bottom-up energy system analyses for 2030 reported in seven studies published between 2011 and 2015 to obtain insights into the ambition level of Japan's official mitigation target for 2030. First, the scenarios were categorised into four mitigation effort levels and assessed the GHG emissions range (excluding land use, land use change and forestry: LULUCF) as well as key underlying energy-related indicators for each effort level category. Second, a multiple regression equation was derived and applied to project GHG emissions with selected energy-related explanatory variables. Using the derived regression equation, we calculated the levels of low-carbon energy supply and end-use energy savings required to achieve different levels of GHG mitigation. In the first analysis, GHG emissions levels ranged between 16% and 39% below 1990 levels for scenarios that are categorised to have the highest level of mitigation efforts including those consistent with the 2 °C target, with the nuclear power share ranging at 0–29%. The second analysis indicated that regardless of the future nuclear share, GHG emissions reductions of more than 25% from 1990 levels may be considered a minimum effort required in the global efforts towards the 2 °C target. In this view, Japan's official 2030 target (15% below 1990 levels excluding LULUCF) is suggested to be insufficient, especially in light of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement. Strengthened pre-2020 targets and efforts to reduce energy end-use are essential to achieve such mitigation targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrolysis can be used to produce renewable energy and offset greenhouse gas emissions. While the biopower potential of pyrolysis has been widely analyzed, agronomic and environmental benefits under competing pyrolysis modes have not been investigated and compared. This study reviews the properties and characteristics of major pyrolysis technologies including fast, intermediate, slow, gasification, and torrefaction, and then investigates and compares their biopower potential and the biochar-induced agronomic and environmental benefits so that the fundamental figures for future large-scale biopower development can be explored. The results indicate that (1) revenues from energy sale generally outweigh the agronomic and environmental benefits, but the extent depends on the commodity price and emission price; (2) if biochar is not used as an energy source, 10.58%–26.73% of biopower generation is decreased for fast pyrolysis and a 90%–97.44% decrease would occur for torrefaction; (3) biochar-induced agronomic benefits and emission offsets from torrefaction can greatly recover the loss of energy sales; and (4) with torrefaction the emission offset can be up to 2.82–3.19 tonnes carbon dioxide, on a per tonne biomass basis. We also discuss how biochar application might alleviate surface water eutrophication and groundwater pollution. • Mitigation potential of torrefaction is up to 3.19 MT per ton feedstock. • Without the use of biochar, power generation of fast pyrolysis declines by 26.73%. • Torrefaction benefits agronomic mostly but yields least biopower. • Changes in energy and emission prices would cause technology transitions. • Slow pyrolysis balances biopower production and mitigation effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic global climate change has large and mounting negative economic impacts. Companies and nations responsible for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are thus acquiring considerable potential liabilities. If litigation becomes widespread, renewable energy technologies (RETs) potentially offer emitters reduced liability for climate change. This benefit has been ignored because of the lack of knowledge of potential liabilities. To overcome this information deficit, this paper reviews recent literature on the potential for climate change litigation and methods to quantify liability for climate change. Next, the top 10 emitters in the U.S. are identified and their potential liability is quantified using standard GHG emission costs. Potential liabilities are explored in depth with a single case study company comparing the results of the fractional liability from only natural disasters within the U.S. for a single year to a sensitivity of the future costs of carbon emissions from other sources of emission-related liability. Then classes of potential climate change litigants are identified and their capacity to bring such lawsuits is evaluated. The results show that the net income available to shareholders of large companies could see a significant reduction from the emissions liability related to only natural disasters in the U.S. from a single coal-fired power plant. Finally, a rough estimate of the economic risk associated with future scenarios and existing organized international potential litigants is quantified. The results show that potential liability for climate change for the Alliance of Small Island States is over $570 trillion. It is concluded that as emitters begin to be held liable for damages resulting from GHG emissions resulting in climate change, a high value for liability mitigation would provide additional powerful incentives for deployment of renewable energy technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract/Summary Expansion of renewable energies (=RE) is a key measure in climate change mitigation. For this expansion mountainous areas are regarded as specifically suitable because of their high-energy potential. However, mountains also are biodiversity hot-spots and provide scenic landscapes and therefore offer high natural and cultural value. Preserving this natural and cultural value whilst intensifying RE, is expected to increase land use conflicts. This is of great concern in particular for vulnerable areas such as the Alps. Reconciling RE expansion with the preservation of natural and cultural values and thus minimizing environmental impacts represents one of the most important challenges now. For this a systematic assessment of the wide range of impacts is needed. This literature review scrutinizes RE resources which are relevant in the Alpine region and their effects on the environment by applying the Ecosystem Service approach. Thereby, we identified possible environmental constraints when exploiting Alpine RE potentials and generated recommendations for future strategies on expanding RE. The outcomes highlight the strong need for interdisciplinary research on RE and environmental conflicts. Interdisciplinary approaches such as the concept of Ecosystem Services can help to cover the wide range of aspects associated with these particular human–environment interrelations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space-based geoengineering is gaining attention, if not necessarily traction, as a possible "break the glass" solution to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change and facilitate the transition to a low-carbon future. Though still on the periphery of discussions around climate mitigation and geoengineering, space-based methods that would deflect or block incoming sunlight, and thereby diminish how much radiation ultimately reaches the Earth, could offer advantages, notably, by avoiding the need for difficult trade-offs and decisions in terms of land and resource use on Earth. Aside from a few specialist-oriented studies, the literature on space-based geoengineering remains limited. In this study, we utilize a large and diverse expert-interview exercise (N = 125) to provide a first critical examination of the promise and relevance of space-based geoengineering for tackling climate change, including perhaps as a source of renewable energy, its feasibility and prospective risks, as well as key actors and issues related to commercialization and governance. To our knowledge, no other study has employed empirical data of any kind to examine perceptions of space-based geoengineering, let alone in relation to other kinds of climate-intervention technologies. Not only does the current research represent the first of its kind, it also provides a foundation for more informed, comprehensive deliberations around this interesting, possibly even necessary solution to climate change. • Space-based solar geoengineering is a radical proposal for tackling climate change. • No study has so far employed empirical data to explore perceptions of space-based proposals. • Our data is derived from a diverse set of 125 original interviews with key experts. • The promise, feasibility, and risks for climate mitigation are critically examined. • We also engage with the potential of sunshades to provide significant amounts of renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space-based geoengineering is gaining attention, if not necessarily traction, as a possible "break the glass" solution to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change and facilitate the transition to a low-carbon future. Though still on the periphery of discussions around climate mitigation and geoengineering, space-based methods that would deflect or block incoming sunlight, and thereby diminish how much radiation ultimately reaches the Earth, could offer advantages, notably, by avoiding the need for difficult trade-offs and decisions in terms of land and resource use on Earth. Aside from a few specialist-oriented studies, the literature on space-based geoengineering remains limited. In this study, we utilize a large and diverse expert-interview exercise (N = 125) to provide a first critical examination of the promise and relevance of space-based geoengineering for tackling climate change, including perhaps as a source of renewable energy, its feasibility and prospective risks, as well as key actors and issues related to commercialization and governance. To our knowledge, no other study has employed empirical data of any kind to examine perceptions of space-based geoengineering, let alone in relation to other kinds of climate-intervention technologies. Not only does the current research represent the first of its kind, it also provides a foundation for more informed, comprehensive deliberations around this interesting, possibly even necessary solution to climate change. • Space-based solar geoengineering is a radical proposal for tackling climate change. • No study has so far employed empirical data to explore perceptions of space-based proposals. • Our data is derived from a diverse set of 125 original interviews with key experts. • The promise, feasibility, and risks for climate mitigation are critically examined. • We also engage with the potential of sunshades to provide significant amounts of renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threat of climate change and other risks for ecosystems and human health require a transition of the energy system from fossil fuels towards renewable energies and higher efficiency. The European geographical periphery, and specifically Southern Europe, has considerable potential for renewable energies. At the same time it is also stricken by high levels of public debt and unemployment, and struggles with austerity policies as consequences of the Eurozone crisis. Modeling studies find a broad optimum when searching for a cost-optimal deployment of renewable energy installations. This allows for the consideration of additional policy objectives. Simultaneously, economists argue for an increase in public expenditure to compensate for the slump in private investments and to provide economic stimulus. This paper combines these two perspectives. We assess the potential for renewable energies in the European periphery, and highlight relevant costs and barriers for a large-scale transition to a renewable energy system. We find that a European energy transition with a high-level of renewable energy installations in the periphery could act as an economic stimulus, decrease trade deficits, and possibly have positive employment effects. Our analysis also suggests that country-specific conditions and policy frameworks require member state policies to play a leading role in fostering an energy transition. This notwithstanding, a stronger European-wide coordination of regulatory frameworks and supportive funding schemes would leverage country-specific action. Renewed solidarity could be the most valuable outcome of a commonly designed and implemented European energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of renewable energy sources (RES) is considered to be a key instrument in addressing climate change. However, different RES have different potential and economic feasibility depending on country-specific conditions and mitigation ambitions. Understanding the relative importance of each RES could help policymakers focus their efforts on the most promising options. In this paper, we focus on Ukraine and explore the potential of biomass use under two mitigation scenarios – with 68% and 83% of greenhouse gas emissions reduction in 2050 relative to the 2010 level. First, using the TIMES-Ukraine energy system model, we show that biomass would play a major role in the future climate mitigation. If constrained at the baseline scenario level (due to political or other reasons), mitigation costs would be substantially higher – by 14.0–19.6 B € or 10.8–14.3 €/tCO 2 -eq., over the 2020–2050 time frame. Second, we quantify the importance of each biomass source. We show that woody biomass and bioliquids are the most important biofuels under the high-ambition climate scenario, while biowaste and bioliquids play a key role in the lower ambition pathway. Finally, we analyse the current policy environment in the context of future biomass development and conclude with a set of policy recommendations toward the realization of the biomass potential in Ukraine. We believe that findings presented in the paper would be relevant not only for supporting the decision-making process in Ukraine, but could also provide useful insights for other countries with similar conditions. • Two scenarios with 68% and 83% reduction in GHG emissions in 2050 relative to 2010. • Over 50% of all renewable energy is coming from biomass under both scenarios. • Bioenergy constraint increases mitigation costs by 10.8–14.3 EUR/tCO 2 or 2.4–3.2 times. • No significant impact of the biogas availability on the mitigation costs. • Constraining biowoods , bioliquids or biowaste increases costs by at least 35% each. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European energy landscape is currently undergoing significant changes shifting from fossil to renewable energy sources. Biomass will continue to play a significant role in decarbonisation efforts. As a pioneer in climate change mitigation, the European Union (EU) can also greatly benefit not only from the wide deployment of bioenergy, but also from Bioenergy coupled with Carbon Capture and Utilization (BECCU). BECCU is a key enabling technology for the energy transition addressing simultaneously the renewable feedstock-based circular economy. Biomass utilization in existing and future power and heat applications addresses the decarbonisation of power and heat sector, while the integration of CO 2 -utilization technologies in these plants enables the valorisation of waste streams via conversion to fuels and chemicals. The current status of bioenergy deployment in Europe is reported, along with a review of the main BECCU technologies and a special focus on valuable recycled bio–CO 2 –derived transport fuels. BECCU enables the decarbonisation of power, heat and transport sector leading to a net zero or even negative emission energy system by 2050. • Review of regulatory framework for Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Utilization. • Alternative configurations in biorefinery applications are presented. • Implementation of BECCU in combined heat and power plants and in biofuel production. • Applications, carbon capture costs and technology readiness level are assessed. • Use of biogenic CO 2 for transport fuels can boost EU circular economy. [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]

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]

In the quest towards a cleaner environment via the mitigation of climate change and its impact, this study examined the validity of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis, energy efficiency and energy consumption indicators in Kenya. The study employed an autoregressive distributed lag technique, statistically inspired modification of partial least squares regression and Utest method to analyze four models with data spanning 1971 to 2013. Both the autoregressive distributed lag model and the Utest estimation confirmed an inverted u-shaped curve, thus, validating the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis in Kenya. The study revealed that an increase in energy consumption exacerbates carbon dioxide emissions in the long-run. The statistically inspired modification of partial least squares regression revealed that electricity from renewable energy sources plays a critical role in carbon dioxide emission reduction. An increase in GDP per capita and household consumption expenditure increases energy consumption. Energy imports had no long-run effect due to the recent oil discovery, coal, prospects of nuclear energy and the potential for more renewable energy sources in Kenya. The study highlights that using sustainable technologies like, inter alia, carbon capture and storage in the exploitation of oil and coal are essential to reducing pollution. Rural-urban migration increases the burden on electric power consumption, thus, reducing energy efficiency if conservation options are not enforced. As a policy implication, engaging the public on energy conservation and management options will help curb energy challenges like load shedding — which appears troubling in Africa. • The study examines the validity of the EKC hypothesis in Kenya. • ARDL, SIMPLS regression and Utest methods are used in the study. • ARDL model and the Utest estimation confirms an inverted u-shaped curve in Kenya. • Energy consumption exacerbate CO 2 emissions by 3.6% in the long-run. • Renewable energy consumption negates CO 2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]