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Carbon Capture and Storage is being actively developed for deployment in fossil fuel power stations in an attempt to reduce future emissions of CO2 due to concerns about climate change. The deployment of this technology will cause an inevitable reduction in the overall efficiency of any electricity generation plant leading to an increase in demand for the fossil fuels used to power the generation process. This paper estimates the average reduction in generation efficiency caused by the imposition of Carbon Capture and Storage and considers its effects upon the depletion rate of global coal reserves. Future production of coal is modelled using a symmetrical production curve. The results suggest that the widespread adoption of Carbon Capture and Storage may result in the exhaustion of coal reserves several decades in advance of when this may happen if CCS is not deployed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is a contribution to the ongoing debate about the selection of the approach for carbon accounting in wood products to be used, in the future, in the national greenhouse gas inventories under the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). Two accounting approaches are used in this analysis: the stock-change approach and the atmospheric-flow approach. They are applied to the Portuguese Eucalyptus globulus forest sector. To achieve this objective, the fluxes of wood removed from the forest are tracked through its life cycle, which includes products manufacture (mainly pulp and paper), use and final disposal (landfilling, incineration and composting). This study develops a framework to the estimation of carbon sequestration in the forest of E. globulus, a fast growing species, more specifically, in the calculation of the conversion factors such as bark and foliage percentages and densities, used to convert wood volumes into total biomass. A mass balance approach based on real data from mills is also proposed, in order to assess carbon emissions from wood processing. The results show that E. globulus forest sector was a carbon sink, but the magnitude of the carbon sequestration differs substantially depending on the accounting approach used. The contribution of the forest ecosystem was smaller than the aggregated contribution of wood products in use and in landfills (including industrial waste), which reinforces the role that wood products play in national carbon budgets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method is suggested for estimating additions to carbon stored in harvested wood products (HWP) and for evaluating uncertainty. The method uses data on HWP production and trade from several decades and tracks annual additions to pools of HWP in use, removals from use, additions to solid waste disposal sites (SWDS), and decay from SWDS. The method is consistent with IPCC guidance for estimating emissions from SWDS. Uncertainty is postulated in the form of probability density functions for 14 variables, using Monte Carlo simulation. Results for the United States suggest that uncertainty is most sensitive to uncertainty in production data for solidwood products, the factor used to convert products to carbon, and the proportion of solidwood and paper in SWDS. Uncertainty in the use (service) life of solidwood products has a limited effect because an error offsets changes in products in use and in SWDS. The method provides a starting point for meeting the aims of the IPCC Good Practice Guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: For the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of the British Society of Soil Science, this short paper explores the idea that research on soil organic matter has remained a central theme within soil science over the past 70 years, albeit with changing emphasis and application. The number of publications on soil organic matter has increased greatly in recent decades; for example, there were almost 35 000 journal papers with this theme in the decade 2007–2016. Several topics in research on soil organic matter, such as soil fertility, have endured for a number of decades, with publications found on soil organic matter and fertility in the decade 1947–1956. A search with other keywords occurring with soil, such as climate change, biodiversity, fertility, quality, health and security, showed that several topics did not appear before the 1970s and 1980s, but since then the sub‐topics and applications have diversified. Carbon is a keyword that has become more associated with publications on soil organic matter; carbon is in over half of soil organic matter publications of the last decade. A closer examination of research on agricultural soil carbon sequestration since 1990 reveals that the focus of papers in the literature has changed over this period. A closer examination of papers on modelling shows that the next generation of soil organic matter models is developing from pseudo first‐order decay models using conceptual pools and prescribed controls of turnover time to vertically resolved, microbially explicit models representing mineral surface and plant interactions. Given its higher policy profile during the last 2 years, research on soil organic matter and soil carbon sequestration is predicted to have a bright future. Highlights: The number of publications on soil organic matter has increased greatly in recent decades. Soil fertility research has endured for many decades, whereas other topics have diversified. Soil organic matter has been increasingly associated with carbon, which has changed the focus of papers since 1990. Expanding policy attention to soil organic matter research during the last 2 years suggests a bright future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In their comment on our 2021 paper "How Green is Blue Hydrogen," Romano et al. purport to provide "a more balanced perspective on blue hydrogen, which is in line with current best available practices." We strongly disagree. First, we categorically dismiss their presentation on methane emissions. Methane dominates the greenhouse gas footprint of blue hydrogen in our analysis, and our estimates were based on very recent, peer‐reviewed science. Romano et al., in sharp contrast, use only three sources: (1) a 2015 non‐peer‐reviewed report (which gave reasonable values, although at the low end, since based on older science, but nonetheless compatible with our paper); (2) a 2018 report from the International Energy Agency (which also gave values consistent with ours, but has been updated by the Agency in a 2022 report to give much higher values that are very consistent with ours); and (3) a value from a cartoon on a web site from an oil and gas industry trade group (i.e., not supported by any data or references and is simply wrong based on peer‐reviewed science). We cannot stress enough that the Romano et al. criticism of our methane emission rates is based totally on this industry web‐site cartoon. Beyond the methane issue, our analysis used actual data for capture of carbon dioxide from real‐world operations. Romano et al. dismiss the use of real‐world data, and instead rely on presentations from theoretical studies. We find this fanciful. But even if one accepts their theoretical values for carbon capture, the greenhouse gas footprint of blue hydrogen remains unacceptably high because of methane. We unequivocally stand by our analyses and conclusions: There is no room for blue hydrogen in a decarbonized energy future. The Romano et al. result derives from a cartoon and hypothetical guesses, not scientific data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is written in response to the paper "How green is blue hydrogen?" by R. W. Howarth and M. Z. Jacobson. It aims at highlighting and discussing the method and assumptions of that paper, and thereby providing a more balanced perspective on blue hydrogen, which is in line with current best available practices and future plant specifications aiming at low CO2 emissions. More specifically, in this paper, we show that: (i) the simplified method that Howarth and Jacobson used to compute the energy balance of blue hydrogen plants leads to significant overestimation of CO2 emissions and natural gas (NG) consumption and (ii) the assumed methane leakage rate is at the high end of the estimated emissions from current NG production in the United States and cannot be considered representative of all‐NG and blue hydrogen value chains globally. By starting from the detailed and rigorously calculated mass and energy balances of two blue hydrogen plants in the literature, we show the impact that methane leakage rate has on the equivalent CO2 emissions of blue hydrogen. On the basis of our analysis, we show that it is possible for blue hydrogen to have significantly lower equivalent CO2 emissions than the direct use of NG, provided that hydrogen production processes and CO2 capture technologies are implemented that ensure a high CO2 capture rate, preferably above 90%, and a low‐emission NG supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A warming climate is altering land-atmosphere exchanges of carbon, with a potential for increased vegetation productivity as well as the mobilization of permafrost soil carbon stores. Here we investigate land-atmosphere carbon dioxide (CO2) dynamics through analysis of net ecosystem productivity (NEP) and its component fluxes of gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) and soil carbon residence time, simulated by a set of land surface models (LSMs) over a region spanning the drainage basin of northern Eurasia. The retrospective simulations were conducted over the 1960-2009 record and at 0.5° resolution, which is a scale common among many global carbon and climate model simulations. Model performance benchmarks were drawn from comparisons against both observed CO2 fluxes derived from sitebased eddy covariance measurements as well as regional-scale GPP estimates based on satellite remote sensing data. The site-based comparisons show the timing of peak GPP to be well simulated. Modest overestimates in model GPP and ER are also found, which are relatively higher for two boreal forest validation sites than the two tundra sites. Across the suite of model simulations, NEP increases by as little as 0.01 to as much as 0.79 gCm in future model development and intercomparison studies. Resulting improvements in parameterizations and processes driving productivity and soil respiration rates will increase confidence in model estimates of net CO2 exchange, component carbon fluxes, and underlying drivers of change across the northern high latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deforestation and degradation of wetlands are important causes of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. Accurate measurements of carbon (C) stocks and sequestration rates are needed for incorporating wetlands into conservation and restoration programs with the aim for preventing carbon emissions. Here, we assessed whole ecosystem C stocks (trees, soil and downed wood) and soil N stocks of riverine wetlands (mangroves, marshes and peat swamps) within La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve in the Pacific coast of Mexico. We also estimated soil C sequestration rates of mangroves on the basis of soil accumulation. We hypothesized that riverine wetlands have large C stocks, and that upland mangroves have larger C and soil N stocks compared to lowland mangroves. Riverine wetlands had large C stocks with a mean of 784.5±73.5MgCha-1 for mangroves, 722.2±83.4MgCha-1 for peat swamps, and 336.5±38.3MgCha-1 for marshes. C stocks and soil N stocks were in general larger for upland (833.0±7.2MgCha-1; 26.4±0.5MgNha-1) compared to lowland mangroves (659.5±18.6MgCha-1; 13.8±2.0MgNha-1). Soil C sequestration values were 1.3±0.2MgCha-1 yr-1. The Reserve stores 32.5 Mtons of C or 119.3 Mtons of CO2, with mangroves sequestering (via soil accumulation) 27 762±0.5MgCha-1 every year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current estimates of carbon (C) storage in peatland systems worldwide indicate tropical peatlands comprise about 15% of the global peat carbon pool. Such estimates are uncertain due to data gaps regarding organic peat soil thickness and C content. Indonesian peatlands are considered the largest pool of tropical peat carbon (C), accounting for an estimated 65% of all tropical peat while being the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions from degrading peat worldwide, posing a major concern regarding long-term sources of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. We combined a set of indirect geophysical methods (ground penetrating radar, GPR, and electrical resistivity imaging, ERI) with direct observations from core samples (including C analysis) to better understand peatland thickness in West Kalimantan (Indonesia) and determine how geophysical imaging may enhance traditional coring methods for estimating C storage in peatland systems. Peatland thicknesses estimated from GPR and ERI and confirmed by coring indicated variation by less than 3% even for small peat-mineral soil interface gradients (i.e. below 0.02°). The geophysical data also provide information on peat matrix attributes such as thickness of organomineral horizons between peat and underlying substrate, the presence of wood layers, buttressed trees and soil type. These attributes could further constrain quantification of C content and aid responsible peatland management in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The building sector is responsible for nearly 40% of the total global direct and indirect CO2 emissions. Urban green infrastructure, which includes features such as urban trees, vegetation, green roofs, and green facades, are examples of nature-based solutions often employed as municipal climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. This approach offers a range of cost-effective strategies for reducing municipal CO2 emissions and presents compelling public policy co-benefits such as improved urban livability and enhanced environmental conditions. For municipalities to confidently deploy these solutions at a scale necessary to achieve climate benefits, acquiring knowledge of quantifiable and demonstrated outcomes is an essential requirement. The objectives of this paper are to (1) provide a comprehensive analysis of the advantages and limitations of nature-based solutions (NBS) to address the challenge of reducing CO2 emissions; (2) evaluate existing design guidelines and policies as may be available across Canada, and that that support the of implementation of NBS in urban agglomerations; (3) identify knowledge gaps and research needs to address challenges to the implementation of NBS. In this review, suggestions and requirements as presented in these documents are examined while giving due consideration to the scientific evidence available in research papers. It was found that the adoption of NBS can contribute to carbon neutral communities through reduced building energy consumption and carbon sequestration. Supportive guidelines and policies have been developed, or are in development, to promote the implementation of NBS at the city scale, despite challenges in assessing, quantitatively, their impact due to uncertainties in data, methods, and scale. Nonetheless, existing research provides sufficient evidence to qualify the measures and suggestions outlined in the guidelines and policies described in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals were proposed, different institutions and scholars carried out research on China's medium- and long-term mitigation pathways. Through the literature review of China's research on carbon neutrality, this paper finds that the zero-carbon energy transition is the key to achieving carbon neutrality. The main driving factors of reducing energy-related carbon emissions include the cleanliness of primary and secondary energy supply systems, the electrification of energy consumption and the development of hydrogen energy, energy efficiency improvement, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and negative emissions. Furthermore, based on the literature, this paper conducts a quantitative comparative analysis, and selects key indicators for comparative analysis and summary from seven dimensions, including economic and social development, carbon emission pathways, primary energy consumption, final energy consumption, final hydrogen energy consumption, electricity demand and supply, and installed capacity and structure of power generation. Main conclusions are as follows: (i) In terms of carbon emission pathways, the institutions generally believed that China will peak carbon emissions around 2028 and achieve carbon neutrality between 2050 and 2060. Achieving net-zero or near-zero emissions first in the power sector is the key to carbon neutrality across the society; (ii) In terms of energy supply, it is a consensus to increase the proportion of clean energy and reduce carbon emissions from the source. The proportion of clean energy in primary energy will increase to more than 85%, and the proportion of clean energy power generation and installed capacity will reach more than 90%; (iii) In terms of energy use, electricity will become the core of final energy consumption in the future. The predicted electricity consumption across the society will range 14.3–18.4 PWh, and the predicted electrification rate will exceed 65%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are used to produce renewable biofuels and high-value components and in bioremediation and CO2 sequestration tasks. These increasing applications, in conjunction with a desirable constant large-scale productivity, motivate the development and application of practical controllers. This paper addresses the application of robust control schemes for microalgae cultivation in continuous photobioreactors. Due to the model uncertainties and external perturbations, robust control designs are required to guarantee the desired microalgae productivity. Furthermore, simple controller designs are desirable for practical implementation purposes. Therefore, two robust control designs are applied and evaluated in this paper for two relevant case studies of microalgae cultivation in photobioreactors. The first control design is based on an enhanced simple-input output model with uncertain estimation. The second control design is the robust nonlinear model predictive control considering different uncertain scenarios. Numerical simulations of two case studies aimed at lipid production and CO2 capture under different conditions are presented to evaluate the robust closed-loop performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is significant to investigate the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation mechanism during the carbon capture process; nevertheless, CaCO3 precipitation is not clearly understood yet. Understanding the carbonation mechanism at the atomic level can contribute to the mineralization capture and utilization of carbon dioxide, as well as the development of new cementitious materials with high-performance. There are many factors, such as temperature and CO2 concentration, that can influence the carbonation reaction. In order to achieve better carbonation efficiency, the reaction conditions of carbonation should be fully verified. Therefore, based on molecular dynamics simulations, this paper investigates the atomic-scale mechanism of carbonation. We investigate the effect of carbonation factors, including temperature and concentration, on the kinetics of carbonation (polymerization rate and activation energy), the early nucleation of calcium carbonate, etc. Then, we analyze the local stresses of atoms to reveal the driving force of early stage carbonate nucleation and the reasons for the evolution of polymerization rate and activation energy. Results show that the higher the calcium concentration or temperature, the higher the polymerization rate of calcium carbonate. In addition, the activation energies of the carbonation reaction increase with the decrease in calcium concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response by Rasoul Nazari Moghaddam and Behzad Rostami to a letter to the editor on their article "Quantification of density-driven natural convection for dissolution mechanism in CO2 sequestration," in the 2011 issue, is presented.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Quantification of density-driven natural convection for dissolution mechanism in CO2 Sequestration," by Rasoul Nazari Moghaddam and Behzad Rostami in the 2011 issue.

Tropical peatlands play an important role in the global carbon cycle due to their immense carbon storage capacity. However, pristine peat swamp forests are vanishing due to deforestation and peatland degradation, especially in Southeast Asia. CO2 emissions associated with this land use change might not only come from the peat soil directly, but also from peat-draining rivers. So far, though, this has been mere speculation, since there was no data from undisturbed reference sites. We present the first combined assessment of lateral organic carbon fluxes and CO2 outgassing from an undisturbed tropical peat-draining river. Two sampling campaigns were undertaken on the Maludam river in Sarawak, Malaysia. The river catchment is covered by protected peat swamp forest, offering a unique opportunity to study a peat-draining river in its natural state, without any influence from tributaries with different characteristics. The two campaigns yielded consistent results. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations ranged between 3222 and 6218 μmol L-1 and accounted for more than 99 % of the total organic carbon (TOC). Radiocarbon dating revealed that the riverine DOC was of recent origin, suggesting that it derives from the top soil layers and surface runoff. We observed strong oxygen depletion, implying high rates of organic matter decomposition and consequently CO2 production. The measured median pCO2 was 7795 and 8400 μatm during the two campaigns, respectively. Overall, we found that only 26 ± 15 % of the carbon was exported by CO2 evasion, while the rest was exported by discharge. CO2 outgassing seemed to be moderated by the short water residence time. Since most Southeast Asian peatlands are located at the coast, this is probably an important limiting factor for CO2 outgassing from most of its peat-draining rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests play an important role in the terrestrial carbon budget, with most being in a carbon sequestration stage. The net carbon releases that occur result from forest disturbance, and windthrow is a typical disturbance event affecting the forest carbon balance in eastern Asia. The carbon budget has been measured using the eddy covariance method in a deciduous broadleaf forest (Japanese white birch, Japanese oak, and castor aralia) in Hokkaido, where accidental damage by the strong typhoon, Songda, in 2004 occurred. We also used the biometrical method to demonstrate the carbon flow within the forest in detail. Damaged trees amounted to 40 % of all trees, and they remained on site where they were not extracted by forest management. Gross primary production (GPP), ecosystem respiration (Re), and net ecosystem production were 1350, 975, and 375 g C m-2 yr-1 before the disturbance and 1262, 1359, and -97 g C m-2 yr-1 2 years after the disturbance, respectively. Before the disturbance, the forest was an evident carbon sink, and it subsequently transformed to net a carbon source. Because of light enrichment at the forest floor, the leaf area index and biomass of the undergrowth (Sasa kurilensis and S. senanensis) increased by factors of 2.4 and 1.7, respectively, in 3 years subsequent to the disturbance. The photosynthesis of Sasa increased rapidly and contributed to the total GPP after the disturbance. The annual GPP only decreased by 6 % just after the disturbance. On the other hand, the annual Re increased by 39 % mainly because of the decomposition of residual coarse-wood debris. The carbon balance after the disturbance was controlled by the new growth and the decomposition of residues. The forest management, which resulted in the dead stands remaining at the study site, strongly affected the carbon budget over the years. When comparing the carbon uptake efficiency at the study site with that at others, including those with various kinds of disturbances, we emphasized the importance of forest management as well as disturbance type in the carbon budget. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests play a leading role in regional and global terrestrial carbon (C) cycles. Changes in C sequestration within forests can be attributed to areal expansion (increase in forest area) and forest growth (increase in biomass density). Detailed assessment of the relative contributions of areal expansion and forest growth to C sinks is crucial to reveal the mechanisms that control forest C sinks and is helpful for developing sustainable forest management policies in the face of climate change. Using the Forest Identity concept and forest inventory data, this study quantified the spatial and temporal changes in the relative contributions of forest areal expansion and increased biomass growth to China's forest C sinks from 1977 to 2008. Over the last 30 years, the areal expansion of forests was a larger contributor to C sinks than forest growth for all forests and planted forests in China (74.6 vs. 25.4% for all forests, and 62.4 vs. 37.8% for plantations). However, for natural forests, forest growth made a larger contribution than areal expansion (60.4 vs. 39.6%). The relative contribution of forest growth of planted forests showed an increasing trend from an initial 25.3 to 61.0% in the later period of 1998 to 2003, but for natural forests, the relative contributions were variable without clear trends owing to the drastic changes in forest area and biomass density over the last 30 years. Our findings suggest that afforestation can continue to increase the C sink of China's forests in the future subject to persistently-increasing forest growth after establishment of plantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-combustion capture (PCC) of CO 2 from fossil fuel-fired power station flue gas is one of many technologies that are being developed to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the medium term. Wet-gas scrubbing using aqueous amines is currently the most mature PCC technology suitable for separating CO 2 from coal-fired power station flue gases. In this study, a series of twelve samples of a degraded 30% (w/w) MEA absorbent were obtained over a six month pilot scale PCC campaign at a brown coal-fired power station in Australia. These samples were used to investigate the accumulation of heat-stable salts, inorganics and minerals. The heat-stable salts concentration increased from 0.80 to 2.29% (w/w, as MEA) and organic acids from the oxidative degradation of MEA were the largest component of heat-stable salts. Acid gases such as SO x and NO x , make-up water, ultra-fine fly-ash and corrosion were all sources of the minerals and inorganics that accumulated in the aqueous MEA absorbent. Corrosion was the single biggest contributor of transition metals and the abrupt change in ratios of Fe, Cr and Mo suggests that the dominant corrosion mechanism may have changed towards the end of the campaign. The rapid accumulation of minerals and inorganics during this PCC campaign highlights the importance of continuing research into the interactions between amine absorbents and inorganic or mineral contaminants. The data presented in this study are an important resource for design of laboratory scale experiments to investigate these physical and chemical interactions between aqueous amines, minerals and inorganics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) in agricultural soils can mitigate atmospheric CO2 concentration and also contribute to increase soil fertility and ecosystem resilience. The role of major nutrients on SOC dynamics is complex, due to simultaneous effects on net primary productivity (NPP) that influence crop residue carbon inputs and on the rate of heterotrophic respiration (carbon outputs). This study investigated the effect on SOC stocks of three different levels of phosphorus and potassium (PK) fertilisation rates in the absence of nitrogen fertilisation and of three different levels of nitrogen in the absence of PK. This was done by analysing data from 10 meta-replicated Swedish long-term field experiments (> 45 years).With N fertilisation, SOC stocks followed yield increases. However, for all PK levels, we found average SOC losses ranging from -0.04±0.09Mgha-1 yr-1 (ns) for the lowest to -0.09±0.07Mgha-1 yr-1 (p = 0.008) for the highest application rate, while crop yields as a proxy for carbon input increased significantly with PK fertilization by 1, 10 and 15%. We conclude that SOC dynamics are mainly output-driven in the PK fertilised regime but mostly input-driven in the N fertilised regime, due to the much more pronounced response of NPP to N than to PK fertilisation. It has been established that P rather than K is the element affecting ecosystem carbon fluxes, where P fertilisation has been shown to: (i) stimulate heterotrophic respiration, (ii) reduce the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and (iii) decrease crop root : shoot ratio, leading to lower root-derived carbon input. The higher export of N in the PK fertilised plots in this study could (iv) have led to increased N mining and thus mineralisation of organic matter. More integrated experiments are needed to gain a better understanding of the relative importance of each of the abovementioned mechanisms leading to SOC losses after P addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and separation constitute an important field of research as we seek to reduce the effects of climate change. Because of their porosity, resilient crystallinity, high adsorption capacity, and affinity for CO2, cyclodextrin-based metal-organic frameworks (CD-MOFs) have emerged as attractive materials for carbon capture. This paper gives an overview of CD-MOFs and their applications in CO2 capture and separation. Several studies have been conducted to synthesize and characterize CD-MOFs for CO2 capture. The causes of the high binding affinity of CO2 in CD-MOFs were discovered through mechanistic studies on CO2 adsorption. Furthermore, CD-MOF modifications have been carried out to improve the sorption capacity and selectivity of CO2 adsorption. Meanwhile, several researchers have reported using CD-MOFs for gaseous CO2 membrane separation. This paper also highlights the current gaps in CD-MOF research and future outlooks in carbon capture and separation using CD-MOFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The necessity to reduce the environmental impact of industrial production sites in the recent years has accelerated the decarbonization strategies of many companies and the possibility to install Post-Combustion Carbon Capture units in new or existing assets has become one of the key elements to achieve the target to minimize plants carbon footprint. In the installation of such units, it is possible to identify multiple technical solutions that would tailor the implementation of the Carbon Capture unit by optimizing the number of equipment and increase the system efficiency, minimizing the relevant OpEx. The capability to manage the peculiarities of the specific industry and the criticalities of existing plants would lead to better designed solutions. Two case studies are presented relevant to different technical installations, specifically the Amine Post Combustion Carbon Capture for a Steam Reformer and a Power Generation plant. The necessity to reduce the flue gas inlet temperature to Carbon Capture unit offers the possibility to improve the heat recovery within the system, therefore increasing the overall efficiency; at the same time a clear identification of the key emission points can provide room to integrate different units, using the same absorption equipment or a single regeneration loop. The wide range of Carbon Dioxide concentrations that characterizes the different post-Combustion services (i.e. from Reforming to Gasification) shall be combined with the possible presence of critical contaminants, therefore requiring dedicated optimizations that will be described and analyzed in the present paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document, titled "Catalysts in Energy Applications," explores the role of catalysis in various energy processes. It highlights the importance of catalytic reactions in traditional fossil fuel production and the transition towards sustainable energy alternatives such as biofuel production and CO2 capture. The document also discusses the significance of catalysis in hydrogen production, storage, and utilization, as well as in the development of materials and processes for artificial photosynthesis. The research papers presented in this Special Issue delve into the intricacies of catalytic processes in energy-related domains, including oxygen reduction reactions, CO2 conversion, and the electrooxidation of urea. These contributions provide valuable insights into the field of energy catalysis and offer potential advancements in more efficient and sustainable energy conversion technologies. [Extracted from the article]

Climate change impacts occur at varying spatial scales requiring appropriately scaled responses. In impoverished rural areas, adapting to or mitigating the effects of climate change is challenging, with any short-term impairment to precarious livelihoods likely triggering negative community responses even if people are aware of long-term benefits. The paper will discuss a community-based carbon sequestration project in eastern Iran. It started in 2003 and since then has been expanded widely. It was nominated by UNDP as one of 10 transformative projects in Asia/Pacific in 2016. Over the past 20 years, the project has targeted improving the livelihood of the local communities while addressing local measures to adapt to/mitigate climate change. The paper elaborates on the formation of village development groups as pivotal drivers of success by highlighting local income-generating schemes and project documentation. Key lessons for climate change adaptation can be learnt and are applicable to other developing countries. Extreme poverty in rural areas facing climate change could be tackled through implementing bottom-up approaches in which local communities can be respected and engaged in co-leadership and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses two interlinked problems in sustainable development and suggests a methodology to resolve them. The first is the reduction of atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide. The second is the maintenance of biodiversity. Current carbon financing and environmental stewardship mechanisms underwhelm, often diluting intended positive effects. Most existing carbon credits do not have protection after 40 years, placing projects substantially beneath the C02 radiative forcing cycle. This paper presents the 'Balance' approach to sustainable development, including contractual principles ensuring C02 reduction, biodiversity enhancement and financial accountability. We describe two novel measures: a carbon calculator for commercial entities, and a new metric, the Balance Unit, combining biodiversity creation with carbon credits. A case study, spanning over 20 years at the Forest of Marston Vale, is then presented. It finds an increase in tree cover, CO2 sequestration, reduction in agricultural GHG emissions, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter absorption, and annual local economic benefits totalling £UK12.83 million. Expository detail regarding the 'Planting Principles' practised at Marston Vale is also provided. We argue that the Balance methodology, especially the Balance Unit, enables greater measurement reliability and long-term efficacy for maintaining biodiversity and reducing GHG emissions than current carbon financing approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goals of carbon neutrality and peak carbon have officially been proposed; consequently, carbon dioxide utilization and sequestration technology are now in the limelight. Injecting carbon dioxide into reservoirs and solidifying and sequestering it in the form of carbonates after a series of geochemical reactions not only reduces carbon emissions but also prevents carbon dioxide from leaking out of the formation. Carbon dioxide mineralization sequestration, which has good stability, has been considered the best choice for large-scale underground CO2 sequestration. To provide a comprehensive exploration of the research and prospective advancements in CO2 mineralization sequestration within Chinese oil and gas reservoirs, this paper undertakes a thorough review of the mechanisms involved in CO2 mineralization and sequestration. Special attention is given to the advancing front of carbon dioxide mineralization, which is driven by microbial metabolic activities and the presence of carbonic anhydrase within oil and gas reservoirs. The paper presents an in-depth analysis of the catalytic mechanisms, site locations, and structural attributes of carbonic anhydrase that are crucial to the mineralization processes of carbon dioxide. Particular emphasis is placed on delineating the pivotal role of this enzyme in the catalysis of carbon dioxide hydration and the promotion of carbonate mineralization and, ultimately, in the facilitation of efficient, stable sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qinling Mountains north slope region constitutes a vital terrestrial ecosystem reserve within China. This study employs land use and land cover (LULC) data spanning from 1990 to 2020. Utilizing methodologies encompassing land use classification, transfer matrix analysis, and the application of the PLUS and InVEST models, this research endeavors to elucidate the spatial-temporal dynamics of land use patterns and associated carbon storage in the region. These analyses are conducted within the context of four prospective scenarios: Natural Development Priority, Arable Land Protection Priority, Ecological Protection Priority, and Urban Development Priority, all projected onto the landscape for 2030. Notably, our findings reveal a consistent decline in carbon storage across all four scenarios for 2030 compared to the baseline year 2020. This stark reality presents substantial challenges to achieving the region's targets of carbon peaking and eventual carbon neutrality. Furthermore, this paper meticulously delineates six key drivers contributing to this decline in carbon storage. In conclusion, it proffers nine strategic recommendations aimed at augmenting carbon storage, with an overarching objective of establishing a harmonized mechanism capable of balancing urban development, safeguarding cultivated land, fortifying ecological preservation, and enhancing carbon sequestration within the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an essential infrastructure, the rural power grid is vital in promoting agricultural and rural carbon sequestration and improving rural energy electrification. It is necessary to carry out in-depth research on its comprehensive efficiency. Based on the requirements of "double carbon" and rural revitalization strategy for the rural Power Grid, this paper focuses on the modernization and low-carbon transformation of the rural Power Grid. It constructs an input-output index system for the investment efficiency of the rural Power Grid in China under the new situation. It uses the primary data of the rural Power Grid of 30 prefecture-level cities in China from 2019 to 2021 to evaluate the investment efficiency of the rural Power Grid in China through a three-stage DEA model. The empirical results show that: considering the regional differences, the comprehensive efficiency of the rural Power Grid in backward areas is significantly improved; that is, the three-stage DEA method can more objectively evaluate the comprehensive efficiency of the rural Power Grid. In the context of the continued promotion of the rural revitalization strategy, to improve the comprehensive efficiency of the rural Power Grid, it is necessary to improve the technical level of the rural Power Grid further and appropriately expand the scale of investment in the rural Power Grid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: What is the main research? Biochar production using multiple waste streams as feedstock. Introduction to different modification methods. What is the significance of the main discovery? Biochar and its composites in environmental applications. The existing shortcomings of biochar materials and their outlook for the future. Biochar is a carbon-rich material that can be composed of a variety of raw materials. From the perspective of resource reuse, it is quite feasible to use waste as a raw material for the preparation of biochar. This paper provides an overview of the types of waste that can be used to prepare biochar and their specific substances, and also summarises methods to enhance or improve the performance of biochar, including physical, chemical, biological and other methods. The feedstock for biochar includes four categories: agricultural and forestry waste, industrial by-products, municipal solid waste and other non-traditional materials. This paper also summarises and classifies the role played by biochar in environmental applications, which can be classified according to its role as an adsorbent, catalyst and soil conditioner, and other applications. In addition to being widely used as an adsorbent, catalyst and activator, biomass charcoal also has good application prospects as a soil remediation agent, amendment agent and supercapacitor, and in soil carbon sequestration. Finally, some ideas and suggestions are detailed for the present research and experiments, offering new perspectives for future development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon emission trading market (carbon market) is an important policy tool for China to achieve the goal of "carbon peak and carbon neutrality" through market mechanism. This paper uses panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2005 to 2019 to examine the emission reduction effect (ERE) of China's carbon market pilots using multi-period Difference-in-Differences (DID)method, and then analyzes the factors influencing ERE and the economic impact of carbon market. According to the Bacon decomposition and a series of robustness tests, the results reveal that China's carbon market pilots have significant ERE. Both the expansion of the carbon market scale and the improvement of market activity level can significantly boost the carbon market's ERE. Meanwhile, the establishment of carbon market has no negative impact on the economic growth. Therefore, we propose to accelerate the construction of the national carbon market, incorporating more industries in a systematic manner, expand the scale of the carbon market, steadily promote the innovation of carbon financial instruments, improve the activity of the carbon market, so as to promote the transformation of China's green and low-carbon economy and achieve the emission reduction target as scheduled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves into the multifaceted realm of mangrove forests, focusing on their applications, future prospects, challenges and strategies for ensuring environmental sustainability. The introduction section provides an overview of mangrove forests and their significance in coastal ecosystems. The applications section highlights the diverse roles of mangroves, ranging from coastal protection to carbon sequestration and their contributions to local economies. Exploring the future prospects of mangrove forests, the paper examines their potential in mitigating climate change, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining ecosystem services. However, the challenges section underscores the numerous threats faced by mangroves, including habitat loss, pollution, and climate change impacts. To address these challenges and ensure environmental sustainability, the strategies section proposes integrated approaches such as conservation efforts, sustainable management, and community engagement. This paper contributes to the understanding of mangrove ecosystems and their pivotal role in promoting a resilient and sustainable environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To accelerate deep decarbonisation in the energy sector, the discipline of economics should focus on identifying feasible instead of optimal policies. To do so, economic analysis should include four features: complexity (a), non-economic aspects (b), uncertainty (c) and stakeholders (d). The aim of this paper is to show that qualitative scenario analysis represents a promising alternative to conventional optimisation approaches and meets these requirements. This paper develops qualitative scenarios for the case study of gas infrastructure modifications with hydrogen and carbon capture and storage technologies in Germany. In the results, the six socio-economic qualitative scenarios are described in more detail. A comparison between the case study and a conventional approach reveals three limitations of the latter and highlights the value of qualitative scenario development. The authors distil the advantages of qualitative scenario analysis and discuss challenges and chances, that go beyond the case study. In conclusion, developing socio-economic scenarios has a large potential to improve economic policy assessment. It also allows to catch up with the rethinking of energy research taking place in other disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising atmospheric CO2 may stimulate future forest productivity, possibly increasing carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems, but how tropospheric ozone will modify this response is unknown. Because of the importance of fine roots to the belowground C cycle, we monitored fine-root biomass and associated C fluxes in regenerating stands of trembling aspen, and mixed stands of trembling aspen and paper birch at FACTS-II, the Aspen FACE project in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) was used to elevate concentrations of CO2 (average enrichment concentration 535 µl l–1) and O3 (53 nl l–1) in developing forest stands in 1998 and 1999. Soil respiration, soil pCO2, and dissolved organic carbon in soil solution (DOC) were monitored biweekly. Soil respiration was measured with a portable infrared gas analyzer. Soil pCO2 and DOC samples were collected from soil gas wells and tension lysimeters, respectively, at depths of 15, 30, and 125 cm. Fine-root biomass averaged 263 g m–2 in control plots and increased 96% under elevated CO2. The increased root biomass was accompanied by a 39% increase in soil respiration and a 27% increase in soil pCO2. Both soil respiration and pCO2 exhibited a strong seasonal signal, which was positively correlated with soil temperature. DOC concentrations in soil solution averaged ~12 mg l–1 in surface horizons, declined with depth, and were little affected by the treatments. A simplified belowground C budget for the site indicated that native soil organic matter still dominated the system, and that soil respiration was by far the largest flux. Ozone decreased the above responses to elevated CO2, but effects were rarely statistically significant. We conclude that regenerating stands of northern hardwoods have the potential for substantially greater C input to soil due to greater fine-root production under elevated CO2. Greater fine-root biomass will be accompanied by greater soil C efflux as soil respiration, but leaching losses of C will probably be unaffected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent events within the Australian National Electricity Market have demonstrated that the system of an energy-only market (a market that only compensates power that has been produced) is no longer fit for purpose. The rate of change in installed capacity and generation requires better planning to ensure reliability is maintained at the lowest total system cost during the transition to net zero. Australian National Electricity Market participants will need sufficient incentives and confidence to invest in new capacity. This paper assesses a "no constraints" scenario and recommends a range of policy and market mechanisms that could be utilized to achieve a net zero National Electricity Market in Australia by 2050. This paper adopts the perspective of total system cost, which allows multiple factors relating to decision-making to be incorporated. In the absence of a carbon price, this paper seeks to put forward technology-based policy and market mechanisms to incentivise the changes required. The "Modelling Energy and Grid Services" model used in this study has shown that this "no constraints" future grid will need to contain approximately 100 GW of variable renewable energy, almost 20 GW of firm, low-emissions generation, such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, hydroelectric power, or nuclear power. It will also require more than 10 GW of storage, including pumped hydro energy storage and other energy storage technologies, and over 30 GW of firm, dispatchable peaking plants, including thermal power generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The roles digital media-technologies play in raising public issues relating to emerging technologies and their potential for engaging publics with science and policy assessments is a lively field of inquiry in Science and Technology Studies (STS). This paper presents an analysis of controversies over proposals for the large-scale removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CDR). The study combines a digital method (web-querying) with document analysis to map debates about two CDR approaches: bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and afforestation. In the first step, we locate actors using the web to engage with BECCS and afforestation and map their alignments in relation to competing framings of CDR. In a second step, we examine the devices deployed by UK-based actors to evidence and contest the feasibility of BECCS and afforestation. Our analysis shows that policy distinctions between "natural" and "engineered" CDR are used flexibly in practice and do not map neatly onto actor engagement with BECCS and afforestation. We highlight the predominance of cross-cutting techno-economic expertise and argue that framings of CDR as a solution to governing climate change may contribute to public disengagement from climate policy processes. The paper reflects on methods for studying controversies, publics, and issues emerging around processes of technoscientific assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]