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Characterizing and quantifying the carbon footprint (CF) of livestock production would offer insights into how livestock production contributes to climate change and help to establish potential greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation options. In Sichuan, one of the largest provinces for livestock production in China, a questionnaire farm survey was performed in 2012. CFs of livestock and poultry production were quantified using a dataset encompassing 20 farms for egg production, 25 farms for milk production, 20 farms for chicken production, and 32 farms for pork production, including both household and aggregated farms. The results revealed that over both farm types, emissions from manure treatment accounted for 70% and 74% of the total CFs in egg and chicken production, respectively. On average, 39% of the total CF in milk production was contributed by enteric fermentation; meanwhile, emissions by fodder production contributed on average 75% to the total CF of pork production. In general, egg, milk, chicken and pork production in Sichuan were associated with CFs of 3.70, 1.01, 20.02 and 5.42 kg CO 2 -eq/kg production for household farms, and 3.46, 1.13, 7.86 and 4.29 kg CO 2 -eq/kg for aggregated farm, respectively. Statistically, egg, chicken and pork production on household farms was characterized by higher CFs than that on aggregated farms. This study highlights that aggregated farm management could be an efficient option to mitigate the GHG emission in China's livestock production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the use of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) further increases in the coming decades, a growing stream of batteries will reach the end of their service lives. Here we study the potential of those batteries to be used in second-life applications to enable the expansion of intermittent renewable electricity supply in California through the year 2050. We develop and apply a parametric life-cycle system model integrating battery supply, degradation, logistics, and second-life use. We calculate and compare several metrics of second-life system performance, including cumulative electricity delivered, energy balance, greenhouse gas (GHG) balance, and energy stored on invested. We find that second-life use of retired PEV batteries may play a modest, though not insignificant, role in California's future energy system. The electricity delivered by second-life batteries in 2050 under base-case modeling conditions is 15 TWh per year, about 5% of total current and projected electricity use in California. If used instead of natural gas-fired electricity generation, this electricity would reduce GHG emissions by about 7 million metric tons of CO 2 e per year in 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substantive and concerted action is needed to mitigate climate change. However, international negotiations struggle to adopt ambitious legislation and to anticipate more climate-friendly developments. Thus, stronger actions are needed from other players. Cities, being greenhouse gas emission centers, play a key role in promoting the climate change mitigation movement by becoming hubs for smart and low-carbon lifestyles. In this context, a stronger linkage between greenhouse gas emissions and urban development and policy-making seems promising. Therefore, simple approaches are needed to objectively identify crucial emission drivers for deriving appropriate emission reduction strategies. In analyzing 44 European cities, the authors investigate possible socioeconomic and spatial determinants of urban greenhouse gas emissions. Multiple statistical analyses reveal that the average household size and the edge density of discontinuous dense urban fabric explain up to 86% of the total variance of greenhouse gas emissions of EU cities (when controlled for varying electricity carbon intensities). Finally, based on these findings, a multiple regression model is presented to determine greenhouse gas emissions. It is independently evaluated with ten further EU cities. The reliance on only two indicators shows that the model can be easily applied in addressing important greenhouse gas emission sources of European urbanites, when varying power generations are considered. This knowledge can help cities develop adequate climate change mitigation strategies and promote respective policies on the EU or the regional level. The results can further be used to derive first estimates of urban greenhouse gas emissions, if no other analyses are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, the mitigation potential of waste sector in developing countries is three times higher than the one of developed countries, which highlights the role of this sector for mitigation action in the developing world. In this paper, the analytical framework for assessment of climate change mitigation potential of waste sector, which is based on GHG Costing Model (GACMO), is adapted in order to incorporate the specifics of developing countries regarding waste generation, waste disposal and population growth. The methodology is further modified to generate marginal abatement cost curves based on achievable cumulative GHG emissions reduction (over the whole period), thus taking into account the timing of mitigation measure implementation. The adapted analytical framework is applied for the case of Macedonia's waste sector, evaluating the following four mitigation scenarios: Mechanical biological treatment (MBT) with an aerobic treatment (composting), MBT with an anaerobic treatment (anaerobic digesters with energy production), MBT with an anaerobic treatment-anaerobic digesters with energy production and refused derived fuel (RDF) utilization and MBT with an aerobic treatment (composting with RDF utilization). Each mitigation scenario includes also a gas extraction with flaring for the existing non-compliant landfills. The resulting marginal cost curve indicates a total achievable reduction of cumulative emissions for the period 2013–2030 of around 20 Mt, or nearly 80% lower than Business-As-Usual (BAU) waste sector cumulative emissions, at average specific reduction cost in the range 8.9–12.44 US$/t. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macro- and sectoral-decomposition analyses were conducted using emission reduction scenarios from a global energy-system model. Emission reduction scenarios with targets of 550 ppm CO 2 eq and 450 ppm CO 2 eq, which consider variations in short-term emission fixes, up until 2030, based on extensions of the Copenhagen pledges, were selected from the AMPERE scenarios. All of the assessed emission reduction scenarios are technologically feasible through radical transformations in energy systems. Within the power sector, improvement of CO 2 intensity requires wide deployment of carbon-dioxide capture and storage, nuclear power, and renewable energies. In end-use sectors, not only energy intensity improvements but also CO 2 intensity improvements must be achieved by switching from fossil fuels to decarbonized energy by means of CO 2 intensity improvements on the energy supply side. The feasibility of improvements in CO 2 and energy intensities differs between sectors according to the types of mitigation options employed. The required carbon prices are $183/tCO 2 for the 550 ppm CO 2 eq target and $645/tCO 2 for the 450 ppm CO 2 eq target. When the short-term emission reduction is fixed at the level set by extensions of the Copenhagen pledges, long-term emission reductions by 2050 are more difficult to achieve because rapid and radical transformation of energy systems is required between 2030 and 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rural land use sector could potentially mitigate a large amount of GHG emissions. Implementation requires the engagement of farmers and other land managers. Understanding the barriers and enablers for the uptake of these practices is essential both to inform policy-makers and to achieve effective policy outreach. In Scotland, the rural land use sector is subject to a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target of 21% by 2020 relative to 1990 levels. This study contributes to the body of research on stakeholders’ perspectives about suitability of climate change mitigation practices at the regional level. Mixed-methods were used to collect the data, namely participatory workshops with scientists and relevant stakeholders, a farmer questionnaire, and focus groups with farmers. Findings show that farmers were mainly willing to expand the uptake of mitigation practices they were already implementing because they consider these are the most cost-effective. Barriers to the implementation of mitigation practices are mainly related to physical–environmental constraints, lack of information and education and personal interests and values. Similarly, enablers are also related to physical–environmental factors and personal interests and values. Economic incentives, voluntary approaches and provision of information have been identified by workshop participants as the most favourable approaches needed to promote the uptake of technically feasible mitigation practices. Farmers, however, consider that agriculture is a “special case” and should have not to comply with GHG emission reduction targets. Mitigation practices, should, therefore, be integrated with other initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate scientists agree that a drastic reduction in carbon emissions in the coming decades is necessary to avoid major disasters due to global warming. Using computer modeling, citywide data sets, and insights from experts in the building community, we show how New York City (NYC) can lead the way toward climate change mitigation by improving the efficiency of its building sector (which is currently responsible for 75% of its greenhouse gas emissions) by 2050 using technologies available today. Though the total elimination of greenhouse gas emissions is possible only with the use of carbon-free energy sources, emissions can be reduced by over 60% from energy efficiency measures alone. After eliminating fuel combustion, carbon-free electric energy roughly equal to total electric energy used in 2010 would be consumed, but with a peak demand 60% higher than today's, establishing requirements for generation capacity and storage. Our economic analysis of the building measures shows them to be essentially cost-neutral over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The near future change in productivity of photovoltaic energy (PVE) in Europe and Africa is assessed by using the climate variables simulated by the ECHAM5-HAM aerosol-climate model, and a model for the performance of photovoltaic systems. The climate simulations are forced by green-house gases emissions from the IPCC SRES B2 scenario. In addition, different scenarios for future anthropogenic aerosols emissions are applied. Thus, the sensitivity of the future PVE productivity to changes in aerosol atmospheric burdens between 2000 and 2030 is analyzed. The analysis indicates that reductions in aerosols emissions in the near future result in an increase of global warming, and a significant response in surface solar radiation and associated PVE productivity. A statistically significant reduction in PVE productivity up to 7% is observed in eastern Europe and northern Africa, while a significant increase up to 10% is observed in western Europe and eastern Mediterranean. The changes in surface solar radiation and PVE productivity are related to global effects of aerosols reduction on the large scale circulation and associated cloud cover pattern, rather than to local effects on the atmospheric optical properties. PVE assessment is then discussed in the frame of the present situation and next decades evolution of the photovoltaic market, highlighting that the effects on productivity induced by industrial and public policies, and technological development are comparable to climate related effects. The presented results encourage the improvement and further use of climate models in assessment of future renewable energies availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of emissions trading as a standard feature of national climate mitigation strategies is commonly considered to be evidence of the neoliberalisation of environmental governance. The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme is distinctive among national climate mitigation programmes in its attempt to establish a financial liability for greenhouse gas emissions arising from agricultural production. This attempt, however, has been politically contentious, with strident and vocal opposition from some members of the agricultural sector. Drawing on the concept of “environmental subjectivities” this study explores farmers' contestation of the policy programme and ascribes the foundering of emissions mitigation in agriculture to the attempt to merely assign financial liabilities rather than cultivate subjects disposed to managing emissions in pastoral production. When discussing climate change and greenhouse gas mitigation during qualitative interviews, pastoral farmers directly challenged the aims and attributes of the ETS, often referring to how the scheme conflicted with existing objectives for farming and how the scheme confused financial liability with environmental responsibility. New Zealand's experience reveals potential contradictions between the political and economic justification for market-based instruments and the unruly subjectivities of market actors. The findings of this research suggest that market-based instruments alone may fail to cultivate environmental subjectivities and highlight the need for agricultural and environmental governance to address the social and cultural foundations of farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A LiDAR-based measurement method for biomass estimation was proposed to assess forest emissions reduction • A significant discrepancy between ex-ante estimated emissions reduction (10.5 ktCO 2 e) and LiDAR-observed emissions reduction (22.4 ktCO 2 e) was found for a forest emissions reduction project in China • The adoption of airborne LiDAR technology could substantially reduce the cost of forest emissions reduction assessment • Recommendations were provided for policymakers to improve the reliability of forest emissions reduction assessment Given its large mitigation potential and predictable cost, forest carbon sequestration is crucial to reducing anthropogenic CO 2 emissions to achieve climate mitigation targets. However, forest-based mitigation activities have been constrained owing to the absence of a timely and cost-effective approach to assess emissions reduction, thereby limiting its financial support. This study presented a more economically viable approach to forest emissions reduction assessment using airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology. Using a forest-based emissions reduction project in China as an on-site experiment subject, we developed species-specific LiDAR-based biomass estimation models to assess emissions reduction. It was observed that LiDAR-derived feature parameters could accurately predict forest biomass measurements estimated by the traditional ground-based method (R2 = 0.93). Interestingly, we found emissions reduction through field measurement (22.2 ktCO 2 e) or LiDAR observations (22.4 ktCO 2 e) was about two times higher than that estimated by the project developer before its implementation (10.5 ktCO 2 e). Furthermore, we found airborne LiDAR technology could significantly reduce monitoring cost ($/tCO 2 e), which would only account for a small share of the total implementation cost of a forest emissions reduction project. Based on these results, we summarized the advantages of applying airborne LiDAR technologies in developing forest-based emissions reduction projects and provided policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Presents time series of embodied emissions in UK construction from 1997 to 2011. [•] Contends that mitigation requires greater focus on material efficiency. [•] Identifies barriers to uptake of alternative materials, technologies and practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: While issues of land-use have been considered in many direct analyses of biomass systems, little attention has heretofore been paid to land-use in reference fossil systems. Here we address this limitation by comparing forest biomass systems to reference fossil systems with explicit consideration of land-use in both systems. We estimate and compare the time profiles of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and cumulative radiative forcing (CRF) of woody biomass systems and reference fossil systems. A life cycle perspective is used that includes all significant elements of both systems, including GHG emissions along the full material and energy chains. We consider the growth dynamics of forests under different management regimes, as well as energy and material substitution effects of harvested biomass. We determine the annual net emissions of CO2, N2O and CH4 for each system over a 240-year period, and then calculate time profiles of CRF as a proxy measurement of climate change impact. The results show greatest potential for climate change mitigation when intensive forest management is applied in the woody biomass system. This methodological framework provides a tool to help determine optimal strategies for managing forests so as to minimize climate change impacts. The inclusion of land-use in the reference system improves the accuracy of quantitative projections of climate benefits of biomass-based systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Straw incorporation in paddy fields enhanced CH4 emissions. [•] Biochar amendment in paddy fields reduced CH4 emissions. [•] N2O emissions increased by biochar, but decreased by straw incorporation. [•] Biochar amendment is a candidate practice to mitigate GHG emissions in paddy fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper provides an overview and summary of the current state of knowledge regarding critical atmospheric processes that affect the distribution and concentrations of greenhouse gases and aerosols emitted from wildland fires or produced through subsequent chemical reactions in the atmosphere. These critical atmospheric processes include the dynamics of plume rise, chemical reactions involving smoke plume constituents, the long-range transport of smoke plumes, and the potential transport of gases and aerosols from wildland fires into the stratosphere. In the area of plume-rise dynamics, synthesis information is provided on (1) the relevance of plume height for assessing impacts of gases and aerosol from wildland fires on the climate system, (2) recent scientific advances in understanding the role of multiple updraft cores in plume behavior, and (3) some of the current modeling tools and remote sensing monitoring techniques available for predicting and measuring smoke plume heights. In the area of atmospheric chemistry associated with wildland fire emissions, synthesis information is provided on what is currently known about the atmospheric fate of wildland fire smoke-plume constituents and the relationship of their atmospheric chemistry to radiative forcing. Synthesis information related to long-range atmospheric transport of wildland fire emissions is presented and summarizes many of the recent published observational and modeling studies that provide clear evidence of intercontinental, continental, and regional transport of North American fire emissions, including black carbon, to locations far-removed from the fire-event locations. Recent studies are also highlighted that examined the significance of troposphere-stratosphere exchange processes, which can result in the transport of greenhouse gases and aerosols from North American wildland fires into the stratosphere where they can remain for very long periods of time and alter the radiative balance and typical chemical reactions that occur there. Finally, specific research gaps and needs related to plume dynamics, atmospheric transport and deposition processes, and the atmospheric chemistry of wildland fire emissions are identified and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Consumption of fuel generates greenhouse gas and particulate emissions. [•] We preent a synthesis of wildland fire fuel consumption. [•] Consume and FOFEM are two models to estimate fuel consumption. [•] Improved consumption models are needed for crowns, duff layers, and rotten logs. [•] Information is lacking on black carbon residue remaining following fire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Uncertainty exists over the magnitude of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with open land conversion to short-rotation woody biomass crops (SRWC) for bioenergy in the Northern U.S. Lake States. GHG debts incurred at the plantation establishment phase may delay the climate mitigation benefits of SRWC production. To better understand GHG debts associated with converting open lands to SRWC, we established research plantations with willow (Salix spp.), hybrid-poplar (Populus spp.), and control plots in spring 2010 at two sites in northern Michigan (ES) and Wisconsin (RH). These sites had similar climates, but differed in time since last cultivation: 5 vs. 42 years. To address the short-term effects of plantation establishment, we compared two-year biomass production and GHG emissions. We hypothesized that the long-idle ES site, with higher initial soil C and N stocks, would have higher GHG emissions following conversion compared to the recently-idle RH site, but that this would be balanced in part by greater SRWC productivity at the ES site. As hypothesized, grassland conversion resulted in two-year net GHG emissions due to land conversion of 43.21 and 33.02 Mg-CO2eq ha−1 for poplar and willow at ES that was far greater than the 4.81 and −1.54 Mg-CO2eq ha−1 for poplar and willow at RH. Contrary to our hypothesis, we did not observe greater SRWC productivity at ES, which will take longer than RH to reach C neutrality and begin mitigating GHG emissions. Our results show that site-specific soil and management factors determine the magnitude of GHG emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] A shift to a new socio-metabolic regime requires transformation of in-use stocks. [•] Decoupling extends the option space for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. [•] Decoupling throughput from service may be sufficient to reach the 2°C target. [•] Deliberate design of in-use stocks determines success of mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study develops scenarios regarding the introduction of electric vehicles to the passenger vehicle fleet of Norway to reach the 2020 Norwegian greenhouse gas reduction target and a more extreme target to limit global temperature increase to two degrees. A process-based life cycle assessment approach is integrated with a temporally variable inventory model to evaluate the environmental impacts of these scenarios. We find that greenhouse gases in the reference scenario increase by 10% in 2020 in comparison to 2012; while for the more intensive improvements in conventional vehicles, this increase is reduced to 2%. For electric vehicles deployment scenarios, although the fleet share will reduce the tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions by 8–26%, with the upper end representing the two-degree reduction target, emissions reductions over the entire life cycle are only 3–15%. Electric vehicles also reduce emissions of NO x , SO 2 and particulates reducing acidification, smog formation and particulate formation impacts, however, with addition of large numbers of electric vehicles significant trade-offs in toxicity impacts are found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The residential sector currently accounts for one fifth of global energy use and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions, largely driven by increasing demand for space heating and cooling. Climate change mitigation action requires these to reduce, but the exact decarbonization strategies, the contribution of demand and supply side measures, and their heterogeneity is unclear. Using a regional energy system model with an explicit representation of residential energy use and building stocks, the contribution of this sector in long-term decarbonization pathways is explored. The projections show that in a 2°C scenario, global heating demand is expected to decrease from current levels by 27% and 66% by 2050 and 2100, respectively. However, due to increasing affluence in warmer regions, cooling demand is expected to increase by 176% and 286% respectively. Yet, direct residential emissions are almost eliminated by 2100 by combining increased envelope efficiency and advanced heating technologies in a synergistic manner, where the adoption of high efficiency heating and cooling reduces the need for increased insulation, and vice versa. By combining these measures with rooftop PV, the net energy demand of many household types approaches zero. The exact residential sector strategies vary across local climate, socio-economic, and building stock characteristics. • Households account for a sizeable portion of energy demand and emissions. • We use a detailed model to investigate regional long-term decarbonization pathways. • Increasing insulation and efficient heating technologies both play an important role. • Combining with rooftop PV contributes to having net-zero buildings. • Contribution of each option depends on local climate and socio-economic setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy has potential synergies with climate change mitigation, although quantitative evidence for these synergies in the consumer product sector has not yet been systematically evaluated. We conducted a systematic review of existing studies of consumer-oriented product-service systems (PSS) on the lifecycle impacts, focusing on a meta-analysis of global warming potentials. Potential reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and the risk of backfire as a result of 10 types of circular economy strategies were investigated by reviewing 103 studies and more than 1500 scenarios for consumer durable and semi-durable products. As many as three-quarters of the reviewed studies analyse only one circular economy strategy rather than comparing (e.g., reusing, sharing, and renting) or integrating multiple strategies (e.g., leasing combined with remanufacturing). Approximately one-third of the reviewed studies rely on assumptions for set parameters of use, transport, and end-of-life phases, whereas more than half of the studies do not consider service and infrastructure provisions, or imperfect product substitution. Among the reviewed case studies, upgrading, repair, refurbishing, and pooling showed moderate to high improvement potentials with lower risks of backfiring, whereas servitisation, sharing, and reuse were associated with higher backfire risks, but they had high improvement potentials. The risk of backfiring was explained by factors such as transport, number of uses, product substitution and lifetime, maintenance, energy source, and energy efficiency. This meta-analysis revealed the importance of prioritising low-risk strategies, controlling for rebound effects of high-potential strategies, and integrating multiple strategies in order to utilize PSS for climate change mitigation. • More than 1500 consumer-oriented PSS scenarios in 103 studies were reviewed. • Low-risk strategies (upgrading, repair, refurbishing, and pooling) should be prioritised. • High-potential strategies (servitisation, sharing, and reuse) need rebound controls. • Synergies can be expected by integrating multiple circular economy strategies. • Empirical analysis of critical parameters is required for improved PSS assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is at the interface of biowaste management, energy generation, food production and land-based carbon dioxide removal. Strategic deployment of AD requires careful scoping of interactions with prospective alternative biowaste management, energy generation technologies and land uses to ensure effective delivery of climate neutrality and circularity. There remains a need to assess the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation efficacy of AD in the context of future alternative (counterfactual) processes associated with differential rates of decarbonisation across energy, waste management and land (including agriculture) sectors. To address this gap, prospective life cycle assessment (LCA) is applied to AD deployment scenarios across three decarbonisation contexts, using the UK as an example. Food waste prevention and diversion to animal feed always achieve more GHG mitigation than AD, even with sustainable intensification of food and feed production. Compared with maize- or grass-biomethane transport fuel, solar electricity generation can avoid 16 times more fossil energy and afforestation can mitigate six times more GHG per hectare of land occupied. Transport biomethane is currently the most effective biogas use for GHG mitigation, but large-scale combustion of biogas for electricity or industrial heat generation is the most effective long-term option as transport is electrified and bioenergy carbon capture & storage (BECCS) is deployed. Prioritising waste prevention and diversion to animal feed (including via insect meal) instead of maximising AD deployment could simultaneously: offset an additional 10–15% of national GHG emissions; meet an additional 2–4% of national energy demand; free enough arable land to provide 20–21% of national recommended protein and kcal intake. However, AD is likely to remain the best option to manage substantial volumes of residual food wastes and manures that will remain available even if ambitious projections on waste prevention and diet change are realised. [Display omitted] • Consequential LCA of anaerobic digestion (AD) in future decarbonisation contexts • GHG mitigation efficacy of AD declines as energy & transport systems decarbonise • AD-crop cultivation is a highly inefficient land use for energy generation and GHG mitigation • Carbon capture & storage could maintain effective mitigation from large-scale biogas use • Sustainable niche for waste-AD alongside waste prevention & diversion to animal feed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Distribution effect of carbon-food nexus for Chinese cities were explored. • Several methods built using the spatial decoupling index were proposed. • Chinese cities exhibited varying degrees of the distribution effect over the period. • Driver pattern of carbon-food nexus has changed over the years. Climate change mitigation and food security are sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Despite extensive studies focused on the nexus of different SDGs and corresponding mechanisms, the distribution effect of carbon-food nexus and its driver has received limited attention, hindering policy making for balancing pathways of regional emission reduction and food production improvement. The present study explored the distribution effect (i.e., spatial performance) of carbon-food nexus from multiple perspectives (namely, status quo, drivers, and trend) based on a unique city-level dataset from 2005 to 2017. To this end, we proposed the spatial decoupling index, the corresponding decomposition and nonparametric models for capturing the multi-perspective distribution effects. The results indicated that Chinese cities, categorized by population scale and economic structure, exhibited varying degrees of distributions of carbon-food nexus over the period. Moreover, the driver pattern of carbon-food nexus was noted to have changed, wherein investment efficiency and scale were positive drivers. Furthermore, we showed that a more developed city's economy was statistically significantly associated with higher carbon emission and lower food production. Therefore, related stakeholders should take more actions such as strengthening capital accumulation and joint management of carbon intensity, for improving the distribution effect of the overall city-level carbon-food nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission is one of the major focuses of The Glasgow Climate Pact, a global agreement that is believed to accelerate climate action. Following the energy sector, industrial and agro-wastes are the major contributors to global GHG emission. With the rapid growth in population, affluence, and urbanization, the GHG emission from waste sector is likely to be further aggravated if timely measures are not taken to address this burning issue. Thus, a significant research and development efforts are being made in shifting conventional waste treatment approach to resource recovery from waste, incorporating a circular bioeconomy concept. There have been significant advances in technologies such as anaerobic digestion, composting, pyrolysis, algae farming, and microbial fuel cell for recovering resources from organic wastes. This virtual special issue (VSI), "Bioconversion of Waste-to-Resources (BWR-2021)", contains 25 manuscripts covering various aspects of wastes and residual biomass valorization to high value products, including development of new technologies, optimization of current technologies for more efficient utilization of wastes and residues. The key findings of each manuscript are briefly summarized here, which can serve as a valuable resource for researchers in the field of resource recovery from wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from energy consumption have become a major focus all over the world. Cities, especially, are playing an important role in responding to the challenges of global climate change. However, there is still a lack of case studies on the whole life stage (including energy import, production, and consumption) at the city level. This is the first study to systematically estimate the whole lifecycle GHG emissions of urban energy consumption in Macau using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. It identifies the main contributors, draws the balance framework diagram of energy GHG emissions, and proposes the effective reduction measures through a scenario analysis. The results show that the total GHG emissions of energy consumption in Macau increased from 2.10 × 103 kt CO 2 eq. in 2000 to 5.34 × 103 kt CO 2 eq. in 2018. In 2018, the energy-related GHG emissions in the import phase, production phase, and consumption phase were 3.37 × 103, 4.08 × 102 and 5.34 × 103 kt CO 2 eq., respectively. Since the return of Macau from Portugal to China (December 20, 1999), its GHG emissions from energy import have come to depend more on Mainland China, increasing from 71% in 2000 to 98% in 2018. For the consumption phase, indirect GHG emissions are more important, accounting for 75.3% of total GHG emissions in Macau. From the final consumption perspective, the gambling industry results in the largest GHG emissions (38.07% in 2018), followed by the transportation industry; while for the final energy consumption types, electricity consumption has become the predominant source. The scenario analysis shows that under an ideal scenario, the GHG emissions can be slowed down and will peak in 2033. [Display omitted] • It firstly estimates the whole lifecycle GHG emissions from Macau urban energy consumption. • The GHG emission dependence on the mainland China increases from 71% to 98% since 2000. • It draws the balance framework diagram of energy GHG emissions. • Gambling industry results in the largest GHG emissions in Macau. • Under ideal scenario, the GHG emissions will peak in 2033. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A multi-stochastic SMR siting model is developed to handle multiple uncertainties • Environmental-economic trade-offs related to SMR siting are analyzed systematically • The competitive relationships among SMRs, CCS, and CCGTS are analyzed • Multi-scenario analysis provide policy supports for decision-makers Existing electric power systems have been being faced with great concerns on climate change mitigation through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in recent decades. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are considered the next generation of power technologies, offering stable, safe, and environmental-friendly power. This research initially establishes a multi-stochastic SMR siting model (SSMRS) based on a dynamic mixed-integer left-hand-side chance-constrained multistage programming (DMLCM) method, aiming to provide solid bases for electric power system management to promote GHG mitigation under uncertainties and advance the practical application of SMRs in a regional electric power system. The model is applied to emission-intensive Saskatchewan power systems, which have a high reliance on fossil fuels. The commissioned coal-fired and gas-fired power plants in Saskatchewan are identified as potential sites for employing SMRs. A series of scenarios regarding technical development and carbon policies are analyzed to study the interrelationships among technological competition, policy efficiency, and system-failure risk. This is the first attempt to apply an optimization-based modeling approach for siting SMRs in Saskatchewan with detailed consideration of other new-emerging emission reduction technologies. We found that a carbon tax ranging from 30 to 40$/tonne might be reasonable in Saskatchewan after 2030 while the SMR would be partly commercially viable, occupying ∼>15% of total installed capacity. The solution obtained could provide scientific bases for decision-makers to determine optimal schemes for power supply, capacity expansions, and system costs under environmental targets, and particularly identify construction schemes for SMRs at specific sites in different periods under various risk levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We model operational and embodied GHG emissions for Australia's built environment. • The scope includes residential and commercial buildings. • A high ambition scenario delivers a 94% reduction in emissions compared to BAU. • Includes renewables, electrification, efficiency and material replacement. • Novel pathways analysis highlights options for net zero and net negative emissions. Achieving net zero operational and embodied greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the built environment is recognised in Australia and globally as a key strategy to address climate change and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, gaps in knowledge remain regarding potential national pathways to achieve this outcome in Australia. This study further extends and applies a national-scale integrated macroeconomic simulation model to explore coherent pathways to net zero emissions in the built environment sector by 2050. The scope of the study includes residential and commercial buildings and both operational and embodied emissions. It applies scenario analysis incorporating different levels of climate ambition, including a shift to renewable energy, electrifying buildings, improving energy efficiency and replacing carbon-intensive materials. We find that a high ambition scenario (Scenario 2) delivers a 94% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050 when compared against business-as-usual, placing a net-zero target within reach. Improvements on Australia's SDGs performance are also attained. Through subsequent pathways analysis we find that achieving net zero or even net negative operational and embodied emissions is feasible with more ambitious action in key areas, including increasing the share of mass-timber buildings and reducing end-of-life losses in sequestered carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A 4.5% increase in risk of dementia admission per 1°C increase above 17°C. • Emergency admissions may increase by 300% in 2040 under high emissions scenario. • Identifying people with dementia as high-risk population over summer is advocated. The impacts of a changing climate on current and future dementia burdens have not been widely explored. Time-series negative binomial regression analysis was used to assess acute associations between daily ambient temperature and counts of emergency admissions for dementia in each Government region of England, adjusting for season and day-of-week. Using the latest climate and dementia projections data, we then estimate future heat-related dementia burdens under a high emission scenario (Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP8.5), where global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to rise, and a low emissions scenario (RCP2.6), where GHG emissions are sizeably reduced under a strong global mitigation policy. A raised risk associated with high temperatures was observed in all regions. Nationally, a 4.5% (95% Confidence interval (CI) 2.9%–6.1%) increase in risk of dementia admission was observed for every 1 °C increase in temperature above 17 °C associated with current climate. Under a high emissions scenario, heat-related admissions are projected to increase by almost 300% by 2040 compared to baseline levels. People living with dementia should be considered a high-risk group during hot weather. Our results support arguments for more stringent climate change mitigation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world needs to rapidly reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO 2) emission to stave off the risks of disastrous climate change. In particular, decarbonizing U.S. manufacturing industries is particularly challenging due to the specific process requirements. This study estimates the potential for future CO 2 emission reductions in this important sector. The analysis is a detailed accounting exercise that relies on estimates of emission-reduction potential from other studies and applies those potentials to the manufacturing sector using a bottom-up approach. The actions are grouped into four "pillars" that support deep decarbonization of manufacturing (DDM): Energy Efficiency, Material Efficiency, Industry-Specific, and Power Grid. Based on this bottom-up approach, the analysis shows that an 86% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from the Reference Case is feasible. No single pillar dominates DDM, although opportunities vary widely by sub-sector. The analysis shows that a strategy incorporating a broad set of elements from each pillar can be effective instead of relying on any single pillar. Some pillars, such as Energy Efficiency and Material Efficiency, have wide applicability; others have key niche roles that are Industry-Specific; the Power Grid pillar requires interaction between grid decarbonization and industry action to switch from fossil fuels to zero-carbon electricity where appropriate. [Display omitted] • Four technological strategies ("pillars") for deep decarbonization of U.S. manufacturing are investigated. • Seven energy-intensive and one non-energy-intensive industries are examined separately. • An 86% reduction in energy related CO 2 emissions is feasible in U.S. manufacturing by 2050. • No single pillar dominates implying a diversified approach to decarbonization is needed. • Some emissions remain in select industries, in particular chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colombia has a total of 27.2 million heads of cattle, ranking fourth among the Latin American countries. Identifying sustainable strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) will help the Colombian government meet their goal of a 51% reduction in national emissions by 2030. Estimation of yield gaps for identifying the potential to improve cattle farms productivity and efficiency in Colombia help on reducing the GHGE intensities from the cattle sector. This paper aims to calculate the gap between attainable and actual milk and meat yields for specialized dairy, dual-purpose, cow-calf, and fattening production systems in 3 agro-ecological zones (AEZ) in Colombia; to identify the main aspects that restrict the meat and milk yields in these production systems; and analyze how closing yield gaps affect the carbon footprint (CF) of meat and milk production. The most suitable AEZs for cattle activities were identified by considering environmental, climatic, edaphic, and land characteristics. From a dataset of 1505 surveyed farms, a yield gap benchmarking analysis for estimating the potential to increase meat and milk yields in each of the identified AEZ was applied. The most productive farms were included in the "best farms" while the rest of the farms belonged to the "farms operating below potential". A "cradle to farm-gate" Life Cycle Assessment was used to calculate the CF. Three scenarios were proposed for closing the yield gaps by 50, 75, and 100%, between the two groups of farms. Three AEZs likely to support cattle activities in Colombia were identified. Average milk production from the farms operating below potential was 45–50% of potential production, and meat was 34–51%, indicating that a potential to achieve increases in milk and meat productivity exists. CFs of 1 kg milk or meat were lower in the groups of best-performing farms than in the groups of farms operating below potential. Yield gaps for milk and meat production can be closed by improving cattle management practices and better technologies. As a general trend, closing the yield gaps decreases the CFs. Our findings contribute to understand the farms' current productive performance and provides key insights into the possible technological and managerial changes for improving the productivity of cattle systems in Colombia. In addition, the study showed how milk and meat CFs can be lowered with the adoption of proper cattle management practices, and better technologies. [Display omitted] • Cattle are responsible for 21% of Colombian GHG emissions, identifying sustainable strategies for its mitigation is crucial. • Yield gap analysis is useful for exploring opportunities to increase yields by identifying factors constraining production. • This study calculated the yield gaps for Colombian cattle systems, their carbon footprints, and proposed mitigation options. • Substantial cattle yield gaps were found, hence there is a considerable scope to improve milk and meat yields in Colombia. • Closing the yield gaps by increasing cattle productivity is an important mitigation strategy of climate change in Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As forecasted by the International Energy Agency Energy Technology Perspectives baseline scenario, the largest increment in LDV (light-duty vehicles) stock, travel demand and transport sector energy consumption will take place in the developing world. In the developing countries where the import of used vehicles is allowed, a considerable portion of the LDV stock increment will be realized with used vehicles. In this paper, the analytical framework for assessment of climate change mitigation potential of transport sector in developing countries is adapted in order to incorporate the expected vehicle fleet increase with used vehicles. The evaluation of appropriate mitigation strategies is performed using the GHG Costing Model (GACMO), which compares each mitigation option with the BAU (business-as-usual) option and determines its environmental effectiveness (t CO2 reduced) and economic effectiveness (US$/t CO2 reduced). The adapted analytical framework is applied on the case of transport sector of Macedonia, evaluating appropriate options inline with five mitigation strategies: improvement of vehicle fleet, introduction of low carbon fuels, improvement of travel behaviour, advancement of vehicle equipment and improvement of driver behaviour. The resulting marginal cost curve for the year 2020 indicates a total achievable reduction of 22% with respect to BAU GHG transport sector emissions, with bulk of it at relatively high specific costs of around 90 US$/t CO2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pricing greenhouse gas emissions is a burgeoning and possibly lucrative financial means for climate change mitigation. Emissions pricing is being used to fund emissions-abatement technologies and to modify land management to improve carbon sequestration and retention. Here we discuss the principal land-management options under existing and realistic future emissions-price legislation in Australia, and examine them with respect to their anticipated direct and indirect effects on biodiversity. The main ways in which emissions price-driven changes to land management can affect biodiversity are through policies and practices for (1) environmental plantings for carbon sequestration, (2) native regrowth, (3) fire management, (4) forestry, (5) agricultural practices (including cropping and grazing), and (6) feral animal control. While most land-management options available to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions offer clear advantages to increase the viability of native biodiversity, we describe several caveats regarding potentially negative outcomes, and outline components that need to be considered if biodiversity is also to benefit from the new carbon economy. Carbon plantings will only have real biodiversity value if they comprise appropriate native tree species and provide suitable habitats and resources for valued fauna. Such plantings also risk severely altering local hydrology and reducing water availability. Management of regrowth post-agricultural abandonment requires setting appropriate baselines and allowing for thinning in certain circumstances, and improvements to forestry rotation lengths would likely increase carbon-retention capacity and biodiversity value. Prescribed burning to reduce the frequency of high-intensity wildfires in northern Australia is being used as a tool to increase carbon retention. Fire management in southern Australia is not readily amenable for maximising carbon storage potential, but will become increasingly important for biodiversity conservation as the climate warms. Carbon price-based modifications to agriculture that would benefit biodiversity include reductions in tillage frequency and livestock densities, reductions in fertiliser use, and retention and regeneration of native shrubs; however, anticipated shifts to exotic perennial grass species such as buffel grass and kikuyu could have net negative implications for native biodiversity. Finally, it is unlikely that major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions arising from feral animal control are possible, even though reduced densities of feral herbivores will benefit Australian biodiversity greatly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study uses an experimental social survey in two large Japanese cities to explore citizens’ attitudes toward international voluntary carbon offsetting that encourages low carbon development in developing countries. In particular, the study focuses on whether the offsetting is a contribution to meet national target of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction under the Kyoto Protocol or reduction beyond the national target, using Kyoto credits generated from climate change mitigation projects in developing countries. The study finds that around 40% of the survey respondents chose real carbon offsetting over a gift certificate as compensation for their participation in the survey, around half of whom chose carbon offsetting contribution to the world. However, most of the current Japanese carbon offsetting providers utilise only the carbon offsetting contribution to the Japanese government. Thus, Japanese citizens have significant untapped potential for undertaking more carbon offsetting to meet targets other than national targets. However, the results also show that there is a general lack of understanding regarding the mechanism of carbon offsetting. Carbon offsetting providers in Japan and other countries that may have national self-imposed targets and allowing the usage of international carbon offsetting should therefore be considered, so as to provide individuals with the options of either contributing to their government to help it meet its national target or contributing to the world to help reduce GHG emissions beyond the national targets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents the results of the EX-Ante Carbon-balance Tool (EX-ACT) application on two rural development projects in Brazil. The analysis provides an estimate of project impact on GHG emissions and C sequestration indicating net mitigation potential: results show that the Santa Catarina Rural Competitiveness Project has the potential to mitigate 12.2Mt CO2e and the Rio de Janeiro Sustainable Rural Development Project 0.85Mt CO2e. Both projects are successful at promoting activities aimed at reducing rural poverty and also contribute to climate change mitigation, demonstrating the potential importance of sustainable agriculture (improved cropland and grassland management, expansion of agro-forestry systems and protection of forested areas) in delivering environmental services. EX-ACT has also been used as a tool to guide project developers in refining components and activities to increase project environmental benefits. Cost–benefit analysis shows that while both projects generate environmental benefits associated with climate change mitigation, the Santa Catarina Rural Competitiveness Project has significantly higher potential due to the size of the project area and the nature of activities, thus a higher likelihood of potential co-financing from climate finance sources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A strong mitigation effort is underway to reduce the levels of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. An allocation of the mitigation effort among multiple agents requires understanding which agent is responsible for what emissions, according to a defined measure of carbon responsibility. The metric adopted by current international climate policy is production-based (or territorial) responsibility. However, other types of responsibility have been discussed in the literature, namely consumption-based (or upstream) responsibility and downstream responsibility. In this paper we study the latter, which is little explored in the literature. We clarify the term through a novel nomenclature, income-based responsibility and present a case-study, with the quantification of income-based responsibility for 112 world regions, and the comparison of the results with production and consumption-based responsibilities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Global agriculture lies in intersection of two inescapable issues of the present times, viz. keeping pace with growing food demand and participating in climate change mitigation efforts. Rice cultivation is a major emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and no tillage of soil is becoming popular due to low economic investments with improved soil conditions. However, how these arrangements will affect GHG emissions need to be quantified. Therefore, monitoring over diverse agricultural practices is essential for optimum utilization of cultivable land and resources, while identifying the chances of emission reductions. We assessed the impacts of four tillage practices in rice–wheat cultivation system on fluxes of GHGs (CH4, N2O and CO2) and yield of rice. The tillage practices were tilling of soil before sowing of every crop (RCT-WCT), tillage before sowing of rice but no tillage before sowing of wheat (RCT-WNT), tillage before sowing of wheat but no tillage before sowing of rice (RNT-WCT), and no tillage before sowing of rice as well as wheat (RNT-WNT). Reduction in tillage frequency led to significant reductions in fluxes of CH4 and N2O, but increased CO2 while permutations of tillage and no tillage influenced grain yield. RNT-WCT produced next to or comparable to the most yielding RCT-WCT. Although it is difficult to select the best performer since no single tillage permutation showed consistent increment in yield with accompanied emission reductions, RNT-WCT, however may be considered as better agricultural practice for the study region. Long term and extensive spatio-temporal monitoring is still required before making any recommendation. It is also essential for understanding the factors that cause declination in yields under no tillage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to feed the world we need innovative thinking on how to increase agricultural production whilst also mitigating climate change. Agriculture and land-use change are responsible for approximately one-third of total anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but hold potential for climate change mitigation but are only tangentially included in UNFCCC mitigation policies. To get a full estimate of GHG emissions from agricultural crop production both energy-based emissions and land-based emissions need to be accounted for. Furthermore, the major mitigation potential is likely to be indirect reduction of emissions i.e. reducing emissions per unit of agricultural product rather than the absolute emissions per se. Hence the system productivity must be included in the same analysis. This paper presents the Kaya-Porter identity, derived from the Kaya identity, as a new way to calculate GHG emissions from agricultural crop production by deconstructing emissions into five elements; the GHG intensity of the energy used for production (kgCO2-eq./MJ), energy intensity of the production (MJ/kg dry matter), areal productivity (kgdry matter/ha), areal land-based GHG emissions (CO2-eq./ha) and area (ha). These separate elements in the identity can be targeted in emissions reduction and mitigation policies and are useful to analyse past and current trends in emissions and to explore future scenarios. Using the Kaya-Porter identity we have performed a case study on Danish crop production and find emissions to have been reduced by 12% from 1992 to 2008, whilst yields per unit area have remained constant. Both land-based emissions and energy-based emissions have decreased, mainly due to a 41% reduction in nitrogen fertilizer use. The initial identity based analysis for crop production presented here needs to be extended to include livestock to reflect the entire agricultural production and food demand sectors, thereby permitting analysis of the trade-offs between animal and plant food production, human dietary preferences and population and resulting GHG emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: At Copenhagen, the developed countries agreed to provide up to $100bn per year to finance climate change mitigation and adaptation by developing countries. Projects aimed at cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will need to be evaluated against dual criteria: from the viewpoint of the developed countries they must cut emissions of GHGs at reasonable cost, while host countries will assess their contribution to development, or simply their overall economic benefits. Co-benefits of some types of project will also be of interest to host countries: for example some projects will contribute to reducing air pollution, thus improving the health of the local population. This paper uses a simple damage function methodology to quantify some of the health co-benefits of replacing coal-fired generation with wind or small hydro in China. We estimate the monetary value of these co-benefits and find that it is probably small compared to the added costs. We have not made a full cost-benefit analysis of renewable energy in China as some likely co-benefits are omitted from our calculations. Our results are subject to considerable uncertainty however, after careful consideration of their likely accuracy and comparisons with other studies, we believe that they provide a good first cut estimate of co-benefits and are sufficiently robust to stand as a guide for policy makers. In addition to these empirical results, a key contribution made by the paper is to demonstrate a simple and reasonably accurate methodology for health benefits estimation that applies the most recent academic research in the field to the solution of an increasingly important problem. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Local authorities are important actors to mitigate climate change. They can implement policies which can reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in sectors like transport, waste, agriculture and land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF). They can also implement policies which can increase carbon dioxide removals. The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is one of the most important initiatives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the EU. It is a cap and trade scheme encompassing almost half of the European-wide carbon dioxide emissions. However, carbon dioxide removals and sectors associated with local authorities’ responsibilities are not included in the EU ETS. The main objective of this paper is to propose an original cap and trade system, called LETS, designed to involve local authorities. The LETS was then tested and applied to all the local authorities in the mainland of Portugal covering emissions and removals of a single greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) in the LULUCF and the transport sectors. The system proved to have the necessary conditions to be implemented and adaptable to other country contexts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: With 60% of the population younger than 26years, a need of about 1.5 million residential units per year for the next 5years and the necessity of mitigating its rapidly growing GHG emissions together with adapting cities to the expected drastic effects of climate change, Iran’s urban agglomerations are facing tremendous challenges now and in the future. The paper presents interim findings of the German–Iranian research initiative “Young Cities” (2005–2013) that investigates approaches for these immense challenges. The project aims at developing energy-efficient and resilient housing in a real-life pilot project, the 35ha area in Hashtgerd New Town in the Tehran province. The article explores the framing conditions and the master plan of this pilot and identifies four key planning strategies. Besides applying climate-sensitive urban form, the project stresses the need to develop culturally adapted building typologies for reduced heating and cooling, an efficient public transport in a mixed and dense urban structure and integrated water and energy systems on the neighborhood level. Simulations of these planning approaches have proven a significant reduction of energy- and resource consumption and the capacity of the design to adapt to (a potentially changing) environment. These promising strategies for energy-efficiency and resilience were transferred into a legally binding comprehensive plan commissioned in October 2010, though the major challenge in the second phase of the project (2011–2013) will be making these innovations a built reality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The transformation of single family home settlements is a central issue in the search for a more sustainable city. This residential model remains very popular among middle class households, in spite of the relevant costs and impacts related to its functioning. Local authorities are increasingly concerned with its associated impacts, even when they do not have clear planning strategies. The case study presented is about a municipality that is part of the Catania Metropolitan Area, in Italy. Built up areas cover more than 50% of the municipality’s total land and the prevailing development type is the detached single family home. The existing settlement pattern is essentially an “automobile city” for about 20.000 inhabitants with a very limited presence of services. The analyses conducted show that this settlement is unsustainable, not in terms of insufficient green areas, or permeable soils but because it lacks any urban quality. The resulting impact on the environment is considerable both in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and the contribution to urban water runoff. The paper presents the first results of a consulting activity for the local municipality that is revising its General Master Plan. This activity, conducted by the University of Catania, includes a set of analyses based on land use data and the definition of general planning criteria. The aim is develop a proposal, based on principles of sustainable urban planning, that can effect a change towards a new pattern of urban development characterised by densification, mixed use planning and reduced private car dependence by concentrating new services in pedestrian oriented areas. The challenge of the proposal presented is to define a set of specific rules that can limit the uncontrolled sprawl by contextualising these general and widely accepted principles to local conditions. The work is part of GRaBS (Green and Blue Space Adaptation for Urban Areas and Eco Towns), a project funded by the EU Interreg IV C programme). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of comparative assessment of future road transport technologies is to find the cheapest motor vehicles in terms of private and external Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission costs under various international climate change mitigation scenarios in 2020 and 2050. The comparative assessment of the main road transport technologies ranging from conventional vehicles to hybrid electric vehicles was performed. The main indicators for comparative future motor vehicles assessment are: private costs and life cycle external costs of GHG emissions. The obtained ranking of road transport technologies allows to identify the most perspective future motor vehicles taking into account international climate change mitigation constraints and to promote these road technologies by policy tools. The cheapest road transport technologies in 2020 and 2050 are: the main results presented in this paper were obtained during EU financed Framework 7 project “PLANETS” dealing with probabilistic long-term assessment of new energy technology scenarios. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Climate change is fast becoming the major environmental and energy concern worldwide. There is a major dilemma between the continued reliance on fossil fuel for our energy supply and the pressing need to address the problem of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from combustion process. This paper reviews the potential for carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a part of the climate change mitigation strategy for the Malaysian electricity sector using a technology assessment framework. The nation''s historical trend of high reliance on fossil fuel for its electricity sector makes it a prime candidate for CCS adoption. The suitability and practicality of the technology was reviewed from a broad perspective with consideration of Malaysia-specific conditions. It is apparent from this assessment that CCS has the potential to play an important role in Malaysia''s climate change mitigation strategy provided that key criteria are fulfilled. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper explores the relationship between productivity of dairy production and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a global scale. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology was used to assess GHG emissions from dairy production and processing chains. Milk yield expressed as kg fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) per animal was chosen as a proxy for system productivity. On a per cow basis, GHG emissions increase with higher yields. However, GHG emissions per kg FPCM decline substantially as animal productivity increases. The contribution of different gases to total GHG emissions of dairy production systems vary; methane and nitrous oxide emissions decrease with increasing productivity, while carbon dioxide emissions increase, but on a lower scale. Productivity increase therefore offers not only a pathway to satisfying increasing demand for milk but also a viable mitigation approach, especially in areas where milk yields are currently below 2000kg/cow and year. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Currently, China faces both the challenge of mitigating the CO2 emissions in coping with global climate change and abating air pollutants emissions in dealing with domestic environmental stresses. Although there being on-going discussions, it is still not clear for China that how to integrate greenhouse gas abatement into air pollution control policy framework now. In this study, we try to estimate CO2 reduction by major greening Olympic measures for 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, aiming to provide evidence on curbing CO2 emissions as a co-benefit for improving local air quality by mega-events. CO2 emission reduction by three types of measures has been estimated including: energy related measures, transport management, and temporary air pollution control measures. As estimated, from the perspective of long-term effect, the measure of clean energy substitution and improving energy efficiency and application of advance energy saving technologies would be cost -effectiveness measures for China addressing both air pollution control and green-house gases abatement. We suggest China government integrate CO2 reduction to local air quality improvement policy framework, and take mega-events as triggers for more sustainable urbandevelopment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work builds on a bottom-up market greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation approach to determine the mitigation potential of specific activities by introducing two new concepts: the “adaptation potential” (defined as the difference between the sum of costs and benefits of adaptation, over a specified interval), and; “no behest” opportunities (defined as when the benefits of an activity equal or exceed both the costs to the private investor and the society, excluding the benefits of avoided climate change). “No behest” activities are contrasted with “no regrets” opportunities, whose benefits are equal to, or exceed costs to society, excluding the benefits of avoided climate change. The word “behest” conveys the value of requiring little further incentive or regulation to motivate private investors to take advantage of existing economic opportunities. Therefore, “no behest” opportunities are similar to “no regrets” opportunities, but with a greater relevance to private investments that both mitigate and adapt by including the real market benefits and costs of cleaner development options. This work utilises several mathematical methods to remove information asymmetries between market decision-making and what is both economically and environmentally efficient. These methods can be used for both contextually based bottom-up and top-down scenarios in either an adaptation and mitigation framework. The outputs are a quantified change in profitability and parallel GHG emissions of specific activity baselines that are suitable for carbon (C) liability assessment, investment and government emission targets in the current and projected policy environments. These methods can also be used to determine “no behest” activities which have lower private barriers to implementation than “no regrets” activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use behavioral and experimental economics to study a particular aspect of the economics of climate change: the potential trade-off between countries'' investments in mitigation versus adaptation. While mitigation of greenhouse gases can be viewed as a public good, adaptation to climate change is a private good, benefiting only the country or the individual that invests in adaptation. We use a one-shot public-goods game that deviates from the standard public-goods game by introducing a stochastic term to account for probabilistic destruction in a climate-change setting, where the probability density function is mapped to within-group levels of mitigation. We compare low-vulnerability and high-vulnerability treatments by varying the magnitude of disaster across treatments. Our results show that there is no significant difference in the level of mitigation across these treatments. Further, our results emphasize the role of trust in enhancing cooperation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Federal political deadlock has long forced progressive climate change mitigation efforts in the United States to target greenhouse gas emissions and reduction options at regional, state, urban, and local levels. Even as a national mitigation agenda solidifies, researchers and political actors might strategically maintain local places and types of landscape – center cities, older and newer suburbs, and rural areas in different United States regions – as distinct spheres for analysis and action. This local articulation permits ongoing analysis of how place/landscape type-specific conditions structure everyday greenhouse gas emissions and the prospects for reducing them. As such, it promotes mitigation programs that encompass broad, long-term infrastructure and lifestyle transformations for energy efficiency and conservation; not only top-down changes to energy generation technologies. Participatory climate change mitigation research in the Philadelphia suburbs demonstrates how geographically particular metropolitan development patterns shape the prospects for two such policies, residential energy efficiency improvement and the promotion of local food systems. The sprawling suburb investigated here, with the center city its development has helped impoverish, challenges these mitigation options in particular and emissions reduction in general. Deeply problematic elements include both the landscape''s ever-extending physical morphology and the socioeconomic inequalities that this built environment – and the stakeholders who build it – help to create and maintain. Reshaping this and other suburban landscapes can not only promote long-term climate change mitigation but also reduce vulnerability to climate change''s unavoidable impacts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) can be an effective and efficient means of mitigating climate change. However, the perceived equity in the distribution of financial incentives for REDD could also emerge as a critical issue in international negotiations. The design of reference levels, which provide the benchmark for crediting emissions reductions, affects the economic incentives for national participation in a REDD mechanism and thus the overall willingness to reach an agreement on REDD. This paper compares the equity impacts of five proposed reference level designs using a partial-equilibrium model. Tradeoffs among equity, environmental effectiveness and cost-efficiency indicate the proposals trigger similar aggregate emissions reductions but lead to different outcomes in efficiency and alternative measures of equity. If equity across countries is measured as the financial incentive provided relative to a country''s forest carbon stock, then a REDD mechanism compensating a uniform share of at-risk carbon stocks is the most equitable. On the other hand, if equity is evaluated as the financial incentive relative to the opportunity costs of participating in REDD, then the most equitable approach would be compensating emissions reductions but withholding a part of the payments to compensate for carbon stocks, which also encourages broader country participation under our model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: One of the cheapest ways to reduce CO2 emissions is thermal renovation of existing homes. Germany is a world leader in this project, with a strict building code, generous state subsidies, and an advanced renovation infrastructure. The effects of its policies are here explored in the light of progressive tightening of the building code, and the strict criteria for subsidies. Data on costs and outcomes of residential building renovations are presented from published reports on renovation projects, and cross-checked with projects investigated directly. Comparisons are made in terms of euros invested for every kilowatt hour of heating energy saved over the lifetime of the renovations, for standards ranging from 150kWh (the lowest standard) to 15kWh (the highest) of primary energy use per square metre of floor area per year. It is found that the lowest standard is an order of magnitude more cost-effective than the highest, in terms of both energy saved per euro invested, and return on investment over the lifetime of the renovations, regardless of fuel prices. It is argued that this throws into question Germany''s policy of progressively regulating for higher renovation standards, and offering subsidies only for projects that go beyond the minimum standard. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The EU has developed the first and largest international emissions trading system in the world. This development is puzzling due to the EU's scepticism to international emissions trading in greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the run-up to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. This article analyses how the EU ETS was initiated in the first place mainly from the perspectives of Liberal intergovernmentalism (LI) and multi-level governance (MLG). LI emphasises change in the positions of the EU member states as the key to understand what happened and why, whereas MLG opens up for change in the position of supranational entrepreneurial leaders as the key explanation. The main conclusion is that entrepreneurial epistemic leadership exercised by the European Commission was crucial for making the EU ETS. The principal means of leadership involved building up independent expertise on how an EU ETS could be designed, and mobilizing support from state and non-state actors at various levels of decision-making. This type of leadership may be needed more generally to deal with challenges characterized by high scientific uncertainty and social complexity in which learning is pertinent, such as climate change. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]