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Beef production is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and has therefore been placed at the center of global policy and research agendas on climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, detailed quantification of the intensity of beef's contribution to emissions has mostly focused on the farm level. This research uses the calculation of a food miles emissions indicator to analyze the Colombian beef supply network from slaughterhouses to national consumption centers and its emissions between 2019 and 2022, including a network analysis and weighted average source distance (WASD) estimation. The results were compared with emissions from the transport of alternative animal proteins, specifically chicken and pork. The results show that the beef miles emissions indicator in Colombia is equivalent to 0.055330 kg CO2eq/ton of beef/km, which is higher than pork and chicken. These findings highlight the need to develop comprehensive approaches and strategies to reduce emissions from beef production, recognizing the critical role that the beef supply network, transport distances, infrastructure, and technology play in beef-related emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The livestock sector contributes to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions generated from livestock mainly originate from enteric fermentation, which is strongly influenced by feed quality. The utilization of fermented rice straw as a source of crude fiber for animal feed is one solution for providing high-quality feed. Central Java is one of the centers of cattle farming and rice production in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from fermented straw feed formula commonly practiced by cattle farmers in Central Java.METHODS: Greenhouse gas production was conducted in vitro using three formulas arranged in a completely randomized design with six replications. The three feed formula treatments were: 30 percent king grass + 35 percent rice bran+ 35 percent wheat bran (treatment one), 30 percent fermented rice straw + 35 percent rice bran + 35 percent wheat bran (treatment two), and 30 percent fermented rice straw + 70 percent concentrate (treatment three). Feed nutrient content and enteric gas production were analyzed to determine the quality of the feed formula as well as to determine feed digestibility and greenhouse gas production during the digestion process. The gas production was measured at regular intervals of 8, 16, 24, 36, and 48 hours. The methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide contents were analyzed using gas chromatography. Data on nutrient content and digestibility of dry matter and organic matter were analyzed using analysis of variance, and the estimated greenhouse gas emissions were calculated using the ideal gas equation approach.FINDINGS: The quality of the feed formula influences the amountof greenhouse gases emission produced by enteric fermentation processes. The feed quality of treatment one was equivalent to that of treatment two. The treatment three feed formulation had a crude protein content approximately 3 percent higher than that of treatment one and treatment two. The digestibility of dry matter and organic matter values did not show significant differences between the treatments. The feed formula treatment two can reduce potential greenhouse gas emissions by 1.81 percent from treatment one, whereas treatment three can reduce potential greenhouse gas emissions by 27.78 percent from treatment one and by 26.4 percent from treatment two. These results indicate that feed formulas with higher crude protein content have greater potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This finding can be used to mitigate and develop strategies to improve feed quality by utilizing agricultural waste as a broader low greenhouse gas emission livestock management effortCONCLUSION: Utilization of fermented straw has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from enteric fermentation and contamination of unutilized straw waste and has the opportunity to reduce land use and greenhouse gas emissions from forage plants. Efforts to utilize fermented straw as a low greenhouse gas emission feed need to be followed by improvements in feed quality. More comprehensive studies need to be carried out on the variations in feed formulas based on differences in regional resources, the economic feasibility of utilizing fermented straw combined with various feed ingredients, and the life cycle assessment of straw utilization as a feed ingredient based on geographical, social, economic, technological, and environmental dimensions.

Farming practices such as soil tillage, organic/mineral fertilization, irrigation, crop selection and residues management influence multiple ecosystem services provided by agricultural systems. These practices exhibit complex, non-linear interrelationships that affect crop productivity, water quality, and non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, possibly offsetting their benefits regarding soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. Current methodologies from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forassessing the impacts of alternative farming practices on GHG emissions rely on global or country-specific coefficients. However, these methods often do not explicitly account for the combined effects of management practices on carbon and nitrogen cycles or productivity, as this is not required for national GHG inventories. Here we present a new dataset featuring 1.8 Mln of agronomic case scenarios, i.e., unique combinations of farming practices and pedoclimatic conditions, which have been associated with values of SOC changes, nitrous oxide emissions, nitrate-nitrogen leaching, and crop yield. To synthesize trade-offs and synergies between farming practices, each case scenario has been ranked with a ∑ommit index (∑i) value, a fuzzy-based measure ranging from 0 (bad) to 1 (good). The four trade-off components have been estimated by combining available information from i) the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, ii) the guidelines for Green Water Footprint Accounting, iii) the Italian National Institute of Statistics, iv) and other international meta-analytic studies. The dataset presents four ∑i series, corresponding to alternative perceptions of sustainability from three potential stakeholder categories (young farmers’ cooperative, agrochemical company, public agricultural policy agency) plus one equally weighted option. By providing a harmonized data source and an innovative metric, this dataset allows users to explore trade-offs associated with alternative management practices across four key agricultural components and assess their impact on perceived agroecosystem sustainability.

Beef production is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and has therefore been placed at the center of global policy and research agendas on climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, detailed quantification of the intensity of beef’s contribution to emissions has mostly focused on the farm level. This research uses the calculation of a food miles emissions indicator to analyze the Colombian beef supply network from slaughterhouses to national consumption centers and its emissions between 2019 and 2022, including a network analysis and weighted average source distance (WASD) estimation. The results were compared with emissions from the transport of alternative animal proteins, specifically chicken and pork. The results show that the beef miles emissions indicator in Colombia is equivalent to 0.055330 kg CO2eq/ton of beef/km, which is higher than pork and chicken. These findings highlight the need to develop comprehensive approaches and strategies to reduce emissions from beef production, recognizing the critical role that the beef supply network, transport distances, infrastructure, and technology play in beef-related emissions.

Global warming occurs as a result of the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing an increase in Earth’s average temperature. Two major greenhouse gases (CH4 and CO2) can be simultaneously converted into value-added chemicals and fuels thereby decreasing their negative impact on the climate. In the present work, we used a plasma-catalytic approach for the conversion of methane and carbon dioxide into syngas, hydrocarbons, and oxygenates. For this purpose, CuCe zeolite-containing catalysts were prepared and characterized (low-temperature N2 adsorption, XRF, XRD, CO2-TPD, NH3-TPD, TPR). The process of carbon dioxide methane reforming was conducted in a dielectric barrier discharge under atmospheric pressure and at low temperature (under 120 °C). It was found that under the studied conditions, the major byproducts of CH4 reforming are CO, H2, and C2H6 with the additional formation of methanol and acetone. The application of a ZSM-12 based catalyst was beneficial as the CH4 conversion increased and the total concentration of liquid products was the highest, which is related to the acidic properties of the catalyst.

The aim of this research is to analyse and provide realistic insight that will improve the provisions and investment in wind energy as potential source of energy for electricity generation. The data used for this assessment were obtained from the central database of Nigeria Meteorological Agency Abuja, which includes average wind speed, and direction per day of the selected location, measured at the anemometer height of 10 m, over a period of eleven years (2011-2021). The maximum monthly mean wind speed was found in January and December with a value of 4.9 m/s, and annual extractable energy was found to be 347.97KWh/M2. On average, the annual wind speed through eleven years was found in the range 3.88 - 4.00 m/s. The results revealed that, the wind resource in the study area fall within range and category 3.00 which is considered as marginal or unsuitable for higher wind power development and an excellent for water pumping and small scale electricity generation.

Sanitation is a critical issue in internally displaced people (IDP) camps, where the lack of proper infrastructure and services can pose major health and environmental dangers. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the sanitation situation in Kabarto 2 IDP Camp in Iraq using the Smart Sanitation Approach comprising of three tools: SFD (Shit Flow Diagram), CSDA (Citywide Sanitation Diagnostic Assessment), and ECAM (Energy and Carbon Assessment for Environmental Management). The results show that the camp's sanitation infrastructure is wholly unsafe, with faecal sludge (FS) not being properly contained, emptied, or treated. The operation of the desludging trucks and the incomplete treatment are the main causes of the sanitation system's greenhouse gas emissions. The paper offers recommendations for enhancing the design and construction of the containment systems and restoring or upgrading the treatment plant. In conclusion, the study suggests improving data collection and monitoring, clear roles and responsibilities for the developing a faecal sludge management policy. The paper also makes suggestions for potential future applications of these tools, including the use of these technologies in more IDP camps or humanitarian settings to produce more data and knowledge about the provision of sanitation services in these settings and promote service improvement in the region.

The world is currently facing a climate crisis with associated health and planetary consequences, and human activity is central to this crisis. Debates on the relationship between population and climate change provide a mixed picture, ranging from demonstrating a clear link between large populous countries and greenhouse gas emissions to pointing to spurious associations between population growth and climate change. We submit that as the interaction between population dynamics and climate change is complex, a nuanced approach to climate mitigation and adaptation strategies is needed. Finding a solution to the climate crisis requires a concerted effort by all nations, whether rich or poor. While there is an urgent need for more industrialized nations to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, poorer countries with fast-growing populations must do their part in climate mitigation even as they pursue economic development. Addressing intertwined issues of population growth, economic development and climate change necessitates purposeful measures and long-term commitments to a world in harmony with nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming occurs as a result of the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing an increase in Earth's average temperature. Two major greenhouse gases (CH4 and CO2) can be simultaneously converted into value-added chemicals and fuels thereby decreasing their negative impact on the climate. In the present work, we used a plasma-catalytic approach for the conversion of methane and carbon dioxide into syngas, hydrocarbons, and oxygenates. For this purpose, CuCe zeolite-containing catalysts were prepared and characterized (low-temperature N2 adsorption, XRF, XRD, CO2-TPD, NH3-TPD, TPR). The process of carbon dioxide methane reforming was conducted in a dielectric barrier discharge under atmospheric pressure and at low temperature (under 120 °C). It was found that under the studied conditions, the major byproducts of CH4 reforming are CO, H2, and C2H6 with the additional formation of methanol and acetone. The application of a ZSM-12 based catalyst was beneficial as the CH4 conversion increased and the total concentration of liquid products was the highest, which is related to the acidic properties of the catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to analyse and provide realistic insight that will improve the provisions and investment in wind energy as potential source of energy for electricity generation. The data used for this assessment were obtained from the central database of Nigeria Meteorological Agency Abuja, which includes average wind speed, and direction per day of the selected location, measured at the anemometer height of 10 m, over a period of eleven years (2011-2021). The maximum monthly mean wind speed was found in January and December with a value of 4.9 m/s, and annual extractable energy was found to be 347.97KWh/M2. On average, the annual wind speed through eleven years was found in the range 3.88 - 4.00 m/s. The results revealed that, the wind resource in the study area fall within range and category 3.00 which is considered as marginal or unsuitable for higher wind power development and an excellent for water pumping and small scale electricity generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of models constitutes a key factor when selecting a decision support tool aimed at improving the production and environmental aspects of farms. There is a need for robust models that are user-friendly, facilitating the estimation of farm emissions and the analysis of their temporal fluctuations. The objectives of this study were i) to calculate both the partial (PCF) and total carbon (TCF) footprints of 212 dairy farms, distinguishing those with and without maize cultivation; ii) to identify critical variables related to feed, nutrition, productivity and environmental efficiency; and iii) to formulate and validate prediction equations based on available data from dairy farms. The database encompasses information from 212 dairy cattle farms situated in the temperate-humid zone of northern Spain, spanning the period from 2014 to 2018. Farm classification was based on the presence (CcMz) or absence (ScCMz) of maize cultivation for silage production, resulting in 96 farms in the CcMz category and 116 farms in the ScCMz category.Among the variables considered, the variable herd N-use efficiency (NUECR) for (PCF) showed the lowest root mean square error of prediction at 0.39% and the correspondingly lowest root men. The root mean squared percentage error (RMSPE): standard deviation ratio (RSR) at 0.52. In the case of total carbon footprint (TCF), herd N-use efficiency (NUECR) again showed the lowest root mean square error of prediction at 0.52%. Regarding TCF, herd feed efficiency (EACR) was the variable with the lowest both RMSPE and RSR, with 0.65 and 0.64, respectively. Consequently, the estimation of the PCF and TCF of 1 ​kg of milk from the temperate-humid zone of northern Spain at the farm gate can be feasibly accomplished utilizing NUECR and EACR, respectively.

Today, the importance of agriculture in securing the livelihood of human beings is not hidden. Nevertheless, its impact on environmental degradation has also become a concern for experts. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of agricultural development on CO2 emissions in the 15 most populous developing countries in the years 2004–2020 using panel quantile regression. In addition, the effect of gross domestic product, energy consumption, population, and trade openness has been explored. Results show that the agricultural value added is positive and significant in all quantiles except the 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 quantiles, and it becomes more in higher quantiles. Moreover, energy consumption and trade openness are the most robust influential variables. However, the effect of energy consumption is less than trade openness in lower quantiles, and in higher quantiles, it is just the opposite. Furthermore, gross domestic product is significant and positive in all quantiles except the 0.8 and 0.90 quantiles, decreasing in higher quantiles. Finally, the population's impact on CO2 emissions in 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 quantiles is positive and significant but insignificant in higher quantiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge of limiting global warming to below 1.5°C requires all industries to implement new technologies and change practices immediately. The aviation industry contributes 2% of human-induced CO2 emissions and 12% of all transport emissions. Decarbonising the aviation industry, which relies heavily on high-density liquid fuels, has been difficult to achieve. The problems are compounded by the continued reliance on so-called sustainable aviation fuels, which use first-generation agricultural feedstocks, creating a trade-off between biomass for food and feed and its use as a feedstock for energy generation. Decarbonising aviation is also challenging because of problems in developing electric aircraft. Alternative feedstocks already exist that provide a more feasible path towards decelerating climate change. One such alternative is to use gas fermentation to convert greenhouse gases (e.g. from food production and food waste) into fuels using microbial acetogens. Acetogens are anaerobic microorganisms capable of producing alcohols from gaseous CO, CO2 and H2. Australia offers feedstock resources for gas fermentation with abundant H2 and CO2 production in proximity to each other. In this review, we put forward the principles, approaches and opportunities offered by gas fermentation technologies to replace our dependency on fossil fuels for aviation fuel production in Australia.

Digitization and climate neutrality are among the development priorities of EU member states. This causes wide scientific and practical interest in the description of these processes, including their mutual influence. In this case, digitalization is a factor, and climate neutrality, largely characterized by green-house gas emissions, is the answer. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to assess the impact of digitalization on greenhouse gas emissions using the example of EU member states. The scientific novelty of the obtained results is the proposition of hypotheses, the proof of which will allow us to estimate the level of influence of the digitalization process on the volume of greenhouse gases per capita of the EU member states using economic and mathematical tools. It is justified that the direct impact of digitalization on the level of greenhouse gas emissions cannot be considered significant and statistically significant. The impact of digitalization on the processes of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with a delay of 1 to 4 years has not been identified. Considering the low degree of correlation-regression dependence between greenhouse gas emissions and the level of digitization, it can be assumed that either (1) other factors have a significant impact (list), or (2) the observation horizon is “captured” only by the part of the Kuznets curve, which corresponds to the descending part parabolas. Consequently, the conducted analysis shows that there are serious reasons to believe that digitalization is not the main (leading) factor in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This necessitates further research with the inclusion of a wide range of variables (related to regulatory policy, tax policy, investment policy, the culture of consumption) in the model.

Transport activities are regarded as one of the greatest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Even though in other economic sectors the trend is to reduce the greenhouse emissions, the transportation field has been facing a continuous growth with negative effects on the environment. Due to its harmful potential for the inhabitants of large urban areas, a special attention is required as the land use individualities, transport network features and both spatial and temporal distribution of human activities often leads to traffic congestion. Universities represent an important pole of attraction because of their role as centers of teaching, research and employment and the mobility generated by them must be taken into account. This research aimed to both develop an analysis of greenhouse emissions in urban congested areas and present the influence of a new pedestrian bridge between University Politehnica of Bucharest campus and student dormitories. An economic analysis is conducted to emphasize that the new construction will lead to benefits in terms of the reduction of travel time, vehicle operating costs, the level of greenhouse gas emissions, etc.

Crop diversification is essential in lowland rice cropping systems to achieve sustainability, improve soil health, and as a climate-resilient practice to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted for the farms in the west-coast region of India to assess the environmental impact of the rice–rice and rice–cowpea cropping systems. The life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) was evaluated in a "cradle-to-gate" perspective. A higher energy consumption was found in the rice–rice system (32,673 vs. 18,197 MJ/ha), while the net energy output was higher in the rice–cowpea system (211,071 vs. 157,409 MJ/ha). Energy consumption was 44% lower in the rice–cowpea system, which was coupled with a higher energy efficiency (11.6 vs. 4.8), attributed to the lower energy consumption and the higher energy output. Further, the results indicated an energy saving potentialin the rice–cowpea system due to the higher use of renewable resources such as farmyard manure. Field emissions, fertilizer production, and fuel consumption were the major contributors to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in both cropping systems. The total GHG emissions were 81% higher in the rice–rice system (13,894 ± 1329 kg CO2 eq./ha) than in the rice–cowpea system (7679 ± 719 kg CO2 eq./ha). The higher GHG emissions in the rice–rice system were largely due to the higher use of fertilizers, diesel fuel, and machinery. Hence, diversifying the winter rice with a cowpea crop and its large-scale adoption on the west coast of India would provide multiple benefits in decreasing the environmental impact and improving the energy efficiency to achieve sustainability and climate resilience in rice-based cropping systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydropower reservoirs, as vital inland waters bodies of anthropogenic origin, exhibit distinct characteristics from natural waters, thereby garnering research interest in the quantification and mapping of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this review, we systematically examine studies focusing on GHG emissions from hydropower reservoirs. We identify two key primary physical mechanisms resulting from river damming, namely water impoundment and water regulation, which can significantly influence GHG emissions in hydropower reservoirs. Reservoirs vary in size, with smaller reservoirs exhibiting higher CH _4 emissions per unit area. For instance, small reservoirs have an average flux rate of 327.54 mg C–CH _4 /m ^2 /day, while medium-sized reservoirs emit 267.12 mg C–CH _4 /m ^2 /day, and large ones emit 37.34 mg C–CH _4 /m ^2 /day. This difference is potentially attributable to shorter water residence times in small reservoirs and increased susceptibility to littoral disturbance. In addition to reservoir scale, variations in GHG emissions between reservoirs are also influenced by the type of hydropower. Run-of-river and closed-loop pumped storage hydropower (PSH) systems are anticipated to exhibit lower GHG emissions (PSH: 4.2–46.5 mg C–CH _4 /m ^2 /day) in comparison to conventional impoundment hydropower, owing to their operational characteristics, facilitating mixing and oxygenation within the reservoir water column and reducing sedimentation. Nonetheless, further field measurements are warranted. Through the integration of literature insights, we propose solutions aimed at managing emissions, considering both physical mechanisms and hydropower planning. Ultimately, these findings will advance our understanding of GHG emissions from hydropower reservoirs and facilitate sustainable carbon reduction management practices.

The key factor in sustainable biogas production is a feedstock whose production has no adverse impact on the environment. Since maize cultivation harms the environment, biogas plant operators seek a more sustainable feedstock. Common reed is an invasive species mown as part of wetland conservation measures, or it can be harvested from paludiculture. This study aimed to investigate wet co-digestion of maize silage with 10%, 30%, and 50% content of common reed silage using the biochemical methane potential (BMP) test. In addition, the potential energy generated and avoided greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were calculated. The substitution of maize silage with 10%, 30%, and 50% content of reed silage reduced the methane (CH4) yield by 13%, 28%, and 35%, respectively. A disadvantage of reed silage addition was increased ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations in biogas. Although substituting maize silage with reed silage decreases the CH4 yield, the co-digestion of maize and reed biomass from conservation or paludiculture may positively affect environmental aspects of energy generation. The substitution of maize with reed in biogas plants decreases the area used for maize cultivation and reduces GHG emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EU energy policies focus on energy security, the integration of Member States' energy markets and the transition to a carbon-free energy system. This article aims to analyse the energy state of the European Union, considering the Green Deal objectives. Therefore, in the first part of the article, the general objectives of the Green Deal will be exposed while in the second part of the article we will analyse the energy mix of the European Union, the energy production, the energy imports dependence, the energy consumption, the electricity production and prices. In the last part of the article, we will examine the elements regarding the energy-climate relationship, namely greenhouse gases emissions, energy efficiency and renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the case of nuclear energy. Currently, the worldworld is facing one of the greatest energy crises due to the Russo-Ukrainian war. This conflict has lead to limited sources of gas, causing a dramatic decrease in energy supply, leading to emerging energy crisis risks. This is one on the main purposes of reviewing nuclear energy as a possible energy alternative in the future. Apart from presenting the basis of nuclear energy and nuclear reactors, we attempt to compare this source of electricity with other renewable energy forms, such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power. Furthermore, we illustrate the benefits and drawbacks that have been observed regarding nuclear power as well as its contribution to economic growth and the impact it has had on the environment. It has been said that, with the use of nuclear power, air pollution will be reduced because of the elimination of greenhouse gases. However, nuclear power, apart from the final product, generates waste that in this case is radioactive, meaning that the management and disposal techniques are of the utmost importance. Of course, unfortunate events that involved nuclear power do exist and are unfortunately engraved in our memories. Both the nuclear accidents, such as Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima, and nuclear weapons usage by military forces, the well-known atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bring great controversy regarding the adaptation of nuclear power. As is presented in the paper, since the beginning of the new millennium the scheme of energy production and electricity production appears to have changed drastically. By using available data reported by BR, we illustrated that the production of energy and electricity has increased over the last 22 years (2000–2021) due to excessive demand; however, what is more important to mention is the share of both electricity and energy derived from renewable forms such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power. It is shown that more and more countries adopt those sources of energy than did in previous decades. It is crucial to note that it is not the science that causes catastrophic events, but rather the errors of humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents an analysis of the current state of green energy in Japan. The study showcases that Japan’s energy strategy focuses primarily on eliminating energy deficit and, secondly, on greening the sector. After the Fukushima accident, Japan recognized renewable energy as a solution to the energy security problem and intensified government policies to stimulate investment in renewable energy. Policy incentives, primarily the introduction of feed-in tariffs, and massive investments have led to an increase in the share of renewable energy sources, especially solar PV, in the structure of electricity generation, and contributed to CO2 emissions decline after 2013, as well as the improvement in the energy efficiency of the economy. By the end of the second decade of the 21st century, Japan was among the top- five countries based on installed renewable power capacity (excluding hydropower). However, the costs of electricity have been rising and the costs associated with installing renewables in Japan are very high comparing with other countries. Meanwhile, Japan is among the top-five economies with the highest CO2 emissions, 90 percent of which are energy-related, and has been criticized by the international community for its ongoing support for fossil fuels. In 2020, Japan announced an ambitious plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by speeding up the development of key technologies such as next generation solar batteries and carbon recycling. The promotion of hydrogen society is called one of the most important steps towards a low-carbon economy in Japan. Achieving the goal will require a significant revision of the current energy plan, according to which, by 2030, more than half of the country’s energy will continue to be produced by fossil fuel plants. Japan has made some progress in its green energy policy, but whether it is sustainable remains to be seen. In addition, in light of low oil prices and the COVID-19 recession, the future of renewable energy sources remains uncertain.

Management strategies of complex energy systems composed by different technologies is mandatory to exploit optimally the characteristics of each power generator, to reduce the cost of energy, the impact of greenhouse gases emissions and to increase the penetration of mini- and micro-grids into energy systems. To this purpose, optimization methods and algorithms have to be developed to assess the unit commitment of generators and to suggest decision variables in the definition of the emission costs. In this paper, a novel Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) optimization algorithm has been developed to compute the optimal management of a micro-energy grid composed either by four Internal Combustion Generators (ICGs), or three ICGs and a Micro Gas Turbine (MGT). The algorithm optimizes a multi objective function that takes in consideration the total cost, the NOxand the CO2 emissions of the system, while setting some technological constraints, like start-ups and transients that are typically neglected. Moreover, different fuelling of the devices is evaluated. The model proved the importance of including an accurate model of the greenhouse gases emissions as they can significantly affect the optimization results. Furthermore, it proved to be very flexible and to be a proper basis to be adopted in more complex systems embedding energy storage devices and renewable energy systems.

Surface water interchange between aquaculture ponds and urban rivers is commonly used for the abatement of water pollution and regulating ecological services. Although, underlying impact of surface water interchange for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is yet to be explored. In this study, sediment microcosm incubation and field observation has been employed to understand the impact of surface water interchange on GHG potential over aquaculture ponds and urban rivers, and further characterize their underlying mechanism. Results showed that Fish pondinterchange (Pint) and Chu River riparian (CRR) exhibit a similar variation pattern of GHG emission rate. Consequently, annual accumulative emissions of methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide of CRR were 0.89, 2.1, and 20.83 folds than that of Pint, respectively. For the incubation experiment, primarily it was assessed that fish-pond-overlying water treatments had larger accumulative GHG emissions than deionized water treatments, which is in agreement with the field observation. Secondly, the process of surface water interchange altered the concentrations of nutrients in benthic sediment from both sites of CRR and Pint, thereby increased the GHG accumulative in the CRR and showing reciprocate results in case of Pint. This study could be helpful to reduce the potential GHG emissions from urban freshwater bodies in the future by adopting strategic mitigation measures like catchment area treatment plans in the vicinity of urban river catchment.

Despite the successful experience of highly developed countries, for example, in achieving sustainable development, there is no single recipe. Each country can create its own development scenario or combine existing, which will provide it with positive results. We can determine the best ones using the built rating. To build it, the article proposes an approach consisting of several stages. First, the study determines the relationship between the selected factors and the resulting indicator using a correlation analysis. Then, using the Sturges rule, we determine the range and group the countries in the context of each range (group) in accordance with the level of individual indicators. After, we form groups of countries according to the rating. This approach is entirely shown on the impact of small and medium enterprises' innovation on greenhouse gas emissions. Correlation analysis is often used to determine the relationship between factors and resulting indicators. We have shown that its use without additional processing of input data can lead to false results. Therefore, further in the study show imperfection of ''blind'' correlation and regression analysis in the phenomenological approach. And in our example, offer an improved technique for processing input data for correlation analysis and changed the ranking of countries.

Households are responsible for a large fraction of the direct and indirect emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) at the national level. However, emission patterns are not homogeneous within the residential sector, with several factors affecting them. This study explores how income‐related divergences in consumption and time allocation affect the carbon footprint of the Japanese residential sector. To achieve this, we combine data on emission intensities from national input‐output tables with household‐level consumption and time allocation data from two large‐scale nationally representative surveys. Overall, we find that indirect emissions account for approximately 78% of the overall carbon footprint of the residential sector across the studied income groups. The overall carbon footprint and the emissions of several individual consumption categories follow an N‐shaped curve, with some of the lower‐income groups having disproportionately higher emissions compared to middle‐ and higher‐income groups. Conversely, emissions for other individual consumption categories increase almost linearly with income. This points to the fact that different factors can affect emissions across income groups. Specifically, the N‐shaped curves are driven by the propensity of lower‐income households to spend more time at home and rely on inefficient technologies, while the linear trend is driven by the propensity of higher‐income households to consume more. A detailed understanding of how these factors affect emissions patterns can provide useful insights for designing and implementing effective policies to achieve decarbonization the residential sector. Plain Language Summary: Income‐driven divergences in consumption and lifestyles affect the carbon footprint of households. Thus, it is important to consider how household demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and lifestyles affect emissions when designing effective and equitable emission reduction strategies to achieve decarbonization. The detailed understanding of the impact of these factors on emission patterns provides useful insights for designing and implementing effective policies to achieve decarbonization in the residential sector. In this study, emissions intensity from national input‐output tables, household consumption and time allocation data from two nationally representative large‐scale surveys are used. According to our study, the overall carbon footprint and emissions of several consumption categories follow an N‐shaped curve (e.g., eating at home, energy supply and sewage), indicating that some other low‐income groups have disproportionately higher emissions compared to middle‐ and high‐income groups. In contrast, emissions from other consumption categories increase almost linearly with income (e.g., eating out of home, transport and communication, entertainment and education). The tendency of low‐income households to spend more time at home and rely on inefficient technologies drives the N‐shaped curve, while the tendency of higher emissions in high‐income households are driven by their greater consumption. Key Points: The overall household carbon footprint follows an N‐shaped curve with incomeEmissions differentiation due to income‐driven consumption and time allocation divergencesDisproportionately high emissions from in‐home activities for low‐income households [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Households are responsible for a large fraction of the direct and indirect emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) at the national level. However, emission patterns are not homogeneous within the residential sector, with several factors affecting them. This study explores how income‐related divergences in consumption and time allocation affect the carbon footprint of the Japanese residential sector. To achieve this, we combine data on emission intensities from national input‐output tables with household‐level consumption and time allocation data from two large‐scale nationally representative surveys. Overall, we find that indirect emissions account for approximately 78% of the overall carbon footprint of the residential sector across the studied income groups. The overall carbon footprint and the emissions of several individual consumption categories follow an N‐shaped curve, with some of the lower‐income groups having disproportionately higher emissions compared to middle‐ and higher‐income groups. Conversely, emissions for other individual consumption categories increase almost linearly with income. This points to the fact that different factors can affect emissions across income groups. Specifically, the N‐shaped curves are driven by the propensity of lower‐income households to spend more time at home and rely on inefficient technologies, while the linear trend is driven by the propensity of higher‐income households to consume more. A detailed understanding of how these factors affect emissions patterns can provide useful insights for designing and implementing effective policies to achieve decarbonization the residential sector.

[Display omitted] • First-time quantified microbial assembly processes at the genotype level in CWs. • GHG emissions greatly increased under high fluoride and high saline-alkali condition. • Diffusion limitation replaced drift, dominating community assembly as saline-alkali rose. • Rare biosphere effectively maintain network stability under rising environmental stress. • Recommendations for CW construction layout in the study area are provided. The drainage from high fluoride saline-alkali paddy fields exacerbates agricultural non-point source pollution. Constructed wetlands (CWs) have proven effective in treating such drainage, yet most research has focused on the response mechanisms of CWs to either saline-alkali or fluoride stress individually. The impact of combined stress of saline-alkali and fluoride on CW's purification effects and greenhouse gas emissions, along with the underlying microbial mechanisms, remains unclear. We constructed mesocosm-scale CWs with four treatments varying in influent saline-alkali levels: low (LS-CWs), medium (MS-CWs), high (HS-CWs), and non saline-alkali CWs (Control-CWs). Our results show that CWs were effective in treating low and medium saline-alkali wastewater. Under high saline-alkali condition (pH: 9.5; EC: 5 mS/cm), CWs exhibited the highest global warming potential (GWP), exceeding that of Control-CWs, LS-CWs, and MS-CWs by 2.2, 4.2, and 3.9 times, respectively. The " infer Community Assembly Mechanisms by Phylogenetic-bin-based null model " (iCAMP) analysis indicated that stochastic processes, particularly drift and diffusion limitation (DL), dominated the community assembly of CWs. Elevated saline-alkali levels may enhance microbial habitat differentiation, increasing DL's contribution, and raising the modularity and complexity of co-occurrence networks. This might be a strategy for microbial communities to resist environmental pressure and maintain network stability. We also propose suitable areas for CWs establishment considering both purification efficiency and GWP, in Western Jilin Province, a typical saline-alkali region. This study addresses a research gap in understanding pollutant transformation and microbial response mechanisms during treating saline-alkali and fluoride-laden drainage within CWs, providing a theoretical basis for the integrated treatment of sewage and greenhouse gas control in CWs to maximize their environmental benefits in practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fossetto landfill has operated in the municipality of Monsummano Terme (Tuscany, Italy) since 1988, being considered a state-of-the-art landfill for 35 years. Initially, Fossetto acted as a conventional sanitary landfill for mixed municipal solid waste. With changes in regulations and technology, the Fossetto landfill was gradually equipped with a biogas recovery and valorisation system, a mechanical - biological treatment (MBT) plant in 2003 and a reverse osmosis leachate treatment plant, so the concentrated leachate has been recirculated back into the landfill body since 2006. Long-term biogas monitoring, enables the calculation of the efficiency of biogas recovery using a rather simplified methodology, which was assessed as being approximately 40% over the prior ten-years period. This value was lower than expected, confirming the results of previous studies and indicating the need of attributes. Applying the USEPA LandGEM model showed that the adoption of MBT substantially reduced biogas generation yields and rates by up to approximately 90% which was facilitated by the adoption of landfill leachate recirculation transforming the conventional landfill into a bioreactor. Detailed fugitive emission monitoring has allowed the evaluation of the impact of the cover type (final or temporary) and the emissions hotspots. From these results, possible remedial actions have been suggested including the more frequent monitoring of the fugitive emissions using simple and cost-effective methods (e.g., UAVs). Approximately 50% of fugitive emissions can be attributed to emissions hotspots, which reduce biogas recovery and the efficiency of temporary covers. [Display omitted] • "Il Fossetto" landfill has followed the evolution of this technology for 35 years. • Mechanical Biological Treatment was effective in reducing methane potential. • The efficiency of biogas recovery was lower that expected and equal to 38 ± 14%. • The efficiency of temporary cover is hindered by methane emissions hotspots. • Hotspots account for about 50% of fugitive emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a method for calculating greenhouse gas emissions from passenger transport in Warsaw based on the results of the systematically conducted Warsaw Barometer survey. The results obtained for 2015 were compared to two other available estimates for this period. The total emissions in the presented method are very similar to previous studies and amount to just over 1.4 million kg CO2eq. However, significant differences emerge at the level of the breakdown by mode of transport – individual transport appears to be significantly overestimated, while collective transport appears to be underestimated. The article discusses the possible sources of the differences and makes recommendations that could lead to an increase in the reliability of the method presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic criteria have prevailed in studies on integration of renewable energies. Tons of dangerous emissions are emitted by a biomass fuel, causing negative impacts over atmosphere and health. Current research proposes Pinch Analysis of solar thermal energy and the joint use of biomass (sugarcane bagasse) to produce heat and power in a Caribbean sugar mill; measuring emissions like: carbon oxide C O , carbon dioxide C O 2 , dinitrogen monoxide N 2 O , nitrogen oxides N O x , sulfur oxides S O x , non-methane volatile organic compounds NMVOC, methane C H 4 , and particulate matters, to have a global and clear view of the impacts of biomass as a renewable fuel. Variables like kWh cost, the installation and device area of renewable energy, and greenhouse gas emissions, are analysed to assess the effect on the integration final design, the target of which is to control the use of biomass. It is possible to produce an economically competitive integration design of solar system L C O E t h   s o l a r = 0.0636 USD/kWh, L C O E e l e = 0.1392 USD/kWh), zero greenhouse gases emissions (Δ T m i n r e w = 7   ° C ), and deletion of 378,711.53 t/year of C O 2 and 9567.56 t/year of solid particles. There are many possibilities that can implemented; in one of them, bagasse burning is reduced by 30% and the solar collector network for required power production is reduced by 68%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public discourse around “greenhouse gases” (GHG) has led to the application of life-cycle assessments to ascertain the “global warming potential” of human activities. Life-cycle assessments applied to agricultural systems typically do not consider positive contributions (i.e., fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide [CO2]) or consider complex interrelationships among commodities within the larger agricultural sector. The purpose of this article is to present an argument for a paradigm shift and that poultry production should be considered as a value-adding activity within modern crop production systems for GHG foot-printing purposes. To this end, a case study based on 2018 production data is presented where poultry production (chicken and eggs) was contextualized as a sub-component of wheat and corn production in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Ontario, respectively. Total GHG footprint was calculated to be 3.05 and 3.29 million tonnes (MT) of CO2 equivalent (eq) for Alberta wheat and Ontario corn production, respectively. The GHG footprint of chicken production was calculated to be 0.39 and 1.38 MT CO2 eq in Alberta and Ontario, respectively. The GHG footprint of egg production calculated to be 0.12 and 0.47 MT of CO2 eq in Alberta and Ontario, respectively. When carbon (C) fixation as crop biomass is included in the scenario, the combined crop–poultry system C balance in 2018 favored net fixation of 40.70 and 35.15 MT of CO2 eq in Alberta and Ontario, respectively. The calculated total GHG footprint of poultry production in Alberta and Ontario corresponded to only 1.2 and 5.5% of the calculated total net CO2 fixation of their respective cropping systems. This case study demonstrates that by failing to acknowledge real world estimates of C fixation by crop biomass, GHG foot-printing exercises largely misrepresent reality and can thus perpetuate faulty assumptions about the environmental footprint of animal agriculture. The authors propose that the calculations presented herein provide grounds to postulate the hypothesis that modern, integrated crop-livestock agricultural systems in Canada (and elsewhere) act as net sinks for atmospheric CO2.

Crop diversification is essential in lowland rice cropping systems to achieve sustainability, improve soil health, and as a climate-resilient practice to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted for the farms in the west-coast region of India to assess the environmental impact of the rice–rice and rice–cowpea cropping systems. The life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) was evaluated in a “cradle-to-gate” perspective. A higher energy consumption was found in the rice–rice system (32,673 vs. 18,197 MJ/ha), while the net energy output was higher in the rice–cowpea system (211,071 vs. 157,409 MJ/ha). Energy consumption was 44% lower in the rice–cowpea system, which was coupled with a higher energy efficiency (11.6 vs. 4.8), attributed to the lower energy consumption and the higher energy output. Further, the results indicated an energy saving potentialin the rice–cowpea system due to the higher use of renewable resources such as farmyard manure. Field emissions, fertilizer production, and fuel consumption were the major contributors to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in both cropping systems. The total GHG emissions were 81% higher in the rice–rice system (13,894 ± 1329 kg CO2 eq./ha) than in the rice–cowpea system (7679 ± 719 kg CO2 eq./ha). The higher GHG emissions in the rice–rice system were largely due to the higher use of fertilizers, diesel fuel, and machinery. Hence, diversifying the winter rice with a cowpea crop and its large-scale adoption on the west coast of India would provide multiple benefits in decreasing the environmental impact and improving the energy efficiency to achieve sustainability and climate resilience in rice-based cropping systems.

Cheese whey (CW) and dairy manure (DM) are the main residues from the dairy industry, both of which can led to significant negative environment impacts if not properly managed. However, their combined anaerobic digestion represents an opportunity to obtain bioenergy and a stabilised material as a soil improver on the farm. Biochemical potential of methane (BMP) assays were carried out at psychrophilic conditions (20 °C) to analyse the influence on biomethane production of different CW:DM mixtures (% w/w) at different of inoculum-to-substrate ratios (ISR). Based on the BMP results, a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the cheese manufacturing process was carried out considering two scenarios (i) considering the current process, where propane gas and electricity are used for cheese production (ii) the incorporation of the biogas generated in the cheese production process in the company. BMP results showed that the best mixture between CW and DM was 65:35 (weight basis) at an organic load of 0.6 gVS/L (ISR of X). The LCA showed that CW and DM anaerobic digestion allowed to reduce the cheese manufacturing carbon footprint from through the substitution of propane by the biogas produced, changing from 5.5 to 3.1 kg CO 2 -eq/kg cheese produced, which indicates that according to the monthly production (633.6 kg) it would stop emitting about 1519 kg CO 2 -eq, i.e. a saving in terms of emissions of approximately 43,6% of the total currently generated. • Psychrophilic AcoD from CW and DM can replace fossil fuels in the dairy industry. • Cheese whey and dairy manure can be mixed 65:35 % w/w at 20 °C. • Cheese whey and dairy manure can produce 562 mL CH 4 /gVS. • About 44% of the associated emissions to dairy industry are reduced. • Citric acid is the largest contributor to the carbon footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the escalating generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) and the increasing utilization of collection and transportation (C&T) vehicles within the MSW classification system, the associated costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from waste drop-off, as well as the C&T processes, have risen sharply. However, the mesoscopic view of the waste drop-off and C&T system is limited. Therefore, we divided the waste classification management (WCM) system into three subsystems: generation and drop-off, C&T, and disposal. Based on system dynamics theory, the logical relationships between relevant parameters in each subsystem were established. A WCM system dynamics model, which focused mainly on the drop-off and C&T processes, was constructed using Anylogic software. Using sensitivity, scenario, and uncertainty analyses, the economic impact and GHG emissions of the WCM system were analyzed in detail. The results showed that the waste drop-off and C&T processes accounted for 54.29–57.87% ($47.31 per ton) and 24.54–26.83% ($21.39–21.93 per ton) of the total cost in the whole waste management chain, respectively. GHG emissions were mainly generated in disposal facilities (116.84–257.86 kg CO 2 -eq/t), followed by C&T (19.02–20.55 kg CO 2 -eq/t) and drop-off processes (12.68–18.78 kg CO 2 -eq/t). The system cost and GHG emissions were significantly influenced by the components of the source-separated waste and operational parameters of the applied C&T vehicles. This study not only provides a basis for WCM policy formulation but also a tool for the design and optimization of waste C&T systems. • A system dynamics model was developed for waste classification management. • Collection and transportation sections cost $64.99–72.48/tMSW. • Vehicle operation significantly impacts cost and GHG emissions. • Electric vehicles have limited advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prospects for achieving the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution of Kazakhstan in the framework of the Paris climate convention was assessed through projections of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions of 31 large energy enterprises by 2030. The total CO2 emissions of these enterprises reach 86,9 million tons or 26,5 % of the countrys GHG emissions. For projection of the GHG emissions of the selected power plants three scenarios - business as usual (trend), moderate modernization and full modernization - were designed. The unconditional target would remain unachievable in the business as usual and even moderate modernization scenarios. However, the scenario of full modernization allows reaching the unconditional target with a good reserve. Moreover, this scenario allows reaching the conditional target. Our assessment of potential for reduction of the GHG emissions shows that Kazakhstans commitments in the Paris climate convention are very responsible. To meet these commitments technological modernization of the entire industrial sector of the country would be required. It could be achieved only by full mobilization of material and financial resources.

Rice straw remains almost unutilised in the majority of cases and is usually burned. Data on rice residue production under European conditions are extremely limited. A detailed assessment of rice biomass yield, partitioning and straw collection was carried out in Spain. Eleven commercial rice varieties were evaluated in 2015, and two baling trials were performed in 2014 and 2015. The average straw yield was 9.7 t·ha−1. Straw yield, biomass partitioning indices and fibre composition varied significantly according to rice variety. Straw to grain ratio and harvest index were 1.00 and 0.50 on average for rough grain, and 1.25 and 0.41 for husked grain. Biomass partitioning indices significantly correlated with grain yield. Mean content of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash of rice straw was 32.5%, 19.8%, 6.5% and 13.7%, respectively. Straw amount of less than 3.0 t·ha−1 can be collected during the baling trials. Rice straw could represent an eco-friendly source of lignocellulosic biomass in Europe, however, in order to achieve this, baling machine improvements and special crop management should be carried out.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a commonly used approach for assessing the environmental impact of products, processes, or services. This paper presents LCA of a selected Living Green Wall (LGW), a greening structure which is attached to building envelope and improve its sustainability. Impacts of the LGW useful life stages (manufacturing, construction, maintenance, and disposal) are quantified through LCA. In this study a felt system LGW example was selected, to build a case study. The information on the component's material, weight, supplier, distance travelled, and type of transportation (inventory data) was gathered from the manufacturer. The data gathering process was through informal interview and manufacturer's public information search. The study found that the manufacturing stage of LGW production is responsible for 80.67 % of the Greenhouse Gases emissions (GHG).

Climate change is real, and we, humans, are responsible for it. Its impact is already evident, both on the Earth system (global warming, sea-level rise, sea-ice melting, more intense and frequent extreme weather events such as heat waves and fires) and on people (famines, health issues, migrations, political tensions and conflicts). We need immediate and concrete mitigation actions aiming to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, and adaptation actions to be able to cope with the increasing changing climate. We have to reach zero-net greenhouse gases emissions as soon as possible, by reducing emissions by at least 5% a year, starting from now. Otherwise the climate change impact will become more and more severe: it will induce more injustice, and it will have a major impact on people health. We have the resources and the technologies to deal with it: we must have the courage to change and transform and deal with it. Addressing climate change is not impossible: to the contrary, it is a ‘possible mission’.

Given the large contribution of the transport sector in the global level of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions, developing and adopting more carbon-efficient transport mode is crucial. Many discrepancies exist in the literature comparing modal transport emissions since their scope, geographic perimeter, calculation methods and sets of assumptions strongly vary. This paper reviews some CO 2 and GHG emissions data from the literature analyzing air, road, and rail transport, and shows that similar patterns of contributors can be found within each mode. It allows the identification of some important parameters to focus on for further development of multimodal comparative Life Cycle Assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sanitation is a critical issue in internally displaced people (IDP) camps, where the lack of proper infrastructure and services can pose major health and environmental dangers. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the sanitation situation in Kabarto 2 IDP Camp in Iraq using the Smart Sanitation Approach comprising of three tools: SFD (Shit Flow Diagram), CSDA (Citywide Sanitation Diagnostic Assessment), and ECAM (Energy and Carbon Assessment for Environmental Management). The results show that the camp's sanitation infrastructure is wholly unsafe, with faecal sludge (FS) not being properly contained, emptied, or treated. The operation of the desludging trucks and the incomplete treatment are the main causes of the sanitation system's greenhouse gas emissions. The paper offers recommendations for enhancing the design and construction of the containment systems and restoring or upgrading the treatment plant. In conclusion, the study suggests improving data collection and monitoring, clear roles and responsibilities for the developing a faecal sludge management policy. The paper also makes suggestions for potential future applications of these tools, including the use of these technologies in more IDP camps or humanitarian settings to produce more data and knowledge about the provision of sanitation services in these settings and promote service improvement in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transport sector is a major contributor to anthropogenic climate change through the emissions of large amounts of greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion. Private vehicles account for almost half of the transport energy demand, and are thus a major target for climate change mitigation efforts. However, emissions from private vehicles can have large variability due to various geographic, demographic and socioeconomic factors. This study aims to understand how such factors affect private vehicle emissions in Japan using a nationally representative survey of household energy consumption ( n = 7370) for 2017. The results indicate a large temporal and spatial variability in private vehicle emissions. Annual emissions show three peaks associated with major holiday seasons in winter and summer. Some of the more noteworthy spatial patterns are the higher emissions in prefectures characterized by low population density and mountainous terrain. Income, city size and the fuel-saving driving behavior all have a significant effect on emissions. The results indicate the need for sub-regional and socioeconomically-sensitive mitigation efforts that reflect the very different emission patterns, and the factors affecting them. The strong effect of city size, which is often much more clear-cut than between prefectures, suggests that it is more appropriate to approach transport decarbonization in Japan at the city level.

The use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture can cause uncontrolled gas emissions, such as N2O and CO2, leading to global warming and serious climate change. In this study, we evaluated the greenhouse gases emissions (GHGs) that are concomitant with applied different rates of N fertilization, such as 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 110%, and 120% of the recommended dose in green beans grown under three irrigation systems (surface, subsurface, and drip irrigation). The obtained results showed that GHGs were positively correlated with increasing the rate of N fertilization. Meanwhile, the subsurface irrigation system followed by drip irrigation achieved the highest significant (p ≤ 0.05) values regarding the growth and pod yield attributes. Furthermore, N supplements at 90% and/or 100% of the recommended dose under the subsurface irrigation system led to the highest concentration of chlorophyll, vitamin C, total protein, and activities of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POX). Proline and pod fibers were decreased in parallel with increasing the N rate, while water use efficiency (WUE) was improved with increasing the rate of N supplements up to 100% or 110% of the recommended dose.

Modernisation of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) should be carried out, taking into account its impact on global warming, e.g., through carbon footprint (CF) analysis. An important industrial sector in Poland is the dairy industry. In dairy WWTPs, the aerobic sewage sludge stabilisation applied thus far is being replaced by the anaerobic process. This change is positive due to the possibility of energy production, but it is unclear how it affects greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. The aim of the research was to perform CF analysis for two scenarios of dairy WWTP operation. The analysis was based on the real operating data of the current system (current scenario) and project of its modernisation (alternative scenario). The current scenario consists of mechanical and dissolved air flotation (DAF) treatment, biological treatment in sequence batch reactors (SBRs), aerobic sewage sludge stabilisation and its final farmland usage. The alternative scenario assumes replacing aerobic stabilisation with anaerobic stabilisation and a combined heat and power (CHP) system. The CF calculations were based on empirical models, taking into account different emission input parameters, expressed in CO2 equivalents (CO2e). The total CF of the current scenario was 22 kg CO2e PE−1 year−1, while the alternative was 45 kg CO2e PE−1 year−1. The largest share in the current scenario belongs to emissions from WWTPs and energy use, while in the alternative, there is the addition of emissions from biogas use.

Climate change is one of the most important challenges that humanity faces in the 21st century, and for the European Union, combating this phenomenon represents an important element, which is reflected both in the actions carried out in recent years, domestically and internationally, as well as in the EU policy on climate change. Within the EU, regulations were adopted, that demonstrate the importance that the Union confers to the limitation of this phenomenon, stressing at the same time the need for an integrated policy framework to ensure the security for potential investors and a coordinated approach between Member States. This paper will present recent developments for the most important policies to combat and mitigate climate change in the European Union, starting with "20-20-20" objectives, which are to be met through the package "Energy-Climate Change", continuing with 2030 and 2050 timeframes, and finally presenting the main lines of action to combat climate change.

The main goal of this research is to identify the causality relations between the greenhouse gases emissions, the blue economy and the economic growth based on a panel of annual data from the three Baltic countries, members of the European Union during 2009-2018 period. After applying stationarity and cointegration tests, the long term cointegration coefficients shall be determined with the help of the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimator. Granger causality estimation based on the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) was applied to identify the causality relationship between the variables and to detect the direction of causality. Based on the identified causality relations, the Blue Economy has a significant influence on greenhouse gas emissions on the short and long run. Unidirectional causality relations have been identified from the economic growth on the greenhouse gases emissions on a long and short term, as well as from the economic growth on the Blue Economy on a short term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In common nutrient management in peach orchards in China, a large amount of nitrogen fertilizer is used. However, low nitrogen absorption and utilization rate results in nitrogen loss and greenhouse gas emissions, which is not favorable for cleaner production in peach orchards. In this experiment, nitrogen leaching, ammonia volatilization, greenhouse gas emissions under bag-controlled release fertilizer (BCRF) were evaluated. In addition, the impact of BCRF on soil nutrient status in peach orchards, peach root system growth, nitrogen absorption and utilization rate, fruit quality, and the potential for using BCRF in major peach-producing areas in China to reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer application were also investigated. Results showed that BCRF maintained a stable supply of nutrients to soil, decreased nitrogen leaching, ammonia volatilization and greenhouse gas emissions while nitrogen loss was significantly reduced from peach orchard soil. Also, BCRF reduced the combined global warming potential at 20-, 100-, and 500-years. A 5-year study revealed that application of BCRF promoted the formation of a dense root system in peach trees by the development of fine roots and a more concentrated root distribution. This extended the lifespan of the root system and improved fruit quality. 15N tracer experiments showed that BCRF significantly increased the absorption and utilization rate of nitrogen by peach trees. BCRF reduced the amount of nitrogen fertilizers applied by 65–82% compared to common fertilizer application methods without decreasing peach yield, so it has huge potential for reducing the amount of nitrogen fertilizer used as well as fertilizer input costs in peach production. The results showed that BCRF has huge application potential as a new, environmentally friendly, low-cost, and efficient fertilizer for cleaner production in peach orchards. Image 1048 • Bag-controlled release fertilizer can maintain stable supply of nutrients to soil. • HighlightsHighlightBag-controlled release fertilizer decreases nitrogen leaching, ammonia volatilization from peach orchard soil. • Bag-controlled release fertilizer would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the combined global warming potential. • Bag-controlled release fertilizer promotes the formation of a dense root system of peach trees. • Bag-controlled release fertilizer has a huge potential for reducing the nitrogen applied amount in peach production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]