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Conventional wisdom and standard industry practice is to setback zone temperature setpoints when commercial buildings are unoccupied at night. The HVAC systems then operate in warmup mode to recover zone temperatures prior to the start of occupancy, sometimes with an optimal start algorithm. These strategies were intended to reduce HVAC energy consumption when originally developed decades ago but are due for re-examination given the significant changes in HVAC systems that have since occurred. In particular, the changes currently underway with the movement toward electrification present new design considerations and priorities. Warming up a building as fast as possible may not be the best strategy in terms of energy use, operating cost, or carbon emissions. This article discusses some of the downfalls of conventional morning warmup practices, suggests an improved strategy, and shows the results from a pilot field demonstration test.

Electrification of homes is a critical part of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, space constraints, installation complexity, and the potential impact on energy costs slows the pace of retrofit electrification efforts. Also, the addition of electrical circuits for heat pumps and the increased household electrical demand often necessitates electrical panel upgrades, which increases costs and slows installation. Multi-Function Heat Pumps (MFHPs) use a single compressor to provide heating, cooling, and domestic hot water (DHW) –which represent the most intensive thermal loads of a home –and can ease the process of retrofit electrification. MFHPs are potentially more economical than typical split HVAC heat pumps (HPs) and heat pump water heaters(HPWHs), as they consolidate systems, require fewer circuits, streamline installation, and enable efficiency opportunities, such as recovering waste heat from cooling to heat DHW. The current study evaluates one MFHP product, a split HP with indirect water heater and ducted air handler, using a low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant (R454B). This MFHP has a unique defrost operation that pulls heat from the DHW tank instead of the indoor air, which avoids cold drafts on occupants. This allows for better thermal comfort without requiring an electrical resistance backup heater and costly panel upgrades. The MFHP was installed in two low-income apartments, evaluated for ease of installation, and monitored through the heating season to assess reliability, energy efficiency, and performance.

With countries and economies around the globe increasingly relying on non-dispatchable variable renewable energy (VRE), the need for effective energy storage and international carriers of low-carbon energy has intensified. This study delves into hydrogen’s prospective, multifaceted contribution to decarbonizing the electricity sector, with emphasis on its utilization as a scalable technology for long-duration energy storage and as an international energy carrier. Using Japan as a case study, based on its ambitious national hydrogen strategy and plans to import liquefied hydrogen as a low-carbon fuel source, we employ advanced models encompassing capacity expansion and hourly dispatch. We explore diverse policy scenarios to unravel the timing, quantity, and operational intricacies of hydrogen deployment within a power system. Our findings highlight the essential role of hydrogen in providing a reliable power supply by balancing mismatches in VRE generation and load over several weeks and months and reducing the costs of achieving a zero-emission power system. The study recommends prioritizing domestically produced hydrogen, leveraging renewables for cost reduction, and strategically employing imported hydrogen as a risk hedge against potential spikes in battery storage and renewable energy costs. Furthermore, the strategic incorporation of hydrogen mitigates system costs and enhances energy self-sufficiency, informing policy design and investment strategies aligned with the dynamic global energy landscape.

Conventional wisdom and standard industry practice is to setback zone temperature setpoints when commercial buildings are unoccupied at night. The HVAC systems then operate in warmup mode to recover zone temperatures prior to the start of occupancy, sometimes with an optimal start algorithm. These strategies were intended to reduce HVAC energy consumption when originally developed decades ago but are due for re-examination given the significant changes in HVAC systems that have since occurred. In particular, the changes currently underway with the movement toward electrification present new design considerations and priorities. Warming up a building as fast as possible may not be the best strategy in terms of energy use, operating cost, or carbon emissions. This article discusses some of the downfalls of conventional morning warmup practices, suggests an improved strategy, and shows the results from a pilot field demonstration test.

We studied a combination of heating system measures in two large commercial officebuildings in San Francisco (110,000 and 120,000 ft 2 respectively) within a project funded by the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Efficiency Research program. We retrofitted theexisting heating plants and updated the HVAC controls to ASHRAE Guideline 36-2021 as closely as possible while retaining the existing controller hardware. These measures decreased annual natural gas consumption by about 70 percent while also reducing HVAC electricity consumption. The results reinforce previous work showing significant natural gas reductions in 3 other buildings that underwent full controls retrofits (including controller hardware), and large savings from another 3 buildings that underwent partial controls upgrades. We show that on today’s electricity grid, which is quite dirty during the winter and early morning hours when most heating occurs, the carbon emissions reduction from these measures exceeds the reduction from fully electrifying the existing heating system’s load with today’s air-to-water heat pumps. More importantly, these solutions are mutually beneficial. Acknowledging that we also need to electrify HVAC loads to meet our climate goals, replacing controls first will reduce the size, weight, first cost, and ongoing operating cost of the subsequent heat pump installation requiredto fully electrify, and will make it more feasible to do so. This paper highlights an overlooked opportunity for enormous decarbonization in the existing commercial building stock using a solution that is available, cost effective, and scalable. We should prioritize these measures first,and then electrify, rather than focusing solely on electrification.

Abstract. The buildings sector in Indonesia is dominated by homes—the number of which hasbeen growing rapidly to meet population-driven demand. However, most buildings built over thepast four to five decades lack adequate natural ventilation and other passive cooling measuressuited to tropical climates and rely at least partly on air-conditioning. This study focuses on aparametric analysis of passive and low-energy “whole-building” cooling solutions for thetropical climate of Indonesia, evaluating the benefits of 12 passive or low-energy coolingsolutions: solar-reflective “cool” roofs, cool walls, insulated roofs, insulated walls, low thermal-emissivity (“low-E”) windows, solar-control window films, ceiling fans with temperaturesetback, ceiling fans without temperature setback, exterior window shades, interior windowshades, natural ventilation based on schedule and outside air temperature, and natural ventilationbased only on outside air temperature. Results indicate that a ceiling fan with thermostat setback(raising the cooling setpoint to 28.1 °C from 25 °C while maintaining constant thermal sensation)provided both the highest nationwide electricity savings and the highest net present value forhouseholds, followed by insulated walls, insulated roofs, and cool walls.

Abstract: There is a rapid, global push for wind energy installation. However, large numbers of bats are killed by turbines each year, raising concerns about the impacts of wind energy expansion on bat populations. Preventing turbine blades from spinning at low wind speeds, referred to as curtailment, is a method to reduce bat fatalities, but drawing consistent inference across studies has been challenging. We compiled publicly available studies that evaluated curtailment at six wind energy facilities in North America across 10 years. We used meta‐regression of 29 implemented treatments to determine fatality reduction efficacy as well as sources of variation influencing efficacy. We also estimated species‐specific fatality reduction for three species that comprise most fatalities in North America: hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus), eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis) and silver‐haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans). We found that curtailment reduced total bat fatalities by 33% with every 1.0 ms−1 increase in curtailment wind speed. Estimates of the efficacy for the three target species were similar (hoary bats: 28% per ms−1, 95% CI: 0.4%–48%, eastern red bats: 32% per ms−1, 95% CI: 13%–47% and silver‐haired bats: 32% per ms−1, 95% CI: 3%–53%). Across multiple facilities and years, a 5.0 ms−1 cut‐in speed was estimated to reduce total bat fatalities by an average of 62% (95% CI: 54%–69%). Mortality reductions at individual facilities in any given year were estimated to fall between 33%–79% (95% prediction interval). Inter‐annual differences rather than inter‐site or turbine characteristics accounted for most of the variation in efficacy rates. Species‐specific average mortality reduction at 5.0 ms−1 curtailment wind speed was 48% (95% CI: 24%–64%) for hoary bats, 61% (95% CI: 42%–74%) for eastern red bats and 52% (95% CI: 30%–66%) for silver‐haired bats. Practical implication. curtailment reduced bat mortality at wind turbines in this North American study. Efficacy increased proportionally as curtailment speed is raised, and patterns and rates of efficacy were similar across species. This indicates that curtailment is an effective strategy to reduce bat fatalities at wind energy facilities, but exploration of further refinements could both minimize bat mortality and maximize energy production.

China’s cement industry emits over 1 Gt of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, or 3% of global CO2 emissions.Urgent decarbonization efforts of the Chinese cement industry are needed to meet China and global community’s climate commitments. Prior studies on this topic primarily relied on supply-side technologies and end-of-pipe solutions, presenting one singular pathway to net zero without exploring multiple trajectories.This study adds value to the existing research by constructing and evaluating two different pathways toward net-zero emissions in China’s cement industry: the Energy Technology Pathway (ETP) and the Circular Economy Pathway (CEP). Both pathways aim for net-zero emissions but diverge in their prioritization and emphasis. The Energy Technology Pathway focused on supply-side technologies such as green hydrogen and CCS, while the Circular Economy Pathway focused on demand-side strategies, centered on materials and resources.The study showed both pathways can achieve a comparable level of emission reduction, reducing 94-95% of CO2 emissions by 2060 from the 2020 level. Notably, the role of CCS is limited in the CEP, contributing only 5% and 22% of total emission reductions by 2030 and 2060, respectively. The majority of the emission reductions in CEP are achieved through a combination of material-focused innovations and circular economy strategies, such as increasing the use of supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs), advancing alternative cements, integrating material efficiency practices in product lifecycle phases, and adopting alternative fuels (e.g., industrial wastes and agricultural byproducts). Policy support on materials and the circular economy will be critical. We recommend updating codes and standards to allow performance-based cement products, providing R&D support on alternative cements, developing implementation guides to disseminate material efficiency practices, and improving material/waste collection, sorting, and recycling systems.

The electric grid was designed to move large amounts of energy through space, but decarbonization goals will require it to also move energy through time--from days and seasons with a surplus of energy production to days and seasons with insufficient production. Long-duration energy storage technologies that can hold a large amount of electricity and distribute it over periods of many hours to days and even seasons will play a critical role in the clean energy transition. But creating an environment in which these nascent technologies can develop and thrive will require changes in how the grid is planned and built. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the transition from fossil fuel to electrified heating, a concerning trend is emerging in certain regions of the US. Owners of buildings with gas-based systems leave them in place after adding heat pumps (HPs). Existing control solutions for these hybrid (dual fuel) systems are rudimentary and fall short of realizing the full carbon reduction potential of these systems. Model predictive control (MPC) is often regarded as the benchmark for achieving optimal control in integrated systems. However, in the case of small-medium commercial buildings (SMCBs), the control and communication infrastructure required to facilitate the implementation of such advanced controls is often lacking. This paper presents a field implementation of easy-to-deploy MPC for a dual fuel heating system consisting of HPs and a gas-fired furnace (GF) for SMCBs. The control system is deployed on an open-source middleware platform and utilizes low-cost sensor devices to be used for real SMCBs without major retrofits. We demonstrated this MPC in a real office building with 5 HPs and 1 GF for 2 months. The test results showed that MPC reduced 27% of cost while completely eliminating GF usage by shifting 23% of the thermal load from occupied-peak time to non-occupied-non-peak times.

The transport sector is experiencing a notable transition towards sustainability, propelled by technological progress, innovative materials, and a dedication to environmental preservation. This study explicitly examines the incorporation of electric vehicles (EVs) into the power grid, with a particular emphasis on passenger automobiles. Our analysis emphasises the vital importance of updated transport infrastructure in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and aiding carbon reduction efforts in electricity networks. The analysis uncovers that adopting electric vehicles offers significant advantages, including enhanced grid efficiency and decreased emissions. However, it also brings issues concerning the design and operation of power systems at both the transmission and distribution levels. Key players are crucial in tackling these difficulties to improve electric vehicle integration into the grid. The study determines the most effective ways for distributing and providing electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and investigates the efforts made to establish common standards in order to solve current challenges. This research contributes to the advancement of sustainable mobility and energy systems by conducting a thorough examination of the impact of electric vehicles on power systems and offering appropriate integration solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As countries pursue decarbonization goals, the rapid expansion of transmission capacity for renewable energy (RE) integration poses a significant challenge due to hurdles such as permitting and cost allocation. However, we find that large-scale reconductoring with advanced composite-core conductors can cost-effectively double transmission capacity within existing right-of-way, with limited additional permitting. This strategy unlocks a high availability of increasingly economically viable RE resources in close proximity to the existing network. We implement reconductoring in a model of the US power system, showing that reconductoring can help meet over 80% of the new interzonal transmission needed to reach over 90% clean electricity by 2035 given restrictions on greenfield transmission build-out. With $180 billion in system cost savings by 2050, reconductoring presents a cost-effective and time-efficient, yet underutilized, opportunity to accelerate global transmission expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to investigate the compositions of commercial soda–lime–silica glasses currently present in the UK market, as there is a lack of recent research on the subject, with the most recent studies now being over 20 years old. This study involved sampling and analyzing the compositions of over 30 commercial soda–lime–silica container and float glass samples, primarily from the UK market, in 2022 to 2023. Based on the results, the characteristics of these commercial glasses has been evaluated using multiple property models and analysis methods. In the first part, we illustrated the opportunities for glass manufacturers to modify or adjust their glass compositions to enable lower melting temperatures, thereby reducing energy demand and fuel carbon emissions. This can help the glass industry meet its net zero carbon emissions targets. It de‐risks compositional modifications for a glass manufacturer by highlighting that other manufacturers have already successfully commercially implemented such changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgical care significantly contributes to healthcare-associated greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Surgeon attitudes about mitigation of the impact of surgical practice on environmental sustainability remains poorly understood. To better understand surgeon perspectives globally, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons and the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery established a joint Sustainability in Surgical Practice (SSP) Task Force and distributed a survey on sustainability. Methods: Our survey asked about (1) surgeon attitudes toward sustainability, (2) ability to estimate the carbon footprint of surgical procedures and supplies, (3) concerns about the negative impacts of sustainable interventions, (4) willingness to change specific practices, and (5) preferred educational topics and modalities. Questions were primarily written in Likert-scale format. A clustering analysis was performed to determine whether survey respondents could be grouped into distinct subsets to inform future outreach and education efforts. Results: We received 1024 responses, predominantly from North America and Europe. The study revealed that while 63% of respondents were motivated to enhance the sustainability of their practice, less than 10% could accurately estimate the carbon footprint of surgical activities. Most were not concerned that sustainability efforts would negatively impact their practice and showed readiness to adopt proposed sustainable practices. Online webinars and modules were the preferred educational methods. A clustering analysis identified a group particularly concerned yet willing to adopt sustainable changes. Conclusion: Surgeons believe that operating room waste is a critical issue and are willing to change practice to improve it. However, there exists a gap in understanding the environmental impact of surgical procedures and supplies, and a sizable minority have some degree of concern about potential adverse consequences of implementing sustainable policies. This study uniquely provides an international, multidisciplinary snapshot of surgeons' attitudes, knowledge, concerns, willingness, and preferred educational modalities related to mitigating the environmental impact of surgical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Companies are becoming ever more present actors in climate change governance and increasing numbers of mostly multinational companies are pledging to become greenhouse gas neutral, climate neutral, or to reach for net-zero emissions. This article deconstructs net-zero, greenhouse gas and climate neutrality targets of 51 chemical companies in Germany. A brief contextualization of companies as actors in climate change governance and an overview of the German chemical sector as an emission-intensive industry are given. Evaluation criteria for corporate greenhouse gas and climate neutrality targets are developed by comparing seven existing or emerging industry and non-governmental standards and guidelines for (corporate) net-zero, climate and greenhouse gas neutrality. The criteria are then applied to the climate and sustainability targets of 51 companies in the German chemical sector. Results show that the targets vary greatly in terms of their actual definition, the target year and covered emissions, the timeline and planned implementation measures. Only some companies underpin their targets with strategic decarbonization approaches while others rely heavily on offsetting their emissions. This heterogeneity highlights the need for unified assessment criteria and in-depth analysis of corporate climate strategies to rule out greenwashing. Recommendations for target definitions and minimum criteria are given. Key policy insights: The field of corporate GHG and climate neutrality pledges has become complex, yet highly relevant for climate change governance and needs to be addressed by researchers and policymakers alike. Minimum criteria and unified assessment methods for corporate GHG and climate neutrality targets are needed to rule out greenwashing. The results accentuate the need for policymakers to develop such minimum criteria and unify definitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decarbonization of energy-intensive process industries (EPIs) is a central unresolved challenge for limiting global warming to 1.5°C or well-below 2°C. In this article, we investigate the alignment between government policy and applicable industry strategy in decarbonization efforts across six European countries – Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. We distinguish between 'target alignment' (How comparable are the size of the emission reduction commitments?), 'temporal alignment' (How closely do the timelines match?) and 'solution alignment' (Are the same types of solutions prioritized?). Based on an analysis of national policy documents, company strategies of the 10 largest emitting EPI plants in each country, as well as secondary sources, we find high target alignment. However, we find substantially lower temporal alignment as emitters are reluctant to commit to intermediate targets that match the decarbonization timelines laid out in national government policy. Solution alignment is intermediate across all six countries as emitters generally pursue the decarbonization options prioritized in policy, but with most emitters remaining at the level of ambitions or plans and few examples of commercial investments so far. Key policy insights: Public policies across the analysed countries mainly prioritize CCUS, hydrogen and electrification as decarbonization solutions. Large emitters formulate ambitions or plans for the prioritized decarbonization options, but actual investment commitment remains limited. Governments should continuously survey alignment of their policy targets and prioritized decarbonization options with industry targets and activities. In particular, intermediate targets set by the largest emitters do not match those of national governments. Additional support and incentives to make industry act sufficient fast are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reach the goals of the Paris Agreement, global emissions should be reduced to net zero by mid-century. The steel sector is an emission-intensive industrial subsector where low-carbon production routes are emerging, and recent studies have shown that rapid decarbonization of the sector is technically possible. However, several barriers block the sector-wide diffusion of low-carbon steelmaking. Inertia and barriers to exit inhibit the closure of emission-intensive plants, thus driving overcapacity and trade conflicts which in turn risk undermining the global steel transition. Drawing on the industrial transitions literature, we find that phase-out policy has a key role to play in overcoming inertia and barriers to exit, increasing the pace of exits in the steel sector, and enabling market space for low-emission steelmaking. Still, reviewing policy mixes in the top four steelmaking jurisdictions, we observe that these are primarily oriented towards phasing-in low-emission capacity rather than phasing-out emission-intensive capacity. In an analysis of low-emission steel projects in the LeadIT Green Steel Tracker, we find that almost half of these projects are financially backed by government, revealing that support for phase-ins is sparking a renaissance for subsidies in the steel sector. At the same time, we find that green steel projects, in aggregate, are increasing total steelmaking capacity. To minimize overcapacity and trade conflicts in the steel transition, policymakers should develop new corresponding phase-out policies that support and increase the pace of closures, to enable a rapid sector-wide diffusion of low-emission steelmaking. Key policy insights: While rapid emission reductions are technically possible in the steel sector, frictions such as overcapacity and trade conflicts risk impeding the transition. The steel sector's inertia and barriers to exit are exacerbating these frictions, and targeted phase-out policies are needed to overcome these blockages. Steel decarbonization policies in top steelmaking jurisdictions are oriented towards phasing-in green steel, not on phasing-out emission-intensive steelmaking. Green steel projects are increasing total steelmaking capacity, and to a high degree are financially supported by governments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glass industry is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions due to its energy consumption profile and the use of fossil fuels in the manufacturing process. Most of the energy to produce glass is consumed in the process of treating raw materials to elevated temperatures, usually above 1500°C. Glass manufacturing also generates significant environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, water consumption, and waste generation. Therefore, improving the sustainability of glass manufacturing is a significant challenge for the industry and society. There are ways to reduce the energy consumption and emissions of glass melting, such as recycling glass, using oxy‐fuel burners, improving furnace insulation and design, and adopting electric melting technologies. These methods can help save energy, lower costs, and enhance the sustainability and environmental footprint of the glass industry. However, the industry faces challenges and barriers, such as technical feasibility, economic viability, capital investment, and market acceptance. More research and development must be invested to improve the energy efficiency and environmental performance of glass melting. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the growth glass industry has made over the past 30 years and the remaining challenges for sustainable glass manufacturing with a focus on the fiberglass segment. Sharing of procedural methods, technical approaches, and results can help enable the global glass industry in our future sustainability challenges. The fiberglass segment included a broad technical view including glass chemistry development, product development, new industry codes and standards, melting development, computational fluid dynamic modeling, life cycle assessments, and sustainability goals linked to capital planning. The net result delivered a significant reduction in environmental emissions at the global enterprise scale. The implemented changes have taken decades, significant investments, and resources to plan and develop. Practices reviewed and implemented can help drive collaboration and commonality within the glass industry to achieve sustainability goals. Action is needed now if the glass industry is to meet global government demands of reducing carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 and zero carbon emissions by 2050 in alignment with the Paris Agreement on decarbonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decarbonization has significant operational implications for ships, fuel resources, and ports. Sustainable management is highly prioritized by ship owners and port authorities. The shipping industry must develop appropriate strategies to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050 and support the 2030 United Nations sustainable development goals. Tugboats, a ubiquitous vessel in Taiwanese ports, were selected as the subject of this study. Implementing hybrid power systems in response to the growing trend of carbon reduction was explored. This study involves various stakeholders in Taiwan, including ship owners, port agency representatives, and other relevant parties. Assessing investment costs, market demand, and policy guidance is highly significant. Establishing a positive cycle is necessary to encourage tugboat operators to adhere to sustainable management practices and environmental protection measures. This entails providing incentives through policy measures that enable tugboat operators to gain cost advantages and balance environmental, economic, and societal needs within an expanding market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aviation industry stands at the crossroads of a climate crisis, which significantly contributes to worldwide carbon (C) emissions. To combat this issue and embrace environmental sustainability, the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from triglyceride-based bio-oils has emerged as a pivotal research and industry pursuit. Traditional aviation fuels that are derived from fossil sources are a major contributor to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. However, SAF presents a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative by harnessing the potential of a used cooking oil (UCO) (triglyceride source), an often-neglected waste stream with significant environmental implications when improperly managed. Among the various conversion methods, the deoxygenation (DO) reaction pathway has emerged as a promising method for converting triglycerides into SAF. However, this emerging technology has significant challenges, which primarily revolve around the selection of feedstocks, catalysts, reaction pathways, and operational parameters. Therefore, this study provides a holistic overview of the DO of a triglyceride-based UCO feedstock as a promising avenue for SAF production by navigating diverse SAF feedstocks, tailoring the DO to enhance versatility, exploring catalyst nuances that impact the DO, and unraveling the optimal operating conditions for superior SAF yields and selectivity. This study concludes that the optimal conditions for SAF production involve utilizing feedstocks with a low free fatty acid (FFA) content, such as canola or high oleic sunflower oils. Employing catalysts with a high surface area and abundant acid sites, such as Zeolite Socony Mobil–5 (ZSM–5), along with metal impregnators such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nickel (Ni) as active metal and promoters, in a down-trickle bed reactor within 300°C–380°C and pressure range of 10–50 bar, proves to be the most effective approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In its 2023 Climate Doctrine, Russia officially committed to carbon neutrality before 2060. However, on the roadmap fork to climate neutrality Russia’s Low Carbon Strategy chose the 2F (Forest First) pathway with the dominance of the natural solutions in the LULUCF sector and with a moderate decline or even growth (industry and agriculture) in other sectors. This paper focuses on a discussion of the roadmap to carbon neutrality. The roadmapping approach relies on a system of interconnected models for setting the scale of low carbon technologies and practices deployment. The paper concludes that excessive reliance on the 2F pathway is unrealistic, and only the Forest Last family of scenarios, which focuses on substantial reduction of GHG emissions across all sectors, is able to bring Russia to carbon neutrality in 2060. The paper also presents indicators to assess emission reductions by major sectors and discusses the need to reinforce the five pillars to support this pathway: technologies; regulations and programmes; incentives and financing; institutes; and human capital. These five pillars are required to effectively address three basic models of decisions-making (satisficing, optimization, and system transformation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated carbon reduction policies (decarbonization) by comparing energy efficiency improvement in thermal power plants and the incremental development of renewable and clean power plants in different scenarios in the power generation sector. For this purpose, the optimal portfolio for power generation expansion was considered until 2050. Likewise, regarding environmental considerations, the values of environmental emissions and their external costs in different power generation methods were modeled for the first time in an inclusive electricity system. Then, the Matrix Laboratory and Long-Range Energy Alternative Planning software were used to model electricity supply and demand toward long-time planning and estimate and solve technical, economic, and environmental functions. The modeling outcomes showed that, under the Steam Power Plant repowering scenario, the efficiency-improving actions in thermal power plants were prioritized over the development of clean and renewable power plants, including large hydroelectric and nuclear power plants, and could reduce the total power generation cost by 38% until 2050 and environmental and greenhouse gases emissions by 3,572 MMT and 2,624 MMTDCO2E compared to the BAU scenario. It was also found that although developing renewable energies could decrease the external environmental costs by 73,188 million U.S dollars in the 2017–2050 period relative to the other scenarios, its development would not be optimal technically and economically since it was a function of technical, economic, environmental, and political factors and was not the sole approach to reducing carbon emissions in all countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the decarbonization of Tabriz-City focusing on its wind power for electrification. Statistical, quantitative, comparative, and simulation-research-methods used to analyze the existing and future total energy consumption, demand, and cost in the city according to carbon-based and wind-based electricity. The Monte Carlo Simulation Method has been used to estimate the probability of the Levelized Cost of Electricity. Tabriz thermal power plant generates 1kWh electricity that costs 0.15 US$/kW without subsidies and produces 575 g.CO2/kW.h overall while it will plunge to 0.05US$/kWh producing 7 g.CO2/kWh using wind. The NPV and IRR (32%) analysis show that that investment in wind-based electricity is three times cheaper than thermal power electricity in Tabriz. It is shown that the electrification of an oil-based economy with wind-based power plants is an economical investment for the city. Besides the hub-height and rotor sweep area, the capacity factor is the most decisive in the productivity of the alternative turbines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of sustainable chemistry underlying the quest to minimize and/or valorize waste in the carbon‐neutral manufacture of chemicals is followed over the last four to five decades. Both chemo‐ and biocatalysis have played an indispensable role in this odyssey. in particular developments in protein engineering, metagenomics and bioinformatics over the preceding three decades have played a crucial supporting role in facilitating the widespread application of both whole cell and cell‐free biocatalysis. The pressing need, driven by climate change mitigation, for a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, has precipitated an energy transition based on decarbonization of energy and defossilization of organic chemicals production. The latter involves waste biomass and/or waste CO2 as the feedstock and green electricity generated using solar, wind, hydroelectric or nuclear energy. The use of waste polysaccharides as feedstocks will underpin a renaissance in carbohydrate chemistry with pentoses and hexoses as base chemicals and bio‐based solvents and polymers as environmentally friendly downstream products. The widespread availability of inexpensive electricity and solar energy has led to increasing attention for electro(bio)catalysis and photo(bio)catalysis which in turn is leading to myriad innovations in these fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses cost-optimal sizing and energy management of a grid-integrated solar photovoltaic, wind turbine hybrid renewable energy system integrated with electrolyzer and hydrogen storage tank to simultaneously meet electricity and hydrogen demands considering the case study of Dijon, France. Mixed Integer Linear Programming optimization problem is formulated to evaluate two objective case scenarios: single objective and multi-objective, minimizing total annual costs and grid carbon emission footprint. The study incorporates various technical, economic, and environmental indicators focusing on the impact of sensitivity lying on various grid electricity purchase rates within the French electricity market prices. The results highlight that rising grid prices drive increased integration of renewable sources, while lower prices favor ultimate grid dependency. Constant hydrogen demand necessitates the installation of two electrolyzers. Notably, grid electricity prices above 60 €/MWh, result increase in the size of the hydrogen tank and electrolyzer operation to prevent renewable energy losses. Grid prices above 140 €/MWh depict 70% of electrical and 80% of electrolyzer demand provided by the renewable generation resulting in a carbon emission below 0.0416 Mt of CO 2 and 0.643 kgCO 2 /kgH 2. Conversely, grid prices below 20 €/MWh lead ultimately to 100% grid dependency with a higher carbon emission of approximately 0.14 Mt of CO 2 and 4.13 kgCO 2 /kgH 2 reducing the total annual cost to 41.63 Million €. Increase in grid prices from 20€/MWh to 180 €/MWh resulted in increase of hydrogen specific costs from 1.23 to 3.58 €/kgH 2. Finally, the Pareto front diagram is employed to illustrate the trade-off between total annual cost and carbon emission due to grid imports, aiding in informed decision-making. [Display omitted] • Sizing and energy management for the production of decarbonized H 2 for urban public transportation. • Maximization of renewable share for H 2 production and electric demand. • Sensitivity analysis of the grid electricity price on sizing and total annual cost of ownership. • MILP optimization formulation and low computing effort resolution. • Multi-objective resolution with total costs and CO 2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of structural transformation in the energy sector to accelerate the decarbonization process in the world's top five green leaders, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, and Poland. To test this empirically, we collected annual data from a panel of the top five green leaders from 2000–2023. A key contribution of our study lies in assessing multiple critical metrics, including CO2 emissions, carbon intensity, carbon intensity of electricity, production-based carbon emissions, and consumption-based carbon emissions, to capture holistic progress towards carbon neutrality. We applied the augmented mean group (AMG) model to estimate the long-term results. The Dumitrescu–Hurlin test is used to test the causal relationship among the modeled variables. The findings of the AMG model reveal that renewable energy production and consumption significantly reduce CO2 emissions, production-based CO2 emissions, consumption-based CO2 emissions, carbon intensity, and the carbon intensity of electricity. Conversely, fossil-fuel-derived energy exacerbates these metrics. However, the impact of these energy sources varies by country in terms of their magnitude. The outcomes of the Dumitrescu–Hurlin test indicate that a bidirectional causality exists between renewable energy production and CO2 emissions and between renewable energy consumption and carbon intensity. However, a unidirectional causality exists between fossil fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and between renewable energy consumption and the carbon intensity of electricity. Our results indicate the detrimental impacts of continued fossil fuel use and conclude that a structural transformation in the energy sector is critical to decarbonization. Based on our results, we suggest that policy efforts should prioritize structural reforms in the energy sector by emphasizing a shift towards renewable energy sources. Such reforms are essential for achieving net-zero carbon emissions and mitigating broader environmental degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reduction in greenhouse gases has become an inescapable requirement. An effective scenario for achieving carbon neutrality is to develop a hydrogen economy. Its success, however, requires strict control of the different processes involved in planned hydrogen chains. The energy chain considered in this paper is a stationary application which involves the production of hydrogen by electrolysis (a power-to gas process) and its combustion in gas turbine combined cycles to generate electricity (a gas-to-power process). In such applications, the need is twofold: (i) to control the risk of explosive atmospheres by performing safe gas detection in the presence of hydrogen and (ii) to secure the reliability of all chain processes using hydrogen-rich gases by achieving reliable analyses of these gases. This paper is dedicated to the development of hydrogen energy to decarbonize the thermal production of electricity. We will first describe the hydrogen chain that would best suit the power generation sector. Then, we will highlight the properties of hydrogen that are critical for its reliable operation. Finally, we will review the sensing technologies suitable for hydrogen-containing fuels. This review paper was published as part of a Joint Industrial Project (JIP) aimed at enabling the safe and reliable deployment of hydrogen energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prediction of fuel consumption and Carbon Intensity Index (CII) of ships is crucial for optimizing decarbonization strategies in the maritime industry. This study proposes a ship fuel consumption prediction model based on the Long Short-Term Memory with Self-Attention Mechanism (SA-LSTM). The model is applied to a container ship of 2400 TEU to predict its hourly fuel consumption, hourly CII, and annual CII rating. Four different feature sets are selected from these data sources and are used as inputs for SA-LSTM and another ten models. The results demonstrate that the SA-LSTM model outperforms the other models in prediction accuracy. Specifically, the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) for fuel consumption predictions using the SA-LSTM model is reduced by up to 20% compared to the XGBoost and by up to 12% compared to the LSTM model. Additionally, the SA-LSTM model achieves the highest accuracy in annual CII predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces an innovative methodology for designing sustainable urban energy districts using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The scope is to identify specific parts of the urban fabric, suitable for becoming energy districts that can meet the energy needs of dwellings and activities and produce an energy surplus for the city. The method uses building archetypes to characterize the districts and perform simulations through an algorithm based on correction coefficients considering variables such as total building height, exposure, year of construction, and building typology. By leveraging GIS, this approach supports the creation of urban energy maps, which help identify and address potential energy-related issues in various urban contexts. Additionally, the research explores different scenarios for developing energy communities within the district, aiming to optimize energy use and distribution. A case study in Naples, Southern Italy, demonstrates that installing photovoltaic panels on the roofs of buildings can allow a complete electrical supply to the building stock. The final goal is to provide a robust tool that enhances confidence in urban energy planning decisions, contributing to more sustainable and efficient energy management at the district level. This approach may support the urban and territorial governance towards sustainable solutions by developing strategies for the creation of energy communities and optimizing the potential of specific sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the current problem of energy utilization of municipal solid waste, most of which is currently buried in landfills. An assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from these anthropogenic objects is provided. It is noted that a promising direction for utilization of landfill biogas is the production of biohydrogen. The authors present the results of laboratory studies on the production of biomethane from organic waste with its further conversion into biohydrogen. Using the example of a large landfill for municipal solid waste, a possible geo-ecological effect is shown by reducing greenhouse gas emissions during the energy utilization of biogas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic nitrogen fertilizer is the backbone of modern agriculture, helping to feed ~50% of the world's population. However, the current industrial production, distribution, and use of nitrogen fertilizers are built on an unsustainable foundation of fossil resources, and are energy-intensive, environmentally polluting, and inefficient in their usage. With the rapidly declining cost of renewable electricity, such as solar and wind, it is time to develop and implement the decentralized production and application of nitrogen fertilizer with nonthermal plasma technologies. Such locally sourced production at the farm site, using only air and water as feedstock, circumvents the need for the extensive capital investment and infrastructure required for synthetic nitrogen fertilizer production and storage, as well as the complex and costly distribution networks. It will be adaptive to the intermittency of the solar/wind electricity supply, leave no carbon footprint, and also have the advantage of being easily switched on/off, immediately responding to weather changes and local conditions, such as soil, climate, crops, and farming business models, for precision agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) has emerged in recent years as a promising decarbonization solution for hard-to-abate industries. Compared to carbon capture and storage (CCS), CCU aims not for the storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) but for its use in the production of synthetic fuels, such as synthetic methanol (MeOH). Synthetic MeOH is produced through CO2 hydrogenation, utilizing green hydrogen (H2). Efficient use of CO2 and H2 feedstocks is essential to maximize the carbon reduction potential and energy efficiency of the process. This study performed an optimization analysis on a small-scale, containerized, and portable CO2 hydrogenation unit with a 5 kg MeOH/h production capacity goal, focusing on carbon conversion efficiency (CCE), MeOH yield, H2 consumption, and MeOH purity. The analysis was conducted using Aspen Plus V12. A single-pass model was used first to evaluate an initial reactor design. The reactor was then re-designed according to the results of the gas hourly space velocity (GHSV). The model was then expanded to include a recycling loop and the final reactor design was validated, aiming to maximize overall efficiency. The effects of the operational parameters including the reactor inlet temperature, reactor pressure, thermal fluid temperature, and condensation temperature were examined. The model was then further expanded to include the MeOH distillation process, and the effect of the distillation temperature was examined. The final product of the analysis was a fully-defined and optimized unit, achieving an 87.97% CCE and an 84.99% MeOH yield, consuming 1.11 kg H2/h for the production of 5.01 kg MeOH/h of 99.86 wt% purity. This study can provide valuable information and guidelines for designing small-scale, containerized, and portable CO2 hydrogenation units, which can serve as alternative solutions to address issues of H2 production and transportation related to large-scale installations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition to cleaner energy sources, particularly in hard-to-abate industrial sectors, often requires the gradual integration of new technologies. Hydrogen, crucial for decarbonization, is explored as a fuel in blended combustions. Blending or replacing fuels impacts combustion stability and heat transfer rates due to differing densities. An extensive literature review examines blended combustion, focusing on hydrogen/methane mixtures. While industrial burners claim to accommodate up to 20% hydrogen, theoretical support is lacking. A novel thermodynamic analysis methodology is introduced, evaluating methane/hydrogen combustion using the Wobbe index. The findings highlight practical limitations beyond 25% hydrogen volume, necessitating a shift to "totally hydrogen" combustion. Blended combustion can be proposed as a medium-term strategy, acknowledging hydrogen's limited penetration. Higher percentages require burner and infrastructure redesign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism resembles an indispensable source for financing national development and securing local livelihoods in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with their sun-sea-sand tourism. Related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions counteract sectoral development as climate impacts have begun to severely reduce the attractiveness of destinations. This is valid especially for disaster-prone SIDS where slow and rapid onsetting phenomena and severe, frequent weather events are already experienced, increasingly putting tourist assets, infrastructure, local livelihoods and unique biodiversity under pressure. Against this background, this review synthesizes the recent climate change and tourism literature relating to main SIDS regions, highlighting what is at risk. The authors provide latest evidence of the role tourism plays for these islands and elaborate the peculiar climate risks, impacts and consequences for tourism development. The current state of adaptation is explored and research priorities in SIDS regions are highlighted. Whereas SIDS show high mitigation ambition, the significance of CO2 emissions along the value chain and especially related to the transport to SIDS destinations remains a problem that developed nations must address in their national emission reduction plans. Further research at the interface of climate change and tourism is needed, contributing to the decarbonisation of tourism and successful adaptation in SIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the urgent need for decarbonization of the construction industry due to its pivotal role in global greenhouse gas emissions, industrialized construction (IC) has emerged as a promising technique to change the productivity, quality, and sustainability of construction. Although some evidence and case studies reveal that IC has distinct decarbonization advantages compared with traditional construction, there still is a need to analyze best practices, opportunities, and challenges in order to guide industry practitioners and to define key knowledge gaps. A systematic review was conducted following the three core steps: database search; research gap identification, analysis according to key lifecycle stages, and decarbonization themes. This synthesized existing academic works at the intersection of industrialized construction and decarbonization to provide a comprehensive understanding of decarbonization in IC. The findings show that although a significant amount of research focused on emissions during project stages A1–A3, there is a noticeable research gap in evaluating the carbon emissions associated with transportation, operations, and end-of-life attributes of IC. Moreover, the absence of real-time assessments during the B6–B7 operational stages impedes optimal carbon emission assessment. The verbosity of carbon estimation and tracking methodologies also adds challenges to ensuring that additional carbon impacts of IC are adequately offset by improved efficiency and lower onsite emissions. The potential of decarbonization of IC can be explored further by future research on the standardization of life-cycle assessments, development of continuous carbon-tracking methodologies, and application of alternative materials and new technologies. Practical Applications: The effectiveness of IC practices in reducing carbon emissions may vary, as deduced from the reviewed literature. However, the conscientious selection of materials characterized by low embodied emissions can contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions, applicable to both IC and non-IC projects. IC projects are uniquely positioned to achieve an even greater reduction in carbon emissions because of a unique process that innately offers waste reduction and product quality improvements. Although a considerable volume of research has focused on estimating carbon emissions, there appears to be a gap in tracking the precise quantity of emissions across various life-cycle phases within IC. Although there is considerable research on decarbonization in prefabricated components, research on specific life-cycle phases still is lagging. Furthermore, future research should prioritize investigating similar opportunities for three-dimensional (3D) volumetric systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To mitigate climate change, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has mandated a 50% reduction in shipping-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 compared to 2018. While short-term measures are agreed, several barriers remain in achieving this emission reduction target. Existing research only focuses on specific scenarios and ignores comprehensive risks that influence the target realization. Hence, this study fills the research gap by identifying 28 potential risks and prioritizing the most threatening risks using the Political, Economic, Social, Technical, Legal, and Environmental framework. Furthermore, risk assessment on the target achievement is conducted to prioritize risk categories and risk factors via a combination of Evidential Reasoning and Rule-based Bayesian network. Finally, sensitivity analysis is performed to validate the results. The findings show that the categories, in the descending order of their importance, are economic, political, environmental, legal, social, and technological risk. In addition, the results reveal that "high low-carbon fuel prices" is the most pivotal risk under the economic category while notable political, environmental, legal, social, and technological risks are also recognized, each presenting distinct uncertainties in the decarbonization process. This study offers useful insights and strategic recommendations for stakeholders, aiding the transition to low-carbon maritime transportation. • Identify 28 risks for emission target cuts using an exhaustive framework. • The Rule-Based Bayesian Network is utilized to visualize and interpret the results. • Economic risk is the key factor affecting low-carbon transitions. • An in-depth analysis is done on the top risks in each risk category. • Offer strategies to stakeholders for managing risks to meet carbon targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies mature, the concept of a low-carbon or net-zero-carbon economy becomes more and more feasible. While many chemical and energy products do not contain carbon in their compounds, the upstream production process does. An added CCS module allows the removal of carbon emissions from the production process, which expands the value chain. This paper focuses on one of such commodities—low-carbon-intensity ammonia (LCIA). Even though ammonia is carbon-free in its final product, it is commonly made from natural gas, and the production process could generate significant carbon emissions. The idea of LCIA is to reduce the carbon footprint of the ammonia production process (e.g., blue ammonia) or eliminate carbon from the production process (e.g., green ammonia via electrolysis) so that the entire supply chain is decarbonized. The goal of this paper is two-fold. We first explore the US domestic market and the international market for LCIA. We then discuss relevant federal and local policies that could help grow markets for LCIA. The agricultural sector will be the center of the discussion, which consumes an estimated 70–90% of the global ammonia supply as fertilizers. The paper also examines other potential uses of LCIA, such as alternative fuels for decarbonizing agricultural machinery and transportation sectors. Finally, we argue that developing a comprehensive LCIA value chain, supported by dedicated policy measures and broad stakeholder engagement, is critical for materializing the potential of LCIA in contributing to a climate-resilient and sustainable economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Maritime Organization aims for net-zero carbon emissions in the maritime industry by 2050. Among various alternatives, route optimization holds an important place as it does not require any additional component-related costs. Especially for wind-assisted ships, the effectiveness of different sailing systems can be improved significantly through route optimization. However, finding the ship's optimal route is computationally expensive when the totality of possible weather conditions is taken into consideration. To determine the optimal route that minimizes energy consumption, an energy model based on the environmental conditions, ship route and ship speed was built using artificial neural networks. The energy consumed for given input data was calculated using a ship dynamics model and a database was generated to train the artificial neural networks, which predict how much energy is consumed depending on the route followed in given environmental conditions. Then, such networks were exploited to derive the optimal routes for all the relevant operational conditions. It was found that route optimization can reduce the overall ship energy consumption depending on the weather conditions of the environment by up to 9.7% without any increase in voyage time and by up to 35% with a 10% delay in voyage time. The proposed methodology can be applied to any ship by training real weather conditions and provides a framework for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions during the service life of ships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European decarbonization goals and requirement for energy independence are mostly relying on intermittent renewable energy sources for electrification. A numerical model was developed to simulate the operation of a steam generator, allowing a study of the potential impacts of retrofitting existing coal-fired power plants to operate with biomass or coal–biomass mixtures on combustion parameters and CO2 emissions. The results obtained using the operational parameters of the Sines power plant indicate that a mixture of 25% coal and 75% pine sawdust allow operation at λ = 1.8, demonstrating that a small amount of coal allows operation near the coal combustion parameters (λ = 1.9). These conditions have the drawback of a reduction of 8.7% in adiabatic flame temperature but a significant reduction of 57.5% in CO2 emissions, considering the biomass as carbon-neutral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper investigates hydrogen's potential to accelerate the energy transition in hard-to-abate sectors, such as steel, petrochemicals, glass, cement, and paper. The goal is to assess how hydrogen, produced from renewable sources, can foster both industrial decarbonization and the expansion of renewable energy installations, especially solar and wind. Hydrogen's dual role as a fuel and a chemical agent for process innovation is explored, with a focus on its ability to enhance energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Integrating hydrogen with continuous industrial processes minimizes the need for energy storage, making it a more efficient solution. Advances in electrolysis, achieving efficiencies up to 60%, and storage methods, consuming about 10% of stored energy for compression, are discussed. Specifically, in the steel sector, hydrogen can replace carbon as a reductant in the direct reduced iron (DRI) process, which accounts for around 7% of global steel production. A next-generation DRI plant producing one million tons of steel annually would require approximately 3200 MW of photovoltaic capacity to integrate hydrogen effectively. This study also discusses hydrogen's role as a co-fuel in steel furnaces. Quantitative analyses show that to support typical industrial plants, hydrogen facilities of several hundred to a few thousand MW are necessary. "Virtual" power plants integrating with both the electrical grid and energy-intensive systems are proposed highlighting hydrogen's critical role in industrial decarbonization and renewable energy growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decarbonization, or the replacement of fossil fuels by renewables or 'cleaner' forms of energy, is an essential response to global warming. A gap in the debate on decarbonization is its implications for fragile fossil fuel-producing states (FFFPs). Unable to implement strategies for planned decarbonization, FFFPs face the prospect of rapid, unmanaged 'traumatic' decarbonization. This paper examines the political economy of this phenomenon drawing on six countries that have experienced dramatic losses in carbon revenues in the recent past: Ecuador, Iraq, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan and Venezuela. It also draws on two thematic papers – on peace-making during oil shocks and a review of the literature on energy transition in fragile states. The paper finds that in decarbonizing FFFPs, the rules of the political game tend to be 'sticky' and elites react to the loss of oil revenues by looking for alternate sources of rent and turning to coercion. Political settlements including peace agreements are structured around the allocation of oil rents to elites and their future viability is in question. We find only modest evidence for sustainable and democratic paths away from a carbon-based political settlement, despite the efforts of civic movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the trajectory of South Sudan's political economy following the dethronement of oil rents as the major source of regime stability. From 2005 to 2012, relations among competing elite actors in South Sudan were organized through a rentier political marketplace in which payments derived from oil rents were used to purchase the loyalty of armed groups. During the same period, marketization and the politics of state-building remade South Sudan's underlying political economy. With the partial collapse of the country's oil revenues followed by the outbreak of civil war in 2012 to 2013, it was this transformed political economy that enabled the state to maintain its grip on power, as the government distributed appointments and licenses to local actors, who then used such affordances to tax, raid, and otherwise immiserate the populations under their control. This shift to a political economy predicated on the apportionment of positions and licenses has intensified inequality in South Sudan and enabled continued elite domination. The emergence of a market economy has facilitated the transformation of the political marketplace. While this form of elite domination is likely durable, it will not be peaceful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of climate change (CC) are intensifying and becoming more widespread. Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) significantly contribute to CC and are primarily generated by transportation—a dominant segment of supply chains. City logistics is responsible for a significant portion of GHGs, as conventional vehicles are the primary mode of transportation in logistical operations. Nonetheless, city logistics is vital for urban areas' economy and quality of life. Therefore, decarbonizing city logistics (DCL) is crucial to promote green cities and sustainable urban living and mitigate the impacts of CC. However, sustainability encompasses the environment, economy, society, and culture, collectively called the quadruple bottom line (QBL) pillars of sustainability. This research uses the QBL approach to review the extant literature on DCL. We searched for articles on SCOPUS, focusing on analytical scholarly studies published in the past two decades. By analyzing publication years, journals, countries, and keyword occurrences, we present an overview of the current state of DCL research. Additionally, we examine the methods and proposals outlined in the reviewed articles, along with the QBL aspects they address. Finally, we discuss the evolution of DCL research and provide directions for future research. The results indicate that optimization is the predominant solution approach among the analytical papers in the DCL literature. Our analysis reveals a lack of consideration for the cultural aspect of QBL, which is essential for the applicability of any proposed solution. We also note the integration of innovative solutions, such as crowdsourcing, electric and hydrogen vehicles, and drones in city logistics, indicating a promising research area that can contribute to developing sustainable cities and mitigating CC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon-neutrality target set by the European Union for 2050 drives the increasing relevance of green hydrogen as key player in the energy transition. This work uses the JRC-EU-TIMES energy system model to assess opportunities and challenges for green hydrogen trade from North Africa to Europe, analysing to what extent it can support its decarbonization. An important novelty is addressing uncertainty regarding hydrogen economy development. Alternative scenarios are built considering volumes available for import, production costs and transport options, affecting hydrogen cost-effectiveness. Both pipelines and ships are modelled assuming favourable market conditions and pessimistic ones. From 2040 on, all available North African hydrogen is imported regardless of its costs. In Europe this imported hydrogen is mainly converted into synfuels and heat. The study aims to support policymakers to implement effective strategies, focusing on the crucial role of green hydrogen in the decarbonization process, if new competitive cooperations are developed. • The role of green hydrogen in long-term decarbonization is affected by uncertainty. • The JRC-EU-TIMES model is exploited to study alternative pathways for trade. • Different importable volumes, production costs and transport options are modelled. • From 2040 on, EU + import all the North African hydrogen, regardless of its cost. • EU + countries are differently sensitive to uncertainty factors on hydrogen import. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of climate change are real and in many parts of the world testify to its harsh reality, including rampant extreme weather events, droughts, heat, wildfires, and flooding which have recorded in places which have not experienced them in recent memory. In the quest to avert such events, there is a growing awareness and demand for sustainable processes and operations. Today, sustainability encompasses a balance between ecological footprint and human development index, taking into consideration economics, the green environment, safety, quality, ethics, diversity and inclusion (D&I), and communities. This article presents some steps that have been taken by Algeria to balance energetic autonomy and sustainable development, and a case study on green hydrogen production employing membrane processes. Algeria's objective to join the global fight against climate change is to develop its green hydrogen base. Given its resources, including available solar and wind power, seawater desalination plants, building capacity, and its favorable location, it is developing its green hydrogen economy to supply hydrogen, especially to Europe. This presents an opportunity for other developing nations, especially in Africa, to gain from this experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to climate change and the urgent need to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of industrial processes, decarbonizing energy‐intensive industries is highly important. In Europe, emissions trading is the main regulatory instrument providing incentives to replace conventional production facilities with low‐carbon alternatives. Using the example of primary steelmaking, this study aims to evaluate the impacts of product benchmark revisions on the transformation of integrated steel mills. To this end, an optimization model for the strategic planning of economically favorable transformation pathways is developed. The model is combined with a prospective assessment of economic and climate impacts from steelmaking processes. By applying the model to a case study from Germany, legislative conditions in which steel manufacturers are encouraged to transform their production infrastructure are identified. Based on current regulations on product benchmarks for steelmaking, investments into low‐carbon technologies are slowed down until allocations of emissions allowances expire. However, benchmark revisions have the potential to speed up transformation plans significantly. In the analyzed scenarios, the greenhouse gas emissions of primary steelmaking between 2024 and 2034 decreased by up to 15%. These results are further strengthened by sensitivity analyses on the main market influences. Hence, this study provides policy recommendations on favorable revisions of product benchmarks for primary steelmaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia production traditionally relies on steam methane reforming (SMR), but it emits carbon and harms the environment. To address decarbonization frameworks of industrial-scale ammonia production process, a 100,000-ton ammonia manufacturing plant is presented using green ammonia synthesis methods. This study presents two promising hydrogen production methods for ammonia production, utilizing water electrolysis as scenario 1 and biomass gasification as scenario 2, while nitrogen is supplied using a cryogenic air separation unit (CASU). The techno-economic analysis shows that the ammonia production via SMR as the base case has lower total costs than Scenarios 1 and 2 due to not using green electricity. Through the environmental impact assessment of climate change, ozone depletion, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and natural land transformation, it is shown that Scenario 1 has lower impacts than the base case and Scenario 2 due to using green electricity. It is noted that the base case and Scenario 1 ensure the lowest production cost and environmental impacts, respectively, and Scenario 2 is the best balance between the economy and the environment. [Display omitted] • New comparisons of three 100,000-ton ammonia manufacturing plant designs are addressed. • The ammonia production via SMR (base process) ensures the lowest total costs due to not using green electricity. • Scenario 1 by using water electrolysis has the lowest environmental impacts due to using green electricity. • Scenario 2 by using biomass gasification is at the best balance between the economy and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]