scholarly journals Unintended Consequences of Agricultural Participation in Voluntary Carbon Markets: Their Nature and Avoidance

Complexity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Minglu Wang ◽  
Bruce McCarl ◽  
Hanlin Wei ◽  
Layla Shiva
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Carbon Markets ◽  
Unintended Effects ◽  
Rebound Effects ◽  
Voluntary Carbon Markets ◽  
Change Mitigation

Greenhouse gas (GHG) trading markets have been widely discussed for climate change mitigation. However in implementation coverage has not been universal. Agriculture, despite being the source of nearly 25% of net emissions, has not commonly been capped. But it has been mentioned as voluntary source of net emission offsets. Such offsets could arise from action reducing GHG emissions, enhancing sequestration, or producing feedstocks for low emitting bioenergy replacements for fossil based energy. This could be harnessed by setting up voluntary carbon markets that producers could join at their discretion. However, such a scheme could have unintended consequences. We conduct theoretical and empirical analyses of a voluntary “carbon” market examining both intended and unintended effects. We find certain participation rules can stimulate rebound effects from emitters and suppress participation from sequestration and bioenergy producing entities. To overcome this we develop and simulate offset participation limitations that could preclude unintended consequences.

Prospects and Consequences of Repowering Cities

2019 ◽  
pp. 165-180
Author(s):  
Sara Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Urban Climate ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Scaling Up ◽  
Building Capacity ◽  
Smart Governance ◽  
Change Mitigation

This concluding chapter highlights the book's major findings and explores the remaining challenges and tradeoffs inherent in today's locally led climate change agenda. While the cities have made demonstrable progress on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, they are now facing the challenge of scaling up their efforts as new targets for 2030 loom. The chapter then discusses ways the cities can and are using the governing strategies to do this: by building participatory decision-making institutions, building capacity for climate “smart” governance, and expanding and stabilizing the coalition for climate change mitigation. However, the need for a “big tent” approach to climate change mitigation to make the citywide changes necessary for reducing GHG emissions 80 percent increases the complexity of interests and challenges of coordination. The scope of a viable urban climate change coalition may ultimately set the limits of a locally led mitigation agenda.

scholarly journals Afforestation of abandoned peat extraction sites with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) as a solution of climate change mitigation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelina Skrastina ◽  
◽  
Inga Straupe ◽  
Andis Lazdins ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Pinus Sylvestris ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Peat Extraction ◽  
Ghg Reduction ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Change Mitigation

On a global scale, ambitious climate change mitigation targets are set. By 2050, the European Union is expected to be climate neutral which means that the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will not exceed removals. This initiative is also supported by Latvia. For businesses and carbon intensive industries transition to climate neutral economy will be provided by Just Transition Fund. The direction of the peat sector towards climate neutrality will promote research and innovation as well as restoration of peat extraction sites. These are also the objectives of implementing the Just Transition Fund for investments in Latvia. Studies on management of peat soils to improve the calculation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been carried out in Latvia within LIFE REstore project. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of afforestation of abandoned peat extraction sites with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) on GHG emissions compared to retaining of the existing situation (abandoned peatlands with poorly developed vegetation). Afforestation of degraded peatlands can contribute to significant GHG reduction in wetlands – up to 20% of the net GHG emissions due to wetlands management. The most of the GHG mitigation potential is ensured by accumulation of CO2 in living biomass.

scholarly journals Estimation of carbon storage of forest biomass for voluntary carbon markets: preliminary results

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 329-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Nonini ◽  
Marco Fiala
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Carbon Storage ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Forest Biomass ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Carbon Markets ◽  
Voluntary Carbon Markets ◽  
Change Mitigation

AbstractEstimating the carbon storage of forests is essential to support climate change mitigation and promote the transition into a low-carbon emission economy. To achieve this goal, voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) are essential. VCMs are promoted by a spontaneous demand, not imposed by binding targets, as the regulated ones. In Italy, only in Veneto and Piedmont Regions (Northern Italy), VCMs through forestry activities were carried out. Valle Camonica District (Northern Italy, Lombardy Region) is ready for a local VCM, but carbon storage of its forests was never estimated. The aim of this work was to estimate the total carbon storage (TCS; t C ha−1) of forest biomass of Valle Camonica District, at the stand level, taking into account: (1) aboveground biomass, (2) belowground biomass, (3) deadwood, and (4) litter. We developed a user-friendly model, based on site-specific primary (measured) data, and we applied it to a dataset of 2019 stands extracted from 45 Forest Management Plans. Preliminary results showed that, in 2016, the TCS achieved 76.02 t C ha−1. The aboveground biomass was the most relevant carbon pool (48.86 t C ha−1; 64.27% of TCS). From 2017 to 2029, through multifunctional forest management, the TCS could increase of 2.48 t C ha−1 (+ 3.26%). In the same period, assuming to convert coppices stands to high forests, an additional TCS of 0.78 t C ha−1 (equal to 2.85 t CO2 ha−1) in the aboveground biomass could be achieved without increasing forest areas. The additional carbon could be certified and exchanged on a VCM, contributing to climate change mitigation at a local level.

scholarly journals TEMPORAL EVOLUTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN EUROPEAN UNION (EU-28): A PERSPECTIVE ON ROMANIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-58
Author(s):  
Mihaela Iordache ◽  
◽  
Ramona Ionela Zgavarogea ◽  
Andreea Maria Iordache ◽  
Marius Constantinescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
European Union ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Strong Response ◽  
Additional Support ◽  
Change Mitigation

The European mitigation strategy for combatting climate change requires up-to-date knowledge about the environmental effects of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the national scale. As a strong response to the consequences of climate change, the European Union has imposed on the member states an obligation to achieve the goals set out in the climate and energy package, which were aimed at reducing emissions. Therefore, underlying the trends of GHG emissions is essential when establishing climate change mitigation measures. This study identify the structure and dynamics of the GHG emissions of the six sectors of the European economies, over 27 years, and reveal the significance, direction, rate, and drivers of the observed trends using the method of modifying the absolute mean. The results indicate a decrease in the GHG emissions in the EU-28 by an average of 1% annually, which can be explained by a mixt factors, such as resize of the industry, improved energy efficiency, the growing share of renewables and less use of carbon fuels. Moreover, through the environmental policies adopted in the last decade, was observed that the GHG emissions level in 2017 had declined by approximately 25% in comparison with the reference (1990) and by approximately 17% by 2005. From the 28 EU countries (EU-28), Romania produced 4.2% of the total EU-28 GHG emissions in 1999, which decreased to 2.7% in 2005 and reaching 2.3% in 2017. Romania contributed to 14% of the average annual decrease in emissions. This evidence highlights the additional support for further reduction beyond that required for climate change mitigation.

scholarly journals Promoting Renewable Energy to Cope with Climate Change—Policy Discourse in Israel

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3170
Author(s):  
Avri Eitan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Renewable Energies ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Policy Discourse ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Change Mitigation

Evidence shows that global climate change is increasing over time, and requires the adoption of a variety of coping methods. As an alternative for conventional electricity systems, renewable energies are considered to be an important policy tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore, they play an important role in climate change mitigation strategies. Renewable energies, however, may also play a crucial role in climate change adaptation strategies because they can reduce the vulnerability of energy systems to extreme events. The paper examines whether policy-makers in Israel tend to focus on mitigation strategies or on adaptation strategies in renewable energy policy discourse. The results indicate that despite Israel’s minor impact on global greenhouse gas emissions, policy-makers focus more on promoting renewable energies as a climate change mitigation strategy rather than an adaptation strategy. These findings shed light on the important role of international influence—which tends to emphasize mitigation over adaptation—in motivating the domestic policy discourse on renewable energy as a coping method with climate change.

Transparency on greenhouse gas emissions from mining to enable climate change mitigation

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Azadi ◽  
Stephen A. Northey ◽  
Saleem H. Ali ◽  
Mansour Edraki
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Change Mitigation

scholarly journals Evaluating the Link between Low Carbon Reductions Strategies and Its Performance in the Context of Climate Change: A Carbon Footprint of a Wood-Frame Residential Building in Quebec, Canada

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Padilla-Rivera ◽  
Ben Amor ◽  
Pierre Blanchet
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Quebec City ◽  
Baseline Scenario ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Building Sector ◽  
Change Mitigation

The design and study of low carbon buildings is a major concern in a modern economy due to high carbon emissions produced by buildings and its effects on climate change. Studies have investigated (CFP) Carbon Footprint of buildings, but there remains a need for a strong analysis that measure and quantify the overall degree of GHG emissions reductions and its relationship with the effect on climate change mitigation. This study evaluates the potential of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the building sector by evaluating the (CFP) of four hotpots approaches defined in line with commonly carbon reduction strategies, also known as mitigation strategies. CFP framework is applied to compare the (CC) climate change impact of mitigation strategies. A multi-story timber residential construction in Quebec City (Canada) was chosen as a baseline scenario. This building has been designed with the idea of being a reference of sustainable development application in the building sector. In this scenario, the production of materials and construction (assembly, waste management and transportation) were evaluated. A CFP that covers eight actions divided in four low carbon strategies, including: low carbon materials, material minimization, reuse and recycle materials and adoption of local sources and use of biofuels were evaluated. The results of this study shows that the used of prefabricated technique in buildings is an alternative to reduce the CFP of buildings in the context of Quebec. The CC decreases per m2 floor area in baseline scenario is up to 25% than current buildings. If the benefits of low carbon strategies are included, the timber structures can generate 38% lower CC than the original baseline scenario. The investigation recommends that CO2eq emissions reduction in the design and implementation of residential constructions as climate change mitigation is perfectly feasible by following different working strategies. It is concluded that if the four strategies were implemented in current buildings they would have environmental benefits by reducing its CFP. The reuse wood wastes into production of particleboard has the greatest environmental benefit due to temporary carbon storage.

scholarly journals Generating carbon finance through avoided deforestation and its potential to create climatic, conservation and human development benefits

2008 ◽  
Vol 363 (1498) ◽  
pp. 1917-1924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Ebeling ◽  
Maï Yasué
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Carbon Markets ◽  
Conservation And Development ◽  
Tropical Forest Conservation ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Change Mitigation

Recent proposals to compensate developing countries for reducing emissions from deforestation (RED) under forthcoming climate change mitigation regimes are receiving increasing attention. Here we demonstrate that if RED credits were traded on international carbon markets, even moderate decreases in deforestation rates could generate billions of Euros annually for tropical forest conservation. We also discuss the main challenges for a RED mechanism that delivers real climatic benefits. These include providing sufficient incentives while only rewarding deforestation reductions beyond business-as-usual scenarios, addressing risks arising from forest degradation and international leakage, and ensuring permanence of emission reductions. Governance may become a formidable challenge for RED because some countries with the highest RED potentials score poorly on governance indices. In addition to climate mitigation, RED funds could help achieve substantial co-benefits for biodiversity conservation and human development. However, this will probably require targeted additional support because the highest biodiversity threats and human development needs may exist in countries that have limited income potentials from RED. In conclusion, how successfully a market-based RED mechanism can contribute to climate change mitigation, conservation and development will strongly depend on accompanying measures and carefully designed incentive structures involving governments, business, as well as the conservation and development communities.

Carbon Reduction in the Post-Kyoto era. Have we progressed? A comparison

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-37
Author(s):  
Bruno Zeller ◽  
Michael Longo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Common Law ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Global Environment ◽  
Carbon Reduction ◽  
Legal Proceedings ◽  
The World ◽  
Change Mitigation ◽  
The Eu

In a fragmented global environment, the efforts of state and non-state actors are important in assessing the state of play on climate change mitigation actions around the world. This article will consider from a comparative perspective the various legislative models for addressing climate change and the reduction of GHG emissions with particular focus on the EU, USA, Australia and Switzerland. As legal developments are not limited to legislative schemes, this article will examine the voluntary carbon offset market and other trade related solutions to GHG emissions which have emerged in the absence of mandatory limitation systems. Also warranting attention are the actions of private parties in common law jurisdictions to bring legal proceedings against power companies for damage caused by climate change. Together, these developments demonstrate that climate change abatement is not the sole remit of the legislature.

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