scholarly journals Using Emissions Intensity to Better Track Energy Transitions

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 681-690
Author(s):  
Kelly D’alessandro ◽  
Paul Dargusch

Abstract Current metrics fail to adequately capture the temporal and spatial complexity of energy transitions in a sufficiently meaningful way and this limits their usefulness to inform effective climate and energy policy and management. In this paper we propose a cumulative integral of CO2 emissions intensity for electricity and heat use as a metric to monitor energy transition progress. We demonstrate its application using International Energy Agency data for each of the G20-member countries. Findings show that whilst most countries are far from the energy transition positions required to effectively mitigate climate change, there are some examples of countries that have made an effective transition that provide useful insights into how energy transitions might progress more extensively.

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 5153
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Ohta

This study is a preliminary and experimental one to analyze Japan’s energy transitions to mitigate climate change from anticipatory governance aspects. Japan’s energy policy principles have been energy security, environmental considerations, economic efficiency, and safety (3E + S). According to the energy agency, the long-term energy outlook is also drawn up by “ambitious multiple track scenarios” and “multilayered and diversified flexible energy supply-demand structure.” This approach resonates with the aspects of anticipatory governance. It promotes the idea of preparing for multiple future scenarios, including the unthinkable worst case future scenario such as a nuclear accident (foresight), the interactions between the policymakers and the public (engagement), and the reflexive processes of policy innovations with a normative decision for the selection of energy mix (integration). However, this study finds that Japan’s energy policy lacks the aspects of anticipatory governance. It sticks to fixed energy policy institutionalized in the 1970s to promote nuclear energy and coal as oil alternatives. It rarely has interactions between the policymakers and the public and thus lacks a societal (normative) decision about a future energy path to energy transitions to mitigate climate change. Instead, Japan’s energy policy has not necessarily met its declared policy objective of 3E + S since the unprecedented Fukushima nuclear accidents occurred and cannot uphold an ambitious target for CO2 emissions reduction.


Author(s):  
Piotr Gradziuk ◽  
Błażej Jendrzejewski

The aim of this study was to assessment of the impact of EU climate and energy policy changes on the biofuels sector. The research was carried out on the basis of the reports of the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Energy Regulatory Office, the Central Statistical Office of Poland, the EU Commission, the International Renewable Energy Agency and the International Energy Agency. Tabular and descriptive methods were used. Analyzes covered the years 2007-2015 with perspective until 2030. The analyzes show that realization of assumed obligations in relation to the minimum share of renewable energy used by transportation according to the directive 2009/28/WE of 23 February 2017 may be difficult to be achieve within the proposed deadlines. Currently existing advanced biofuel installations are mainly small prototype devices. Commercialization of those installations would pose a number of threats which could make impossible to reach the assumed production capacity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-160
Author(s):  
Olga Piterina ◽  
Alexander Masharsky

Abstract Research purpose. The high-speed railway (HSR) construction project in the Baltic States is the largest joint infrastructure project since the restoration of independence of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Rail Baltica (RB) is considered as the most energy-efficient project having the lowest environmental impact. However, the issue of energy consumption of the project was not sufficiently addressed either in the investment justification of the RB construction or in the relevant research works regarding the project. The aim of the current research is to determine the indicators of energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions intensity of the Latvian section of RB, since they are the key factors of the quantitative assessment of sustainability. Design/Methodology/Approach. Critical analysis of the academic research works and reports of the official international organizations dedicated to the topic of energy consumption and CO2 emissions of HSR was conducted prior to the calculation of the above-mentioned indicators. The method of calculation based on International Union of Railways (UIC) was used in order to conduct the cluster analysis within the framework of current work. The main points considered are electricity consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, and level of passenger and freight demand. Statistical databases of UIC and International Energy Agency were used. Findings. The calculations carried out by the authors of the given article demonstrate substantial figures of CO2 emissions intensity for Latvian section of the project related to the train load rate and traffic intensity which is evened out only by the CO2 emissions factor in Latvia. Originality/Value/Practical implications. On this basis the authors present the directions for future research required for the development of the effective strategy for the Latvian Republic with the aim of achieving the increase in the RB project’s ecological efficiency.


Author(s):  
Leslie Parker

This chapter examines key legal instruments and mechanisms relevant to international renewable energy regulation. These play an important role in governing unified action and enhancing collaboration and information-sharing on effective policies and investment frameworks aimed at reducing barriers and risks to investments in renewable energy. The mechanisms that are analysed are the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Statute, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol and related international climate change negotiations and declarations, the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), and various sector-specific treaties. The chapter also turns its attention to the primary international organizations that influence present and future directions in international renewable energy policy, such as the Nairobi Programme of Action for the Development and Utilization of New and Renewable Sources of Energy, International Energy Agency, Development Banks, and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership.


10.6036/9922 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-321
Author(s):  
IGNACIO DE BLAS ◽  
LUIS JAVIER MIGUEL GONZALEZ ◽  
CARLOS DE CASTRO CARRANZA

The climate change that is currently occurring is due to the increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere as a result of human activity. The large number of factors and variables that directly or indirectly affect GHG emissions, as well as the multiple and complex relationships between them, makes it difficult to make decisions on the best measures to be adopted to slow down or mitigate climate change and to analyze the consequences that each decision entails. This has led to the development of complex simulation models called Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) or Energy-Economy-Environment Models (E3 models), with a particular focus on climate change. The development and use of these models to guide policy decisions on climate change has grown very significantly in recent years, as evidenced by the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This paper is a panoramic review of the main existing IAMs and analyzes their main characteristics. The paper focuses especially on the analysis of the limitations of the current IAMs, which should mark the future developments of these tools.


Urban Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Maria Rosaria Guarini ◽  
Francesco Sica ◽  
Pierluigi Morano ◽  
Josè Antonio Vadalà

The International Energy Agency (2019) states 40% of CO2 emissions in cities are linked to the buildings stock, in particular to heating and cooling systems, material types and users’ performance. According to Green New Deal, the energy transition of buildings is becoming a priority. This is via investments with low environmental impacts through renewable energy sources. The paper describes an integrated economic-energy-environmental framework (IE3F), i.e., an economic evaluation protocol for new constructions and/or existing renewal projects aimed at supporting the choice phase between alternative technological solutions based on biocompatible materials. The IE3F borrows the logical-operative flow of the life cycle assessment multi-criteria approach. The value aspects translated into monetary terms that characterize the project life cycle are taken into account. The protocol was tested on an emergency project in Italy, namely in Messina City. The results obtained provide evidence of the versatile use of IE3F and its practical utility to guide economic convenience judgements on building investments and choice problems between alternatives in sustainable perspective. The research deepening will be about keeping track of multiple performance levels of the construction, not only the energy performance, and attempting to estimate the corresponding economic value in terms of increase/decrease of construction cost value.


2017 ◽  
pp. 124-139
Author(s):  
Robert Goodland

The gravest environmental impact of food production is the impact of its greenhouse gas emissions; that's because of the uniquely diverse, unprecedented, and irreversible risks that it involves. According to the International Energy Agency, atmospheric carbon must be reduced significantly by 2020 or else the world may not be able to avert uncontrollable climate change. This chapter compares the most recent assessment of livestock and climate change by livestock specialists employed by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation with assessment of livestock and climate change by two World Bank Group environmental specialists, Robert Goodland and Jeff Anhang. It is explained how the only pragmatic way to reverse climate change before it is too late is to replace a substantial amount of today's livestock products with better alternatives.


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