scholarly journals Low-Carbon Quick Wins: Integrating Short-Term Sustainable Transport Options in Climate Policy in Low-Income Countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 4369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bakker ◽  
Haq ◽  
Peet ◽  
Gota ◽  
Medimorec ◽  
...  

In low income countries (LICs) in Africa and Asia per capita transport greenhouse gas emissions are relatively low but are expected to grow. Therefore, a substantial reduction in projected increases is required to bring emissions in line with long-term global climate objectives. Literature on how LICs are integrating climate change mitigation and sustainable transport strategies is limited. Key drivers of transport policy include improving accessibility, congestion, air quality, energy security, with reducing greenhouse gas emissions being of lower priority. This paper assesses the current status, feasibility and potential of selected low-carbon transport measures with high sustainable development benefits that can be implemented in the short to medium term, so- called ‘quick wins’. It examines to what extent ten such quick wins are integrated in climate change strategies in nine low- and middle-income countries in Africa and South Asia. The research method comprises expert interviews, an online questionnaire survey of experts and policymakers in the focus countries, and a review of literature and government plans. Results indicate that sustainable urban transport policies and measures are considered high priority, with vehicle-related measures such as fuel quality and fuel economy standards and electric two- and three-wheelers being of key relevance. In existing national climate change strategies, these quick wins are integrated to a certain extent; however, with better coordination between transport and energy and environment agencies such strategies can be improved. A general conclusion of this paper is that for LICs, quick wins can connect a ‘top-down’ climate perspective with a ‘bottom-up’ transport sector perspective. A knowledge gap exists as to the mitigation potential and sustainable development benefits of these quick wins in the local context of LICs.

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-391
Author(s):  
Maria Aleksandrovna Liubarskaia ◽  
Viktoria Sergeevna Merkusheva ◽  
Olga Sergeevna Zinovieva

The article analyzes the participation of the Russian Federation in international cooperation on the climate change prevention. Global climate change in terms of its impact on world economy is presented as a catalyst for multidirectional shifts in many sectors of economy. The adoption of international documents such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992), the Kyoto Protocol (1997), the Paris Agreement (2015), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2015) are viewed as vital steps for regulating international cooperation in this sphere. Analyzing the provisions of the 2020 Climate Doctrine of the Russian Federation (2009), the authors emphasize the aspiration for international political and economic integration and deep economic interest in modernization as main factors, affecting Russian climate policy strategy. One of the mechanisms of implementing state policy in the field of environmental safety is the adoption of state regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and the consideration of these measures in the development of longterm strategies for socio-economic development. The authors urge for creating regional strategies for climate change prevention with necessary adjustment and adaptation to a specific region or constituent entity of the Russian Federation. In presenting the research results, the concept of “global warming potential” and the role of managing this potential in achieving sustainable development goals are disclosed. The authors argue that a significant contribution to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions is made by the production activities of the energy sector. Based on the data of the largest international companies (Chevron, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, BP, PetroChina, Shell, Gazprom, LUKOIL, Rosneft), directions for reducing their negative environmental impact were determined, including the classification of tools for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. International practice analysis forms the necessary ground to elaborate the most promising modern tools for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by Russian oil and gas companies.


2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 132-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Kent

Whereas global compacts, such as the Kyoto Protocol, have yet to consolidate action from governments on climate change, there has been increasing emphasis and acknowledgement of the role of individuals (as citizens and consumers) as contributors to climate change and as responsible agents in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Recently, along with the acknowledgement of the threat that anthropogenic climate change presents to the planet, governments and non-government organizations have focused on personal responsibility campaigns targeting individuals and households with a view to stemming the growth of greenhouse gas emissions. The Australian Government, for example, spent $25 million in 2007 on the climate change information campaign targeted to every Australian household, ‘Be Climate Clever: “I can do that”. Such measures centre on “personal, private-sphere ….. behaviour” (Stern 2005: 10786) that focuses on the “choice of goods, services and lifestyles” (WWF-UK 2008: 10) and imply that global greenhouse gas emission reduction targets can be met through the actions of individuals. There is growing concern in some quarters about climate change programs that emphasize individual behaviour change strategies that use “simple and painless steps” (WWF-UK 2008) and “small steps add up” (Accountability and Consumers International 2007) approaches. The emergent fear is that given the urgency of the climate change problem that such approaches will mean important opportunities for citizen-led action will be lost. This paper will explore how notions of individual responsibility have arisen and what the trend towards individualized responsibility may mean for active citizenship on climate change.


2021 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 117-139
Author(s):  
Dániel Fróna ◽  
János Szenderák ◽  
Mónika Harangi-Rákos

Climate change seems to be larger, more complex and more unpredictable than any other environmental problem. This review deals with the economic effects of climate change on global agricultural production. The causes and consequences of climate change are very diverse, while populations in low-income countries are increasingly exposed to its negative effects. Supplying the population with food is possible with increased agricultural production, but this often occurs under unsustainable circumstances. Increased agricultural production is also one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions. In this research we highlight some of the important connections between climate change, population growth and agricultural production.


Author(s):  
Ping K. Wan ◽  
Alice C. Carson ◽  
Desmond W. Chan

Nuclear power generation has become an increasingly attractive alternative in the global power market due to growing demand for electric power, increasing global competition for fossil fuels, concern over greenhouse gas emissions and their potential impact on climate change, and the desire for energy independence. Nuclear energy plays an integral role in providing carbon free energy for sustainable development of global electric power generation. Assuring the protection of people and the environmental is a prime consideration in the design, construction, and operation of nuclear power plants. Potential environmental and safety concerns must be carefully evaluated and addressed. In order to assure that the nuclear power plant designs are sufficiently robust, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) requires that applicants for early site permits (ESP) and construction/operating licenses (COL) identify the most severe natural phenomena historically reported for the site and surrounding area to ensure sufficient design margin exists, considering the limited accuracy, quantity, and time in which the associated data has been collected. Because these permits are valid for a period up to 40 years, the potential impacts of climate change on the severity of natural phenomena, as it relates to the design basis and nuclear safety and environmental impacts are of increasing interest. Although no conclusive evidence or consensus of opinion is available on the long-term climatic changes resulting from human or natural causes, the USNRC has requested that climate change forecasts be considered for their potential affecting the most severe natural phenomena. The specific subject areas of concern include: • Extreme temperature and extreme precipitation (liquid & frozen) statistics – review 100 years of data around the site versus a review of the previous 30 years of data. • Extreme wind/basic wind speed – review previous 100 years of tropical cyclone data (including hurricanes) in the site vicinity versus previous 30 years of data. • Tornado – review of frequency and intensity trends and forecasts. • Drought – review of water availability / water supply during drought conditions and drought of record. • Stagnation Potential – review of conditions that would result in restrictive dispersion of greenhouse gas emissions. This paper examines the challenges and constraints in identifying and developing appropriate design- and operating-basis site/regional meteorological conditions while accounting for potential climate change during preparation of an ESP and/or COL. Because there is no regulatory guidance or quantitative acceptance criteria currently available, the methodology used to address climate change in a recent issued ESP will be discussed as an example.


2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-40
Author(s):  
B.I. Basok ◽  
Ye.T. Baseyev ◽  
I.V. Kurayeva

Introduction. Reducing the negative impact of global warming and adapting to its devastating effects is an urgent global problem. Its decision is actively taken care of by politicians, leading world organizations and the expert community. Problems. Political, financial and economic, innovative, scientific and technical approaches and measures to reduce and / or neutralize climate change are widely discussed. World organizations - IPCC, IEA, WMO, IMF, etc. - are involved in solving the problems. Purpose. Assess the state of the problem, present the results of research and measures and tools for their implementation to reduce the greenhouse effect and / or adapt to its negative impact. Materials and methods. Authoritative literature sources with analysis of approaches, measures and tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including the diversification of the fuel and energy balance of world energy resources, were used. Possibilities of adaptation to climate change are considered. Results. The main approaches and mechanisms of man-caused nature to actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions and global temperature in the 20th century are identified and their estimates for the period up to 2050 are given. The crucial role of RES and energy efficiency in the use of energy resources has been confirmed. Conclusions. It is likely that by the middle of the 20th century the world economy can be brought to a state of low-carbon development primarily through the use of renewable energy, energy efficiency, diversification of primary energy resources and their decarbonization, which will significantly reduce annual emissions of 10 carbon .


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeriy Anufriev ◽  
Yuliya Gudim ◽  
Aytkali Kaminov

The monograph examines the problems of sustainable development and energy efficiency using the scientific and methodological approach proposed by the authors for the development of regional fuel and energy programs based on the KhMAO, the Sverdlovsk region, and the oil and gas production enterprise JSC Yuganskneftegaz, and presents the results of the environmental and economic assessment. This approach allows us to evaluate and select the most effective investment project for the utilization of associated petroleum gas from the point of view of energy, environmental and climate security on comparable indicators (tons, rubles). The authors proposed to distinguish from more than 200 UN indicators four basic indicators: the change in the green area (country, region, city, household) for the year; the level of energy efficiency; the amount of pollutants released per year; the annual amount of greenhouse gas emissions. It is proposed to consider the possibility of using the" energy " ruble of S. A. Podolinsky (kW / h) as a possible world reserve currency. Taking into account the unique experience of the region's participation in various projects of sustainable development, energy-efficient and low-carbon economy, it is proposed to create a market for waste and greenhouse gas emissions on the basis of the trade exchange of the Sverdlovsk region as a pilot platform for the implementation of the green economy. The history of the term "green economy", the essence of this concept is considered; the results of the application of green economy in different countries are shown. The international experience of green solutions and technologies is analyzed, the psychological aspects of the transition to a green economy are studied. For all those interested in the environmental development of the economy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (112) ◽  
pp. 140-156
Author(s):  
Selenge Khishgee

As part of the nationally determined contribution to the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, Mongolia aimsto reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 2.7% by 2030. The country’s per capita of greenhouse gas emissions are 2.7 times higher than the world average and relatively high in the region, and this is becoming a major issue. This is due to the fact that coal alone accounts for more than 90% of primary energy production, whereas renewable energy accounts for a smallproportion of total energy sources. Therefore, the role of the energy sector that emits the most greenhouse gas is important in reducing its fossil fuel consumption.This study addresses the key issues facing Mongolia’s energy sector in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and identifies opportunities for further actions. Furthermore, this will contribute to other studies on sustainable development, transition to a low-carbon economy, and implementation of energy policy recommendations.   Монгол орны уур амьсгалын өөрчлөлтийг сааруулах боломж, тулгарч буй сорилт (Эрчим хүчний салбарын жишээн дээр) Хураангуй: Уур амьсгалын өөрчлөлтийн тухай Парисын хэлэлцээрийг хэрэгжүүлэх үндэсний хэмжээнд тодорхойлсон хувь нэмрийн (ҮХТХН/ NDC) хүрээнд манай улс хүлэмжийн хийн ялгарлыг (ХХЯ) 2030 он гэхэд 22,7% бууруулахаар зорилт тавин ажиллаж байна. Монгол Улсын нэг хүнд ногдох ХХЯ нь дэлхийн дунджаас даруй 2,7 дахин их, бүс нутгийн хэмжээнд харьцангуй өндөр байгаа нь тулгамдаж буй асуудал болж байна. Үүний гол шалтгаан нь анхагдагч эрчим хүчний бүтээгдэхүүний үйлдвэрлэлийн 90 гаруй хувийг нүүрс дангаараа бүрдүүлж, сэргээгдэх эрчим хүчний эх үүсвэр нь нийт эрчим хүчний эх үүсвэрт багахан хувийг эзэлж байгаатай холбоотой юм. Тиймээс ХХЯ-ыг хамгийн ихээр ялгаруулж буй эрчим хүчний салбарын хатуу түлшний хэрэглээг багасгахад гүйцэтгэх үүрэг чухал байна. Энэхүү өгүүлэлд хүлэмжийн хийг бууруулахад манай улсын эрчимхүчний салбарт тулгамдаж буй гол гол асуудлыг хөндөж цаашид авч хэрэгжүүлэх боломж, гаргалгааг тодорхойлохыг зорьлоо. Ингэснээр тогтвортой хөгжил, бага нүүрстөрөгчийн эдийн засагт шилжих, эрчим хүчний бодлогын зөвлөмжийг хэрэгжүүлэх бусад судалгаанд хувь нэмэр оруулахад оршино. Түлхүүр үгс: Монгол Улс, Уур амьсгалын өөрчлөлт, Эрчим хүчний салбар, боломж, сорилт


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor Denny ◽  
Jurgen Weiss

AbstractClimate change risk will likely force the de-carbonization of our electricity sector and thus involve massive investments in long-lived assets using many new and emerging technologies. Since technological progress (independent or dependent on deployment) will likely lower the future cost of those technologies, investing early and rapidly forecloses saving money by installing those technologies at a lower cost later. There are thus benefits to waiting until the costs of renewables fall further. However, there are also costs to waiting. First, given the longevity of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, cumulative emissions matter and lowering greenhouse gas emissions earlier is beneficial. Second, there is significant uncertainty not only over the rate of change of the cost of low carbon technologies, but also over the cost of greenhouse gas emissions. The costs of waiting are complex in that the distributions themselves are unknown (and quite possibly have “fat” tails). There may also be complex timing issues such as points of no return in terms of global greenhouse gas concentrations, beyond which the costs of adapting to climate change effects become essentially infinite. Hurrying can therefore be considered an insurance policy against the unknown but perhaps increasing risk of catastrophic damage.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document