Assessments on emergy and greenhouse gas emissions of internal combustion engine automobiles and electric automobiles in the USA

Increasing energy consumption in the transportation sector results in challenging greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and environmental problems. This paper involved integrated assessments on GHG emissions and emergy of the life cycle for the internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric automobiles in the USA over the entire assumed fifteen-year lifetime. The hotspots of GHG emissions as well as emergy indices for the major processes of automobile life cycle within the defined system boundaries have been investigated. The potential strategies for reducing GHG emissions and emergy in the life cycle of both ICE and electric automobiles were further proposed. Based on the current results, the total GHG emissions from the life cycle of ICE automobiles are 4.48E + 07 kg CO₂-e which is 320 times higher than that of the electric automobiles. The hotspot area of the GHG emissions from ICE and electric automobiles are operation phase and manufacturing process, respectively. Interesting results were observed that comparable total emergy of the ICE automobiles and electric automobiles have been calculated which were 1.54E + 17 and 2.20E + 17 sej, respectively. Analysis on emergy index evidenced a better environmental sustainability of electric automobiles than ICE automobiles over the life cycle due to its higher ESI. To the authors’ knowledge, it is the first time to integrate the analysis of GHG emissions together with emergy in industrial area of automobile engineering. It is expected that the integration of emergy and GHG emissions analysis may provide a comprehensive perspective on eco-industrial sustainability of automobile engineering.     

沿海重化工业基地生态工业体系规划研究

基于实现区域可持续发展,提升区域循环经济水平的目标,以某沿海港口经济区为案例,阐述了循环经济生态工业体系规划与构建的程序和方法.在沿海重化工业的环境影响、国家政策及资源制约的基础上,分析了产业准入的条件.对符合准入条件的产业进行了产业共生体系的优化设计,提出了生态工业体系发展的规划框架.最后通过对该港口经济区进行资源环境压力与承载力的合规性分析,从总量上控制产业规模,调控优化产业布局和类型,并提出预防及减轻不良环境影响的措施,从而规划设计出该港口经济区的生态产业体系.      

经济转型视角下中国工业行业环境全要素生产率及增长动力分析

从工业行业存在技术异质特征出发,在全局DEA分析框架下,应用共同前沿理论的MML生产率指数,测度了2001~2012年我国工业行业环境全要素生产率的动态变化及分解构成,并采用动态GMM估计方法对其增长因素进行分析.结果表明: 2001~2012年36个工业行业的环境全要素生产率年均增长率为2.3%,工业环境全要素生产率的增长主要源于技术进步与规模效率的提升.环境全要素生产率呈现清洁型生产行业、中污染生产行业、污染密集型行业依次递减的发展格局,群组间技术差异整体上呈现缩减趋势;通信设备、计算机及其他电子设备制造业、烟草制品业是推动前沿面扩张的主力行业;增长动力分析显示,工业行业存在投入要素利用的规模经济,工业行业“国退民进”的产权改革与能源结构调整有利于环境全要素生产率的提升,资本深化对环境全要素生产率的提升影响微弱,FDI抑制了环境全要素生产率的增长,行业集中度与环境全要素生产率存在“倒U”型关系,不同群组的技术异质性导致了对环境全要素生产率产生不同影响.     

基于环境约束的浙江省制造业行业结构调整优化研究

文章在综合评价浙江省制造业内部各产业污染排放强度的基础上,对浙江省制造业污染排放量进行了因素分解,并构建了基于污染排放程度系数和工业总产值的区域类型划分矩阵,将浙江省制造业划分为优先发展行业、结构优化发展行业、引导发展行业、推动发展行业和限制发展行业,对浙江省制造业内部各产业结构的调整优化提出了针对性建议。     

基于物质平衡模型的工业汞污染防治环境经济手段分析

我国以行政命令手段为主的环境管理措施并不能完全有效控制环境汞污染,因而有必要引入环境经济手段。本文基于汞在采掘、冶炼和产品生产三个生产环节中的利用、处置与排放特征,构建了经济系统及行业部门的汞物质平衡模型,并发现,单个污染源的汞污染物治理难以保证消除汞的环境危害。因而,采取环境经济手段控制工业汞污染,尽可能少的向环境中排放汞,在涉汞工业系统的层面上提高汞的利用效率和再资源化率。我国工业汞污染防治的环境经济手段包括环境污染价格、税费以及绿色金融两大类,但仅对生产环节高浓度汞排放发挥作用,对于堆存、再提取和处置环节的汞排放则作用不大。对此,应从扩大环境税(排污费)的征收范围,建立长效的绿色金融机制和推进第三方治理低含量含汞废物,这三个方面加以改进。     

Eco-design implemented through a product-based environmental management system

Lucent Technologies (Lucent) has undergone considerable change in business strategy with the outsourcing of manufacturing activities. In order to control the significant environmental aspects of hardware products, Lucent's wireless business unit, Mobility Solutions, determined it would concentrate on the design of products: focusing on eco-design enables product sustainability to be improved, with each product generation providing a ‘start of pipe’ (front end) solution with attendant efficiencies.Mobility Solutions pioneered a product-based environmental management system (PBEMS) to formally address the impacts of wireless hardware products on the environment throughout the entire product lifecycle, regardless of where products are developed. This management system looks beyond the environmental impacts of manufacturing to include conceptual design, development, use by the customer, and final product disposal.The success of this approach can be attributed to the integration of eco-design with traditional hardware product realization processes. Through the PBEMS, business and environmental processes are simultaneously utilized to manage significant product aspects and to incorporate sustainability principles during product design. Many innovative eco-design tools are applied during the product realization process to identify areas for improvement of future products, and to verify that each generation of existing products is more sustainable than its predecessor. These eco-design tools include eco-roadmapping, design for environment guidelines and checklists, and lifecycle assessments.The Mobility Solutions PBEMS conforms to the requirements of the ISO 14001 international standard and has achieved third-party certification. By implementing environmentally responsible characteristics through eco-design programs, employees, customers, and the world community benefit from a consistent approach to the environmental management of wireless hardware products. Mobility Solutions continues to reap the value of sustainable product design that is both good for the environment and makes sound business sense.     

Towards corporate environmental information disclosure: an empirical study in China

High levels of corporate environmental information disclosure (EID) have become pressing issues due to environmental protection around the world. Corporate EID refers to disclose their information on activities related to the natural environment, environmental protection and use of resource. Emerging economies in developing countries seem to face a formidable task for promoting corporate EID. Based on data of corporate EID for 871 listed manufacturing companies in China, this paper examines the status of corporate EID. The significant difference of selectively disclosing their environmental information for the listed companies is investigated. The relations among the level of EID, industrial sector, company size, and company ownership are also explored. Surprisingly, the result reveals the inverse relationship between the marketization level and corporate EID.     

Improvement of agility and sustainability: A case study in an Indian rotary switches manufacturing organisation

Increasing competition has been forcing the modern manufacturing organisations to adopt advanced manufacturing paradigms. Agile Manufacturing (AM) is an advanced manufacturing paradigm that enables an organisation to survive in the competitive business environment. Agility is the performance measure of AM practices. Simultaneously, modern business organisations are forced to evolve environmental friendly products. Sustainability is regarded as an important concept for survival by the modern organisations. In this context, agility and sustainability are regarded as performance measures for contemporary organisations. This paper reports a case study which has been carried out in an Indian rotary switches manufacturing organisation. The candidate product is the knob of rotary switch. Initially Computer Aided Design (CAD) has been used to digitalise the baseline model. Keeping the baseline model as reference, five new knob models have been evolved. Then the sustainability analysis has been carried out to determine the environmental impact of the knob models. The analysis results indicated that the proposed knob models possess minimal environmental impact. The conduct of case study has lead to an inference that there is a significant improvement of agility and sustainability in the design and development of knob of rotary switch.     

An approach to scenario analysis of the sustainability of an industrial sector applied to clothing and textiles in the UK

Companies aiming to be ‘sustainability leaders’ in their sector and governments wanting to support their ambitions need a means to assess the changes required to make a significant difference in the impact of their whole sector. Previous work on scenario analysis/scenario planning demonstrates extensive developments and applications, but as yet few attempts to integrate the ‘triple bottom line’ concerns of sustainability into scenario planning exercises. This paper, therefore, presents a methodology for scenario analysis of large change to an entire sector. The approach includes calculation of a ‘triple bottom line graphic equaliser’ to allow exploration and evaluation of the trade-offs between economic, environmental and social impacts. The methodology is applied to the UK's clothing and textiles sector, and results from the study of the sector are summarised. In reflecting on the specific study, some suggestions are made about future application of a similar methodology, including a template of candidate solutions that may lead to significant reduction in impacts.     

基于微观模拟的企业排污强度差异及区域特征

同一工业行业内的企业存在排污强度个体差异,从数量有限的企业环境统计数据得出行业平均排污强度,并用其代表该行业在区域层面的经济-环境水平,会带来一定偏差.因此以嵌入环境消耗投入的生产函数为基础,建立了企业运营决策的微观模拟模型,从机制上描述企业排污强度的差异.以2005年德阳市机械制造行业为案例,对模型的相关参数进行了率定,使其较好地描述了2005年环境统计口径内各企业的COD排放强度.模型的计算结果表明,由环境统计口径内企业计算的区域平均COD排放强度(万元固定资产排放0.002 6 t,万元工业产值排放0.001 5 t)小于由区域内全部企业计算的区域平均COD排放强度(万元固定资产排放0.003 0 t,万元工业产值排放0.002 3 t),市域内6个县级行政区的排污强度也体现出了明显差异.以上的排污强度区域特征主要源自行业内部结构(企业的规模分布,技术分布),及其空间差异.     

Estimated chemical usage by manufacturers in Connecticut

Background

There is little available data on chemical use patterns by companies, with few federal requirements for reporting. This results in difficulties for targeting toxics for possible substitution, assisting employers with complying with newer international regulations, and decreased ability to estimate health and environmental impacts.

Methods

Massachusetts chemical use data for manufacturers required under the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) was acquired, with corresponding information on industrial sector classification and employment levels by sector for both Massachusetts (MA) and Connecticut (CT). The MA chemical data was adjusted based on the ratio of employment levels by sector for CT compared to MA to give estimates of chemical usage by sector in CT.

Results

It was estimated that there was over 660 million pounds of chemicals used in CT, with over 300 million pounds each of carcinogens and reproductive hazards (categories overlap). The most common chemicals estimated to be used were styrene monomer (266 million lbs.), sodium hydroxide (60 million lbs.), and methanol (50 million lbs.). The industrial sub-sectors estimated with the highest chemical usage were chemical manufacturing, plastics and rubber products manufacturing, and fabricated metal product manufacturing.

Conclusion

There is extensive chemical use in CT manufacturing, but little direct information on actual use patterns.     

关中地区工业废水主要污染物排放特征研究

为深入研究陕西省关中地区工业废水污染物排放特性和分布规律,文章采用等标污染负荷法,筛选确定了主要污染物,并重点分析了研究区主要污染物行业和区域分布特征。结果表明:关中地区主要污染物为COD、氨氮、石油类和挥发酚;这4类污染物主要来自于造纸及纸制品业、饮料制造业、化学原料及化学制品制造业等行业;主要排放区域为西安市、渭南市、咸阳市、宝鸡市。     

Industrial ecology framework for achieving cleaner production in the mining and minerals industry

Industrial ecology (IE) is an emerging framework adopted in the manufacturing, construction, and process industries to provide innovative solutions in strategic planning, leading to cleaner operation and production. An IE framework integrates a large number of processes, economic constraints, and environmental, health and safety considerations for optimized resource utilization. This paper provides a review of environmental management practices in the mining and minerals industry, emphasizing two concepts: IE and cleaner production. The mining and minerals industry provides primary materials for industrial activities; as such, it is an important component in the “industrial ecosystem.” This industry is subject to very stringent social and environmental scrutiny, while providing society with required natural resources to meet essential sustainable development requirements. The implementation of an IE framework in the sector will contribute to sustainable development.     

Gold mining in Australia: linking historical trends and environmental and resource sustainability

The mining of gold has been and continues to be an important aspect of Australian industry. Gold mining moved quickly from fossicking and alluvial sources in the 1850's to hard rock mining. This paper presents, arguably for the first time, a detailed historical compilation of Australian gold mining production data. This data is then analysed in the context of sustainability, focussing particularly on mineral resource sustainability and the broader aspects of environmental impacts now commonly reported by some mining companies in annual sustainability performance reports. The key trends which are demonstrated by the data include a long-term decline in ore grade, increased open cut mining, substantive increases in tailings and waste rock production, as well as showing the impact of new technologies and economics on available gold resources. The available environmental data on material and energy inputs to and pollutant emissions from gold production is also presented, showing a clear sensitivity to ore grade. In terms of sustainability, these relationships raise significant issues such as increasing greenhouse footprint per unit gold produced, potential impacts on energy and water consumption, as well as overall gold resource sustainability. The paper presents a unique case study of the resource and environmental sustainability of the Australian gold mining sector with major implications for sustainability policy and reporting.     

产业关联水平对碳排放演化的影响机理及效应研究——基于欧盟27国投入产出数据的实证分析

碳排放逐步升高是以工业化为特征的区域经济崛起的必然结果。论文的理论研究说明,产业关联水平反映了区域发展过程中产业多样化和分工细化的程度,相较于产业结构,产业关联水平对区域经济发展水平的指示意义更深刻。那么,产业关联水平对碳排放的影响特征及其趋势将更接近于碳排放在经济发展驱动下的演进规律。因此,论文采用欧盟27国投入产出数据,在测算不同类型制造业和服务业的产业关联水平的基础上,确定不同类型制造业所对应的特征服务业类型,进而应用经济计量学工具对制造业与服务业产业关联度对碳排放的影响进行实证分析,结果显示：第一,作为发达经济体,欧盟的制造业与服务业整体间产业关联度对碳排放具有显著负效应;第二,低端、中端和高端制造业与各自对应特征服务业类型间产业关联度对碳排放的影响均较为显著,其强度呈现随制造业水平升级而先上升、后下降的趋势;第三,高端制造业与生产性、分配性服务业间产业关联度的提高是实现区域碳排放达到峰值并逐步下降的重要动力,而中端制造业与其对应特征服务业关联度提升对碳排放的正向效应将高于低端制造业主导时期。因此,结合发达经济体的发展经验可以发现,碳排放的演化具有规律性特征,而以产业关联度入手的分析能够提供操作性更强的参考。目前,中国应在推动产业结构升级结构的过程中,大力提升生产性服务业的发展水平及其与制造业的关联水平,并采取积极措施降低交通运输业等分配性服务业的能耗强度。     

京津冀制造业转移与环境影响实证研究

为评价京津冀产业转移的时空格局变化及其对区域环境产生的影响,建立区际产业转移测度模型和环境影响评估模型,实证分析2003—2014年京津冀制造业的转移与环境污染影响.产业转移测度模型借鉴偏离-份额法和增量分解思想,可用于分析区际产业转移的趋势和规模;环境影响评估模型采用纳入产业转移、经济发展和环境管制水平等因素的计量经济模型,利用面板数据和固定效应估计方法,可用于分析区际产业转移带来的区域环境污染格局变化.实证研究结果表明:京津冀地区1%规模的资本密集型制造业发生转移,会使转入地（转出地）的工业SO₂和工业烟（粉）尘排放量分别增长（减少）3.4%和2.6%.“十一五”以来京津冀地区间的制造业转移已经颇具规模,然而京津冀制造业的空间重构已经对区域环境污染格局产生了影响,并且产生明显不利影响的主要是资本密集型制造业的转移,而技术密集型制造业转移的环境积极效应尚不明显,京津冀环境污染在跨过EKC（环境库兹涅茨曲线）拐点后,环境污染与经济增长的反向关系可能并不能持续,更有效的环境规制或者更清洁的生产技术可以明显改善当地的环境状况.      

A methodology for the life cycle and sustainability analysis of manufacturing processes

Life cycle assessment is emerging as a powerful tool in the evaluation of the environmental impact of manufacturing processes. This paper describes a general methodology for the life cycle analysis of manufacturing processes taking into account the flexibility and decision-making potential of knowledge base systems. Emphasis is placed on on-site waste minimisation and associated sustainability characteristics in relation to environmental impact assessment and process improvement. The ensuing software model is applied with some success to an initial study of pulp and paper manufacture.     

“2+26”城市“散乱污”企业的社会经济效益和环境治理成本评估

为了评估2017年原环境保护部对“2+26”城市“散乱污”企业综合整治的效果,利用“2+26”城市“散乱污”企业清单,结合巡查期间279家“散乱污”企业的社会经济效益和环境治理成本调查数据,利用污染物治理成本法,对重点行业“散乱污”企业的社会经济效益和环境治理成本进行评估.结果表明:①家具制造与板材加工和塑料加工行业是“2+26”城市“散乱污”企业综合整治的重点行业,这两种行业的企业数量分别占“2+26”城市6.2×104家“散乱污”企业的35.2%和15.9%.②京津冀地区“散乱污”企业中砖瓦窑行业企业扣除环境治理成本后的产值利润率为2%,家具制造与板材加工行业企业扣除环境治理成本后的产值利润率为负值（-2%）,均低于全国规模以上工业企业的产值利润率;“散乱污”企业过去以牺牲环境为代价获得企业利润,扣除环境治理成本后,企业盈利能力很低,需要升级改造或予以淘汰.③规模越小的“散乱污”企业,环保治理设施与投入越少,这些企业也基本不缴纳税收,导致微小型“散乱污”企业的经济效益明显高于规模以上企业.④“2+26”城市“散乱污”企业中砖瓦窑行业企业就业职工数占规模以上非金属矿物制品业职工总数的9.1%,家具制造与板材加工行业就业职工数占规模以上家具制造行业职工总数的50.3%.“散乱污”企业的取缔整改,将对“散乱污”企业集中分布地区的劳动就业产生一定影响.研究显示,“散乱污”企业过去总体上是以牺牲环境为代价获得经济效益的黑色经济.      

Partitioning of resources in production: an empirical analysis

Industrial economies ingest materials, energy and information to produce goods and services and excrete wastes and emissions. Wastes can be minimized and the relative amounts of resources, which go into goods and services, as opposed to waste, are essential to clean production and to the sustainability of the production system. A regression model based on empirical data is presented that provides a partition coefficient expressing the ratio of energy (or material) resources invested in goods to energy going to waste. Partition coefficients are developed for five countries and are shown to be related to GDP, energy and material consumption and energy and waste intensities. Higher partition coefficients mean higher productivity and lower energy, waste and material intensities. In addition, energy use/capita and pollution/capita is lower. The price of energy to the industrial sector is related to the partition coefficient. The policy implications are that partitioning of resources to goods should be maximized and waste minimized for economic as well as environmental reasons.     

Cost efficiency analysis and emission reduction by implementation of energy efficiency standards for electric motors

The industrial sector is the biggest electricity consumer in Malaysia. Electric motors account for more than 45% of the electricity consumption in the industrial sector in the country. Therefore, it is very important to implement energy efficiency standards for electric motors to reduce energy consumption growth in this sector. This paper attempts to calculate the cost efficiency analysis and emission reduction by implementing energy efficiency standards for electric motor in Malaysia. The energy efficiency standards are proposed based on the efficiency of electric motors from survey data. The study examines the potential energy, economical and environmental impacts of the implementation of energy efficiency standards for electric motors in three scenarios i.e. 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% of standards efficiency improvement. Standards also enable consumers to reduce their electricity bill and contribute to a positive environmental impact.