Assessment of GHG inventories from the LUCF sector of Annex-I countries

Reporting of CO₂ emissions and removals from the landuse change and forestry (LUCF) sector is assessed in this paper based onthe National GHG inventories and the National Communications submittedby the Annex-I countries. LUCF sector is a net sink for 27 countries outof 31 countries and a source for Australia, Estonia, Lithuania and UnitedKingdom. LUCF sector for Annex-I countries, as a group is a net sink of2035 Tg CO₂ (555 Tg Carbon). The sink feature is largely due toCO₂ removal by the existing forests, plantations and other trees.Forest and grassland conversion (deforestation) is not a major source ofCO₂ in the Annex-I countries. Many Annex-I countries have notfully adopted the reporting format of IPCC limiting the comparability andtransparency. Several Annex-I countries have modified the CO₂emission/removal estimates for 1990, but have not explained the reasons.Reporting of uncertainty is very limited. The methods adopted andparticularly reporting is inadequate to meet the requirements foroperationalising the Kyoto Protocol articles relevant to LUCF;comparability, transparency and verifiability.     

广东货船水运的温室气体排放和低碳发展对策

作为我国港口大省和低碳试点省,广东需先行测算船舶水运的GHG(温室气体)排放量基线,以探究低碳水运对策. 通过文献调研收集适用数据和资料,基于引擎功率法,测算了广东抵港货船在2010年的GHG排放量. 结果表明:广东专属经济区海域内货船水运的GHG总排放量为2887×104t,不确定性在-36%~45%之间,其中在领海区域内的排放量为730×104t;远洋集装箱船是GHG最大排放源,占总排放量的43%;集装箱船、干散货船、油轮和其他货船的GHG排放量不确定性均介于-30%~50%之间,远洋货船的主引擎在正常航行模式下输出功率是最主要的不确定性源. 基于分析船舶水运的GHG排放特征,提出船舶减速、向远洋货船供应岸电和内河货船主引擎转用天然气共3项低碳节能措施,共可减排40%的GHG排放量.该研究结果不仅为广东低碳水运发展提供基础性的GHG排放数据,也可为其他港口地区提供估算水运业GHG排放量的技术方法参考和实践经验.      

城市温室气体清单评价研究

城市消费了大量的能源,是全球人类活动温室气体的最大排放源,在应对气候变化中起到关键作用.城市温室气体清单评价成为重要的基础性工作,对于制定城市减排目标和计划、评估减排措施效果具有重要的意义.然而,城市开放的空间系统结构导致城市温室气体清单核算面临许多困难和挑战.本文对国内外城市温室气体清单方法和案例进行了回顾与展望,研究内容主要集中在比较城市清单和国家清单方法、联系和区别,分析清单编制的不确定性,在此基础上提出可借鉴的经验与启示,以期推动我国城市温室气体清单研究发展.     

Global and regional abatement costs of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and of enhanced action to levels well below 2 °C and 1.5 °C

As part of the Paris climate agreement, countries have submitted (Intended) Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which includes greenhouse gas reduction proposals beyond 2020. In this paper, we apply the IMAGE integrated assessment model to estimate the annual abatement costs of achieving the NDC reduction targets, and the additional costs if countries would take targets in line with keeping global warming well below 2 °C and “pursue efforts” towards 1.5 °C. We have found that abatement costs are very sensitive to socio-economic assumptions: under Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 3 (SSP3) assumptions of slow economic growth, rapidly growing population, and high inequality, global abatement costs of achieving the unconditional NDCs are estimated at USD135 billion by 2030, which is more than twice the level as under the more sustainable socio-economic assumptions of SSP1. Furthermore, we project that the additional costs of full implementation of the conditional NDCs are substantial, ranging from 40 to 55 billion USD, depending on socio-economic assumptions. Of the ten major emitting economies, Brazil, Canada and the USA are projected to have the highest cots as share of GDP to implement the conditional NDCs, while the costs for Japan, China, Russia, and India are relatively low. Allowing for emission trading could decrease global costs substantially, by more than half for the unconditional NDCs and almost by half for the conditional NDCs. Finally, the required effort in terms of abatement costs of achieving 2030 emission levels consistent with 2 °C pathways would be at least three times higher than the costs of achieving the conditional NDCs – even though reductions need to be twice as much. For 1.5 °C, the costs would be 5–6 times as high.     

Greenhouse gas mitigation in developing countries through technology transfer?: a survey of empirical evidence

While greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are projected to rise primarily in the developing countries, the potential for developing new GHG mitigation technologies exists primarily in the industrialized countries. It is thus important, not only for predictions about future emission paths but also for climate change mitigation policies, to understand how the international diffusion of such technologies takes place and how it affects the energy infrastructure and GHG emissions in developing countries. This paper provides an overview of the channels through which these technologies diffuse and focuses on the empirical evidence pertaining to the effects these technologies have on GHG emissions in developing countries.

Sustainable development as a framework for developing country participation in international climate change policies

The paper presents a number of ideas on how climate change policy implementation in developing countries can be supported by alternative international cooperation mechanisms that are based on stakeholder interests and policy priorities including broader economic and social development issues. It includes a brief review of current development policies, technological research and promotion efforts, and climate change that demonstrates that mutual policy initiatives undertaken by governments and the private sector actually have major positive impacts on climate change without being initiated by this global policy concern. Furthermore a number of examples are given on how future development objectives in Brazil, China, and India jointly can support economic and social goals and global climate change concerns if these goals are taken into consideration and supported by international cooperative mechanisms. The paper proposes international cooperative mechanisms that can support the implementation of integrated development and climate change policies. The mechanisms include an international sustainable development (SD) and Climate Finance Mechanism (SDCFM), technology development and transition programmes, technology standards, and other measures.

Agrometeorology from science to extension: Assessment of needs and provision of services

After a historical introduction, recent achievements in agrometeorology and their limitations are highlighted. It is then discussed what determines what we do in agrometeorology. It is argued that the needs in the livelihood of farmers should push the scientific support systems and it is exemplified that this is possible. This analysis has serious consequences for science, training, education and extension in agrometeorology. This applies most strongly for developing countries or tropical studies elsewhere. Farmers’ livelihoods should be connected through agrometeorological services. Farmer or Climate Field Schools are introduced as a new approach to do so. Examples from China are given in which such schools or classes could be used. Finally a pilot project approach for agrometeorological services is discussed in which this could be prepared.