Potential contribution of the forestry sector in Bangladesh to carbon sequestration

The Kyoto Protocol provides for the involvement of developing countries in an atmospheric greenhouse gas reduction regime under its Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Carbon credits are gained from reforestation and afforestation activities in developing countries. Bangladesh, a densely populated tropical country in South Asia, has a huge degraded forestland which can be reforested by CDM projects. To realize the potential of the forestry sector in developing countries for full-scale emission mitigation, the carbon sequestration potential of different species in different types of plantations should be integrated with the carbon trading system under the CDM of the Kyoto Protocol. This paper discusses the prospects and problems of carbon trading in Bangladesh, in relation to the CDM, in the context of global warming and the potential associated consequences. The paper analyzes the effects of reforestation projects on carbon sequestration in Bangladesh, in general, and in the hilly Chittagong region, in particular, and concludes by demonstrating the carbon trading opportunities. Results showed that tree tissue in the forests of Bangladesh stored 92tons of carbon per hectare (tC/ha), on average. The results also revealed a gross stock of 190tC/ha in the plantations of 13 tree species, ranging in age from 6 to 23 years. The paper confirms the huge atmospheric CO(2) offset by the forests if the degraded forestlands are reforested by CDM projects, indicating the potential of Bangladesh to participate in carbon trading for both its economic and environmental benefit. Within the forestry sector itself, some constraints are identified; nevertheless, the results of the study can expedite policy decisions regarding Bangladesh's participation in carbon trading through the CDM.     

Monitoring and environmental modeling of earthwork impacts: A road construction case study

This study presents the contributions of materials, earth engineering machines and construction techniques to potential environmental impacts from the main items of typical road earthworks. To achieve this goal, the overall activity at a 1.9-km long French earthworks project site for a heavily trafficked highway was surveyed during its 2007–2009 construction period. Using data collected and a numerical model of road life cycle assessment (LCA), i.e. ECORCE, six indicators could be evaluated, namely: energy consumption, global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, photochemical ozone creation, and human chronic toxicity. When available, several life cycle inventories were implemented in order to appraise indicator sensitivity with respect to the considered panel of pollutants. Results also allowed estimating from an LCA point of view: (i) the conservation of both aggregates and soil as induced by quicklime treatment and (ii) the duration necessary for projected traffic levels to offset the potential environmental impacts of the earthworks stage.     

工业园区低碳发展模式评估与规划分析

通过对工业园区低碳发展模式的评估,分析其低碳发展的能源特征、经济特征与人力特征,并确定工业园区二氧化碳减排的潜力能源。基于能源-碳减排(EC)、经济-能源-碳减排(EEC)和人力-经济-能源-碳减排(HEEC)三种不同情景,在未来发展的一定规划期内,对工业园区具有二氧化碳减排潜力的能源进行规划分析,确定其年递减率,从而实现工业园区不同情景下的二氧化碳减排。通过实际案例研究,证明了评估与规划分析模型的可行性。     

A landscape vulnerability analysis method proposal and its integration in the EIA

Landscape is the area primarily affected by proposed human projects. The prediction and evaluation of the potential anthropogenic impacts under Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is therefore one of the major environmental tools for prevention of any deteriorative or destructive actions. To conduct EIA properly requires inclusion of a determination of landscape vulnerability which expresses the possible landscape reaction to impacts of any exogenous factors. When it is designated correctly, the suitable human activities are determined more accurately. Even though many techniques for this have been suggested worldwide, lots of deficiencies have surfaced in their application. This paper presents a method for landscape vulnerability analysis which consists of qualitative evaluation of landscape receptors, their scoring, the vulnerability degree calculation, and overall reliability evaluation. The method proposed can improve the impact objectivity of prediction and evaluation and the suggestion of precise mitigation measures with the purpose of achieving sustainable landscape management.     

Carbon accounting rules and guidelines for the United States forest sector

The United States Climate Change Initiative includes improvements to the U.S. Department of Energy's Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. The program includes specific accounting rules and guidelines for reporting and registering forestry activities that reduce atmospheric CO2 by increasing carbon sequestration or reducing emissions. In the forestry sector, there is potential for the economic value of emissions credits to provide increased income for landowners, to support rural development, to facilitate the practice of sustainable forest management, and to support restoration of ecosystems. Forestry activities with potential for achieving substantial reductions include, but are not limited to: afforestation, mine land reclamation, forest restoration, agroforestry, forest management, short-rotation biomass energy plantations, forest protection, wood production, and urban forestry. To be eligible for registration, the reported reductions must use methods and meet standards contained in the guidelines. Forestry presents some unique challenges and opportunities because of the diversity of activities, the variety of practices that can affect greenhouse gases, year-to-year variability in emissions and sequestration, the effects of activities on different forest carbon pools, and accounting for the effects of natural disturbance.     

Life‐Cycle Assessment of Construction in a Developing Country

The construction industry plays a great role in a country's or an area's economy. Construction activities also have significant and increasing effects on the environment. Life‐cycle assessment (LCA) is one of the environmental management techniques that can be used to evaluate the environmental burdens of construction. The authors of this study applied the LCA approach and SimaPro 7.1 software within the framework of the International Organization of Standardization's (ISO) 14040 series of standards and analyzed the global warming potential (GWP) and acidification potential (AP) of the materials acquisition and construction phases of the Parand residential apartment complex located in the southwest part of Tehran province, Iran.     

Understanding the total life cycle cost implications of reusing structural steel

Reuse of structural steel could be an environmentally superior alternative to the current practice, which is to recycle the majority (88%) of scrap steel. In spite of the potential benefits, and in a time when “sustainability” and “climate change” are critical societal issues, the question arises: why are greater rates of structural steel reuse not being observed? One of the major factors in the rate of structural steel reuse is how decision-makers understand the life cycle implications of their choice to recycle steel rather than reuse it. This paper contributes towards our understanding of these implications, particularly the cost implications, of reuse as an alternative to recycling by presenting a streamlined life cycle analysis and identifying the major contributors to each process. The results of a case study indicate that a significant reduction in some life cycle impact metrics (greenhouse gas emissions, water use) can result from reusing structural steel rather than recycling it. The largest contributors to the life cycle impact of recycling were the shredding, melting, and forming sub-processes. The largest contributor to reuse was the deconstruction sub-process. A total life cycle cost analysis is performed to understand the cost of damages to the environment and human health in combination with the cost of construction activities. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses are also conducted to quantify variability in the results and determine economic conditions where the two processes have an equal cost.     

温室效应与全球变化（三）：全球碳循环与人为二氧化碳排放的控制

本文综述了全球碳循环的现状及人类活动对它的影响，指出人为释放大量的二氧化碳又不使大气中二氧化碳浓度升高是不可能的，人为促进海洋光合作用的增加和在陆地上植树造林在控制大气二氧化碳浓度上升上所能起的作用也是有限的。只有在不放慢经济发展的速度，不降低能源总有效消费量的情况下，努力减少人为二氧化碳的排放才是现实的。本文探讨了这一途径在技术上的可能性。     

澎溪河流域水中碳素分布特征的研究

面对三峡库区日益突出的环境问题,研究人员做出众多研究,但对库区河流碳的赋存形态及其影响研究报道较少.在2019年春夏两季通过现场采样室内分析的方式测定了各形态碳含量,重点分析了澎溪河流域水中碳素的分布特征.结果 表明:澎溪河流域碳含量总体呈现上游低下游高,春季低夏季高的分布特点,两季TOC均值均超过水体富营养化标准达1...     

Identification of non-value adding (NVA) activities in precast concrete installation sites to achieve low-carbon installation

The lean production philosophy has been applied in the construction industry to reduce waste and increase efficiency. It is until recently that the lean philosophy has proven to be effective to meet the challenges of sustainable development. Many studies have shown that lean philosophy can be applied in precast concrete factories to lower inventory, reduce waste and increase efficiency. However, the precast concrete installation cycle should not be overlooked following a life cycle perspective. This study adopts a weighted factor model comprising 30 contractors in the Singapore construction industry and a case study. Construction site layout management practices are investigated using the weighted factor model. Strategies to improve the construction site layout are presented in a case study. The results indicated that there are many non-value adding activities in the site layout management practices that contribute to an increase in the carbon emissions level. Little consideration of green building materials, improper specifications of the precast concrete products, lack of an uninterrupted workflow, and inaccurate estimation of seem to be the most important ones. The results provide good practice guidance and can be used as a checklist for contractors to identify the NVA activities in the installation sites to achieve low-carbon installation. The results will also be useful for regulatory agencies to provide recommendations for contractors to improve the installation procedure and reduce carbon emissions.     

A case study of REDD+ challenges in the post‐2012 climate regime: The scenarios approach

The REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) partnership works to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by protecting forests in developing countries through positive incentives. It is regarded as an essential component of the post‐2012 climate regime to stabilize GHG emissions and engage developing countries in worldwide mitigation endeavours. This study focuses on the gap between agricultural revenue and REDD+ compensation through the construction of several scenarios that explore the impacts of possible carbon price ranges.Three scenarios that reflect different potential policies are examined: (1) current carbon trading; (2) carbon trading with all forestry activities; and (3) carbon trading with all countries participating gradually over the coming decades. Data for developing the scenarios were obtained through a case study in central Kalimantan, Indonesia, by interrogating the potential for revenue by expanding agricultural land. The results indicate that REDD+ payments could not effectively compensate land users for their opportunity cost of deforestation, making it difficult for the governments to ensure that REDD+ money “reaches the ground” in terms of balancing the agricultural revenue of land users.     

Thermally chargeable supercapacitor based on nickel-coated nanoporous carbon

Nanoporous carbon is coated by pure nickel via an electroless plating method. The nanoporous carbon provides a high-surface-area substrate, leading to a large capacitance; the nickel surface layer is of a high work function, resulting in a thermally sensitive electrode potential. Such a system is ideal for thermally chargeable supercapacitor (TCS) system, which converts low-grade heat (LGH) to electrical energy. The specific energy per thermal cycle per gram of electrode mass is ~1.8 mJ, with a temperature difference of 50°C.     

THE CHUBB/BAUMAN METHOD FOR ESTIMATING THE RECREATION POTENTIAL OF RIVERS: A CRITICAL REVIEW1

ABSTRACT: The Chubb/Bauman (Ch/B) method for making quantitative estimates of recreation potential for rivers is based on the 1968/ 69 Leopold method for quantitative assessment of the scenic beauty of rivers. Both use classifications of environmental variables as the database. Unlike the Leopold method, the classifications used in the Ch/B method consistently reflect human preferences. The Ch/B method collects information on 67 variables, and uses a computer program to produce estimates of potential for 16 common recreation activities. This critique evaluates selected concepts and procedures of the Ch/B method partly by comparison with other available methods of recreation resource inventory. It considers the validity and utility of numerical weighting of variables, the use of numbers derived from place in a classification, and the transformation process. The quantitative techniques of the method exhibit serious flaws. Much of the data produced by the method appears to be quantitative but in fact is not, and it does not produce truly quantitative estimates of recreation potential. Classifications of generalized geographic or environmental variables are shown to have serious defects as a basis for evaluation of recreational potential.     

典型染料医药化工园区清洁生产与循环经济发展路径研究

本研究以典型染料医药精细化工园区HSEDA为对象,从四个方面分析其近17年来产学研政合作推行清洁生产与发展循环经济的技术路径与创新实践、所取得的减污降碳绩效,以及未来展望。研究发现,HSEDA绿色低碳循环发展有四个特征：(1)突出园区精细化物质流能量流管理,自下而上理清多产品、多元素、多层级物质能量代谢结构、路径和过程,定量揭示全生命周期环境影响,设计清洁生产和循环经济靶向措施;(2)染料行业自主开发了连续硝化、催化加氢、重氮化,高效分离、传热传质偶合等清洁技术,提效减排绩效显著;(3)医药行业开发了维生素、喹诺酮关键中间体短流程绿色合成技术,提高了原子经济性;(4)园区定量分析反应、工艺及物料全生命周期安全特性和风险,系统设计,提高本质安全。2006—2019年,HSEDA实现经济与资源、能源、环境脱钩发展。在“双碳”战略下,从系统角度提出园区“一核六驱”绿色低碳循环发展新模式。     

From research to action: Now we have to move on CCS communication

With rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂), a portfolio of mitigation options is deemed essential as we transition to a low carbon economy. Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) is one technology that has the potential to mitigate large amounts of CO₂ and governments around the world, along with industry and researchers working in the technology space, are excited by this. However, the technology still remains relatively unknown in the minds of most lay citizens and is therefore less well accepted than more traditional forms of power generation. This paper reviews a number of CCS communication research activities that have been undertaken internationally since 2002 and synthesizes them into a logical roadmap of activities. The paper also examines the common strengths and weaknesses of the research activities and makes a number of suggestions for industry representatives and policy makers. The paper also outlines a way to segment stakeholder groups for all communication activities into four target audiences including: influential others; community; education and project specific activities.     

CO2 capture from combined cycles integrated with Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells

In this paper Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFCs) are considered for their potential application in carbon dioxide separation when integrated into natural gas fired combined cycles. The MCFC performs on the anode side an electrochemical oxidation of natural gas by means of CO₃^2? ions which, as far as carbon capture is concerned, results in a twofold advantage: the cell removes CO₂ fed at the cathode to promote carbonate ion transport across the electrolyte and any dilution of the oxidized products is avoided.The MCFC can be “retrofitted” into a combined cycle, giving the opportunity to remove most of the CO₂ contained in the gas turbine exhaust gases before they enter the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), and allowing to exploit the heat recovery steam cycle in an efficient “hybrid” fuel cell + steam turbine configuration. The carbon dioxide can be easily recovered from the cell anode exhaust after combustion with pure oxygen (supplied by an air separation unit) of the residual fuel, cooling of the combustion products in the HRSG and water separation. The resulting power cycle has the potential to keep the overall cycle electrical efficiency approximately unchanged with respect to the original combined cycle, while separating 80% of the CO₂ otherwise vented and limiting the size of the fuel cell, which contributes to about 17% of the total power output so that most of the power capacity relies on conventional low cost turbo-machinery. The calculated specific energy for CO₂ avoided is about 4 times lower than average values for conventional post-combustion capture technology. A sensitivity analysis shows that positive results hold also changing significantly a number of MCFC and plant design parameters.     

碳中和评估与预测预估方法研究进展

人类活动排放的大量温室气体已经造成多种不利影响,为缓解这些不利影响,已有多个国家提出了碳中和目标。碳中和评估与预测预估是实现碳中和目标的科学基础,准确估算碳排放量和碳去除量是进行碳中和评估的关键,可以帮助决策者制定减排和增汇政策。本文梳理了碳排放量和碳去除量的估算方法以及预测预估方法的原理和特点,以期为准确评估碳中和现状以及预测预估未来情景下实现碳中和目标的可能性和路径提供方法论参考。碳排放量的估算方法可以分为用于支撑碳交易市场的碳排放核算方法、面向消费侧碳排放的估算方法和基于因素分解法的碳排放计量方法三大类;前两类方法主要用于历史碳排放量的盘点,第三类方法可用于碳排放量的预估。陆地生态系统碳去除量估算方法可以分为统计模型法、机理模型法和遥感模型法三大类;第一类方法应用最早但估算结果较粗糙,第二类方法模型应用最多但估算结果存在较大的不确定性,第三类方法观测范围大但缺乏预测预估能力。近年来,模型分析法在碳中和评估和预测预估上得到越来越广泛的应用。     

以“生态足迹”的方法衡量青藏高原可持续发展能力

通过论述青海西藏两地环境质量总体向好的结论引证青藏高原生态盈余。用"生态足迹"和"人类发展指数"两种指标来衡量青藏高原的可持续发展能力,结果表明青藏高原有着较好的生态盈余,但人类发展指数值偏低,限制了青藏高原的可持续发展能力。应通过提高公共服务能力,加强生态系统管理,减少碳足迹来实现青藏高原的生态文明。     

Risk-based economic decision analysis of remediation options at a PCE-contaminated site

Remediation methods for contaminated sites cover a wide range of technical solutions with different remedial efficiencies and costs. Additionally, they may vary in their secondary impacts on the environment i.e. the potential impacts generated due to emissions and resource use caused by the remediation activities. More attention is increasingly being given to these secondary environmental impacts when evaluating remediation options. This paper presents a methodology for an integrated economic decision analysis which combines assessments of remediation costs, health risk costs and potential environmental costs. The health risks costs are associated with the residual contamination left at the site and its migration to groundwater used for drinking water. A probabilistic exposure model using first- and second-order reliability methods (FORM/SORM) is used to estimate the contaminant concentrations at a downstream groundwater well. Potential environmental impacts on the local, regional and global scales due to the site remediation activities are evaluated using life cycle assessments (LCA). The potential impacts on health and environment are converted to monetary units using a simplified cost model.A case study based upon the developed methodology is presented in which the following remediation scenarios are analyzed and compared: (a) no action, (b) excavation and off-site treatment of soil, (c) soil vapor extraction and (d) thermally enhanced soil vapor extraction by electrical heating of the soil. Ultimately, the developed methodology facilitates societal cost estimations of remediation scenarios which can be used for internal ranking of the analyzed options. Despite the inherent uncertainties of placing a value on health and environmental impacts, the presented methodology is believed to be valuable in supporting decisions on remedial interventions.     

Evolution of a Mediterranean Coastal Zone: Human Impacts on the Marine Environment of Cape Creus

This study presents an integrated analysis of the evolution of the marine environment and the human uses in Cape Creus, a Mediterranean coastal area where intense commercial fisheries and recreational uses have coexisted over the last fifty years. The investigation synthesizes the documented impacts of human activities on the marine environment of Cap de Creus and integrates them with new data. In particular, the evolution of vulnerable, exploited species is used to evaluate the fishing impacts. The effects of area protection through the establishment of a marine reserve in the late 1990s and the potential climate change impacts are also considered. The evolution of the human uses is marked by the increasing socioeconomic importance of recreational activities (which affect species and habitats) in detriment to artisanal and red coral fisheries (which principally affect at a species level). Overall, populations of sedentary, vulnerable exploited species, hard sessile benthic invertebrates, and ecologically fragile habitats, such as seagrass meadows, the coralligenous and infralittoral algal assemblages have been the most negatively impacted by anthropogenic activities. Albeit human uses currently constitute the largest negative impact on the marine environment of Cap de Creus, climate change is emerging as a key factor that could have considerable implications for the marine environment and tourism activities. The establishment of the marine reserve appears to have had little socioeconomic impact, but there is some evidence that it had some positive biological effects on sedentary, littoral fishes. Results demonstrate that the declaration of a marine reserve alone does not guarantee the sustainability of marine resources and habitats but should be accompanied with an integrated coastal management plan.