Urban infrastructure for long-term climate change response

In the context of climate change response, sustainable urban infrastructure needs to deliver deep cuts in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, of the order of 80-90% by 2050. This paper examines how various GHG reduction strategies applied to urban infrastructure open up or foreclose the potential for deeper cuts in the long-term. It uses case studies of a major precinct-scale urban redevelopment site and a city-wide planning process in Sydney to illustrate how developers and planners are balancing short to medium-term GHG reduction actions with the need to achieve much deeper cuts in the long-term. There is a particular focus on the implications of strategies that prioritise gas-fired cogeneration. The paper argues that too little attention is being given to the long-term implications of short-term GHG reduction strategies and proposes infrastructure design principles for long-term GHG reduction

Impact assessment of increasing the 20% Greenhouse gas reduction target of the EU for Hungary (executive summary)

This study has the objective to analyse the impacts on the Hungarian economy of a higher EU GHG (greenhouse gas) reduction undertaking for 2020, namely increasing the GHG reduction target to 20% and to 30% relative to 1990. In order to achieve this objective, we quantify the costs/benefits of these increased undertakings for the various sectors of the Hungarian economy

Environmental management system coordination:implementation of the initial EMS one-off actions and administrative tasks

The finalisation of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Environmental Management System (EMS) and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Strategy, involved developing and completing the practical actions required to implement these strategies throughout the agency. The Green Office Committee led the launch and implementation of the EMS and GHG Reduction Strategy, with other GBRMPA internal groups providing advisory support as required.ID: 174

Ground Source Heat Pump Systems in Canada: Economics and GHG Reduction Potential

Climate stabilization requires greenhouse gas reductions (GHG) in excess of 60 percent. Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) hold the promise of meeting heating and cooling loads much more efficiently than conventional technologies. The economic viability of their widespread adoption depends on the costs of energy. Their impact on GHG reduction depends on fuel choices both in electricity generation and on customers’ premises. In this paper, we provide a systematic assessment of the GHG reduction potential across Canada of GSHPs and the economic cost of achieving this reduction. Using province-level data on household fuel choices and energy use, we find that GSHP systems offer significant GHG reductions, as well as savings in operation and maintenance costs. However, high capital costs continue to limit market diffusion. We conclude with a review of the geological suitability of the five largest urban centers in Canada for GSHP installation. This analysis shows GSHPs to hold significant potential for substantial GHG reductions in Canada at a cost savings relative to conventional alternatives, with time horizons as short as seven years.conservation, GHG mitigation, residential energy

DPJ Government and Climate Change Policy

The monograph provides knowledge on the complex nature of both external and internal determinants influencing foreign policies of East Asian countries. Through a range of case studies on Japan, China, Taiwan and North Korea, the authors analyze international relations in East Asia as a mosaic of intertwining processes of globalization and regionalization, interests of global and regional powers, local social and economic conditions, national institutional arrangements, and even personal factors. They argue that sometimes a sudden change of one small element in this mosaic suffices to influence the whole system. Instead of providing a simplified interpretation of the analyzed processes, the monograph tries to illustrate them in their entire complexity.In 2009 election manifesto Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) leaders voiced their decisive support for stronger engagement in international climate negotiations. The promises were realized by an ambitious climate mitigation proposal presented by Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio at COP 15 in Copenhagen. 25% CO2 levels reduction commitment was heavily criticized by Japanese opposition, METI bureaucrats and business circles. Despite strong domestic opposition Prime Minister Hatoyama decided to place climate mitigation among priorities of his foreign policy. Next DPJ administration quickly backtracked from the position of climate leader. The head of the Japanese delegation at COP 16 in Mexico stated that Japan would not be a part of new Kyoto Protocol commitment period. The aim of the article is to identify changing factors in decision–making process that led to quick change in DPJ’s approach to international climate mitigation efforts.This article is a result of research conducted as a part of a project financed by the Polish National Science Centre based on decision No. DEC– 2013/11/B/HS5/04005

Socio-economic Analysis of Centralised Biogas Plants

The development of biogas technology in Denmark has been widely encouraged by the government over the last 15 years. The overall reasons for the government concern has been the increasing awareness that centralised biogas plants make a significant contribution to solve a range of problems in the fields of energy, agriculture and environment. This has been documented through related monitoring and R & D activities. To achieve a satisfactory evaluation of centralised biogas plants, a thorough socio – economic analysis is required. Such investigation has been accomplished, and the results are presented in this summary

Moving Cooler: An Analysis of Transportation Strategies for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Summarizes estimates of the costs and impact on greenhouse gas emissions of transportation strategies that raise fuel efficiency, lower fuel carbon content, reduce vehicle travel, and improve the transportation network and of combinations of strategies

Public Sector Climate Leadership In Boston

The report discusses the important role the public sector is playing in achieving Boston's greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. City, state, and federal agencies together own a large portion (more than 11%) of the city's building stock, and each level of government has committed to a goal of 25% reductions in GHG emissions by 2020. The report highlights four examples of action by public agencies in Boston that are going beyond pilot projects and are pursuing energy innovation on a portfolio-wide basis. These initiatives demonstrate how aggressive climate targets are both attainable and often beneficial for generating cost savings and helping streamline operations -- benefits that could be widely replicated in other sectors

Evaluation of Durham City and County Greenhouse Gas Reduction Initiatives

To combat climate change, local governments and communities have undertaken various initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Durham City and County created a GHG Emissions Reduction Plan in 2007, with a goal of 50% GHG reduction for government operations by 2030 from the 2005 baseline. The purpose of this study is to examine various projects that the Durham local governments have undertaken since 2007, evaluate their energy savings and GHG reduction, and provide recommendations for further GHG reduction. The scope includes only projects associated with local government. Six different project types are examined: building upgrades, transportation, traffic signals, landfill methane, water and wastewater management. About 20 government officials from different departments were interviewed to collect information about projects and relevant data such as energy consumption and financial costs. Based on the data, the study analyzes the trend of energy use and GHG emissions through time and uses common metrics to measure energy intensity. Most of the GHG reduction projects were effective and are discussed in detail in the paper. The study provides recommendations for each individual project as well as general overall recommendations. The overall suggestions are to 1) set quantifiable sub-goals for different projects to complement the current total 50% reduction goal, 2) offer training to facility management teams on the importance of adopting best practices prevalent in the relevant industries, 3) install better metering technologies for more accurate data, and 4) foster more collaborations and better communication between each government department as well as between the government and the private sector. These recommendations will also help other cities conduct similar GHG reduction initiatives

Synthetic renewable fuels potential, combustion and emissions

reFuels show the potential for a fast GHG reduction in mobility and corresponding applications all over europe