Using of Indicators for Environmental Impact Assessment in Latvia and Necessity for Indicators Validation

The EIA procedure in Latvia as it`s known today was implemented by the law „On environmental impact assessment” in 1998. The quantity assessment of expected environmental impact is provided by indicators giving the highest impartiality in this process. The choice of indicators and their approval in EIA projects in Latvia have not received the right attention, the issue is left upon the EIA performers. The problematic issues on necessity of indicator selection and validation are dealt with in the article. 39 environmental indicators were selected for EIA of motor road projects, with the evaluation of their significance and essence, as well as the analysis f application of these indicators in 14 reports concerning EIA of motor road projects. The results revealed the existing problems of indicator application and proved the assumption that there is no common indicator system for the assessment of impact of similar economic projects, proving the necessity of indicator validation to ensure good quality of assessment

Forecast of Waste Generation Dynamics in Latvia

AbstractPlausible data that illustrates future trends of waste production dynamics is essential for waste management system development. Optimal decisions regarding technological solutions for waste management or policy instrument application can be made if correct figures regarding the amounts of waste produced are available. This paper presents a study on the elaboration of estimations of municipal waste generation. The study covers the elaboration of a research algorithm, analysis of characteristics of factors that influence dynamics of waste amounts produced, and the elaboration and analysis of potential scenarios. As a result of this research, a prognosis of the waste amounts to be generated in for Latvia for the 2015 – 2020 period is elaborated

Assessing the Effectiveness of Energy Policy Measures to Achieve Energy Dependence and Energy Security

The publication examines what measures the European Union is currently taking in the energy sector to promote energy security and independence from fossil energy resources. Taking into account the geopolitical situation, the European Commission has launched REPower – a new action plan for Europe on how to save energy, diversify energy supply and use renewable energy resources while rapidly reducing dependence on Russian gas and oil imports. The publication examines which actions are prioritised in planning documents to promote energy security in the European Union and how they align with the priorities set out in Latvia’s NECP to 2030. The indicator approach is used to identify which measures should be ranked higher and which measures need to be revised or improved. At the end, the conclusion is drawn whether the proposed measures will be sufficient to achieve energy security as the geopolitical situation changes

Factors Influencing Residents to Implement Energy Efficiency Measures in Multi-Apartment Buildings

The review examines in detail the types of factors that may influence residents’ motivation to implement energy efficiency measures in multifamily housing. When analyzing heating energy consumption in multi-apartment buildings, three influencing factors must be considered: the condition of the building, technology-based solutions, and occupant behaviour. Studies show that in more developed countries, energy consumption of buildings can be reduced by 30 % to 80 % if energy efficiency is improved. Technology based solutions aim to reduce heat consumption, improve resource productivity, or replace outdated technologies, but these solutions often require large investments. Occupant behavior contributes to nearly 80 % of the variation in energy use. One of the ways to achieve these goals is to improve energy efficiency in multifamily buildings, because according to available literature, residential and commercial thermal energy consumption accounts for up to 20 % of total energy consumption in underdeveloped countries and up to 40 % in more developed countries. Changing people’s habits not only reduces heating energy consumption, but also does not require large investments for implementation

Index Decomposition Analysis for Energy Sectors in Latvia

AbstractThis study explores the causes of changes in energy intensity in Latvia by applying logarithmic mean Divisia index decomposition analysis for energy sectors. Analysis on the latest data (2008-2012) reveals if any technological or structural changes have occurred during and after economic downturn in Latvia. The results show that the reduction in energy intensity before the year 2008 can be largely attributed to decline in energy intensities within sectors, but the increase in energy intensity after the year 2008 is regarded to expansion of energy demanding sectors

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Agricultural and Forestry Policies in Achieving Environmental Goals through Environmental Policy Documents

To achieve the set climate targets by 2030 and become climate neutral by 2050, each Member State must develop a National Energy and Climate Plan (hereinafter – NECP) that contains practical and effective measures to achieve the targets set. The effectiveness of the agricultural and forestry measures defined in the Latvian NECP was assessed through the definition of appropriate indicators, an expert survey, and a composite sustainability index. The linkage between the measures or action lines in the Latvian NECP related to agriculture and forestry, the European Green Deal measures and the objectives of the European Union Bioeconomy Strategy was assessed. The results show that the effectiveness of agricultural and forestry measures is most influenced by factors such as quality, financing, and specificity. The description of the measures should be more detailed, with specific activities, indicators to be achieved, and amounts and funding sources planned for each activity. The lowest scoring measures are specific measures whose impacts cannot be measured and are not explicitly mentioned as relevant in the European Bioeconomy Strategy, the European Green Deal

Insights of Bioeconomy: Biopolymer Evaluation based on Sustainability Criteria

Sustainable development in the agriculture sector can be boosted by integrating a sustainable bioeconomy and transforming renewable resources into added-value products. There are various methods to determine, measure, and compare the extent of sustainability. We promote the bioeconomy concept by utilizing agricultural waste in biopolymers considering the sustainable development in the agriculture sector. This research aims to evaluate biopolymer alternatives based on sustainability criteria and indicators using the integrated multi-criteria decision analysis approach under the sustainability umbrella. The authors evaluated the PLA, PHA/PHB, starch, protein, and cellulose-based biopolymers. As a result, the cellulose-based biopolymer shows the best performance. The research findings provide valuable information to establish a sustainable pathway for biopolymer production for industries

Exploring the Differential Effects of Urban Heat Islands on Energy Use and Carbon Emissions in Warm and Cold Climates: a Case Study of North Africa and North Europe

The urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon has differential impacts on energy use and carbon emissions in buildings depending on the climate of the region and the urban planning strategies in place. This study explores the differential effects of UHI on energy use and carbon emissions in warm and cold climates, using North Africa and North Europe as case studies. We address the following research questions: 1) How does the UHI phenomenon impact energy use and carbon emissions in buildings in these regions? 2) What urban planning strategies are currently in place to mitigate the negative impacts of UHI on energy demand and emissions in these regions? 3) How effective are these strategies in mitigating the negative impacts of UHI on energy demand and emissions in both warm and cold climates? 4) What additional urban planning strategies could be implemented to reduce further the negative impacts of UHI on energy demand and emissions in both warm and cold climates? The UHI increases energy bills and emissions due to the higher demand for cooling energy in warm climates, while in cold climates, UHI reduces energy demand and emissions by decreasing the need for heating energy. Urban planning strategies, such as incorporating green space, using reflective materials, choice of colors, and designing for natural ventilation, can effectively mitigate the negative impacts of UHI on energy demand and emissions in both warm and cold climates. However, the effectiveness of these strategies varies depending on the climate of the region and the specific urban context. In this study, we will provide a recommendation for urban planning strategies that can be implemented to further reduce the negative impacts of UHI on energy demand and emissions in both warm and cold climates. Our study contributes to the understanding of the UHI phenomenon. It provides insights for urban planners and policymakers in developing effective strategies to reduce energy use and carbon emissions in buildings and cities

A comparison of different charcoal production technology outputs

Charcoal is a renewable material, with a long history of use as the predecessor of fossil fuels, now beginning to regain its place in the market, as the global society is fighting the Climate change. Charcoal along with bio-oils, and pyrolysis gas or syngas is obtained through thermo-chemical conversion of biomass. There are several different turns the charcoal production development has taken. The oldest charcoal production technologies are the batch-type kilns, they are associated with lower costs, and are widely used in the world, mainly in developing countries. A more recent introduction in charcoal production is the continuous operation retort where the biomass is conveyed through different process stages, heating and drying, carbonization, and cooling. This technology draws up high capital investments, but can reach a high level of automation. Apart from these technologies charcoal can be also obtained as a by-product in liquid and gaseous fuel production via pyrolysis and gasification of biomass. Each of the production methods can yield variant quality charcoal with properties distinguishing different charcoal applications. The charcoal use varies from a high capacity fuel to a sustainable soil amendment, adsorbent, source of carbon in chemical reactions, and many more. In this study an evaluation of the charcoal quality parameters, depending on the applied technology, is carried out. The analysed data includes information retrieved from previous studies, as well as an experimental investigation of real life production facility. 

LATGALES MEŽA RESURSU ILGTSPĒJĪGAS IZMANTOŠANAS IZAICINĀJUMS

Latgales lielākais dabas resurss ir meži, jo 40% no tās teritorijas aizņem mežu zemes. Lai gan mežu resursi ir atjaunojams resurss, izturēties pret šo resursu nedrīkst nesaimnieciski, jo meži neatjaunojas tik ātri kā lauksaimniecības kultūraugi, tie ir nozīmīga ekosistēma bioloģiskās daudzveidības saglabāšanai un absorbē būtisku daudzumu CO2. Latgalē, tāpat kā citur Latvijā, vērojama tendence lielu daļu apaļkoksnes eksportēt, nevis izmantot uz vietas produktu ar augstu pievienoto vērtību radīšanai un lielāka ekonomiskā un sociālā labuma gūšanai un ražošanai. Meža nozares kopējais ieguldījums pievienotajā vērtībā valstī ir tikai 5,9%, neraugoties uz to, ka tās īpatsvars IKP (faktiskajās cenās) ir apmēram 62%. Latgalē ir visi priekšnosacījumi, lai meža biomasu izmantotu kā inovatīvu produktu, kas: • nes pēc iespējas lielāku sociālo un ekonomisko labumu valstiskā līmenī,• rada ekodizaina principiem atbilstošu produktu, • ļauj ievērot ilgtspējības principus un racionālu dabas resursu izmantošanu. Šobrīd meža biomasu daudzviet izmanto kurināmā (malkas un šķeldas) ražošanai, kas ir produkts ar zemu pievienoto vērtību. No meža biomasas iespējams iegūt ne tikai klasiskos koksnes produktus (piemēram, būvmateriālus, mēbeles, sadzīves priekšmetus) un kurināmo, bet pat pārtikas izejvielas (piemēram, glikozi, cieti, ksilānu), zivju un dzīvnieku barību, tekstilizstrādājumus un plašu klāstu ķīmisko savienojumu. Tikai no koku mizas iespējams iegūt vairāk nekā 150 vērtīgu ķīmisko savienojumu. Īpaša vērība meža resursu ilgtspējīgai izmantošanai pievērsta tieši pēdējo gadu laikā sakarā ar bioekonomikas idejas un principu aktualizāciju. Šobrīd tiek izstrādāta Latvijas Bioekonomikas stratēģija. Rīgas Tehniskās universitātes Vides aizsardzības un siltuma sistēmu institūtā, noslēdzot līgumu ar AS „Latvijas Valsts meži“, pabeigts meža resursu izmantošanas pētījums. Izpētes mērķis bija izvērtēt valsts iespējas izmantot meža biomasu inovatīvu produktu ar augstu pievienoto vērtību ražošanai un noteikt, kuriem produktiem ir augstākais komercializācijas potenciāls Latvijā. No meža biomasas atlasīti 44 produkti, par kuriem bija pieejama pietiekama informācija, lai analīze būtu pilnvērtīga. Inovatīvie produkti tika sagrupēti un vērtēti pa šādām nozarēm: pārtikas rūpniecība, enerģētikas sektors, tekstilrūpniecība, biokompozīti un biomateriāli un citas nozares. Latgales plānošanas reģionā ir savas kokapstrādes uzņēmējdarbības tradīcijas, tomēr vienlaikus pastāv augsts bezdarba līmenis un liels pašnodarbināto īpatsvars, kas liecina, ka trūkst darba devēju. Latgales Speciālās ekonomiskās zonas likums un infrastruktūras atbalsta mehānismi, loģistikas priekšrocības iezīmē Latgales perspektīvas inovatīvas, uz eksportu orientētas bioekonomikas attīstībai. Pētījums tapis Valsts pētījumu programmā „LATENERGI“