Social Life Cycle Assessment of CO2 Valorisation Scenarios: Case Study of Latvia

As technologies develop, the question of their influence and effect on the environment and society becomes even more relevant. This is especially true for relatively young technologies that utilise or capture carbon dioxide. The Social Life Cycle Analysis is an indispensable tool to understand the impact of number of factors on the society and sociological factors due to various CO2 valorisation scenarios in the mid-term to long term. The impact of scenarios on the public are identified based on a multi-regional input/output method of qualitative and quantitative generic data. This work takes into account aspects of health and safety, cultural heritage, the impact of various state structures on the interests of social groups – workers, local communities, society and consumers. The paper considers the factors of CO2 valorization technologies that affect society both positively and negatively

Green Transformation of Scrap Metal. MCDA and SWOT Analysis of Metal Melting Methods: Case Study of Latvia

Metal is one of the most used materials in the world. It was an important impetus in technological development during the industrial age and is still pushing us forward to this day. Along with the growth of metal consumption, the amount of scrap metal also increases. The correct use of this kind of waste plays an important role in reducing the negative impact of the metalworking industry on the environment. Replacing raw metal with scrap metal can reduce the amount of electricity consumed by up to 10 times and the amount of CO2 emissions created by up to 30 times. The choice of the optimal scrap metal processing technology also plays an important role. The metal melting furnace can be considered the backbone of the industry, and the environmental indicators of the entire scrap metal melting process depend on its efficiency. In this paper, 8 metal melting furnaces are analysed according to 11 natural criteria. In addition, a SWOT analysis is carried out to determine the efficiency of the metal smelting process in Latvian metalworking enterprises and the possibility of expanding enterprises in the future

GHG Savings Calculation: Switch from Electricity Production to Biomethane. Case Study

Carbon dioxide is one of the main components of greenhouse gases. The amount of anthropogenic CO2 emissions in the atmosphere reached 37.9 Gt, which is 60 % more than in 1990. The use of CO2 in the production of valuable products can help to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Biomethane fuel production could be a successful solution in Latvia as well. The work includes a case study of a Latvian biogas production facility Agro Iecava with a switch from biogas to biomethane production. All calculations are made according to REDcert rules. For biofuel production the Plant uses 13 types of substrates, which is also reflected in the calculation. The work shows a step-by-step algorithm for research and analysis. The experience can be used at other biogas production stations, regardless of its location. The analysis of the Plant shows that switching to biomethane production saves up to 80.34 % of GHG emissions (with an estimated loss during transportation in the network of 1 %). In the worst-case scenario, this amount is 76.34 % (loss from transportation is 5 %), which is also above the minimum indicated in the Renewable Energy Directive

Transition to Climate Neutrality at University Campus. Case Study in Europe, Riga

[EN] 100 cities in Europe have committed to being pioneers and achieving climate neutrality by 2030. It is crucial to start with the decarbonization of cities because, although they cover only 3 % of the Earth's land, they produce 72 % of all greenhouse gas emissions. This paper contributes to the city decarbonization research but on a smaller scale. We study the decarbonization potential of a university campus. It is a unique part of a larger urban area. It represents a cross-section of the population of different socio-economic backgrounds and ages, generating irregular schedules and constant movements of people and goods throughout the day. Riga Technical University is one of the pioneer universities in Latvia that has decided to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. This study aims to provide a qualitative review of the potential for improvements and describe the preliminary CO2 simulation model that includes Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions. A particular challenge is the Scope 3 emissions, which focus on changing user habits. A survey of Riga Technical University students and employees was developed and conducted to analyse the most effective solutions for this type of emission. Survey results and future work recommendations are presented together with the model outline.This research is funded by the European Social Fund within the Project No 8.2.2.0/20/I/008 'Strengthening of PhD students and academic personnel of Riga Technical University and BA School of Business and Finance in the strategic fields of specialization' of the Specific Objective 8.2.2 'To Strengthen Academic Staff of Higher Education Institutions in Strategic Specialization Areas' of the Operational Programme `Growth and Employment'.Bumbiere, K.; Barisa, A.; Pubule, J.; Blumberga, D.; Gómez-Navarro, T. (2022). Transition to Climate Neutrality at University Campus. Case Study in Europe, Riga. Environmental and Climate Technologies. 26(1):941-954. https://doi.org/10.2478/rtuect-2022-007194195426

Barriers and Driving Factors for Sustainable Development of CO2 Valorisation

Mitigating CO2 emissions has become a top question in international and national arenas, likewise on the city level. To initiate and maintain transformative policies related to climate neutrality, an evident-based multi-sectoral forecasting model needs to be timely and effectively deployed. Decarbonisation solutions should be considered from the economic, environmental, and social perspectives. The resulting complexity constitutes an essential barrier to implementing CO2 valorisation projects. This study aims to analyse barriers and driving factors for the sustainable development of CO2 valorisation options. In order to reach the research goal, a methodological approach based on the combination of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis, Geographical Information System and Fuzzy Logic Cognitive Analysis method was used. The method has been applied to a case study in Latvi

Calculation of Greenhouse Gas Savings: Switch from Electricity Production to Biomethane. Case Study

Greenhouse gases are mainly comprised of carbon dioxide. In 2021, anthropogenic CO2 emissions in the atmosphere have risen to 37.9 Gt, a 60 % increase from the levels observed in 1990. The production of high-value products using CO2 can contribute to decreasing atmospheric CO2 levels and advancing the objectives of the Green Deal. In Latvia, biofuel–biomethane production may also present a viable solution. Diversifying the energy sector, which can benefit the country's economy, is another advantage of this scenario. The study examines the transformation of a Latvian biogas production facility, which shifts towards producing biomethane as its final product. The study also involves the computation of greenhouse gas emission reductions resulting from utilizing biomethane instead of biogas in the network

Are Hugs, Carrots and Sticks Essential for Energy Policy: A Study of Latvia’s National Energy and Climate Plan

The purpose of the study was to analyse Latvia’s NECP2030 impact on energy user by identifying the activities/policy measures by their type and their impact on the choices and actions of energy users. The goal of the Latvian National Climate and Energy Plan for 2030 (NECP2030) is to achieve changes in the use of energy with a possibly better impact on climate and environment. Energy user, its choices and action play an essential role in achieving this goal. Latvia’s NECP2030 has 12 activity groups each encompassing one or more activity clusters with several specific activities and policy measures that are intended to influence the use of energy resources and energy. The method of hugs, carrots and sticks was used to categorise activities and through applying literature analysis on policy goals and most appropriate policies identify whether the chosen activities are adequate to achieve NECP2030 goals. The study concludes that in case of four activity groups the identified activities might not be sufficient as literature suggests that more stringent measures are recommended to effectively achieve certain policy goals

Policy instruments for CO2 valorisation support

Mitigation of CO2 emissions has become a top question in international and national arenas, likewise on the city level. Existing CO2 mitigation measures are primarily orientated toward wider deployment of low-carbon technologies of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures, focusing on energy production, distribution, and energy use sectors, transport. In the recently announced European Green Deal strategy, response action on climate and environmental protection challenges for Europe 2050 is set. The strategy targets ''to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use.'' Rapid and intelligent solutions are needed to reach this ambitious target, which requires converting to profoundly transformative policies beyond others. An evident-based multi-sectoral forecasting model must be timely and effectively deployed to initiate and maintain such transformative policies. This work aims to analyse existing laws, regulations, and directives, both local and European, to identify limiting factors and factors that contribute to a more active introduction of systems for capturing, using, and/or reducing the amount of carbon dioxide created in production processes. The work results show how developed countries’ laws regarding carbon dioxide emissions - its capture, storage, and/or utilisation. At the time of writing, the most extensive legislative framework is represented in Sweden, followed by Belgium, Croatia, and Lithuania. The results show that Sweden has the most developed legislation and measures on CO2 issues and stimulates producers in various sectors to reduce emissions. The country with the most policies implemented is Belgium (213), while the country with the minor policies is Cyprus (13). Analysing the legislation of the countries of the European Union, it was concluded that Sweden's most extensive issue of CO2 emissions, storage, and utilisation had been worked out. The results emphasise the need for coherence between legislative frameworks in Member states. Therefore the role of CCS/CCU should be determined in national climate and energy strategies, ensuring compliance with CO2 export within the EU member states

Evaluation of the Environmental Engineering Study Programme at University

The European Union has placed competence-based teaching and competence-based education as one of its highly relevant goals. Due to mass higher education, the assessment of effectiveness and relevance evaluation of environmental engineering study programmes should become an important issue. Presently the focus of the evaluation on multi-disciplinary study programmes varies from the evaluation of attitudes, impacts or effectiveness of utilisation-focused evaluation, summative evaluation and participatory evaluation approaches. The objective of this study was to propose an effective framework to evaluate the Environmental Engineering Master study programmes. During the research, the evaluation of existing study programmes on environmental engineering in Europe was conducted, information about the study courses, teaching methods, assessment methods and competences was used for the analysis. The results obtained showed that lectures, site visits, group coursework, practical laboratories and role-plays allows to reach the necessary knowledge, skills and competences and to provide an effective and relevant education to the Environmental Engineering Master programme students. The proposed evaluation framework was tested and approbated on new Riga Technical University Master study programmes on Environmental Engineering and Bioeconomy