The Potential for Biofuels Alongside the EU-ETS
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The Sustainability of Cellulosic Biofuels
The Sustainability of Cellulosic Biofuels All biofuels, by definition, are made from plant material. The main biofuel on the U.S. market is corn ethanol, a type of biofuel made using the starch in corn grain. But only using grain to produce biofuels can lead to a tug of war between food and fuel sources, as well as other environmental and economic challenges. Biofuels made from cellulosic sources – the leaves, stems, and other fibrous parts of a plant – have been touted as a promising renewable energy source. Not only is cellulose the most abundant biological material on Earth, but using cellulose to produce biofuels instead of grain can have environmental benefits. Cellulosic biofuel sources offer a substantially greater energy return on investment compared to grain-based sources. However, environmental benefits are not guaranteed. The environmental success of cellulosic biofuels will depend on 1) which cellulosic crops are grown, 2) the practices used to manage them, and 3) the geographic location of crops. Both grain-based and cellulosic biofuels can help lessen our use of fossil fuels and can help offset carbon dioxide emissions. But cellulosic biofuels are able to offset more gasoline than can grain-based biofuels – and they do so with environmental co-benefits. Cellulosic Biofuels Help Reduce Competition for Land Cellulosic fuel crops can grow on lands that are not necessarily suitable for food crops and thereby reduce or avoid food vs. fuel competition. If grown on land that has already been cleared, cellulosic crops do not further contribute to the release of carbon to the atmosphere. Because many cellulosic crops are perennial and roots are always present, they guard against soil erosion and better retain nitrogen fertilizer. -
Scheme Principles for GHG Calculation
Scheme principles for GHG calculation Version EU 05 Scheme principles for GHG calculation © REDcert GmbH 2021 This document is publicly accessible at: www.redcert.org. Our documents are protected by copyright and may not be modified. Nor may our documents or parts thereof be reproduced or copied without our consent. Document title: „Scheme principles for GHG calculation” Version: EU 05 Datum: 18.06.2021 © REDcert GmbH 2 Scheme principles for GHG calculation Contents 1 Requirements for greenhouse gas saving .................................................... 5 2 Scheme principles for the greenhouse gas calculation ................................. 5 2.1 Methodology for greenhouse gas calculation ................................................... 5 2.2 Calculation using default values ..................................................................... 8 2.3 Calculation using actual values ...................................................................... 9 2.4 Calculation using disaggregated default values ...............................................12 3 Requirements for calculating GHG emissions based on actual values ........ 13 3.1 Requirements for calculating greenhouse gas emissions from the production of raw material (eec) .......................................................................................13 3.2 Requirements for calculating greenhouse gas emissions resulting from land-use change (el) ................................................................................................17 3.3 Requirements for -
Biofuel Sustainability Performance Guidelines (PDF)
JULY 2014 NRDC REPORT R:14-04-A Biofuel Sustainability Performance Guidelines Report prepared for the Natural Resources Defense Council by LMI Acknowledgments NRDC thanks the Packard Foundation and the Energy Foundation for the generous contributions that made this report possible. NRDC acknowledges the role of LMI in preparing this report and thanks LMI for its impartial insights and key role in its analysis, design and production. LMI is a McLean, Va.-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit government management consultancy. About NRDC The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 1.4 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC. NRDC’s policy publications aim to inform and influence solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental and public health issues. For additional policy content, visit our online policy portal at www.nrdc.org/policy. NRDC Director of Communications: Lisa Benenson NRDC Deputy Director of Communications: Lisa Goffredi NRDC Policy Publications Director: Alex Kennaugh Design and Production: www.suerossi.com © Natural Resources Defense Council 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................................4 -
Paving the Way to Carbon-Neutral Transport: 10-Point Plan To
Paving the way to carbon-neutral transport 10-point plan to help implement the European Green Deal January 2020 CONTEXT The transport sector is responsible for 22.3% of total EU greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with road transport representing 21.1% of total emissions. Breaking this down further, passenger cars account for 12.8% of Europe’s emissions, vans for 2.5%, while heavy-duty trucks and buses are responsible for 5.6%. Transport is therefore a key focus and driver for climate protection measures. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) strongly believes that carbon-neutral road transport is possible by 2050. This however will represent a seismic shift, requiring a holistic approach with increasing efforts from all stakeholders. * All CO2 equivalent ** Industry = ‘Manufacturing industries and construction’ + ‘Industrial processes and product use’ Source: European Environment Agency (EEA) AUTO INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTION Investing €57.4 billion in R&D annually, the automotive sector is Europe's largest private contributor to innovation, accounting for 28% of total EU spending. Much of this investment is dedicated to clean mobility solutions. The automobile industry embraces the Paris Agreement and its goals. Manufacturers also support the climate protection initiatives of the European Commission, such as the ‘Clean Planet for All’ strategy, provided all stakeholders contribute their share and the achievements to date are taken into account. ACEA’s 10-point plan to help implement the European Green Deal – January 2020 1 ACEA members are fully committed to deliver the ambitious 025 and 030 C2 reduction targets. In order to provide legal certainty for the industry as it moves towards carbon neutrality in 050, the 2022/2023 timeline for the revies of the regulations should be adhered to (as as endorsed by the European Council in December 201). -
Bioenergy's Role in Balancing the Electricity Grid and Providing Storage Options – an EU Perspective
Bioenergy's role in balancing the electricity grid and providing storage options – an EU perspective Front cover information panel IEA Bioenergy: Task 41P6: 2017: 01 Bioenergy's role in balancing the electricity grid and providing storage options – an EU perspective Antti Arasto, David Chiaramonti, Juha Kiviluoma, Eric van den Heuvel, Lars Waldheim, Kyriakos Maniatis, Kai Sipilä Copyright © 2017 IEA Bioenergy. All rights Reserved Published by IEA Bioenergy IEA Bioenergy, also known as the Technology Collaboration Programme (TCP) for a Programme of Research, Development and Demonstration on Bioenergy, functions within a Framework created by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Views, findings and publications of IEA Bioenergy do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the IEA Secretariat or of its individual Member countries. Foreword The global energy supply system is currently in transition from one that relies on polluting and depleting inputs to a system that relies on non-polluting and non-depleting inputs that are dominantly abundant and intermittent. Optimising the stability and cost-effectiveness of such a future system requires seamless integration and control of various energy inputs. The role of energy supply management is therefore expected to increase in the future to ensure that customers will continue to receive the desired quality of energy at the required time. The COP21 Paris Agreement gives momentum to renewables. The IPCC has reported that with current GHG emissions it will take 5 years before the carbon budget is used for +1,5C and 20 years for +2C. The IEA has recently published the Medium- Term Renewable Energy Market Report 2016, launched on 25.10.2016 in Singapore. -
Biofuels in a Changing World
Biofuels in a Changing World Carol Werner, Executive Director Environmental and Energy Study Institute Presentation for Biofuels and the Promise for Sustainable Energy Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil August 2007 Abstract : The twin drivers of oil security and climate change have pushed biofuels into the forefront of US national energy policy. The industry has grown rapidly, and at this point is based upon corn ethanol and soy biodiesel. A variety of policy proposals are before the US Congress in terms of major pending energy and agriculture legislation which would greatly advance the role of biofuels. At the same time concerns have been raised about the cost of such proposals, the sustainability of biofuel production, potential competition with food, animal feed and other crops as well as land use issues. Biofuels represent an important piece of the solution to the challenges of a world facing climate change and oil security concerns – but are not a silver bullet. Instead, they must be part of a ‘sustainable’ strategy that works in tandem with other policies that will allow us to address multiple issues to achieve multiple benefits at the same time. Key elements that must be addressed include diversification of feedstocks that are appropriate to given regions based upon local soil, precipitation, low inputs and climate conditions; encouragement of local ownership so that local economic activity is enhanced; and development of new technologies and biorefineries that will promote high efficiency and a low/no net carbon emission life cycle. Without addressing these issues carefully and thoughtfully – whether in the United States, Brazil or other countries moving forward on biofuels – we run the risk of jeopardizing public consensus for long-term support of biofuels as well as jeopardizing the long term environmentally sustainable economic development that is critical to the well-being of our societies and our planet. -
Modelling of Emissions and Energy Use from Biofuel Fuelled Vehicles at Urban Scale
sustainability Article Modelling of Emissions and Energy Use from Biofuel Fuelled Vehicles at Urban Scale Daniela Dias, António Pais Antunes and Oxana Tchepel * CITTA, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra, Polo II, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal; [email protected] (D.D.); [email protected] (A.P.A.) * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 29 March 2019; Accepted: 13 May 2019; Published: 22 May 2019 Abstract: Biofuels have been considered to be sustainable energy source and one of the major alternatives to petroleum-based road transport fuels due to a reduction of greenhouse gases emissions. However, their effects on urban air pollution are not straightforward. The main objective of this work is to estimate the emissions and energy use from bio-fuelled vehicles by using an integrated and flexible modelling approach at the urban scale in order to contribute to the understanding of introducing biofuels as an alternative transport fuel. For this purpose, the new Traffic Emission and Energy Consumption Model (QTraffic) was applied for complex urban road network when considering two biofuels demand scenarios with different blends of bioethanol and biodiesel in comparison to the reference situation over the city of Coimbra (Portugal). The results of this study indicate that the increase of biofuels blends would have a beneficial effect on particulate matter (PM ) emissions reduction for the entire road network ( 3.1% [ 3.8% to 2.1%] by kg). In contrast, 2.5 − − − an overall negative effect on nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions at urban scale is expected, mainly due to the increase in bioethanol uptake. Moreover, the results indicate that, while there is no noticeable variation observed in energy use, fuel consumption is increased by over 2.4% due to the introduction of the selected biofuels blends. -
Benefits of Emissions Trading
BENEFITS OF EMISSIONS TRADING E M I S S I O N S T R A D I N G A C H I E V E S T H E E N V I R O N M E N T A L O B J E C T I V E – R E D U C E D E M I S S I O N S – A T T H E L O W E S T C O S T Cap and trade is designed to deliver an environmental outcome; the cap must be met, or there are sanctions such as fines. Allowing trading within that cap is the most effective way of minimising the cost – which is good for business and good for households. Determining physical actions that companies must take, with no flexibility, is not guaranteed to achieve the necessary reductions. Nor is establishing a regulated price, since the price required to drive reductions may take policy-makers several years to determine. Cap and trade also provides a way of establishing rigour around emissions monitoring, reporting and verification – essential for any climate policy to preserve integrity. E M I S S I O N S T R A D I N G I S B E T T E R A B L E T O R E S P O N D T O E C O N O M I C F L U C T U A T I O N S T H A N O T H E R P O L I C Y T O O L S Allowing the open market to set the price of carbon translates to better flexibility and avoids price shocks or undue burdens. -
Analytical Environmental Agency 2 21St Century Frontiers 3 22 Four 4
# Official Name of Organization Name of Organization in English 1 "Greenwomen" Analytical Environmental Agency 2 21st Century Frontiers 3 22 Four 4 350 Vermont 5 350.org 6 A Seed Japan Acao Voluntaria de Atitude dos Movimentos por Voluntary Action O Attitude of Social 7 Transparencia Social Movements for Transparency Acción para la Promoción de Ambientes Libres Promoting Action for Smokefree 8 de Tabaco Environments Ações para Preservação dos Recursos Naturais e 9 Desenvolvimento Economico Racional - APRENDER 10 ACT Alliance - Action by Churches Together 11 Action on Armed Violence Action on Disability and Development, 12 Bangladesh Actions communautaires pour le développement COMMUNITY ACTIONS FOR 13 integral INTEGRAL DEVELOPMENT 14 Actions Vitales pour le Développement durable Vital Actions for Sustainable Development Advocates coalition for Development and 15 Environment 16 Africa Youth for Peace and Development 17 African Development and Advocacy Centre African Network for Policy Research and 18 Advocacy for Sustainability 19 African Women's Alliance, Inc. Afrique Internationale pour le Developpement et 20 l'Environnement au 21è Siècle 21 Agência Brasileira de Gerenciamento Costeiro Brazilian Coastal Management Agency 22 Agrisud International 23 Ainu association of Hokkaido 24 Air Transport Action Group 25 Aldeota Global Aldeota Global - (Global "small village") 26 Aleanca Ekologjike Europiane Rinore Ecological European Youth Alliance Alianza de Mujeres Indigenas de Centroamerica y 27 Mexico 28 Alianza ONG NGO Alliance ALL INDIA HUMAN -
Utilization of Waste Cooking Oil Via Recycling As Biofuel for Diesel Engines
recycling Article Utilization of Waste Cooking Oil via Recycling as Biofuel for Diesel Engines Hoi Nguyen Xa 1, Thanh Nguyen Viet 2, Khanh Nguyen Duc 2 and Vinh Nguyen Duy 3,* 1 University of Fire Fighting and Prevention, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; [email protected] 2 School of Transportation and Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; [email protected] (T.N.V.); [email protected] (K.N.D.) 3 Faculty of Vehicle and Energy Engineering, Phenikaa University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 16 March 2020; Accepted: 2 June 2020; Published: 8 June 2020 Abstract: In this study, waste cooking oil (WCO) was used to successfully manufacture catalyst cracking biodiesel in the laboratory. This study aims to evaluate and compare the influence of waste cooking oil synthetic diesel (WCOSD) with that of commercial diesel (CD) fuel on an engine’s operating characteristics. The second goal of this study is to compare the engine performance and temperature characteristics of cooling water and lubricant oil under various engine operating conditions of a test engine fueled by waste cooking oil and CD. The results indicated that the engine torque of the engine running with WCOSD dropped from 1.9 Nm to 5.4 Nm at all speeds, and its brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) dropped at almost every speed. Thus, the thermal brake efficiency (BTE) of the engine fueled by WCOSD was higher at all engine speeds. Also, the engine torque of the WCOSD-fueled engine was lower than the engine torque of the CD-fueled engine at all engine speeds. -
IFC Carbon Neutrality Committment Factsheet
Carbon Neutral Commitment for IFC’s Own Operations IFC, along with the World Bank, are committed to making our internal business operations carbon neutral by: IFC’s Carbon Neutrality 1. Calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our operations Commitment is an integral 2. Reducing carbon emissions through both familiar and innovative conservation measures part of IFC's corporate 3. Purchasing carbon offsets to balance our remaining internal carbon footprint after our reduction efforts response to climate change. IFC’s carbon neutrality commitment encourages continual improvement towards more efficient business operations that help mitigate climate change. It is also consistent with IFC’s strategy of guiding our investment work to address climate change and ensure environmental and social sustainability of projects that IFC finances. This factsheet focuses on the carbon footprint of our internal operations rather than the footprint of IFC’s portfolio. IFC uses the ‘operational control approach’ for setting its CALCULATING OUR GHG EMISSIONS organizational boundaries for its GHG inventory. Emissions are included from all locations for which IFC has direct control over IFC has calculated the annual GHG emissions for its internal business operations, and where it can influence decisions that impact GHG operations for headquarters in Washington, D.C. since 2006, and for emissions. IFC’s global operations since 2008 including global business travel. IFC’s annual GHG inventory includes the following sources of The methodology IFC formally used is based on the Greenhouse Gas GHG emissions from IFC’s leased and owned facilities and air Protocol Initiative (GHG Protocol), an internationally recognized GHG travel: accounting and reporting standard. -
Is Biopower Carbon Neutral?
Is Biopower Carbon Neutral? Kelsi Bracmort Specialist in Agricultural Conservation and Natural Resources Policy February 4, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R41603 Is Biopower Carbon Neutral? Summary To promote energy diversity and improve energy security, Congress has expressed interest in biopower—electricity generated from biomass. Biopower, a baseload power source, can be produced from a large range of biomass feedstocks nationwide (e.g., urban, agricultural, and forestry wastes and residues). The two most common biopower processes are combustion (e.g., direct-fired or co-fired) and gasification, with the former being the most widely used. Proponents have stated that biopower has the potential to strengthen rural economies, enhance energy security, and minimize the environmental impacts of energy production. Challenges to biopower production include the need for a sufficient feedstock supply, concerns about potential health impacts to nearby communities from the combustion of biomass, and its higher generation costs relative to fossil fuel-based electricity. At present, biopower generally requires tax incentives to be competitive with conventional fossil fuel-fired electric generation. An energy production activity typically is classified as carbon neutral if it produces no net increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a life-cycle basis. The legislative record shows minimal debate about the carbon status of biopower. The argument that biopower is carbon neutral has come under scrutiny in debate on its potential to help meet U.S. energy demands and reduce U.S. GHG emissions. Whether biopower is considered carbon neutral depends on many factors, including the definition of carbon neutrality, feedstock type, technology used, and time frame examined.