Energy, Sustainability and Society最新文献

Background

The transition to energy-sustainable systems is a globally accepted concept, but it is implemented with various degrees of success around the world. The aim of this paper is to determine the status of green transition in five Central Asian countries (Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic) that are among the highest energy consumers globally and the most vulnerable to climate change. Despite a notable improvement in living conditions across all countries over the past two decades, the region remains underdeveloped. Economic growth is based on the export of natural resources and remittance inflows, but the structure of the economy is monolithic.

Main findings

Upon analysing transition indicators for the period 2000–2020, no evidence of significant changes towards a sustainable energy transition is found. All countries in the region (except Uzbekistan) have recorded an increase in carbon emissions, while the carbon intensity of the energy mix is almost the same. While there has been visible progress in reducing energy intensity, the countries in the region remain among the most energy-intensive economies. Despite the region’s substantial potential for renewable energy production, it remains underutilized.

Conclusions

A multitude of varied problems accompanies the green transition in Central Asian countries. The energy market that has not yet been liberalised, along with significant subsidies and low energy tariffs, discourages investments in renewable energy sources and energy efficiency initiatives. A high level of corruption, rigid legislative and institutional infrastructure, and insufficient capital are additional factors that determine the speed, scope, and effectiveness of the green transition. Thus far, the primary focus in these countries has been on ensuring energy security. However, there has been a discernible surge in investments (particularly from China) in renewable energy projects. Although energy efficiency and climate change issues are formally defined, the energy transition goals are often declarative without an action plan that provides concrete steps in transition process. Strategic planing of economic development that includes all related sectors (not only the energy sector) and paying attention to socio-economic and environmental indicators of sustainable development are prerequisites for successfully implementating the energy transition in these countries.

Background

Nature-based solutions (NBS) in urban areas offer an opportunity to improve environmental conditions and to reduce CO₂ emissions towards establishing climate-neutral cities in the next few decades. Furthermore, the implementation of NBSs—vertical or horizontal green infrastructures on public facilities—could in particular improve both climate, including outdoor thermal conditions on a micro-scale (especially during the summer season) and the energy demand of buildings as well as save heating energy during the winter period.

Results

On both selected buildings, extensive green roofs were implemented as an NBS intervention. The analysed data were obtained using the monitoring systems (from 2019 to 2022) installed on two public buildings in Novi Sad (Republic of Serbia) and Osijek (Republic of Croatia), with a focus on climate/bioclimate characteristics and thermal transmission capacities. Four automatic weather stations (AWS) were used for microclimate monitoring, along with the heat flow meter (HFM) method, to measure the alterations in the thermal transmittance (U value) of a flat concrete roof before and after energy refurbishment and the installation of a green roof. The outcomes of this study show that the air temperatures (Ta) and globe temperatures (Tg) near the green roof are lower by 0–3 °C for Ta and by 0–16.5 °C for Tg than the values captured by the AWSs at other locations. An even more interesting fact is that the green roof has a constant cooling potential during tropical nights, and based upon this research, the cooling value is around 2 °C for Tg (the Ta value is not distinct). The thermal transmittance results show that more savings can be achieved by applying a green roof with an 8 cm thick substrate: U values decreased by 50–69%, as measured by two different heat flux sensors.

Conclusions

Nature-based solutions, such as the implementation of an extensive green roof, have positive effects on diverse aspects of urban environments and building energy savings, which are particularly evident in extreme seasons, both summer and winter. Applying the proposed monitoring and assessment system could help local communities in their efforts to reduce carbon-based emissions. This paper provides a good example of the implementation of NBSs on a local- and a micro-scale.

Background

Global warming and the increasing risk of natural disasters force us all to act. As the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions has been proven effective but insufficient on its own, Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies emerged to fill the gap. Using CCU technologies, CO₂ is captured and further processed into valuable products instead of being emitted into the atmosphere.

Method

This study investigates the prevailing public perception of such CCU-based products by the example of clothing and cosmetics. We applied the method of conjoint measurement to experimentally examine context-related factors (= attributes) in different usage settings and explored the consumers’ decision profiles for or against the usage of CCU-based products (cosmetics and clothing). Conjoint measurements were realized as an online experiment, addressing acceptance patterns and preferences in four European countries (Germany, Norway, Spain, and Poland). In addition, we assessed general attitudes and affective assessments of the CCU products. A total of N = 828 participants took part in the study, and the international subsamples were comparable.

Results

Results revealed that health compatibility is the main adoption-driving factor in the decisions for or against the use of the products. Still, attributes like the environmental impact, product quality, and information flow play an important role as well, even though to a lesser extent. Participants from different countries significantly differ in their cognitive and affective evaluations of acceptance-related attributes.

Conclusions

The outcome provides insights into differences in Pan-European comparison and helps to understand the public motives and country-specific terms of use for CCU-based products, effectively establishing recommendations for policy and governance.

Background

The main goal of the paper is to define the level of energy efficiency in the economies of selected countries in the Balkan region that have opted for the EU Green Deal, a circular economy, and a transition to carbon neutrality. Energy efficiency, as a determinant of carbon neutrality, was selected as an indicator for analysis because it records particularly unfavorable indicators in the region under observation. The research was carried out on a sample of seven Balkan countries and their surrounding areas. An initial qualitative analysis was followed by a quantitative analysis based on a combination of statistical methods and soft computing. Six indicators were selected for the analysis covering a period of 30 years (1990–2020).

Results

A significant obstacle to the green transition and the region’s transition to a circular economy and carbon neutrality is energy efficiency and energy related pollution—the reliance of most countries on coal-fired thermal power plants for electricity generation. The research results showed the following: (a) the degree of economic development and membership in the European Union are not significantly related to the level of energy efficiency; (b) most of the sampled countries are in the initial stages of introducing activities to achieve carbon neutrality; and (c) only Slovenia has documented consistent indicators and evident advancements in its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. Based on the research findings, proposals for improvements were made in the direction of policymaking and in a methodological sense.

Conclusions

The implementation of circularity and carbon neutrality as a long-term goal of the European Union is not necessarily related to the level of economic development, nor can its trajectory be exclusively ascertained by means of data processing and monitoring. A more precise understanding of a carbon-neutral future can be achieved through the incorporation of qualitative data to a greater extent, a realistic evaluation of historical facts and their repercussions, as well as projections of the effects that reality and global developments after 2022 will have on each country.

Background

In addition to the other uses for macroalgae, since the 1970s, there has been interest in using macroalgae as a source of biofuels, due to the high rates of productivity and intrinsic advantages over other biofuel crops such as not requiring land use or significant freshwater input. A wide range of conversion processes exist but anaerobic digestion was one of the first demonstrated and is still a widely proposed conversion pathway. To be economically viable and scalable within Europe, the industry will need to be based on a small number of fast growing, high-yielding European macroalgae species. There is a wide body of scientific work on the conversion of seaweeds to biofuel via anaerobic digestion.

Main text

These studies demonstrate that the efficiency of this conversion pathway is highly variable between species, processing techniques, composition and digestor conditions. In this paper, we review this body of work specifically linking it to candidate species for European macroalgae bio-energy cultivation with the aim to promote the future development of the European macroalgal cultivation sector and allow for a better alignment with the requirements for biofuel production from macroalgae.

Conclusions

Overall, anaerobic digestion of seaweed offers opportunities for large-scale energy production which avoids some of the issues that have faced previous generations of biofuels, but there are a number of key challenges to overcome to ensure wider adoption and economic viability. (1) Optimising the biomass production to ensure an economic and uniform feedstock with the composition optimised to increase desirable characteristics such as sugar content and the carbon and nitrogen ratio and to reduce inhibitory factors such as halogenated secondary metabolites, sulphur and heavy metals. (2) Improving conversion rates through co-digestion, pre-treatments and tailored microbial communities, using scalable and economically feasible technology. (3) Developing tailored microbial communities capable of utilising the diverse polysaccharides in seaweed feedstock and being tolerant of the saline conditions associated with them. Addressing these issues will deliver significant benefits towards the development of a bio-energy industry based on the anaerobic digestion of cultured seaweeds.

Background

The transition towards a sustainable energy system is reshaping the demand for final energy, driven by the diffusion of new end-use technologies. This shift not only impacts consumers’ energy expenses, but also holds implications for the public budget. Building on data from a German energy transition scenario, we analyse the direct impact of energy costs on industries, low-income households, and changes in government revenues from the taxes and levies on final energy carriers. Our analysis considers the impact of current policies and explores a scenario introducing additional excise tax rates to offset potential revenue losses.

Results

We found that substantial carbon price increases could generate revenues that offset the losses from excise taxes on fossil fuels while enabling the financing of renewable support from the public budget by the end of this decade. Nevertheless, a decline in government revenues from taxes and levies is anticipated after 2030 until the middle of the century due to the declining use of fossil fuels. Maintaining current excise tax revenues during the transition could be achieved by introducing additional excise taxes on fossil fuels and electricity. Lastly, our analysis indicated a continuous decline in household energy expenditures until 2050, whereas energy-intensive industries face adverse impacts due to decarbonisation.

Conclusions

This research provides valuable insights into the fiscal implications of the energy transition, shedding light on different industrial sectors and households while considering the evolving impact on the public budget. Policymakers may need to consider systemic reforms or alternative financing mechanisms outside the energy system to balance the books.

Background

In the Himalayan region, fuelwood serves as a critical energy source for rural communities. Being vital for meeting energy needs, fuelwood combustion is a source of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission and, consequently, global warming, as well as deforestation and public health damage. Therefore, quantifying fuelwood consumption patterns and its associated CO₂ emissions is essential to understand the environmental impact and promote sustainable resource management.

Methods

This research conducts an evaluation of fuelwood burning patterns and the associated CO₂ emissions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), situated within the western Himalayan region. The study entails an extensive survey of 24 villages representing 240 households, equally distributed between the subtropical and temperate regions, each comprising 120 households. Data collection was executed through a combination of direct queries and the weight survey method, following standard protocols.

Results

In the study area, the mean annual fuelwood comsumption per household amounts to 24.28 ± 3.1 Mg (or 3.195 ± 1 Mg capita⁻¹). A variance was observed between subtropical and temperate zones, with the latter exhibiting higher consumption rates. The consequential CO₂ emissions were assessed as 41.88 ± 4.5 Mg per household (5.51 ± 0.6 Mg capita⁻¹). On a daily basis, households consumed an average of 66.52 ± 6.4 kg of fuelwood (8.75 ± 1.5 kg capita⁻¹), resulting in a daily CO₂ release rate of 114.745 ± 8.6 kg (15.095 ± 2 kg capita⁻¹). The findings unveiled seasonal variations, indicating increased fuelwood consumption and emissions during the winter season. Statistical analysis shed light on the significance of altitude and family size in shaping the patterns of fuelwood use.

Conclusions

The results revealed the importance of prioritizing forest conservation and strategically implementing sustainable practices, including reforestation, afforestation, responsible harvesting, and actively promoting sustainable fuel sources. This research highlights the vital role of well-designed policies focused on preserving ecosystems and improving energy management. Policy intervention can ensure the sustainable stewardship of local and regional forest resources.

Background

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) relies mainly on fossil fuels in their energy supply, leading to higher CO₂ emissions, pollution, and further environmental degradation. This paper uses the panel vector autoregressive and the Granger non-causality test in the heterogeneous panels, together with long-run estimation techniques, to examine the dynamic link among energy consumption, economic growth, and carbon emissions with the focus on renewable energy for the ASEAN countries in the past three decades.

Results

The findings from this paper indicate that carbon emissions are associated with energy consumption. In contrast, renewable energy usage reduces CO₂ emissions, improving environmental quality. Economic growth is associated with increased energy consumption and carbon emissions in the ASEAN countries. The findings also indicate that the effects of energy consumption on economic growth are more significant than those of renewable energy in ASEAN. When considered together, these findings form a vicious circle regarding the energy–growth–emission nexus for the ASEAN economies. In addition, a bidirectional Granger causality among energy consumption, economic growth, CO₂ emissions and renewable energy usage is confirmed.

Conclusions

Renewable energy has emerged as an important viable option for the ASEAN nations to achieve their dual objectives of enhanced economic growth, reduced CO₂ emission, leading to improved environmental quality.

Background

Energy poverty, which is the deprivation of a series of energy services that satisfy human needs, affects over 2 billion individuals who rely on the combustion of biomass and other solid fuels to fulfill their energy needs. While certain communities address their energy shortfall by harnessing local natural resources, these alternatives fail to provide access to more advantageous and sustainable conditions, thus leading to what are commonly referred to as socioecological traps.

Results

This research studies the relationships between the energy alternatives that two communities have developed, the bioenergy capability that would allow the system to access more desirable and sustainable states, and the costs and benefits that are perceived from this new use of their residues and resources. A quantitative methodology was employed by designing and applying a structured questionnaire applied to 207 households in two energy-poor communities in the municipality of Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico: San Agustín de los Tordos and El Comedero Grande. We have inferred that the alternatives generated by the communities function as socioecological traps. On the one hand, these options generate adverse effects on the health of people and the environment, while discouraging the construction of bioenergy capabilities; on the other hand, they allow them to cover some training costs, at least in the short term. These discoveries suggest that the system is currently in an advantageous phase of the cultivation of new capabilities.

Conclusions

The outcomes of this study contribute significantly to enhancing our comprehension of socioecological traps and capabilities within the realm of energy, thereby offering valuable insights for the effective management of successful bioenergy implementation initiatives. Moreover, these findings enable the development of frameworks for theoretical interpretation and methodological application within specific contexts, exemplified in our case by rural communities in Irapuato, Guanajuato Mexico. The holistic approach reveals that while individuals may have alternatives to fulfill their energy requirements, many of these alternatives can inadvertently become socioecological traps. For instance, the use of firewood as a short-term solution for household energy needs can generate adverse health and environmental consequences in the long run. In the light of these considerations, a study of their nature becomes imperative and relevant as it delves deeply into the intricate relationship between compensatory alternatives and capacities. Simultaneously, it scrutinizes the community’s perception of bioenergy in terms of costs and benefits, with the overarching goal of transitioning toward a sustainable energy system.