Research on carbon emissions and cutting them. Covers satellite emission tracking, workplace diets, CO2 testing, and low-carbon cement.
A study by Queen Mary University of London found that combining subsidies with behavioral interventions led to a 24% reduction in weekly carbon emissions. Subsidizing low-carbon emission meals was more effective than using carbon taxes or traffic light labelling alone.
A researcher is studying the connection between CO2 and dissolved oxygen in lakes to better understand lake carbon cycling and its impact on global carbon cycle. The study aims to develop a more accurate understanding of the relationship, which could lead to improved estimates of CO2 emissions from inland waters.
Researchers from Berkeley Lab analyze total cost of ownership of electric and diesel long-haul trucks, finding electric trucks have a 13% per mile lower total cost of ownership. The study also shows future reductions in battery costs could reduce the difference to 50% per mile by 2030.
Research at ETH Zurich found that defaulting to green electricity increased demand by over 80% in private households, with a significant impact on business customers as well. Despite higher costs, the majority of customers stuck with green options, demonstrating the lasting effect of default settings.
A Swiss energy market study found that adopting a 'green default' option for consumers leads to significant shifts towards renewable energy. The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, showed that both households and businesses predominantly accepted the default option, resulting in substantial CO2 emissions reductions.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers reveals that stricter environmental laws in one country can lead to increased pollution in other countries with lax regulations. This phenomenon, known as 'carbon leakage,' highlights the need for global cooperation on environmental policies.
The MUCCnet sensor network in Munich quantifies carbon dioxide, methane, and carbon monoxide concentrations with unique spectral analysis. By removing local disturbances, the network provides robust and accurate emission balances.
A new study by Colorado State University researchers provides the most detailed accounting of the cannabis industry's greenhouse gas emissions. The study found that US indoor cannabis cultivation results in life-cycle emissions of between 2,283 and 5,184kg CO2 per kg dried flower.
To achieve its goal, Switzerland must double its photovoltaic capacity every decade, with power from wind, hydrogen fuel cells, and imports also contributing. Electric vehicles and heat pumps will become crucial, while energy savings through building renovation are essential for meeting the target.
A new study from the University of East Anglia and the UK Energy Research Centre found that people's views and actions on climate change should be included in decision-making processes. The research reveals a holistic approach to public engagement, highlighting various ways citizens are engaging with low-carbon energy futures.
The study found that air pollutants decreased more than carbon dioxide during the lockdown, confirming earlier assumptions. The researchers also revealed that domestic and commercial energy consumption contribute less to nitrogen oxide emissions than previously thought, with traffic responsible for over 90% of emissions.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers suggests that a carbon tax is the most effective and cost-efficient way to reduce emissions causing climate change. The study found that adding a price to carbon production resulted in lower emissions at half the cost of renewable energy subsidies.
New research shows that while 64 countries cut fossil CO2 emissions during 2016-2019, the rate of reduction needs to increase tenfold to meet the Paris Agreement aims to tackle climate change. Global emissions grew by 0.21 billion tonnes of CO2 per year during 2016-2019 compared to 2011-2015.
A study compared seven countries' dietary guidelines and found significant variations in greenhouse gas emissions associated with food consumption patterns. India's diet had the lowest carbon footprint, while the US had one of the highest due to high dairy recommendations.
Scientists have developed a graphene filter that can extract carbon dioxide from industrial emissions with high efficiency and speed. The filter, which is the thinnest in the world, can separate carbon dioxide from other gases with an efficiency surpassing most current filters.
A new framework allows designers to assess environmental impact early in the design process, reducing costs and increasing sustainability. By rapidly simulating tens of thousands of design iterations, architects can make more informed decisions and achieve greater efficiency.
Researchers have synthesized a rare metal complex of nitrous oxide, demonstrating its strong binding ability to metals, potentially opening new avenues for using it in synthetic chemistry. The findings could also help degrade N2O to harmless substances, mitigating its impact on the atmosphere.
Researchers used medium-resolution satellite images to generate a burned area dataset for sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in significantly higher estimates of burned areas compared to coarse-resolution images. The study estimated fire carbon emissions at 1.44 PgC, substantially surpassing previous estimates.
Researchers found a significant decrease in atmospheric ammonia concentrations during COVID-19 lockdowns in urban Beijing and rural Xianghe sites, contradicting previous assumptions about the major source of ammonia emissions.
A short-lived resurgence in CFC-11 emissions in eastern China will not delay the recovery of Earth's ozone layer, according to new research. The AGAGE network helped track down the origins of the new emissions, which were found to be largely coming from eastern China.
In a new study, Northwestern University researchers found that air quality and public health benefits of electric vehicles in China depend on the type of transport electrified and the composition of the electric grid. Electrifying 40% of heavy-duty vehicles improved air quality while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Two international studies show levels of CFC-11 emissions are back on the decline, dropping by thousands of tons per year between 2017 and 2019. The rapid action in eastern China and other regions likely prevented a substantial delay in ozone layer recovery.
Global emissions of CFC-11 have fallen dramatically, with thousands of tonnes per year dropped between 2017 and 2019. The rapid decline is attributed to enhanced international efforts in eastern China and other regions, preventing a substantial delay in ozone layer recovery.
A study found that Brazil's average air conditioning equipment days of use would increase by over 100% in a 4°C warming scenario, significantly impacting space cooling needs. The country's energy consumption and CO2 emissions are projected to rise substantially even in more optimistic future warming scenarios.
Researchers at Umeå University have quantified carbon emissions from rivers and lakes in Western Siberia, finding that emission rates are high and exceed carbon export to the Arctic Ocean. The study highlights the importance of inland waters in the global carbon cycle and climate system.
A University of Washington study suggests that reducing emissions by 1.8% annually would be required to meet the 2 degrees Celsius global temperature target. This represents an 80% increase in ambition over current Paris Agreement targets.
A new study by Concordia researchers found a significant decrease in air pollution levels across major Canadian cities during the pandemic. Emission levels dropped dramatically, with a 69% reduction in Toronto and a 75% reduction in Montreal compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Researchers discovered that Arctic permafrost releases even larger quantities of CO2 than once believed, with microorganisms converting organic matter into greenhouse gases. The study found that the mineral iron no longer binds carbon as previously thought, resulting in a significant increase in CO2 emissions.
A RUDN University ecologist proposes a two-step approach to minimize greenhouse gas emissions from animal farms by evaluating carbon footprints and analyzing measures to reduce emissions. The method aims to balance soil carbon sequestration with atmospheric CO2 reduction, with potential reductions of up to 5 megatons of CO2 equivalent ...
A new study explores the potential of voyage optimization to reduce carbon intensity in short sea shipping. Researchers found that carbon intensity savings can reach up to 11% through route optimization, making it a viable operational measure for meeting short-term targets.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the decline of coal power generation by reducing electricity demand and increasing costs. Global CO2 emissions from the power sector decreased significantly in 2020 and are likely to remain low due to ongoing investments in renewable energy.
A new study suggests that increasing CO2 levels in oceans may slow tropical fish's expansion into cooler, temperate waters. The research found that elevated CO2 reduced sea urchin numbers, leading to a decrease in urchin barrens and an increase in turf algal cover.
A new study finds that swapping car travel for walking, cycling, and e-biking just one day a week can save up to a quarter of personal CO2 emissions from transport. Active transport reduces carbon footprints in cities, even in those with high walking and cycling rates.
Researchers found bioplastics' carbon footprint is larger than estimated, with Thailand being an exception. The study suggests careful assessment of bio-based production to understand potential sustainability risks.
Research led by NCAR found that COVID-19 lockdowns caused a slight warming effect on the planet, with temperatures rising by 0.2-0.5 degrees Fahrenheit in some regions. The study highlights the complex influence of aerosol emissions on climate, which can either cool or warm the planet depending on the type and amount.
A new study from the University of Michigan estimates virtual conference CO2 emissions using a framework that includes energy usage, network data transfer, and server energy consumption. The study found that a May 2020 virtual conference produced 66 times less greenhouse gas emissions than an in-person meeting in San Francisco.
A new study by CMCC Foundation investigates sustainable land management options to reduce GHG emissions from livestock, which contribute to 60% of agricultural emissions in Europe. The approach aims to enhance carbon sink function in soils and biomass through targeted land-use strategies.
The study reveals that methane emissions from human activities, particularly oil and gas sectors, coal mining, and ruminant farming, have led to its long-term growth. The findings highlight the need for targeted emission reduction strategies in these key sectors to mitigate climate change.
Global land-use greenhouse gas emissions from 1961 to 2017 have increased, jeopardizing the Paris climate agreement's goals. Poorer countries in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa experienced the most pronounced surge in these emissions.
Reducing short-lived climate-forcing pollutants (SLCPs) can mitigate climate change, human health issues, and food insecurity by slowing down near-term climate warming and improving crop yields.
The report reveals growing risk factors including permafrost emissions, weakening carbon uptake, and climate change impacts on freshwater and mental health. It also highlights the untapped potential of green COVID-19 recovery packages and the need for a new social contract to cope with transboundary risks.
Researchers found that commercial flights between New York and London last winter could have used up to 16% less fuel by harnessing favorable winds. The study, published in Environmental Research Letters, analyzed 35,000 flights and suggests that simple tweaks to flight paths can offer benefits immediately.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to significantly boost the performance of systems capturing and converting carbon dioxide from power plant emissions. By concentrating carbon dioxide next to the catalyst surface, the system nearly doubles the reaction rate and produces valuable products like fuels and chemical feedstocks.
A new carbon budget framework has been developed by researchers led by Damon Matthews, providing a more comprehensive method of calculating the remaining carbon budget. The framework estimates that between 230 and 440 billion tonnes of CO2 can be emitted before meeting the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that ocean acidification limits algal community diversity and complexity. The study reveals that elevated CO2 levels in oceans harm marine ecosystems, threatening habitats like kelp forests.
A new study by Purdue University and Yale University found that leaving cameras off during virtual meetings can reduce carbon emissions, water usage, and land footprint by significant amounts. The researchers estimated that reducing video quality or streaming in standard definition can bring an additional 86% reduction.
The SolarEV City concept integrates roof-top PVs with electric vehicles to supply affordable CO2-free electricity, reducing emissions by 54-95% in nine Japanese urban areas. Implementations can meet 53-95% of electricity demands by 2030, with potential cost savings of 26-41%.
New research from the University of California San Diego explores the potential of direct air capture to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and slow global warming. The study finds that a massively funded program could reverse temperature rise well before 2100, but deep cuts in emissions are still needed.
A recent study by Arizona State University analyzed large-scale land acquisitions and their impact on climate change. The research found that implementing environmental regulations can significantly reduce carbon emissions, but this comes at the cost of reducing the amount of land available for agricultural development.
Christian A. Davies, Ph.D., has been awarded the 2021 Edith and Peter O'Donnell Award in Technology Innovation from TAMEST for his development of alternative carbon management technologies that reduce emissions. His work focuses on combining DNA sequencing techniques with net carbon flux to analyze microbes in soil.
The ETH researchers conclude that continuing to power aircraft with fossil fuels and removing CO2 emissions using Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a cost-effective option for achieving carbon neutrality. Indirectly capturing CO2 from waste incineration gases also shows promise, costing significantly less than direct air capture.
The CriticalEarth programme aims to develop climate scientists skilled in advanced mathematical theories and the physics of Earth systems. The project addresses two key challenges: abrupt climate shifts and uncertainty in temperature rise predictions.
A new study found that subscriptions to satellite alerts from Global Forest Watch resulted in a 18% decrease in deforestation in African countries. The carbon emissions avoided were worth between $149 million and $696 million, highlighting the potential of automated alerts in reducing forest loss.
A study by RUDN University scientists found that global warming increases methane and CO2 emissions in rice paddies through the priming effect. Temperature fluctuations amplify this process, with increased sensitivity at temperatures between 5-15°C.
A new TanSat XCO2 global product has been introduced to support estimation of anthropogenic CO2 emissions in cities. The updated dataset shows improved accuracy, reducing the dispersion between retrieval methods to 1.28 ppmv, with a -0.35 ppmv overall bias.
Researchers estimate that subsea permafrost currently traps 60 billion tons of methane and 560 billion tons of organic carbon. The region releases approximately 140 million tons of CO2 and 5.3 million tons of CH4 to the atmosphere each year.
Global greenhouse gas emissions could drop by 6.6 gigatons of carbon due to COVID-19 lockdowns, but recovery funding could offset gains if spent on polluting sectors. Stimulus packages targeting innovation and renewable energy can help achieve Paris Climate Agreement goals.
Bhattacharyya plans to use advanced mathematical models to inch the country closer to net zero emissions. He realizes it's a tall order, as large-scale, efficient carbon capture has seemingly been entrenched in decades of testing and development.
A recent CMCC study analyzed 2018's Ro-Pax CO2 data from EU-MRV, revealing clustering in vessel populations and key factors contributing to high emissions. The study found variability spanning five orders of magnitude due to ferry size, propulsion features, age, and other characteristics.
Researchers at KIT have developed new production technology to manufacture fuel cells for heavy goods vehicles, which can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 30% by 2030. The technology aims to accelerate production and reduce costs, making fuel cell energy a viable option for commercial vehicles.