Articles tagged with Carbon Emissions
A new study by Finnish researchers found that recycled plastic railway sleepers can significantly reduce carbon emissions, with potential savings of up to 3,610 tCO2e per year. The production process for these plastics requires less energy and generates fewer emissions than traditional materials like steel and concrete.
International team of scientists calculates total land area for climate action plans, revealing a big divide between expected and actual potential. The plans could lead to major conflicts over land use, exacerbating problems with high-intensity agriculture and unsustainable land use.
A University of Queensland-led study reveals greenhouse gas emissions from tourism have grown more than 2 times faster than the rest of the global economy. Tourism accounts for 9% of world's total emissions, with annual increases expected to double in carbon footprint every 20 years.
A new monitoring system uses 'virtual sensing' to accurately estimate CO₂ and NOx emissions based on driving behavior. The system provides personalized environmental impact assessments, empowering drivers to manage their emissions.
A new catalyst converts methane into polymers at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, making it easier to deploy at sites of methane production. The catalyst also enables the creation of sealants to heal cracks in natural gas pipes, potentially reducing methane leakage.
A seminal life cycle assessment (LCA) study found that diagnostic services generate the equivalent of nearly 1,100 gas-powered cars annually, with CT scans accounting for the majority of GHG emissions. The team identified areas to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions without compromising patient care.
A new study suggests that a significant proportion of UK holiday flights could be replaced with rail travel, resulting in substantial reductions in carbon emissions. The researchers found that most British people do not travel far for their holidays, making rail a viable alternative for short-haul flights.
A new microwave-assisted synthesis route has improved the performance of a coordination polymer photocatalyst, achieving a record-breaking value for CO2-to-formate conversion with a nearly ten-fold increase in apparent quantum yield. The improvements are attributed to well-crystallized material and surface area increases.
Shiva Shirani, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Malaga, has won the Innovandi NanoCem PhD Prize 2024 for her research on low-carbon cement alternatives. Her work uses advanced synchrotron imaging techniques to optimize cement micro- and meso-structures.
A new study by the University of Oxford's Department of Physics shows that relying on natural carbon sinks to offset CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will not stop global warming. Governments and corporations are increasingly turning to these natural sinks to meet climate goals, but this approach is flawed.
A new study suggests that India's growing technology innovation and economic expansion will likely reduce its efforts to transition to renewable energy sources. The country's high demand for energy and reliance on non-renewable sources may outweigh the benefits of clean energy.
Professor Susanne Neuer receives Excellence Professorship for her research on the biological carbon pump, a crucial mechanism in absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. Her work highlights the importance of tiny ocean organisms in forming sinking particles that transport carbon into the deep ocean.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a metal-organic framework that can capture CO2 at extreme temperatures, relevant to cement and steel manufacturing plants. The discovery has the potential to change how scientists think about carbon capture and reduces the need for costly infrastructure.
Researchers have developed a novel electro-biodiesel process that is 45 times more efficient than traditional biodiesel production, using 45 times less land. The process converts CO2 into biocompatible intermediates and lipids, resulting in negative emissions and potential for widespread adoption.
Researchers created a new electrode design that increases the efficiency of converting CO2 into ethylene, a valuable chemical product. The electrochemical system can now be scaled up for industrial applications without significant energy or cost losses.
The SRI and University of Houston-affiliated project aims to develop a modular microreactor technology that converts carbon dioxide into methanol using renewable energy sources. The project has the potential to transform sustainable fuel production, offering a clean alternative for sectors like transportation.
The 2024 Global Carbon Budget projects fossil CO2 emissions of 37.4 billion tonnes, up 0.8% from 2023, despite urgent calls to cut emissions to slow climate change. The report finds that overall emissions are roughly level over the last decade, but both fossil and land-use change CO2 emissions are set to rise in 2024.
A proof-of-concept study has demonstrated that off-the-shelf thermoelectric generators can convert CO2 into useful fuels and chemicals. The temperature differences encountered in various environments, from geothermal installations to the Martian surface, could power this conversion.
A significant increase in carbon dioxide emissions from private aviation has been found, with annual emissions rising by 46% between 2019 and 2023. The study also reveals that some individuals account for almost 500 times more CO2 emissions than the average person.
A research team led by Virginia Tech will test the geologic conditions at the Roanoke Cement Plant for storing 1.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year for three decades. The project aims to prevent estimated 50 million metric tons of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere.
A new study reveals that locally optimized urban forms can significantly reduce CO2 emissions, but generalizations cannot be made due to context-dependent relationships. Urban open and green spaces are found to be paramount in mitigating urban CO2 emissions.
Researchers found that coral reef communities persisted under certain conditions, contradicting most projections of their demise. The study's results suggest that effective climate change mitigation measures can help coral reefs adapt and thrive.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have estimated carbon dioxide emissions from inland waters to 22 million US lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Their new modeling approach reveals previous methods may have overestimated CO2 emissions by as much as 25%.
Researchers suggest that small cutbacks in higher-income countries could remove 125 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, allowing forests to regrow and sequester more CO2. This approach would require cutting global cattle herds by less than half, while still maintaining livestock grazing on native grasslands.
Researchers uncover calcite precipitation as the key mechanism behind Lake Geneva's significant CO2 emissions. The discovery provides a new understanding of the carbon cycle in lakes and has implications for global warming efforts.
The study examines carbon emissions from global shipping, revealing significant differences in historical trends due to estimation uncertainties. Emission reductions can be achieved through measures like shore power, electric boats, and zero-carbon fuels, with increasing electric ship adoption expected to contribute the most.
Rice University researchers developed an electrochemical reactor to reduce energy consumption in direct air capture. The new design has achieved industrially relevant rates of carbon dioxide regeneration and offers flexibility, scalability, and lower capital costs.
A new NASA-led study finds that the Earth's far northern permafrost region has become a net contributor to global warming due to methane emissions. The thawing permafrost is releasing stored carbon as greenhouse gases, shifting the region from being a sink to a source of warming.
The Berlin Declaration aims to achieve carbon neutrality through basic research and international cooperation. The declaration highlights the importance of developing effective measures to reduce CO2 emissions in all sectors, including energy and industry.
Researchers found that 30% of subnational regions have fully decoupled carbon emissions from economic growth. Decoupling is driven by climate action and has been successful in Europe, but less than half of regions will meet net-zero targets by 2050.
Researchers developed a more sustainable 3D-printed concrete material combining graphene with limestone and calcined clay cement. The new material offers enhanced strength and durability while significantly reducing carbon emissions, making it a powerful solution for addressing environmental challenges in 3D printed construction.
A new study by UC Davis engineers and economists finds that producing materials like steel, plastics, and cement inflicts $79 billion a year on the global climate. The team calculated climate costs using the Environmental Protection Agency's Social Cost of Carbon standard.
A new covalent organic framework (COF) material developed by UC Berkeley researchers can capture CO2 from ambient air without degradation, making it a promising solution for reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases. The material's high carbon dioxide capacity and selectivity make it an attractive alternative to existing carbon capture tec...
Researchers at Politecnico di Milano discovered that the ratio of CO2 to methane present in the reaction determines carbon build-up on catalysts. This finding paves the way for more efficient technologies and longer-lasting catalysts.
A comprehensive assessment of human activity in the Arctic reveals that over 5% of the region is affected by light pollution, with an annual increase of 4.8%. The study highlights the critical need for monitoring and planning to support sustainable development and conservation in the Arctic.
Forest fires globally emitted half a billion tonnes more CO2 in the last two decades, with increased severity and extent driven by climate change. The study reveals alarming shifts in forest fire patterns, posing significant challenges for global targets to combat climate change.
Researchers have discovered a protein shell in diatoms that enables efficient CO2 fixation, with implications for bioengineering approaches to combat climate change. The discovery reveals how diatoms convert CO2 into nutrients through photosynthesis, with potential applications for improving carbon capture from the atmosphere.
Researchers developed a new approach called ZeroCAL, which can remove nearly all carbon dioxide emissions associated with cement production. The process uses limestone as a feedstock and produces clean hydrogen and oxygen gas, making it an elegant solution to reduce carbon footprint.
A collaborative research team introduced a new approach to sustainable development in arid river basins through a Grey Fractional Multi-Objective Programming (GFMOP) model. The study found that improving water use efficiency can reduce carbon emissions while safeguarding the environment.
A new report warns of an unprecedented climate emergency, with key findings including widespread forest dieback and major ice sheet collapse. The authors emphasize the need for decisive action to safeguard the natural world and ensure a livable future.
A new study by Cornell University finds that liquefied natural gas (LNG) exported from the US has a one-third larger carbon footprint than coal when considering processing and shipping. LNG's extraction, processing, transportation, and storage account for approximately half of its total greenhouse gas footprint.
A new study warns that continued investment in carbon-intensive industries could lead to $557 trillion of stranded assets by 2050. Researchers urge policymakers to transform educational and financial systems to create new opportunities, rather than delaying the transition.
A novel multi-frequency ultrasonic drying technology accelerates the drying of renewable cellulose nanocrystals by up to 50% while minimizing energy consumption. This method demonstrates superior stability in aqueous solutions and aligns with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study finds that carbon capture and storage technology will struggle to meet the 1.5°C and 2°C climate targets without significant expansion. The technology can sequester up to 600 Gt of CO2 over the 21st century, but current plans may not be enough to bridge the gap.
A new study warns that future climate change will intensify wildfires in the Arctic region, leading to an abrupt switch from no fires to very intense ones within just a few years. The accelerated permafrost thawing is expected to increase soil water and vegetation biomass, exacerbating fire fuel.
A team of researchers from Aalto University has developed a bio-based binder material that can significantly reduce carbon emissions from infrastructure construction. The technology binds CO2 gas in a stable, solid carbonate form within the cementitious clay layer, making ground improvement itself carbon-negative.
The EU's Green Deal aims to reduce carbon emissions by 2050 but may increase emissions globally. An international team of scientists found that the deal could lead to a 244.8% increase in global emissions outside EU borders. However, adopting a plant-based diet and phasing out biofuels within the EU could significantly reduce emissions.
A new study suggests that using state-of-the-art energy efficiency technologies can enable Europe's construction sector to almost eliminate its carbon emissions by 2060. Employing technologies like solar energy and heat pumps can reduce total energy used for heating and cooling buildings by up to 97%.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a low-carbon approach to producing ammonia, which is used in fertilizers and as a carrier for hydrogen. The new method uses liquid metal catalysts, reducing energy consumption by 20% and carbon emissions by 98%. This could significantly reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and sup...
The McGill team's light-driven chemical process transforms methane and carbon dioxide into green methanol and carbon monoxide, producing highly valued products. The discovery offers a promising path towards Canada's net-zero emissions target by 2050 and provides a sustainable way to produce industrial products.
Researchers found that for most North Atlantic flights, the climate benefit of avoiding contrails outweighs the extra carbon dioxide emitted from flying a different route. Rerouting flights could reduce global warming by up to 29% in 2039 and 14% in 2119, depending on the method used to measure climate impact.
Researchers found that regrowing tropical forests on pastureland can reduce soil carbon emissions by nearly two-fold, offering a quick win in the fight against climate change. This unexpected finding is attributed to warmer temperatures experienced by soils in pastureland, which may explain higher carbon dioxide emissions.
A Dartmouth-led study projects that Antarctica's glaciers will rapidly retreat and potentially collapse by 2200, increasing global sea levels by up to 5.5 feet by 2300. The researchers used 16 ice-sheet models to refine the projection of ice loss over the next 300 years.
A recent study found that both the rich and poor significantly overestimate or underestimate each other's carbon footprints, highlighting a profound inequality. The researchers surveyed 4,000 people from four countries and discovered that those in the top 10% tended to support climate policies, possibly due to higher education levels.
Researchers harvested climate-smart soybeans in a $5 million USDA project aiming to reduce GHG emissions while increasing crop production. The crop was grown using five climate-smart practices, including earlier planting and soil conservation.
A study published in Business Strategy and the Environment found that green finance initiatives can significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The researchers also noted that investing in renewable energy is crucial for companies to achieve environmental sustainability.
The university-led project aims to reduce carbon emissions through innovative extraction methods, such as electromagnetic heating for heavy oil recovery. It will also provide educational and research opportunities to students from minority-serving institutions, promoting diversity and inclusion in the scientific community.
Dr. Abdoulaye Djire, a Texas A&M chemical engineer, has received the Army Research Office Early Career Award for his research on electrochemical ammonia production. His project aims to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly methods for producing ammonia using 2D nanostructured nitride MXenes.
A recent study by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology found that growing maize to produce biomethane on drained peat emits up to three times more carbon dioxide than using natural gas. The production of crops like maize for bioenergy has rapidly increased, leading to a significant expansion of cultivated areas on drained peatlands.
A recent study reveals that urban underground space (UUS) development can provide substantial carbon-sequestration potential through geothermal energy utilization. The research analyzes China's UUS development over two decades and concludes that long-term operation of metro systems can offer significant carbon-sequestration benefits.