Exploring Win-Wins from Trade-Offs? Co-Benefits of Coalbed Methane Utilization for the Environment, Economy and Safety

With policy incentives for the coalbed methane in energy industry,coalbed methane from coal production has been effectively improved by technology innovations in coalbed methane extraction and utilization.The progress of coalbed methane promotes the clean construction of energy system and contributes to carbon neutrality target.To quantitatively measure the contributions of the coalbed methane in energy industry,this paper builds a carbon emissions accounting system for coalbed methane in China and assesses the historical co-benefits of coalbed methane utilization from the aspects of emissions reduction,safety and economy.By using the parameters of gas content,raw coal production,gas extraction rate and utilization rate over the years,emissions reduction potential and economic viability of coal seam gas are estimated and the safety benefits of coal mine gas extraction are analyzed by using data for gas accidents and economic losses.The results reveal that with the increase in raw coal production,the great emission reduction potential of coalbed methane is expected to benefit clean energy system and the development of carbon neutrality by means of policy incentives and technology innovations.The co-benefit evaluation indicates the huge profitability of coalbed methane from 2012 to 2015 and the significance of emissions reduction and safety gain internalization.Safety benefits are obvious in the negative exponential function between the annual drainage quantities of coalbed methane and annual death tolls from coal mine gas accidents.Based on these results,relevant suggestions are put forward for sustainable development of the coalbed methane in energy industry.

Co-Benefits and Risks of Implementation of Forestry Activities for Climate Change Mitigation in India

Implementation of forestry activities as a climate change mitigation option is likely to result in a range of outcomes in addition to carbon sequestration and these include changes with respect to environmental, social and economic aspects. These impacts to the extent when positive are deemed “co-benefit” and if adverse and uncertain, imply risk. It is important to recognize that implementation of forestry mitigation activities can have varied environmental, socio-economic co-benefits and/or risks. Further, there is no general agreement on attribution of co-benefits and risks to specific forestry mitigation activities. An overarching risk to mitigation potential that could be realised by implementation of forestry activities is climate change. But, overall, forestry mitigation activities also contribute to the sustainable development agenda. Maximizing co-benefits of forestry mitigation measures can increase efficiency in achieving the objectives of other international agreements.

Analysis of the Clean Development Mechanism Considering the Environmental Co-benefits of Reducing Air Pollutants in China

An electricity generation planning model of the six major Chinese power grids was developed based on the General Algebraic Modeling System to evaluate and analyze the CDM （clean development mechanism）, including consideration of the environmental co-benefits of reductions in air pollutants （SO~, NO~ and particulate matter） achieved by advanced electricity generation technologies incorporating CCS （carbon capture and storage）. An objective function was developed that included revenue from sales of electric power, total system cost, the cost of CO2 transport and storage, and emissions reduction co-benefits for SOx, NO~, and particulate matter. The objective function was minimized using an optimization model. We also developed a method for evaluating and analyzing the potential for transferring advanced power generation technologies into the Chinese power system through the CDM. We found that： （1） thermal power generation is predominant in the Chinese electricity system and will remain so for a long time; （2） advanced thermal plants are being installed as a result of the CDM, which contribute to decreasing emissions of CO2 and other air pollutants; and （3） CCS projects have significant potential to reduce substantial and sustained CO2 emissions from the Chinese power and industrial sectors.

Including Co-benefits in the CDM of the Power Sector： A Case Study for India

This study examines the effects of the inclusion of co-benefits on the potential capacity of advanced thermal plants with a linear programming model in the CDM （clean development mechanism） in India＇s power sector. It investigates how different marginal damage costs of air pollutants affect the potential capacity of NGCC （natural gas combined cycle） and IGCC （integrated gasification combined cycle） by CDM projects with a scenario analysis. Three results are found from this analysis. First, IGCC and NGCC are installed at lower CER （certified emission reductions） prices when the marginal damage costs of air pollutants are added to the CER prices. Second, the CER prices of $1/tCO2 correspond with the sum of marginal damage costs of air pollutants of $150/t for NGCC and $30/t for IGCC in India＇s power sector. Thus, including the co-benefits into CDM attracts developing countries such as India where coal resource is redundant. Third, the SOx and NOx reduction benefits attained from the CDM projects become large in a grid where IGCC is installed.

Greenhouse gas reduction of co-benefit-type wastewater treatment system for fish-processing industry: A real-scale case study in Indonesia

This study examined the application of co-benefit-type wastewater treatment technology in the fish-processing industry. Given that there was a dearth of information on fish-processing industrial wastewater in Indonesia, site surveys were conducted. For the entire fish-processing industry throughout the country, the dissemination rate of wastewater treatment facilities was less than 50%. Using a co-benefit approach, a real-scale swim-bed technology (SBT) and a system combining an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) with SBT (ABR–SBT) were installed in a fishmeal processing factory in Bali, Indonesia, and the wastewater system process performance was evaluated. In a business-as-usual scenario, the estimated chemical oxygen demand load and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wastewater from the Indonesian fish-processing industry were 33 000 tons per year and 220 000 tons of equivalent CO_(2) per year, respectively. On the other hand, the GHG emissions in the co-benefit scenarios of the SBT system and ABR–SBT system were 98 149 and 26 720 tons per year, respectively. Therefore, introducing co-benefit-type wastewater treatment to Indonesia’s fish-processing industry would significantly reduce pollution loads and GHG emissions.

From Compact City to Smart City： A Sustainability Science ＆ Synergy Perspective

This brief conceptual paper contributes a sustainability theoretic perspective of an urbanization paradigm known as Compact City. Compact City is an urban planning and development concept which promotes relatively high population density associated with an integrated and mixed-use land district. It is enabled by transit-oriented development and results in low transport-related energy consumption and reduced the GHG （Greenhouse Gases） pollution. Compact City conserves the natural capital of land mass and subscribes to the strong sustainability ethics. ICT （Information and Communications Technology） could be deployed to optimize the Compact City operations by first tackling some of the development problems associated with Compact City and also unleashing new urban innovations and functionalities to achieve sustainable urbanization. The paper suggests and elucidates several general systemic synergies archetypes such as co-benefits, cascading, ICT infrastructure reuse, etc., which could be leveraged to facilitate the emergence of compact green smart and resilient city. These archetypes are solutions to the Compact City paradigm thus conductive to the development ofa Sustainability Science of Compact City.

Energy and Buildings

In 2011,the Danish government published an energy strategy for Denmark where one of the main targets are that Denmark should be a fossil-free society by 2050.Calculations show,that in order to reach this goal it is necessary to reduce the energy consumption of the existing building stock by 50 % on average.Since a 50 % reduction is obviously not possible for all buildings,those that can should aim for a so-called “deep energy renovation”,i.e.reducing the energy consumption to a level corresponding to that of new buildings or even more.This paper describes two case studies where multi-story apartment buildings have undergone deep energy renovation.“Traneparken” where the expected energy use after renovation aimed at a level corresponding to that of a new building according to the Danish Building Regulations from 2015.“Sems Have” where the aim was to go even further and meet the requirements expected for new buildings in 2020,i.e.corresponding to the Danish “nearly zero energy”-definition according to the EPBD.The paper reports on calculations and measurements of energy savings,the economy of the projects and looks at the added benefits or co-benefits that residents,housing association and society in general have achieved in addition to significant energy savings.

Co-controlling CO2 and NOx emission in China's cement industry:An optimal development pathway study

It is of important practical significance to reduce NOx emission and CO2 emission in China's cement industry.This paper firstly identifies key factors that influence China's future cement demand,and then uses the Gompertz model to project China's future cement demand and production.Furthermore,the multi-pollutant abatement planning model(MAP)was developed based on the TIMES model to analyze the co-benefits of CO2 and NOx control in China's cement industry.During modeling analysis,three scenarios such as basic as usual scenario(BAU),moderately low carbon scenario(MLC),and radically low carbon scenario(RLC),were built according to different policy constraints and emission control goals.Moreover,the benefits of co-controlling NOx and CO2 emission in China's cement industry have been estimated.Finally,this paper proposes a cost-efficient,green,and low carbon development roadmap for the Chinese cement sector,and puts forwards countermeasures as follows:first,different ministries should enhance communication and coordination about how to promote the co-control of NOx and CO2 in cement industry.Second,co-control technology list should be issued timely for cement industry,and the R&D investment on new technologies and demonstration projects should be increased.Third,the phase-out of old cement capacity needs to be continued at policy level.Fourth,it is important to scientifically evaluate the relevant environmental impact and adverse motivation of ammonia production by NOx removal requirement in cement industry.

Impacts of climate change mitigation on agriculture water use:A provincial analysis in China

Agriculture consumes huge amounts of water in China and is profoundly affected by climate change.This study projects the agricultural water use towards 2030 under the climate change mitigation target at the provincial level in China by linking a computable general equilibrium(CGE)model and a regression model.By solving the endogeneities amongst agricultural water use,output and climate factors,we explore how these variables affect water use and further predict future trends through soft-link with the IMED|CGE model.It is found that sunshine duration has a slightly positive impact on water use.Furthermore,agricultural output will significantly drive agricultural water use based on historical data of the past 16 years.Results also show that carbon reduction would have a trade-offor co-benefit effect on water use due to regional disparity.Provinces with increasing agricultural exports,such as Xinjiang and Ningxia,would anticipate considerable growth in agricultural water use induced by carbon reduction.The soft-link method proposed by this study could be applied for future studies that aim to incorporate natural and geographical factors into human activities,and vice versa,for assessing sustainable development policies in an integrated way.

Application of the AERMOD Model to Evaluate the Health Benefits Due to Air Pollution from the Public Transport Sector in Ha Noi, Viet Nam

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) mainly originates from combustion emissions on-road transportation. Exposure to PM2.5 could be considered one of the primary causes of diseases such as heart attack, stroke, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory, which made it one of the most important co-benefits when evaluating the impact of GHG mitigation measures. This study quantifies the co-benefit of Ha Noi’s modal shift from private to public means of transport, which are reduced air pollution and extended life expectancy, combining AERMOD model and benefit transfer method. Analytical results show that shifting from motorbike to electric train could be the most beneficial option in term of health co-benefit, compared to the usage of standard buses and BRTs.

Evaluating cost and benefit of air pollution control policies in China:A systematic review

China has put great efforts into air pollution control over the past years and recently committed to its most ambitious climate target.Cost and benefit analysis has been widely used to evaluate the control policies in terms of past performance,future reduction potential,and direct and indirect impacts.To understand the cost and benefit analysis for air pollution control in China,we conducted a bibliometric review of more than 100 studies published over the past two decades,including the current research progress,most commonly adopted methods,and core findings.The control target in cost and benefit analysis has shifted in three stages,from individual and primary pollution control,moving to joint prevention of multiple and secondary pollutants,and then towards synergistic control of air pollution and carbon.With the expansion of the research scope,the integrated assessment model has gradually demonstrated the necessity for long-term ex-anti policy simulation,especially for dealing with complex factors.To ensure long-term air quality,climate,public health,and sustainable economic development,substantial evidence from published studies has suggested that China needs to continue its efforts in the upstream adjustment of the energy system and industrial structure with multi-regional and-sector collaboration.This cost and benefit review paper provides decision-makers with the fundamental information and knowledge gaps in air pollution control strategies in China,and direction for facing future challenges.

Coordinated reduction of CO_(2) emissions and environmental impacts with integrated city-level LEAP and LCA method: A case study of Jinan, China

The evaluation of the efficiency and feasibility of energy transition and air pollution control at the city level is one of the key points in addressing environmental problems and achieving the goals of CO_(2) emission reduction and carbon neutrality in China. In this study, an integrated method is developed on the basis of the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) and life cycle assessment (LCA). The energy demands and environmental co-benefits in Jinan, one of the low-carbon city pilots in China, are quantitatively evaluated under three policy scenarios: low-carbon (LC) policy scenario, pollution control (PC) policy scenario, and deep-level cut of CO_(2) emissions (DCC) scenario from 2016 to 2050. From 2016 to 2030, the PC policies would be more powerful than the LC policies in terms of energy demand decrease. From 2030 to 2050, the LC policies would be more efficient than all the other policies. Promoting energy-saving buildings in the LC scenario would contribute to the continual decline in energy demands. In the DCC scenario, CO_(2), PM_(2.5), PM_(10), CO, NO_(X) and SO_(2) emissions would decline by more than 71.4% relative to the records in 2016. Global warming potential, human toxicity potential, photochemical ozone creation potential, particulate matter formation potential, and acidification potential would also decrease by 81.8%–88.5%. On the basis of the integrated city-level LEAP and LCA method, this study quantifies the various environmental impacts of urban decarbonization policies and provides science-based references for urban low-carbon transformation.

Impacts of reducing air pollutants and CO_(2) emissions in urban road transport through 2035 in Chongqing, China

The road transport sector in megacities is confronted with pressing local air pollution and carbon dioxide(CO_(2))control issues.To determine effective policy instruments for saving energy and the co-control of air pollutants and CO_(2),several mainstream measures were examined and compared in Chongqing's road transport sector from 2017 to 2035.An integration assessment framework was developed by combining the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning(LEAP)system and a set of quantitative methods for evaluating the co-benefits of emission reductions(including the air pollutant equivalent(APeq),cocontrol coordinate system,and pollutant reduction cross-elasticity(Elsa/b)).Results showed that the shifting transportation modes scenario presented the most significant potential for energy-saving and emission reductions,reducing energy use by 30.9%and air pollutants and CO_(2) emissions by approximately 27e32%compared with the business as usual(BAU)scenario in 2035.The improving energy efficiency scenario also provided significant co-benefits for reducing air pollutants and CO_(2) emissions.Nevertheless,the promoting alternative fuel scenario may increase fine particulate matter(PM2.5)emissions by 2.2%compared to BAU in 2035 under the cleanness of regional electricity in 2017.Our findings suggest that the shifting transportation modes were effective measures to reduce air pollutants and CO_(2) in the short term synergistically,and highlighted the importance of cleaner electricity generation to develop electric vehicles in the medium and long term.

Reaping the Economic Benefits of Decarbonization for China

Chinaneeds to reduce its carbon emissions if global climate change mitigation is to succeed. Conventional economic analysis views cutting emissions as a cost, creating a collective action problem. However, decarbonization can improve productivity andprovide co-benefits that accord with multiple national policy objectives. We track China ＇ s progress in reducing the emissions intensity of the economy, and construct a macro scenario with China＇s carbon emissions peaking in the 2020s. Investment in greater energy productivity and economic restructuring away from heavy industries can bring productivity gains, and decarbonization of energy supply has important co-benefits for airpollution and energy security. Combined with lower climate change risks and the likelihood thai China＇s actions will influence other countries, this suggests that cutting carbon emissions is not only in China＇s self-interest but also in the global interest. To properly identify the true costs and benefits of climate change action requires new thinking in economic analysis.