Carbon, Climate, Climate Change and Comparison

Why EVs Aren't a Climate Change Panacea

Cars That Think

JANUARY 28, 2023

“Electric cars will not save the climate. This is due to the 30 to 40 percent increase in emissions EVs create in comparison to manufacturing an ICE vehicle, mainly from its battery production. Behavioral change is hard How willing are people to break their car dependency and other energy-related behaviors to address climate change?

Climate Change

Climate Change Climate San Diego Emissions

Global Carbon Project: Global carbon emissions growth slows, but hits record high

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 5, 2019

Driven by rising natural gas and oil consumption, levels of CO 2 are expected to hit 37 billion metric tons this year, according to new estimates from the Global Carbon Project (GCP), an initiative led by Stanford University scientist Rob Jackson. and China account for more than half of all carbon dioxide emissions globally.

Carbon

Carbon Global Emissions Climate Change

New modeling study finds thawing permafrost could release vast amounts of carbon and accelerate climate change by the end of this century

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 23, 2011

Billions of tons of carbon trapped in high-latitude permafrost may be released into the atmosphere by the end of this century as the Earth’s climate changes, further accelerating global warming, a new computer modeling study indicates. Units are in grams of carbon per square meter per year. Click to enlarge.

Climate Change

Climate Change Climate Carbon United Kingdom

State Department issues Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on Keystone XL Pipeline: climate change impacts

Green Car Congress

MARCH 2, 2013

Comparison of proposed Keystone XL route to previously proposed project segment. Aside from the potential construction and spill impacts of the pipeline, the scope of the climate change impacts have become the most contentious and politicized issue surrounding the pipeline. Source: Draft SEIS. Click to enlarge.

Climate Change

Climate Change Oil-Sands Nebraska Climate

U-Mich researcher’s first-principles analysis challenges conventional carbon accounting for biofuels; implications for climate policy

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

System boundaries (red line) schematic for liquid fuel carbon balance. For biofuels, because biogenic carbon is automatically credited within a product lifecycle, the boundary effectively excludes vehicle end-use CO 2 emissions. In a paper that could have a significant impact on climate policies for transportation fuels, Dr. John M.

Climate

Climate Carbon CO2 Emissions

EEA report: EVs are better for climate and air quality

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 26, 2018

The EEA report ‘ Electric vehicles from life cycle and circular economy perspectives ’ reviews current evidence on electric cars’ impacts on climate change, air quality, noise and ecosystems, compared with conventional cars. The EEA has also published a new briefing on the environmental and climate impacts of transport.

Climate

Climate Pollution Gasoline-Electric 2017

Carnegie study finds climate impact of particulates varies greatly depending on where the pollution originated

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 20, 2018

However, while greenhouse gases cause warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere, some aerosols can have a cooling effect on the climate because the aerosol particles cause more of the sun’s light to be reflected away from the planet. In many cases, the strongest climate effects of aerosols are felt far from where the aerosols are emitted.

Climate

Climate Pollution San Diego India

3 Oil Majors That Bet Big On Renewables

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 31, 2020

An analysis of near-term spending plans on renewables by the biggest oil and gas companies shows that real investments in renewable energy will continue to pale in comparison to capex plans for greenfield fossil fuel projects. BIT:ENI) recently unveiled what has been hailed as the most ambitious climate pledge yet by an oil supermajor.

Oil

Oil Renewable Wind Gas-Electric

Figuring Out Semiconductor Manufacturing's Climate Footprint

Cars That Think

FEBRUARY 9, 2024

Before we start, I want to tell you that you can get the latest coverage from some of Spectrum ‘s most important beats, including AI, climate change, and robotics, by signing up for one of our free newsletters. Can we make everything in our world smarter without worsening climate change? Boakes: You’re welcome.

Climate

Climate Manufacturer Emissions Industrial

Field study finds soot particles absorb significantly less sunlight than predicted by models; climate models may be overestimating warming by BC

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

Although viewed as a potential target in the global effort to reduce climate change, atmospheric black carbon particles absorb significantly less sunlight than scientists have predicted, according to a new study by an international team of researchers, published in the journal Science. —Cappa et al. Credit: Cappa et al.

Climate

Climate Climate Change Carbon Boston

Maersk sets net zero CO2 emission target by 2050

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 6, 2018

Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company, has set a goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. To achieve this goal, carbon neutral vessels must be commercially viable by 2030, and an acceleration in new innovations and adaption of new technology is required. of global CO2 emissions. Moller - Maersk.

CO2

CO2 Emissions Panama Climate Change

EPA report to Congress finds a strong scientific and technical foundation for mitigating black carbon emissions

Green Car Congress

APRIL 2, 2012

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted its final Report to Congress on Black Carbon , in response to an October 2009 request from Congress to advance efforts to understand the role of black carbon (BC) in climate change. —Report to Congress on Black Carbon. Earlier post.). Earlier post.).

Congress

Congress EPA Carbon Emissions

Proposed CA LCFS pathways for corn starch ethanol with carbon capture and sequestration: as low as 37 gCO2e/MJ

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 6, 2020

North Dakota-based Red Trail Energy (RTE), which since 2007 has operated an ethanol production facility with annual production of about 60 million gallons per year, is proposing sequestration of CO 2 produced from starch fermentation to lower the overall carbon intensity of the fuel for the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).

North Dakota

North Dakota Carbon South Dakota Montana

Greenius Declaration of Human Rights

Creative Greenius

OCTOBER 16, 2013

Today, right here, right now the biggest and most immediate threat we face is the destruction of our climate and a future of hell and high water for the Baby Boomers, their kids and grandkids. All other human rights abuses will pale in comparison to willingly failing to respond. org Blog action day 2013 human rights'

Climate Change

Climate Change Climate 2013 Carbon

California agencies release report charting path to 100% clean electricity; need to triple grid capacity by 2045

Green Car Congress

MARCH 16, 2021

The California Energy Commission (CEC), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) released the first joint agency report and a summary document examining how the state’s electricity system can become carbon-free by 2045. California’s electricity mix is already more than 60% carbon-free.

Clean

Clean Cleaning Grid California

PNNL modeling study finds climate benefit for cutting soot, methane smaller than previous estimates

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 13, 2013

Cutting the amount of short-lived, climate-warming emissions such as soot and methane won’t limit global warming as much as previous studies have suggested, according to a new study from the Joint Global Change Research Institute in College Park, Md., Carbon dioxide can remain for 1,000-plus years. —Smith and Mizrahi.

Climate

Climate Pollution Carbon Emissions

Study finds GHG emissions from corn ethanol now 46% lower than gasoline

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 27, 2021

Chan School of Public Health, and consulted by dozens of experts in academia, updates ethanol’s carbon intensity score to reflect how continuous improvements in technology and practices have driven further emissions reductions in the lifecycle of ethanol and will lead to net zero renewable fuel in the future. gCO 2 e/MJ (range of 37.6

Gasoline

Gasoline Emissions Gasoline-Electric Gas-Electric

Consortium proposes large-scale industrial cultivation of marine microalgae (ICCM) as solution to global energy, food, and climate issues

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 5, 2016

Members of the Marine Algae Industrialization Consortium (MAGIC), led by Duke University in North Carolina, have published an open-access paper in the journal Oceanography presenting the large-scale industrial cultivation of marine microalgae (ICMM) as an answer to pressing global energy, food and climate security issues. Greene et al.

Mariner

Mariner Climate Global Industrial

GISS study finds applying stricter non-CO2 vehicle emission standards worldwide would yield climate benefits in addition to major health and agricultural benefits

Green Car Congress

APRIL 4, 2011

Climate response to non-CO 2 vehicle emissions. Global and regional zonal mean temperature changes relative to 2010 due to non-CO 2. Bars on the right show uncertainty ranges for 2070, including contributions from both forcing and climate sensitivity (67%; CI). Shindell et al. Click to enlarge. Shindell et al. Click to enlarge.

Climate

Climate Standards Emissions Climate Change

Lifecycle study finds fuel switching from diesel to natural gas could produce net climate damage absent reductions in CH4 emissions and improved vehicle efficiency

Green Car Congress

MAY 20, 2015

Otherwise, fuel switching can produce net climate damages (more radiative forcing) for decades. since natural gas has relatively low carbon intensity, releasing less carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) per unit of usable energy than other fossil fuels, it is often assumed that switching to natural gas is comparatively beneficial for the climate.

Climate

Climate Diesel Gas Emissions

U Chicago, MIT study suggests ongoing use of fossil fuels absent new carbon taxes

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 24, 2016

A paper by a team from the University of Chicago and MIT suggests that technology-driven cost reductions in fossil fuels will lead to the continued use of fossil fuels—oil, gas, and coal—unless governments pass new taxes on carbon emissions. We need both a policy like a carbon tax and to put more R&D money into renewables.

Chicago

Chicago MIT Tax Carbon

World Bank report examines likely impacts and risks associated with a 4 °C global warming within this century

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 19, 2012

A new report commissioned by the World Bank, and prepared by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and Climate Analytics, provides a snapshot of recent scientific literature and new analyses of likely impacts and risks that would be associated with a 4 °C global warming within this century.

Climate Change

Climate Change Global Climate Africa

EPIC: state-level renewable electricity mandates increase electricity prices up to 17% over 12 years; cost more expensive than benefit

Green Car Congress

APRIL 30, 2019

As states take the lead in confronting climate change, a flagship policy is often Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). A new study analyzing data from the 29 states and District of Columbia with mandatory RPS policies finds that the policies come at a high cost to consumers and are inefficient in reducing carbon emissions.

Renewable

Renewable Price District of Columbia Chicago

New study finds GHG emissions from palm oil production significantly underestimated; palm oil biofuels could be more climate-damaging than oil sands fuels

Green Car Congress

APRIL 27, 2012

When peat swamps are drained for agriculture, the peat begins to decompose, and is an enormous source of carbon emissions. Based on visual interpretation of high-resolution (30 m) satellite images, a new study in the journal Global Change Biology: Bioenergy determined that industrial plantations covered over 3.1 —Miettinen et al.

Oil-Sands

Oil-Sands Oil Emissions Climate

NASA GISS Study Finds That Methane Has an Elevated Warming Effect Due to Interactions With Aerosols

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 30, 2009

In particular, the study led by Drew Shindell found that methane emissions have a larger warming impact due to those interactions than accounted for in current carbon-trading schemes or in the Kyoto Protocol. Methane’s GWP may also change with time as air quality regulations alter the background state of tropospheric chemistry.

Climate Change

Climate Change Climate Ozone Pollution

Study Finds that US Subsidies for Fossil Fuels Are Almost 2.5x Those for Renewables

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 18, 2009

These figures raise the pressing question of whether scarce government funds might be better allocated to move the United States towards a low-carbon economy. billion—are attributable to corn-based ethanol, the climate effects of which are disputed. Tags: Climate Change Fuels Policy. Adeyeye et al.

Renewable

Renewable Tax Credit Climate Change Fuel

Hadley Centre: Average 4 C Warming Could Happen Within a Human Lifetime, With Even Greater Warming in Many Regions

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 28, 2009

Comparison of surface temperature projections from the high-end emissions scenario, without carbon cycle feedbacks. One of the UK’s leading climate scientists has presented new research findings on the increasing potential for a 4 degrees Celsius (7.2 °F) Source: Met Office. Click to enlarge.

Climate Change

Climate Change Climate Mauritius Ethiopia

Up close and personal with Volkswagen’s e-Golf carbon offset project: Garcia River Forest

Green Car Congress

JUNE 8, 2015

In 2014, Volkswagen of America announced that starting with the launch of the zero-tailpipe emissions battery-electric 2015 e-Golf ( earlier post ), it would invest in projects to offset the carbon emissions created from the e-Golf on a full lifecycle basis: production, distribution and up to approximately 36,000 miles (57,936 km) of driving.

Carbon

Carbon Personal Store Emissions

KPMG study identifies 10 sustainability “megaforces” with accelerating impacts on business; imperative of sustainability changing the automotive business radically

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 15, 2012

KPMG developed 3 nexuses linked by climate change to represent the challenges of sustainable growth. The 10 global sustainability megaforces that may impact business over the next two decades are: Climate Change: This may be the one global megaforce that directly impacts all others. Source: KPMG. Click to enlarge.

Climate Change

Climate Change Water Climate Global

Study: even with high LDV electrification, low-carbon biofuels will be necessary to meet 80% GHG reduction target; “daunting” policy implications

Green Car Congress

JULY 3, 2015

An 80% reduction in US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 has been generally established as the de facto required domestic contribution to stabilizing global concentrations at low to medium levels, that is, 450 and 550 ppm carbon dioxide equivalent (CO 2 -equiv). —Meier et al.

Carbon

Carbon EPRI Climate Gasoline-Electric

EPA annual inventory shows US GHG up 3.1% from 2017-2018

Green Car Congress

APRIL 14, 2020

In 2018, US greenhouse gas emissions totaled 6,677 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, or 5,903 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents after accounting for sequestration from the land sector. The inventory also calculates carbon dioxide emissions that are removed from the atmosphere by sinks—e.g.,

2018

2018 2017 EPA 2005

The $32-Trillion Push To Disrupt The Entire Oil Industry

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

The group stated that this was done after it was confronted by a largely unknown shareholder network called Climate Action 100+, which claims to be backed by more than 300 investors, managing assets of around $32 trillion. The group was founded a little over a year ago but has already forced oil majors’ boardrooms to take radical decisions.

Oil

Oil Industrial Industry Financing

Separate MIT, IEA reports both outline major expansion in role of natural gas; caution on climate benefits

Green Car Congress

JUNE 10, 2011

The new report, part of the World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2011 series, examines the key factors that could result in a more prominent role for natural gas in the global energy mix, and the implications for other fuels, energy security and climate change. Source: IEA. Click to enlarge. MIT: The Future of Natural Gas. Earlier post.)

MIT

MIT Gas Climate Gas-Electric

New FOX method estimates black carbon emissions from civil aviation ~2.7 times higher than standard estimates

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 26, 2013

Comparison between estimated EI BC and measured EI BC derived FOA3 (black open box), the FOA3 approach with the updated SN-CI correlation (blue triangle), and estimates obtained from the new FOX method (red circle) that are not dependent on SN. Barrett (2013) Global Civil Aviation Black Carbon Emissions. Credit: ACS, Stettler et al.

Emissions

Emissions Standards Carbon Exhaust

Study finds perennial biofuel crops’ water consumption similar to corn

Green Car Congress

JULY 7, 2015

Growing such crops on marginal lands could avoid competition with food, indirect land use change effects, and local carbon debt. This knowledge gap exists for perennial vegetation in general in mesic environments, and has important implications for how landscape water balances will respond to climate change.

Water

Water Climate Change Climate Environment

U. Mich study: natural-gas-based ICE, BEV and FCV all show promise for environmental benefits relative to conventional ICE

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 19, 2014

Qiang Dai and Christian Lastoskie found that BEVs and FCVs in particular offer significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, especially if carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies are implemented at the fuel conversion facilities. Credit: ACS, Dai and Lastoskie. Click to enlarge. particulate matter formation (PMF).

Gas

Gas Li-ion Gas-Electric Conversion

U Mich professor finds fuel cycle analysis for evaluating CO2 impacts of liquid fuels is fatally flawed; calls for focus on CO2 removal

Green Car Congress

JULY 28, 2014

Fuel cycle analysis (FCA)—or “well-to-wheels analysis”—is a type lifecycle analysis (LCA) that examines fuel products and their supply chains, and that has greatly influenced climate-related research priorities and public policies for transportation fuels.

Fuel

Fuel CO2 Carbon Climate

GWU team demonstrates one-pot process for optimized synthesis of controlled CNTs from CO2; coupling cement and C2CNT

Green Car Congress

MARCH 27, 2017

Stuart Licht ( earlier post ) have developed a new process that transforms CO 2 into a controlled selection of nanotubes (CNTs) via molten electrolysis; they call the process C2CNT (CO2 into carbon nanotubes). Molten carbonate electrosynthesized boron-doped CNTs exhibit high electrical conductivity. —Ren et al. Licht (2017).

CO2

CO2 Carbon Gas-Electric 2017

Discussion Paper Suggests Mechanisms for Addressing Biofuel GHG Emissions Under Cap-and-Trade Schemes; Avoiding the Renewability Shortcut and Moving Toward Carbon Management for All Transportation Fuels

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 9, 2009

Including biofuels under a cap-and-trade scheme could create a more complete carbon management framework for the transportation fuels sector, according to a new peer-reviewed discussion paper by Dr. John DeCicco. Thus, the carbon accounting system under a fossil-based cap alone is incomplete when it comes to biofuels.”.

Carbon

Carbon Emissions Renewable Transportation

Geely invests in Carbon Recycling Intl.; vehicles fueled by methanol from CO2, water and renewable energy

Green Car Congress

JULY 8, 2015

million in Carbon Recycling International (CRI). Geely’s CRI investment and work with renewable methanol is similar to the approach Audi is taking with its own e-fuels projects—producing very low carbon liquid or gaseous fuels using only renewable energy, water and CO 2. There were no evident changes of THC and NO x emissions.

Renewable

Renewable Carbon Water Fuel

UK to provide more than £11M to £23M alternative & dual-fuel heavy-duty vehicle demonstration program; more than 300 vehicles

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 23, 2012

million) demonstration program to encourage road haulage operators in the UK to buy and use lower carbon commercial vehicles. More than 300 low-carbon commercial vehicles will be involved in the demonstration program. The UK government will provide more than £11 million (US$17.5 million) in support to a £23 million (US$36.6

Fuel

Fuel Vehicles Gas Fleet

DeCicco: Transportation GHG reduction policy should focus upstream on fuel supply rather than downstream on choice of fuels in vehicles

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 25, 2013

More specifically, he suggests that other than supporting fundamental R&D, programs to promote alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) “ are not currently warranted for climate protection. Per unit of delivered energy, however, the US electric grid is on average about twice as carbon intensive as gasoline.

Fuel

Fuel Supplies Transportation Climate Protection

Study finds that environmental impact of corn-ethanol E85 is 23% to 33% higher than that of gasoline; environmental problem-shifting

Green Car Congress

MARCH 16, 2012

The singular emphasis on energy balance and the carbon footprint neglects numerous other impacts associated with biofuels production including those related to irrigation, fertilizer application, and pesticide use for feedstock growth. This study highlighted the environmental impacts of corn ethanol in comparison with gasoline.

Gasoline

Gasoline Water Emissions Minnesota

Ford researchers: global light-duty CO2 regulatory targets broadly consistent with 450 ppm stabilization

Green Car Congress

MAY 15, 2014

biofuels, carbon intensity) and updated input variables from 2010 levels to reflect regional future conditions. The variables included biofuel availability, WTT fuel carbon intensity, and powertrain characteristics and mix, with unique assumptions for each region. 15 years and to facilitate comparison with regulations.…

Light

Light Global CO2 Ford

Why EVs Aren't a Climate Change Panacea

Global Carbon Project: Global carbon emissions growth slows, but hits record high

New modeling study finds thawing permafrost could release vast amounts of carbon and accelerate climate change by the end of this century

State Department issues Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on Keystone XL Pipeline: climate change impacts

U-Mich researcher’s first-principles analysis challenges conventional carbon accounting for biofuels; implications for climate policy

EEA report: EVs are better for climate and air quality

Carnegie study finds climate impact of particulates varies greatly depending on where the pollution originated

3 Oil Majors That Bet Big On Renewables

Figuring Out Semiconductor Manufacturing's Climate Footprint

Field study finds soot particles absorb significantly less sunlight than predicted by models; climate models may be overestimating warming by BC

Maersk sets net zero CO2 emission target by 2050

EPA report to Congress finds a strong scientific and technical foundation for mitigating black carbon emissions

Proposed CA LCFS pathways for corn starch ethanol with carbon capture and sequestration: as low as 37 gCO2e/MJ

Greenius Declaration of Human Rights

California agencies release report charting path to 100% clean electricity; need to triple grid capacity by 2045

PNNL modeling study finds climate benefit for cutting soot, methane smaller than previous estimates

Study finds GHG emissions from corn ethanol now 46% lower than gasoline

Consortium proposes large-scale industrial cultivation of marine microalgae (ICCM) as solution to global energy, food, and climate issues

GISS study finds applying stricter non-CO2 vehicle emission standards worldwide would yield climate benefits in addition to major health and agricultural benefits

Lifecycle study finds fuel switching from diesel to natural gas could produce net climate damage absent reductions in CH4 emissions and improved vehicle efficiency

U Chicago, MIT study suggests ongoing use of fossil fuels absent new carbon taxes

World Bank report examines likely impacts and risks associated with a 4 °C global warming within this century

EPIC: state-level renewable electricity mandates increase electricity prices up to 17% over 12 years; cost more expensive than benefit

New study finds GHG emissions from palm oil production significantly underestimated; palm oil biofuels could be more climate-damaging than oil sands fuels

NASA GISS Study Finds That Methane Has an Elevated Warming Effect Due to Interactions With Aerosols

Study Finds that US Subsidies for Fossil Fuels Are Almost 2.5x Those for Renewables

Hadley Centre: Average 4 C Warming Could Happen Within a Human Lifetime, With Even Greater Warming in Many Regions

Up close and personal with Volkswagen’s e-Golf carbon offset project: Garcia River Forest

KPMG study identifies 10 sustainability “megaforces” with accelerating impacts on business; imperative of sustainability changing the automotive business radically

Study: even with high LDV electrification, low-carbon biofuels will be necessary to meet 80% GHG reduction target; “daunting” policy implications

EPA annual inventory shows US GHG up 3.1% from 2017-2018

The $32-Trillion Push To Disrupt The Entire Oil Industry

Separate MIT, IEA reports both outline major expansion in role of natural gas; caution on climate benefits

New FOX method estimates black carbon emissions from civil aviation ~2.7 times higher than standard estimates

Study finds perennial biofuel crops’ water consumption similar to corn

U. Mich study: natural-gas-based ICE, BEV and FCV all show promise for environmental benefits relative to conventional ICE

U Mich professor finds fuel cycle analysis for evaluating CO2 impacts of liquid fuels is fatally flawed; calls for focus on CO2 removal

GWU team demonstrates one-pot process for optimized synthesis of controlled CNTs from CO2; coupling cement and C2CNT

Discussion Paper Suggests Mechanisms for Addressing Biofuel GHG Emissions Under Cap-and-Trade Schemes; Avoiding the Renewability Shortcut and Moving Toward Carbon Management for All Transportation Fuels

Geely invests in Carbon Recycling Intl.; vehicles fueled by methanol from CO2, water and renewable energy

UK to provide more than £11M to £23M alternative & dual-fuel heavy-duty vehicle demonstration program; more than 300 vehicles

DeCicco: Transportation GHG reduction policy should focus upstream on fuel supply rather than downstream on choice of fuels in vehicles

Study finds that environmental impact of corn-ethanol E85 is 23% to 33% higher than that of gasoline; environmental problem-shifting

Ford researchers: global light-duty CO2 regulatory targets broadly consistent with 450 ppm stabilization

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