Monat: August 2021

Podcasts

Podcast: Climate Now: Optimizing reforestation to mitigate climate change with Susan Cook-Patton

„Trees are an incredible resource for mitigating climate change, with myriad environmental benefits – not least their ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it for hundreds to thousands of years. Reforestation – the process of replanting trees in depleted areas – should be included in the array of climate solutions, but it isn’t as simple as merely planting any tree anywhere. Dr. Susan Cook-Patton and her colleagues created the Reforestation Hub, which provides county-level information about the best regions and geographic areas to plant trees to maximize CO2 uptake via reforestation.“

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Science-Policy Documents

Capanna, Steve; et al. (2021): Early Deployment of Direct Air Capture with Dedicated Geologic Storage. Federal Policy Options

Capanna, Steve; Higdon, Jake; Lackner, Maureen (2021): Early Deployment of Direct Air Capture with Dedicated Geologic Storage. Federal Policy Options. Environmental Defense Fund. Available online at https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/documents/DAC%20Policy_Final.pdf.

„We describe and evaluate ten policy options for financially supporting deployment, either through capital or operations support. We also discuss three enabling policies that do not directly induce deployment, but are still important pieces of the innovation cycle. 1. Capital support: Investment tax credits, accelerated depreciation, loan programs, tax-advantaged financing structures, and public competitions. 2. Operations support: Production tax credits, procurement (including reverse auctions and contracts for differences), direct payments, government-owned contractor-operated facilities (GOCOs), and emissions pricing and standards. 3. Enabling policies: Federal research, development, and demonstration (RD[&]D); accelerated CO2 storage development; and CO2 transport infrastructure.“

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Arastoopour, Hamid; et al. (2022): Application of Multiphase Transport to CO2 Capture

Arastoopour, Hamid; Gidaspow, Dimitri; Lyczkowski, Robert W. (2022): Application of Multiphase Transport to CO2 Capture. In Hamid Arastoopour, Dimitri Gidaspow, Robert W. Lyczkowski (Eds.): Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems. Cham: Springer International Publishing (Mechanical Engineering Series), pp. 177–196.

„Climate change due to emission of fossil energy has created a world-wide interest in capturing carbon dioxide. Thus cost-effective capturing of the CO2 before it is emitted to the atmosphere and then utilizing and storing it are becoming critically important. Energy loss due to CO2 sorption and desorption can be significantly reduced using solid sorbents in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) system with a regeneration system that may be performed at lower pressure. To successfully scale up carbon capture CFB processes, a rigorous numerical modeling tool, such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD), is needed to fill the gap between the lab/bench scale and the large scales needed for demonstration. In this research, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) researchers used the CFD approach to simulate CO2 sorption and regeneration in a CFB system using sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and MgO-based solid sorbents. CFD simulation of the entire CFB loop was performed. The solid circulation rate, extent of CO2 removal, and regeneration of solid sorbents were calculated in the entire loop. This simulation with the regeneration reactor operating at reduced pressure shows a more efficient carbon capture system.“

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Tutolo, Benjamin M.; et al. (2021): Alkalinity Generation Constraints on Basalt Carbonation for Carbon Dioxide Removal at the Gigaton-per-Year Scale

Tutolo, Benjamin M.; Awolayo, Adedapo; Brown, Calista (2021): Alkalinity Generation Constraints on Basalt Carbonation for Carbon Dioxide Removal at the Gigaton-per-Year Scale. In Environmental science [&] technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c02733.

„The world adds about 51 Gt of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere each year, which will yield dire global consequences without aggressive action in the form of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and other technologies. A suggested guideline requires that proposed CDR technologies be capable of removing at least 1% of current annual emissions, about half a gigaton, from the atmosphere each year once fully implemented for them to be worthy of pursuit. Basalt carbonation coupled to direct air capture (DAC) can exceed this baseline, but it is likely that implementation at the gigaton-per-year scale will require increasing per-well CO2 injection rates to a point where CO2 forms a persistent, free-phase CO2 plume in the basaltic subsurface. Here, we use a series of thermodynamic calculations and basalt dissolution simulations to show that the development of a persistent plume will reduce carbonation efficiency (i.e., the amount of CO2 mineralized per kilogram of basalt dissolved) relative to existing field projects and experimental studies.“

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Science-Policy Documents

Allan, J.; et al. (2020): A net-zero emissions economic recovery from COVID-19. COP26 Universities Network Briefing

Allan, J.; Donovan, C.; Ekins, P.; Gambhir, A.; Hepburn, C.; Reay, D. et al. (2020): A net-zero emissions economic recovery from COVID-19. COP26 Universities Network Briefing. COP26. UK. Available online at https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_758105_smxx.pdf.

„Key messages:

  • Economic growth will be a high priority for all countries in the months and years following COVID-19. The transition to net-zero emissions can significantly contribute to the recovery.
  • Lessons can be learnt from the recovery packages introduced following the 2008 financial crisis, but the COVID-19 crisis is structurally different on the demand and supply side.
  • In the lead up to COP26, the UK could provide guidance and methodologies to evaluate proposed recovery packages for consistency with the Paris Agreement and net-zero emissions.
  • The UK could lead by example with a recovery package including components on net-zero buildings, energy storage, clean industry, transport and greenhouse gas removal.
  • Institutionally, this could be supported by establishing a ministerial Climate Change Emergency Committee along with a Net Zero Delivery Body to implement a coherent response.
  • Financially, a new National Investment Bank and focus on green financial instruments could enable the process.
  • Building on these domestic efforts, as COP26 President, the UK could coordinate a global response through a new flexible intergovernmental Sustainable Recovery Alliance.“

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Science-Policy Documents

Abram, S.; et al. (2020): Just Transition: Pathways to Socially Inclusive Decarbonisation. COP26 Universities Network Briefing

Abram, S.; Atkins, E.; Dietzel, A.; Hammond, M.; Jenkins, K.; Kiamba, L. et al. (2020): Just Transition: Pathways to Socially Inclusive Decarbonisation. COP26 Universities Network Briefing. COP26. UK. Available online at https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_758106_smxx.pdf.

„To avoid the worst effects of climate change, the world needs to decarbonise at an unprecedented speed and scale. A growing number of countries, including the UK, have set ‘net-zero’ targets to end their contribution to global warming within the next decades, with differing degrees of popular support. […] Covid-19 serves as a stark reminder that socio-economic disruptions tend to worsen social inequalities, with pandemic policies disproportionately affecting low-skilled workers, minorities, women and other vulnerable groups. Incidentally, the Covid-19 response has simulated an unintended and short-lived decarbonisation experience – taking a heavy toll on society and especially those most vulnerable to poverty. Against this backdrop, it is increasingly recognised that the transition to a post-carbon economy needs to be green, sustainable and socially inclusive, with the Paris Agreement referring to the ‘imperatives of a just transition’ and the EU vowing to ‘leave no one behind’ in its proposed Green Deal. This briefing outlines what kind of governance policies, modalities, institutions, spaces and actors will be required to make sure that the transition is socially inclusive and supported by citizens.“

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Science-Policy Documents

Petersen, K.; et al.(2021): Destination net zero: setting and delivering ambitious, credible targets. COP26 Universities Network Briefing

Petersen, K.; Allen, M.; Hilson, C.; Jones, C.; Reay, D.; Smith, S. M. (2021): Destination net zero: setting and delivering ambitious, credible targets. COP26 Universities Network Briefing. COP26. UK. Available online at https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_781321_smxx.pdf.

„Net zero emissions targets have gained traction in the global effort to halt climate change1 . In 2019, the UK became the first of the G7 nations to make a legally binding commitment to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Of the G20, China has recently committed to carbon neutrality by 2060, while South Korea and Japan have committed to net zero emissions by 2050. At least 53% of gross domestic product (GDP) is now produced in countries, regions or cities where net zero emissions targets have either been agreed or are being proposed2 . Setting strong, ambitious targets for achieving net zero emissions enables governments at national, regional and city level to clearly align with the Paris Agreement. They provide a clear deadline for creating a zero-carbon economy, giving certainty and clarity for planners, industry, investors and consumers. Similarly, businesses and other organisations benefit from setting their own net zero targets by providing accountability to their stakeholders that they are changing their operations at the scale and pace needed for alignment with the Paris Agreement.“

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Science-Policy Documents

Turley, C.; et al. (2021): Why the Ocean Matters in Climate Negotiations. COP26 Universities Network Briefing

Turley, C.; Racault, M.-F.; Roberts, J. M.; Scott, B. E.; Sharples, J.; Thiele, T. et al. (2021): Why the Ocean Matters in Climate Negotiations. COP26 Universities Network Briefing. COP26. UK. Available online at https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_795093_smxx.pdf.

„Key messages:

  • The ocean has greatly slowed the rate of climate change. But at a cost: the ocean has also warmed, acidified and lost oxygen, whilst circulation patterns are changing, and sea levels are rising. The continuation of these changes not only threatens marine ecosystems, but also the future ability of the ocean to indirectly support all life on Earth. • A healthy and biodiverse ocean provides food, wellbeing, cultural heritage, and support for the sustainable livelihoods of billions of people – as well as mitigation and adaptation options for climate change.
  • Rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement will decrease impacts on the ocean and benefit its ecosystems and all of society.
  • As part of the “climate system” the ocean needs to be better integrated in UNFCCC mitigation, adaptation and financial processes, including Nationally Determined Contributions, National Adaptation Plans and the Global Stocktake. • Improved ocean governance and management is needed to scale up marine protection and sustainable management of both the high seas and coastal waters.
  • Sustained, global ocean observations and projections of ocean physics, chemistry and biology are essential to inform better short and long-term policy-making for the benefit of people, nature and the economy.
  • Innovative ocean finance is required to achieve a sustainable ocean economy and protect the ocean’s natural capital.“

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Science-Policy Documents

Ainalis, D.; et. al (2021): Net-Zero Solutions and Research Priorities in the 2020s. COP26 Universities Network Briefing

Ainalis, D.; Bardhan, R.; Bell, K.; Cebon, D.; Czerniak, M.; Farmer, J. D.; Fitzgerland, S.; Galkowski, K.; Grimshaw, S.; Harper, G.; Hunt, H.; Jennings, N.; Kehsav, S.; Mackie, E.; Maroto-Valer, M.; Michalopoulou, E.; Reay, D.; Seddon, N.; Smith, S. M.; Smith, T.; Simpson, K.; Stranks, S. D.; Tennyson, E. M.; Uekert, T.; Vera-Morales, M.; Woodcock, J. (2021): Net-Zero Solutions and Research Priorities in the 2020s. COP26 Universities Network Briefing. COP26. UK. Available online at https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_808253_smxx.pdf.

„Key messages:

  • Technological, societal and nature-based solutions should work together to enable systemic change towards a regenerative society, and to deliver net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
  • Prioritise research into efficient, low-carbon and carbon-negative solutions for sectors that are difficult to decarbonise; i.e. energy storage, road transport, shipping, aviation and grid infrastructure.
  • Each solution should be assessed with respect to GHG emissions reductions, energy efficiency and societal implications to provide a basis for developing long-term policies, maximising positive impact of investment and research effort, and guiding industry investors in safe and responsible planning.“

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