Greenhouse gas emissions disclosure: comparing headquarters and local subsidiaries

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 899-915
Author(s):  
Sibel Hoştut ◽  
Seçil Deren van het Hof
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Brands ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to highlight the greenhouse gas emissions disclosures in sustainability reports of the automotive industry both from headquarters and Turkish subsidiaries. Further, it aims to understand to what extent these corporations disclose greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Design/methodology/approach The sample of the research consists of the global brands Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Daimler and Fiat. Global and national sustainability reports from headquarters and local subsidiaries are examined. To determine the disclosure for emissions content analysis is conducted. The GRI 305: Emissions standard, which sets out the reporting requirements on the issue emissions is used to identify the disclosures both from headquarters and subsidiaries. Findings The sector-specific findings show that all sustainability reports from headquarters disclose much more specific information on greenhouse gas emissions than the reports from subsidiaries. Corporations that offer the most comprehensive sustainability reports disclose the least pages in environmental information. However, presenting the least information does not mean that these reports are rare in quality. Especially, two corporations who offer the least pages on environmental issues fully disclosed the classification of GRI 305: Emissions standard. It can be stated that these corporations emphasize the quality and not the quantity of disclosure. Although, local subsidiaries are not reporting to the extent as headquarters do good applications together with specific information are applied. Originality/value The investigation contributes to the research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) by exploring the GHG emissions disclosures across borders by analyzing sustainability reports of both the headquarters of the automotive industry and their local subsidiaries as the actual production units in Turkey.

scholarly journals Greenhouse gas emissions from the water–air interface of a grassland river: a case study of the Xilin River

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Hao ◽  
Yu Ruihong ◽  
Zhang Zhuangzhuang ◽  
Qi Zhen ◽  
Lu Xixi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Sand Land ◽  
Very High

AbstractGreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from rivers and lakes have been shown to significantly contribute to global carbon and nitrogen cycling. In spatiotemporal-variable and human-impacted rivers in the grassland region, simultaneous carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide emissions and their relationships under the different land use types are poorly documented. This research estimated greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4, N2O) emissions in the Xilin River of Inner Mongolia of China using direct measurements from 18 field campaigns under seven land use type (such as swamp, sand land, grassland, pond, reservoir, lake, waste water) conducted in 2018. The results showed that CO2 emissions were higher in June and August, mainly affected by pH and DO. Emissions of CH4 and N2O were higher in October, which were influenced by TN and TP. According to global warming potential, CO2 emissions accounted for 63.35% of the three GHG emissions, and CH4 and N2O emissions accounted for 35.98% and 0.66% in the Xilin river, respectively. Under the influence of different degrees of human-impact, the amount of CO2 emissions in the sand land type was very high, however, CH4 emissions and N2O emissions were very high in the artificial pond and the wastewater, respectively. For natural river, the greenhouse gas emissions from the reservoir and sand land were both low. The Xilin river was observed to be a source of carbon dioxide and methane, and the lake was a sink for nitrous oxide.

Remotely sensed temperature is a proxy of greenhouse gas emissions in intact and managed peatlands

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ain Kull ◽  
Iuliia Burdun ◽  
Gert Veber ◽  
Oleksandr Karasov ◽  
Martin Maddison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Water Table Depth ◽  
Gas Emissions

<p>Besides water table depth, soil temperature is one of the main drivers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in intact and managed peatlands. In this work, we evaluate the performance of remotely sensed land surface temperature (LST) as a proxy of greenhouse gas emissions in intact, drained and extracted peatlands. For this, we used chamber-measured carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) and methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) data from seven peatlands in Estonia collected during vegetation season in 2017–2020. Additionally, we used temperature and water table depth data measured in situ. We studied relationships between CO<sub>2</sub>, CH<sub>4</sub>, in-situ parameters and remotely sensed LST from Landsat 7 and 8, and MODIS Terra. Results of our study suggest that LST has stronger relationships with surface and soil temperature as well as with ecosystem respiration (R<sub>eco</sub>) over drained and extracted sites than over intact ones. Over the extracted cites the correlation between R<sub>eco</sub> CO<sub>2</sub> and LST is 0.7, and over the drained sites correlation is 0.5. In natural sites, we revealed a moderate positive relationship between LST and CO<sub>2</sub> emitted in hollows (correlation is 0.6) while it is weak in hummocks (correlation is 0.3). Our study contributes to the better understanding of relationships between greenhouse gas emissions and their remotely sensed proxies over peatlands with different management status and enables better spatial assessment of GHG emissions in drainage affected northern temperate peatlands.</p>

scholarly journals Evaluation of vehicle lightweighting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with focus on magnesium substitution

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 869-888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siddharth Kulkarni ◽  
David John Edwards ◽  
Erika Anneli Parn ◽  
Craig Chapman ◽  
Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Fuel Economy ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Material Design ◽  
Torsional Stiffness ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Vehicle weight reduction represents a viable means of meeting tougher regulatory requirements designed to reduce fuel consumption and control greenhouse gas emissions. This paper aims to present an empirical and comparative analysis of lightweight magnesium materials used to replace conventional steel in passenger vehicles with internal combustion engines. The very low density of magnesium makes it a viable material for lightweighting given that it is lighter than aluminium by one-third and steel by three-fourth. Design/methodology/approach A structural evaluation case study of the “open access” Wikispeed car was undertaken. This included an assessment of material design characteristics such as bending stiffness, torsional stiffness and crashworthiness to evaluate whether magnesium provides a better alternative to the current usage of aluminium in the automotive industry. Findings The Wikispeed car had an issue with the rocker beam width/thickness (b/t) ratio, indicating failure in yield instead of buckling. By changing the specified material, Aluminium Alloy 6061-T651 to Magnesium EN-MB10020, it was revealed that vehicle mass could be reduced by an estimated 110 kg, in turn improving the fuel economy by 10 per cent. This, however, would require mechanical performance compromise unless the current design is modified. Originality/value This is the first time that a comparative analysis of material substitution has been made on the Wikispeed car. The results of such work will assist in the lowering of harmful greenhouse gas emissions and simultaneously augment fuel economy.

scholarly journals Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Nickel Products

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 5664
Author(s):  
Wenjing Wei ◽  
Peter B. Samuelsson ◽  
Anders Tilliander ◽  
Rutger Gyllenram ◽  
Pär G. Jönsson
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Nickel Metal ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Nickel Smelting ◽  
Ore Grade

The primary energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from nickel smelting products have been assessed through case studies using a process model based on mass and energy balance. The required primary energy for producing nickel metal, nickel oxide, ferronickel, and nickel pig iron is 174 GJ/t alloy (174 GJ/t contained Ni), 369 GJ/t alloy (485 GJ/t contained Ni), 110 GJ/t alloy (309 GJ/t contained Ni), and 60 GJ/t alloy (598 GJ/t contained Ni), respectively. Furthermore, the associated GHG emissions are 14 tCO2-eq/t alloy (14 tCO2-eq/t contained Ni), 30 t CO2-eq/t alloy (40 t CO2-eq/t contained Ni), 6 t CO2-eq/t alloy (18 t CO2-eq/t contained Ni), and 7 t CO2-eq/t alloy (69 t CO2-eq/t contained Ni). A possible carbon emission reduction can be observed by comparing ore type, ore grade, and electricity source, as well as allocation strategy. The suggested process model overcomes the limitation of a conventional life cycle assessment study which considers the process as a ‘black box’ and allows for an identification of further possibilities to implement sustainable nickel production.

scholarly journals Urban greenhouse gas emissions from the Berlin area: A case study using airborne CO2 and CH4 in situ observations in summer 2018

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Klausner ◽  
Mariano Mertens ◽  
Heidi Huntrieser ◽  
Michal Galkowski ◽  
Gerrit Kuhlmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Emission Flux ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Mixing Ratios

<p>Urban areas are recognised as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), such as carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) and methane (CH<sub>4</sub>). The total amount of urban GHG emissions, especially for CH<sub>4</sub>, however, is not well quantified. Here we report on airborne in situ measurements using a Picarro G1301-m analyser aboard the DLR Cessna Grand Caravan to study GHG emissions downwind of the German capital city Berlin. In total, five aircraft-based mass balance experiments were conducted in July 2018 within the Urban Climate Under Change [UC]<sup>2</sup> project. The detection and isolation of the Berlin plume was often challenging because of comparatively small GHG signals above variable atmospheric background concentrations. However, on July 20<sup>th</sup> enhancements of up to 4 ppm CO<sub>2</sub> and 21 ppb CH<sub>4</sub> were observed over a horizontal extent of roughly 45 to 65 km downwind of Berlin. These enhanced mixing ratios are clearly distinguishable from the background and can partly be assigned to city emissions. The estimated CO<sub>2</sub> emission flux of 1.39 ± 0.75 t s<sup>-1 </sup>is in agreement with current inventories, while the CH<sub>4</sub> emission flux of 5.20 ± 1.61 kg s<sup>-1</sup> is almost two times larger than the highest reported value in the inventories. We localized the source area with HYSPLIT trajectory calculations and the high resolution numerical model MECO(n) (down to ~1 km), and investigated the contribution from sewage-treatment plants and waste deposition to CH<sub>4</sub>, which are treated differently by the emission inventories. Our work highlights the importance of a) strong CH<sub>4</sub> sources in the surroundings of Berlin and b) a detailed knowledge of GHG inflow mixing ratios to suitably estimate emission rates.</p>

Comparison of RZWQM2 and DNDC Models to Simulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions under Combined Inorganic/Organic Fertilization in a Subsurface-Drained Field

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 771-787
Author(s):  
Qianjing Jiang ◽  
Zhiming Qi ◽  
Chandra A. Madramootoo ◽  
Ward Smith ◽  
Naeem A. Abbasi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Measured Data ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
N Management ◽  
Better Than

HighlightsRZWQM2 was compared with DNDC to predict greenhouse gas emissions.RZWQM2 was applied to simulate the greenhouse gas emissions under manure application.RZWQM2 performed better than DNDC in simulating soil water content and CO2 emissions.Abstract. N management has the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Process-based models are promising tools for evaluating and developing management practices that may optimize sustainability goals as well as promote crop productivity. In this study, the GHG emission component of the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM2) was tested under two different types of N management and subsequently compared with the Denitrification-Decomposition (DNDC) model using measured data from a subsurface-drained field with a corn-soybean rotation in southern Ontario, Canada. Field-measured data included N2O and CO2 fluxes, soil temperature, and soil moisture content from a four-year field experiment (2012 to 2015). The experiment was composed of two N treatments: inorganic fertilizer (IF), and inorganic fertilizer combined with solid cattle manure (SCM). Both models were calibrated using the data from IF and validated with SCM. Statistical results indicated that both models predicted well the soil temperature, but RZWQM2 performed better than DNDC in simulating soil water content (SWC) because DNDC lacked a heterogeneous soil profile, had shallow simulation depth, and lacked crop root density functions. Both RZWQM2 and DNDC predicted the cumulative N2O and CO2 emissions within 15% error under all treatments, while the timing of daily CO2 emissions was more accurately predicted by RZWQM2 (RMSE = 0.43 to 0.54) than by DNDC (RMSE = 0.60 to 0.67). Modeling results for N management effects on GHG emissions showed consistency with the field measurements, indicating higher CO2 emissions under SCM than IF, higher N2O emissions under IF in corn years, but lower N2O emissions in soybean years. Overall, RZWQM2 required more experienced and intensive calibration and validation, but it provided more accurate predictions of soil hydrology and better timing of CO2 emissions than DNDC. Keywords: CO2 emission, Corn-soybean rotation, Inorganic fertilization, Manure application, N2O emission, Process-based modeling.

Comparison of time series approaches for prediction of energy consumption focusing on greenhouse gases emission in Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 486-499
Author(s):  
Maryam Doroodi ◽  
Alireza Mokhtar
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Energy Carriers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Double Exponential ◽  
Double Exponential Smoothing

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to predict the amount of energy consumption by using a suitable statistical method in some sectors and energy carriers, which has shown a significant correlation with greenhouse gas emissions. Design/methodology/approach After studying the correlation between energy consumption rates in different sectors of energy consumption and some energy carriers with greenhouse gas distribution (CO2, SO2, NOX and SPM), the most effective factors on pollution emission will be first identified and then predicted for the next 20 years (2015 to 2004). Furthermore, to determine the appropriate method for forecasting, two approaches titled “trend analysis” and “double exponential smoothing” will be applied on data, collected from 1967 to 2014, and their capabilities in anticipating will be compared to each other contributing MSD, MAD, MAPE indices and also the actual and projected time series comparison. After predicting the energy consumption in the sectors and energy carriers, the growth rate of consumption in the next 20 years is also calculated. Findings Correlation study shows that four energy sectors (industry sector, agriculture, transportation and household-general-commercial) and two energy carriers (electricity and natural gas) have shown remarkable correlation with greenhouse gas emissions. To predict the energy consumption in mentioned sectors and carriers, it is proven that double exponential smoothing method is more capable in predicting. The study shows that among the demand sectors, the industry will account for the highest consumption rate. Electricity will experience the highest rate among the energy careers. In fact, producing this amount of electricity causes emissions of greenhouse gases. Research limitations/implications Access to the data and categorized data was one of the main limitations. Practical implications By identifying the sectors and energy carriers that have the highest consumption growth rate in the next 20 years, it can be said that greenhouse gas emissions, which show remarkable correlation with these sectors and carriers, will also increase dramatically. So, their stricter control seems to be necessary. On the other hand, to control a particular greenhouse gas, it is possible to focus on the amount of energy consumed in the sectors and carriers that have a significant correlation with this pollutant. These results will lead to more targeted policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Social implications The tendency of communities toward industrialization along with population growth will doubtlessly lead to more consumption of fossil fuels. An immediate aftermath of burning fuels is greenhouse gas emission resulting in destructive effects on the environment and ecosystems. Identifying the factors affecting the pollutants resulted from consumption of fossil fuels is significant in controlling the emissions. Originality/value Such analyses help policymakers make more informed and targeted decisions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make safer and more appropriate policies and investment.

scholarly journals Solar energy policy to boost Brazilian power sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-367
Author(s):  
Juliana Pacheco Barbosa ◽  
Joisa Dutra Saraiva ◽  
Julia Seixas
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Power System ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Power Sector ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Incentive Mechanisms ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the opportunity for the energy policy in Brazil to tackle the very high cost-effectiveness potencial of solar energy to the power system. Three mechanisms to achieve ambitious reductions in the greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector by 2030 and 2040 are assessed wherein treated as solar targets under ambitious reductions in the greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector. Then, three mechanisms to achieve these selected solar targets are suggested. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews current and future incentive mechanisms to promote solar energy. An integrated energy system optimization model shows the most cost-efficient deployment level. Incentive mechanisms can promote renewable sources, aiming to tackle climate change and ensuring energy security, while taking advantage of endogenous energy resources potential. Based on a literature review, as well as on the specific characteristics of the Brazilian power system, under restrictions for the expansion of hydroelectricity and ambitious limitation in the emissions of greenhouse gases from the power sector. Findings The potential unexploited of solar energy is huge but it needs the appropriate incentive mechanism to be deployed. These mechanisms would be more effective if they have a specific technological and temporal focus. The solar energy deployment in large scale is important to the mitigation of climate change. Originality/value The value of the research is twofold: estimations of the cost-effective potential of solar technologies, generated from an integrated optimization energy model, fully calibrated for the Brazilian power system, while tacking the increasing electricity demand, the expected reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the need to increase the access to clean and affordable energy, up to 2040; proposals of three mechanisms to deploy centralized PV, distributed PV and solar thermal power, taking the best experiences in several countries and the recent Brazilian cases.

scholarly journals Application of Sterilization Process for Inactivation of Bacillus Stearothermophilus in Biomedical Waste and Associated Greenhouse Gas Emissions

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 5056
Author(s):  
Cevat Yaman
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Bacillus Stearothermophilus ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Biological Indicator ◽  
Steam Treatment ◽  
Waste Collection ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Biomedical Waste ◽  
Sterilization Process

This study investigated the biomedical waste collection, transportation, and treatment activities in the city of Kocaeli, Turkey. As an alternative to incineration technology, a steam autoclave was used to sterilize the biomedical waste. Information regarding the collection, transportation, treatment and associated greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) were also investigated. Prior to sterilization, biological indicator vials containing Bacillus stearothermophilus were placed in the center of the load to ensure that the pathogens were destroyed. GHG emissions were calculated based on the fuel consumed by the biomedical waste collection vehicles and the electricity/natural gas used at the sterilization plant. Results of this work revealed that the total biomedical waste generated per year increased from 1362 tons in 2009 to 2375 tons in 2019. The amount of biomedical waste generated per hospital bed was determined as 1.19 kg.bed−1.day−1. Results show that for efficient sterilization of biomedical wastes, the steam treatment system process should be operated at a contact time of 45 min, a temperature of 150 °C, and at a steam pressure of 5 bar. Biological indicator tests showed that the number of living Bacillus stearothermophilus decreased significantly, with removal rates greater than 6log10. Finally, it was determined that the biomedical waste management activities generated a total of GHG emissions of 5573 ton CO2 equivalency (tCO2-e) from 2009 to 2019. Furthermore, the average global warming factor (GWF) was calculated to be 0.269 tCO2-e per ton of biomedical waste generated. This study showed that the sterilization process is very effective in destroying the pathogens and the management of biomedical waste generates considerable amounts of GHG emissions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document