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1 – 10 of over 4000Indu K. Murthy, Rakesh Tiwari, G.T. Hegde, M. Beerappa, Kameswar Rao and N.H. Ravindranath
The purpose of this study is to estimate carbon mitigation impacts of project activities in a community forestry project in Andhra Pradesh, India. Measurement and quantification…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to estimate carbon mitigation impacts of project activities in a community forestry project in Andhra Pradesh, India. Measurement and quantification of carbon stocks, monitoring of these stocks over time and projections using models is necessary for assessing the climate change mitigation potential or impacts of all forest development and conservation projects.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, multiple mitigation assessment methods and models were used to estimate the carbon mitigation impacts – PROCOMAP, TARAM and CATIE, by adopting a three-tier approach similar to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines.
Findings
There are differences in mitigation potential estimates across models as well as across tiers. The study highlights the strength and weaknesses and/or limitations and advantages of adopting the different approaches and their applicability for estimating mitigation potential of a forestry project. The same could be adopted for a future Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) regime also, given countries may not have the necessary technical capacity and data needed during the post-2012 REDD scheme. While countries with advanced data, technical and research capabilities could use models or, in other words, adopt the Tier-3 approach, countries with data and technical limitations, as in India, could adopt a Tier-2 or Tier-1 approach to begin with.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations and advantages of use of the multiple mitigation models is addressed.
Originality/value
This work would help understand use of three mitigation models by prospective students and researchers and also the data needs and limitations for use of these models.
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Frank Warwick and Susanne Charlesworth
Sustainable drainage (SUDS) techniques seek to address problems associated with excess water quantity, poor water quality, and attempt to improve environmental quality. SUDS have…
Abstract
Purpose
Sustainable drainage (SUDS) techniques seek to address problems associated with excess water quantity, poor water quality, and attempt to improve environmental quality. SUDS have also been proposed as suitable for adapting to and mitigating climate change. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the contribution of SUDS to carbon mitigation for a local planning authority.
Design/methodology/approach
Carbon sequestration rates of SUDS techniques were obtained from published literature. A Geographical Information System was used to identify potential sites for future SUDS implementation across the area covered by a local planning authority, Coventry, UK. The carbon mitigation potential of different SUDS techniques was estimated, taking account of land cover and land use limitations on new build and retrofit implementation.
Findings
Vegetated SUDS in new developments and retrofit green roofs provided the greatest potential for carbon storage in this urban setting.
Research limitations/implications
This study undertook a rapid assessment of the carbon mitigation that SUDS offers in an urbanised environment. The impact of factors such as greenhouse gas emissions from SUDS devices, management regimes and embedded carbon in engineered structures was not taken into account. The mitigation potential of associated shading and insulation by vegetated SUDS was not evaluated.
Practical implications
Retrofit of, for example, green roofs should be prioritised to take advantage of SUDS for climate change mitigation. The relatively low level of carbon stored over a 15‐year analysis period compared to the scale of forecast emissions revealed the extent of carbon mitigation challenges facing Coventry.
Originality/value
This study provides a methodology to evaluate the carbon mitigation potential of SUDS in an urban setting. Current UK legislative and regulatory emphasis focuses on new build. However, retrofit approaches appear to offer greater potential for carbon sequestration.
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Abul Quasem Al‐Amin, Abdul Hamid Jaafar and Chamhuri Siwar
Climate change impacts and scientific evidence are now irresistible based on time scales, consequences and perspectives. Civil society leaders and business people are now agreed…
Abstract
Purpose
Climate change impacts and scientific evidence are now irresistible based on time scales, consequences and perspectives. Civil society leaders and business people are now agreed on emission reduction targets to mitigate the effects of climate change but the question remains: how to make sure that durable, lasting, and real mitigation options are taking place? The purpose of this paper is to ask, does climate change mitigation option (via carbon tax) exert a greater improvement within the tradeoff between climate change and economic values?
Design/methodology/approach
This study tries to lessen the gap between mitigation options and economic development activities using computable general equilibrium techniques focusing on alteration of carbon tax instruments.
Findings
The findings indicate that much strong carbon tax policy compensates GDP compositions, places economic burden, shrinks enterprise savings and investment.
Originality/value
This paper describes the most favorable policy option and may find use in formulation of climate change mitigation options and policy concerns for prioritizing needs.
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Shuping Cheng, Lingjie Meng and Lu Xing
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of energy technological innovation on carbon emissions in China from 2001 to 2016.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of energy technological innovation on carbon emissions in China from 2001 to 2016.
Design/methodology/approach
Conditional mean (CM) methods are first applied to implement our investigation. Then, considering the tremendous heterogeneity in China, quantile regression is further employed to comprehensively investigate the potential heterogeneous effect between energy technological innovation and carbon emission intensity.
Findings
The results suggest that renewable energy technological innovation has a significantly positive effect on carbon emission intensity in lower quantile areas and a negative effect in higher quantile areas. Contrarily, fossil energy technological innovation exerts a negative correlation with carbon emission intensity in lower quantile areas and a positive effect on carbon emission intensity in higher quantiles areas.
Originality/value
Considering that energy consumption is the main source of CO2 emissions, it is of great importance to study the impact of energy technological innovation on carbon emissions. However, the previous studies mainly focus on the impact of integrated technological innovation on carbon emissions, ignoring the impact of energy technological innovation on carbon emissions mitigation. To fill this gap, we construct an extended STIRPAT model to examine the effects of renewable energy technological innovation and fossil energy technological innovation on carbon emissions in this paper. The results can provide a reference for the government to formulate carbon mitigation policies.
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Joy P. Vazhayil, Vinod K. Sharma and R. Balasubramanian
In the context of the negotiations for apportionment of emission reduction post‐Kyoto regime, issues of equity and fairness have emerged. The purpose of this paper is to generate…
Abstract
Purpose
In the context of the negotiations for apportionment of emission reduction post‐Kyoto regime, issues of equity and fairness have emerged. The purpose of this paper is to generate a model for equitable emission reduction apportionment.
Design/methodology/approach
The mathematical model has been designed utilizing mitigation capacity (based on gross domestic product (GDP)) and cumulative excess emissions as the criteria for apportionment. Quantitative results have been arrived at, using cumulative γ and parabolic mitigation emission reduction trajectories to demonstrate the impact on stakeholders.
Findings
The apportionment outcomes are independent of the specific trajectory fine‐tuned in the feasibility region. Since the apportionment takes into account entitlements and the mitigation capacity, Africa and India have negligible reduction targets in tune with the development goals in these economies. Substantial reduction commitments would fall on the USA and the EU countries. China gets a moderate target due to higher emissions and GDP.
Research limitations/implications
The approach is in consonance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibility enunciated in the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. The method can easily incorporate emissions trading. The issue of population as a driving factor of emissions has been partially accounted for by considering the entire national GDP as an emission reduction responsibility factor, without considering population based GDP entitlements.
Originality/value
The generalized framework can be extended to situations involving responsibility apportionment in public policies dealing with externalities. The framework is original and will be useful to policymakers and other stakeholders dealing with climate change, as well as researchers looking at externalities of a global or national dimension.
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A carbon tax has been widely discussed and implemented in developed countries to mitigate carbon emissions, but this measure is still quite new in developing countries. Recently…
Abstract
Purpose
A carbon tax has been widely discussed and implemented in developed countries to mitigate carbon emissions, but this measure is still quite new in developing countries. Recently, the ambition of Vietnam's government in mitigating emissions has been mentioned in international commitments. To achieve these targets, the government is making efforts to seek and implement mitigation measures in the country. While carbon pricing was introduced in Vietnam, there is no study simulating the effects of a carbon tax in the country. This study simulates the environmental and economic effects of a carbon tax and then proposes appropriate policies in Vietnam.
Design/methodology/approach
This study investigates the impact on the Vietnamese economy within the static computable general equilibrium (CGE) framework. Compared with previous models, the proposed model in this paper is a fairly standard CGE approach that tries to picture the economic system of Vietnam. In addition, a carbon tax on output will be modeled in this framework. This carbon tax mechanism is more flexible and direct when a carbon tax is based on direct emissions by industry level and the industry's carbon intensity. The paper decomposes the Vietnamese economy into 18 different production sectors, based on the different emission levels of CO2. The CGE model makes possible to examine the impact of a carbon tax on the whole economy through all possible channels and to differentiate a separate carbon tax among different production sectors. The impact of a differentiated carbon tax is explored not only at the macroeconomic level but also at each different industrial level. Another feature of this paper is to investigate the impact of reallocation revenue from the carbon tax.
Findings
This paper has found that by designing carbon tax scenarios at different carbon prices ($1/tCO2, $5/tCO2, $10/tCO2) with different targeted industries, this study shows that higher carbon prices cause greater damage to GDP and welfare, but also better reductions in emissions. In addition, a carbon tax on the energy sectors results in milder economic and welfare damage but less emission reduction than when levying on all sectors. At the sectoral level, a carbon tax might cause sectoral restruction. Interestingly, the electricity sector is the most affected and also is the main contributor to reducing emissions in Vietnam. Finally, the study also shows that reallocation policies of new revenue from the carbon tax would reduce the economic damage caused by carbon taxes, and in many cases promote GDP and welfare. However, these policies reduce the environmentally positive impact of the carbon tax and even induce an increase in emissions in some cases.
Originality/value
This paper studies the pure impacts of a carbon tax, it also simulates the impact of several recycling policies where the increased tax revenue is incorporated. Thereby, this research supports to design and implement carbon tax policies in Vietnam. This paper also would contribute to the literature an example of the adoption of the carbon tax in a developing country, and it could be a lesson for others with similar conditions. Compared with previous models, the proposed model in this paper is a fairly standard CGE approach that tries to picture the economic system of Vietnam. In addition, a more flexible carbon tax mechanism is proposed to improve adequate coverage of emission resources.
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In view of the current climate change emergency and the growing importance of the climate-related accountability of companies, this paper aims to advance a comprehensive…
Abstract
Purpose
In view of the current climate change emergency and the growing importance of the climate-related accountability of companies, this paper aims to advance a comprehensive understanding of the determinants of carbon-related chief executive officer (CEO) compensation.
Design/methodology/approach
Building on the agency-theoretical perspective on executive compensation and existing work in the fields of management, corporate governance, cultural studies, and behavioral science, this paper derives a multilevel framework of the determinants of carbon-related CEO compensation.
Findings
This paper maps the determinants of carbon-related CEO compensation at the societal, organizational, group, and individual levels of analysis. It also provides research propositions on the determinants that can support and challenge the implementation of this instrument of environmental corporate governance.
Originality/value
In the past literature, the determinants of carbon-related CEO compensation have remained largely unexplored. This paper contributes to the academic discussion on environmental corporate governance by showcasing the role of interlinkages among the determinants of carbon-related CEO compensation and the possible countervailing impacts. In view of the complex interdisciplinary nature of climate change impact, this paper encourages businesses practitioners and regulators to intensify their climate change mitigation efforts and delineates the levers at their disposal.
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Charl De Villiers, Sile Chen, Chenxing jin and Yiner Zhu
– The authors aim to investigate the ability of a New Zealand university to rely on the CO2 sequestered in the trees on campus to mitigate the CO2 emissions caused by operations.
Abstract
Purpose
The authors aim to investigate the ability of a New Zealand university to rely on the CO2 sequestered in the trees on campus to mitigate the CO2 emissions caused by operations.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors count and measure the trees on the university's 68 hectare main campus, ignoring smaller trees that sequester very little CO2.
Findings
The authors estimate that the 4,139 trees the authors count contain 5,809 tonnes of CO2. The authors further estimate the additional CO2 sequestration over the next ten years to be 253 tonnes per year. The university's annual CO2 emissions were 4,086 tonnes in 2011. More than 70 per cent of this amount relates to overseas travel. Therefore, CO2 sequestration in trees promises to mitigate only about 6 per cent of total emissions over the next ten years.
Practical implications
This suggests that other initiatives will be needed if the university is serious about reducing its greenhouse gas emissions impact. An obvious avenue appears to be to reduce overseas travel, e.g. by finding different ways for academic staff to network and obtain feedback on their research. Other universities and other organisations starting to investigate their environmental impact are likely to similarly find that CO2 sequestration in trees can only provide limited mitigation opportunities.
Originality/value
The authors contribute to the ongoing debate around carbon emissions, exploring avenues to mitigate CO2 emissions.
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Abigail L. Bristow and Alberto M. Zanni
Purpose – To examine the cost-effectiveness of UK government policy with respect to the mitigation of carbon emissions from the transport sector.Methodology/approach – Existing…
Abstract
Purpose – To examine the cost-effectiveness of UK government policy with respect to the mitigation of carbon emissions from the transport sector.
Methodology/approach – Existing policy as set out by the Department for Transport in Low Carbon Transport: A Greener Future is examined. This document elaborates a Low Carbon Transport Strategy intended to achieve annual emissions savings of 17.7 MtCO2 by 2020. A wide range of policy areas where further action could be taken to reduce carbon emissions are examined and their cost-effectiveness considered.
Findings – Measures that influence behaviour including smarter choices, eco-driving across modes, freight best practice and modest price increases are highly cost-effective. More cost-effective routes to saving 17.7 MtCO2 are identified, as are further cost-effective savings.
Originality/value – It appears that government targets could be delivered and indeed exceeded at lower cost than the Low Carbon Transport Strategy. However, policy development is influenced by a wide range of factors which help to explain why cost-effective measures are not always fully exploited.
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Somaiya Yunus, Evangeline O. Elijido-Ten and Subhash Abhayawansa
This paper aims to examine whether the perceived pressures from stakeholders with high potential to cooperate and/or threaten the firm’s survival affect the decision to adopt…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine whether the perceived pressures from stakeholders with high potential to cooperate and/or threaten the firm’s survival affect the decision to adopt carbon management strategies (CMSs).
Design/methodology/approach
A logistic panel regression model is estimated using longitudinal data from Australia’s Top-200 listed firms over seven years from 2009 to 2015. The authors test the firm’s propensity to adopt CMSs conditioned on the influence of four groups of stakeholders: the regulators, institutional investors, media and creditors. Data on CMSs adopted by firms are sourced from Thomson Reuters ASSET4 database, the Carbon Disclosure Project survey, annual reports, company websites and sustainability reports.
Findings
The authors show that stakeholder pressures are associated not only with the adoption or non-adoption of CMSs but also with the type of CMSs adopted. Three types of CMSs are identified, namely, compensation, reduction and innovation strategies. The findings reveal that CMS adoption and the firms’ propensity to adopt compensation and reduction strategies are significantly related to perceived pressures from the regulators, media and creditors. While pressure from the regulators is also associated with the firms’ propensity to adopt innovation strategies, a more advanced type of CMSs, the potential pressure from the media and creditors are not significantly related.
Practical implications
The findings imply that a firm’s adoption of CMSs is not merely about managing stakeholders in the regulatory sphere but also about taking into account the perceived pressures from non-regulatory stakeholders and the context-dependent nature of their influences. The authors show that by influencing the voluntary disclosure of carbon emissions, the government continues to be effective in encouraging firms to take action on climate change despite the abolition of the carbon tax in Australia.
Social implications
This study highlights that, apart from a heavy-handed approach, regulators can adopt softer forms of regulation such as the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Act and a less invasive, stakeholder-driven approach to encourage firms to adopt CMSs and thereby work towards climate change mitigation.
Originality/value
This study extends the literature by showing that perceived pressure from some stakeholders found to be influential in relation to some corporate decisions (such as environmental strategy adoption and climate-change-related disclosure) may not necessarily be influential in relation to CMS adoption.
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