Emissions Control
Eliminating greenhouse gas emissions
Emission control refers to all measures taken to reduce the amount of pollutants emitted by combustion engines fueled by fossil energy sources. The term is most widely used to describe (passenger or transport) vehicle emissions control, but can also refer to industrial, aviation or marine emissions. Most emission control legislation and technology is focused on reducing or eliminating the release of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxide (SOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs, like formaldehyde and benzene) into the air and atmosphere.
The pollutants emitted by any internal combustion engine powered by a hydrocarbon fuel source are potential health hazards and contribute to climate change. When air pollution in the shape of smog was first identified as a threat to public health in the mid-20th century, the discovery led to the earliest emission control regulations. The more long-term effects of pollution and its contribution to global warming also became a serious concern, prompting more coordinated, international action and the development of sophisticated emission control systems to meet increased emission standards.
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The most efficient way to eliminate emissions is to do away with their source. However, until the energy transition is fully accomplished and hydrocarbon combustion is no longer a global energy source, several methods can help control the amount of pollutants that are released into the air through exhaust gas. Their usefulness depends on the engine, fuel system and the resulting pollutants, as well as the desired outcome. Particulate filters are used to remove particulate matter from exhaust, catalytic converters turn the most toxic pollutants into less harmful chemicals (some of which are still greenhouse gases (GHGs)), selective non-catalytic reduction reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from power plants, chemical absorption and adsorption can capture CO2. Each control method has advantages and disadvantages and often several technologies are employed and combined to achieve the cleanest result.
"Global GHG emissions in 2030 need to be approximately 25% and 55% lower than in 2017 to put the world on a least-cost pathway to limiting global warming to 2°C and 1.5°C respectively."
Emissions Gap Report 2018, United Nations Environment Program
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere of the Earth on a global scale are referred to as global carbon emissions. The main causes of these emissions are human-related, including deforestation, the burning of fossil fuels for energy, and industrial operations.
With international agreements like the Paris Agreement seeking to keep global warming well below two degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels, efforts to cut global carbon emissions have attracted a lot of attention in recent years. Improving energy efficiency, switching to renewable energy sources, and implementing sustainable land-use practices are all essential measures for reducing the effects of global carbon emissions and battling climate change.
The entire amount of greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4)) produced by human actions is known as a carbon footprint. Among the highest rates in the world, the average carbon footprint of a person in the United States is 16 tons.
Carbon footprints are often expressed in tons of emissions (CO2-equivalent) per comparative unit, such as per person, per year, per kg of protein (when comparing animal products), per km traveled, and similar units.
The four main sources of carbon emissions are transportation, residential energy, consumption, and food.
Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 equivalent) is the common term for the carbon footprint, which is typically expressed as a compression factor. This often includes all greenhouse gas emissions, not just carbon dioxide. These are brought on by various organizations, services, and economic activities.
Other definitions, however, exclusively consider carbon dioxide emissions, leaving out other greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide (N2O). Governments, businesses, and people everywhere must work together to reduce these consequences and protect the environment for future generations.
We can observe from the data provided above that China and the United States have the biggest emissions, at 28% and 15%, respectively, while other countries have a far smaller impact on global greenhouse effects.
There are several approaches and online tools available to assess the carbon footprint, depending on whether the focus is on a country, company, product, or individual person. Customers may choose a product based on its carbon footprint, for instance, if they wish to be environmentally conscious.
Different scales can be used to determine the carbon footprint. It may be computed for the country, cities, industries, businesses, and goods. Several free carbon footprint calculators may be used to determine an individual’s carbon footprint.
Activities aimed at reducing global warming may also be analyzed in terms of carbon footprint. The carbon footprint may be used to help identify which economic activities have large or low carbon footprints for this reason.
The notion of carbon footprints enables everyone to compare the effects that people, goods, businesses, and countries have on the environment. Creating goals and plans for minimizing the carbon footprint is aided by this.
The carbon footprint of various entities may be determined using various techniques. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is often used by businesses. In addition to direct carbon emissions, indirect carbon emissions are also a part of the carbon emission spectrum.
Scope 1 refers to direct carbon emissions, whereas Scopes 2 and 3 refer to indirect emissions. The distinction between Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions is that Scope 3 emissions are those indirect emissions that result from an organization’s operations but come from sources that they neither own nor control.
Direct carbon emissions, also known as Scope 1 emissions, originate from places where goods are produced or services are provided. The pollutants caused by on-site fuel burning would serve as an illustration for industry. Emissions from personal automobiles or gas-burning stoves would come under Scope 1 on an individual basis.
Indirect carbon emissions, sometimes referred to as Scope 2 or Scope 3 emissions, are emissions from sources upstream or downstream of the activity under study.
Scope 2 emissions are secondary emissions resulting from the purchase of steam, heat, and electricity. These include moving goods, fuel, creating garbage, etc.
All additional indirect emissions that are not owned or under the control of the organizations are included in the Scope 3 emissions. They include transportation emissions as well as other indirect emissions, as well as emissions from the product’s users and suppliers.
The production of products and services is not taken into consideration while creating greenhouse gas inventories (consumption-based accounting).
The standard covers the accounting and reporting of seven greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol, i.e., carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PCFs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). The Greenhouse Gas Protocol also includes all of the most significant greenhouse gases.
The worldwide commerce associated with carbon leakage has a variety of negative effects on the environment. A variety of environmental effects are included, such as a rise in air pollution, a shortage of fresh water, the extinction of species, the use of raw materials, and the use of energy.
In this section, we will now look at a variety of tactics and options that can lower carbon emissions on a worldwide level.
Switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is one of the most efficient strategies to lower carbon emissions on a global scale. A significant source of CO2 emissions is the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas for transportation and power.
Cleaner options include renewable energy sources, including hydropower, wind, and solar energy. To lessen dependency on fossil fuels and drastically reduce carbon emissions, governments and corporations should invest in the research and implementation of renewable energy technology.
Another important tactic for lowering carbon emissions is to improve energy efficiency across diverse industries. Energy consumption in buildings, transportation, and industry may be greatly reduced, which will result in a reduction in emissions.
Energy efficiency may be increased in a number of ways, including by adopting more efficient manufacturing techniques, boosting public transportation, and retrofitting buildings with energy-saving equipment.
Businesses can be encouraged to cut their carbon emissions by putting in place carbon pricing mechanisms like carbon taxes or cap-and-trade programs. As a result of these regulations, emitting greenhouse gases into the environment is now more expensive. Therefore, in order to avoid incurring greater expenses, businesses are pushed to come up with creative strategies to reduce their emissions.
As organic carbon sinks, forests take up CO2 from the atmosphere. Reforestation and Afforestation are crucial tactics to capture carbon and lower emissions. Reforestation involves replacing trees in deforested regions, and Afforestation is planting trees in places that have never been covered by vegetation.
Methane emissions from agriculture are large, particularly from cattle and rice fields. Agriculture-related emissions may be reduced by putting into practice sustainable farming techniques, such as cutting back on meat consumption, using methane-reducing technology, and using precision agriculture.
The usage of synthetic fertilizers, which generate nitrous oxide (a strong greenhouse gas), can be decreased by switching to organic agricultural techniques.
Due to the prevalence of internal combustion engines in transportation-related vehicles, this industry is a significant contributor to carbon emissions. Moving to electric vehicles (EVs) that are fueled by sustainable energy sources can significantly cut transportation-related emissions. Governments may encourage the use of EVs by providing tax breaks, subsidies, and EV charging infrastructure.
Technologies for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) take CO2 emissions from power plants and industrial activities and store them underground, keeping them out of the environment. CCS has the ability to dramatically cut emissions from sectors like cement and steel manufacturing that are challenging to decarbonize.
Much of the world’s carbon emissions are produced in urban areas. Urbanization-related emissions can be reduced by employing sustainable urban planning techniques, such as creating cities that encourage public transit, pedestrian-friendly areas, and energy-efficient structures. Additionally, promoting parks and cycling infrastructure can assist in reducing emissions.
Forging a worldwide commitment to climate action increases public understanding of the significance of decreasing carbon emissions. People may become aware of the effects of climate change and the role they can play in lowering emissions through their everyday decisions by learning about them through education campaigns, community efforts, and media coverage.
Global issues like climate change necessitate collaboration and coordination on a global scale. To properly solve the climate catastrophe, nations must collaborate to set aggressive emissions reduction goals and exchange knowledge and technology
The Paris Agreement and other agreements like it provide crucial frameworks for international climate action.
Technology development is essential for lowering carbon emissions. Advances in carbon reduction strategies may result from ongoing research and development in sectors including sustainable agriculture, carbon capture, and clean energy. To advance society, corporations, governments, and academic institutions should fund innovation.
Emissions from resource extraction, production, and waste disposal may be greatly reduced by moving toward a cyclical economy, where goods and materials are reused, recycled, or repurposed. Steps toward a more sustainable, low-carbon economy include putting an emphasis on product longevity and minimizing single-use plastics.
