Today, global warming is commonly known due to the major impact on the earth’s weather conditions. The increase in the average temperature of the lower atmosphere is causing a drastic change in weather conditions. Human intervention is the main cause of global warming and the latter will be limited if greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions are reduced by individuals and companies in all countries around the world. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the biggest contributors of GHGs and, therefore, a number of measures were implemented to reduce CO2 emissions. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was signed by the Annex 1 countries, of which South Africa is not part, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to reduce GHG emissions. It is not only the responsibility of the Annex 1 countries to stabilise global warming, but all countries have to contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions. Enabling countries to meet these reduction targets, they implemented the following measures: carbon tax, Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and carbon credits. Carbon tax has been implemented in many countries over the last decade with different levels of success. Carbon tax will be implemented in South Africa during 2013/2014. ESCOs have been implemented to assist companies with the implementation of energy saving projects. These projects will assist in reducing carbon emissions and meeting the set targets and it will also assist in reducing the effect of carbon tax. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects are implemented under the UNFCCC for companies that want to register carbon reduction projects. If the projects meet the CDM registration criteria, the project can be registered as a CDM project and it has the ability to earn tradable carbon credits. These credits can be traded on national or international carbon trading markets. This study considered a combination of all the measures a company can implement to improve energy efficiency and thereby reducing GHG emissions. An evaluation of the feasibility of a carbon reduction project, the ‘Vaal River compressed air energy efficiency improvement project’ of AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) was performed to determine whether the project can be registered as a CDM project. It was concluded that AGA will be able to register the project as a CDM project and earn tradable carbon credits. Furthermore, it is recommended that AGA makes use of the option to finance the carbon reducing project by using external funding provided by EDF (the French equivalent of South Africa’s Eskom). / MCom (Management Accountancy)), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced through recovery and recycling of resources from the municipal solid waste stream. In São Paulo, Brazil, recycling cooperatives play a crucial role in providing recycling services including collection, separation, cleaning, stocking and collective sale of recyclable resources. The present research attempts to measure the greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved by the Cooperpires recycling cooperative, as well as highlight its socio-economic benefits. Methods include participant observation, structured interview, a questionnaire, and greenhouse gas accounting of recycling using a Clean Development Mechanism methodology. The results afford an exploration of the opportunity for Cooperpires and other similar recycling cooperatives to participate in the carbon credit market. / Graduate

Hydrogen can be produced from biomass; this hydrogen is called biohydrogen. Biohydrogen produced in Western Canada can partially contribute to meeting the demand for hydrogen needed for bitumen upgrading. Gasification and pyrolysis are two promising pathways for producing biohydrogen in a large-scale plant. Syngas, produced from the gasification of biomass, and bio-oil, produced from fast pyrolysis of biomass, can be steam reformed to produce biohydrogen. The cost of biohydrogen delivered by pipeline to a distance of 500 km is $2.20 per kg of H2, assuming that a plant utilizes 2000 dry tonnes of whole-tree biomass per day processing it in a Battelle Columbus Laboratory (BCL) gasifier. For forest residue- and straw-based biohydrogen plants the values are similar: $2.19 and $2.31 per kg of H2, respectively. Maximum economy of scale benefits are realized for biohydrogen production plants capable of processing 2000 and 3000 dry tonnes per day using BCL and GTI (Gas Technology Institute) gasification technology, respectively. The cost of biohydrogen from fast pyrolysis ($2.47 per kg of H2 from a 2000 dry tonne per day plant), using forest residue as the feedstock, is higher than the cost of biohydrogen produced by gasification. Carbon credits of about $120-$140 per tonne of CO2 are required to make biohydrogen competitive with natural-gas-based hydrogen.

179 p. / Submitted by Santiago Fabio (fabio.ssantiago@hotmail.com) on 2012-12-19T20:11:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 11a.pdf: 2500615 bytes, checksum: b6e1b8b3c11f149e14b2db6b9a1b4957 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-12-19T20:11:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 11a.pdf: 2500615 bytes, checksum: b6e1b8b3c11f149e14b2db6b9a1b4957 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Essa pesquisa teve por objetivo geral investigar as principais diferenças entre o mercado de carbono regulado e voluntário no Brasil, no período de 2004 a 2011. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto, realizou-se uma pesquisa exploratória, de caráter bibliográfica e documental. Além disso, realizou-se o mapeamento de projetos no mercado de carbono voluntário no Brasil por meio de busca em bancos de dados e sites institucionais dos Padrões Internacionais (PIs) e dos proponentes, enquanto que os projetos do mercado de carbono regulado foram extraídos do banco de dados já existente no site do Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia (MCT). Os dados secundários foram coletados por meio de analise de conteúdo dos Documentos de Concepção dos Projetos (DCP) mapeados e extraídos dos sites e banco de dados visitados. Verificam-se diferenças e semelhanças entre os mercados de carbono regulado e voluntário no Brasil, estando o primeiro mercado com 499 projetos, enquanto o segundo possui 111 projetos até o momento. Constatou-se que o mercado de comercialização de créditos de carbono brasileiro, seja ele na categoria regulada, seja na voluntária pode constituir-se em um instrumento econômico de extrema importância na viabilização da redução das emissões de GEE, contribuindo, assim, para a mitigação das mudanças climáticas e para o alcance das metas nacionais de redução de emissão de GEE fixadas na Política Nacional de Mudanças Climáticas (PNMC). Constatou-se também que o uso desses projetos como instrumentos de políticas públicas poderá contribuir significativamente para o cumprimento das metas fixadas pela PNMC e requer a criação de fundos de financiamentos voltados para esses mercados, viabilizando o aumento do número de projetos e suas contribuições para mitigar as mudanças climáticas, bem como a consolidação desses mercados no Brasil. Além disso, faz-se necessário que o governo estimule a iniciativa privada a investir em tecnologias ambientalmente seguras, viabilizando o aumento de energias renováveis para o país, que contribuam para a transição para uma economia de baixo carbono, além da criação de incentivos fiscais que motivem as empresas a desenvolverem os projetos de redução de emissão de GEE. Enfim, recomenda-se como novas investigações futuras a realização de pesquisa com o objetivo de verificar de que forma os créditos de carbono são comercializado no Brasil, identificando as características dos contratos fechados no mercado financeiro nacional, como também a realização de estudos de caso em projetos representativos do mercado de carbono voluntário no Brasil, visando confrontar os dados secundários obtidos via análise de dados com os dados primários obtidos através de pesquisa de campo. / Salvador

A presente dissertação discute as questões relacionadas à intensificação das mudanças climáticas por causas antrópicas conforme a evolução no uso dos recursos naturais, inovações nos processos produtivos, transformações econômicas, sociais, culturais, políticas e, especialmente ambientais. Aborda a comercialização dos créditos de carbono através de projetos de Mecanismo de Desenvolvimento Limpo (MDL), um dos mecanismos de flexibilização criados pelo Protocolo de Kyoto. No contexto de mudanças climáticas, uma matriz energética que utilize fontes de energia que não emitam gases causadores do efeito estufa (GEE) se mostra uma importante estratégia de desenvolvimento sustentável. Sob essa perspectiva, a energia nucleoelétrica é apresentada como uma alternativa viável aos combustíveis fósseis, considerando que esta é uma energia limpa e compatível com a perspectiva de desenvolvimento sustentável. A Fábrica de Combustível Nuclear (FCN), localizada em Resende (Rio de Janeiro), pertencente às Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB), é um conjunto de sofisticadas fábricas nas quais se processam etapas importantes do ciclo do combustível nuclear. Na FCN, o Centro Zoobotânico realiza a gestão das atividades voltadas para a conservação da natureza tais como o Programa de Recuperação de Mata Ciliar, Reflorestamento e Fauna. O Relatório de inventário das emissões diretas e indiretas de GEE da FCN, elaborado pela INB para o ano de 2008, permite a auto-avaliação da empresa, retratando a preocupação corporativa com as questões relativas às mudanças climáticas. Segundo este Relatório, o total de emissões de GEE quantificado corresponde a 12,14% da capacidade total de sequestro de dióxido de carbono, no período de Janeiro a Dezembro de 2008. A proteção de florestas e a plantação de árvores são componentes essenciais de qualquer estratégia global para mitigação da mudança climática, e a participação da INB no mercado de crédito de carbono pode proporcionar externalidades positivas, tais como ganhos de imagem, adequação a padrões ambientais e melhoria do relacionamento com a sociedade. / This dissertation discusses issues related to intensification of climate change by anthropogenic causes for the evolution in use of natural resources, innovations in production processes, economic, social, cultural, political and especially environmental. Approaches marketing of carbon credits through projects of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), one of the flexible mechanisms created by the Kyoto Protocol. In context of climate change, an energy matrix that uses energy sources that do not emit greenhouse gases (GHG) proves an important strategy for sustainable development. From this perspective, the nuclear-electric energy is presented as a viable alternative to fossil fuels, considering that this is a clean energy and compatible with sustainable development perspective. The Nuclear Fuel Factory (FCN), located in Resende (Rio de Janeiro), belonging to the Nuclear Industries of Brazil (INB), is a sophisticated set of factories where important steps of nuclear fuel cycle are processed. In FCN, the Zoobotanical Center performs the management of activities for conservation of natures, as the Recovery Program of Riparian Vegetation, Forestry and Wildlife. The report of inventory of direct and indirect emissions of greenhouse gases from FCN, produced by INB for the year 2008, allows the self-assessment of the company,portraying the corporate preoccupation with issues related to climate change. According to the report, total GHG emissions measured corresponds to 12.14% of the total capacity of sequestration of carbon dioxide in the period January to December 2008. Protecting forests and planting trees are essential components of any comprehensive strategy for mitigating climate change and the share of INB in the carbon credit market can provide positive externalities, such as earnings picture, fitness for environmental standards and improving the relationship with society.

nÃo hà / O setor de indÃstria cerÃmico à considerado poluidor devido ao uso de lenha como combustÃvel, causando emissÃo de gÃs carbÃnico (CO2) ao meio ambiente. Este trabalho, com enfoque na Teoria EconÃmica e na Metodologia do Carbono Social (MCS), teve como objetivo discutir as externalidades negativas associadas ao setor de indÃstria cerÃmico, bem como expor o Ãxito em reduzi-las obtido por uma empresa localizada na regiÃo Cariri do CearÃ. Por meio de um estudo de caso foram analisados os efeitos ambientais negativos da produÃÃo gerados por este setor, alÃm de apresentar os resultados positivos alcanÃados pela empresa. Estes foram alcanÃados na Ãrea financeira, pela venda de crÃdito de carbono, e tambÃm na Ãrea ambiental devido Ãs emissÃes de carbono que foram evitadas. Houve tambÃm melhoria no ambiente interno da empresa, que reaproveitou resÃduos que facilitam as queimas nos fornos, como restos de podas de Ãrvore, pà de serraria e bagaÃo de cana, resultando em economia no consumo de energia. Conclui-se que o estudo de caso, com enfoque na teoria econÃmica e na MCS, propicia estÃmulo financeiro para que as empresas passem a utilizar prÃticas ambientalmente corretas, alÃm de permitir mudanÃas no processo produtivo que contribuem para a reduÃÃo de custos da empresa, aumenta o bem estar dos funcionÃrios e beneficia a comunidade envolvida no projeto. / The ceramic industry sector is considered polluter because of the use of wood as fuel, causing emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the environment. This study, focusing on Economic Theory and the Social Carbon Methodology (SCM), was to discuss the negative externalities associated with the ceramic industry sector, as well as exposing the success in reducing them obtained by a company located in the region of Cariri CearÃ. Through a case study we analyzed the negative environmental effects of the production generated by this sector, besides presenting the positive results achieved by the company. These were made in the financial area, the sale of carbon credits, and also in the environmental area, owing to carbon emissions that were avoided. There was also improvement in the internal environment of the company, which reutilized residues that facilitate burning in ovens, like remains of tree prunings, powder mill and sugarcane bagasse, resulting in savings in energy consumption. We conclude that the case study, focusing on economic theory and MCS, provides financial incentive for companies to begin using environmentally sound practices, and allows changes in production processes that contribute to reducing the company's cost increases the welfare of employees and benefits the community involved in the project.

The specific objectives of this project were: 1) Determine financial viability of enrolling forest landowners in Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) forestry carbon offset protocols; 2) Determine financial trade-offs associated with managing loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and Cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda Raf.) stands for increased carbon sequestration and timber; 3) Examine financial feasibility of increasing carbon accumulation in wood products carbon by extending rotation length of loblolly pine stands; and 4) Explore potential impacts of carbon policies and programs on future carbon accumulation in Mississippi’s forest sector.

As the anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) have increased and received moreattention, the need for climate mitigation solutions has become more urgent. Today, several methodologies for carbon accounting exists, as well as the possibility to offset emissions by buying carbon offsets. All these methodologies directly or indirectly spring from LCA but have developed to metrics considering only climate and with a dissatisfying sustainability performance in other aspects. Four carbon accounting methodologies (VCS, Gold Standard, GHG Protocol, XPRIZE Carbon Removal) have been examined and compared, showing differences in the approach to quantification and to more holistic sustainability aspects. They have also been analysed in comparison to the QU.A.L.ITY framework proposed by the European Commission, which aims to ensure the quality of carbon removals and prevent greenwashing. The results showed a lack of coherence between the carbon offset standards as well as a low coherence with the criteria in the proposed framework and lack of holistic sustainability perspectives. Algae are photosynthesizing organisms fixating CO2 in the same process as terrestrial plants. They are fast growing and does not require land or much maintenance, which is why seaweed aquaculture has been suggested as a method for carbon removals. This have given birth to a plethora of start-ups aiming to sell carbon offsets from systems based on macroalgae, here called “seaweed offsets”. Nine companies/projects were identified and examined. The results showed that most of the companies used systems involving cultivation, while one company use wild seaweed. The two largest techniques for sequestration of the carbon fixated in the biomass were 1) sinking the seaweed into the deep sea and 2) making biochar from the biomass. However, there are not yet any standards covering this type of carbon offset methodologies and these offsets are thus not certified and the results also show that the efficiency of these activities is highly unreliable. Large uncertainties remain regarding the net carbon removal, sequestration, and potential ecological impacts. These uncertainties and knowledge gaps also cause the suggested methods for seaweed offsetting to clash with the QU.A.L.ITY framework. / I takt med att de antropogena utsläppen av växthusgaser har ökat och fått mer uppmärksamhet har behovet av lösningar för att begränsa klimatförändringarna blivit mer brådskande. Idag finns flera metoder för koldioxidredovisning och -beräkning, liksom möjligheten att klimatkompensera genom att köpa klimatkompensation. Alla dessa metoder här rör direkt ellerindirekt från LCA men har utvecklats till mått som endast tar hänsyn till klimat, och med en otillfredsställande hållbarhetsprestanda i andra aspekter. Fyra metoder förkoldioxidredovisning (VCS, Gold Standard, GHG Protocol, XPRIZE Carbon Removal) har undersökts och jämförts, vilket visar skillnader i tillvägagångssättet för kvantifiering och förmer holistiska hållbarhetsaspekter. De har också analyserats i jämförelse med ”QU.A.L.ITY”-ramverket som föreslagits av Europeiska kommissionen, vilket syftar till att säkerställa kvaliteten på lösningar som skall ta bort CO2 ur atmosfären och förhindra greenwashing. Resultaten visar på bristande samstämmighet mellan klimatkompensationsstandarderna samt låg överensstämmelse med kriterierna i det föreslagna ramverket och brist på holistiskahållbarhetsperspektiv. Alger är fotosyntetiserande organismer som fixerar CO2 i samma process som markväxter. De växer snabbt och kräver inte mark eller mycket underhåll, vilket är varför algodling har föreslagits som en metod för att minska halten CO2 i atmosfären. Detta har gett upphov till en uppsjö av nystartade företag som syftar till att sälja koldioxidkompensation från system baserade på makroalger, här kallade "tångkompensationer" (seaweed offsets). Nio företag/projekt identifierades och granskades. Resultaten visar att de flesta av företagen använder system som involverar odling, medan ett företag använder vild tång. De två största teknikerna för att binda kolet fixerat i biomassan var 1) sänka tången i djuphavet och 2) göra biokol av biomassan. Det finns dock ännu inga standarder som täcker denna typ av klimatkompenseringsmetoder och dessa kompensationer är därför inte certifierade. Resultaten visar också att effektiviteten i dessa system är mycket otillförlitlig. Storaosäkerheter kvarstår när det gäller netto upptag av CO2, lagring och potentiella ekologiska effekter. Dessa osäkerheter och kunskapsluckor gör också att de föreslagna metoderna för tångkompensation kolliderar med QU.A.L.ITY-ramverket.

Atualmente é de complexa equalização o problema advindo da elevação da demanda energética e das ações antrópicas que corroboram para o aquecimento global e, neste sentido, apesar de o Brasil ser abundante em hidroeletricidade, há ainda um grande espaço para o uso de outras fontes renováveis de energia, como a biomassa residual. Na indústria, projetos de adoção de novos e eficientes processos para a redução da carga térmica, bem como o uso de biomassa e de biogás das estações de tratamentos de efluentes podem ser um diferencial no conjunto de soluções para o dilema energético-ambiental, uma vez vão ao encontro dos objetivos das políticas energéticas globais em vigência, as quais pregam a segurança e sustentabilidade. Porém, verifica-se que tais medidas ainda têm sido desprezadas por muitas empresas, pois os investimentos são ainda muito elevados, ressaltando-se ainda que, talvez por não se entender como esses projetos podem internalizar as externalidades positivas que os acompanham, essas empresas seguem alheias aos benefícios socioambientais e econômicos advindos dos créditos de carbono, que podem compensar os altos investimentos realizados em racionalização energética. Desta maneira, essa dissertação analisa a viabilidade econômica da implantação de projetos de substituição de combustíveis fósseis por biomassa renovável para geração de vapor de processos; de uso de biogás de ETEs para geração de eletricidade e de implementação de tecnologias para a redução do consumo de vapor industrial, com foco em cervejarias, considerando-se nas análises econômico-financeiras os créditos de carbono recebidos pelas reduções de emissões de gases de efeito estufa. Pelas análises de cenários, verificou-se que quando as medidas de eficiência energética reduzirem pelo menos 5% da demanda energética, com um custo de energia de pelo menos R$ 187,50/MWh, bem como reduções de consumo de energia acima de 10%, com custo energético mínimo de R$ 122,50/MWh, e preço de das RCE acima de 5,00, os projetos mencionados são viáveis, e as receitas dos créditos podem internalizar as externalidades positivas desses projetos, compensando os investimentos. / Nowadays it´s quite complex to solve the problem between energy demand growth and the human activities, which have negative, widespread effects on the global climate. In this sense, apart from the fact that Brazil adopts massivelythe hydropower, there is a large potential for the use of renewable energy sources, as biomass. In process industries, techologies for reducing thermal energy consumption associated with the use of the sustainable biomass and biogas from wastewater treatment systems can be one among other solutions for equalizing the energy-environment dilemma, also targeting the prorrogatives of the current global policies on safety and sustainable energy sypply. Anyway, such measures have still been left aside by many industries, because it´s still not properly understood regarding the way these projects can internilize their positive externalities, some enterprises keep distant from the social, economic and environmental beneffits that carbon credit projects can bring up to help them in succeeding and rationalizing energy consumption. This dissertation evaluates and assesses the economic viablitity of projects of fuel switch (from fossil fuels to renewable biomass); use of biogas from industrial wastewater treatment systems and also the implementation of technologies and processes for reducing steam comsumption, focusing on breweries. By means of economic sceneries, it´s shown that the revenues from carbon credits can significantly have positive impacts, while financial incentives, on the decision making process towards the carrying and dissemination of such projects. As demonstrated in this work, the RCE, if required in the sceneries analysed, can bring the cash flows whithin brewery IRR expectations. Hence, the model showed that when measures of energy afficiency achieve at least 5,0% with the price of energy saved is of at least R$187,50/MWh, and for measures above 10% and energy is bought at prices higher then R$ 122,50/MWh, all projects with CER prices above 5,00 viable, and can be conducted. Also, the revenues from carbon credits can make industries wake up for the fact that they can internalize the positive externalities of these projects, once the high investiments can be compensated by their carbon offsets.

Submitted by SBI Biblioteca Digital (sbi.bibliotecadigital@puc-campinas.edu.br) on 2017-02-01T11:44:11Z No. of bitstreams: 1 RODRIGO SEMERIA RUSCHEL.pdf: 4638678 bytes, checksum: d4d1202cce0328177e98030dac7e0f3d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-01T11:44:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RODRIGO SEMERIA RUSCHEL.pdf: 4638678 bytes, checksum: d4d1202cce0328177e98030dac7e0f3d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-21 / This work presents the potential of carbon sequestration and provision of other ecosystem services in the Permanent Preservation Areas along the watercourses of the city of Campinas-SP. Also, the cost associated with the carbon sequestration service was calculated and how much the municipality would benefit from creating a market for the carbon credits generated in the reforestation projects in these areas. It was shown that the commercialization of credits would cover up to 46% of the project implementation costs. In addition to carbon sequestration, the recovery of PPAs along watercourses provides additional ecosystem services to the municipality, which if contemplated in the cost-benefit analysis of reforestation projects represent the largest portion of the total benefits. Therefore, the inclusion of the benefits generated by the additional ecosystem services has proved to be fundamental to make the recovery of PPAs economically viable. / Este trabalho apresenta o potencial de fixacao de carbono e provisao de demais servicos ecossistemicos das Areas de Preservacao Permanente ao longo dos cursos d?agua do municipio de Campinas-SP. Ainda, calculou-se o custo associado ao servico de fixacao de carbono e o quanto o municipio se beneficiaria ao criar um mercado para os creditos de carbono gerados nos projetos de reflorestamento destas areas. Foi demonstrado que a comercializacao dos creditos cobriria ate 46% dos custos de implantacao dos projetos. Alem da fixacao de carbono, a recuperacao das APPs ao longo de cursos d?agua proporciona servicos ecossistemicos adicionais ao municipio, e que se contemplados na analise custo-beneficio dos projetos de reflorestamento representam a maior porcao dos beneficios totais. Portanto, a inclusao dos beneficios gerados pelos servicos ecossistemicos adicionais mostrou-se fundamental para tornar a recuperacao das APPs economicamente viavel.