Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-Gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria

Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-Gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria

Author: Nicholas Burger

Publisher: Rand Corporation

Published: 2014-05-20

Total Pages: 80

ISBN-13: 0833052934

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Choosing policy responses to mitigate greenhouse gases (GHGs) is one of the great challenges that the United States faces. It will require balancing cost-effectiveness and other objectives that reflect the institutional and political realities of passing major federal legislation with widespread impacts on U.S. producers and consumers. This paper develops a framework for evaluating U.S. GHG-mitigation policy that balances several criteria.


Book Synopsis Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-Gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria by : Nicholas Burger

Download or read book Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-Gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria written by Nicholas Burger and published by Rand Corporation. This book was released on 2014-05-20 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Choosing policy responses to mitigate greenhouse gases (GHGs) is one of the great challenges that the United States faces. It will require balancing cost-effectiveness and other objectives that reflect the institutional and political realities of passing major federal legislation with widespread impacts on U.S. producers and consumers. This paper develops a framework for evaluating U.S. GHG-mitigation policy that balances several criteria.


Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria

Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Choosing a set of policy responses to mitigate greenhouse gases (GHGs) responsible for climate change is one of the great challenges that the United States faces in the coming years. Many policy options emphasize overall cost-effectiveness in reducing GHG emissions. In the search for options that are effective and politically feasible, however, other concerns have comparable importance. Mitigating GHGs in practice will require balancing cost-effectiveness and other objectives that reflect the institutional and political realities of passing major federal legislation with widespread impacts on U.S. producers and consumers. This paper develops a framework for evaluating GHG-mitigation policy in the United States that balances several criteria. It draws on conceptual analysis and examples from U.S. energy policy to motivate an evaluative framework that incorporates a range of views of what constitutes "good" policy. It should be of interest to stakeholders in the GHG policymaking process and especially to those responsible for crafting U.S. climate policy.


Book Synopsis Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria by :

Download or read book Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria written by and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Choosing a set of policy responses to mitigate greenhouse gases (GHGs) responsible for climate change is one of the great challenges that the United States faces in the coming years. Many policy options emphasize overall cost-effectiveness in reducing GHG emissions. In the search for options that are effective and politically feasible, however, other concerns have comparable importance. Mitigating GHGs in practice will require balancing cost-effectiveness and other objectives that reflect the institutional and political realities of passing major federal legislation with widespread impacts on U.S. producers and consumers. This paper develops a framework for evaluating GHG-mitigation policy in the United States that balances several criteria. It draws on conceptual analysis and examples from U.S. energy policy to motivate an evaluative framework that incorporates a range of views of what constitutes "good" policy. It should be of interest to stakeholders in the GHG policymaking process and especially to those responsible for crafting U.S. climate policy.


Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Assessment: A Guidebook

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Assessment: A Guidebook

Author: Jayant A. Sathaye

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-11-21

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 9401584664

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This book describes guidelines prepared by the U.S. Country Studies Program for the evaluation of options to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. Country Studies Program developed these guidelines in collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to provide developing countries and countries with economies in transition with reference materials for national mitigation assessments. Over 50 countries participating in the program have used the guidelines, which have been refined to reflect their comments. The guidelines delineate a step-wise methodology for evaluating greenhouse gas mitigation options for the energy and non-energy sectors and describe the applications of common analytical tools. The U.S. Country Studies Program uses these guidelines in conjunction with intensive training workshops and follow up technical assistance during the lifetime of each country's study. The program uses similar reference materials to assist counties with their greenhouse gas emission inventories and evaluations of climate change vulnerability and adaptive responses. These guidelines serve three purposes: to assist countries in making decisions about the scope and methodology for mitigation assessments; to provide countries with guidance and step-by-step instructions on each element of a mitigation assessment; and to help countries determine which analytical tools are best suited to their needs and describe procedures for applying these tools. This book describes the application of the most common and readily available methods and analytical tools. Countries are encouraged, where appropriate, to use their own methods.


Book Synopsis Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Assessment: A Guidebook by : Jayant A. Sathaye

Download or read book Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Assessment: A Guidebook written by Jayant A. Sathaye and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-11-21 with total page 257 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book describes guidelines prepared by the U.S. Country Studies Program for the evaluation of options to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. Country Studies Program developed these guidelines in collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to provide developing countries and countries with economies in transition with reference materials for national mitigation assessments. Over 50 countries participating in the program have used the guidelines, which have been refined to reflect their comments. The guidelines delineate a step-wise methodology for evaluating greenhouse gas mitigation options for the energy and non-energy sectors and describe the applications of common analytical tools. The U.S. Country Studies Program uses these guidelines in conjunction with intensive training workshops and follow up technical assistance during the lifetime of each country's study. The program uses similar reference materials to assist counties with their greenhouse gas emission inventories and evaluations of climate change vulnerability and adaptive responses. These guidelines serve three purposes: to assist countries in making decisions about the scope and methodology for mitigation assessments; to provide countries with guidance and step-by-step instructions on each element of a mitigation assessment; and to help countries determine which analytical tools are best suited to their needs and describe procedures for applying these tools. This book describes the application of the most common and readily available methods and analytical tools. Countries are encouraged, where appropriate, to use their own methods.


The Greenhouse Gas Protocol

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol

Author:

Publisher: World Business Pub.

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781569735688

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The GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard helps companies and other organizations to identify, calculate, and report GHG emissions. It is designed to set the standard for accurate, complete, consistent, relevant and transparent accounting and reporting of GHG emissions.


Book Synopsis The Greenhouse Gas Protocol by :

Download or read book The Greenhouse Gas Protocol written by and published by World Business Pub.. This book was released on 2004 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard helps companies and other organizations to identify, calculate, and report GHG emissions. It is designed to set the standard for accurate, complete, consistent, relevant and transparent accounting and reporting of GHG emissions.


Assessing Economic Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Assessing Economic Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2009-05-28

Total Pages: 55

ISBN-13: 030914115X

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Many economic models exist to estimate the cost and effectiveness of different policies for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Some approaches incorporate rich technological detail, others emphasize the aggregate behavior of the economy and energy system, and some focus on impacts for specific sectors. Understandably, different approaches may be better positioned to provide particular types of information and may yield differing results, at times rendering decisions on future climate change emissions and research and development (R&D) policy difficult. Reliable estimates of the costs and benefits to the U.S. economy for various emissions reduction and adaptation strategies are critical to federal climate change R&D portfolio planning and investment decisions. At the request of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National Academies organized a workshop to consider these issues. The workshop, summarized in this volume, comprised three dimensions: policy, analysis, and economics. Discussions along these dimensions were meant to lead to constructive identification of gaps and opportunities. The workshop focused on (1) policymakers' informational needs; (2) models and other analytic approaches to meet these needs; (3) important economic considerations, including equity and discounting; and (4) opportunities to enhance analytical capabilities and better inform policy.


Book Synopsis Assessing Economic Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation by : National Research Council

Download or read book Assessing Economic Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2009-05-28 with total page 55 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many economic models exist to estimate the cost and effectiveness of different policies for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Some approaches incorporate rich technological detail, others emphasize the aggregate behavior of the economy and energy system, and some focus on impacts for specific sectors. Understandably, different approaches may be better positioned to provide particular types of information and may yield differing results, at times rendering decisions on future climate change emissions and research and development (R&D) policy difficult. Reliable estimates of the costs and benefits to the U.S. economy for various emissions reduction and adaptation strategies are critical to federal climate change R&D portfolio planning and investment decisions. At the request of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National Academies organized a workshop to consider these issues. The workshop, summarized in this volume, comprised three dimensions: policy, analysis, and economics. Discussions along these dimensions were meant to lead to constructive identification of gaps and opportunities. The workshop focused on (1) policymakers' informational needs; (2) models and other analytic approaches to meet these needs; (3) important economic considerations, including equity and discounting; and (4) opportunities to enhance analytical capabilities and better inform policy.


Risk-based Decision Support Tool for Selection and Evaluation of Negative Emissions Technologies

Risk-based Decision Support Tool for Selection and Evaluation of Negative Emissions Technologies

Author: John Frederick D. Tapia

Publisher: Infinite Study

Published:

Total Pages: 6

ISBN-13:

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As the rate at which climate change is increasing in making an impact to the planet, the need to develop and deploy technologies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions becomes increasingly necessary. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) of reducing the effects of climate change would require ambitious actions and implementation towards achieving it. Negative emissions technologies (NETs) will contribute to this goal by reducing GHG concentrations in the atmosphere. Options for NETs are available for integration into energy and climate change policies. Barriers for large-scale implementation are present in each of these technologies; risks are present when it comes to integrating them into climate change mitigation strategies. In this paper, a novel multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) tool is developed for ranking and evaluating NETs under different risk levels. The tool is based on integrating the concept of neutrosophic sets into data envelopment analysis, or neutrosophic data envelopment analysis (NDEA) to examine the consequential effect of inefficiencies and uncertainties in the characteristics of different NETs. This considers a decoupled approach to the inherent efficiency, inefficiency, and uncertainty of each technology. A case study is presented to illustrate this tool. Results show the advantages of different NETs under different levels of expert's risk attitude and perception, i.e. tolerance factors. Soil carbon sequestration technology is efficient at tolerance levels from 60 % to 100 % as presented in the results. This can be an effective tool to select which technologies is appropriate in different scenarios.


Book Synopsis Risk-based Decision Support Tool for Selection and Evaluation of Negative Emissions Technologies by : John Frederick D. Tapia

Download or read book Risk-based Decision Support Tool for Selection and Evaluation of Negative Emissions Technologies written by John Frederick D. Tapia and published by Infinite Study. This book was released on with total page 6 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As the rate at which climate change is increasing in making an impact to the planet, the need to develop and deploy technologies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions becomes increasingly necessary. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) of reducing the effects of climate change would require ambitious actions and implementation towards achieving it. Negative emissions technologies (NETs) will contribute to this goal by reducing GHG concentrations in the atmosphere. Options for NETs are available for integration into energy and climate change policies. Barriers for large-scale implementation are present in each of these technologies; risks are present when it comes to integrating them into climate change mitigation strategies. In this paper, a novel multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) tool is developed for ranking and evaluating NETs under different risk levels. The tool is based on integrating the concept of neutrosophic sets into data envelopment analysis, or neutrosophic data envelopment analysis (NDEA) to examine the consequential effect of inefficiencies and uncertainties in the characteristics of different NETs. This considers a decoupled approach to the inherent efficiency, inefficiency, and uncertainty of each technology. A case study is presented to illustrate this tool. Results show the advantages of different NETs under different levels of expert's risk attitude and perception, i.e. tolerance factors. Soil carbon sequestration technology is efficient at tolerance levels from 60 % to 100 % as presented in the results. This can be an effective tool to select which technologies is appropriate in different scenarios.


Methods for Measuring Greenhouse Gas Balances and Evaluating Mitigation Options in Smallholder Agriculture

Methods for Measuring Greenhouse Gas Balances and Evaluating Mitigation Options in Smallholder Agriculture

Author: Todd S. Rosenstock

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2016-08-23

Total Pages: 203

ISBN-13: 3319297945

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​​This book provides standards and guidelines for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions and removals in smallholder agricultural systems and comparing options for climate change mitigation based on emission reductions and livelihood trade-offs. Globally, agriculture is directly responsible for about 11% of annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and induces an additional 17% through land use change, mostly in developing countries. Farms in the developing countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia are predominately managed by smallholders, with 80% of land holdings smaller than ten hectares. However, little to no information exists on greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation potentials in smallholder agriculture. Greenhouse gas measurements in agriculture are expensive, time consuming, and error prone, challenges only exacerbated by the heterogeneity of smallholder systems and landscapes. Concerns over methodological rigor, measurement costs, and the diversity of approaches, coupled with the demand for robust information suggest it is germane for the scientific community to establish standards of measurements for quantifying GHG emissions from smallholder agriculture. Standard guidelines for use by scientists, development organizations will help generate reliable data on emissions baselines and allow rigorous comparisons of mitigation options. The guidelines described in this book, developed by the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security (CCAFS) and partners, are intended to inform anyone conducting field measurements of agricultural greenhouse gas sources and sinks, especially to develop IPCC Tier 2 emission factors or to compare mitigation options in smallholder systems.


Book Synopsis Methods for Measuring Greenhouse Gas Balances and Evaluating Mitigation Options in Smallholder Agriculture by : Todd S. Rosenstock

Download or read book Methods for Measuring Greenhouse Gas Balances and Evaluating Mitigation Options in Smallholder Agriculture written by Todd S. Rosenstock and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-08-23 with total page 203 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ​​This book provides standards and guidelines for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions and removals in smallholder agricultural systems and comparing options for climate change mitigation based on emission reductions and livelihood trade-offs. Globally, agriculture is directly responsible for about 11% of annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and induces an additional 17% through land use change, mostly in developing countries. Farms in the developing countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia are predominately managed by smallholders, with 80% of land holdings smaller than ten hectares. However, little to no information exists on greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation potentials in smallholder agriculture. Greenhouse gas measurements in agriculture are expensive, time consuming, and error prone, challenges only exacerbated by the heterogeneity of smallholder systems and landscapes. Concerns over methodological rigor, measurement costs, and the diversity of approaches, coupled with the demand for robust information suggest it is germane for the scientific community to establish standards of measurements for quantifying GHG emissions from smallholder agriculture. Standard guidelines for use by scientists, development organizations will help generate reliable data on emissions baselines and allow rigorous comparisons of mitigation options. The guidelines described in this book, developed by the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security (CCAFS) and partners, are intended to inform anyone conducting field measurements of agricultural greenhouse gas sources and sinks, especially to develop IPCC Tier 2 emission factors or to compare mitigation options in smallholder systems.


Improving the Energy Performance of Buildings

Improving the Energy Performance of Buildings

Author: Charles P. Ries

Publisher: Rand Corporation

Published: 2009-09-21

Total Pages: 61

ISBN-13: 0833048724

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This study examines how policies to increase energy efficiency in buildings in the European Union and Australia have worked and draws implications for the design of similar public policies for the United States. It appears that effective policies to promote energy efficiency can be devised using information disclosure, building codes, financial incentives, and benchmarking. Insights are presented to help designers of analogous U.S. policies.


Book Synopsis Improving the Energy Performance of Buildings by : Charles P. Ries

Download or read book Improving the Energy Performance of Buildings written by Charles P. Ries and published by Rand Corporation. This book was released on 2009-09-21 with total page 61 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study examines how policies to increase energy efficiency in buildings in the European Union and Australia have worked and draws implications for the design of similar public policies for the United States. It appears that effective policies to promote energy efficiency can be devised using information disclosure, building codes, financial incentives, and benchmarking. Insights are presented to help designers of analogous U.S. policies.


Climate Change and Developing Countries

Climate Change and Developing Countries

Author: Nijavalli H. Ravindranath

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2005-12-16

Total Pages: 294

ISBN-13: 030647980X

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Among global environmental issues, climate change has received the largest attention of national and global policy makers, researchers, industry, multilateral banks and NGOs. Climate change is one of the most important global environmental problems with unique characteristics. It is global, long-term (up to several centuries) and involves complex interactions between climatic, environmental, economic, political, institutional and technological pressures. It is of great significance to developing countries as all the available knowledge suggests that they, and particularly their poorer inhabitants, are highly vulnerable to climate impacts. The projected warming of 1. 4 to 5. 8° C by 2100 and the related changes in rainfall pattern, rise in sea-level and increased frequency of extreme events (such as drought, hurricanes and storms) are likely to threaten food security, increase fresh water scarcity, lead to decline in biodiversity, increase occurrence of vector-borne diseases, cause flooding of coastal settlements, etc. Recognizing the potential threat of severe disruptions, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was organized in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to begin to address ways to reduce these impacts, which led to the formulation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This Convention and the subsequent Kyoto Protocol recognize “the common but differentiated responsibility” of developing and industrialized countries in addressing climate change. Developing countries thus have a unique role to play in formulating a sound, reasoned, and well informed response to the threat of climate change.


Book Synopsis Climate Change and Developing Countries by : Nijavalli H. Ravindranath

Download or read book Climate Change and Developing Countries written by Nijavalli H. Ravindranath and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2005-12-16 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Among global environmental issues, climate change has received the largest attention of national and global policy makers, researchers, industry, multilateral banks and NGOs. Climate change is one of the most important global environmental problems with unique characteristics. It is global, long-term (up to several centuries) and involves complex interactions between climatic, environmental, economic, political, institutional and technological pressures. It is of great significance to developing countries as all the available knowledge suggests that they, and particularly their poorer inhabitants, are highly vulnerable to climate impacts. The projected warming of 1. 4 to 5. 8° C by 2100 and the related changes in rainfall pattern, rise in sea-level and increased frequency of extreme events (such as drought, hurricanes and storms) are likely to threaten food security, increase fresh water scarcity, lead to decline in biodiversity, increase occurrence of vector-borne diseases, cause flooding of coastal settlements, etc. Recognizing the potential threat of severe disruptions, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was organized in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to begin to address ways to reduce these impacts, which led to the formulation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This Convention and the subsequent Kyoto Protocol recognize “the common but differentiated responsibility” of developing and industrialized countries in addressing climate change. Developing countries thus have a unique role to play in formulating a sound, reasoned, and well informed response to the threat of climate change.


Scarcity and Frontiers

Scarcity and Frontiers

Author: Edward B. Barbier

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2010-12-23

Total Pages: 767

ISBN-13: 1139493469

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Throughout much of history, a critical driving force behind global economic development has been the response of society to the scarcity of key natural resources. Increasing scarcity raises the cost of exploiting existing natural resources and creates incentives in all economies to innovate and conserve more of these resources. However, economies have also responded to increasing scarcity by obtaining and developing more of these resources. Since the agricultural transition over 12,000 years ago, this exploitation of new 'frontiers' has often proved to be a pivotal human response to natural resource scarcity. This book provides a fascinating account of the contribution that natural resource exploitation has made to economic development in key eras of world history. This not only fills an important gap in the literature on economic history but also shows how we can draw lessons from these past epochs for attaining sustainable economic development in the world today.


Book Synopsis Scarcity and Frontiers by : Edward B. Barbier

Download or read book Scarcity and Frontiers written by Edward B. Barbier and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2010-12-23 with total page 767 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Throughout much of history, a critical driving force behind global economic development has been the response of society to the scarcity of key natural resources. Increasing scarcity raises the cost of exploiting existing natural resources and creates incentives in all economies to innovate and conserve more of these resources. However, economies have also responded to increasing scarcity by obtaining and developing more of these resources. Since the agricultural transition over 12,000 years ago, this exploitation of new 'frontiers' has often proved to be a pivotal human response to natural resource scarcity. This book provides a fascinating account of the contribution that natural resource exploitation has made to economic development in key eras of world history. This not only fills an important gap in the literature on economic history but also shows how we can draw lessons from these past epochs for attaining sustainable economic development in the world today.