Paul Gilbert

Decarbonizing the UK energy system and the implications for UK shipping

Background: The current UK energy system relies heavily on shipped imports of fossil fuels. As climate change policies drive energy system decarbonization, fuel imports are likely to change. Results: Based upon future energy scenarios devised by the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change and a set of contrasting trading assumptions, this article explores the impact of energy system decarbonization upon freight work and CO2 emissions arising from fuel shipping. While oil and oil products are currently the most important contributors to both freight work and shipping CO2 emissions, by 2050 biofuels and biomass will become dominant energy commodities. Conclusion: The distance over which fuel travels is important and the greatest reductions in absolute CO2 emissions are achieved when fuel is sourced close to the UK.

Biofuels: balancing risks and rewards

This paper describes a framework that can be used to evaluate the environmental risks and benefits associated with biofuel production. It uses the example of biodiesel produced from Argentinean soy to show how such a framework can be used to conceptualize trade-offs between different environmental, social and economic impacts of biofuel production. Results showing the greenhouse-gas savings and overall life-cycle impact of different ‘soy-biodiesel’ production methods are presented. These impacts and the significance of uncertainty in overall assessments of key parameters, such as greenhouse-gas savings, are discussed. It is shown that, even where sufficient knowledge exists to be able to quantify these impacts, the sustainability of supply of a particular biofuel is inextricably linked to values and ethical judgements. However, tailoring certification efforts to the issues that are most likely to make a significant difference to the overall sustainability could improve the effectiveness of certification efforts. The potential for a framework to guide and focus certification efforts is discussed and future research and policy priorities suggested.

Technologies for the high seas: meeting the climate challenge

Background: Progress toward decarbonizing shipping has been slow compared with other sectors. To explore the scope for an urgent step-change cut in CO2, this paper presents results from a participatory technology roadmapping exercise. Results: Combining existing incremental and novel technologies with slow-steaming can deliver reductions in CO2 of over 50% even in the short term for existing ships. However, roadmaps for three vessel types illustrate barriers to change including the sectors complexity, infrastructure lock-in and a need for tailored market and vessel-specific roadmaps to support decision-making. Conclusions: Through technology and engineering, the outlook for the shipping sector to significantly cut its CO2 emissions, even in the short term, is promising. Nevertheless, the scale of change requires support to demonstrate how the long-term low-carbon vision offers enough benefit to overcome necessary short-term investment.

Sustainable Greenhouse Gas Reductions From Bioenergy Systems—Climate Change: A Bioenergy Driver and Constraint

Abstract The risks of climate change are clear and society is responding with a global commitment to keep global temperature increases well below 2°C. This chapter introduces the global challenge of climate change and the role bioenergy can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The chapter begins by explaining the role of greenhouse gas emissions in global warming and then explains the objectives of the various policies implemented to mitigate climate change. Seventy percent of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are from the energy sector and therefore many countries have set ambitious targets for the introduction of renewable energy into their energy mix. Bioenergy can play a significant role in the development of renewable energy, as it currently contributes over 10% of the total energy supply. Rapid deployment of bioenergy is constrained by the available resources, land availability, and appropriate sustainability practices. Here you will find an introduction to bioenergy and the potential greenhouse gas reductions which can be achieved through its application, in addition to presenting an overview of the importance of maintaining carbon stocks. Around 17% of annual anthropogenic emissions are due to land use and so further development of bioenergy must be aligned with strong controls around land use change, in order to deliver significant greenhouse gas savings.