Carbon footprint and its calculation methods with emphasis on electricity generation from renewable and fossil sources.

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Master of Science (MSc) Student, Department of Renewable Energies and Environment, Faculty of New Science and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Renewable Energies and Environment, Faculty of New Science and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Many evidences of climate changes suggest that humanity must be concerned about the future. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is at its highest in the past six hundred and fifty thousand years, and is rising steadily. Following an increase in emissions of greenhouse gases, drought, famine, an increase in ocean water levels is only part of the predictable consequences of this issue. The energy sector has a significant share in greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Climate Change Convention, Iran ranked the world's seventh largest carbon dioxide producer in 2017. According to the Paris Summit, to limit the increase in ground temperature to two degrees Celsius, emissions from the energy sector should be reduced to 40%. Given that fossil fuels are a major source of energy production, the use of renewable energies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and measure emissions through carbon footprint can help reduce the effects of climate change. By calculating the carbon footprint stored when using renewable energies instead of fossil fuels and taking into account the environmental benefits and hence the lower costs that this type of energy imposes on the environment It is possible to understand the beneficial effects of using renewable energies in a more intelligible way. This paper reviews the history and methods of calculating the carbon footprint, as well as studies on the calculation of carbon dioxide emissions in the production of electricity from fossil fuels and renewable energy. Carbon footprint analysis can help person understand the effects of human activity and organizations on the environment and provide scientific resources to reduce carbon emissions and climate change in countries.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Renewable and New Energy
Volume 6, Issue 2 - Serial Number 12
September 2019
Pages 31-41

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 November 2018
  • Revise Date: 23 November 2018
  • Accept Date: 01 January 2019

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