Osseweijer, P.C. (2021) Feasibility of carbon neutrality in an urban context: Evaluating the case of Groningen. Master's Research Project 1, Energy and Environmental Sciences.
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Abstract
More cities present plans to reduce carbon emissions on their grounds. The Dutch city of Groningen is no exception and aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. To this end, a set of transitioning actions has been formulated. The question that arises is: can it be done? In this research, a model is developed in Excel to assess the impact of the roadmap proposed by Groningen in three categories: emissions avoided, additional upstream emissions, and required investment costs. The aim of this research is twofold: evaluating the feasibility of achieving carbon neutrality in Groningen, and, preparing an accessible and insightful tool for cities to evaluate their own plans. The Groningen roadmap was found to reduce emissions by 92.6%. Simultaneously, the investments required total to €4.4 billion to be spend before 2035. This is almost twice the €2.3 Groningen estimated for the transition. Plus, the implementation of new equipment causes upstream emissions of 1.88 MtCO2, more than Groningen currently emits in a full year. Technologically it seems feasible for Groningen to reach carbon neutrality, but the cost involved is considerable. Much is expected to be financed by households and businesses. Whether they can and will execute on the proposed actions remains questionable. The difference in cost estimations signals shortcomings in municipal decision-making. Environmental policy is held back by a lack of in-house expertise. The model developed here can help alleviate this issue.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master's Research Project 1) |
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| Supervisor name: | Hubacek, K.S. and Shan, Y. |
| Degree programme: | Energy and Environmental Sciences |
| Thesis type: | Master's Research Project 1 |
| Language: | Dutch |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Jun 2021 13:28 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Jun 2021 13:28 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/24563 |
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