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Comparison of 87 CO2 reduction projects

Comparison of 87 CO2 reduction projects

 

Table of Contents

1:What is “Project Drawdown”?

2:Comparison of reductions in CO2 emissions per person per day

3:Comparison of CO2 emission reductions per person per year

Stop climate change

1:What is “Project Drawdown”?

We mainly used data from Japan’s Ministry of the Environment on “Would you still bring your luggage on board a plane after looking at this data?” to compare CO2 emission reductions per person per day. This time, we will use data from “Project Drawdown” to compare with more CO2 emission reduction projects.

“Project Drawdown” brought together an international group of 190 researchers, experts, and scientists to compile realistic and bold solutions to climate change. The results were collected and published in the book Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. Based on in-depth research by the world’s leading scientists and policymakers, the book is highly acclaimed around the world as a comprehensive set of solutions for the years 2020-2050.

We can find the latest data at “Project Drawdown(https://drawdown.org)“. We used this latest data to compare the CO2 emission reductions that could be achieved by stopping the use of 20 kg of luggage on airplanes when traveling to Japan with each of the climate change measures proposed in the book. The data we used is from Scenario 1, a scenario that limits the temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius by 2100. The Project Drawdown also includes Scenario 2, which limits temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

 

Reduction in CO2 emissions(Drawdown Scenario 1 and 2)

SOLUTIONSECTOR(S)SCENARIO 1SCENARIO 2
Gigatons CO2 Equivalent Reduced / Sequestered (2020–2050)
1Reduced Food WasteFood, Agriculture, and Land Use / Land Sinks88.5102.2
2Plant-Rich DietsFood, Agriculture, and Land Use / Land Sinks78.3103.1
3Family Planning and EducationHealth and Education68.968.9
4Refrigerant ManagementIndustry / Buildings57.257.2
5Tropical Forest RestorationLand Sinks54.585.1
6Onshore Wind TurbinesElectricity47.0143.6
7Alternative RefrigerantsIndustry / Buildings42.748.8
8Utility-Scale Solar PhotovoltaicsElectricity40.8111.6
9Clean CookingBuildings31.476.3
10Distributed Solar PhotovoltaicsElectricity26.764.9
11SilvopastureLand Sinks26.642.3
12Methane Leak ManagementOther Energy25.831.3
13Peatland Protection and RewettingFood, Agriculture, and Land Use / Land Sinks25.440.3
14Tree Plantations (on Degraded Land)Land Sinks22.035.1
15Temperate Forest RestorationLand Sinks19.427.9
16Concentrated Solar PowerElectricity18.021.5
17Perennial Staple CropsLand Sinks16.332.9
18InsulationElectricity / Buildings15.418.5
19Regenerative Annual CroppingFood, Agriculture, and Land Use / Land Sinks15.123.2
20Tree IntercroppingLand Sinks15.024.4
21LED LightingElectricity14.515.7
22Managed GrazingLand Sinks13.720.9
23Multistrata AgroforestryLand Sinks13.323.9
24Conservation AgricultureFood, Agriculture, and Land Use / Land Sinks12.88.1
25Abandoned Farmland RestorationLand Sinks12.520.3
26RecyclingIndustry10.411.3
27Offshore Wind TurbinesElectricity10.29.9
28Improved Rice ProductionFood, Agriculture, and Land Use / Land Sinks9.914.4
29Building Automation SystemsElectricity / Buildings9.614.0
30Public TransitTransportation9.415.4
31Efficient TrucksTransportation9.210.8
32CarpoolingTransportation9.111.1
33High-Performance GlassElectricity / Buildings8.811.3
34Indigenous Peoples’ Forest TenureFood, Agriculture, and Land Use / Land Sinks8.712.5
35Bamboo ProductionLand Sinks7.719.6
36Alternative CementIndustry7.715.6
37Electric CarsTransportation7.79.8
38Smart ThermostatsElectricity / Buildings6.97.3
39Efficient Ocean ShippingTransportation6.79.8
40Waste to EnergyElectricity / Industry6.35.2
41District HeatingElectricity / Buildings6.29.7
42Geothermal PowerElectricity6.29.2
43Methane DigestersElectricity / Industry6.07.1
44Forest ProtectionFood, Agriculture, and Land Use / Land Sinks5.68.8
45Efficient AviationTransportation5.35.8
46Biogas for CookingBuildings4.79.7
47Improved Cattle FeedFood, Agriculture, and Land Use4.415.1
48Recycled MetalsIndustry4.312.3
49High-Efficiency Heat PumpsElectricity / Buildings4.09.1
50Perennial Biomass ProductionLand Sinks4.07.0
51Seafloor ProtectionFood, Agriculture, and Land Use3.85.1
52Reduced PlasticsIndustry3.85.4
53Solar Hot WaterElectricity / Buildings3.413.7
54Grassland ProtectionFood, Agriculture, and Land Use / Land Sinks3.44.3
55Improved Manure ManagementFood, Agriculture, and Land Use3.36.1
56Nuclear PowerElectricity3.23.6
57System of Rice IntensificationFood, Agriculture, and Land Use / Land Sinks2.94.4
58Walkable CitiesTransportation2.83.5
59Nutrient ManagementFood, Agriculture, and Land Use2.811.5
60Bicycle InfrastructureTransportation2.74.6
61TelepresenceTransportation2.64.4
62Biomass PowerElectricity2.63.6
63Macroalgae Protection and RestorationCoastal and Ocean Sinks2.63.8
64Seaweed FarmingCoastal and Ocean Sinks / Coastal and Ocean Sinks2.54.7
65Recycled PaperIndustry2.32.9
66Electric TrainsTransportation1.93.3
67Small HydropowerElectricity1.73.2
68Hybrid CarsTransportation1.64.7
69Electric BicyclesTransportation1.41.6
70Biochar ProductionEngineered Sinks1.43.0
71Sustainable Intensification for SmallholdersFood, Agriculture, and Land Use / Land Sinks1.40.7
72BioplasticsIndustry1.32.5
73Ocean PowerElectricity1.30.8
74High-Speed RailTransportation1.33.6
75Coastal Wetland ProtectionFood, Agriculture, and Land Use / Coastal and Ocean Sinks1.21.6
76Farm Irrigation EfficiencyFood, Agriculture, and Land Use1.12.1
77CompostingIndustry1.11.4
78Improved FisheriesFood, Agriculture, and Land Use / Coastal and Ocean Sinks1.01.5
79Low-Flow FixturesElectricity / Buildings0.91.5
80Coastal Wetland RestorationCoastal and Ocean Sinks0.81.0
81Water Distribution EfficiencyElectricity0.60.9
82Green and Cool RoofsElectricity / Buildings0.51.0
83Recycled PlasticsIndustry0.51.7
84Improved AquacultureFood, Agriculture, and Land Use0.50.8
85Dynamic GlassElectricity / Buildings0.30.5
86Micro Wind TurbinesElectricity0.10.1
Total1,047.01,638.7

Source: Project Drawdown

 

forest fire (on a mountain)

 

2:Comparison of reductions in CO2 emissions per person per day

In calculating the per capita CO2 emission reductions in Project Drawdown, we used the world population as of 2020 (7.82 billion), the OECD population (1.37 billion), and the population of high-income countries (1.24 billion). income country populations were used because developed countries have more CO2 emissions than developed countries and therefore have more room to reduce their CO2 emissions. Note that in 2019 data, the OECD accounts for 34% of global CO2 emissions, and High-income countries account for 35%.

The largest CO2 reduction per person per day is in Reduced Food Waste, the second largest is in Plant-Rich Diets by calculating the 86 CO2 reduction projects listed in the Project Drawdown (data from Scenario 1). The reduction in daily CO2 emissions from “Reduced Food Waste” is 1.0 kg per capita for the global population, 5.9 kg per capita for the OECD population, and 6.5 kg per capita for the population of high-income countries.

Food waste

As we analyzed in “Would you still bring your luggage on board a plane after looking at this data?“, the CO2 emission reduction (one-way average from 19 countries) of not carrying 20 kg of luggage on airplanes when traveling to Japan is 74.5 kg. This 74.5 kg is more than 10 times more effective than any CO2 emission reduction effect listed in “Project Drawdown”.

 

Daily CO2 emissions reduction per capita (kg)

SOLUTIONWorld populationOECD polurationHigh income population
Reduced 20kg luggage (One way to Japan)74.5074.5074.50
Reduced Food Waste1.035.906.51
Plant-Rich Diets0.915.225.76
Family Planning and Education0.804.595.07
Refrigerant Management0.673.814.21
Tropical Forest Restoration0.643.634.01
Onshore Wind Turbines0.553.133.46
Alternative Refrigerants0.502.853.14
Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaics0.482.723.00
Clean Cooking0.372.092.31
Distributed Solar Photovoltaics0.311.781.96
Silvopasture0.311.771.96
Methane Leak Management0.301.721.90
Peatland Protection and Rewetting0.301.691.87
Tree Plantations (on Degraded Land)0.261.471.62
Temperate Forest Restoration0.231.291.43
Concentrated Solar Power0.211.201.32
Perennial Staple Crops0.191.091.20
Insulation0.181.031.13
Regenerative Annual Cropping0.181.011.11
Tree Intercropping0.181.001.11
LED Lighting0.170.961.06
Managed Grazing0.160.911.01
Multistrata Agroforestry0.150.880.98
Conservation Agriculture0.150.850.94
Abandoned Farmland Restoration0.150.830.92
Recycling0.120.690.76
Offshore Wind Turbines0.120.680.75
Improved Rice Production0.120.660.72
Building Automation Systems0.110.640.70
Public Transit0.110.630.69
Efficient Trucks0.110.610.67
Carpooling0.110.600.67
High-Performance Glass0.100.590.65
Indigenous Peoples’ Forest Tenure0.100.580.64
Bamboo Production0.090.510.57
Alternative Cement0.090.510.57
Electric Cars0.090.510.56
Smart Thermostats0.080.460.51
Efficient Ocean Shipping0.080.450.49
Waste to Energy0.070.420.46
District Heating0.070.410.45
Geothermal Power0.070.410.45
Methane Digesters0.070.400.44
Forest Protection0.060.370.41
Efficient Aviation0.060.350.39
Biogas for Cooking0.050.310.34
Improved Cattle Feed0.050.290.33
Recycled Metals0.050.290.32
High-Efficiency Heat Pumps0.050.270.30
Perennial Biomass Production0.050.270.29
Seafloor Protection0.040.250.28
Reduced Plastics0.040.250.28
Solar Hot Water0.040.230.25
Grassland Protection0.040.220.25
Improved Manure Management0.040.220.25
Nuclear Power0.040.210.23
System of Rice Intensification0.030.190.21
Walkable Cities0.030.190.21
Nutrient Management0.030.180.20
Bicycle Infrastructure0.030.180.20
Telepresence0.030.180.19
Biomass Power0.030.170.19
Macroalgae Protection and Restoration0.030.170.19
Seaweed Farming0.030.170.18
Recycled Paper0.030.150.17
Electric Trains0.020.130.14
Small Hydropower0.020.110.12
Hybrid Cars0.020.110.12
Electric Bicycles0.020.090.10
Biochar Production0.020.090.10
Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders0.020.090.10
Bioplastics0.020.090.10
Ocean Power0.010.080.09
High-Speed Rail0.010.080.09
Coastal Wetland Protection0.010.080.09
Farm Irrigation Efficiency0.010.080.08
Composting0.010.080.08
Improved Fisheries0.010.070.07
Low-Flow Fixtures0.010.060.07
Coastal Wetland Restoration0.010.050.06
Water Distribution Efficiency0.010.040.04
Green and Cool Roofs0.010.040.04
Recycled Plastics0.010.030.04
Improved Aquaculture0.010.030.04
Dynamic Glass0.0040.020.03
Micro Wind Turbines0.0010.010.01

Source: Project Drawdown, Japan Tourism Agency, Worldometer, World Bank Data, ECTA, and our calculations

Note: Calculations based on Scenario 1 of Project Drawdown

 

Daily-CO2-emissions-reduction-per-capita

Source: Project Drawdown, Japan Tourism Agency, Worldometer, World Bank Data, ECTA, and our calculations

Note: Per capita reduction is calculated based on the population of Scenario 1, High-income countries in Project Drawdown. “Reduced 20kg luggage” is the reduction in CO2 emissions when 20kg of luggage is not carried on board an airplane for travel to Japan (the average one-way trip from 19 countries).

 

3:Comparison of CO2 emission reductions per person per year

According to Japan’s Japan Tourism Agency’s “Consumption Trends of Foreign Visitors to Japan (2019),” foreigners visited Japan an average of 1.8 times per year. Based on the flight distance from 19 countries, the number of visitors to Japan, and the number of visits per year, the reduction in CO2 emissions per year (1.8 visits on average) resulting from one traveler not carrying 20 kg of luggage on board an airplane is 137 kg.

 

Annual CO2 emissions reduction per capita (kg)

SOLUTIONWorld populationOECD polurationHigh income population
1Reduced Food Waste377.22,152.92,377.3
2Plant-Rich Diets333.81,905.52,104.1
3Family Planning and Education293.71,676.11,850.8
4Refrigerant Management243.61,390.31,535.2
5Tropical Forest Restoration232.11,324.61,462.6
6Onshore Wind Turbines200.11,142.11,261.2
7Alternative Refrigerants182.11,039.51,147.8
8Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaics174.0993.31,096.8
Reduced 20kg luggage (1.8 round-trip to Japan)136.6
9Clean Cooking133.7763.4842.9
10Distributed Solar Photovoltaics113.6648.3715.9
11Silvopasture113.3646.6714.0
12Methane Leak Management110.1628.4693.9
13Peatland Protection and Rewetting108.3617.9682.3
14Tree Plantations (on Degraded Land)93.9536.2592.0
15Temperate Forest Restoration82.8472.4521.7
16Concentrated Solar Power76.7437.9483.5
17Perennial Staple Crops69.6397.5438.9
18Insulation65.6374.1413.1
19Regenerative Annual Cropping64.4367.8406.2
20Tree Intercropping64.1365.6403.7
21LED Lighting61.6351.5388.2
22Managed Grazing58.5333.8368.5
23Multistrata Agroforestry56.5322.6356.2
24Conservation Agriculture54.6311.6344.1
25Abandoned Farmland Restoration53.2303.6335.2
26Recycling44.2252.0278.3
27Offshore Wind Turbines43.6248.6274.5
28Improved Rice Production42.0239.6264.6
29Building Automation Systems40.7232.3256.5
30Public Transit40.1229.2253.0
31Efficient Trucks39.0222.6245.8
32Carpooling38.6220.4243.4
33High-Performance Glass37.6214.6236.9
34Indigenous Peoples’ Forest Tenure37.0211.4233.4
35Bamboo Production32.8187.3206.8
36Alternative Cement32.8187.3206.8
37Electric Cars32.6186.3205.8
38Smart Thermostats29.5168.1185.6
39Efficient Ocean Shipping28.6163.5180.5
40Waste to Energy26.7152.5168.4
41District Heating26.3150.3166.0
42Geothermal Power26.2149.6165.2
43Methane Digesters25.7146.4161.7
Reduced 20kg luggage (1.8 round-trip to Japan)136.6
44Forest Protection23.7135.0149.1
45Efficient Aviation22.5128.7142.1
Reduced 20kg luggage (1.8 round-trip to Japan)136.6
46Biogas for Cooking19.8113.1124.9
47Improved Cattle Feed18.8107.5118.7
48Recycled Metals18.4104.8115.8
49High-Efficiency Heat Pumps17.298.3108.5
50Perennial Biomass Production17.097.3107.4
51Seafloor Protection16.292.4102.1
52Reduced Plastics16.091.5101.0
53Solar Hot Water14.583.091.6
54Grassland Protection14.381.590.0
55Improved Manure Management14.281.389.7
56Nuclear Power13.577.185.2
57System of Rice Intensification12.470.577.9
58Walkable Cities12.168.876.0
59Nutrient Management11.867.474.4
60Bicycle Infrastructure11.666.473.3
61Telepresence11.364.270.9
62Biomass Power11.263.770.4
63Macroalgae Protection and Restoration11.163.570.1
64Seaweed Farming10.760.867.2
65Recycled Paper9.755.561.2
66Electric Trains8.146.551.3
67Small Hydropower7.040.144.3
68Hybrid Cars6.939.243.2
69Electric Bicycles5.933.837.3
70Biochar Production5.833.136.5
71Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders5.833.136.5
72Bioplastics5.732.435.7
73Ocean Power5.430.934.1
74High-Speed Rail5.430.733.8
75Coastal Wetland Protection5.129.232.2
76Farm Irrigation Efficiency4.827.530.4
77Composting4.827.530.4
78Improved Fisheries4.324.627.1
79Low-Flow Fixtures4.022.625.0
80Coastal Wetland Restoration3.218.520.4
81Water Distribution Efficiency2.614.816.4
82Green and Cool Roofs2.312.914.2
83Recycled Plastics2.212.614.0
84Improved Aquaculture2.112.213.4
85Dynamic Glass1.48.39.1
86Micro Wind Turbines0.42.22.4

Source: Project Drawdown, Japan Tourism Agency, Worldometer, World Bank Data, ECTA, and our calculations

Note: Calculations based on Scenario 1 of Project Drawdown

 

Annual CO2 emissions reduction per capita

Note: CO2 emissions reductions per capita are calculated based on Scenario 1 of Project Drawdown and the world population. “Reduced 20kg luggage” is the CO2 emissions reduction effect of stopping loading 20kg of luggage on airplanes when traveling to Japan (one-way average from 19 countries).

 

Comparing this reduction of 137 kg to 86 different CO2 reduction projects proposed by “Project Drawdown,” it is the 9th per capita worldwide, the 44th per capita in the OECD, and the 46th per capita in high-income countries. This is a pretty good ranking among the “100 Ways to Reverse Global Warming” selected by the world’s scientists. The effect of reducing the amount of luggage carried on board airplanes is extremely significant.

Moreover, the “Project Drawdown” includes the projects of CO2 reduction by 2050, even by using incomplete technology. We can do right now to reduce the amount of luggage carried on board airplanes. Furthermore, reducing the amount of baggage carried on board eliminates the need to prepare, transport, wash and put away clothing. It also makes travel easier for the elderly, the disabled, and families with children to bridge the travel divide. Let’s start immediately to reduce the amount of luggage carried on board airplanes, which is a good thing.

heavy luggage

 

 

 

 

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