Assessing the Possible Potential in Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emission: Application of a Proven Hybrid Method

Abstract

Energy evaluation together with greenhouse gas mitigation goes a long way in sustaining the growth and economy of a nation. Various evaluation methods have been adopted by researchers, academia and various country wise energy department ministries to achieve this aim. The most effective method is the hybrid evaluation method. This takes into consideration strength of a particular method to overcome the weakness of another method. This chapter focuses on a recently proven integrated method on energy and greenhouse gas studies-integrated IDA-ANN-DEA (index decomposition analysis-artificial neural network-data envelopment analysis). Case studies were exemplified using this approach in evaluating possible energy potential that could be saved in the manufacturing industries in Canada and South Africa as well as a particular food and beverage industry. Another case study focused on the amount of possible greenhouse gas that could be mitigated in the Canadian industry. The hybrid model proved very useful in its analysis. Keywords: energy, evaluation, greenhouse gas, mitigation, hybrid method, IDA-ANN-DEA Overview Energy's involvement in the growth of the economy is very crucial. The role it plays, as well as greenhouse gas, has led to various questions leading to various practices and trends in research and development (R&D). One of the leading objectives of R&D in the energy sector is to find how best to conserve energy. To achieve this objective, research trends in energy use, energy potentials, policy formulations as well as investment patterns and technology choices have been ongoing.

Application of an Integrated Model to Manufacturing Sector’s Carbon Emission

“…Manufacturing sector is a big player in GHGs emission. Hence, it has been the key focus for most countries attempting to reduce emission (Olanrewaju and Mbohwa 2017), especially in OECD and BRICS countries. Clearly, examination of manufacturing sector emissions is a good place to begin solving the problem of GHGs emission.…”

“…This will expose abatement strategies as well as enable officials to set realistic emission targets. By extension, this will ensure right policies and practices for optimal production & minimal GHG emission (Olanrewaju and Mbohwa 2017). IDA has been applied greatly in energy and emissions studies, some of such studies in recent years are presented below.…”

“…Green House Gases (GHGs) have posed major threat to human existence, sustainable growth and development; hence, there is need to reduce GHGs (Olanrewaju and Mbohwa 2017). Countries from both Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) & Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) emit about 80% of the world's GHGs (Olanrewaju and Mbohwa 2017).…”

“…Green House Gases (GHGs) have posed major threat to human existence, sustainable growth and development; hence, there is need to reduce GHGs (Olanrewaju and Mbohwa 2017). Countries from both Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) & Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) emit about 80% of the world's GHGs (Olanrewaju and Mbohwa 2017). As one of the most industrialized countries in the world, energy is core to the manufacturing process in China; as energy is a key player in industrialization (Olanrewaju 2018b) which will result in high production of GHGs; particularly for the case of China due to population and manufacturing activities (Olanrewaju 2019;Khobai and Le Roux 2017).…”