Climate

22 pages, 3676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Energy System Modelling for a Clean Energy Transition and Improved Energy Security in Botswana’s Energy Sector Using the Open-Source Energy Modelling System

by Ranea Saad, Fernando Plazas-Niño, Carla Cannone, Rudolf Yeganyan, Mark Howells and Hannah Luscombe

Climate 2024, 12(6), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12060088 - 14 Jun 2024

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Abstract

This research examines Botswana’s significant reliance on coal and imported fossil fuels for electricity generation, contributing to high carbon emissions and energy insecurity influenced by volatile fuel prices and supply challenges. The study utilizes the Open-Source Energy Modelling System (OSeMOSYS) to explore cost-effective [...] Read more.

This research examines Botswana’s significant reliance on coal and imported fossil fuels for electricity generation, contributing to high carbon emissions and energy insecurity influenced by volatile fuel prices and supply challenges. The study utilizes the Open-Source Energy Modelling System (OSeMOSYS) to explore cost-effective renewable energy strategies to meet Botswana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and enhance energy security by 2050, analysing six scenarios: Least Cost (LC), Business-As-Usual (BAU), Net Zero by 2050 (NZ), Coal Phase Out by 2045 (CPO), Fossil Fuel Phase Out by 2045 (FFPO), and Import Phase Out by 2045 (IMPPO). Our key findings highlight the critical role of solar technologies—photovoltaic (PV), storage, and concentrated solar power (CSP)—in transitioning to a sustainable energy future, especially under the Net Zero and Import Phase Out scenarios. This research demonstrates the economic and environmental benefits of transitioning away from fossil fuels, with the Fossil Fuel Phase Out scenario yielding a USD 31 million saving over the Business-As-Usual approach and reducing investment costs by USD 2 billion, albeit with a slight increase in light fuel oil imports. The study underscores the need for substantial capital investments, particularly in the Net Zero and Import Phase Out scenarios, necessitating private sector financing. Policy recommendations include adopting detailed strategies for solar PV and storage expansion, updating renewable energy targets, phasing out coal and natural gas, and bolstering the regulatory framework. These strategies are crucial for Botswana to achieve decarbonization and energy independence, aligning with global climate goals and national energy security objectives. Full article

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19 pages, 3948 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysing the Transformative Changes of Nationally Determined Contributions and Long-Term Targets

by Panagiotis Fragkos, Dirk-Jan van de Ven, Russell Horowitz and Eleftheria Zisarou

Climate 2024, 12(6), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12060087 - 11 Jun 2024

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Abstract

As the imperative to address climate change intensifies, understanding the effectiveness of policy interventions becomes paramount. In the context of addressing these urgent challenges and given the inadequacy of current policies to address this issue, this study examines the extent to which Nationally [...] Read more.

As the imperative to address climate change intensifies, understanding the effectiveness of policy interventions becomes paramount. In the context of addressing these urgent challenges and given the inadequacy of current policies to address this issue, this study examines the extent to which Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long-Term Targets (LTTs) can contribute to achieving ambitious climate goals. Recognizing the critical need for effective climate action, we employ the advanced modelling tools PROMETHEUS and GCAM to assess the implications of different scenarios–Current Policies (CP), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), and combination of NDCs with Long-Term Targets (NDC_LTT)–on the future development of energy system and emission. This study, by employing these well-known models, seeks to provide an improved understanding of the impacts of NDCs on global emission trajectories and whether the integration of NDCs and LTTs can help close the gap towards Paris-compatible pathways. The study analyzes various sectors including buildings, transportation, electricity generation, and industry to provide insights into the limitations of existing policies and the potential of enhanced commitments to drive transformative changes in a global scale. The effectiveness of these policies varies across different sectors, highlighting the challenges that need to be addressed for achieving the required emission reduction targets in the medium- and long-term. Key findings indicate significant shifts in energy consumption, fuel mix, technology adoption, and emission trajectories, particularly under the synergistic action represented by the NDC_LTT scenario. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Climate and Economics)

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18 pages, 10659 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Homogenization of the Long Instrumental Daily-Temperature Series in Padua, Italy (1725–2023)

by Claudio Stefanini, Francesca Becherini, Antonio della Valle and Dario Camuffo

Climate 2024, 12(6), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12060086 - 7 Jun 2024

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Abstract

The Padua temperature series is one of the longest in the world, as daily observations started in 1725 and have continued almost unbroken to the present. Previous works recovered readings from the original logs, and digitalized and corrected observations from errors due to [...] Read more.

The Padua temperature series is one of the longest in the world, as daily observations started in 1725 and have continued almost unbroken to the present. Previous works recovered readings from the original logs, and digitalized and corrected observations from errors due to instruments, calibrations, sampling times and exposure. However, the series underwent some changes (location, elevation, observing protocols, and different averaging methods) that affected the homogeneity between sub-series. The aim of this work is to produce a homogenized temperature series for Padua, starting from the results of previous works, and connecting all the periods available. The homogenization of the observations has been carried out with respect to the modern era. A newly released paleo-reanalysis dataset, ModE-RA, is exploited to connect the most ancient data to the recent ones. In particular, the following has been carried out: the 1774–2023 daily mean temperature has been homogenized to the modern data; for the first time, the daily values of 1765–1773 have been merged and homogenized; and the daily observations of the 1725–1764 period have been connected and homogenized to the rest of the series. Snowfall observations, extracted from the same logs from which the temperatures were retrieved, help to verify the robustness of the homogenization procedure by looking at the temperature frequency distribution on snowy days, before and after the correction. The possibility of adding new measurements with no need to apply transformations or homogenization procedures makes it very easy to update the time series and make it immediately available for climate change analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Importance of Long Climate Records)

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21 pages, 3735 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decarbonising the EU Buildings|Model-Based Insights from European Countries

by Theofano Fotiou, Panagiotis Fragkos and Eleftheria Zisarou

Climate 2024, 12(6), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12060085 - 7 Jun 2024

Viewed by 538

Abstract

The European Union faces the pressing challenge of decarbonising the buildings sector to meet its climate neutrality goal by 2050. Buildings are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through energy consumption for heating and cooling. This study uses the advanced PRIMES-BuiMo model [...] Read more.

The European Union faces the pressing challenge of decarbonising the buildings sector to meet its climate neutrality goal by 2050. Buildings are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through energy consumption for heating and cooling. This study uses the advanced PRIMES-BuiMo model to develop state-of-the-art innovative pathways and strategies to decarbonise the EU buildings sector, providing insights into energy consumption patterns, renovation rates and equipment replacement dynamics in the EU and in two representative Member States, Sweden and Greece. The model-based analysis shows that the EU’s transition towards climate neutrality requires significant investment in energy efficiency of buildings combined with decarbonisation of the fuel mix, mostly through the uptake of electric heat pumps replacing the use of fossil fuels. The Use Case also demonstrates that targeted policy interventions considering the national context and specificities are required to ensure an efficient and sustainable transition to zero-emission buildings. The analysis of transformational strategies in Greece and Sweden provides an improved understanding of the role of country-specific characteristics on policy effectiveness so as to inform more targeted and contextually appropriate approaches to decarbonise the buildings sector across the EU. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Climate and Economics)

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12 pages, 2622 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Atmospheric Blocking Events over the Southeast Pacific and Southwest Atlantic Oceans in the CMIP6 Present-Day Climate

by Vanessa Ferreira, Osmar Toledo Bonfim, Luca Mortarini, Roilan Hernandez Valdes, Felipe Denardin Costa and Rafael Maroneze

Climate 2024, 12(6), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12060084 - 6 Jun 2024

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Abstract

This study examines the representation of blocking events in the Southeast Pacific and Southwest Atlantic regions using a set of 13 global climate models from phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). Historical runs were employed to analyze blocking conditions in [...] Read more.

This study examines the representation of blocking events in the Southeast Pacific and Southwest Atlantic regions using a set of 13 global climate models from phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). Historical runs were employed to analyze blocking conditions in the recent past climate, spanning from 1985 to 2014, with ERA5 data utilized to represent observed blocking events. The majority of CMIP6 models underestimate the total number of blocking events in the Southeast Pacific. The MPI–ESM1–2–HR and MPI–ESM1–2–LR models come closest to replicating the number of blocking events observed in ERA5, with underestimations of approximately −10% and −9%, respectively. Nonetheless, these models successfully capture the seasonality and overall duration of blocking events, as well as accurately represent the position of blocking heights over the Southeast Pacific. Conversely, CMIP6 models perform poorly in representing blocking climatology in the Southwest Atlantic. These models both overestimate and underestimate the total number of blocking events by more than 25% compared to ERA5. Furthermore, they struggle to reproduce the seasonal distribution of blockings and face challenges in accurately representing the duration of blocking events observed in ERA5. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Climate Dynamics and Modelling)

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16 pages, 5550 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Added Value of Statistical Seasonal Forecasts

by Folmer Krikken, Gertie Geertsema, Kristian Nielsen and Alberto Troccoli

Climate 2024, 12(6), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12060083 - 4 Jun 2024

Viewed by 504

Abstract

Seasonal climate predictions can assist with timely preparations for extreme episodes, such as dry or wet periods that have associated additional risks of droughts, fires and challenges for water management. Timely warnings for extreme warm summers or cold winters can aid in preparing [...] Read more.

Seasonal climate predictions can assist with timely preparations for extreme episodes, such as dry or wet periods that have associated additional risks of droughts, fires and challenges for water management. Timely warnings for extreme warm summers or cold winters can aid in preparing for increased energy demand. We analyse seasonal forecasts produced by three different methods: (1) a multi-linear statistical forecasting system based on observations only; (2) a non-linear random forest model based on observations only; and (3) process-based dynamical forecast models. The statistical model is an empirical system based on multiple linear regression that is extended to include the trend over the previous 3 months in the predictors, and overfitting is further reduced by using an intermediate multiple linear regression model. This results in a significantly improved El Niño forecast skill, specifically in spring. Also, the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) index forecast skill shows improvements, specifically in the summer and autumn months. A hybrid multi-model ensemble is constructed by combining the three forecasting methods. The different methods are used to produce seasonal forecasts (three-month means) for near-surface air temperature and monthly accumulated precipitation seasonal forecast with a lead time of one month. We find numerous regions with added value compared with multi-model ensembles based on dynamical models only. For instance, for June, July and August temperatures, added value is observed in extensive parts of both Northern and Southern America, as well as Europe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seasonal Forecasting Climate Services for the Energy Industry)

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22 pages, 2803 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Vulnerability of Households Led by Men and Women to the Impacts of Climate-Related Natural Disasters in the Coastal Areas of Myanmar and Vietnam

by Aung Tun Oo, Ame Cho and Dao Duy Minh

Climate 2024, 12(6), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12060082 - 2 Jun 2024

Viewed by 774

Abstract

Farm households along the coastlines of Myanmar and Vietnam are becoming increasingly vulnerable to flooding, saltwater intrusion, and rising sea levels. There is little information available on the relative vulnerability of men- and women-headed households, and the governments of Myanmar and Vietnam have [...] Read more.

Farm households along the coastlines of Myanmar and Vietnam are becoming increasingly vulnerable to flooding, saltwater intrusion, and rising sea levels. There is little information available on the relative vulnerability of men- and women-headed households, and the governments of Myanmar and Vietnam have not identified or implemented any adaptive measures aimed specifically at vulnerable peoples. This study aims to fill these gaps and assess the relative climate change vulnerability of men- and women-headed farm households. This study considers 599 farm households from two regions of Myanmar and 300 households from Thua Thien Hue province of Vietnam for the period 2021–2022. We offer a livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) analysis of men- and women-headed farm households using 46 indicators arranged into seven major components. The aggregate LVI scores indicate that farm households in Myanmar are more vulnerable (scores of 0.459 for men and 0.476 for women) to climate-related natural disasters than farm households in Vietnam (scores of 0.288 for men and 0.292 for women), regardless of the gender of the head of household. Total vulnerability indexing scores indicate that women-headed households are more vulnerable than men-headed households in both countries. Poor adaptive capacity and highly sensitive LVI dimensional scores explain the greater vulnerability of women-headed farm households. The findings also highlight the importance of the adaptive capacity components reflected in the LVI analysis in reducing farm households’ vulnerability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: Interdisciplinary Perspectives)

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29 pages, 29751 KiB

Open AccessReview

Beyond the First Tipping Points of Southern Hemisphere Climate

by Terence J. O’Kane, Jorgen S. Frederiksen, Carsten S. Frederiksen and Illia Horenko

Climate 2024, 12(6), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12060081 - 31 May 2024

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Abstract

Analysis of observations, reanalysis, and model simulations, including those using machine learning methods specifically designed for regime identification, has revealed changes in aspects of the Southern Hemisphere (SH) circulation and Australian climate and extremes over the last half-century that indicate transitions to new [...] Read more.

Analysis of observations, reanalysis, and model simulations, including those using machine learning methods specifically designed for regime identification, has revealed changes in aspects of the Southern Hemisphere (SH) circulation and Australian climate and extremes over the last half-century that indicate transitions to new states. In particular, our analysis shows a dramatic shift in the metastability of the SH climate that occurred in the late 1970s, associated with a large-scale regime transition in the SH atmospheric circulation, with systematic changes in the subtropical jet, blocking, zonal winds, and storm tracks. Analysis via nonstationary clustering reveals a regime shift coincident with a sharp transition to warmer oceanic sea surface temperatures and increased baroclinicity in the large scales of the Antarctic Circumpolar Circulation (ACC), extending across the whole hemisphere. At the same time, the background state of the tropical Pacific thermocline shoaled, leading to an increased likelihood of El Niño events. The SH climate shift in the late 1970s is the first hemispheric regime shift that can be directly attributed to anthropogenic climate change. These changes in dynamics are associated with additional regional tipping points, including reductions in mean and extreme rainfall in south-west Western Australia (SWWA) and streamflow into Perth dams, and also with increases in mean and extreme rainfall over northern Australia since the late 1970s. The drying of south-eastern Australia (SEA) occurred against a background of accelerating increases in average and extreme temperatures across the whole continent since the 1990s, implying further inflection points may have occurred. Analysis of climate model simulations capturing the essence of these observed shifts indicates that these systematic changes will continue into the late 21st century under high greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Here, we review two decades of work, revealing for the first time that tipping points characteristic of regime transitions are inferred to have already occurred in the SH climate system. Full article

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22 pages, 5818 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Rural Flood Risk and Factors Influencing Household Flood Risk Perception in the Haut-Bassins Region of Burkina Faso, West Africa

by Madou Sougué, Bruno Merz, Amadé Nacanabo, Gnibga Issoufou Yangouliba, Ibrahima Pouye, Jean Mianikpo Sogbedji and François Zougmoré

Climate 2024, 12(6), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12060080 - 31 May 2024

Viewed by 621

Abstract

In the past two decades, several floods have affected people and their properties in Burkina Faso, with unprecedented flooding occurring in Ouagadougou in September 2009. So far, most studies have focused on Ouagadougou and surrounding localities and have paid little attention to other [...] Read more.

In the past two decades, several floods have affected people and their properties in Burkina Faso, with unprecedented flooding occurring in Ouagadougou in September 2009. So far, most studies have focused on Ouagadougou and surrounding localities and have paid little attention to other flood-prone regions in Burkina Faso. Consequently, there is a data and knowledge gap regarding flood risk in the Haut-Bassins region, which in turn hinders the development of mitigation strategies and risk reduction measures in affected communities. This study demonstrates how data collected at the household level can be used to understand flood risk and its components at the village level in this data-scarce region. Using an indicator-based method, we analyzed both flood risk and flood risk perception at the village level. Moreover, we determined the factors influencing flood risk perception at the household level using an ordered logit model. We found that 12 out of the 14 villages in our sample group had experienced high levels of flood risk. The management of runoff from the nearest urban areas as well as poorly designed civil engineering infrastructures, such as roads, were highlighted by households as significant factors that increased their vulnerability. Additionally, we found that the perceived flood risk consistently exceeds the estimated flood risk, with an insignificant positive correlation between both risk indices. Regression results indicate that flood risk perception is mainly influenced by informational and behavioral factors of households. The findings of this study can provide valuable information to municipal and regional authorities involved in disaster risk management within the study area. Moreover, our/this method is transferable to other data-scarce regions. Full article

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30 pages, 25427 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Modeling of Atmospheric Temperature and Stratospheric Ozone Sensitivity to Sea Surface Temperature Variability

by Sergei P. Smyshlyaev, Andrew R. Jakovlev and Vener Ya Galin

Climate 2024, 12(6), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12060079 - 27 May 2024

Viewed by 763

Abstract

The results of numerical experiments with a chemistry–climate model of the lower and middle atmosphere are presented to study the sensitivity of the polar stratosphere of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres to sea surface temperature (SST) variability, both as a result of interannual [...] Read more.

The results of numerical experiments with a chemistry–climate model of the lower and middle atmosphere are presented to study the sensitivity of the polar stratosphere of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres to sea surface temperature (SST) variability, both as a result of interannual variability associated with the Southern Oscillation, and because of long-term increases in SST under global warming. An analysis of the results of model experiments showed that for both scenarios of SST changes, the response of the polar stratosphere for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres is very different. In the Arctic, during the El Niño phase, conditions are created for the polar vortex to become less stable, and in the Antarctic, on the contrary, for it to become more stable, which is expressed in a weakening of the zonal wind in the winter in the Arctic and its increase in the Antarctic, followed by a spring decrease in temperature and concentration of ozone in the Antarctic and their increase in the Arctic. Global warming creates a tendency for the polar vortex to weaken in winter in the Arctic and strengthen it in the Antarctic. As a result, in the Antarctic, the concentration of ozone in the polar stratosphere decreases both in winter (June–August) and, especially, in spring (September–November). Global warming may hinder ozone recovery which is expected as a result of the reduced emissions of ozone-depleting substances. The model results demonstrate the dominant influence of Brewer–Dobson circulation variability on temperature and ozone in the polar stratosphere compared with changes in wave activity, both with changes in SST in the Southern Oscillation and with increases in SST due to global warming. Full article

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20 pages, 2914 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Applying Machine Learning in Numerical Weather and Climate Modeling Systems

by Vladimir Krasnopolsky

Climate 2024, 12(6), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12060078 - 26 May 2024

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Abstract

In this paper major machine learning (ML) tools and the most important applications developed elsewhere for numerical weather and climate modeling systems (NWCMS) are reviewed. NWCMSs are briefly introduced. The most important papers published in this field in recent years are reviewed. The [...] Read more.

In this paper major machine learning (ML) tools and the most important applications developed elsewhere for numerical weather and climate modeling systems (NWCMS) are reviewed. NWCMSs are briefly introduced. The most important papers published in this field in recent years are reviewed. The advantages and limitations of the ML approach in applications to NWCMS are briefly discussed. Currently, this field is experiencing explosive growth. Several important papers are published every week. Thus, this paper should be considered as a simple introduction to the problem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Climate Change with Artificial Intelligence Methods)

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13 pages, 7992 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Precipitation Extremes and Trends over the Uruguay River Basin in Southern South America

by Vanessa Ferreira, Osmar Toledo Bonfim, Rafael Maroneze, Luca Mortarini, Roilan Hernandez Valdes and Felipe Denardin Costa

Climate 2024, 12(6), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12060077 - 22 May 2024

Viewed by 813

Abstract

This study analyzes the spatial distribution and trends in five extreme daily rainfall indices in the Uruguay River Basin (URB) from 1993 to 2022 using the Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) dataset. The main findings reveal a predominantly positive trend [...] Read more.

This study analyzes the spatial distribution and trends in five extreme daily rainfall indices in the Uruguay River Basin (URB) from 1993 to 2022 using the Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) dataset. The main findings reveal a predominantly positive trend in heavy precipitation (R95p) and extreme precipitation (R99p) events over the mid URB, while a negative trend is observed in the upper and low URB. Significant trends in the frequency of heavy and extreme rainfall were observed during autumn (MAM), with positive trends across most of the mid and upper URB and negative trends in the low URB. In the upper URB, negative trends in the frequency of extremes were also found during spring (SON) and summer (DJF). Overall, there was a reduction in the number of consecutive wet days (CWD), particularly significant in the upper URB and the northern half of the mid URB. Additionally, the upper URB experienced an overall increase in the duration of consecutive dry days (CDD). Full article

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Climate, Volume 12, Issue 6 (June 2024) – 12 articles

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