Environmental Tax on Products and Services Based on Their Carbon Footprint: A Case Study of the Pulp and Paper Sector

The main aim of this work is to define an environmental tax on products and services based on their carbon footprint. We examine the relevance of conventional life cycle analysis (LCA) and environmentally extended input-output analysis (EIO) as methodological tools to identify emission intensities of products and services on which the tax is based. The short-term price effects of the tax and the policy implications of considering non-GHG are also analyzed. The results from the specific case study on pulp production show that the environmental tax rate based on the LCA approach (1,8%) is higher than both EIO approaches (0,8% for product and 1,4% for industry approach), but they are comparable. Even though LCA is more product specific and provides detailed analysis, EIO would be the more relevant approach to apply economy wide environmental tax. When the environmental tax considers non-GHG emissions instead of only CO2, sectors such as agriculture, mining of coal and extraction of peat, and food exhibit higher environmental tax and price effects. Therefore, it is worthwhile for policy makers to pay attention on the implication of considering only CO2 tax or GHG emissions tax in order for such a policy measure to be effective and meaningful. Keywords: Environmental tax; Life cycle analysis; Environmental input-output analysis.

Stone-ground wood pulp-reinforced polypropylene composites: water uptake and thermal properties

Two of the drawbacks of using natural-based composites in industrial applications are thermal instability and water uptake capacity. In this work, mechanical wood pulp was used to reinforce polypropylene at a level of 20 to 50 wt. %. Composites were mixed by means of a Brabender internal mixer for both non-coupled and coupled formulations. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to determine the thermal properties of the composites. The water uptake behavior was evaluated by immersion of the composites in water until an equilibrium state was reached. Results of water absorption tests revealed that the amount of water absorption was clearly dependent upon the fiber content. The coupled composites showed lower water absorption compared to the uncoupled composites. The incorporation of mechanical wood pulp into the polypropylene matrix produced a clear nucleating effect by increasing the crystallinity degree of the polymer and also increasing the temperature of polymer degradation. The maximum degradation temperature for stone ground wood pulp–reinforced composites was in the range of 330 to 345 ºC

Low environmental impact bleaching sequences for attaining high brightness level with eucalyptus SPP pulp

The alternatives used for minimizing the usage of chlorine dioxide in bleaching sequences included a hot acid hydrolysis (Ahot) stage, the use of hot chlorine dioxide (Dhot) and ozone stages at medium consistency and high consistency (Zmc and Zhc), in addition to stages with atmospheric hydrogen peroxide (P) and pressurized hydrogen peroxide (PO). The results were interpreted based on the cost of the chemical products, bleaching process yields and on minimizing the environmental impact of the bleaching process. In spite of some process restrictions, high ISO brightness levels were kept around 90 % brightness. Additionally, the inclusion of stages like acid hydrolysis, pressurized peroxide and ozone in the bleaching sequences provided an increase in operating flexibility, aimed at reducing environmental impact (ECF Light). The Dhot(EOP)D(PO) sequence presented lower operating cost for ISO brightness above 92 %. However, this kind of sequence was not allowed for closing the wastewater circuit, even partially. For ISO brightness level around 91%, the AhotZhcDP sequence presented a lower operating cost than the others

Caracterización de rodales irregulares de Abies alba Mill. capitalizados en existencias del Valle de Arán (Pirineos, España) y de las cortas de entresaca practicadas

Se describe, en una zona de la vertiente norte de los Pirineos españoles, la estructura dasocrática de rodales irregulares de abeto excesivamente capitalizados en existencias volumétricas, así como la naturaleza de las intervenciones de entresaca que se les aplican al objeto de contrarrestar la tendencia hacia una indeseable uniformidad de la masa. La situación inicial revela una elevada espesura, con importantes excedentes de individuos pertenecientes a las clases diamétricas de madera gruesa, y que conduce a formas selvícolas tipológicas en avanzado proceso de regularización. Empero, la estabilidad mecánica de los pies se manifiesta alejada de sus umbrales críticos en todos los estratos, y la capacidad de regeneración del sistema resulta aceptable. El tratamiento de entresaca realizado, cuya severidad se centró fundamentalmente sobre los pies de diámetro superior a 30 cm, mantiene todavía una situación de espesura excesiva que impide la adscripción de los rodales a estructuras equilibradas, pero ha permitido la liberación de la competencia vertical de los pies en edad de latizal.

Tipología selvícola para los abetales españoles de Abies alba Mill.

Se ofrece una tipología de naturaleza silvogenética para los abetales del Pirineo español, elaborada a partir de la información suministrada por el Segundo Inventario Forestal Nacional. Se han derivado nueve tipos, cuya diferenciación se articula en base al área basimétrica, la densidad, la distribución diamétrica de los pies presentes y el carácter puro o mixto de la masa. Se ha analizado comparativamente la estructura que conforman sus distribuciones diamétricas y el rol que las especies acompañantes del abeto desempeñan en aquélla, destacando cómo el carácter de irregularidad preside, aunque en grados diversos, la totalidad de las formas tipificadas. La tipología resulta de sencilla aplicación por parte del gestor forestal puesto que se maneja con tan sólo los diámetros inventariados de los pies existentes, y contempla los distintos estadios secuenciales y evolutivos de los abetales españoles que abarcan, desde la fase de instalación del abeto bajo la cubierta de otras especies, hasta las estructuras más capitalizadas y envejecidas.