Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment of Energy Utilization

Abstract

The objective of this commentary is to explain the outline of comprehensive environmental impact assessment maethods for energy conversion and utilization including case examples. Since energy often uses fossil fuel as its raw material, that is, energy source, evaluation is frequently made focusing on the amount of greenhouse gases emitted at the time of conversion and use and the influence on global warming. This also applies to the evaluation of new energy and renewable energy that replace fossil fuel. However, it is necessary to assess energy conversion and utilization from the perspectives of not only global warming but also overall environmental impacts.