Assessment and investigation of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels in urban areas (Case study: Zahedan)

The increasing consumption of fossil fuels and the expansion of urban transportation activities have become major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation in cities. Due to population growth, urban expansion, and heavy dependence on fossil fuels, Zahedan has experienced a growing trend in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate CO₂ emissions resulting from fossil fuel consumption in Zahedan and to analyze the contribution of different fuel types to carbon emissions during the period ۲۰۰۹-۲۰۱۸. This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of methodology. The required data were collected from the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company and other relevant statistical sources. CO₂ emissions from gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and fuel oil were estimated using standard emission coefficients. In addition, the Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS) model was employed to rank the study years according to their emission levels. The results indicate that diesel fuel was the largest contributor to CO₂ emissions throughout the study period. However, emissions associated with gasoline consumption showed a significant upward trend, particularly during the final years of the study period, approaching the emission levels of diesel fuel. The findings also reveal a strong positive relationship between fossil fuel consumption and the volume of CO₂ emissions in Zahedan. Based on the EDAS model results, the highest level of carbon dioxide emissions was recorded in ۲۰۱۸, whereas the lowest level was observed in ۲۰۱۶. Furthermore, the arid climate, limited vegetation cover, and shortage of urban green spaces in Zahedan intensify the environmental consequences of carbon emissions. Consequently, the development of public transportation systems, promotion of cleaner energy sources, reduction of fossil fuel dependency, and expansion of urban green spaces are recommended as effective strategies for mitigating CO₂ emissions and achieving sustainable urban development in Zahedan.

Keywords:

CO₂ , Fossil Fuels , Air Pollution , EDAS Model , Zahedan , Greenhouse Gas Emissions , Sustainable Urban Development