International Climate Policy

Carbon Intensity of Steel in 2005

Wed, 03/03/2010 - 3:46pm — jwarner@wri.org

On average, U.S. steel production is among the least carbon-intensive in the world. This is primarily the result of the type of production process the industry employs. Nearly half of all steel in the United States is made in “mini mills,” which use electricity to recycle scrap steel rather than starting from scratch by burning coal and coke to melt iron ore into iron.

Top Emitters of CO2 from Industry, Total and Per Capita, 2006

Mon, 02/22/2010 - 12:00pm — jwarner@wri.org

GHG emissions associated with manufacturing and construction industries represent approximately one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions. This chart shows industry-related CO2 emissions of the 25 top emitting countries (including the EU-27), in both absolute and per capita terms. Together, these countries account for 84 percent of global emissions from this sector.

  • Share/Save

Share of U.S. Imports from non-Annex I Countries, 1986-2006

Thu, 02/18/2010 - 2:59pm — jwarner@wri.org

Despite the concern about carbon-intensive imports from China, they account for less than 10 percent of all but cement imports. Canada is the largest foreign source of all carbon-intensive imports except chemicals, where it ranks second only to Trinidad and Tobago. Canada accounts for more than half of U.S. paper and aluminum imports, compared with China at 3 percent. That said, it is important to note that over the past 15 years, more U.S. carbon-intensive imports have come from developing countries. How this trend translates into competitiveness of U.S.

Share of U.S. Imports from Annex I Countries in 2005

Thu, 02/18/2010 - 2:39pm — jwarner@wri.org

The origin of imports differs greatly between industries. The majority of U.S. imports of steel, aluminum, and paper come from other industrialized countries, those listed in Annex I of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Manufacturing Share of Total CO2 Emissions in 2005

Thu, 02/18/2010 - 12:37pm — jwarner@wri.org

One option for containing costs for carbon-intensive manufacturing industries in climate legislation is to exclude them altogether from the list of regulated entities. At less than 6 percent of total U.S. emissions, carving out this sector of the economy may seem like an acceptable sacrifice if it alleviates enough concern about industrial competitiveness to win support for broader climate legislation.

Top Emitters of CO2 from Transportation, Total and Per Capita, 2006

Wed, 02/03/2010 - 3:54pm — jwarner@wri.org

Transport accounts for approximately 14 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it a major contributor to global climate change. This chart shows the top 25 emitting countries (including the EU-27) of transport-related CO2 emissions, in both absolute and per capita terms. Together, these countries account for 88 percent of global emissions from this sector, with the five largest emitters accounting for two-thirds of the global total.

This graphic is based on an original chart published in WRI's Navigating the Numbers (Baumert et al., 2005).

  • Share/Save

Top Emitters of CO2 from Electricity and Heat, Total and Per Capita, 2006

Wed, 02/03/2010 - 1:22pm — jwarner@wri.org

Electricity and heat accounts for approximately 25 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest sector. This chart shows the top 25 emitting countries (including the EU-27) of electricity and heat-related CO2 emissions, in both absolute and per capita terms. Together, these countries account for 91 percent of global emissions from this sector, with the ten largest emitters accounting for 81 percent of the global total.

Major Climate Change Risks and Opportunities in the Forest Products Industry

Wed, 02/03/2010 - 11:48am — jwarner@wri.org

Though the forest products industry as a whole may stand to gain, climate change will impact companies and investments differently based on the location of the forests, mills, and markets, the vertical integration of assets, and the sustainability of forest operations. This figure illustrates these risks and opportunities in a qualitative way with respect to their potential financial impact and the level of certainty.

  • Share/Save