Greenhouse Gas Emission Sources and Trends

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.

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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).

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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.

Per Capita Emissions of Top Ten Global CO2 Emitters in 2006

Fri, 01/08/2010 - 6:13pm — jwarner@wri.org

In the last few years, China has become the world’s leading source of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, and its emissions are growing rapidly. China now produces about one-fifth of annual global carbon dioxide emissions, just ahead of the United States. China’s per capita emissions, however, are just one-quarter of U.S. levels due to its relatively large population and high rate of poverty. In 2006, for instance, the average American produced approximately 20 metric tons of carbon dioxide; the average Chinese produced just 5 metric tons.

Change in Emissions Intensity, 1992 to 2006 of the Top 25 Emitting Countries

Mon, 12/14/2009 - 12:14pm — jwarner@wri.org

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions intensity—the level of CO2 emissions per unit of economic output—varies widely across countries, reflecting differences in economic structure, energy efficiency, and fuel mix. For example, among the major emitters, CO2 intensity varies almost sixfold—from 204 tonnes per million international dollars (PPP) gross domestic product (GDP) in France, to 1,124 tonnes in Ukraine.

Change in GDP and CO2 Emissions, Top 25 Emitting Countries, 1992 to 2006

Mon, 12/14/2009 - 11:42am — jwarner@wri.org

Absolute emissions levels are most strongly influenced by GDP shifts. When GDP rises, emissions also tend to rise correspondingly. Because of this correlation, projections of carbon intensity tend to exhibit less uncertainty than absolute emissions forecasts.

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