Which industries are responsible for most of the GHG emissions?
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from many different sources, including electricity production, transportation, industry, agriculture, and buildings. The specific industries that contribute the most to GHG emissions vary from one country to another and depend on the specific mix of energy sources, economic activities, and other factors that exist within a particular country or region.
However, some general patterns emerge when looking at global GHG emissions by sector. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the top three sectors responsible for GHG emissions are:
Electricity and Heat Production
Industry
Transportation
Agriculture
Buildings
Here is a rough breakdown of average GHG emissions per industry, based on global averages:
Electricity and Heat Production: This sector is responsible for about 25% of global GHG emissions, with emissions ranging from about 500 to 1,500 kilograms of CO2 equivalent per megawatt-hour (kg CO2e/MWh) of electricity generated, depending on the specific fuel mix and technology used.
Industry: This sector is responsible for about 21% of global GHG emissions, with emissions ranging from about 50 to 1,500 kg CO2e per unit of output, depending on the specific goods and processes involved.
Transportation: This sector is responsible for about 14% of global GHG emissions, with emissions ranging from about 100 to 500 grams of CO2 equivalent per passenger kilometer (g CO2e/pkm) depending on the mode of transportation and fuel mix used.
Agriculture: This sector is responsible for about 10% of global GHG emissions, with emissions ranging from about 50 to 500 kg CO2e per hectare of land (ha) depending on the specific crops, livestock, and practices involved.
Buildings: This sector is responsible for about 6% of global GHG emissions, with emissions ranging from about 50 to 500 kg CO2e per square meter of floor space (kg CO2e/m2) depending on the type of building, heating and cooling systems, and other factors.
It's important to note that these are just rough estimates and that the actual GHG emissions per industry can vary widely depending on many factors, including the location, energy mix, technology, and practices used within that industry.
