CO2 emissions have various sources, including transportation, deforestation, and industrial processes. Among all, the industries play a significant role in the overall carbon footprint worldwide. The industrial sector encompasses a wide range of activities, from manufacturing and energy production to agriculture and construction. These industries not only drive economic growth but also consume vast amounts of energy, often derived from fossil fuels, resulting in substantial CO2 emissions.

Understanding the distribution of CO2 emissions by industry is crucial for identifying the key contributors and formulating effective strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By analyzing the data and trends associated with different sectors, policymakers, businesses, and individuals can make informed decisions and take targeted actions to mitigate the impact of industrial activities on the environment.

One of the key contributors to these emissions is industry. In this article, we will delve into a sector-by-sector breakdown to gain insights into how various industries contribute to global CO2 emissions. By examining the data, we can identify the most significant sources of emissions and explore potential solutions for reducing our carbon footprint.

Energy Use: The Largest Contributor

When it comes to global greenhouse gas emissions, the energy sector takes the lead, accounting for a staggering 73.2% of total emissions. Within the energy sector, different sub-sectors contribute to emissions in varying degrees. Let's explore each of these sub-sectors:

Energy Use in Industry (~24%)

The industrial sector plays a significant role in global emissions, with energy use accounting for 24.2% of total emissions. Within this sector, several industries stand out as major contributors:

• Iron and Steel (7.2%): The manufacturing of iron and steel results in energy-related emissions. This industry is responsible for a substantial portion of emissions in the industrial sector.
• Chemical & Petrochemical (3.6%): The production of fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, refrigerants, and oil and gas extraction contributes to energy-related emissions.
• Food and Tobacco (1%): The manufacturing of tobacco products and food processing, including the conversion of raw agricultural products into final products, leads to energy-related emissions.
• Non-Ferrous Metals (0.7%): The production of metals such as aluminium, copper, lead, nickel, tin, titanium, and zinc results in emissions due to the energy-intensive nature of their manufacturing processes.
• Paper & Pulp (0.6%): The conversion of wood into paper and pulp generates energy-related emissions.
• Machinery (0.5%): The production of machinery contributes to energy-related emissions.
• Other industries (10.6%): This category includes energy-related emissions from manufacturing in various industries, including mining and quarrying, construction, textiles, wood products, and transport equipment.

Transport (~16%)

The transport sector accounts for 16.2% of global emissions. This includes both direct emissions from burning fossil fuels to power transport activities and a small amount of indirect emissions from electricity use. Let's explore the different modes of transport and their contributions:

• Road Transport (11.9%): Emissions from the burning of petrol and diesel in cars, trucks, lorries, motorcycles, and buses make up the majority of emissions in the transport sector. Passenger travel accounts for 60% of road transport emissions, while road freight contributes the remaining 40%.
• Aviation (1.9%): Emissions from passenger travel and freight, both domestic and international, contribute to aviation emissions. Around 81% of emissions in this sector come from passenger travel.
• Shipping (1.7%): Emissions from the burning of petrol or diesel on boats, including both passenger and freight maritime trips.
• Rail (0.4%): Emissions from passenger and freight rail travel.
• Pipeline (0.3%): Energy inputs required for transporting fuels and commodities via pipelines, resulting in emissions.

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Energy Use in Buildings (17.5%)

The buildings sector accounts for 17.5% of global emissions, primarily driven by energy use in residential and commercial buildings. Let's explore the contributions of each sub-sector:

• Residential Buildings (10.9%): Energy-related emissions from the generation of electricity for lighting, appliances, cooking, and heating in homes.
• Commercial Buildings (6.6%): Energy-related emissions from the generation of electricity for lighting, appliances, and heating in commercial buildings such as offices, restaurants, and shops.

Unallocated Fuel Combustion (~7%)

This category comprises energy-related emissions from the production of energy from other fuels, including electricity and heat from biomass, on-site heat sources, combined heat and power (CHP), nuclear industry, and pumped hydroelectric storage.

Fugitive Emissions from Energy Production (~5%)

Fugitive emissions refer to the accidental leakage of greenhouse gases during oil and gas extraction, transportation, and coal mining. These emissions account for 5.8% of global emissions, with the following breakdown:

• Fugitive Emissions from Oil and Gas (3.9%): Accidental leakage of methane during oil and gas operations, including damaged or poorly maintained pipes. This category also includes intentional burning of gas at oil facilities.
• Fugitive Emissions from Coal (1.9%): Accidental leakage of methane during coal mining operations.

Also Read: Global Top 10 Carbon Capture Companies [2024]

Direct Industrial Processes (~5%)

Direct industrial processes contribute 5.2% to global emissions. Let's explore the major contributors within this sector:

• Cement (3%): The production of cement results in carbon dioxide emissions as a byproduct of the chemical conversion process used to produce clinker, a component of cement.
• Chemicals & Petrochemicals (2.2%): Greenhouse gases can be produced as byproducts from chemical processes. For example, CO2 can be emitted during the production of ammonia, which has various applications, including purifying water supplies, cleaning products, and refrigeration.

Waste (~3%)

Waste management contributes to 3.2% of global emissions. Let's explore the major sources of emissions within this sector:

• Wastewater (1.3%): Organic matter and residues in wastewater systems can decompose, producing methane and nitrous oxide.
• Landfills (1.9%): In low-oxygen environments, organic matter in landfills decomposes, resulting in the production of methane.

Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Use (~18%)

The agriculture, forestry, and land use sectors directly account for 18.4% of greenhouse gas emissions. Here are the key contributors within this sector:

• Grassland (0.1%): When grasslands become degraded, the carbon stored in the soil is released as carbon dioxide. Conversely, restoring grasslands can sequester carbon, offsetting emissions.
• Cropland (1.4%): The carbon balance on croplands depends on management practices. Depending on whether carbon is lost or sequestered in soils and biomass, croplands can either emit or sequester carbon dioxide.
• Deforestation (2.2%): Changes in forestry cover result in net emissions of carbon dioxide. Reforestation is considered "negative emissions," while deforestation is considered "positive emissions."
• Crop Burning (3.5%): The burning of agricultural residues, such as leftover vegetation from crops like rice, wheat, and sugar cane, releases carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane.
• Rice Cultivation (1.3%): The flooded paddy fields used for rice cultivation produce methane through a process called "anaerobic digestion."
• Agricultural Soils (4.1%): Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers applied to soils result in the production of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. This category includes emissions from agricultural soils for all agricultural products.

Methods to Carb Global Carbon Footprint

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) involves extracting carbon dioxide (CO2) primarily from large emission sources, such as power generation facilities and industrial operations reliant on fossil fuels or biomass. The captured CO2 can then be used for beneficial purposes. 
 

Another crucial benefit of CCUS is that the technology allows the storage of captured carbon if it is not used at the source site. The extracted CO2 can be compressed and stored for use elsewhere. It can be easily transported via pipelines, vessels, rail, or trucks. Alternatively, CO2 can enter sequestration through deep geological formations such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs or saline aquifers.

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Conclusion: A Multi-Sectoral Approach is Essential

In conclusion, global CO2 emissions by industry are sourced from various sectors, each with its own unique contributions. To effectively tackle climate change, a comprehensive and multi-sectoral approach is necessary. Focusing on a single sector or sub-sector is insufficient. We must prioritize decarbonization efforts across industries, develop low-carbon technologies, and implement sustainable practices to reduce our carbon footprint.

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