Carbon Intensity Measures

Environmental
:   
Climate Change
July 25, 2024

Measures for carbon intensity can vary based on the industry and the specific focus of the measurement. Here are some of the most common measures for carbon intensity:

  1. Tonnes of CO2e per Thousand Tonnes of Hydrocarbon Produced:
    • Measures the carbon emissions relative to the mass of hydrocarbons produced.
  2. Kilograms (Kg) of CO2e per Barrel of Oil Equivalent (boe):
    • Measures the carbon emissions per unit of energy produced, expressed in barrels of oil equivalent.
  3. Grams of CO2e per Kilowatt-hour (kWh):
    • Commonly used in the electricity generation sector to measure the carbon emissions per unit of electricity produced.
  4. Tonnes of CO2e per Megawatt-hour (MWh):
    • Another measure used in electricity generation, focusing on a larger scale of energy production.
  5. Grams of CO2e per Megajoule (MJ):
    • Used to measure carbon intensity in terms of energy content, often applied to fuels and energy sources.
  6. CO2e Emissions per Unit of Production:
    • This can vary depending on the product or industry, such as CO2e per ton of cement, steel, or other industrial products.
  7. CO2e Emissions per Dollar of GDP (Carbon Intensity of the Economy):
    • Measures the carbon emissions relative to the economic output of a country or region, often used to assess the efficiency of economic activities in terms of carbon emissions.
  8. CO2e Emissions per Passenger-Kilometer:
    • Used in the transportation sector to measure the carbon emissions per unit of passenger travel.
  9. CO2e Emissions per Ton-Kilometer:
    • Used in freight transport to measure the carbon emissions per unit of cargo transported over a distance.
  10. CO2e Emissions per Square Foot (or Square Meter) of Building Space:
    • Used in the building and construction sector to measure the carbon emissions associated with the energy use of buildings.

These measures help in assessing the carbon footprint of various activities, processes, and sectors, enabling targeted efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.

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