Some emission factors
CO2 emission factors for the main fossil fuels
|
Lignite (low energy coal) |
4.2 t CO2/toe |
Coal (coking, sub-bituminous or other bituminous) |
4.0 t CO2/toe |
|
Gas/diesel or crude oil |
3.1 t CO2/toe |
Gasoline |
2.9 t CO2/toe |
|
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) |
2.6 t CO2/toe |
Natural gas (methane) |
2.3 t CO2/toe |
Source: IPCC, 2019
The CO2 emissions factors indicate the amount of CO2 emitted during the combustion of a given fuel and for a unit of energy (here in toe). The case of biomass is not covered here: it is considered that the direct CO2 emissions linked to the combustion of biomass are offset by the absorption of CO2 during the growth of the plant. If this is not the case, the non-offset emissions are recorded in the LULUCF sector.
EMISSIONS FACTORS FROM COMMON PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES
It is possible to extend the concept of emissions factors to business activities by dividing the GHG emissions directly emitted by an activity to a measure of this activity.
|
Sector |
Emission factors |
Comment |
|
Electricity production |
1.058 t CO2/MWh for a coal power plant |
Average for France in 2021 |
|
0.418 t CO2/MWh for a gas power plant |
||
|
0.006 t CO2 eq/MWh for a nuclear power plant |
||
|
Industry |
1.8 t CO2/tonne of steel |
Conventional process (unrecycled crude steel) |
|
0.64 t CO2/ton of cement |
France average in 2019, per ton of cement equivalent |
|
|
Agriculture and forestry |
4.4 t CO2 eq/dairy cowper year |
France average in 2018, emissions related to enteric fermentation and manure management |
|
580 t CO2 eq/ha ofdeforested tropical forest |
Global average, emissions from combustion and decomposition of organic matter |
Sources: Ademe; Cement Sustainability Initiative; Citepa; SDES
Carbon content of everyday objects and actions
The GHG balance is built using a “lifecycle” approach. It includes several different phases linked to the activity associated with the emissions factor. For example, for one kilometre in a car, the GHG balance includes the direct emissions from gasoline or diesel combustion, but also the emissions from the extraction and refining of the fuel, its transport and distribution as well as those linked to the manufacture of the car.
Source: Ademe, GHG assessment, 2022
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