This high demand for energy, combined with an extensive use of fossil raw materials, makes the chemical sector one of the biggest emitters on the planet. Credit: Pixabay. The chemical sector is one of the biggest industries in the world and is by far the largest industrial user of energy [i]. In the UK, the energy demand of the chemical sector surpasses the demand of mineral production and basic metal production combined [iii].
This high demand for energy, combined with an extensive use of fossil raw materials, makes the chemical sector one of the biggest emitters on the planet [iv].
The German chemical industry is the fourth largest in the world [v] : with a share of Since the chemical industry produces a wide variety of products, the figure below focuses on the production of the most widely used carbon-based chemical — ethylene [vii].
Ethylene is the building block of polymers also known as plastics , which make up some of the most widely used products in the world, both in industries and in private households, namely plastics.
In , Germany alone exported 13 million tons of plastics [viii]. Global primary plastics waste generation, - Credit: Adapted from Geyer, Jambeck, and Law, Capturing CO 2 as a byproduct of fossil fuel combustion before it enters the atmosphere, transporting the CO 2 , injecting the CO 2 deep underground at a carefully selected and suitable subsurface geologic formation where it is securely stored.
Capturing CO 2 from the stacks of a coal-fired power plant and then transferring the CO 2 via pipeline, injecting the CO 2 deep underground at a carefully selected and suitable nearby abandoned oil field where it is securely stored. Learn more about CCS. Using fuels that emit less CO 2 than fuels currently being used.
Alternative sources can include biofuels; hydrogen; electricity from renewable sources, such as wind and solar; or fossil fuels that are less CO 2 -intensive than the fuels that they replace.
Using public buses that are fueled by compressed natural gas rather than gasoline or diesel. Using electric or hybrid automobiles, provided that the energy is generated from lower-carbon or non-fossil fuels. Using renewable fuels such as low-carbon biofuels. Using advanced technologies, design, and materials to develop more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Learn about EPA's vehicle greenhouse gas rules. Developing advanced vehicle technologies such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, that can store energy from braking and use it for power later.
Reducing the weight of materials used to build vehicles. Reducing the aerodynamic resistance of vehicles through better shape design. Adopting practices that minimize fuel use. Improving driving practices and vehicle maintenance. Reducing the average taxi time for aircraft. Driving sensibly avoiding rapid acceleration and braking, observing the speed limit.
Reducing engine-idling. Improved voyage planning for ships, such as through improved weather routing, to increase fuel efficiency. Employing urban planning to reduce the number of miles that people drive each day. Reducing the need for driving through travel efficiency measures such as commuter, biking, and pedestrian programs.
Building public transportation, sidewalks, and bike paths to increase lower-emission transportation choices. Zoning for mixed use areas, so that residences, schools, stores, and businesses are close together, reducing the need for driving.
Upgrading to more efficient industrial technology. Identifying the ways that manufacturers can use less energy to light and heat factories or to run equipment. Switching to fuels that result in less CO 2 emissions but the same amount of energy, when combusted.
Producing industrial products from materials that are recycled or renewable, rather than producing new products from raw materials. Making companies and workers aware of the steps to reduce or prevent emissions leaks from equipment. EPA has a variety of voluntary programs that provide resources for training and other steps for reducing emissions. EPA supports programs for the aluminum , semiconductor , and magnesium industries.
Instituting handling policies and procedures for perfluorocarbons PFCs , hydrofluorocarbons HFCs , and sulfur hexafluoride SF 6 that reduce occurrences of accidental releases and leaks from containers and equipment. Homes and commercial buildings use large amounts of energy for heating, cooling, lighting, and other functions.
Techniques to improve building energy efficiency include better insulation; more energy-efficient heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration systems; efficient fluorescent lighting; passive heating and lighting to take advantage of sunlight; and the purchase of energy-efficient appliances and electronics.
Drinking water and wastewater systems account for approximately 2 percent of energy use in the United States. By incorporating energy efficiency practices into their water and wastewater plant, municipalities and utilities can save 15 to 30 percent in energy use. Reducing solid waste sent to landfills.
Capturing and using methane produced in current landfills. Landfill gas is the natural byproduct of the decomposition of solid waste in landfills.
It primarily consists of CO 2 and CH 4. But nitrous oxide is not only produced when synthetic nitrogen fertilizer is applied; the same processes occur when we use organic fertilizers such as animal manure.
In this chart we show the per capita breakdown of nitrous oxide N 2 O emissions by sector. There are four key elements to consider when trying to quantify food GHG emissions. These are shown by category in the visualization:. Livestock — animals raised for meat, dairy, eggs and seafood production — contribute to emissions in several ways.
Manure management, pasture management, and fuel consumption from fishing vessels also fall into this category. They are the direct emissions which result from agricultural production — this includes elements such as the release of nitrous oxide from the application of fertilizers and manure; methane emissions from rice production; and carbon dioxide from agricultural machinery.
Food processing converting produce from the farm into final products , transport, packaging and retail all require energy and resource inputs. Food waste emissions are large: one-quarter of emissions 3. Durable packaging, refrigeration and food processing can all help to prevent food waste.
Reducing emissions from food production will be one of our greatest challenges in the coming decades. Unlike many aspects of energy production where viable opportunities for upscaling low-carbon energy — renewable or nuclear energy — are available, the ways in which we can decarbonize agriculture are less clear. We will need a menu of solutions: changes to diets; food waste reduction; improvements in agricultural efficiency; and technologies that make low-carbon food alternatives scalable and affordable.
It all comes at an environmental cost. Joseph Poore and Thomas Nemecek , in their large meta-analysis of global food systems, published in Science , estimated how much of our greenhouse gas emissions come from wasted food. In the visualization here I show the emissions from wasted food in the context of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Sector by sector: where do global greenhouse gas emissions come from? Emissions come from many sectors: we need many solutions to decarbonize the economy.
Energy electricity, heat and transport : Machinery 0. Transport: Rail 0. Energy use in buildings: Unallocated fuel combustion 7. Fugitive emissions from energy production: 5. Energy use in agriculture and fishing 1. Direct Industrial Processes: 5.
Waste: 3. Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use: By country: greenhouse gas emissions by sector. Click to open interactive version. Where do our greenhouse gas emissions come from?
How you can interact with this chart On these charts you see the button Change Country in the bottom left corner — with this option you can switch the chart to any other country in the world. The breakdown of emissions from our diets. If you drag the blue time-slider you will see the bar chart transform into a line chart, and show the change over time. Carbon Offset Projects Projects for a greener future. Contact Have any questions?
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