{"id":5570,"date":"2024-10-18T05:39:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-18T05:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/d-carbonize.eu\/?p=5570"},"modified":"2026-03-18T09:53:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T09:53:58","slug":"ghg-emissions-sectors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d-carbonize.eu\/nl\/blog\/ghg-emissions-sectors\/","title":{"rendered":"Worldwide GHG emissions by sector : 2026 analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Why compare worldwide GHG emissions by sector?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Comparing GHG emissions by sector helps identify the main sources of emissions and allows for targeted actions to reduce them. Each sector contributes differently to global warming, which justifies an adapted approach to achieving global climate goals, such as those set by the overeenkomst van parijs<\/a>. This sectoral analysis allows for the distribution of emission reduction efforts according to the impact of each sector, ensuring a more effective decarbonization process.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Je gratis CO2-voetafdruk wacht!\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Sign up for a free trial, answer 20 questions, and receive your first carbon footprint assessment!\n<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Energy sector: the main contributor to GHG emissions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The energy sector remains the primary source of global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 73% of total emissions, according to IPCC data. These emissions come primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels to produce electricity, heat, or fuels. Three major sources dominate the energy sector: coal, oil, and natural gas, each with a distinct climate impact.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Fossil fuels: emissions vary depending on the source<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Coal is the energy source with the highest co\u2082 emissions per kilowatt-hour produced, averaging approximately 820 g of co\u2082\/kwh. Widely used in thermal power plants, particularly in china and india, it still constitutes a significant portion of the global energy mix. Oil, used primarily in transportation and industry, emits approximately 640 g of CO\u2082\/kwh. Finally, natural gas, often presented as a transitional energy, emits approximately 490 g of CO\u2082\/kWh. While its direct emissions are lower, fugitive methane emissions during extraction and transportation must also be taken into account.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Strong regional disparities<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The distribution of energy-related emissions varies considerably by region. China is currently the world\u2019s largest emitter in this sector, largely due to its heavy reliance on coal to power its industry and electricity grid. The united states, for its part, has high emissions, but they are gradually declining thanks to the transition to gas and renewable energies. India, experiencing rapid economic growth, is also seeing its energy emissions increase rapidly. Conversely, several european countries, such as france and sweden, have a more carbon-free energy mix, particularly thanks to nuclear and hydropower.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What are the prospects for the energy sector ?\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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To break away from this dependence on fossil fuels, low-carbon technologies are being developed, such as the use of renewable energies (solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal). Furthermore, promising innovations, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), currently under development in several countries, aim to produce nuclear electricity more flexibly and securely.<\/p>

Green hydrogen, produced by electrolysis of water using renewable electricity, also offers a decarbonization avenue for sectors that are difficult to electrify. Several countries, including germany, south korea, and australia, are investing heavily in this promising sector.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Transportation: 16% of global emissions\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The transport sector accounts for approximately 16% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to data from the international energy agency. It still relies heavily on the use of fossil fuels, particularly in road transport, which remains the main contributor to these emissions. While mobility is a key driver of economic development, it also poses a major challenge in achieving carbon neutrality targets.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Emissions concentrated in road transport<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Approximately 75% of transport emissions come from road transport and reliance on internal combustion engine vehicles. Indeed, passenger cars, trucks, and buses rely heavily on gasoline or diesel, emitting co\u2082 directly during combustion.<\/p>

Air transport is responsible for approximately 11% of the sector\u2019s emissions, and although it represents only a small share of global travel, its climate impact is amplified by emissions at altitude. Maritime transport, often overlooked, contributes approximately 10%, particularly due to the use of highly polluting heavy fuel oil. By comparison, rail transport remains one of the lowest-carbon modes, especially when electrified.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Comparison of emissions by mode of transport<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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On an individual scale, a long-haul flight can generate several hundred kilos of co\u2082 per passenger, while a gasoline-powered car journey emits around 120 g of co\u2082\/km. Conversely, an electric train can produce emissions below 5 g of co\u2082\/km\/passenger, depending on the electricity source used. This disparity highlights the importance of changing habits and adopting lower-emitting means of transport.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Towards carbon-free mobility: innovations and policies<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Faced with the climate emergency, solutions are being developed to reduce transport emissions. Vehicle electrification is growing rapidly, driven by improved batteries, increased range, and purchase incentive policies. Many countries have set deadlines for the end of sales of combustion-engine cars (e.g., 2035 in the european union).<\/p>

The development of low-carbon public transport (electric buses, trams, metros) also helps limit emissions in urban areas. Some cities such as amsterdam, oslo, and paris have implemented ambitious policies to promote soft mobility, ban polluting vehicles from city centers, and develop cycle paths.<\/p>

Other avenues for innovation include alternative fuels: advanced biofuels, green hydrogen, or synthetic fuels produced from captured co\u2082. Although still expensive, these fuels could help decarbonize sectors such as aviation and maritime transport.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The role of urban planning and urban mobility\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Reducing emissions does not rely solely on technology. Rethinking cities, limiting urban sprawl, and bringing living and working spaces closer together are all levers for reducing the need for travel. Furthermore, individual behavior plays a crucial role: favoring cycling, carpooling, public transport or even limiting air travel are all concrete actions to reduce one\u2019s carbon footprint.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Industry: about 21% of global emissions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The industrial sector accounts for approximately 21% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to IPCC estimates. This high level is due to the high energy intensity of industrial processes, the massive use of fossil fuels, and direct emissions from chemical reactions. Industry plays a central role in the global economy, but it is also one of the most complex sectors to decarbonize.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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High-emitting subsectors\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Certain industrial activities account for the majority of emissions:<\/p>