Introduction to Greenhouse Gas Emissions in
the Energy Sector
None
Table of Contents
1 Overview of the Energy 2 Primary Activities and 3 Emissions from Fossil Fuel
Sector and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Sources Combustion
Emissions
4 Fugitive Emissions 5 CO2 Capture and Storage 6 Methodological Tiers for
(CCS) Emission Estimation
7 Choosing the Appropriate 8 Data Collection and 9 Ensuring Consistency and
Tier Challenges Accuracy in Reporting
10 Conclusion
1
Overview of the Energy Sector and
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The energy sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in many economies.
It contributes over 90% of CO2 emissions and 75% of total greenhouse gases in developed countries.
The main gases emitted are CO2, CH4 (methane), and N2O (nitrous oxide), with CO2 making up the majority.
2
Primary Activities and Emissions Sources
Key activities in the energy sector include:
- Exploration and extraction of primary energy sources (coal, oil, gas).
- Conversion of primary energy into usable forms (e.g., refining, power generation).
- Fuel transportation and distribution.
- Use of fuels in stationary (e.g., power plants) and mobile sources (e.g., vehicles).
Emissions result from combustion and fugitive sources (leaks).
3
Emissions from Fossil Fuel Combustion
Fossil fuel combustion is a major source of CO2 emissions, resulting from the burning of coal, oil, and gas.
Three tiers of methods for estimating emissions are outlined by the IPCC:
- Tier 1: Basic method using national fuel consumption data and default emission factors.
- Tier 2: More detailed method using country-specific emission factors.
- Tier 3: Advanced method using direct measurements and detailed modeling.
4
Fugitive Emissions
Fugitive emissions arise from leaks during the production, processing, and transportation of fossil fuels.
- Examples include methane leaks from natural gas production and flaring during oil extraction.
- In countries with significant fossil fuel activities, fugitive emissions can contribute more substantially to the national
total.
5
CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS)
CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS) is a technology for reducing CO2 emissions by capturing CO2 from industrial
processes and storing it underground.
CCS is considered an important measure in mitigating climate change.
The IPCC provides guidelines for estimating emissions reductions through CCS systems, including capture, transport,
and storage of CO2.
6
Methodological Tiers for Emission Estimation
• Tier 1: Uses national statistics on fuel consumption and default emission factors for CO2 and other gases.
- Tier 2: Applies country-specific emission factors, which reflect local conditions and technologies.
- Tier 3: Uses detailed data from direct measurements and models, especially for non-CO2 gases like methane
and nitrous oxide.
7
Choosing the Appropriate Tier
The choice of tier depends on the importance of the emissions source and the availability of data and resources.
For key categories (significant sources), higher tiers (2 or 3) may be necessary for more accurate estimates.
The decision tree in the guidelines helps inventory compilers choose the right tier based on data quality and
category importance.
8
Data Collection and Challenges
Data for energy sector emissions primarily comes from national energy statistics.
Key data includes the types and quantities of fuels consumed, and emission factors for each fuel type.
- Emission factors depend on fuel carbon content, which can vary between types and within a single category of fuel.
- For coal, for example, emissions depend on the amount of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen in the fuel.
9
Ensuring Consistency and Accuracy in
Reporting
Time series consistency is important when reporting emissions over long periods.
Countries may need to reconcile differences in fuel definitions and data collection methods that change over time.
It’s also critical to avoid double counting of emissions across sectors, such as between energy and industrial
processes.
10
Conclusion
The energy sector plays a dominant role in greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through the combustion of fossil
fuels.
Accurate and consistent data collection, along with the use of appropriate methodological tiers, are essential for
estimating and reporting emissions effectively.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) offers a promising method for mitigating CO2 emissions in the future.
Thank You!
