CO2Emission

CO2Emission is a term used to describe the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as a result of human activities and, to a lesser extent, natural processes. CO2 is a long-lived greenhouse gas, and its atmospheric concentration has risen markedly since the Industrial Revolution, contributing to climate change and related environmental impacts.

Emissions are typically reported in metric tons of CO2 per year (MtCO2) or gigatons (GtCO2). Some analyses express CO2e, which aggregates other greenhouse gases by their warming potential. Territorial accounting counts emissions produced within a geography; consumption-based accounting allocates emissions to final demand, regardless of where they occur.

The largest sources are electricity and heat generation, road and air transport, and industry. Cement production releases CO2 both from fuel combustion and the calcination process. Deforestation and certain agricultural practices also contribute, while natural sources can be variable. Emissions profiles vary by country, sector, and technology.

Because CO2 persists in the atmosphere for centuries, increasing emissions trap heat and drive climate change, affecting weather, sea level, and ecosystems. Reducing CO2Emission requires long-term, transformative changes across energy systems, transportation, industry, and land use, along with supportive policy and economic signals.

Mitigation options include decarbonizing energy supply with renewables and nuclear, improving energy efficiency, electrifying transport, adopting carbon capture and storage, and enhancing forest and soil carbon sinks. Policies such as carbon pricing, emissions trading, efficiency standards, and targeted subsidies can influence emission trajectories and accelerate progress.

International reporting by organizations like the IPCC and national inventories provides data on CO2Emission by sector and country, enabling trend analysis, benchmarking, and policy assessment.