CO2delen

CO2delen is a term sometimes used in climate accounting to describe the portion or share of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions attributable to a defined source, sector, region, product, or life-cycle stage. The word blends CO2 with delen, a suffix meaning "part" or "share" in several European languages, and is used informally in discussions of emission allocation.

Purpose and scope: The concept is used to communicate how much of total emissions can be assigned to a specific element within a system. CO2delen is often expressed as a percentage of total CO2 or as a decimal fraction, enabling comparisons between sectors, regions, or product life cycles over time.

Calculation approaches: Calculations rely on clear system boundaries and data. Methods may include production-based accounting (emissions per unit of output), activity-based approaches (emission factors × activity levels), or life-cycle assessment allocations. Consistency with accepted standards (for example, Scope 1–3 accounting) is essential to enhance comparability.

Limitations: Because CO2delen is not a formal standard in major frameworks, methodological differences can affect comparability. Boundaries, data quality, and allocation rules influence the resulting share, and care is needed to avoid double counting or gaps in coverage.

Context and use: In corporate reporting, policy analysis, and product labeling, CO2delen can help audiences understand where emissions concentrate. It is one of several tools used to communicate emissions distribution rather than an absolute measure of total emissions.