CO2intensiivisimmistä

CO2intensiivisimmistä is a Finnish term meaning “the most carbon-intensive,” used to describe activities, sectors, or entities that have the highest carbon intensity. The phrase is the superlative form of CO2intensiivinen and is commonly applied in discussions about emissions performance, climate policy, and decarbonization. It focuses on the rate of emissions relative to a chosen output or activity, such as emissions per unit of product, per unit of energy produced, or per economic output, rather than on total emissions alone.

Carbon intensity can be measured in several ways. Common metrics include CO2 emissions per ton of cement or steel produced, CO2 per megawatt-hour of electricity, or CO2 per gross domestic product unit. Absolute emissions, by contrast, count total emissions from a facility, sector, or country, regardless of output. The “most carbon-intensive” classification often involves comparing these intensity metrics across industries or facilities, sometimes adjusted for production volume or capacity.

Sectors frequently identified as CO2intensiivisimmistä include cement and steel production, chemical and petrochemical industries, fertilizer manufacturing, and coal-fired electricity generation. Process emissions (for example, calcination in cement) add to the challenge, alongside energy-related emissions. The characterization is used in policy discussions to prioritize decarbonization efforts, such as energy efficiency improvements, fuel switching, electrification with low-carbon power, and technologies like carbon capture and storage.

Limitations of the concept include sensitivity to the chosen metric and output base, potential leakage effects if production relocates, and the need to consider life-cycle emissions. Nevertheless, identifying the most carbon-intensive activities helps target mitigation and track progress toward emission reduction goals.