Karbonintensiteten

Karbonintensitet, often translated as carbon intensity, is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted per unit of economic activity or energy produced. It is a key metric used to understand and track the carbon footprint of a country, industry, or company. There are several ways to define and calculate carbon intensity, but the most common forms relate it to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or to the amount of energy generated.

Carbon intensity relative to GDP, often referred to as carbon intensity of GDP, quantifies the amount of CO2 emissions associated with each unit of economic output. A declining carbon intensity of GDP suggests that an economy is becoming more efficient in its use of carbon-intensive resources, or is transitioning towards lower-carbon energy sources and production methods. This is a crucial indicator for evaluating progress towards decarbonization goals.

Another common measure is the carbon intensity of energy production, which refers to the amount of CO2 emitted per unit of energy produced. This can be calculated for specific energy sources, such as electricity generation from coal or natural gas, or for an entire energy sector. For example, coal-fired power plants have a much higher carbon intensity than solar or wind power facilities. Reducing the carbon intensity of energy production is fundamental to mitigating climate change, as the energy sector is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. Policy interventions, technological advancements, and shifts in energy consumption patterns all influence carbon intensity.