Carbon intensity

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Carbon intensity is the ratio of carbon emissions to economic activity or some other activity. It is typically reported as the change in the ratio of the two.

Carbon intensity can also be a measure of carbon emissions versus primary energy.

Both measurements are a reflection of the efficiency of the economy with respect to carbon emissions which cause climate change.

Carbon intensity, or "greenhouse gas intensity" is the measure of emissions used in the U.S. Clear Skies Act, which pledges to cut greenhouse gas intensity by 18% by 2012.

Environmentalists have criticised carbon intensity as a tool for policy makers. Reductions in carbon intensity do not mean a reduction in actual carbon emissions. From 1990 to 2000 the carbon intensity of the U.S. economy declined by 17 percent yet total emissions increased by 14 percent. ^[1] In 2002, the U.S. National Environmental trust labelled carbon intensity, "a bookkeeping trick which allows the administration to do nothing about global warming while unsafe levels of emissions continue to rise."^[2]

[edit] See also

• List of countries by ratio of GDP to carbon dioxide emissions

[edit] References

1. ^ Fischlowitz-Roberts, Bernie (2002). "Carbon Emissions Climbing." Retrieved 2006-08-12.
2. ^ National Environmental Trust (2002). "Special Reports." Retrieved 2006-08-12.

[edit] External links

• Washington Post article with an example of change in carbon intensity
• IPCC Special Report on Emissions Scenarios