What are Carbon Emissions?


Carbon emissions refer to carbon dioxide (CO2) gases released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels. Carbon emissions are the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions; they trap heat, causing the planet to become warmer. Then, climate change causes weather and temperature pattern changes, leading to storms, floods, heat waves, and other natural disasters. To mitigate the effects of climate change, businesses are called upon globally to reduce the carbon emissions produced by their organisations.

Types of Carbon Emissions

Tackling carbon emissions requires a proper understanding of its examples, and the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol is a key framework for identifying and classifying them. Although the protocol focuses on greenhouse gases as a whole, carbon emissions are typically the largest portion of these gases. This makes the GHG Protocol particularly useful for understanding carbon emissions.

The protocol divides emissions into three categories, each representing a different source of carbon emissions from an organisation’s activities.

Impact of Carbon Emissions

In almost every year of the past century, carbon dioxide has been documented as one of the several greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere due to human activities. As industries continue to grow, their carbon footprint must be addressed to avoid further environmental damage.

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