Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 6. Reporting Differences, OECD versus Non-OECD
Figure 7. Annual Emissions Changes between 2000 and 2008
Intensity
alone may not be good indicators of emissions
trends. This is particularly true in sectors that lack
consensus on intensity metrics. For example, in
service-oriented sectors, intensities may be defined
as emissions per employee, per unit revenue, or
even per unit of office space (Carbon Disclosure
Project, 2010).
In addition, using emissions intensity allows
firms to make carbon reductions in relative terms
without necessarily making absolute reductions.
Emissions reductions may be achieved through
advances in production and more efficient use
of resources. Efficiency with respect to GHG
emissions is measured as “intensity” (emissions
per unit output or per unit revenue). Intensities
can be useful metrics; however, they must also
be interpreted with care in order to avoid drawing
improper conclusions. In some cases, intensities
