Consumption-based approach to GHG emissions accounting Klaus Hubacek Sustainability Research Institute University of Leeds Leeds, UK Todays production is based on global supply chains Exemple ocde parts dun mbil / altres Der Spiegel, The Global Toothbrush, 01/31/2006 Similar to calculating emissions by all factories in a given territory we could also calculate emissions by all products and services consumed in that territory (Source: Santacana, 2008) in the first case, we will know WHERE emissions occur in the second case, we will know WHY emissions occur (Source: Santacana, 2008) but how do we calculate emissions from something we consume? we know how to calculate emissions from a factory We need both viewpoints to reduce GHG emissions From cradle to the grave using Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) (Source: Santacana, 2008) There are millions of products, each one is different from the other! I if we want to calculate emissions from all consumption of a given territory, we will obviously not be able to do that with LCA Environmental input-output analysis - direct emissions (e.g. from direct combustion) - indirect emissions (along the supply chain) for Direct GHG emissions Indirect GHG emissions (supply chain) n3 () n4 () n2 tC0 2 eq What are direct and indirect emissions of a household? () n1 () n5 What are consumption-based emissions? Source: Peters (2008) Per capita Carbon Footprints for various countries (Various sources) Global Balance = Consumption - Production Source: Peters (2008) Source: Komerup Bang et al. (2008) EU CO2 Trade Balances Conclusions Rich countries tend to have: Stabilized production-based emissions Increased consumption-based emissions Brings into question decoupling of economy and emissions Equity issue is more extreme under consumption-based approach Conclusions cont Shadow Consumption based Indicator alongside official accounting Facilitate technological leapfrogging of exporting countries Towards consumption based GHG inventories Increase transparency and equity in climate change policy Effective policy on sustainable consumption and production Thank you Klaus Hubacek