The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change defines carbon emissions as: Carbon or carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colourless, odourless and non-poisonous gas formed by the combustion of carbon and in the respiration of living organisms and is considered a greenhouse gas. Emissions means the release of greenhouse gases and/or their precursors into the atmosphere over a specified area and period of time. Carbon emissions are calculated by estimating not just the CO2 emissions that the activity in question causes, but also any emissions of other greenhouse gases (such as methane and nitrous oxide) and in some cases other types of climate impacts as well, such as vapour trails from aeroplanes. For simplicity, all these impacts are added together and expressed as a single number in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e): the amount of CO2 that would create the same amount of global warming. The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Typically carbon emissions are an estimate of the climate change impact of an activity – such as making a product, living a lifestyle or running a company. When you drive a … Continue reading What are carbon emissions?