Spatial inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in the industry sector

Introduction 

The manufacturing industries and construction sectors are one of the major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and for potential GHG emission reduction. To estimate the effectiveness of GHG emission reduction measures  information is needed on GHG sources, not only at the national (country) level but also at the level of individual regions. 

Methodology

Using available statistical data on: i) amount of fossil fuel consumed, ii) gross value added, iii) coefficient of industrial development, iv) number and distribution of inhabitants, and v) other essential parameters,  universal mathematical models and algorithms for the spatial inventory of GHG emissions in the industrial sector were created and improved. Algorithms were developed that download the total amount of fuel used from country level to specific smaller-sized entities of smaller size. GHG emissions were calculated according to IPCC guidelines. To present the results of numerical experiments, the geo-referenced databases and digital maps of GHG emissions in Poland (as a EU member state) and Ukraine (a non-EU member) were created.

Results

Ukraine. The assessment results showed that the largest GHG emissions caused by the industry sector were in the Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions, where large metallurgical factories are located. Coal and natural gas are the main fuel in Ukrainian industry.

Poland.  The largest source of GHG emissions over the country is southern Poland – the most industrially developed part of Poland. According to the results obtained, the largest amount of GHG emissions from burning fuel can be observed in Slaskie, Opolske, and Malopolske voivodeships.

Conclusions 

The results of the approach developed, together with GIS-based software on the spatially explicit GHG inventory from industrial sources, allowed us to identify the most intensive emissions areas and examine the structure of emissions. This will help policymakers create new strategies (changing fuels, use of advanced energy-saving technologies, introduction of renewable energy sources etc.), which in turn will reduce emissions in these categories of industry.

Please note these Proceedings have received limited or no review from supervisors and IIASA program directors, and the views and results expressed therein do not necessarily represent IIASA, its National Member Organizations, or other organizations supporting the work.

Last edited: 19 August 2015