What is Carbon Intensity?
✅ Carbon Intensity (CI) refers to the amount of CO₂ (carbon dioxide) emissions produced per unit of economic output or energy generated.
✅ It is usually measured in:
- kg CO₂ per unit of GDP (Economic Carbon Intensity).
- kg CO₂ per kWh of energy (Energy Carbon Intensity).
🚀 Example: If a power plant generates 1 kWh of electricity and emits 0.4 kg of CO₂, its carbon intensity is 0.4 kg CO₂/kWh.
I. Importance of Carbon Intensity
✔ Environmental Impact – Higher carbon intensity means more CO₂ emissions, leading to climate change.
✔ Energy Efficiency Indicator – Helps measure how clean an energy source is.
✔ Policy Making – Governments set targets to reduce carbon intensity for sustainable development.
✔ Economic Growth & Sustainability – Lower carbon intensity promotes green industries and reduces fossil fuel dependency.
🚀 Example: Countries with a low carbon intensity (like Norway) use more renewable energy, while those with high carbon intensity (like China) rely more on coal.
II. Carbon Intensity in Different Sectors
| Sector | Carbon Intensity Level | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Coal Power Plants | 🔴 High | 900–1100 g CO₂/kWh |
| Oil & Gas | 🔴 High | 500–700 g CO₂/kWh |
| Natural Gas | 🟠 Medium | 400–500 g CO₂/kWh |
| Hydropower | 🟢 Low | 10–30 g CO₂/kWh |
| Wind Energy | 🟢 Very Low | 5–20 g CO₂/kWh |
| Solar Energy | 🟢 Very Low | 20–50 g CO₂/kWh |
| Nuclear Energy | 🟢 Very Low | 5–10 g CO₂/kWh |
🚀 Conclusion: Renewable energy sources have lower carbon intensity than fossil fuels.
III. How is Carbon Intensity Measured?
1. Carbon Intensity of GDP
✅ Indicates how much CO₂ is emitted per unit of economic activity.
✅ Used in climate agreements like the Paris Agreement to track national emissions.
🚀 Example:
- India’s carbon intensity (2021): 0.29 kg CO₂ per $1 of GDP
- USA’s carbon intensity (2021): 0.22 kg CO₂ per $1 of GDP
(India has a higher carbon intensity because of coal dependency.)
2. Carbon Intensity of Energy
✅ Helps in comparing different energy sources.
🚀 Example:
- Coal Power emits 900 g CO₂/kWh, while
- Solar Power emits only 20–50 g CO₂/kWh.
IV. Global Carbon Intensity Trends
Countries with High Carbon Intensity (More fossil fuel use)
🔴 China – 0.5 kg CO₂ per $1 of GDP (Relies on coal).
🔴 India – 0.29 kg CO₂ per $1 of GDP.
🔴 South Africa – 0.6 kg CO₂ per $1 of GDP (High coal use).
Countries with Low Carbon Intensity (More renewable energy)
🟢 Norway – 0.1 kg CO₂ per $1 of GDP (Hydropower use).
🟢 France – 0.12 kg CO₂ per $1 of GDP (Nuclear power).
🟢 Iceland – 0.05 kg CO₂ per $1 of GDP (Geothermal & Hydro).
🚀 Developed countries have lower carbon intensity due to clean energy policies.
V. How to Reduce Carbon Intensity?
1. Shift to Renewable Energy
✅ Use solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear power instead of coal and oil.
✅ Reduce dependence on fossil fuels for electricity and transport.
🚀 Example: Germany’s Energiewende policy increased renewable energy usage, lowering carbon intensity.
2. Improve Energy Efficiency
✅ Use LED bulbs, energy-efficient appliances, and smart grids.
✅ Reduce industrial energy waste through better technology.
🚀 Example: Japan’s “Top Runner Program” promotes energy efficiency in appliances.
3. Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS)
✅ Capturing CO₂ from power plants and storing it underground.
✅ Helps industries continue operations while reducing emissions.
🚀 Example: Norway’s Sleipner CCS project stores CO₂ under the North Sea.
4. Carbon Pricing & Taxation
✅ Carbon Tax – Higher tax on fossil fuels to reduce their use.
✅ Cap-and-Trade System – Companies buy carbon credits for emissions.
🚀 Example: European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
5. Electric Vehicles & Green Transport
✅ Replace petrol/diesel cars with EVs and hydrogen fuel vehicles.
✅ Promote public transport and cycling to reduce emissions.
🚀 Example: Norway has the highest number of electric cars per capita.
VI. India’s Carbon Intensity Reduction Goals
✅ Paris Agreement Target – Reduce carbon intensity by 33-35% by 2030 (compared to 2005 levels).
✅ Net Zero Target – India aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
✅ National Solar Mission – Expanding solar energy to reduce coal dependency.
🚀 Progress:
- Carbon intensity dropped by 24% between 2005-2016.
- India is promoting green hydrogen & electric vehicles.
VII. MCQs on Carbon Intensity
1. What does carbon intensity measure?
A) The amount of CO₂ emitted per unit of GDP or energy
B) The total CO₂ emissions of a country
C) The pollution caused by vehicles
D) The global temperature increase
Answer: A) The amount of CO₂ emitted per unit of GDP or energy
2. Which sector has the highest carbon intensity?
A) Solar Energy
B) Wind Energy
C) Coal Power Plants
D) Hydropower
Answer: C) Coal Power Plants
3. Which country has the lowest carbon intensity?
A) China
B) Norway
C) India
D) South Africa
Answer: B) Norway
4. What is a major way to reduce carbon intensity?
A) Increase coal production
B) Shift to renewable energy sources
C) Use more diesel vehicles
D) Ban electric cars
Answer: B) Shift to renewable energy sources
5. Which initiative promotes renewable energy in India?
A) Make in India
B) National Solar Mission
C) Digital India
D) Atmanirbhar Bharat
Answer: B) National Solar Mission
VIII. Conclusion
✅ Carbon intensity measures CO₂ emissions per unit of economic output or energy produced.
✅ High carbon intensity means more fossil fuel use and environmental damage.
✅ Developed nations have lower carbon intensity due to renewable energy and efficiency.
✅ Reducing carbon intensity is essential to fight climate change through clean energy, efficiency, and carbon pricing.
✅ India aims to reduce carbon intensity by 33-35% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
Would you like a mind map or more case studies on global carbon intensity reduction? 😊