En-en adult card 2 industry

Card #2: Industry

Industry uses fossil fuels and electricity. It accounts for 40% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Explanation

This is the manufacturing of all consumer goods. Industry is comprised of many different sectors, the most prominent in terms of GHG emissions being the paper, cement, steel, aluminium and chemicals industries. In order to reduce emissions from industry, the solution lies in extending the lifespan of products and reducing consumption.

Correction

Causes

• Human activities

Consequences

• Fossil fuels

Other possible links

Other consequences

• Deforestation This link is possible for wood-consuming industries. However, wood used by a factory in a sustainably managed forest would not be considered as deforestation.
• Other GHGs In fact, methane emissions from industry are as strong as emissions from agriculture because of fugitive emissions (natural gas leaks from pipelines). This is a point that is little known, so this relationship is not considered strongly relevant. Industry also emits HFCs (refrigerants).

To go further

Buildings

The construction of buildings belongs to the Industry card, but not their usage.

Cement

Cement production accounts for 10% of the world's GHG emissions. Between 2011 and 2013, China used more cement than the United States did throughout the entire 20^th century.

To make cement, limestone (CaCO₃) has to be burnt, resulting in lime (CaO) and releasing CO₂ into the atmosphere.