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Methodology

Setting priorities for reducing carbon emissions can involve any of a number of criteria. Initial screening should identify those end-uses that

1) represent large absolute carbon emissions (in million metric tonnes of carbon or MMTC),
 
2) show large percentage growth rates over the analysis period (%/year), and/or
 
3) show large absolute growth in emissions over the analysis period (MMTC).

Energy demand by end-use is taken from the Annual Energy Outlook 1996, which represents a widely accepted baseline against which to assess the potential impacts of recently implemented or future programs and policies.1


End-use energy demands are multiplied by carbon emissions factors derived from various DOE sources to calculate total carbon emissions 2 and associated growth rates, which are then expressed in graphical form. These figures can be used to identify the largest and fastest growing end-uses.

1 The only exception to the use of the AEO forecast is in commercial office equipment, where the growth rates in energy use from 1993-2010 have been modified to reflect the results of the more detailed study by Koomey et al. 1995. Back to text

2 All carbon emissions factors represent direct emissions. Indirect emissions from the extraction, processing, and transportation of these fuels are not included. Back to text  Last Updated On: 8/19/04