CO2 emissions
We have all heard it at some point: CO2 emissions in our country must come down. By this we mean carbon dioxide. It is a gas found in the earth's atmosphere. CO2 emissions are the result of the emission of CO2. This happens, for example, when fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas are burned.
Humans and CO2 emissions through breathing
People also contribute to CO2 emissions. That cannot be prevented, because this happens through breathing. So people emit CO2, while plants actually absorb carbon dioxide. On average, a person exhales around 500 litres of CO2 per day. That means the entire world population produces 2500 million tonnes of CO2 per year. That sounds like a lot, but it is only seven percent of total emissions.
CO2 emissions and the transport sector
That is why we mainly need to look at the transport sector, for example. Not entirely without reason, people often want to know what a bicycle, train, bus or scooter emits. Apart from the CO2 released through your breathing, a bicycle emits nothing at all and is therefore very environmentally friendly. But when people travel by plane, 285 grams of emissions per passenger per kilometre are measured. A train emits about 14 grams per kilometre per passenger, a bus about 78 and a car 104 grams. The size of a car of course also matters.
These countries emit the most CO2
In the Netherlands, there has been a lot of discussion in recent years about the climate targets in our country. While some parties believe that the Netherlands should do its bit, there are also parties who believe that the consumption of the Netherlands is only a very small part of the world's.
There is something to be said for both cases. In the Netherlands, we emit around 16,3 billion kilograms per year. That is around 9900 kilograms per person per year. Yet in proportion to the rest of the world, this is not very much. It is only 0,46 percent of total global emissions. Large countries such as China (28 percent), the United States (16 percent) and India (6 percent) contribute much more negatively to global warming. After all, they are the biggest polluters as a result of industry.
In recent years, the growth of CO2 in the atmosphere has been fairly well brought to a halt. That is because governments worldwide have introduced increasingly strict rules. In addition, less use is made of fossil fuels and more of sustainable energy.
##
Besides burning fossil fuels, there are also other ways that contribute to CO2 emissions. Think, for example, of the emissions of humans and animals. Trees are very important on earth. Just like plants and plankton in the sea, because they convert carbon dioxide back into oxygen. That is why we often also call forests ‘the lungs of the earth’.
01How much CO2 is emitted?
It is important to stop and think about how much CO2 we emit worldwide. In 2019, for example, we emitted 33 gigatonnes of CO2, according to figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
That is quite a lot. Because one tonne of CO2 emissions is released by driving 6000 kilometres in a diesel car, travelling 71.000 kilometres by train or flying from Amsterdam to London and back eight times. CO2 emissions take place in many ways. For example, by humans through breathing, the transport sector and transport.
02This is how the greenhouse effect works
When it comes to global warming, we often speak of a greenhouse effect. CO2, methane and other gases act as a kind of greenhouse gas. That means the heat of the sun is retained. As a result, the earth warms up further. Carbon dioxide is often seen as a great enemy, but in principle this substance is not harmful in smaller quantities. Because people and machines have increased considerably in recent years, CO2 emissions are getting higher and higher. As a result, the earth retains more and more heat and the temperature on earth rises. We call this the greenhouse effect.
A greenhouse effect is certainly not without consequences. Polar ice caps at the North Pole are melting, we increasingly have more extreme weather and summers are becoming much warmer. There are countries such as Spain and Australia where the temperature can rise to as much as 40 or even 50 degrees in summer.
CO2 emissions and the aeroplane
Firstly, the emissions of the aeroplane. In recent years there has been much discussion in the Netherlands about the expansion of our largest airport, Schiphol. After all, an aeroplane burns kerosene and emits CO2 in the process. Yet it is not the case that all aeroplanes by definition emit the same amount of carbon dioxide. Not every aeroplane is equally large and equally heavy. CO2 emissions also change continuously during the flight.
For example, much more carbon dioxide is emitted during take-off and landing than when the aeroplane is hanging 30 kilometres up in the air. And the weight of the aeroplane decreases during the flight due to the burning of fuel. So at high altitude the emissions are different from at sea level. As a result, it is sometimes rather difficult to make a calculation, because it is different again for every flight and every aeroplane.
Fuel
With the help of chemistry and mathematics, we can calculate how high CO2 emissions are when burning fuels such as petrol or diesel.
Petrol
With petrol, 1 litre of petrol weighs about 750 grams. 652 grams of that is carbon. To burn carbon, 1740 grams of oxygen are needed. That means that when burning every litre of petrol, 652 + 1740 = 2392 grams (2,4 kilos) of CO2 will be emitted.
Diesel
We can also apply the same calculation to diesel. Diesel is a lot more polluting. Because 1 litre of diesel weighs 835 grams. Of that, 720 grams is carbon. Here, 1920 grams of oxygen are needed to burn the fuel. That means that 720+1920 = 2640 grams of CO2 will be emitted for every litre burned. A score of over 2,6 kilograms of carbon dioxide per litre.
Car
Nowadays we drive 100 kilometres per hour on the roads again. That was one of the most important measures of the Rutte III cabinet. The use of public transport is also strongly encouraged. Yet the CO2 emissions of a car vary greatly. This has to do with various factors. Think, for example, of:
The type of fuel: petrol, diesel, gas, hybrid or electric. A car with a diesel engine emits five percent more greenhouse gases compared with a petrol car;
The weight and shape of the car. Taller cars have higher air resistance and emit more CO2;
The power of the car: the higher the power, the greater the CO2 emissions;
Speed: the higher the speed, the higher the emissions;
Driving style: constantly accelerating and braking quickly costs more CO2 emissions.
03Calculating CO2 emissions
It is a good idea to calculate CO2 emissions for once. This makes it clear that China and the United States in particular emit the most carbon dioxide. Calculating CO2 emissions is certainly not easy, but we will try to explain it. It is also possible to use the online climate calculator from Klimaatplein.
04Reducing CO2 emissions
Together we can all contribute to a greener planet. This can be done by saving energy, reducing your own energy consumption and offsetting CO2 emissions. When someone uses just as much CO2 emissions as they convert into oxygen, that person is energy neutral.
Saving energy
Firstly, we recommend saving energy in the home itself. This can be done, for example, by no longer using natural gas, insulating the home and heating sustainably. Purchasing an HR boiler and generating sustainable energy yourself by means of solar panels are good ways to save on energy. In addition, we recommend no longer driving on petrol or diesel, but choosing an electric car. And drive economically, for example by reducing your speed.
Reducing energy consumption
It is also possible to reduce your own energy consumption. Preferably do not travel by plane, but choose a greener way such as public transport. Aeroplane flights have a big impact. In your own region, we recommend taking the bicycle more often and turning the heating at home down. Take shorter showers and eat less meat. Disconnect electrical appliances that are not in use from the mains.
Becoming energy neutral
Finally, people can become energy neutral. This is possible by offsetting your own CO2 emissions. For example, by investing in projects that can save energy. In recent years, planting trees has also become a very attractive alternative. After all, trees convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.
We have also calculated how much people need to offset to become climate neutral. To convert 1 tonne of carbon dioxide into oxygen, a medium-sized tree has to convert CO2 for fifty years. A larger tree can offset up to 22 kilograms of CO2. About 1000 trees can be planted on one hectare. When someone has offset all of their CO2 emissions, we speak of energy neutrality.
There are also various projects around the world through which you can do your bit. Think of applying sustainable energy in developing countries, the development of biogas or planting trees.
What is an energy-neutral house?
From 2020, only energy-neutral houses may be built. An energy-neutral house generates just as much energy itself as it uses. Most houses are not yet energy neutral at the moment. However, considerable steps can be taken towards an energy-neutral house. Good insulation and the use of efficient appliances, among other things, are important.
05When is a house energy neutral?
A house may only be called energy neutral when it no longer uses any net energy. This means that the house itself generates at least as much energy as it uses. A house that uses slightly more energy than it generates is called a passive house.
Building an energy-neutral house
Energy can be saved in a great many areas. A very important factor is the insulation of the house. A well-insulated house loses little heat, so much less heating is needed. Optimal insulation of a house requires great precision. The windows must fit the frame perfectly, there must be no unnecessary gaps and the roof and walls must be insulated with the right material. Because optimal insulation requires such precision, it is difficult to make houses that have already been built fully energy neutral. This is easier with new builds.
In an energy-neutral house it is also important to use efficient appliances. This means that all electrical appliances have at least energy label A and preferably even energy label A+++. Finally, the house must also generate energy itself to be energy neutral. This can be done in various ways, such as with solar panels, a heat pump, or wind energy. The technology for generating your own energy is developing rapidly, so there are more and more possibilities for living energy neutrally.
06Costs of an energy-neutral house
An energy-neutral house is a bigger investment than a house of the same size that is not energy neutral. The insulation of the house is more expensive than normal and energy-efficient appliances cost more than less efficient models. Yet it can be attractive to build an energy-neutral house. Not only does it make a positive contribution to the climate, there are also various government schemes to encourage energy-efficient living. For example, you can borrow cheaply and you can apply for an exemption from energy tax.
What are CO2 emissions? 🌱 What are the consequences for our climate?
CO2 emissions reinforce the greenhouse effect and global warming. ➜ Read all about CO2 emissions here and discover what you can do about it!
Work out the monthly amount with your usage and feed-in.