Summary of Blog
The blog investigates the major industries that emit the most CO2 and their effects on air quality. Energy generation, fossil fuels, transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture are major drivers. Energy generation from coal-fired and natural gas power plants and transportation and industrial operations like cement and steel manufacture are major CO2 emitters. The blog underlines the need to accurately detect and reduce emissions from these sectors to tackle climate change. IoT Technologies like Polludrone offer real-time monitoring to help industries track air quality data and can help reduce their emissions. A collaborative effort from governments, businesses, and individuals is essential to protect the environment and mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases.
Which industries are the largest producers of CO2 emissions? Understanding its impact on air quality
Hey there! Have you ever wondered which industries emit the most carbon dioxide (CO2)? You’re in the right place. In this article, I will discuss the major industries which produce CO2. We are all familiar with how CO2 is released from various sources. In the fight against climate change, identifying the sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is critical. Industries have a considerable impact on global CO2 emissions, with some sectors generating more than others.Â
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas primarily responsible for global warming emissions. Anthropogenic activities also contribute to this, as they affect global average temperatures. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the importance of lowering carbon emissions to prevent the worst effects of the global warming crisis. But what should we prioritize? Identifying the world’s most polluting sectors is a sure strategy to reduce emissions in the least amount of time.
What is Carbon Dioxide, and what are its sources?
(CO2) is a colorless gas with a faint, severe odor and a sour taste. It is one of the most significant greenhouse gases associated with global warming. It is produced during carbon-containing material combustion, fermentation, and animal respiration and is used by plants in the photosynthesis of carbohydrates. The presence of the gas in the atmosphere prevents some of the radiant energy absorbed by Earth from returning to space, resulting in the so-called greenhouse effect. Without CO2, our planet would be unlivable due to its extreme cold. CO2 emissions can also come from natural processes such as breathing and volcanic eruptions. Below, we will discuss the various sources of industries that emit CO2. Â
Monitoring CO2 and other gases with polludrone can be very helpful for industries in getting accurate real-time data. Polludrone packs a punch with features like integrated sensors enclosed in a single, compact, corrosion and vandalism-proof case, offering unmatched reliability, including in-built calibration software and web-based software.
Energy Production
As the world’s population grows, we consume far more fuel each year, particularly electricity and heating. Energy is one of the most harmful sectors/companies, causing more harm than any other because we rely on it for practically everything. We use energy to charge our phones, heat our houses, cook food, illuminate our offices, and do various other things. Â
Fossil Fuels
The industrial sector also largely relies on fossil fuels, which emit massive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2e) when used. In fact, fossil fuels generate around 34 billion tonnes of GHG emissions per year.Â
 Indeed, in 2021, the United States alone relied on natural gas to create 38% of its power, coal to generate 22%, and other petroleum products to generate 1%.
Scientists have known for years about the deadly consequences of fossil fuel consumption. Still, a recent peer-reviewed study published in Environmental Research puts the global death toll more than twice as high as earlier estimates. According to the study, exposure to small particulate matter, or PM 2.5, from burning fossil fuels caused approximately 8.7 million deaths worldwide in 2018. This is roughly equivalent to the population of New York City or London. To put this health disaster into context, fossil fuel pollution not only fuels the climate problem but also kills more people each year than HIV, TB, and malaria combined.
Coal-fired power plants
When coal burns, the chemical bonds holding its carbon atoms in place are broken, releasing energy. However, other chemical reactions also occur, which carry toxic airborne pollutants and heavy metals into the environment. Coal-fired power facilities are a major source of PM2.5 air pollution, and exposure to PM2.5 increases the chance of death.Â
Emissions from burning coalÂ
Several major emissions occur from burning coal:
- Sulfur dioxide contributes to acid rain and respiratory diseases.
- Nitrogen oxides lead to pollution and respiratory diseases.
- Particulates cause pollution, haze, respiratory diseases, and lung damage.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the principal greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas).
- Heavy metals, such as mercury, have been linked to neurological and developmental problems in humans and other animals.
- Fly ash and bottom ash are wastes produced when power stations burn coal.    Â
Natural gas power plants
You might have heard that natural gas is “clean.” Natural gas emits fewer greenhouse gases and pollutants into the atmosphere than coal. However, coal is the dirtiest way to generate electricity, so practically anything will appear cleaner in contrast. The fact is that natural gas power plants continue to emit considerable amounts of air pollution, which is an issue.
Nitrogen oxides, or NOx, are the main pollutants in natural gas electricity. Not only does NOx cause respiratory issues, but it also combines with other compounds in the air, resulting in particulate matter and ozone. Particulate matter and ozone are responsible for many negative health effects, including shortness of breath, heart attacks, and early mortality. In short, NOx is hazardous to human health.
Transportation
The transportation industry accounts for 16.2% of global emissions due to using fossil fuels for fuel and electricity generation. Scientists believe that if the road transport sector shifted to electric energy sources, global emissions would decline by around 12%.Â
It is responsible for around one-fifth of GHG emissions. Approximately 40% originate from merchandise transportation, with the remainder (60%) from passenger travel, primarily by air. Electric cars, alternative fuels, and efforts like the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) all contribute to the sector’s decarbonization.
Road Transportation
India’s economy is one of the fastest expanding and will soon become the most populated. While road transport expansion and improvement typically prioritize socioeconomic development, as has happened in many countries, they have also unleashed an array of negative environmental issues in India, including rising CO2 emissions and air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
Transportation accounts for more than half of nitrogen oxides in our atmosphere and is a major source of heat-trapping pollutants in the United States. Studies have linked pollutants from vehicle exhaust to negative effects on almost every organ system in the body. Worse, pollutant exposure is unfair.
Passenger vehicles
Trucks and buses play an important role in our lives, bringing goods from manufacturers to retailers, collecting waste, transporting deliveries, and transporting thousands of people across cities daily. However, these vehicles have a significant impact on both public health and global warming.Â
Although heavy-duty trucks account for only about 10% of all vehicles on the road, they contribute more than 25% of global warming emissions, 45% of NOx emissions, and over 60% of direct PM2.5 emissions from on-road cars, which are significant contributors to air pollution.
Aviation
In addition to CO2, airplane engines generate nitrous oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), water (H2O), and particulate matter (soot). When these emissions reach high altitudes, they impact the physical and chemical features of the atmosphere. This causes an increase in greenhouse gases and the possibility of long-term contrail cirrus. These tall, straight clouds trap the Earth’s heat.
To this, add the environmental impact of airport traffic and the congestion it produces in the surrounding area. Excessive aircraft noise should also be taken into account when measuring noise pollution. It causes health concerns and stress for both nearby residents and airport staff.
Commercial flights
Ryanair is Europe’s most polluting airline for the third year in a running, according to a new analysis on aviation emissions in 2023 conducted by green group Transport & Environment (T&E). Lufthansa and British Airways are the second and third biggest pollutants, respectively, but their flying levels remain lower than before COVID-19. Ryanair emitted 15 Mt of CO2 in 2023 – 23% higher than pre-Covid levels. Wizz Air’s emissions grew by 40% then. Ryanair’s emissions are equivalent to seven million petrol cars in a year.
Private jets
As public pressure grows, some governments aim to decrease the number of short-haul flights operated by commercial and private aircraft. The main issue with private planes is that they have a far larger carbon footprint per passenger than commercial alternatives.
According to a 2021 European Federation for Transport and Environment analysis, private aircraft emit five to fourteen times more pollution per passenger than commercial flights and fifty times more pollution than trains. Emissions from private jets have soared in Europe, according to a new Greenpeace report.
Maritime Shipping
Commercial ships use fuel for energy and emit various air pollutants as byproducts. Ship-sourced pollutants have the greatest influence on climate change and human health, which generate greenhouse gases (GHG), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and particulate matter.
The sulfur content of heavy fuel oil is 2700 times higher than road fuel’s! SO2 emissions have been dropping in developed countries, so SO2 pollution is rare in urban environments. The main source of SO2 remaining is ships coming into port.
Once the air pollution problem from ships and ports has been quantified using an effective air quality monitoring system, monitoring air quality at seaport with the help of Oizom devices can provide real-time accurate data that can work under severe climatic conditions. Its comprehensive data analysis helps identify various pollution trends and sources, enabling long-term planning and policy-making to control air pollution more effectively. Shipping emissions make a significant contribution to overall port pollution.
Industry and Manufacturing
Industrial air pollution is a major issue affecting individual health and the environment. It occurs when factories, mining, and transportation release dangerous compounds into the atmosphere. These contaminants can lead to respiratory illnesses, cancers, impaired lung function, and asthma. They can also impact the natural environment, causing acid rain and climate change. Industrial operations generate a variety of pollutants into the atmosphere, including particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other harmful substances.
Cement Production
The Indian cement industry is one of the largest producers of air pollution, so we see a variety of air pollution control measures in this industry. The cement sector accounts for around 7% of worldwide carbon emissions. Particulate matter (PM) emissions from cement facilities are significant, and cement is considered the world’s most serious pollutant.    Â
Many cement factories continue to have excessive emissions despite installing pollution control technologies. We occasionally see news articles indicating that cement industries are paying significant fines in the tens of lakhs (Cement plants in Bagga get notices for violations of the environment) if not higher, or even shutting down factories for exceeding pollution standards and even sometimes imprisonment. Shutting down a facility for even a month can significantly impact a company’s revenues and efficiency.Â
Cement factories release pollutants, including dust or particulate matter, NOx, SOx, carbon oxides, and methane. Cement is a significant contributor to air pollution. Additionally, pollutants from cement manufacturers endanger the lives of nearby flora and fauna.
Limestone calcination
The calcination of limestone produces lime (CaO) at high temperatures. Production occurs in vertical and rotary kilns powered by coal, oil, or natural gas. Calcium limestone is composed of 97-98% calcium carbonate on a dry basis. The rest are magnesium carbonate, aluminum oxide, iron oxide, and silica. Some limestone contains up to 35-45% magnesium carbonate and is categorized as dolomite.
The lime manufacturing sector emits particulates from mining, handling, crushing, screening, and calcining limestone and air pollution from fuel burning in kilns. These emissions are not important globally or regionally. However, lime industries can be a significant source of air pollution on a local scale. The production of lime causes emissions from both processes and combustion.
Steel Production
The steel manufacturing industry is one of the largest in the world. Steel is primarily derived from iron ore, with 98% of mined iron ore being used to manufacture steel. This is a general overview of how steel is produced. In addition to being two of the most energy and carbon-intensive businesses, the steel and cement industries are also two of the top air polluters in the world.Â
The steel sector is India’s third-largest contributor to air pollution and one of the primary causes of industrial pollution, emitting the most carbon dioxide. Steel, in particular, requires coal for energy. Therefore, burning coal produces large emissions. Steel plants emit various air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon dioxide, sulfur, nitrogen, and CO.
Agriculture
Though the agricultural industry is critical to generating enough food for the world’s population, it is also one of the most harmful sectors on the planet. Farming-related contamination has a range of origins, forms, and impacts, one of the most common and significant being air pollution.   Â
Agriculture can contribute to air pollution in various ways, including using fertilizers and insecticides, livestock, heavy-duty machinery use, and crop stubble burning. These actions cause poor air quality and contribute to climate change and global warming.
Were you aware of this? Agriculture has the greatest impact on air pollution in terms of ammonia emissions. Livestock manure and chemicals emissions comprise 95% of ammonia emissions, accounting for 58% of the particulate matter air pollution in European cities.
Livestock Farming
The air inside livestock farms contains high levels of dust and gases, which can affect respiratory health in occupational settings. Several air pollutants are emitted into the atmosphere, including gases such as ammonia and particulate matter contaminated with (parts of) microorganisms. However, little is known about the health risks for neighboring residents that may result from such agricultural emissions. Â
Methane production from livestock
Methane is the primary greenhouse gas produced in grazing systems. Methanogens are bacteria found in the rumen (the largest compartment of the stomach) of ruminant livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats. These microorganisms create methane (a byproduct of feed fermentation), which is then emitted. Feed with a lower digestibility creates more methane than higher-grade feeds. Belched methane indicates energy lost from your production system that could have been transformed into milk, meat, or fiber, which creates cash.
Livestock manure (dung and urine) contains a lot of nitrogen. Approximately 80% of the nitrogen consumed by ruminants goes away in dung and urine. Both directly deposited animal dung and collected manure, which is land applied, should be managed wisely to boost grazing or crop growth.
Residential and Commercial Buildings
The commercial and residential sector encompasses enterprises and households, and its greenhouse gas emissions are primarily caused by direct emissions such as heating, cooking, waste management, and wastewater treatment.
In recent decades, the international scientific community, political institutions, and environmental governance have paid increased attention to indoor air quality (IAQ) to improve building occupants’ comfort, health, and well-being. Multiple studies have shown qualitative and quantitative IAQ changes with time, highlighting increased contaminants and their amounts. Â
Indoor environments represent a mix of outdoor pollutants prevalently associated with vehicular traffic and industrial activities, which can enter by infiltrations or through natural and mechanical ventilation systems, as well as indoor contaminants, which originate inside the building from combustion sources (such as burning fuels, coal, and wood; tobacco products; and candles), emissions from building materials and furnishings, central heating and cooling systems, humidification devices, moisture processes, electronic equipment, products for household cleaning, pets, and the behavior of building occupants (i.e., smoking, painting, etc.). IAQ can be affected by various chemicals, including gases (i.e., carbon monoxide, ozone, radon), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM) and fibers, organic and inorganic contaminants, and biological particles such as bacteria, fungi, and pollen. Â
Heating and Cooling
Install insulation in your home or business, and set your thermostat lower in the winter and higher in the summer. By adding insulation, residential and commercial structures can lower their carbon footprint by up to 30% while saving money on cooling and heating.
Air conditioning and refrigeration
Air conditioning units can pollute the air. This is because this technology consumes a lot of energy, resulting in pollutants being emitted into the atmosphere. Air conditioners are commonly utilized in warm climates. They don’t always perform properly in hot weather, so some pollutants may be emitted even if you don’t use your air conditioner for a lengthy period of time.Â
Old AC systems should be disposed of properly because they may contain chlorofluorocarbons that can harm the ozone. CFCs are also known as ozone-depleting substances and are used in many air conditioning units. According to the EPA, CFCs are no longer used in new air conditioning units because of their detrimental effects on the stratosphere.
Waste Management
Solid waste emits a variety of toxic gases, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), carbon monoxide (CO), respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM), and suspended particulate matter (SPM). Dust from diverse sources can cause a variety of ailments, ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as cancer. A higher concentration of particulate matter causes acute and chronic respiratory problems and lung damage in humans.
Landfills
Solid waste that decomposes in landfills is primarily composed of methane and CO2. Reducing the amount of solid waste transferred to landfills is an effective waste management strategy. Numerous strategies exist for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from garbage, including waste reduction programs, recycling, and landfill methane capture schemes.
Methane emissions from organic waste decomposition
Landfills generate methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as organic waste degrades over time under anaerobic circumstances. Municipal solid waste landfills are the third-largest source of human-caused methane emissions in the United States. Food waste accounts for around 24% of municipal solid waste disposed of in landfills. Because of its rapid decomposition, food waste in landfills emits more methane than any other material. Landfilled food waste accounts for approximately 58 percent of fugitive methane emissions (those emitted into the atmosphere) from municipal solid waste landfills.
Waste Incineration
Waste incineration, or burning refuse in incinerators to generate electricity (also known as ‘Energy from Waste’), has been hailed as a key to lowering carbon emissions from waste treatment in the future. Recently, it has been promoted as an alternative to sending plastic waste to landfills. In addition to lowering what we send to landfills, which are becoming increasingly full, it would also reduce the need to burn fossil fuels in conventional power plants.
Waste incineration contributes to air pollution, and hazardous emissions from incinerators appear to have the greatest impact on disadvantaged communities and locations with a significant population of people of color.
Conclusion
Finally, from the above information, you will gain a basic understanding of which industries produce the most CO2. Scientists are sure that global temperatures will continue rising for decades, primarily due to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. The environment has already been impacted by global climate change. Let us not waste any more time but instead focus on reducing our emissions and raising awareness about climate change caused by greenhouse gases. With state-of-the-art and pioneering air quality monitoring solutions, Oizom devices are Easy to Install & Maintain. No dependence on a skilled person, so hassle-free operation and maintenance and the devices provide real-time accurate data. We need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our environment. This takes a team effort from governments, businesses, and everyone else.Â
FAQs
Transportation accounts for around 14% of global CO2 emissions, with road transport being the largest contributor.
