International Carbon Flows 

International trade facilitates separation of production from consumption through the physical flow of products between countries. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions arising from production are ‘embedded’ in this physical flow, giving rise to the concept of ‘carbon flows’ – the movement of GHG emissions embodied in internationally traded goods.

The International Carbon Flows analysis presented here explores the magnitude and impact of the movement of embodied carbon around the world, at a global scale and for five selected sectors. By tracking this flow of emissions from the region of production to the region of consumption, this analysis provides new insights into the drivers of GHG emissions production, and the opportunities for reduction, in the globally integrated flow of carbon embodied in products.
 

Global Flows

25% of greenhouse gas emissions are embodied in goods and services which “flow” between the country of production and the country of consumption via international trade. » More on global flows
 

Automotive

Given a likely tripling in global car ownership by 2050, new consumption-based approaches are required to tackle climate change by achieving a reduction in life-cycle emissions per vehicle by 85% by 2035. » More on automotive
 
 

Steel

The world’s consumption of iron and steel drives around 6% of global GHG emissions. With around one-third of global steel production emissions embodied in international trade, and an anticipated doubling in steel consumption by 2050, new consumption-based approaches will be needed to tackle steel sector emissions. » More on steel
 

Aluminium

The world’s consumption of aluminium drives around 1% of global emissions. With around half of global aluminium production emissions embodied in international trade, and an anticipated four-fold increase in aluminium consumption by 2050, new consumption-based approaches will be needed to tackle aluminium sector emissions. » More on aluminium
 
 

Cotton

The world’s consumption of cotton causes around 220MtCO2e of emissions annually. Production and consumption of cotton are highly concentrated, typically in different countries, and the flow of emissions embodied in cotton between countries opens up new emission reduction opportunities. » More on cotton
 

Clothing

The world’s consumption of clothing drives around 330MtCO2 of emissions annually, with a further 530MtCO2 arising from the use of clothing. New consumption-based approaches to emissions, together with production-based measures, could reduce emissions from clothing in Europe by 30 % against BAU forecasts. » More on clothing
 
 
 
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