Resources & Media
Understanding Greenhouse Gases & Carbon Footprints
Welcome to this interactive guide. If you're new to the topic of climate change, greenhouse gases (GHGs), and carbon calculations, you're in the right place. This tool is designed to walk you through the entire story, from the basic science to the complex world of global policy, carbon accounting, and specific industry challenges.
Use the navigation bar above to explore the key themes. We'll start with the fundamental science, move into the global agreements and standards that shape climate action, understand the economic mechanisms being used, and then dive into how calculations are actually performed.
ppm CO₂ in 2024
Global Temperature Rise
Egypt's Renewable Target 2035
The Science: What & Why?
This section covers the fundamentals. We define what Greenhouse Gases are, explain why they are dangerous to the planet through the greenhouse effect, and present the core scientific evidence that demonstrates the reality and urgency of climate change.
What are Greenhouse Gases?
Greenhouse gases are gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat. The main GHGs are:
- • Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Released through burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
- • Methane (CH₄): Emitted from livestock, agriculture, and fossil fuel extraction.
- • Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): From agricultural fertilizers and industrial activities.
- • Fluorinated Gases: Synthetic gases from industrial processes.
Rising CO₂ Levels
Atmospheric CO₂ measured at Mauna Loa Observatory showing human impact.
Why Are They Dangerous?
The enhanced greenhouse effect traps too much heat, leading to global warming and climate change. Consequences include:
- • Rising sea levels
- • Extreme weather events
- • Disruption to agriculture
- • Loss of biodiversity
Global Temperature Rise
Global temperature anomaly showing significant warming trend.
Global Frameworks & Standards
International frameworks, protocols, and standards to measure, report, and reduce emissions. Click each item to learn more.
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)
The IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing climate science. Established in 1988, it synthesizes thousands of scientific papers to provide policymakers with regular assessments on climate change, implications, and mitigation options.
Paris Agreement & NDCs
The Paris Agreement (2015) aims to keep global temperature rise well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining their climate action plans.
GHG Protocol
The most widely used international accounting standards for businesses and governments to measure and manage GHG emissions. It provides the 'rulebook' for carbon accounting, categorizing emissions into three Scopes.
ISO 14064
International standards for GHG accounting and verification. ISO 14064-1 covers organization-level quantification, ISO 14064-2 covers project-level, and ISO 14064-3 covers verification of GHG statements.
Carbon Economics: Markets & Mechanisms
Economic mechanisms create financial incentives to reduce emissions by putting a price on carbon.
Carbon Credits (Offsetting)
A carbon credit represents the avoidance or removal of one tonne of CO₂e from the atmosphere. Companies can purchase credits to offset their emissions.
Company Emits
Buys Credits
Carbon Neutral
CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment)
The EU's carbon tariff on carbon-intensive imports (steel, cement, aluminum). It prevents 'carbon leakage' by requiring importers to pay for carbon emissions embedded in their products.
Impact on Trade:
Forces exporters to accurately measure and report carbon footprints or face significant border taxes.
How to Calculate a Carbon Footprint
Carbon footprint calculation is based on: Activity Data × Emission Factor = GHG Emissions
The Core Formula
- Activity Data: Quantitative measure of the activity (e.g., litres of diesel, kWh of electricity)
- Emission Factor: Carbon intensity per unit of activity (e.g., 2.68 kg CO₂e per litre of diesel)
- Example: 1,000 litres × 2.68 kg CO₂e/litre = 2,680 kg CO₂e
Understanding Scopes 1, 2, & 3
The GHG Protocol divides emissions into three scopes to prevent double-counting and clarify what an organization controls versus influences.
Direct Emissions
Emissions from sources owned or controlled by the organization.
Examples:
- Company-owned vehicles
- On-site boilers/furnaces
- Fugitive emissions (leaks)
Purchased Energy
Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat, or cooling.
Example:
- Electricity from the grid
Emissions occur at the power plant but are attributed to the consumer.
Value Chain
All other indirect emissions in the organization's value chain.
Examples:
- Purchased goods/services
- Business travel
- Employee commuting
- Use of sold products
Reliable Sources for Emission Factors
- • GHG Protocol: ghgprotocol.org
- • IPCC Emission Factor Database: ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/EFDB
- • Government Agencies: EPA (US), DEFRA (UK)
Industry Focus: Petroleum Refining
Petroleum refining is one of the most energy- and emissions-intensive sectors globally, requiring massive heat and energy for distillation and conversion processes.
Global Emissions by Sector
Energy (including refining) is the largest contributor to global GHG emissions.
Refinery Emission Sources
Breakdown of typical emission sources in petroleum refineries.
Key Emission Sources in Refineries
- Process Heaters & Boilers: Largest source - burn fuel for heating crude oil (Scope 1).
- Fluid Catalytic Cracker (FCC): Cracks large molecules into smaller ones, releasing large amounts of CO₂.
- Hydrogen Production (SMR): Steam Methane Reforming produces H₂ and CO₂ - major process emission.
- Flaring & Fugitives: Safety flares and methane leaks from pipes and valves.
Egypt's Role & Vision
Egypt is playing a pivotal role in the global climate landscape as both a vulnerable nation and an emerging leader in the region's energy transition.
National Strategy (NCCS 2050)
Egypt's climate action is guided by its National Climate Change Strategy 2050 and NDC, linking climate action to sustainable development goals (Egypt Vision 2030).
Key Goals:
- Low-carbon development path
- Enhanced climate adaptation
- Improved climate finance
- Technology transfer
Renewable Energy Target
Egypt targets 42% of electricity from renewable sources by 2035.
Major Initiatives
- Hosting COP27 (2022): In Sharm El-Sheikh, placing Egypt at the center of global climate diplomacy.
- Benban Solar Park: One of the world's largest solar parks.
- Green Hydrogen: Positioning as a regional hub with facilities in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
- Carbon Footprint Verifiers Program: Training professionals on ISO 14064 standards to verify carbon footprints for CBAM compliance and export competitiveness.