Determination of CO2 Emissions in Russia’s Steel-Industry: Methodological Issues

Abstract

Various perspectives on global climate change are considered. According to one point of view, the current warming is associated with the greenhouse effect—that is, with increase in the atmospheric content of greenhouse gases (mainly carbon dioxide CO2). The prediction is that uncontrolled growth in their content may have negative consequences. The UNFCCC and IPCC guidelines regarding greenhouse-gas accounting have the status of recommendations. In particular, the inventory of greenhouse gas may take account of the nation’s developmental needs. The main purpose of a greenhouse-gas inventory is to determine the scope for reductions. In the present work, anthropogenic sources of CO2 formation in Russia are considered. The CO2 emissions in different industrial sectors are compared. The methodology for the determination of greenhouse- gas emissions in Russia—in particular, in the steel industry—is analyzed. The analysis shows that official reports mainly assess CO2 emissions by means of the basic and sectoral approaches at level 2. The use of a detailed approach and level 3 is only seen for a few metallurgical processes. Some of the CO2 emissions formed in the steel industry—in particular, emissions in the production of blast-furnace coke—are attributed to the energy sector. According to inventory estimates, the total anthropogenic CO2 emissions in Russia declined by 75% from 1990 to 2015. In comparison with 1990, the CO2 emissions in the steel industry also declined. In 1990, the steel industry accounted for 4.0% of the anthropogenic CO2 emissions; in 2015, that figure was 4.8%. Analysis shows that the methodology used in estimating greenhouse-gas emissions must be transparent and must support the search for means of reducing emissions. The state could foster decreases in greenhouse-gas emissions by offering financial incentives to enterprises that cut emissions.