Carbon Emissions

 

Introduction

Extraction, processing and delivery of aggregates require adequate supplies of energy. Most has come from burning of coal, oil and natural gas which give rise to gaseous carbon emissions (principally carbon dioxide, CO2, and carbon monoxide, CO) and contribute to increases in global atmospheric temperature. Steep increases in overall carbon emissions during the 20th C. raised concerns about climate change. International action was sought to address this. All sources of aggregates (land won, marine dredged materials, recycled, industrial by-products and imported) contribute to carbon emissions so there is a need to compare the relative levels of emissions from production of each as part of considering a low-carbon economy.

The Climate Change Act 2008 L0555 introduced a long-term framework for action in the United Kingdom that introduced legally binding carbon budgets that would set a ceiling on the levels of greenhouse gases that can be emitted into the atmosphere. The Act requires that emissions are reduced by at least 80% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. It also set up an independent Committee on Climate Change, the first report L0557 from which advised on the levels of these budgets for the first three 5 year periods.

A Low Carbon Transition Plan L0556 set out how the UK will cut CO2 emissions by more than a third from 1990 levels by 2020, following a 21% reduction that had been achieved already. The strategy called for around 50% yearly emissions cuts between now and 2011 by making the energy mix "more green". Government also expected 40% of the energy used to come from low-carbon sources, 30% from renewable energy sources, and the remainder from nuclear and "clean coal" provision. All parts of society and industry were required to play a part in achieving this. These provisions are being reviewed by the Government elected to office in 2010.

 

Continued with Sources of Emissions

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