Emissions
of carbon dioxide (CO2)
OD-4
Ozone
Depletion
Pressure
1 Indicator
definition and unit of measurement
Total
net
anthropogenic CO
2
emissions from the sectors energy, industrial processes, solvent and other
product use, agriculture, land use change and forestry, and waste (as defined
by IPCC). Unit of measurement is tonnes CO
2
per year. See indicator “total emissions of CO
2”
in the Climate Change section.
2 Placement
in the framework
5EAP:
See
indicator “Emissions of CO
2”
in the Climate Change section.
Agenda
21:
See
indicator “Emissions of CO
2”
in the Climate Change section.
International
conventions and agreements:
See
indicator “Emissions of CO
2”
in the Climate Change section.
Ranking:
Core
ranking:
4
(53%)
Policy
Relevance:
4
(2.7)
Analytical
Soundness:
4
(2.5)
Responsiveness:
2
(2.8)
Most
appropriate related state indicator:
Temperature
decrease in stratosphere, effects on ozone depletion.
3 Significance
Purpose:
The
purpose of the indicator is to measure anthropogenic CO
2
emissions. CO
2
emissions are responsible for a temperature decrease in the stratosphere, which
reduces the effects of ozone depleting substances. However, a further decrease
in the stratospheric temperature in the 21st century may increase the
occurrence of polar stratospheric clouds. This might largely increase the
depletion of stratospheric ozone in the future. Although large uncertainties
are involved, the latter negative effect could be substantially larger in the
future than the above mentioned positive effect on the ozone layer.
Relevance:
The
relevance of the indicator is highly disputable from a policy viewpoint.
Although CO
2
emissions have currently a positive effect on the ozone layer, these emissions
are the main cause of the enhanced greenhouse effect. CO
2
emission reductions are therefore justified. Furthermore, large negative
effects on the ozone layer may occur in the future which may outweigh the
positive effects.
Linkages
to other pressure indicators:
The
indicator is the most important indicator for climate change. Furthermore,
since stratospheric ozone affects the greenhouse effect, ozone depletion should
be considered in assessing climate change.
Targets:
See
indicator “Emissions of CO
2”
in the Climate Change section.
4 Methodological
description and underlying definitions
Underlying
definitions and concepts:
See
indicator “Emissions of CO
2”
in the Climate Change section.
Measurement
methods:
See
indicator “Emissions of CO
2”
in the Climate Change section.
Limitations
of the indicator:
The
net
effects
of CO
2
emissions on ozone depletion vary in time and are highly uncertain. See also 3.
Relevance .
Alternative
definitions:
None.
