What is 1 Tonne of Carbon Emissions Equivalent to?

Any discussion about global pollution and climate change is incomplete without mentioning carbon and its impacts. The reason is simple. Carbon dioxide or CO2 is one of the biggest factors that have caused global pollution to unprecedented levels.

Considering the gravity of the issue, the UK government aims to achieve a net zero carbon emissions target by 2050. If this cycle continues, then rising sea levels, heat waves, and forest fires will only continue to grow and intensify. Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have released over 2,000 gigatons of CO2 into the surrounding atmosphere and 1GT is equivalent to one billion metric tonnes. But we know that you would have a hard time contextualising these figures to really understand the impact of CO2.

We can help you contextualise 1 tonne of CO2 through different comparisons to hopefully provide enough motivation for you to take action. These comparisons can prove immensely valuable in developing your business’s greenhouse gas reduction targets, strategies, targets, and other initiatives meant to reduce your carbon emissions.

What is Carbon Dioxide?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an invisible greenhouse gas with no colour and odour and it is a natural component of breathable air,  that makes up part of the carbon cycle. Although it is a gas, it constitutes a mass of 1,964g/litre or 1.964kg/m3. The reason is that due to gravity, the mass of the atoms in CO2 is affected hence, carries a measurable weight.

What Does One Tonne of CO2 Equate to?

This is the tricky part. But let us share some examples to give you a comparison and help contextualise easily:

• One tonne of CO2 equals combusting around 5,466 kWh of natural gas. The consumption of natural gas in a standard household is around 12,000 kWh per annum. This means one tonne of CO2 is generated that worth almost half a year’s natural gas usage in a typical home.
• Burning about 398 litres of diesel generates one tonne of CO2. To give you a context, that’s around 8 tanks of fuel consumption by a typical car and several months of driving for the average driver.
• Producing approximately 4,829 kWh of electricity generates one tonne of CO2 emissions. A typical household consumes roughly 2,700 kWh of electricity, annually. Thus, one tonne of CO2 represents almost double the electricity consumption by an average home per annum.
• One tonne of CO2 is equivalent to one passenger traveling around 2,378 miles in the air. For context, a return flight between London and Tenerife covers around 3,600 miles and emits over 1.5 tonnes of CO2 per passenger.

Here are some other examples for more clarity. One tonne of CO2e equals to:

• The average emanations of one passenger on a return flight from Paris to New York.
• 6 round-trip flights between Miami and New York.
• Taking 72 high-velocity train trips of 300 miles each.
• Driving a gasoline car for 5,000 miles.
• 121,643 smartphones charged.
• Driving 6000km in a diesel car.
• 500 CO2 fire extinguishers.
• A 500 m³ hot air balloon.
• 125 m³ of cola.

If you still need more context, there are several online calculators available online. They use different formulas to translate abstract measurements into concrete, tangible equivalents.

How to Curb Carbon Emissions?

We can do a lot to curb carbon emissions:

• Growing just 50 trees for a year can capture 1 tonne of Carbon dioxide. However, this is just an approximate value. The amount of CO2 captured by trees differs with factors, such as location, tree species, and surrounding weather conditions.
• By gaining a comprehension of what one tonne of CO2e means in real-world terms, we can get a realisation of the grave impact of our routine activities on the environment.
• Converting to renewable electric vehicles or energy sources can curtail dependence on fossil fuels like diesel and natural gas.
• Choosing home insulation and energy-efficient appliances can decrease domestic energy consumption.
• Using just one cookstove for six months can reduce an average of 2 tonnes of CO2 per annum.
• Reducing needless air travel can considerably lower emissions.
• Capture the CO2 released from industrial processes like steel and concrete manufacturing or fossil fuels. Separate it from other atmospheric gases, then compress it and transport it through ships, road transport, or pipelines to a site for storage. In the last step, CO2 is injected into rock formations deep underground for permanent storage.
• Although there is always an emphasis on reducing CO2, other greenhouse gases, including methane and nitrous oxide, have proven to be more potent than CO2 and are a big cause of climate change. To calculate their emissions for reduction measures, these gases can be converted into CO2 equivalents for comparison.
• Choose a proper alternative to different kinds of carbon-emitting diesel; biodiesel for example. It is produced from a mix of eco-friendly materials including diverse vegetable oils like soy, mustard, canola, cotton oil, etc. You will enjoy the same power and efficiency with biodiesel as with the traditional options, so you don’t have to worry about this aspect while purchasing.

Save the Environment with 123 Oil!

123 Oil deals in all kinds of oil including biodiesel, to help you reduce emissions and perform your duty for the environment while not compromising on your engine’s power and efficiency. As one of the UK’s longest-established fuel distributors, we can deliver bulk biodiesel or any other diesel to cover your diverse requirements.

Our delivery is fast, reliable, and safe, making sure that your diesel reaches you within 48 hours. So, if you want to protect the environment by opting for biodiesel then acquire 123 Oil’s services. Call at 0775 991 4162 / 01543 324016 / or the 24/7 emergency number 0845 257 1377 to reserve your order today.