A global database of large stationary CO₂ sources.

Introduction

As reported by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in the Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage, the main source of CO₂ emissions created by human activity (anthropogenic sources) is the burning of fossil fuels.

There are a number of different anthropogenic sources of CO₂ emissions, predominately from the combustion of fossil fuels in power generation, industrial facilities, buildings and transportation. CO₂ capture and storage (CCS) is one of a portfolio of options identified for reducing the emissions of human activity. Other measures include: energy efficiency, fuel switching, nuclear power and renewable sources of energy. To assess the potential for CCS it is important to identify large stationary sources of CO₂. The emissions of CO₂ from buildings and transportation are not currently considered suitable for CCS because they are usually small, dispersed and, in the case of transportation, often mobile.

IEAGHG has developed a global database of large stationary point sources of CO₂ emissions. The database was developed and published in July 2002 as PH4/9 Building the Cost Curves for CO₂ Storage: Part 1: Sources of CO₂. Consisting of some 14 000 individual entries, the emissions database was a first attempt at producing a global picture of large stationary CO₂ emission sources, stating their geographical location and size of their emissions.

It was acknowledged during the compilation of the database that there could be some errors in the dataset brought in with the source material. Since 2002, IEAGHG has had a programme to progressively improve the emission source data by updating the information contained in the database and improving its accessibility to a wider audience.

• Improvements to the CO₂ Emissions Database
• Contents of the CO₂ Emissions Database
• Sources of information

Maps of the CO₂ Emissions Database

The database contains longitude and latitude information for the majority of the emission sites which allows it to be used to produce a geographical map of the emission sources.

Two maps have been produced using the CO₂ Emissions Database. The first is a world map of emissions. The second more detailed map uses the UK dataset. It contains all the sectors included in the database as well as indicating the size of the CO₂ emissions

• World Map
• UK Map

Using the CO₂ Emissions Database

IEAGHG is keen to co-operate with organisations that wish to use the database. The use of the database by any external organisation will, however, require that any updates are reported back. This continued collaboration ensures that there are ongoing improvements to the original data.

The database is available as a Microsoft Excel Worksheet at 7MB in size. Please contact Samantha Neades ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to arrange access to the database.