Segmentation of Industrial Sectors Based on the Characteristics of Their Greenhouse Gases Emissions

Abstract

This paper analyses the characteristics of sectoral contributions to Greenhouse gases emissions based on economic data of industrial energy consumption in Spain and gives some insights about public programmes for emissions reduction. It departs from the total amount of Greenhouse gases emissions due to the energy mix deployed per industrial sector, the percentage of electrification of its activities and the indirect emissions due to generation mix behind electricity consumption. Separately, it examines the dispersion of emissions across firms (tCO2-eq/firm) per industrial sector. By segmenting the industrial sectors into quadrants, the authors identify in quadrant iv four industrial sectors with a low level of electrification, high level of emissions and a strong concentration of emissions at the level of individual firms. Due to their characteristics, it is suggested that specific public programmes for Greenhouse gases reduction should target these four industrial sectors.