Title: Changing consumption patterns and CO₂ reduction

Authors: Jesper Munksgaard, Klaus Alsted Pedersen, Mette Wier

Addresses: AKF, Institute of Local Government Studies, Nyropsgade 37, DK-1602 Copenhagen, Denmark. AKF, Institute of Local Government Studies, Nyropsgade 37, DK-1602 Copenhagen, Denmark. AKF, Institute of Local Government Studies, Nyropsgade 37, DK-1602 Copenhagen, Denmark

Abstract: Today, most countries are facing national CO₂ targets focused on production and direct energy use. However, two important driving forces are increased consumption and changing consumption patterns. In this paper, we analyse the impact from household consumption on CO₂ emissions. Household energy use is taken into account, as is the consumption of commodities and services produced by industry. Based on Danish data, we estimate the CO₂ impact from different commodities. Further, we analyse the impact of changes in commodity mix in Danish household consumption in the period from 1966 to 1992. The results show that the change in commodity mix has been insufficient to compensate for the overall growth in Danish consumption. Further, we see that the consumption of food is a main contributor to overall Danish CO₂ emissions.

Keywords: CO₂; commodity mix; household consumption.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2001.000598

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2001 Vol.15 No.2, pp.146-158

Published online: 18 Jul 2003 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article