A key element for sustainable development

In the wake of discussions surrounding climate change and environmental protection, the term CO2 efficiency is becoming increasingly important. But what exactly does it mean and why is it so important for the survival of our planet?

Definition of CO2 efficiency

CO2 efficiency is defined as the ratio of output achieved (e.g. goods and services produced) to the amount of CO2 released in the process. An increase in CO2 efficiency therefore means that less CO2 is released per unit of output produced. This does not necessarily mean that less CO2 is emitted overall – if total production increases, CO2 emissions may remain the same or even rise despite higher efficiency.

Why is CO2 efficiency important?

Reducing CO2 emissions is crucial for climate protection. CO2 is the main greenhouse gas and, as such, is largely responsible for global warming. Increasing CO2 efficiency can therefore make a decisive contribution to slowing down climate change and achieving the agreed climate targets.

CO2 efficiency in practice

In practice, CO2 efficiency plays a particularly important role in industry and the transport sector. Energy efficiency is key to increasing CO2 efficiency in these areas. With increasingly efficient technologies, more output can be achieved with the same or lower CO2 emissions. However, it is not enough to simply increase the CO2 efficiency of individual products – the total CO2 emissions over the life cycle of a product are crucial.

CO2 efficiency is measurable

But how can progress in CO2 efficiency be measured? This is done using CO2 efficiency classes. In cars, for example, these provide information about how much CO2 the vehicle emits per kilometre. But CO2 efficiency can also be measured in other areas, such as the production of goods or energy.

Improving CO2 efficiency

There are various ways to improve CO2 efficiency. In addition to increasing energy efficiency, CO2-neutral energies can also be used. Furthermore, material and resource efficiency can be improved through recycling and reuse. Another option is CO2 capture and storage (CCS), in which CO2 is captured during production and stored underground.

Conclusion

Improving CO2 efficiency is one of the key strategies in the fight against climate change. However, it requires a rethink in business and society and the use of innovative technologies. Only in this way can we achieve our climate targets and protect the planet for future generations.