Fossil Fuels Use and CO2 Emissions in Korea: New NEAT Results

초록

This paper applies both the IPCC Approach and the NEAT (Non-Energy use Emission Accounting Tables) model, a material flow analysis, to estimate the potential CO2 emissions (carbon storage) originating from the non-energy use as to assess the actual CO2 emissions (carbon release) from the use of fossil fuels in Korea for the years 1999 and 2000. The current Korean carbon accounting seems to underestimate the potential CO2 emissions and with it to overestimate the actual CO2 emissions. The estimation shows that the potential CO2 emissions calculated according to the IPCC Approach are lower than those calculated using the NEAT model. This is because the IPCC default storage fraction for naphtha seems to be low for the Korean petrochemical production structure, on the one hand and because the IPCC Approach does not consider the trade with short life petrochemicals, on the other hand. This paper shows that a material flow analysis like the NEAT model can provide a better basis for estimation of CO2 emissions of the non-energy use and with it that of the fossil fuel use than the current IPCC Approach. The NEAT model can consider the international trade with short life petrochemicals and estimate the storage fraction for naphtha. This paper emphasizes the importance of accurate energy statistics for carbon accounting.