Direct and indirect carbon emissions of Korean households from 1995 to 2010

초록

As carbon emission abatement can be realized through changes in the composition of goods and services consumed, there is a need to assess indirect and total household carbon emissions. The Korean household sector was responsible for more than 55% of Korea’s total energy related carbon emissions in the 1995 to 2010 period. More than 66% of household carbon emissions were indirect. Thus, not only direct but also indirect household carbon emissions should be the target of carbon emission abatement. Electricity consumption became in 2009 the main source of household carbon emissions in Korea. Households consume more and more electricity intensive goods and services, a sign of increasing living standards. Decrease in carbon intensities of products and switching towards less carbon intensive products consumed by Korean households contributed greatly to reduce the increase in the total household carbon emissions. This study differentiates prices of oil products and electricity between households and industries, as to allow more accurate estimation.