Greenhouse gas emissions
Rio Tinto's activities result in emissions of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and perfluorinated carbons (PFC).
The Group's total greenhouse gas emissions in 2005 were 27.1 million tonnes of CO2-e.
- Fifty two per cent (14 million tonnes of CO2-e) were emissions produced on site at operations over which Rio Tinto has direct management control. These emissions occur in the consumption of fuels, anodes, reductants and explosives or when electricity is generated, or coal seam gases and perfluorocarbons are released from operational processes. Emissions were also generated from land management (including livestock).
- The remainder were from emissions associated with purchased electricity and steam, minus emissions from the electricity and steam exported to non Rio Tinto entities.
- Rio Tinto's greenhouse gas emissions inventory includes all six greenhouse gases in the Kyoto protocol that are above reporting thresholds. These thresholds have been set to ensure that over 95 per cent of emissions are accounted for. In 2005, no emissions of SF6 or HFCs were reported.
However, there were also other indirect emissions released in 2005, over which Rio Tinto did not have direct management control. These included emissions from the transport of products, the combustion of coal and from the conversion of iron ore into steel by third parties.
The way in which greenhouse gas emissions are reported is consistent with the WRI/WBCSD Greenhouse Gas Protocol and the understanding of issues associated with data reliability is continuing to improve.
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Total and on site emissions
Other indirect emissions
Rio Tinto's emissions
Total emissions per tonne of product
Greenhouse emissions by gas type
Greenhouse emissions by gas source
Data reliability
Terms used
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