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  Electricity

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  Renewable electricity

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  Fossil heat

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  Renewable heat

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  Transport fuels

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  Other fuels

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  Infrastructure

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  Fuel chain emissions

Fuel chain emissions

Greenhouse gases are emitted when fuels are used, but also when they are extracted, treated and transported to their final destination.
Include these 'fuel chain emissions' in the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions:
Note: Checking this box changes the way the ETM calculates greenhouse gas emissions. read more

Greenhouse gases are emitted when fuels are used, but also when they are extracted, treated and transported to their final destination. In this section, you can see how these 'fuel chain emissions' change for different geographic origins of the fuels.
Include fuel chain emissions in calculation of greenhouse gas emissions:

Note: Checking this box changes the way the ETM calculates greenhouse gas emissions. Even if the box is not checked, adjusting the sliders below can still result in changed CO₂ emissions, because fuels from different geographical regions can have different CO₂ contents.

In each slide you can click on 'read more' to see more information about the fuel chain and what pollution plays a role. When you click on the question mark after each slider you can read more about the specific characteristics of the fuel from that region.
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• Coal

  As a fuel coal is used worldwide. It is readily available and therefore a secure and cheap source of energy for generations to come. It does produce more CO₂ than other fuels, however, and without proper management its production and utilization brings additional negative environmental and health impacts not associated with other fossil fuels. read more

  South Africa
  In South Africa both opencast and underground mining are being applied. The emissions for treating the coal are relatively low. Recent studies have revealed, however, that the mining sites are heavily polluting the surrounding environment.
  North America
  Over 50% of mines in North America use opencast mining. Especially in the Appalachian a lot of coal is being produced, where mountain tops are being dug off. Open cast mining has lower mine gas (methane, a greenhouse gas) emissions than underground mining. A common problem is the pollution of the surroundings of the mine, caused by ‘Acid Mine Drainage’.
  Australia
  In Australia most coal is produced from opencast mines. The underground mines, have a relatively high level of mine gas (methane, a greenhouse gas), of which about 50% is released into the air. Environmental policy in Australia is comparable to the EU, which implies that the environmental damage caused is relatively limited.
  Eastern Europe
  Poland is one of the few European countries that still produce coal. The greenhouse gas emissions for mining are relatively high, because a lot of mine gas is present (methane, a greenhouse gas) of which about 50% is released into the air. Although Poland is relatively nearby, transport emissions are high, because transportation by train is less energy efficient per tonne of coal than transportation by large ships.
  Russia
  In Russia the emissions for mining are relative high. Most mining is done underground, where a lot of mine gas is present (methane, a greenhouse gas) of which about 50% is released into the air. Also the treatment step has relatively high emissions. In Russia environmental policies are not enforced much and the mines pollute their environment.
  South America
  Coal from South America comes mostly from Colombia. The main method is underground mining and the coal layer contains relatively low amounts of mine gas (methane, a greenhouse gas), of which about 50% is released into the air. The coal is transported efficiently with large ships. Environmental policy in Colombia is not enforced, which means Colombian mines pollute their surroundings.
  East Asia
  Coal mines in Asia are mainly underground. Until recently China was an exporting country for coal, but nowadays uses all produced coal itself. Coal is being imported mainly from Indonesia where environmental policies are enforced only weakly. East Asia has relatively low mine gas emissions (methane, a greenhouse gas).

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• Gas

  Natural gas is a clean burning fossil fuel, global reserves of which are increasing. A low carbon content and high efficiency in power production result in CO₂ emissions per kWhe that are half as large as for coal-based power production. Pre-treatment of raw natural gas comes with negative impact on the local environment in some producing countries.
  Natural gas mostly consists of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas in itself. read more

  Netherlands
  The fuel chain of Dutch natural gas involves relatively little energy use for transport and low leakage from the grid. Production of natural gas is also relatively clean and energy efficient, as a result of energy saving measures by the mining sector. Conventional gas reserves are expected to be depleted by 2040.
  Russia
  Transport of Russian natural gas in pipelines is relatively energy intensive, because transport distances are so large. Recompression of gas in pipelines costs energy, but also leads to leakage caused by the relatively poor state of compression stations.
  Norway
  Norwegian natural gas has to cover larger distances than Dutch natural gas, so more energy use and subsequent CO2 emissions occur during transport. Because of strict environmental legislation, production and treatment of the gas are relatively efficient.
  Algeria
  Algerian natural gas is transported by pipeline through the Mediterranean. Since there are no recompression stations on the sea floor, the pressure has to be extra high for the gas to make it across. This means high energy use and subsequent CO2 emissions for transport.
  Middle East
  Natural gas from the Middle East is transported as LNG. Liquefying natural gas costs energy and causes CO2 emissions. Since LNG tankers are barred from the Suez Canal, they have to sail around Africa on their way to Europe, increasing the distance of transportation. Fuel chain emissions for transport are relatively high, therefore.

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• Green gas

  Green gas is treated biogas, gas which is produced from biomass. The biogas has been purified and enriched to have the same properties as natural gas, so it can be added to the gas grid. For the ETM, green gas production from co-digestion of maize silage and manure is assumed. Green gas has far lower chain emissions than fossil fuels, but is not completely climate neutral. Greenhouse gas emissions occur during maize cultivation and during biogas production and treatment. read more

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• Biomass pellets

  Wood pellets can be co-fired in coal-fired power plants. Although no fossil CO₂ is emitted when wood is converted to electricity, greenhouse gases are emitted in earlier steps in the fuel chain, especially in the production and transport of wood. It is important to note that pellet production should not indirectly cause deforestation or other types of degradation of natural areas in order to have a positive impact on the climate at all. read more

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• Uranium

  Nuclear energy is a low-carbon technology: nuclear power plants do not emit CO₂, but uranium mining, processing and transportation is associated with some CO₂ emissions. This low-carbon technology comes at a price though: there is a small risk of severe nuclear accidents and no long-term solution has yet been found for the high-level radioactive waste. read more

  Kazakhstan
  Kazakhstan currently supplies the uranium used in the Borssele nuclear power plant. The main mining method is in-situ leaching, which reduces the amounts of low-level radioactive rock waste, but is associated with ground water acidification. Kazakh mining companies are relatively untransparent, making it difficult to assess environmental and safety issues.
  Australia
  Australia is currently the third largest uranium-producing country. Australian mining companies employ a variety of mining methods and are considered relatively clean. Transportation distances are large, and Australian mining companies use relatively high amounts of energy per tonne of uranium ore.
  Canada
  Canada is home to the most highly concentrated uranium deposits. Consequently, the energy required for mining a tonne of uranium is lower than in other countries. Canadian mines mainly employ open-pit and underground mining methods, which are associated with large amounts of toxic and low-level radioactive rock wastes.