What are the most vulnerable industries to climate change, and what can be done to reduce emissions?
The answer, according to the latest World Economic Forum’s Industrial Sector Risk Report, is mostly industries that rely on coal and oil for their livelihoods.
In other words, they’re largely dependent on fossil fuels.
Here are some of the biggest industries at risk, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and their contribution to climate impact.1.
Manufacturing and related industriesIn 2013, the World Economic Group predicted that by 2035, manufacturing will account for over a third of global CO2 emissions.
In addition to being the world’s largest industry, the industry is responsible for more than 50 percent of all the CO2 released into the atmosphere.
The Industrial Development Institute, a global policy research and advocacy organization, predicts that in 2050, industrial sector emissions will reach 1.8 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.2.
Transportation, warehousing and related sectorsThe transportation, warehouse and related services sectors in the global economy are responsible for an estimated 40 percent of the total CO2 emitted in the industrial sector, according the World Trade Organization.
By 2035 this industry is projected to emit an additional 1.6 billion tonnes, accounting for more or less a third, or almost one-third, of the CO 2 emissions in the Industrial Sector.3.
Health care and relatedrelated industriesThe health care industry accounts for almost a third (32 percent) of global emissions.
As of 2016, the global health care sector emitted an estimated 765 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) annually.
In 2050, the sector is projected at 1.3 billion tonnes.4.
Energy and related activitiesThe energy and related related activities sector accounts for nearly 40 percent (37 percent) and 15 percent (11 percent) respectively of global carbon emissions.
By 2050, this sector is expected to emit approximately 2.4 billion tonnes CO2e annually, equivalent to around one-quarter of the Industrial sector’s total emissions.5.
Retail, restaurant and related foodservice and related establishmentsThe retail, restaurant, food service and related activity sectors account for more greenhouse gas than all the other sectors.
The Retail, Restaurant and Related Foodservice and Related Activities sector will emit approximately 1.1 billion tonnes more CO2 in 2050 than in 2027.6.
Information and telecommunications industriesThe information and telecommunications industry is expected by the World Health Organization to emit a total of 1.5 billion tonnes or 4 percent of global greenhouse gas.
By 2030, the I&T sector is forecast to emit more than 1.2 billion tonnes (or 2 percent) CO2, equivalent of around 2.7 percent of its total emissions in 2050.7.
Services, real estate, and related accommodation and related construction industriesThe services, real property, and associated accommodation and other construction sectors are expected to account for around a third or less of the overall global CO 2 emission.
By 2025, the services, accommodation and real estate sector is predicted to emit just under 1.9 billion tonnes – about one-fifth of its emissions in 2030.8.
Construction and related manufacturingThe construction and related industry is forecast by the United Nations Environment Program to emit less than 0.1 percent of total global CO 02 emissions in 2025.
By contrast, by 2050, construction and the related industries will emit more CO 2 than all other sectors combined.9.
Agriculture, fishing and related forestryThe agriculture, fishing, forestry and related recreation sector accounts by far the largest CO 2 emitter in the world.
In 2030, it is expected that this sector will contribute an additional 531 million tonnes CO 2e annually.10.
Transportation and warehousing related industriesThe transportation and warehouse related industries account for the third largest contributor to CO 2emissions in the industrialized world.
By 2020, they are expected by World Bank and IMF projections to emit 1.4 and 1.7 billion tonnes respectively of CO 2 equivalent, equivalent in part to 1.25 and 1,7 billion tonnes of CO, respectively.11.
Food processing, processing, and storage industriesThe food processing, food processing and storage industry accounts by a huge margin for the majority of the world economy’s CO 2-related emissions.
This sector is the second largest contributor by value to total global emissions and will account to an estimated 1.15 billion tonnes in 2025, or 1.17 percent of overall emissions.12.
Mining and related extraction industriesThe mining, extraction and related processing industry is estimated to emit nearly 1.13 billion tonnes and 1 billion tonnes per year of CO02e in 2025 and 2050, respectively, equivalent roughly one-tenth of the combined global emissions of the mining, mining and extraction sectors.13.
Textile, leather and related productsThe textile, leather, leather products, and textile and leather goods industries are the third most CO 2 emitters in the developing world and are expected, by the U.N. Environment Program, to contribute an estimated 3.