Tons CO2 and tCO2

1,582 views

Skip to first unread message

sillyant

unread,

Jun 22, 2009, 6:05:35 PM6/22/09

to WRI's Climate Analysis Indicators Tool

Hello,

Thanks for the nice GHG analytical tool.

I have a question regarding the unit of CO2 emissions: what’s the
difference between Tons CO2 and tCO2 as shown in the attached
spreadsheet?

Thanks

Tom

unread,

Jun 23, 2009, 10:03:40 AM6/23/09

to WRI's Climate Analysis Indicators Tool

Great question and something I realize we need to clarify better in
CAIT.

CAIT uses units of tCO2, which stands for tonnes of CO2 (with all
gases reported as CO2 equivalents).

A tonne is a metric ton, equal to 1,000 kg. This is, however,
different from a ton (or short ton), the unit commonly used in the
U.S. and equal to 2,000 pounds.

1 tonne (metric ton) = 1.1023 tons (short tons)

Hope this is useful.

--Tom, CAIT manager