CBAMWorks

Glossary

Embedded emissions

The greenhouse-gas emissions released during the production of a good, expressed per tonne of product.

Embedded emissions are the greenhouse-gas emissions released during the production of a good — fuels burned in the installation, process emissions, and (where in scope) indirect emissions from electricity used.

Under CBAM, embedded emissions are expressed as specific embedded emissions: tonnes of CO₂-equivalent per tonne of product. The scope of what counts depends on the sector:

  • Iron & steel, aluminium: direct only.
  • Cement, fertilisers: direct + indirect.

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