Setting consumption-based emission reduction goals

The document argues that Oregon should adopt consumption-based emission targets to account for its full carbon footprint and avoid displacing emissions to other regions. It contrasts sector-based emissions (territorial) with consumption-based emissions (life cycle of goods and services) and notes that while Oregon's sector emissions have decreased, consumption emissions continue to rise. The paper provides case studies from cities like San Francisco, London, and Paris, and countries like Sweden, to illustrate different target-setting approaches. It proposes four specific frameworks for Oregon: aligning with existing sector goals, targeting minimum well-being standards, using global carbon budget scenario analysis, or applying a 'fair share' equity-based approach.

• Oregon is a pioneer in consumption-based accounting, having become the first US state in 2011 to produce a consumption-based emissions inventory that accounts for the entire life cycle of consumed goods and services.
• There is a divergence in Oregon's emission trends: while the state has made progress in reducing sector-based emissions, its consumption-based emissions are continuing to increase.
• A strictly sector-based approach risks 'carbon leakage,' where emissions are not actually reduced but are instead shifted to lower-income countries through the production of emissions-intensive goods.
• Various global jurisdictions have implemented consumption-based targets: San Francisco aims for household emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050; Paris targets a 40% reduction below 2004 levels by 2030; and Sweden intends to set a consumption-based target to achieve net-zero by 2045.
• The document identifies four potential methods for Oregon to set its goals: aligning with existing statutory goals (which would mean reducing per capita emissions from 21.9 tCO2e in 1990 to 2.9 tCO2e in 2050), using 'decent living' standards for well-being, applying global carbon budget scenarios, or using a 'fair share' equity framework.
• Under a 'fair share' approach based on historical responsibility, some assessments suggest high-income nations like the US would need negative per capita emissions to be equitable, with a specific estimate for the US at negative 14.37 tCO2e per capita.

APA

Ghosh, E., & Broekhoff, D. (2024). Setting consumption-based emission reduction goals. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/discussion-1-emission-reduction-goals.pdf

Chicago

Ghosh, Emily, and Derik Broekhoff. Setting consumption-based emission reduction goals. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2024. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/discussion-1-emission-reduction-goals.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ghosh |first1=Emily |last2=Broekhoff |first2=Derik |title=Setting consumption-based emission reduction goals |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=September 2024 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/discussion-1-emission-reduction-goals.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ghosh2024setting, author = {Ghosh, Emily and Broekhoff, Derik}, title = {{Setting consumption-based emission reduction goals}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2024}, month = sep, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/discussion-1-emission-reduction-goals.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }