Target: Intensity

The report distinguishes between GHG intensity targets, which measure emissions relative to productivity or economic output, and absolute emissions targets, which measure reductions against a historical baseline. It concludes that while intensity targets are sometimes viewed as deceptive or environmentally lax, they can be effective tools for achieving significant greenhouse gas reductions if implemented correctly.

• Greenhouse gas intensity targets are defined as policies that set emissions reductions in relation to economic output or productivity, such as tons of CO2 per million dollars of GDP, whereas absolute targets measure reductions in metric tons against a historical baseline.
• Despite perceptions that intensity targets are deceptive or environmentally lax, the report finds they can serve as useful policy instruments for securing real and significant commitments to reduce greenhouse gases when used properly.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Target: Intensity. https://www.wri.org/research/target-intensity

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Target: Intensity. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/target-intensity.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Target: Intensity |url=https://www.wri.org/research/target-intensity |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendtarget, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Target: Intensity}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/target-intensity}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }