Which Industries Are The Most Environmentally Damaging?

Globally, we emit over 50 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases each year. As climate change concerns grow we need to understand how to reduce our negative impact now more than ever. The first step in change is understanding where our current greenhouse gas emissions come from. In this post we explore which industries are the most environmentally damaging and how negative their impact actually is.

1. Energy

Despite a push to move to more renewable sources of energy, coal for energy generation actually increased in 2021. On the bright side, renewable energy and nuclear power generated more energy than coal in 2021. But the key to switching energy sources comes down to cost. As the cost to produce renewable energy continues to fall, its use as an energy source will increase. And if we want to offset the negative impacts from recent emission gains, we need to reduce the cost of renewable energy as soon as possible. 

2. Transport

Over 90% of vehicles on the road are powered by fossil fuels, causing high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Although sales of electric vehicles (EVs) doubled in 2021, they still only represent 10% of vehicle ownership. Encouragingly, governments globally continue to invest in electric vehicle incentives to promote adoption, 14 billion USD in 2020. In addition, many countries globally proposed banning internal combustion engines or implementing 100% sales of zero emissions vehicles in recent years. Considering the enormity of emissions generated from passenger transport, the switch to zero-emission vehicles is key in reducing our environmental impact. 

3. Manufacturing and Construction

According to the 2021 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, this can be achieved by addressing multiple issues within both sectors. On the construction side, key areas include using low carbon materials and optimising processes across the full life cycle. Starting with refurbishing existing buildings right through to circularity at the end of the cycle, numerous changes need to be made within this sector.

4. Agriculture

Globally, agriculture is responsible for the largest percentage of methane emissions (CH4). The majority of this comes from the cultivation of livestock like cattle and crops like rice. Cattle produce methane during digestion, a process known as enteric fermentation which accounts for a quarter of the emissions from this sector. In addition, their manure contributes methane and nitrous oxide (N2O) to the environment. In the US, manure management accounts for 12% of total greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector. Globally, the agriculture industry needs to address their impact by creating strategies for the efficient management of carbon, methane and nitrogen within livestock and crop production. 

5. Buildings

According to the 2021 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, carbon emissions could be eliminated from building operations by 2050 with a three-prong strategy. The first area to address is energy demand through behaviour change and energy efficiency. The second is by decarbonizing the power supply though renewable sources. And finally, managing embodied carbon stored in building materials. Investment and information sharing globally is key to achieving these goals and needed for long lasting change in this sector.

Sustayn is designed to present the most useful recommendations for environmentally friendly approaches and items. We update links when possible, but note that links can be broken and pricing, where noted, can be subject to change. Information referenced in “Environmental Impacts” section references 2019 data.