Ricardo-AEA's energy and climate change experts are to undertake research on the current and Life Cycle Emissions (LCEs)  of key low carbon technologies and alternatives as part of a new project for the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). The project involves Ricardo-AEA supporting the CCC to understand the main life cycle stages for selected low carbon technologies, including, solar PV, coal CCS, heat pumps and battery electric cars as well as the countries where these emissions arise.

While UK emissions have been decreasing over the last two decades, emissions embedded in products consumed in the UK (also known as consumption emissions) have been increasing.  The purpose of this project is to collect data on life-cycle emissions and on their breakdown by lifecycle stage. It will also identify the location where key emission sources originate considering the UK supply chain.  Factors which could influence LCEs will be identified and scenarios will be developed to explore changes in a subset of the most important factors out to 2050. The research will contribute to a report by the CCC on UK consumption emissions to be published in spring 2013

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