[Lewis Thomson (OP)]

David has been pondering this in his mind for a while now.

"I am confused by the expression “carbon emissions” which I keep hearing. Despite hearing one of the 5 Live presenters describe carbon as a gas, I always thought that carbon was a solid. I can’t believe that “carbon emissions” is used as an abbreviation for carbon dioxide emissions because “CO2 emissions” is a much more accurate and shorter way of expressing it and is widely understood."

Discuss your thoughts in the comments below...

[chiralSPO]

In general, "carbon emissions" is shorthand for carbon dioxide, but it also covers methane (CH₄) Which is a potent greenhouse gas.

[hamdani yusuf]

one of the 5 Live presenters describe carbon as a gas

I made similar mistake in kindergarten.

I can’t believe that “carbon emissions” is used as an abbreviation for carbon dioxide emissions because “CO2 emissions” is a much more accurate and shorter way of expressing it and is widely understood.

I agree that we should try to reduce ambiguity in communicating information as far as possible. A lot of accidents and undesired effects are caused by miscommunication.

[hamdani yusuf]

In general, "carbon emissions" is shorthand for carbon dioxide, but it also covers methane (CH₄) Which is a potent greenhouse gas.

Does it also cover carbon monoxide?

[chiralSPO]

Yes, I would expect CO to count as carbon emissions as well, though hopefully CO emissions are extremely small compared to CO₂ emissions (it is very toxic).

It's worth pointing out that CO is converted to CO₂ on a timescale of weeks to months, so in the long run, climate-wise, it's essentially the same. In contrast, CH₄ will last nearly 10 years in the atmosphere (not terribly long on geological time, of course, but long enough that methane emissions anywhere will affect the planet everywhere).