Defined by the UN (2002) as “the discharge of pollutants into the atmosphere from stationary sources such as smokestacks, other vents, surface areas of commercial or industrial facilities and mobile sources, for example, motor vehicles, locomotives and aircraft”. With respect to climate change, emissions refer to “the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere over a specified area and period of time” (IPCC, 2001; p. 72).

Emissions are the discharges of pollutants into the atmosphere from stationary sources such as smokestacks, other vents, surface areas of commercial or industrial facilities, and mobile sources such as motor vehicles, locomotives and aircraft. With respect to climate change, emissions refer to the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere over a specified area and period of time.