ASSESSMENT OF CARBON EMISSIONS FROM BURNING FOSSIL FUELS IN MALAWI

Climate change due to emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) is one of many serious global environmental problems. Scientific evidence suggests that a continued increase in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (C02) and other GHGs from human activities will lead to global climatic change with its potentially catastrophic impacts.
This study focuses on estimating carbon emissions from burning fossil fuel from mobile and stationary combustion. Carbon dioxide emissions were calculated from this equation CE=∑ EDij × EFj Where CE is the total carbon emission of the whole study area, i is the sub-sector. j is the energy type/fossil type. ED is the energy consumed by the subsector (petrol, Diesel, LPG etc) and EFJ is the carbon emission factor. Total emissions were the sum of emissions from each category or sector (mobile and stationary combustion).
Emissions were projected using a look-up table which consists of data on fuels consumption, carbon emissions and percentage change per year. Emissions from mobile combustion petrol and diesel were the greatest carbon emitter from 2015 to 2022 while LPG was the lowest emitter from 2015 to 2022. Emissions will increase from 2023 to 2035 at a constant emission percentage change.
In order to reduce and stop carbon emissions, this project recommended that, companies should encourage employees to use alternatives modes of transportation such as those with low carbon emissions. Using of public transport to reduce vehicle traffic, reduction of vehicle exhaust emissions and use of carbon capture and storage.