The most straightforward approach uses two types of CO2 emission rates: rates of CO2 emissions when goods and services are produced, and rates of CO2 emissions when final goods and services are consumed. Using these with IMPLAN impact reports can show the total impacts (ie, direct, indirect and induced) on both economic variables like employment and income as well as CO2.

For the production activities of industries, CO2 rates describe emissions per dollar of total output: call these Production CO2 coefficients. They track CO2 emissions that result when businesses manufacture their products or provide their services. For example, making Portland cement may produce 500 tons of CO2 per million dollars of production. For consumption Activities, CO2 rates describe emissions per dollar of consumption for each commodity when final users like households consume the product: call these Consumption CO2 coefficients. For example, final consumption of gasoline by households (e.g., to fuel automobiles) may produce 500 tons of CO2 per million dollars of gasoline consumed.

IMPLAN does not offer CO2 coefficients. However, the US Environmental Protection Agency website www.epa.gov is a great source for finding them.

Once you have IMPLAN's Impact Results for your scenario, export the Output report (Output Impact (IM010).tab in csv format). Import this file into your favorite spreadsheet. Multiply the Total effects column by your corresponding column of Production CO2 coefficients, and multiply the Induced effects column by your Consumption CO2 coefficients. The results provide the CO2 emissions in the Study Area that result from the direct, indirect and induced economic activity associated with your scenario.