Direct and indirect emissions are classifications for carbon emissions. Direct emissions that are created by an individual; these emissions are controllable and connect a person to their influence on the environment. Indirect emissions are emissions that are related to the individual, such as the carbon produced by the country the person lives in.

For example, in Canada, the average Canadian produces around five tons of carbon dioxide yearly while as a country, Canada produces approximately 20 tons per year. Here, the five tons is the direct emission as it is the average Canadian producing the carbon and can fluctuate depending on the actions of the individual. The 20 tons would be the indirect emission as it is based on not one individual but the Canadian population and emissions made from other sources.

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Other Sources

Donev, Jason, Jordan Hanania and Kailyn Stenhouse. “CO2 Footprint.” http://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/CO2_footprint. Accessed May 4, 2015.

Greenhouse Gas Protocol. “FAQ.” http://www.ghgprotocol.org/calculation-tools/faq. Accessed May 3, 2016.