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ECONOMIC REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

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Figure 7-25<br />

Decomposition of Total CO 2 Emission Reductions, 2008–2015<br />

Lower Level<br />

of GDP<br />

31%<br />

Lower Carbon<br />

Intensity<br />

29%<br />

Lower Energy<br />

Intensity<br />

40%<br />

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Accounts; Energy<br />

Information Administration, August 2016 Monthly Energy Review and 2008 Annual<br />

Energy Outlook; CEA Calculations.<br />

developments in recent years (for example, the shifts toward natural gas and<br />

renewables discussed earlier).<br />

Figure 7-25 takes the same decomposition approach using the forecast<br />

of 2015 GDP to determine a “GDP surprise” but considers emissions<br />

reductions in 2015 compared with observed emissions in 2008, rather than<br />

projections for 2015. That is, the projections hold energy intensity and<br />

carbon intensity in 2008 constant over the period from 2009 to 2015. In this<br />

manner, Figure 7-25 decomposes total emissions reductions since 2008 in<br />

a way that includes expected, as well as unexpected, movements in either<br />

energy intensity or carbon intensity.<br />

Considering total emissions reductions compared with 2008, Figure<br />

7-25 shows that 40 percent of total emissions reductions can be attributed<br />

to lower energy intensity, 29 percent to lower carbon intensity, and 31 percent<br />

to a lower level of GDP. The impact of lower energy intensity, while<br />

expected, was substantial.<br />

To further understand the decline in emissions since 2008, CEA<br />

considers emission declines separately by sector—residential, commercial,<br />

industrial, and transportation—and decomposes total emission impacts<br />

from reduced energy intensity, reduced carbon intensity, and a lower level of<br />

GDP (due to unanticipated shocks, most notably the Great Recession) separately<br />

by sector. To perform the sector-by-sector analysis, CEA estimates<br />

Addressing Climate Change | 469

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