Kaya Graphs

This view shows the drivers of growth in carbon dioxide emissions from energy, which reflects about two-thirds of all greenhouse gas emissions.

It is called the “Kaya” view because of the equation below, created by Yoichi Kaya:

Global Population x GDP per Capita x Energy Intensity of GDP x Carbon Intensity of Energy = CO2 Emissions from Energy

Here is one way to understand its trends over time:

Global Population is growing—we are currently approaching 8 billion people—and anticipate growth to 11 billion by the end of the century, according to UN projections. The rate of growth is slowing over time as people have smaller families.

GDP per Capita is growing steadily per year, and we assume it will continue, mostly as people in rapidly developing countries such as China, India, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, and Indonesia attain higher standards of living.

Energy Intensity of GDP is decreasing over time, due to the world economy becoming more efficient, or using less energy per unit of economic output. Technologies are improving—for example, more efficient cars, buildings, and machines—and economies are shifting from manufacturing to services. The product of global population, GDP per capita, and the energy intensity of GDP is the total amount of energy used by the global economy.

Carbon Intensity of Final Energy, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by energy use, is expected to slightly decline over time. Overall, this downward trend in carbon intensity is attributed to the gradual shifting away from fossil fuels and towards low-carbon energy sources.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Energy is the result of all four factors multiplied together, and you can see that in the Baseline scenario emissions are growing. As the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere correlates with temperature, an increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to an increase in global temperatures.

These factors explain in simple terms, why emissions are increasing in the Baseline scenario. Improvements in efficiency and decarbonization are not yet keeping up with the strong growth in population and consumption.