Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity for lithium, by resource type and processing route (in tons of CO2 per tonne of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE))
Characteristic
in tons of CO2 per LCE equivalent
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Although lithium is necessary to increase the number of electric vehicles on the roads and other aspects of the energy transition, lithium production itself takes a sizeable toll on the environment. From its current main source, hard rock mines, lithium production generates around ****tons of carbon dioxide per tonne of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). This current brine-based lithium recovery largely happens in Chile. Hardrock extraction from countries like Australia, however, uses about *** tons of CO2. Future demand is currently leading towards lithium hydroxide, which is more suitable for battery production. Lithium hydroxide extraction uses about *** tons of CO2 (brine) or **** tons (hardrock) CO2 per LCE.
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IEA. (May 5, 2021). Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity for lithium, by resource type and processing route (in tons of CO2 per tonne of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE)) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from /statistics/1648834/greenhouse-gas-ghg-emissions-intensity-for-lithium-by-resource-type-and-processing-route/
IEA. "Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity for lithium, by resource type and processing route (in tons of CO2 per tonne of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE))." Chart. May 5, 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 28, 2026. /statistics/1648834/greenhouse-gas-ghg-emissions-intensity-for-lithium-by-resource-type-and-processing-route/
IEA. (2021). Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity for lithium, by resource type and processing route (in tons of CO2 per tonne of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE)). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 28, 2026. /statistics/1648834/greenhouse-gas-ghg-emissions-intensity-for-lithium-by-resource-type-and-processing-route/
IEA. "Greenhouse Gas (Ghg) Emissions Intensity for Lithium, by Resource Type and Processing Route (in Tons of Co2 per Tonne of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (Lce))." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 5 May 2021, /statistics/1648834/greenhouse-gas-ghg-emissions-intensity-for-lithium-by-resource-type-and-processing-route/
IEA, Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity for lithium, by resource type and processing route (in tons of CO2 per tonne of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE)) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1648834/greenhouse-gas-ghg-emissions-intensity-for-lithium-by-resource-type-and-processing-route/ (last visited July 28, 2026)
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity for lithium, by resource type and processing route (in tons of CO2 per tonne of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE)) [Graph], IEA, May 5, 2021. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1648834/greenhouse-gas-ghg-emissions-intensity-for-lithium-by-resource-type-and-processing-route/
