A life cycle inventory analysis (LCI) database that encompasses the entire Korean electrical energy grid was developed. The CO2 emission per functional unit of electricity, 1 kWh of usable electricity, was 0.49 kg/f.u. Contribution of direct emission of CO2 to the total CO2 emission was around 95%. In the case of emissions of SOx, NOx, and PM, contribution of the upstream processes including raw energy material extraction, transport, and fuel processing to the total emissions were 29%, 26%, and 43%, respectively. Emissions of air pollutants from power generation or direct emissions are much greater in quantity than those from the upstream processes. On the other hand, the opposite is true for the emissions of water pollutants. Bituminous coal was the largest source of emissions of air and water pollutants including CO2. Natural gas was the best fuel and anthracite coal was the worst fuel with respect to the direct and upstream emissions of air and water pollutants and wastes. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.