Difference between revisions of "CO2e"
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== Greenhouse gases under the UNFCCC/Kyoto Protocol == | == Greenhouse gases under the UNFCCC/Kyoto Protocol == | ||
| − | The UNFCCC regulates “greenhouse gases, not covered by the Montreal Protocol”, a form of wording adopted as some of the ozone depleting gases already regulated under the UN’s ‘Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer’, are also powerful greenhouse gases. | + | The [[wikipedia:UNFCCC|UNFCCC]] regulates “greenhouse gases, not covered by the Montreal Protocol”, a form of wording adopted as some of the ozone depleting gases already regulated under the UN’s ‘Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer’, are also powerful [[wikipedia:Greenhouse_gases|greenhouse gases]]. |
Itemised under the Kyoto Protocol (KP)’s Annex A, are the six main greenhouse gases. In the KP, these are treated as ‘a basket’ of gases, rather than individually, meaning that the legally binding target applies to the total of all the greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason it should be noted that each gas had different strengths, or global warming potentials (GWP) based on its impact on warming and lifetime in the atmosphere. Often statistics will use aggregated numbers and refer to a CO2e – CO2 equivalent – final amount. | Itemised under the Kyoto Protocol (KP)’s Annex A, are the six main greenhouse gases. In the KP, these are treated as ‘a basket’ of gases, rather than individually, meaning that the legally binding target applies to the total of all the greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason it should be noted that each gas had different strengths, or global warming potentials (GWP) based on its impact on warming and lifetime in the atmosphere. Often statistics will use aggregated numbers and refer to a CO2e – CO2 equivalent – final amount. | ||
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The six main regulated greenhouse gases, and their sources, are: | The six main regulated greenhouse gases, and their sources, are: | ||
| − | * CO<sub>2</sub> – Carbon dioxide –primary contributor to global warming, mainly from | + | * CO<sub>2</sub> – Carbon dioxide –primary contributor to global warming, mainly from fossil fuel combustion (Global Warming Potential, GWP: 1 – GWP is for 100 year lifetime of the gas in the atmosphere – see the [http://www.eia.goe.gov IPCC Third Assessment Report] or [[wikipedia:Carbon_dioxide_equivalent|this]] for more information about carbon equivalents ) |
| − | fossil fuel combustion | + | * CH<sub>4</sub> – Methane – agriculture practices and waste management processes, as well as release, from for example, coal mines (GWP: 23) |
| − | * CH<sub>4</sub> – Methane – agriculture practices and waste management processes, as | + | * N<sub>2</sub>O – Nitrous oxide – agricultural practices, mainly the use of nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture, and to a lesser extent animal waste handling, by product of fossil fuel combustion, mainly in the transport sector (GWP: 296) |
| − | well as release, from for example, coal mines | + | * PFCs – Perfluorocarbons – an alternative to ozone depleting CFC’s and HCFC’s, emitted as by-product of aluminium production, and also used in semiconductor manufacturing (GWP: 5,700-11,900) |
| − | * N<sub>2</sub>O – Nitrous oxide – agricultural practices, mainly the use of nitrogen | + | * HFCs – Hydrofluorocarbons – mainly substitutes for CFCs and HCFCs, for use primarily in refrigeration, foam blowing, and air conditioning equipment (GWP: range 120-12,000, the latter for HFC-23) |
| − | fertilizers in agriculture, and to a lesser extent animal waste handling, by | + | * SF6 – Sulphur hexafluoride - used as an insulator for circuit breakers, switch gear, and other electrical equipment; also emitted from some semi-conductor manufacturing processes (GWP: 22,200) |
| − | product of fossil fuel combustion, mainly in the transport sector | ||
| − | * PFCs – Perfluorocarbons – an alternative to ozone depleting CFC’s and | ||
| − | HCFC’s, emitted as by-product of aluminium production, and also used in semiconductor | ||
| − | manufacturing | ||
| − | * HFCs – Hydrofluorocarbons – mainly substitutes for CFCs and HCFCs, for | ||
| − | use primarily in refrigeration, foam blowing, and air conditioning equipment | ||
| − | (GWP: range 120-12,000, the latter for HFC-23) | ||
| − | * SF6 – Sulphur hexafluoride - used as an insulator for circuit breakers, switch | ||
| − | gear, and other electrical equipment; also emitted from some semi-conductor | ||
| − | manufacturing processes | ||
The last three, often referred to as the industrial greenhouse gases, are chemically engineered, and do not occur naturally. Some have very long lifetimes and are extremely powerful, although are a small percentage of overall emissions. Rising emission trends and incentives within international regulation, for example HFC manufacturing, are being carefully scrutinised. | The last three, often referred to as the industrial greenhouse gases, are chemically engineered, and do not occur naturally. Some have very long lifetimes and are extremely powerful, although are a small percentage of overall emissions. Rising emission trends and incentives within international regulation, for example HFC manufacturing, are being carefully scrutinised. | ||
| − | For the USA in | + | For the USA in 2008, CO<sub>2</sub> accounted for 81.3% of total emissions; methane 10.5%, nitrous oxide 4.3%, and the industrial greenhouse gases 2.5%. CO<sub>2</sub> emissions fell in 2008 due to high energy prices, economic contraction and lower demand as well as lower carbon. |
Latest revision as of 21:14, 11 July 2010
Greenhouse gases under the UNFCCC/Kyoto Protocol
The UNFCCC regulates “greenhouse gases, not covered by the Montreal Protocol”, a form of wording adopted as some of the ozone depleting gases already regulated under the UN’s ‘Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer’, are also powerful greenhouse gases.
Itemised under the Kyoto Protocol (KP)’s Annex A, are the six main greenhouse gases. In the KP, these are treated as ‘a basket’ of gases, rather than individually, meaning that the legally binding target applies to the total of all the greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason it should be noted that each gas had different strengths, or global warming potentials (GWP) based on its impact on warming and lifetime in the atmosphere. Often statistics will use aggregated numbers and refer to a CO2e – CO2 equivalent – final amount.
The six main regulated greenhouse gases, and their sources, are:
- CO2 – Carbon dioxide –primary contributor to global warming, mainly from fossil fuel combustion (Global Warming Potential, GWP: 1 – GWP is for 100 year lifetime of the gas in the atmosphere – see the IPCC Third Assessment Report or this for more information about carbon equivalents )
- CH4 – Methane – agriculture practices and waste management processes, as well as release, from for example, coal mines (GWP: 23)
- N2O – Nitrous oxide – agricultural practices, mainly the use of nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture, and to a lesser extent animal waste handling, by product of fossil fuel combustion, mainly in the transport sector (GWP: 296)
- PFCs – Perfluorocarbons – an alternative to ozone depleting CFC’s and HCFC’s, emitted as by-product of aluminium production, and also used in semiconductor manufacturing (GWP: 5,700-11,900)
- HFCs – Hydrofluorocarbons – mainly substitutes for CFCs and HCFCs, for use primarily in refrigeration, foam blowing, and air conditioning equipment (GWP: range 120-12,000, the latter for HFC-23)
- SF6 – Sulphur hexafluoride - used as an insulator for circuit breakers, switch gear, and other electrical equipment; also emitted from some semi-conductor manufacturing processes (GWP: 22,200)
The last three, often referred to as the industrial greenhouse gases, are chemically engineered, and do not occur naturally. Some have very long lifetimes and are extremely powerful, although are a small percentage of overall emissions. Rising emission trends and incentives within international regulation, for example HFC manufacturing, are being carefully scrutinised.
For the USA in 2008, CO2 accounted for 81.3% of total emissions; methane 10.5%, nitrous oxide 4.3%, and the industrial greenhouse gases 2.5%. CO2 emissions fell in 2008 due to high energy prices, economic contraction and lower demand as well as lower carbon.
