The most recent inventory of greenhouse gas emissions is available. It focuses on carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases with high global warming potential. It uses a framework and scope consistent with international and national inventory practices. The updated emission inventory includes improved estimation methods and additional years of data. The website also offers archives of previous inventory data.
Methane
Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases. According to a United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report released in August, it is responsible for nearly one-third of global warming. While reducing carbon dioxide emissions alone will not solve the climate crisis, cutting methane emissions is essential. According to Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection, 77 percent of methane emissions are due to direct landfilling of organic waste. But if the latest data are accurate, emissions could even get worse.
Currently, the biggest source of methane emissions comes from oil and gas operations. However, the emissions from these operations can be cut with a low cost. Since methane is a commercial gas, any additional captured methane can be directly monetised, which makes it easier for the oil and gas sector to implement emissions reductions.
Alberta has a robust methane regulation program. The government has entrusted the regulator with setting regulations to curb emissions. The government has directed the regulator to update the rules on methane emissions by May 2020. These new regulations will tighten venting requirements and other regulations. However, they will not eliminate the loophole that allows dirty facilities to spew pollution as long as they are part of a fleet that meets the average rate.
The rise of atmospheric methane levels has been a contributing factor to global climate change. This greenhouse gas is responsible for nearly ten percent of the total emissions of greenhouse gases. It traps more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Consequently, methane warms the planet 72 times more than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.
Nitrous oxide
The greenhouse gas nitrous oxide is less well known than carbon dioxide, but it is nearly 300 times more potent. Cattle manure and agricultural synthetic fertilizer are the main sources of nitrous oxide, and the amount emitted by humans has increased significantly over the past four decades. The latest study found that nitrous oxide emissions have increased 30 percent since the early 1970s.
Methane is produced as a byproduct of decomposing plant matter and is a major greenhouse gas. The global warming potential of a single molecule of methane is about 25 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. In contrast, nitrous oxide is a natural gas produced by bacteria that exist in soil and is produced as a result of modern agricultural practices. It is the second most potent greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, and is released in high concentrations by plants.
Nitrous oxide is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and is very long-lived, which means that it depletes the ozone layer. It contributes about 6 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, with three-quarters of its emissions coming from agriculture. If you are concerned about the environmental impact of these gases, you should know that there is a way to mitigate the effects of these greenhouse gases by using a nitrogen fertilization technique.
In addition to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, reducing the use of nitrous oxide can also lower the rate at which the atmosphere absorbs carbon dioxide. While N2O is responsible for about six percent of greenhouse gas emissions, it is also important to minimize nitrous oxide production in order to reduce the emissions of these gases. More than one hundred million tonnes of nitrogen are spread annually on crops, pastures, and livestock manure. While nitrogen makes crops grow more abundantly, it also causes them to release nitrous oxide.
Fluorinated gases
Fluorinated gases are among the most potent and longest-lasting greenhouse gases. They are covered under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) that requires facilities to report their annual emissions. This program also requires companies to disclose the quantity of each gas they supply.
Fluorinated gases are man-made greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. They are much stronger than carbon dioxide or other natural greenhouse gases. Many industries use F-gases, including stationary refrigeration, fire protection systems, high-voltage switch gear, mobile air conditioning in cars and light vans, and semiconductor production. F-gases are also used in solvents, foams, and aerosols.
These gases are released into the atmosphere by human activities, including burning fossil fuels and agriculture. Fluorinated gases, such as hydrochlorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons, come from the release of aerosols. They increase the Earth’s temperature, resulting in global warming.
The Montreal Protocol called for all parties to phase down HFC production. Developed countries are required to start reducing HFC production in 2019 and most developing countries will begin the phasedown in 2024. The European Union ratified the Kigali Amendment in September, and individual Member States are in the process of ratifying it. Fluorinated gases are used in various products, such as electric arc suppression gas (SF6), and semiconductor manufacturing (SF3 and NF3).
Water vapour
Water vapour is one of the most powerful greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Human activities produce large amounts of it. However, its radiative forcing and global warming potential are not well understood. This study uses a mathematical model to calculate the effects of water vapour on global warming. In addition, it takes into account the effects of convective processes, which transport water vapour upwards in convective drafts.
Water vapour is responsible for a significant proportion of the total greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Its levels depend on the temperature of the air. The warmer the air is, the more water vapour it can absorb. The excess water vapour condenses as clouds and rain, amplifying the warming effect of other greenhouse gases.
The response to water vapour in the atmosphere is small because the gas cannot reach the upper troposphere. Moreover, the reflectance caused by low cloud cover outweighs the greenhouse-gas warming. Despite this, the study implies that a decrease in land-surface temperature can occur without any evaporative cooling. This is due to low cloud cover and changes in the moist lapse rate caused by vapour.
The water vapour greenhouse gas is responsible for more than half of the greenhouse effect of the Earth’s atmosphere. Human activities such as irrigation, power plant cooling, aviation, and domestic water use generate significant amounts of water vapour. Although compared to CO2, water vapour is not a large source of greenhouse gas emissions, it still contributes to global warming.
When water vapour is emitted into the atmosphere, it amplifies the warming effect. This is called a feedback process. The higher the water vapour content, the more warming the earth’s atmosphere will experience. In addition to warming, the increased water vapour increases the amount of atmospheric moisture. This leads to a rippling effect and further evaporation.
Electric power sector
Electricity generation, especially coal combustion, releases huge volumes of carbon dioxide and other climate-warming gases into the atmosphere. In 2020, the United States was the world’s second largest contributor to electric power emissions, emitting 1.6 billion metric tons of CO2. In addition, the power sector is the leading source of toxic air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide and mercury, which can be harmful to human health. However, the electric power industry must do more to reduce its emissions.
One economic way to reduce emissions is by introducing a carbon pricing policy. This policy, which increases the cost of electricity, targets power generation that produces large amounts of CO2, and incentivizes a switch to lower-carbon fuels. It can also encourage consumers to reduce their electricity use, but can be politically difficult to implement. Electric companies are often reluctant to impose new fees, and the increased cost of retail electricity could discourage consumers.
In the EU, there are a number of policies aimed at decarbonising the power generation sector. Among these, the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2019 requires that electricity be produced with 96 percent clean electricity by 2050. This act also sets a goal of reducing emissions by 61 percent between 2020 and 2035.
Regulatory changes can complement legislative efforts, and FERC has signaled that it is open to implementing carbon pricing. However, FERC must consider the impact of its policies on the functioning of the electricity market. As a result, a carbon pricing policy is only possible if a federal or state policy directs FERC to do so.
