Non-CO2 greenhouse gases (GHGs) like methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) play a critical role in global warming and are essential components of greenhouse gas inventories. Although CO2 is the most abundant and well-known GHG, CH4 and N2O have much higher global warming potentials (GWPs) over shorter time horizons—approximately 28-36 times for CH4 and about 265-298 times for N2O over 100 years. Methane primarily originates from agriculture (e.g., livestock digestion), landfills, and fossil fuel extraction, while nitrous oxide mainly comes from agricultural soil management and industrial activities. Including these gases in inventories is vital because they contribute significantly to radiative forcing despite their lower atmospheric concentrations. Accurate accounting of CH4 and N2O emissions helps policymakers identify key emission sources, track progress towards climate goals, and implement targeted mitigation strategies. Moreover, reducing these gases often yields quicker climate benefits due to their shorter atmospheric lifetimes compared to CO2. Thus, non-CO2 gases are indispensable for comprehensive climate assessments, effective regulatory frameworks, and achieving net-zero emission targets.

Published on: 2026-02-14 at 00:15:01