Non-CO2 greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are critical components in understanding and managing global warming. Although carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most abundant GHG, CH4 and N2O have significantly higher global warming potentials (GWPs) over shorter time horizons—CH4 is about 28-36 times and N2O about 265-298 times more potent than CO2 over 100 years. These gases originate from diverse sources: CH4 primarily from agriculture (enteric fermentation, rice paddies), waste management (landfills), and fossil fuel extraction; N2O mainly from agricultural soil management, industrial activities, and combustion processes. In greenhouse gas inventories, accurately quantifying CH4 and N2O emissions is vital because they contribute substantially to total radiative forcing and climate change acceleration. Their inclusion ensures a comprehensive assessment of anthropogenic emissions and helps identify mitigation opportunities beyond CO2. Additionally, CH4 has a relatively short atmospheric lifetime (~12 years), so reducing its emissions can yield quicker climate benefits. Effective inventory reporting, aligned with IPCC guidelines, supports policy-making, tracking progress toward climate goals, and designing targeted strategies to curb non-CO2 GHG emissions, thereby enhancing overall climate mitigation efforts.

Published on: 2026-02-21 at 00:15:01