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<!doctype html><html><head><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"/><title>Greenhouse gas emissions - Our World in Data</title><meta name="description" content="Which countries emit the most greenhouse gases each year? How do they compare per person?"/><link rel="canonical" href="https://ourworldindata.org/greenhouse-gas-emissions"/><link rel="alternate" type="application/atom+xml" href="/atom.xml"/><link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/apple-touch-icon.png"/><meta property="fb:app_id" content="1149943818390250"/><meta property="og:url" content="https://ourworldindata.org/greenhouse-gas-emissions"/><meta property="og:title" content="Greenhouse gas emissions"/><meta property="og:description" content="Which countries emit the most greenhouse gases each year? How do they compare per person?"/><meta property="og:image" content="https://ourworldindata.org/app/uploads/2020/08/Global-GHG-Emissions-by-gas-768x258.png"/><meta property="og:site_name" content="Our World in Data"/><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/><meta name="twitter:site" content="@OurWorldInData"/><meta name="twitter:creator" content="@OurWorldInData"/><meta name="twitter:title" content="Greenhouse gas emissions"/><meta name="twitter:description" content="Which countries emit the most greenhouse gases each year? How do they compare per person?"/><meta name="twitter:image" content="https://ourworldindata.org/app/uploads/2020/08/Global-GHG-Emissions-by-gas-768x258.png"/><link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Lato:300,400,400i,700,700i|Playfair+Display:400,700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet"/><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://ourworldindata.org/assets/commons.css"/><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://ourworldindata.org/assets/owid.css"/><meta name="citation_title" content="CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions"/><meta name="citation_fulltext_html_url" content="https://ourworldindata.org/co2-and-other-greenhouse-gas-emissions"/><meta name="citation_fulltext_world_readable" content=""/><meta name="citation_publication_date" content="2020/05/11"/><meta name="citation_journal_title" content="Our World in Data"/><meta name="citation_journal_abbrev" content="Our World in Data"/><meta name="citation_author" content="Hannah Ritchie"/><meta name="citation_author" content="Max Roser"/><meta name="citation_author" content="Pablo Rosado"/></head><body class=""><header class="site-header"><div class="wrapper site-navigation-bar"><div class="site-logo"><a href="/">Our World<br/> in Data</a></div><nav class="site-navigation"><div class="topics-button-wrapper"><a href="/#entries" class="topics-button"><div class="label">Articles <br/><strong>by topic</strong></div><div class="icon"><svg width="12" height="6"><path d="M0,0 L12,0 L6,6 Z" fill="currentColor"></path></svg></div></a></div><div><div class="site-primary-navigation"><form class="HeaderSearch" action="/search" method="GET"><input type="search" name="q" placeholder="Search..."/><div class="icon"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="magnifying-glass" class="svg-inline--fa fa-magnifying-glass " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M500.3 443.7l-119.7-119.7c27.22-40.41 40.65-90.9 33.46-144.7C401.8 87.79 326.8 13.32 235.2 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data-track-note="covid-banner-click">Explore our COVID-19 data</a></div></div><main><article class="page with-sidebar large-banner"><div class="offset-header"><header class="article-header"><div class="article-titles"><h1 class="entry-title">Greenhouse gas emissions</h1><div class="breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a><span class="separator"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="angle-right" class="svg-inline--fa fa-angle-right " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 256 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M64 448c-8.188 0-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L178.8 256L41.38 118.6c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l160 160c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.75 0 45.25l-160 160C80.38 444.9 72.19 448 64 448z"></path></svg></span><a data-track-note="breadcrumb" href="/co2-and-other-greenhouse-gas-emissions">CO₂ and GHG Emissions</a><span class="separator"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="angle-right" class="svg-inline--fa fa-angle-right " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 256 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M64 448c-8.188 0-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L178.8 256L41.38 118.6c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l160 160c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.75 0 45.25l-160 160C80.38 444.9 72.19 448 64 448z"></path></svg></span><span>GHG emissions</span></div></div><div class="authors-byline"><a href="/team">by Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser</a></div><div class="tools"><a href="#licence"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fab" data-icon="creative-commons" class="svg-inline--fa fa-creative-commons " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 496 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M245.8 214.9l-33.22 17.28c-9.43-19.58-25.24-19.93-27.46-19.93-22.13 0-33.22 14.61-33.22 43.84 0 23.57 9.21 43.84 33.22 43.84 14.47 0 24.65-7.09 30.57-21.26l30.55 15.5c-6.17 11.51-25.69 38.98-65.1 38.98-22.6 0-73.96-10.32-73.96-77.05 0-58.69 43-77.06 72.63-77.06 30.72-.01 52.7 11.95 65.99 35.86zm143.1 0l-32.78 17.28c-9.5-19.77-25.72-19.93-27.9-19.93-22.14 0-33.22 14.61-33.22 43.84 0 23.55 9.23 43.84 33.22 43.84 14.45 0 24.65-7.09 30.54-21.26l31 15.5c-2.1 3.75-21.39 38.98-65.09 38.98-22.69 0-73.96-9.87-73.96-77.05 0-58.67 42.97-77.06 72.63-77.06 30.71-.01 52.58 11.95 65.56 35.86zM247.6 8.05C104.7 8.05 0 123.1 0 256c0 138.5 113.6 248 247.6 248 129.9 0 248.4-100.9 248.4-248 0-137.9-106.6-248-248.4-248zm.87 450.8c-112.5 0-203.7-93.04-203.7-202.8 0-105.4 85.43-203.3 203.7-203.3 112.5 0 202.8 89.46 202.8 203.3-.01 121.7-99.68 202.8-202.8 202.8z"></path></svg>Reuse our work freely</a><a href="#citation"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="book" class="svg-inline--fa fa-book " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M448 336v-288C448 21.49 426.5 0 400 0H96C42.98 0 0 42.98 0 96v320c0 53.02 42.98 96 96 96h320c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-31.1c0-11.72-6.607-21.52-16-27.1v-81.36C441.8 362.8 448 350.2 448 336zM143.1 128h192C344.8 128 352 135.2 352 144C352 152.8 344.8 160 336 160H143.1C135.2 160 128 152.8 128 144C128 135.2 135.2 128 143.1 128zM143.1 192h192C344.8 192 352 199.2 352 208C352 216.8 344.8 224 336 224H143.1C135.2 224 128 216.8 128 208C128 199.2 135.2 192 143.1 192zM384 448H96c-17.67 0-32-14.33-32-32c0-17.67 14.33-32 32-32h288V448z"></path></svg>Cite this research</a></div></header></div><div class="offset-subnavigation"><div class="site-subnavigation"><div class="site-subnavigation-scroll"><ul class="site-subnavigation-links"><li class="highlight"><a href="/co2-and-other-greenhouse-gas-emissions" data-track-note="co2-subnav-co2-and-ghg-emissions">CO₂ and GHG Emissions<svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="chevron-left" class="svg-inline--fa fa-chevron-left " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 320 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M224 480c-8.188 0-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-192-192c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25l192-192c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0s12.5 32.75 0 45.25L77.25 256l169.4 169.4c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.75 0 45.25C240.4 476.9 232.2 480 224 480z"></path></svg></a></li><li class=""><a href="/co2-and-other-greenhouse-gas-emissions#co2-and-greenhouse-gas-emissions-country-profiles" data-track-note="co2-subnav-by-country">By country</a></li><li class=""><a href="/explorers/co2" data-track-note="co2-subnav-co2-data-explorer">Data explorer</a></li><li class=""><a href="/co2-emissions" data-track-note="co2-subnav-co2-emissions">CO₂ emissions</a></li><li class=""><a href="/emissions-by-fuel" data-track-note="co2-subnav-by-fuel">CO₂ by fuel</a></li><li class="current"><a href="/greenhouse-gas-emissions" data-track-note="co2-subnav-ghg-emissions">GHG emissions</a></li><li class=""><a href="/emissions-by-sector" data-track-note="co2-subnav-by-sector">By sector</a></li><li class=""><a href="/atmospheric-concentrations" data-track-note="co2-subnav-atm-concentrations">Atmospheric concentrations</a></li><li class=""><a href="/explorers/climate-change" data-track-note="co2-subnav-climate-impacts">Climate impacts</a></li></ul></div></div></div><div class="content-wrapper"><div class="toc-wrapper"><aside class="entry-sidebar"><div class="sticky-sentinel"></div><nav class="entry-toc"><ul><li><a href="#" data-track-note="toc-header">Greenhouse gas emissions</a></li><li class="section"><a href="#total-greenhouse-gas-emissions" data-track-note="toc-link">Total greenhouse gas emissions</a></li><li class="subsection"><a href="#annual-greenhouse-gas-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year" data-track-note="toc-link">Annual greenhouse gas emissions: how much do we emit each year?</a></li><li class="subsection"><a href="#per-capita-greenhouse-gas-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit" data-track-note="toc-link">Per capita greenhouse gas emissions: how much does the average person emit?</a></li><li class="subsection"><a href="#by-gas-how-much-does-each-contribute-to-total-greenhouse-gas-emissions" data-track-note="toc-link">By gas: how much does each contribute to total greenhouse gas emissions?</a></li><li class="section"><a href="#methane-ch4-emissions" data-track-note="toc-link">Methane (CH4) emissions</a></li><li class="subsection"><a href="#annual-methane-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year" data-track-note="toc-link">Annual methane emissions: how much do we emit each year?</a></li><li class="subsection"><a href="#per-capita-methane-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit" data-track-note="toc-link">Per capita methane emissions: how much does the average person emit?</a></li><li class="section"><a href="#nitrous-oxide-n2o-emissions" data-track-note="toc-link">Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions</a></li><li class="subsection"><a href="#annual-nitrous-oxide-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year" data-track-note="toc-link">Annual nitrous oxide emissions: how much do we emit each year?</a></li><li class="subsection"><a href="#per-capita-nitrous-oxide-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit" data-track-note="toc-link">Per capita nitrous oxide emissions: how much does the average person emit?</a></li><li class="section"><a href="#emissions-by-sector-where-do-our-emissions-come-from" data-track-note="toc-link">Emissions by sector: where do our emissions come from?</a></li><li class="section"><a href="#how-are-greenhouse-gases-measured" data-track-note="toc-link">How are greenhouse gases measured?</a></li><li class="subsection"><a href="#how-do-we-quantify-greenhouse-gas-emissions" data-track-note="toc-link">How do we quantify greenhouse gas emissions?</a></li><li class="subsection"><a href="#how-do-we-account-for-the-warming-of-different-gases" data-track-note="toc-link">How do we account for the warming of different gases?</a></li><li class="subsection"><a href="#why-do-we-not-have-long-term-estimates-on-total-greenhouse-gas-emissions" data-track-note="toc-link">Why do we not have long-term estimates on total greenhouse gas emissions?</a></li><li class="section"><a href="#endnotes" data-track-note="toc-link">Endnotes</a></li><li class="section"><a href="#licence" data-track-note="toc-link">Licence</a></li><li class="section"><a href="#citation" data-track-note="toc-link">Citation</a></li></ul></nav><div class="toggle-toc"><button data-track-note="page-toggle-toc" aria-label="Open table of contents"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="bars" class="svg-inline--fa fa-bars " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M0 96C0 78.33 14.33 64 32 64H416C433.7 64 448 78.33 448 96C448 113.7 433.7 128 416 128H32C14.33 128 0 113.7 0 96zM0 256C0 238.3 14.33 224 32 224H416C433.7 224 448 238.3 448 256C448 273.7 433.7 288 416 288H32C14.33 288 0 273.7 0 256zM416 448H32C14.33 448 0 433.7 0 416C0 398.3 14.33 384 32 384H416C433.7 384 448 398.3 448 416C448 433.7 433.7 448 416 448z"></path></svg><span class="label">Contents</span></button></div></aside></div><div class="offset-content"><div class="content-and-footnotes"><div class="article-content"><section><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-right"><div class="wp-block-column"><p>You can <strong><a href="https://github.com/owid/co2-data">download</a></strong> our complete <em>Our World in Data</em> CO<sub>2</sub> and Greenhouse Gas Emissions database.</p><hr class="wp-block-separator"><p>In discussions on climate change, we tend to focus on carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) – the most dominant greenhouse gas produced by the burning of fossil fuels, industrial production, and land use change. We cover CO<sub>2</sub> – global emissions, annual, cumulative, per capita, and consumption-based emissions – in great detail in our <strong><a href="https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions">CO<sub>2</sub> emissions page</a></strong>.</p><p>But CO<sub>2</sub> is not the only greenhouse gas that is driving global climate change. There are a number of others – methane, nitrous oxide, and trace gases such as the group of ‘F-gases’ – which have contributed a significant amount of warming to date.</p><p>Here we look at total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the world, plus breakdowns of other major gases including methane and nitrous oxide.</p></div><div class="wp-block-column"></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section-heading"><div class="wrapper"><div><h2 id="total-greenhouse-gas-emissions">Total greenhouse gas emissions<a class="deep-link" href="#total-greenhouse-gas-emissions"></a></h2></div><div class="in-this-section"><div class="label">In this section</div><div class="border"></div></div><ul class="subheadings"><li><a href="#annual-greenhouse-gas-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-down" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-down " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 384 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M374.6 310.6l-160 160C208.4 476.9 200.2 480 192 480s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L160 370.8V64c0-17.69 14.33-31.1 31.1-31.1S224 46.31 224 64v306.8l105.4-105.4c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0S387.1 298.1 374.6 310.6z"></path></svg><span><strong>Annual</strong> greenhouse gas emissions: how much do we emit each year?</span></a></li><li><a href="#per-capita-greenhouse-gas-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-down" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-down " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 384 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M374.6 310.6l-160 160C208.4 476.9 200.2 480 192 480s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L160 370.8V64c0-17.69 14.33-31.1 31.1-31.1S224 46.31 224 64v306.8l105.4-105.4c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0S387.1 298.1 374.6 310.6z"></path></svg><span><strong>Per capita</strong> greenhouse gas emissions: how much does the average person emit?</span></a></li><li><a href="#by-gas-how-much-does-each-contribute-to-total-greenhouse-gas-emissions"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-down" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-down " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 384 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M374.6 310.6l-160 160C208.4 476.9 200.2 480 192 480s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L160 370.8V64c0-17.69 14.33-31.1 31.1-31.1S224 46.31 224 64v306.8l105.4-105.4c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0S387.1 298.1 374.6 310.6z"></path></svg><span><strong>By gas</strong>: how much does each contribute to total greenhouse gas emissions?</span></a></li></ul></div></div><h3 id="annual-greenhouse-gas-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year"><strong>Annual</strong> greenhouse gas emissions: how much do we emit each year?<a class="deep-link" href="#annual-greenhouse-gas-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year"></a></h3><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-right"><div class="wp-block-column"><h4 id="global-greenhouse-gas-emissions"><strong>Global</strong> greenhouse gas emissions<a class="deep-link" href="#global-greenhouse-gas-emissions"></a></h4></div><div class="wp-block-column"></div></div><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-left">
<div class="wp-block-column">
<figure data-grapher-src="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/total-ghg-emissions?tab=chart&country=~OWID_WRL" class="grapherPreview">
<a href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/total-ghg-emissions?tab=chart&country=~OWID_WRL" target="_blank">
<div><img src="https://ourworldindata.org/exports/total-ghg-emissions-da8ccccaf5fc9d6bab92c3527f0cc596_v19_850x600.svg" width="850" height="600" loading="lazy" data-no-lightbox="" alt="Total ghg emissions da8ccccaf5fc9d6bab92c3527f0cc596 v19 850x600"></div>
<div class="interactionNotice">
<span class="icon"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="hand-pointer" class="svg-inline--fa fa-hand-pointer fa-w-14" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 617">
<path fill="currentColor" d="M448,344.59v96a40.36,40.36,0,0,1-1.06,9.16l-32,136A40,40,0,0,1,376,616.59H168a40,40,0,0,1-32.35-16.47l-128-176a40,40,0,0,1,64.7-47.06L104,420.58v-276a40,40,0,0,1,80,0v200h8v-40a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v40h8v-24a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v24h8a40,40,0,1,1,80,0Zm-256,80h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
<path fill="currentColor" opacity="0.6" d="M239.76,234.78A27.5,27.5,0,0,1,217,192a87.76,87.76,0,1,0-145.9,0A27.5,27.5,0,1,1,25.37,222.6,142.17,142.17,0,0,1,1.24,143.17C1.24,64.45,65.28.41,144,.41s142.76,64,142.76,142.76a142.17,142.17,0,0,1-24.13,79.43A27.47,27.47,0,0,1,239.76,234.78Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
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<span class="label">Click to open interactive version</span>
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</figure>
<div class="block-wrapper"><div class="wp-block-owid-prominent-link with-image" data-no-lightbox="true" data-style="is-style-thin" data-title="Global CO<sub>2</sub> emissions"><a href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/annual-co-emissions-by-region" target="_blank"><figure><img width="768" height="1" src="https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/07/annual-co-emissions-by-region-1.svg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="Annual co emissions by region 1" loading="lazy"></figure><div class="content-wrapper"><div class="content">
<p>How much CO<sub>2</sub> do we emit globally each year? How has this changed over centuries?</p>
</div><div class="title"><span>Global CO<sub>2</sub> emissions</span><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-right" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-right " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M438.6 278.6l-160 160C272.4 444.9 264.2 448 256 448s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L338.8 288H32C14.33 288 .0016 273.7 .0016 256S14.33 224 32 224h306.8l-105.4-105.4c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l160 160C451.1 245.9 451.1 266.1 438.6 278.6z"></path></svg></div></div></a></div></div></div>
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<p>What are the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions every year? How much do we collectively emit?</p>
<p>This chart shows the change in global greenhouse gas emissions over time. Greenhouse gases are measured in ‘carbon dioxide-equivalents’ (CO<sub>2</sub>e). </p>
<p>Today, we collectively emit around 50 billion tonnes of CO<sub>2</sub>e each year. This is more than 40% higher than emissions in 1990, which were around 35 billion tonnes. </p>
<div class="wp-block-help"><div class="icon"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="lightbulb" class="svg-inline--fa fa-lightbulb " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 384 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M112.1 454.3c0 6.297 1.816 12.44 5.284 17.69l17.14 25.69c5.25 7.875 17.17 14.28 26.64 14.28h61.67c9.438 0 21.36-6.401 26.61-14.28l17.08-25.68c2.938-4.438 5.348-12.37 5.348-17.7L272 415.1h-160L112.1 454.3zM191.4 .0132C89.44 .3257 16 82.97 16 175.1c0 44.38 16.44 84.84 43.56 115.8c16.53 18.84 42.34 58.23 52.22 91.45c.0313 .25 .0938 .5166 .125 .7823h160.2c.0313-.2656 .0938-.5166 .125-.7823c9.875-33.22 35.69-72.61 52.22-91.45C351.6 260.8 368 220.4 368 175.1C368 78.61 288.9-.2837 191.4 .0132zM192 96.01c-44.13 0-80 35.89-80 79.1C112 184.8 104.8 192 96 192S80 184.8 80 176c0-61.76 50.25-111.1 112-111.1c8.844 0 16 7.159 16 16S200.8 96.01 192 96.01z"></path></svg></div><div><h4>What are carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e)?</h4><div class="content">
<p>Greenhouse gases have very different warming effects: one tonne of methane does not have the same impact on warming as one tonne of CO<sub>2</sub>. Carbon dioxide equivalents (CO<sub>2</sub>e) attempt to convert the warming impact of the range of greenhouse gases into a single metric.</p>
<p>This is done by multiplying each gas by its 100-year ‘global warming potential’ value: the amount of warming one tonne of the gas would create relative to one tonne of CO<sub>2</sub> over a 100-year timescale. For example, if methane has a GWP<sub>100</sub> value of 28, we would multiply methane emissions in tonnes by 28 to get its CO<sub>2</sub>e figure. </p>
<p>Total greenhouse gases are then measured as the sum for all of these gases. </p>
<p>We explain carbon dioxide equivalents, and how greenhouse gases are measured in more detail <strong><a href="https://ourworldindata.org/greenhouse-gas-emissions#how-are-greenhouse-gases-measured">here</a></strong>.</p>
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</div><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-right"><div class="wp-block-column"><h4 id="greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-country">Greenhouse gas emissions by country<a class="deep-link" href="#greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-country"></a></h4></div><div class="wp-block-column"></div></div><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-left">
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<figure data-grapher-src="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/total-ghg-emissions" class="grapherPreview">
<a href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/total-ghg-emissions" target="_blank">
<div><img src="https://ourworldindata.org/exports/total-ghg-emissions_v19_850x600.svg" width="850" height="600" loading="lazy" data-no-lightbox="" alt="Total ghg emissions v19 850x600"></div>
<div class="interactionNotice">
<span class="icon"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="hand-pointer" class="svg-inline--fa fa-hand-pointer fa-w-14" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 617">
<path fill="currentColor" d="M448,344.59v96a40.36,40.36,0,0,1-1.06,9.16l-32,136A40,40,0,0,1,376,616.59H168a40,40,0,0,1-32.35-16.47l-128-176a40,40,0,0,1,64.7-47.06L104,420.58v-276a40,40,0,0,1,80,0v200h8v-40a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v40h8v-24a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v24h8a40,40,0,1,1,80,0Zm-256,80h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
<path fill="currentColor" opacity="0.6" d="M239.76,234.78A27.5,27.5,0,0,1,217,192a87.76,87.76,0,1,0-145.9,0A27.5,27.5,0,1,1,25.37,222.6,142.17,142.17,0,0,1,1.24,143.17C1.24,64.45,65.28.41,144,.41s142.76,64,142.76,142.76a142.17,142.17,0,0,1-24.13,79.43A27.47,27.47,0,0,1,239.76,234.78Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
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<span class="label">Click to open interactive version</span>
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</figure>
<div class="block-wrapper"><div class="wp-block-owid-prominent-link with-image" data-no-lightbox="true" data-style="is-style-thin" data-title="Total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use"><a href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/total-ghg-emissions-excluding-lufc" target="_blank"><figure><img width="768" height="542" src="https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/04/total-ghg-emissions-excluding-lufc-768x542.png" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="Total ghg emissions excluding lufc" loading="lazy" srcset="https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/04/total-ghg-emissions-excluding-lufc-768x542.png 768w, https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/04/total-ghg-emissions-excluding-lufc-400x282.png 400w, https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/04/total-ghg-emissions-excluding-lufc-779x550.png 779w, https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/04/total-ghg-emissions-excluding-lufc-150x106.png 150w, https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/04/total-ghg-emissions-excluding-lufc-1536x1084.png 1536w, https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/04/total-ghg-emissions-excluding-lufc-2048x1446.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" data-high-res-src="https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/04/total-ghg-emissions-excluding-lufc.png"></figure><div class="content-wrapper"><div class="content">
<p>How much greenhouse gases do countries emit when we <strong>exclude land use change and forestry</strong>?</p>
</div><div class="title"><span>Total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use</span><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-right" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-right " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M438.6 278.6l-160 160C272.4 444.9 264.2 448 256 448s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L338.8 288H32C14.33 288 .0016 273.7 .0016 256S14.33 224 32 224h306.8l-105.4-105.4c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l160 160C451.1 245.9 451.1 266.1 438.6 278.6z"></path></svg></div></div></a></div></div>
<div class="block-wrapper"><div class="wp-block-owid-prominent-link with-image" data-no-lightbox="true" data-style="is-style-thin" data-title="CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by country"><a href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/annual-co2-emissions-per-country" target="_blank"><figure><img width="768" height="1" src="https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/07/annual-co2-emissions-per-country.svg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="Annual co2 emissions per country" loading="lazy"></figure><div class="content-wrapper"><div class="content">
<p>Which countries emit the most CO<sub>2</sub>?</p>
</div><div class="title"><span>CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by country</span><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-right" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-right " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M438.6 278.6l-160 160C272.4 444.9 264.2 448 256 448s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L338.8 288H32C14.33 288 .0016 273.7 .0016 256S14.33 224 32 224h306.8l-105.4-105.4c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l160 160C451.1 245.9 451.1 266.1 438.6 278.6z"></path></svg></div></div></a></div></div>
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<div class="wp-block-column">
<p>How do greenhouse gas emissions vary across the world?</p>
<p>This interactive chart shows annual greenhouse gas emissions – the amount a given country produces each year – across the world. Again, this is measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents.</p>
<p>As is the <strong>case with CO<sub>2</sub> emissions</strong>, China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases today. It emits around twice as much as the United States, which is the second largest emitter. This is followed by India, Indonesia and Russia.</p>
<p>However, this is not the case when we adjust for population and look at <strong>per capita emissions</strong>.</p>
<div class="wp-block-help"><div class="icon"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="lightbulb" class="svg-inline--fa fa-lightbulb " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 384 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M112.1 454.3c0 6.297 1.816 12.44 5.284 17.69l17.14 25.69c5.25 7.875 17.17 14.28 26.64 14.28h61.67c9.438 0 21.36-6.401 26.61-14.28l17.08-25.68c2.938-4.438 5.348-12.37 5.348-17.7L272 415.1h-160L112.1 454.3zM191.4 .0132C89.44 .3257 16 82.97 16 175.1c0 44.38 16.44 84.84 43.56 115.8c16.53 18.84 42.34 58.23 52.22 91.45c.0313 .25 .0938 .5166 .125 .7823h160.2c.0313-.2656 .0938-.5166 .125-.7823c9.875-33.22 35.69-72.61 52.22-91.45C351.6 260.8 368 220.4 368 175.1C368 78.61 288.9-.2837 191.4 .0132zM192 96.01c-44.13 0-80 35.89-80 79.1C112 184.8 104.8 192 96 192S80 184.8 80 176c0-61.76 50.25-111.1 112-111.1c8.844 0 16 7.159 16 16S200.8 96.01 192 96.01z"></path></svg></div><div><h4>Three tips on how to interact with this map</h4><div class="content">
<ul><li>By clicking on any country on the map you see the change over time in this country.</li><li>By moving the time slider (below the map) you can see how the global situation has changed over time.</li><li>You can focus on a particular world region using the dropdown menu to the top-right of the map.</li></ul>
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</div><h3 id="per-capita-greenhouse-gas-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit"><strong>Per capita</strong> greenhouse gas emissions: how much does the average person emit?<a class="deep-link" href="#per-capita-greenhouse-gas-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit"></a></h3><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-left">
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<figure data-grapher-src="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/per-capita-ghg-emissions" class="grapherPreview">
<a href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/per-capita-ghg-emissions" target="_blank">
<div><img src="https://ourworldindata.org/exports/per-capita-ghg-emissions_v17_850x600.svg" width="850" height="600" loading="lazy" data-no-lightbox="" alt="Per capita ghg emissions v17 850x600"></div>
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<span class="icon"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="hand-pointer" class="svg-inline--fa fa-hand-pointer fa-w-14" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 617">
<path fill="currentColor" d="M448,344.59v96a40.36,40.36,0,0,1-1.06,9.16l-32,136A40,40,0,0,1,376,616.59H168a40,40,0,0,1-32.35-16.47l-128-176a40,40,0,0,1,64.7-47.06L104,420.58v-276a40,40,0,0,1,80,0v200h8v-40a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v40h8v-24a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v24h8a40,40,0,1,1,80,0Zm-256,80h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
<path fill="currentColor" opacity="0.6" d="M239.76,234.78A27.5,27.5,0,0,1,217,192a87.76,87.76,0,1,0-145.9,0A27.5,27.5,0,1,1,25.37,222.6,142.17,142.17,0,0,1,1.24,143.17C1.24,64.45,65.28.41,144,.41s142.76,64,142.76,142.76a142.17,142.17,0,0,1-24.13,79.43A27.47,27.47,0,0,1,239.76,234.78Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
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</a>
</figure>
<div class="block-wrapper"><div class="wp-block-owid-prominent-link with-image" data-no-lightbox="true" data-style="is-style-thin" data-title="Per capita CO<sub>2</sub> emissions"><a href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/co-emissions-per-capita" target="_blank"><figure><img width="768" height="1" src="https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/07/co-emissions-per-capita-2.svg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="Co emissions per capita 2" loading="lazy"></figure><div class="content-wrapper"><div class="content">
<p>Where in the world do people emit the most CO<sub>2</sub>?</p>
</div><div class="title"><span>Per capita CO<sub>2</sub> emissions</span><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-right" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-right " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M438.6 278.6l-160 160C272.4 444.9 264.2 448 256 448s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L338.8 288H32C14.33 288 .0016 273.7 .0016 256S14.33 224 32 224h306.8l-105.4-105.4c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l160 160C451.1 245.9 451.1 266.1 438.6 278.6z"></path></svg></div></div></a></div></div>
<div class="block-wrapper"><div class="wp-block-owid-prominent-link with-image" data-no-lightbox="true" data-style="is-style-thin" data-title="Greenhouse gas emissions by sector"><a href="https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector#total-greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-sector"><figure><img width="768" height="1" src="https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/07/per-capita-ghg-sector-1.svg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="Per capita ghg sector 1" loading="lazy"></figure><div class="content-wrapper"><div class="content">
<p>Where do our emissions of greenhouse gases come from?</p>
</div><div class="title"><span>Greenhouse gas emissions by sector</span><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-right" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-right " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M438.6 278.6l-160 160C272.4 444.9 264.2 448 256 448s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L338.8 288H32C14.33 288 .0016 273.7 .0016 256S14.33 224 32 224h306.8l-105.4-105.4c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l160 160C451.1 245.9 451.1 266.1 438.6 278.6z"></path></svg></div></div></a></div></div></div>
<div class="wp-block-column">
<p>Total annual emissions allow us to see the world’s largest emitters in absolute terms. But they tend to tell a story of population – China and India, for example, are in the top three emitters, but are also the two most populous countries in the world.</p>
<p>How do emissions compare when we correct for population?</p>
<p>This interactive map shows <em>per capita</em> greenhouse gas emissions. This is measured in tonnes per person per year.</p>
<p>Here we see that many of the world’s smaller countries are the largest per capita emitters. These countries, such as Guyana, Brunei, Botswana, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait tend to be large oil and/or gas producers.</p>
<p>Of the major emitters we see large differences in per capita emissions: in the US, the average person emits more than 18 tonnes; in China its less than half, at 8 tonnes; and in India, emissions are much smaller at around 2.5 tonnes.</p>
</div>
</div><h3 id="by-gas-how-much-does-each-contribute-to-total-greenhouse-gas-emissions"><strong>By gas</strong>: how much does each contribute to total greenhouse gas emissions?<a class="deep-link" href="#by-gas-how-much-does-each-contribute-to-total-greenhouse-gas-emissions"></a></h3><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-left">
<div class="wp-block-column">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" width="800" height="268" src="https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/08/Global-GHG-Emissions-by-gas-800x268.png" alt="Global ghg emissions by gas" class="wp-image-35845" srcset="https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/08/Global-GHG-Emissions-by-gas-800x268.png 800w, https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/08/Global-GHG-Emissions-by-gas-400x134.png 400w, https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/08/Global-GHG-Emissions-by-gas-150x50.png 150w, https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/08/Global-GHG-Emissions-by-gas-768x258.png 768w, https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/08/Global-GHG-Emissions-by-gas-1536x515.png 1536w, https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/08/Global-GHG-Emissions-by-gas.png 1777w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-high-res-src="https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/08/Global-GHG-Emissions-by-gas.png"></figure>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-column">
<p>As we discussed in the previous sections, total greenhouse gas emissions are the sum of emissions of various gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and smaller trace gases such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF<sub>6</sub>).</p>
<p>How much does each gas contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions?</p>
<p>In the chart we see the breakdown of global emissions in 2016, measured on the <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/greenhouse-gas-emissions#how-are-greenhouse-gases-measured">basis of carbon dioxide-equivalents</a> (CO<sub>2</sub>e).</p>
<p>Carbon dioxide was the largest contributor , accounting for around three-quarters (74.4%) of total emissions. Methane contributed 17.3%; nitrous oxide, 6.2%; and other emissions (HFCs, CFCs, SF<sub>6</sub>), 2.1%.</p>
</div>
</div></section>
<section><div class="section-heading"><div class="wrapper"><div><h2 id="methane-ch4-emissions">Methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) emissions<a class="deep-link" href="#methane-ch4-emissions"></a></h2></div><div class="in-this-section"><div class="label">In this section</div><div class="border"></div></div><ul class="subheadings"><li><a href="#annual-methane-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-down" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-down " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 384 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M374.6 310.6l-160 160C208.4 476.9 200.2 480 192 480s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L160 370.8V64c0-17.69 14.33-31.1 31.1-31.1S224 46.31 224 64v306.8l105.4-105.4c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0S387.1 298.1 374.6 310.6z"></path></svg><span><strong>Annual</strong> methane emissions: how much do we emit each year?</span></a></li><li><a href="#per-capita-methane-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-down" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-down " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 384 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M374.6 310.6l-160 160C208.4 476.9 200.2 480 192 480s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L160 370.8V64c0-17.69 14.33-31.1 31.1-31.1S224 46.31 224 64v306.8l105.4-105.4c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0S387.1 298.1 374.6 310.6z"></path></svg><span><strong>Per capita</strong> methane emissions: how much does the average person emit?</span></a></li></ul></div></div><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-right"><div class="wp-block-column"><h5>Where does methane come from?</h5><p>Agriculture, fossil fuel production, and the management of waste are the primary sources of methane emissions:</p><ul><li><strong>Livestock</strong> (ruminant animals – cattle, goats, and sheep) produce methane through a process called ‘enteric fermentation’. </li><li><strong>Rice cultivation</strong> produces methane – waterlogged paddy fields provide an ideal environment for microbes to produce methane in a process called ‘methanogenesis’.</li><li><strong>Biomass burning</strong>: methane is produced from the incomplete combustion of large-scale burning of woodlands, savanna and agricultural waste.</li><li><strong>Waste:</strong> the decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces methane.</li><li><strong>Fossil fuel production:</strong> methane can be released during oil and gas extraction – a category often termed ‘fugitive emissions’.</li></ul><h5>What is the warming potential of methane compared to CO<sub>2</sub>?</h5><p>Methane is a much stronger greenhouse gas than CO<sub>2</sub> in terms of its ‘warming potential’. Over a 100-year timescale, and without considering climate feedbacks, one tonne of methane would generate <strong>28 times</strong> the amount of warming as one tonne of CO<sub>2</sub>.<a id="ref-1" class="ref" href="#note-1"><sup>1</sup></a><sup>,</sup><a id="ref-2" class="ref" href="#note-2"><sup>2</sup></a><sup>,</sup><a id="ref-3" class="ref" href="#note-3"><sup>3</sup></a></p><p>This means that, despite contributing only 3% of greenhouse gas emissions in terms of mass (tonnes of carbon), methane has been responsible for around 23% of radiative forcing since 1750.<a id="ref-4" class="ref" href="#note-4"><sup>4</sup></a></p><h5>How long does methane stay in the atmosphere?</h5><p>Methane is a very ‘short-lived’ greenhouse gas. This means that after it accumulates in the atmosphere, it is removed relatively quickly – on the timescale of decades in contrast to CO<sub>2</sub> which can persist in the atmosphere for centuries or even thousands of years. The average ‘lifetime’ of methane in the atmosphere is around <strong>12 years</strong>.<a id="ref-5" class="ref" href="#note-5"><sup>5</sup></a></p><p>This means that reductions in methane <em>emissions</em> quickly result in reductions in the methane <em>concentrations</em> in the atmosphere. This would reduce its warming effects. So, tackling methane emissions could be an effective and rapid way to mitigate some of the impacts of climate change – on the timeframe of decades.<a id="ref-6" class="ref" href="#note-6"><sup>6</sup></a></p></div><div class="wp-block-column"></div></div><h3 id="annual-methane-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year"><strong>Annual</strong> methane emissions: how much do we emit each year?<a class="deep-link" href="#annual-methane-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year"></a></h3><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-left">
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<figure data-grapher-src="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/methane-emissions" class="grapherPreview">
<a href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/methane-emissions" target="_blank">
<div><img src="https://ourworldindata.org/exports/methane-emissions_v8_850x600.svg" width="850" height="600" loading="lazy" data-no-lightbox="" alt="Methane emissions v8 850x600"></div>
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<span class="icon"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="hand-pointer" class="svg-inline--fa fa-hand-pointer fa-w-14" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 617">
<path fill="currentColor" d="M448,344.59v96a40.36,40.36,0,0,1-1.06,9.16l-32,136A40,40,0,0,1,376,616.59H168a40,40,0,0,1-32.35-16.47l-128-176a40,40,0,0,1,64.7-47.06L104,420.58v-276a40,40,0,0,1,80,0v200h8v-40a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v40h8v-24a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v24h8a40,40,0,1,1,80,0Zm-256,80h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
<path fill="currentColor" opacity="0.6" d="M239.76,234.78A27.5,27.5,0,0,1,217,192a87.76,87.76,0,1,0-145.9,0A27.5,27.5,0,1,1,25.37,222.6,142.17,142.17,0,0,1,1.24,143.17C1.24,64.45,65.28.41,144,.41s142.76,64,142.76,142.76a142.17,142.17,0,0,1-24.13,79.43A27.47,27.47,0,0,1,239.76,234.78Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
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<span class="label">Click to open interactive version</span>
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</a>
</figure>
<div class="block-wrapper"><div class="wp-block-owid-prominent-link with-image" data-no-lightbox="true" data-style="is-style-thin" data-title="Methane emissions by sector"><a href="https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector#methane-ch4-emissions-by-sector"><figure><img width="768" height="1" src="https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/07/per-capita-methane-sector.svg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="Per capita methane sector" loading="lazy"></figure><div class="content-wrapper"><div class="content">
<p>Where do our emissions of methane come from?</p>
</div><div class="title"><span>Methane emissions by sector</span><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-right" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-right " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M438.6 278.6l-160 160C272.4 444.9 264.2 448 256 448s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L338.8 288H32C14.33 288 .0016 273.7 .0016 256S14.33 224 32 224h306.8l-105.4-105.4c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l160 160C451.1 245.9 451.1 266.1 438.6 278.6z"></path></svg></div></div></a></div></div></div>
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<p>This interactive chart shows methane (CH₄) emissions across the world. </p>
<p>Methane emissions are measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO<sub>2</sub>e), so are weighted for its 100-year global warming potential value.</p>
</div>
</div><h3 id="per-capita-methane-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit"><strong>Per capita</strong> methane emissions: how much does the average person emit?<a class="deep-link" href="#per-capita-methane-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit"></a></h3><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-left">
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<figure data-grapher-src="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/per-capita-methane-emissions" class="grapherPreview">
<a href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/per-capita-methane-emissions" target="_blank">
<div><img src="https://ourworldindata.org/exports/per-capita-methane-emissions_v9_850x600.svg" width="850" height="600" loading="lazy" data-no-lightbox="" alt="Per capita methane emissions v9 850x600"></div>
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<span class="icon"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="hand-pointer" class="svg-inline--fa fa-hand-pointer fa-w-14" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 617">
<path fill="currentColor" d="M448,344.59v96a40.36,40.36,0,0,1-1.06,9.16l-32,136A40,40,0,0,1,376,616.59H168a40,40,0,0,1-32.35-16.47l-128-176a40,40,0,0,1,64.7-47.06L104,420.58v-276a40,40,0,0,1,80,0v200h8v-40a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v40h8v-24a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v24h8a40,40,0,1,1,80,0Zm-256,80h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
<path fill="currentColor" opacity="0.6" d="M239.76,234.78A27.5,27.5,0,0,1,217,192a87.76,87.76,0,1,0-145.9,0A27.5,27.5,0,1,1,25.37,222.6,142.17,142.17,0,0,1,1.24,143.17C1.24,64.45,65.28.41,144,.41s142.76,64,142.76,142.76a142.17,142.17,0,0,1-24.13,79.43A27.47,27.47,0,0,1,239.76,234.78Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
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<span class="label">Click to open interactive version</span>
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<p>Total annual emissions allow us to see the world’s largest emitters in absolute terms. But they can tell a story of population rather than lifestyle or individual impact.</p>
<p>How do emissions compare when we correct for population?</p>
<p>This interactive map shows <em>per capita</em> methane emissions. This is measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per person per year.</p>
</div>
</div></section>
<section><div class="section-heading"><div class="wrapper"><div><h2 id="nitrous-oxide-n2o-emissions">Nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O) emissions<a class="deep-link" href="#nitrous-oxide-n2o-emissions"></a></h2></div><div class="in-this-section"><div class="label">In this section</div><div class="border"></div></div><ul class="subheadings"><li><a href="#annual-nitrous-oxide-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-down" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-down " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 384 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M374.6 310.6l-160 160C208.4 476.9 200.2 480 192 480s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L160 370.8V64c0-17.69 14.33-31.1 31.1-31.1S224 46.31 224 64v306.8l105.4-105.4c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0S387.1 298.1 374.6 310.6z"></path></svg><span><strong>Annual</strong> nitrous oxide emissions: how much do we emit each year?</span></a></li><li><a href="#per-capita-nitrous-oxide-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-down" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-down " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 384 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M374.6 310.6l-160 160C208.4 476.9 200.2 480 192 480s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L160 370.8V64c0-17.69 14.33-31.1 31.1-31.1S224 46.31 224 64v306.8l105.4-105.4c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0S387.1 298.1 374.6 310.6z"></path></svg><span><strong>Per capita</strong> nitrous oxide emissions: how much does the average person emit?</span></a></li></ul></div></div><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-right"><div class="wp-block-column"><h5>Where does nitrous oxide come from?</h5><p>Most of our nitrous oxide emissions come from agriculture: N<sub>2</sub>O is produced when we apply <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/nitrogen-fertilizer-production">nitrogen fertilizers</a> to soils. </p><p>Nitrous oxide is produced by microbes in nearly all soils. But the application of nitrogen fertilizers makes much more nitrogen readily available for microbes to convert to N<sub>2</sub>O – this is because not all of the applied nutrients are taken up by crops.</p><p>Nitrous oxide is not only produced when synthetic nitrogen fertilizer is applied; the same processes occur when we use organic fertilizers such as animal manure.</p><h5>What is the warming potential of nitrous oxide compared to CO<sub>2</sub>?</h5><p>Nitrous oxide is a much stronger greenhouse gas than CO<sub>2</sub> in terms of its ‘warming potential’. Over a 100-year timescale, and without considering climate feedbacks, one tonne of nitrous oxide would generate <strong>265 times</strong> the amount of warming as one tonne of CO<sub>2</sub>.<a id="ref-7" class="ref" href="#note-7"><sup>7</sup></a><sup>,</sup><a id="ref-8" class="ref" href="#note-8"><sup>8</sup></a></p><h5>How long does nitrous oxide stay in the atmosphere?</h5><p>The average ‘lifetime’ of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere is around <strong>121 years</strong>.<a id="ref-9" class="ref" href="#note-9"><sup>9</sup></a></p><p>This is typically shorter than CO<sub>2</sub> (which can persist for centuries or even thousands of years), but longer than methane (which has an average lifetime of 12 years).</p></div><div class="wp-block-column"></div></div><h3 id="annual-nitrous-oxide-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year"><strong>Annual</strong> nitrous oxide emissions: how much do we emit each year?<a class="deep-link" href="#annual-nitrous-oxide-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year"></a></h3><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-left">
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<figure data-grapher-src="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/nitrous-oxide-emissions" class="grapherPreview">
<a href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/nitrous-oxide-emissions" target="_blank">
<div><img src="https://ourworldindata.org/exports/nitrous-oxide-emissions_v7_850x600.svg" width="850" height="600" loading="lazy" data-no-lightbox="" alt="Nitrous oxide emissions v7 850x600"></div>
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<span class="icon"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="hand-pointer" class="svg-inline--fa fa-hand-pointer fa-w-14" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 617">
<path fill="currentColor" d="M448,344.59v96a40.36,40.36,0,0,1-1.06,9.16l-32,136A40,40,0,0,1,376,616.59H168a40,40,0,0,1-32.35-16.47l-128-176a40,40,0,0,1,64.7-47.06L104,420.58v-276a40,40,0,0,1,80,0v200h8v-40a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v40h8v-24a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v24h8a40,40,0,1,1,80,0Zm-256,80h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
<path fill="currentColor" opacity="0.6" d="M239.76,234.78A27.5,27.5,0,0,1,217,192a87.76,87.76,0,1,0-145.9,0A27.5,27.5,0,1,1,25.37,222.6,142.17,142.17,0,0,1,1.24,143.17C1.24,64.45,65.28.41,144,.41s142.76,64,142.76,142.76a142.17,142.17,0,0,1-24.13,79.43A27.47,27.47,0,0,1,239.76,234.78Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
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<span class="label">Click to open interactive version</span>
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<p>This interactive chart shows nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O) emissions across the world. </p>
<p>Nitrous oxide emissions are measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO<sub>2</sub>e), so are weighted for its 100-year global warming potential value.</p>
</div>
</div><h3 id="per-capita-nitrous-oxide-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit"><strong>Per capita</strong> nitrous oxide emissions: how much does the average person emit?<a class="deep-link" href="#per-capita-nitrous-oxide-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit"></a></h3><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-left">
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<figure data-grapher-src="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/per-capita-nitrous-oxide" class="grapherPreview">
<a href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/per-capita-nitrous-oxide" target="_blank">
<div><img src="https://ourworldindata.org/exports/per-capita-nitrous-oxide_v9_850x600.svg" width="850" height="600" loading="lazy" data-no-lightbox="" alt="Per capita nitrous oxide v9 850x600"></div>
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<path fill="currentColor" d="M448,344.59v96a40.36,40.36,0,0,1-1.06,9.16l-32,136A40,40,0,0,1,376,616.59H168a40,40,0,0,1-32.35-16.47l-128-176a40,40,0,0,1,64.7-47.06L104,420.58v-276a40,40,0,0,1,80,0v200h8v-40a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v40h8v-24a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v24h8a40,40,0,1,1,80,0Zm-256,80h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
<path fill="currentColor" opacity="0.6" d="M239.76,234.78A27.5,27.5,0,0,1,217,192a87.76,87.76,0,1,0-145.9,0A27.5,27.5,0,1,1,25.37,222.6,142.17,142.17,0,0,1,1.24,143.17C1.24,64.45,65.28.41,144,.41s142.76,64,142.76,142.76a142.17,142.17,0,0,1-24.13,79.43A27.47,27.47,0,0,1,239.76,234.78Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
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<div class="block-wrapper"><div class="wp-block-owid-prominent-link with-image" data-no-lightbox="true" data-style="is-style-thin" data-title="Nitrous oxide emissions by sector"><a href="https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector#nitrous-oxide-n2o-emissions-by-sector"><figure><img width="768" height="1" src="https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/07/per-capita-nitrous-oxide-sector.svg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="Per capita nitrous oxide sector" loading="lazy"></figure><div class="content-wrapper"><div class="content">
<p>Where do our emissions of nitrous oxide come from?</p>
</div><div class="title"><span>Nitrous oxide emissions by sector</span><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-right" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-right " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M438.6 278.6l-160 160C272.4 444.9 264.2 448 256 448s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L338.8 288H32C14.33 288 .0016 273.7 .0016 256S14.33 224 32 224h306.8l-105.4-105.4c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l160 160C451.1 245.9 451.1 266.1 438.6 278.6z"></path></svg></div></div></a></div></div></div>
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<p>How do emissions compare when we correct for population?</p>
<p>This interactive map shows <em>per capita</em> nitrous oxide emissions. This is measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per person per year.</p>
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<section><div class="section-heading"><div class="wrapper"><div><h2 id="emissions-by-sector-where-do-our-emissions-come-from">Emissions by sector: where do our emissions come from?<a class="deep-link" href="#emissions-by-sector-where-do-our-emissions-come-from"></a></h2></div></div></div><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-right"><div class="wp-block-column"><p>To reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases we need to know where they are coming from. Which activities contribute most to emissions – is it transport, agriculture, electricity or land use? What are our opportunities to reduce emissions from different sectors?</p><p>In our page on <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector">Emissions by Sector</a> we look at the breakdown of emissions for each country, and for each of the major greenhouse gases to identify which are the largest contributors.</p><div class="block-wrapper"><div class="wp-block-owid-prominent-link with-image" data-no-lightbox="true" data-style="is-style-thin" data-title="Greenhouse gas emissions by sector"><a href="https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector"><figure><img width="768" height="1" src="https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/06/ghg-emissions-by-sector.svg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="Ghg emissions by sector" loading="lazy"></figure><div class="content-wrapper"><div class="content">
</div><div class="title"><span>Greenhouse gas emissions by sector</span><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-right" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-right " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M438.6 278.6l-160 160C272.4 444.9 264.2 448 256 448s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L338.8 288H32C14.33 288 .0016 273.7 .0016 256S14.33 224 32 224h306.8l-105.4-105.4c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l160 160C451.1 245.9 451.1 266.1 438.6 278.6z"></path></svg></div></div></a></div></div></div><div class="wp-block-column"></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section-heading"><div class="wrapper"><div><h2 id="how-are-greenhouse-gases-measured">How are greenhouse gases measured?<a class="deep-link" href="#how-are-greenhouse-gases-measured"></a></h2></div><div class="in-this-section"><div class="label">In this section</div><div class="border"></div></div><ul class="subheadings"><li><a href="#how-do-we-quantify-greenhouse-gas-emissions"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-down" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-down " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 384 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M374.6 310.6l-160 160C208.4 476.9 200.2 480 192 480s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L160 370.8V64c0-17.69 14.33-31.1 31.1-31.1S224 46.31 224 64v306.8l105.4-105.4c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0S387.1 298.1 374.6 310.6z"></path></svg><span>How do we quantify greenhouse gas emissions?</span></a></li><li><a href="#how-do-we-account-for-the-warming-of-different-gases"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-down" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-down " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 384 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M374.6 310.6l-160 160C208.4 476.9 200.2 480 192 480s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L160 370.8V64c0-17.69 14.33-31.1 31.1-31.1S224 46.31 224 64v306.8l105.4-105.4c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0S387.1 298.1 374.6 310.6z"></path></svg><span>How do we account for the warming of different gases?</span></a></li><li><a href="#why-do-we-not-have-long-term-estimates-on-total-greenhouse-gas-emissions"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="arrow-down" class="svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-down " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 384 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M374.6 310.6l-160 160C208.4 476.9 200.2 480 192 480s-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L160 370.8V64c0-17.69 14.33-31.1 31.1-31.1S224 46.31 224 64v306.8l105.4-105.4c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0S387.1 298.1 374.6 310.6z"></path></svg><span>Why do we not have long-term estimates on total greenhouse gas emissions?</span></a></li></ul></div></div><h3 id="how-do-we-quantify-greenhouse-gas-emissions">How do we quantify greenhouse gas emissions?<a class="deep-link" href="#how-do-we-quantify-greenhouse-gas-emissions"></a></h3><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-right"><div class="wp-block-column"><p>The standard metric used to quantify GHG emissions is ‘carbon dioxide-equivalents’. This is the metric adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); is used in official GHG reporting and target-setting by countries and institutions; and is the most widely adopted metric used within the scientific literature. As some researchers have highlighted, the lack of life-cycle assessment data disaggregated by gas can result in the loss of important information which could help us develop more optimal strategies for climate mitigation.<a id="ref-10" class="ref" href="#note-10"><sup>10</sup></a></p><p>What are carbon dioxide-equivalents? Carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) is the most important greenhouse gas, but not the only one – gases such as methane and nitrous oxide are also a driver of global warming. Carbon dioxide-equivalents (CO<sub>2</sub>eq) try to sum all of the warming impacts of the different greenhouse gases together in order to give a single measure of total greenhouse gas emissions. Two things make this more complicated: the gases have different ‘strengths’ of warming; and gases persist for different amounts of time in the atmosphere.</p><p>To convert non-CO<sub>2</sub> gases into their carbon dioxide-equivalents we multiply their mass (e.g. kilograms of methane emitted) by their ‘global warming potential’ (GWP). GWP measures the warming impacts of a gas compared to CO<sub>2</sub>; it basically measures the ‘strength’ of the greenhouse gas averaged over a chosen time horizon. The standard way to do this is to evaluate the GWP over a 100-year timescale (GWP<sub>100</sub>). GWP<sub>100</sub> is the accounting metric adopted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in inventory guidelines, although their Fifth Assessment report (AR5) did not explicitly recommend its use. Chapter 8 of this report described both GWP and Global Temperature-change Potential (GTP) as examples of different metrics which were useful dependent on the question being asked. </p><p>The GWP<sub>100</sub> value for methane from AR5 is 28 (or 34 if climate feedback processes are included).<a id="ref-11" class="ref" href="#note-11"><sup>11</sup></a> This means that emitting one kilogram of methane creates 28 times the amount of warming as one kilogram of CO<sub>2</sub> averaged over the next 100 years. But what this doesn’t account for is the fact that methane is a short-lived greenhouse gas. It has a very strong warming impact when it’s first emitted, but this warming impact diminishes over the following decades. Whereas, if you emitted the same amount of CO<sub>2</sub>, it could persist for centuries.</p><p>Using this GWP<sub>100</sub> metric can therefore misrepresent the impact of short-lived gases such as methane in both directions.<a id="ref-12" class="ref" href="#note-12"><sup>12</sup></a> It underestimates short-term warming: the warming impact of methane when it’s first emitted and the following years is much higher than the ‘28’ value assigned by GWP<sub>100</sub>. Some people therefore argue we should use a value which represents the global warming potential over 20 years (GWP<sub>20</sub>) since it gives a better indication of short-term warming. The IPCC report a GWP<sub>20</sub> value of 84 for methane (86 if feedbacks are included). Others argue that GWP<sub>100</sub> <em>overestimates long-term impacts</em> of methane; the methane emitted today will not be around a century from now. These differences are reflected by the large changes in GTP over different time horizons. The GTP<sub>100</sub> value for methane is 4, whereas GTP<sub>20</sub> is 67.</p><p>This makes it difficult to reconcile these warming impacts into a single metric. And our choice of metric can have an impact on how we prioritise GHG reduction strategies: do we first target strong but short-lived gases such as methane? This may slow warming in the short-term – a reasonable argument if we are concerned about approaching temperature-induced tipping points. Or do we focus instead on the persistent CO<sub>2</sub> emissions which will be the primary driver of long-term temperature impacts?</p><p>Some researchers have developed new methods which aim to provide a closer representation of the actual temperature response to different gases. Myles Allen, Michelle Cain and colleagues at the University of Oxford’s Martin School lead a <a href="https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/pollutants/">research programme</a> on climate pollutants, which look directly at this challenge. </p><p>They have proposed a new way to represent short-lived greenhouse gas emissions – GWP* – which aims to be more representative of warming response.<a id="ref-13" class="ref" href="#note-13"><sup>13</sup></a><sup>,</sup><a id="ref-14" class="ref" href="#note-14"><sup>14</sup></a> Dr Michelle Cain, one of the lead researchers in this area, discusses the challenges of GHG metrics and the role of a new GWP* metric, in an article in the <em>Carbon Brief</em> <a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-a-new-way-to-assess-global-warming-potential-of-short-lived-pollutants"><strong>here</strong></a>. </p><p>GWP* is used to calculate CO<sub>2</sub>-warming-equivalent emissions, which reflects that (a) increasing methane emissions would immediately increase global temperature, (b) rapidly decreasing methane emissions would immediately reduce global temperature, and (c) a gradual decline in methane emissions would stabilise the global temperature attributed to methane. Scenarios (b) and (c) are very different to CO<sub>2</sub>, as rapidly or gradually decreasing CO<sub>2</sub> emissions leads to further global temperature increases (only the rate of temperature increase slows). </p><p>This is explored further in a Oxford Martin School briefing note, found <a href="https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/publications/net-zero-for-agriculture/"><strong>here</strong></a>, and the recent publication by researchers John Lynch, Michelle Cain, Raymond Pierrehumbert and Myles Allen (2020).<a id="ref-15" class="ref" href="#note-15"><sup>15</sup></a><br></p></div><div class="wp-block-column"></div></div><h3 id="how-do-we-account-for-the-warming-of-different-gases">How do we account for the warming of different gases?<a class="deep-link" href="#how-do-we-account-for-the-warming-of-different-gases"></a></h3><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-left">
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<figure data-grapher-src="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/global-warming-potential-of-greenhouse-gases-over-100-year-timescale" class="grapherPreview">
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<div><img src="https://ourworldindata.org/exports/global-warming-potential-of-greenhouse-gases-over-100-year-timescale_v2_850x600.svg" width="850" height="600" loading="lazy" data-no-lightbox="" alt="Global warming potential of greenhouse gases over 100 year timescale v2 850x600"></div>
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<path fill="currentColor" d="M448,344.59v96a40.36,40.36,0,0,1-1.06,9.16l-32,136A40,40,0,0,1,376,616.59H168a40,40,0,0,1-32.35-16.47l-128-176a40,40,0,0,1,64.7-47.06L104,420.58v-276a40,40,0,0,1,80,0v200h8v-40a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v40h8v-24a40,40,0,1,1,80,0v24h8a40,40,0,1,1,80,0Zm-256,80h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Zm88,0h-8v96h8Z" transform="translate(0 -0.41)"></path>
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<p>As we discussed in previous sections, greenhouse gases vary in their relative contributions to global warming; i.e. one tonne of methane does not have the same impact on warming as one tonne of carbon dioxide. </p>
<p>We define these differences using the metric, ‘Global Warming Potential’ (GWP). GWP can be defined on a range of time-periods, however the most commonly used (and that adopted by the IPCC) is the 100-year timescale (GWP<sub>100</sub>).<a id="ref-16" class="ref" href="#note-16"><sup>16</sup></a></p>
<p>In the chart we see the GWP<sub>100</sub> value of key greenhouse gases relative to carbon dioxide. The GWP<sub>100</sub> metric measures the relative warming impact one molecule or unit mass of a greenhouse gas relative to carbon dioxide over a 100-year timescale. For example, one tonne of methane would have 28 times the warming impact of tonne of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. GWP<sub>100</sub> values are used to combine greenhouse gases into a single metric of emissions called carbon dioxide equivalents (CO<sub>2</sub>e). CO<sub>2</sub>e is derived by multiplying the mass of emissions of a specific greenhouse gas by its equivalent GWP<sub>100</sub> factor. The sum of all gases in their CO<sub>2</sub>e form provide a measure of total greenhouse gas emissions.</p>
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</div><h3 id="why-do-we-not-have-long-term-estimates-on-total-greenhouse-gas-emissions">Why do we not have long-term estimates on total greenhouse gas emissions?<a class="deep-link" href="#why-do-we-not-have-long-term-estimates-on-total-greenhouse-gas-emissions"></a></h3><div class="wp-block-columns is-style-sticky-right"><div class="wp-block-column"><p>You might notice that our estimates of total greenhouse gas emissions are not available on the long-term timescales we have for CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. In our <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions">work on CO<sub>2</sub></a> we have global, regional and country estimates extending back centuries – all the way back to 1750. For total greenhouse gases we only have this data back to 1990.</p><p>Why do we only have GHG estimates for a few decades? </p><p>CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from fossil fuels and industry are – in comparison to other greenhouse gases – easier to estimate. Most of our CO<sub>2</sub> emissions come from the burning of coal, oil and gas for energy. At the country, regional and global level we have good data or can provide reasonable approximations of the quantity of energy produced, and the sources of this energy. We can approximate how much <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/fossil-fuels">coal, oil and gas</a> is burned every year. We know how much CO<sub>2</sub> is emitted when we produce a unit from a fuel source (for example, a kilowatt-hour from coal). These are called ’emission factors’ – which we <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/carbon-dioxide-emissions-factor"><strong>compare here</strong></a>. By multiplying the quantity of energy produced from coal, oil and gas by their respective ’emissions factors’, we can estimate how much CO<sub>2</sub> is emitted. In our <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions#how-do-we-measure-or-estimate-co2-emissions">work on CO<sub>2</sub> emissions</a> we discuss in more detail how long-term emissions are calculated.</p><p>But estimating emissions of other greenhouse gases is more difficult. You will notice that data on methane and nitrous oxide emissions only date back to 1990. The <a href="https://www.globalcarbonproject.org/">Global Carbon Project</a> publishes a ‘Carbon Budget’ on CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, and natural sources and sinks of CO<sub>2</sub> for all countries every year.<a id="ref-17" class="ref" href="#note-17"><sup>17</sup></a> This budget extends back more than half a century. But it has only very recently published its first <a href="https://www.globalcarbonproject.org/methanebudget/index.htm">Methane Budget</a> (published in 2020), and at time of publication its first N<sub>2</sub>O budget is not yet available.<a id="ref-18" class="ref" href="#note-18"><sup>18</sup></a></p><p>A large share of methane and nitrous oxide emissions come from agriculture, land use and waste. Getting accurate data for all countries, and extending back centuries on the emissions from livestock, soils and different land types is much more difficult. Even if we know how much food is produced from agriculture, and we have standard emissions factors of how much greenhouse gases are emitted per unit of food (for example, per kilogram of rice), this can vary a lot depending on the location, soil type and specific farming practices. We explored this in detail <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/less-meat-or-sustainable-meat">in our article</a> on the differences in the emissions of different food types: depending on the production system, beef in one location can emit more than 10 times as much as beef produced elsewhere. So, unlike CO<sub>2</sub> from energy, emissions factors for agriculture and land use can be highly variable.</p><p>This makes it difficult to estimate long-term emissions for methane and nitrous oxide (and other greenhouse gases which exist in lower concentrations). As a result, estimates of total greenhouse gas emissions are only available on shorter timescales, and often not at the same resolution as CO<sub>2</sub> data.</p></div><div class="wp-block-column"></div></div></section>
</div><footer class="article-footer"><div class="wp-block-columns"><div class="wp-block-column"><h3 id="endnotes">Endnotes</h3><ol class="endnotes"><li id="note-1"><p>If climate feedback effects are included, this increases to 34 times that of CO<sub>2</sub>.</p></li><li id="note-2"><p>Saunois, M., Stavert, A. R., Poulter, B., Bousquet, P., Canadell, J. G., Jackson, R. B., … & Ciais, P. (2020). <a href="https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/12/1561/2020/">The global methane budget 2000–2017</a>. <em>Earth System Science Data</em>, <em>12</em>(3), 1561-1623.</p></li><li id="note-3"><p>Myhre, G., D. Shindell, F.-M. Bréon, W. Collins, J. Fuglestvedt, J. Huang, D. Koch, J.-F. Lamarque, D. Lee, B. Mendoza, T. Nakajima, A. Robock, G. Stephens, T. Takemura and H. Zhang, 2013: <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/WG1AR5_Chapter08_FINAL.pdf">Anthropogenic and Natural Radiative Forcing</a>. <em>In: Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</em> [Stocker, T.F., D. Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor, S.K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.</p></li><li id="note-4"><p>Etminan, M., Myhre, G., Highwood, E. J., and Shine, K. P. (2016). <a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=doi.org%2F10.1002%2F2016GL071930&btnG=">Radiative forcing of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide: A significant revision of the methane radiative forcing</a>. <em>Geophysical Research Letters</em>, 43, 12614–12623.</p></li><li id="note-5"><p>Myhre, G., D. Shindell, F.-M. Bréon, W. Collins, J. Fuglestvedt, J. Huang, D. Koch, J.-F. Lamarque, D. Lee, B. Mendoza, T. Nakajima, A. Robock, G. Stephens, T. Takemura and H. Zhang, 2013: <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/WG1AR5_Chapter08_FINAL.pdf">Anthropogenic and Natural Radiative Forcing</a>. <em>In: Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</em> [Stocker, T.F., D. Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor, S.K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.</p></li><li id="note-6"><p>Shindell, D., Kuylenstierna, J. C. I., Vignati, E., van Dingenen, R., Amann, M., Klimont, Z., Anenberg, S. C., Muller, N., Janssens-Maenhout, G., Raes, F., Schwartz, J., Faluvegi, G., Pozzoli, L., Kupiainen, K., Höglund-Isaksson, L., Emberson, L., Streets, D., Ramanathan, V., Hicks, K., Oanh, N. T. K., Milly, G., Williams, M., Demkine, V., and Fowler, D. (2012). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1210026">Simultaneously Mitigating Near-Term Climate Change and Improving Human Health and Food Security</a>, <em>Science</em>, 335, 183–189.</p></li><li id="note-7"><p>If climate feedback effects are included, this increases to 298 times that of CO<sub>2</sub>.</p></li><li id="note-8"><p>Myhre, G., D. Shindell, F.-M. Bréon, W. Collins, J. Fuglestvedt, J. Huang, D. Koch, J.-F. Lamarque, D. Lee, B. Mendoza, T. Nakajima, A. Robock, G. Stephens, T. Takemura and H. Zhang, 2013: <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/WG1AR5_Chapter08_FINAL.pdf">Anthropogenic and Natural Radiative Forcing</a>. <em>In: Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</em> [Stocker, T.F., D. Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor, S.K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.</p></li><li id="note-9"><p>Myhre, G., D. Shindell, F.-M. Bréon, W. Collins, J. Fuglestvedt, J. Huang, D. Koch, J.-F. Lamarque, D. Lee, B. Mendoza, T. Nakajima, A. Robock, G. Stephens, T. Takemura and H. Zhang, 2013: <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/WG1AR5_Chapter08_FINAL.pdf">Anthropogenic and Natural Radiative Forcing</a>. <em>In: Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</em> [Stocker, T.F., D. Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor, S.K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.</p></li><li id="note-10"><p>Lynch, J. (2019). <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195925518303603">Availability of disaggregated greenhouse gas emissions from beef cattle production: A systematic review</a>. <em>Environmental Impact Assessment Review</em>, 76, 69-78.</p></li><li id="note-11"><p>IPCC, 2013: Climate Change 2013: <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1/"><em>The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</em></a> [Stocker, T.F., D. Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor, S.K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, 1535 pp.</p></li><li id="note-12"><p>Balcombe, P., Speirs, J. F., Brandon, N. P., & Hawkes, A. D. (2018). <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2018/em/c8em00414e#!divAbstract">Methane emissions: choosing the right climate metric and time horizon</a>. <em>Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts</em>, 20(10), 1323-1339.</p></li><li id="note-13"><p>Allen, M. R., Shine, K. P., Fuglestvedt, J. S., Millar, R. J., Cain, M., Frame, D. J., & Macey, A. H. (2018). <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate2998">A solution to the misrepresentations of CO 2-equivalent emissions of short-lived climate pollutants under ambitious mitigation</a>. <em>Npj Climate and Atmospheric Science</em>, 1(1), 1-8.</p></li><li id="note-14"><p>Allen, M. R., Fuglestvedt, J. S., Shine, K. P., Reisinger, A., Pierrehumbert, R. T., & Forster, P. M. (2016). <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate2998">New use of global warming potentials to compare cumulative and short-lived climate pollutants</a>. <em>Nature Climate Change</em>, <em>6</em>(8), 773.</p></li><li id="note-15"><p>Lynch, J. M., Cain, M., Pierrehumbert, R. T., & Allen, M. (2020). <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ab6d7e">Demonstrating GWP*: a means of reporting warming-equivalent emissions that captures the contrasting impacts of short-and long-lived climate pollutants</a>. <em>Environmental Research Letters</em>.</p></li><li id="note-16"><p>IPCC, 2014: Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the<br> Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, R.K. Pachauri and L.A. Meyer (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, 151 pp. Available <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/">online</a>.</p></li><li id="note-17"><p>Friedlingstein, P., Jones, M., O’sullivan, M., Andrew, R., Hauck, J., Peters, G., … & DBakker, O. (2019). <a href="https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/11/1783/2019/">Global Carbon Budget 2019</a>. <em>Earth System Science Data</em>, <em>11</em>(4), 1783-1838.</p></li><li id="note-18"><p>Saunois, M., Stavert, A. R., Poulter, B., Bousquet, P., Canadell, J. G., Jackson, R. B., … & Ciais, P. (2020). <a href="https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/12/1561/2020/">The global methane budget 2000–2017</a>. <em>Earth System Science Data</em>, <em>12</em>(3), 1561-1623.</p></li></ol><h3 id="licence">Reuse our work freely</h3><p>All visualizations, data, and code produced by Our World in Data are completely open access under the <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Creative Commons BY license</a>. 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This entry can be cited as:</p><pre class="citation">Hannah Ritchie, Max Roser and Pablo Rosado (2020) - "CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions". <em>Published online at OurWorldInData.org.</em> Retrieved from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/co2-and-other-greenhouse-gas-emissions' [Online Resource]</pre><p>BibTeX citation</p><pre class="citation">@article{owidco2andothergreenhousegasemissions,
author = {Hannah Ritchie, Max Roser and Pablo Rosado},
title = {CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions},
journal = {Our World in Data},
year = {2020},
note = {https://ourworldindata.org/co2-and-other-greenhouse-gas-emissions}
}</pre></div><div class="wp-block-column"></div></div></footer></div></div></div></article></main><div id="wpadminbar" style="display:none"><div class="quicklinks" id="wp-toolbar" role="navigation" aria-label="Toolbar"><ul id="wp-admin-bar-root-default" class="ab-top-menu"><li id="wp-admin-bar-site-name" class="menupop"><a class="ab-item" aria-haspopup="true" href="https://owid.cloud/wp/wp-admin">Wordpress</a></li> <li id="wp-admin-bar-edit"><a class="ab-item" href="https://owid.cloud/wp/wp-admin/post.php?post=34076&action=edit">Edit Page</a></li></ul></div></div><section class="donate-footer"><div class="wrapper"><div class="owid-row flex-align-center"><div class="owid-col owid-col--lg-3 owid-padding-bottom--sm-3"><p>Our World in Data is free and accessible for everyone.</p><p>Help us do this work by making a donation.</p></div><div class="owid-col owid-col--lg-1"><a href="/donate" class="owid-button donate-button" data-track-note="donate-footer"><span class="label">Donate now</span><span class="icon"><svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="angle-right" class="svg-inline--fa fa-angle-right " role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 256 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M64 448c-8.188 0-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25L178.8 256L41.38 118.6c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0l160 160c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.75 0 45.25l-160 160C80.38 444.9 72.19 448 64 448z"></path></svg></span></a></div></div></div></section><footer class="site-footer"><div class="wrapper"><div class="owid-row"><div class="owid-col owid-col--lg-1"><ul><li><a href="/about" data-track-note="footer-navigation">About</a></li><li><a href="/about#contact" data-track-note="footer-navigation">Contact</a></li><li><a href="/feedback" data-track-note="footer-navigation">Feedback</a></li><li><a href="/jobs" data-track-note="footer-navigation">Jobs</a></li><li><a href="/funding" data-track-note="footer-navigation">Funding</a></li><li><a href="/about/how-to-use-our-world-in-data" data-track-note="footer-navigation">How to use</a></li><li><a href="/donate" data-track-note="footer-navigation">Donate</a></li><li><a href="/privacy-policy" data-track-note="footer-navigation">Privacy policy</a></li></ul></div><div class="owid-col owid-col--lg-1"><ul><li><a href="/blog" data-track-note="footer-navigation">Latest work</a></li><li><a href="/charts" data-track-note="footer-navigation">All charts</a></li></ul><ul><li><a href="https://twitter.com/OurWorldInData" data-track-note="footer-navigation">Twitter</a></li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/OurWorldinData" data-track-note="footer-navigation">Facebook</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ourworldindata/" data-track-note="footer-navigation">Instagram</a></li><li><a href="https://github.com/owid" data-track-note="footer-navigation">GitHub</a></li><li><a href="/feed" data-track-note="footer-navigation">RSS Feed</a></li></ul></div><div class="owid-col owid-col--lg-1"><div class="logos"><a href="https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/global-development" class="partner-logo" data-track-note="footer-navigation"><img src="https://ourworldindata.org/oms-logo.svg" alt="Oxford Martin School logo" loading="lazy"/></a><a href="/owid-at-ycombinator" class="partner-logo" data-track-note="footer-navigation"><img src="https://ourworldindata.org/yc-logo.png" alt="Y Combinator logo" loading="lazy"/></a></div></div><div class="owid-col flex-2"><div class="legal"><p>Licenses: All visualizations, data, and articles produced by Our World in Data are open access under the <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Creative Commons BY license</a>. 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runTableOfContents({"headings":[{"text":"Total greenhouse gas emissions","slug":"total-greenhouse-gas-emissions","isSubheading":false},{"text":"Annual greenhouse gas emissions: how much do we emit each year?","slug":"annual-greenhouse-gas-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year","isSubheading":true},{"text":"Per capita greenhouse gas emissions: how much does the average person emit?","slug":"per-capita-greenhouse-gas-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit","isSubheading":true},{"text":"By gas: how much does each contribute to total greenhouse gas emissions?","slug":"by-gas-how-much-does-each-contribute-to-total-greenhouse-gas-emissions","isSubheading":true},{"text":"Methane (CH4) emissions","slug":"methane-ch4-emissions","isSubheading":false},{"text":"Annual methane emissions: how much do we emit each year?","slug":"annual-methane-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year","isSubheading":true},{"text":"Per capita methane emissions: how much does the average person emit?","slug":"per-capita-methane-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit","isSubheading":true},{"text":"Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions","slug":"nitrous-oxide-n2o-emissions","isSubheading":false},{"text":"Annual nitrous oxide emissions: how much do we emit each year?","slug":"annual-nitrous-oxide-emissions-how-much-do-we-emit-each-year","isSubheading":true},{"text":"Per capita nitrous oxide emissions: how much does the average person emit?","slug":"per-capita-nitrous-oxide-emissions-how-much-does-the-average-person-emit","isSubheading":true},{"text":"Emissions by sector: where do our emissions come from?","slug":"emissions-by-sector-where-do-our-emissions-come-from","isSubheading":false},{"text":"How are greenhouse gases measured?","slug":"how-are-greenhouse-gases-measured","isSubheading":false},{"text":"How do we quantify greenhouse gas emissions?","slug":"how-do-we-quantify-greenhouse-gas-emissions","isSubheading":true},{"text":"How do we account for the warming of different gases?","slug":"how-do-we-account-for-the-warming-of-different-gases","isSubheading":true},{"text":"Why do we not have long-term estimates on total greenhouse gas emissions?","slug":"why-do-we-not-have-long-term-estimates-on-total-greenhouse-gas-emissions","isSubheading":true},{"text":"Endnotes","slug":"endnotes","isSubheading":false},{"text":"Licence","slug":"licence","isSubheading":false},{"text":"Citation","slug":"citation","isSubheading":false}],"pageTitle":"Greenhouse gas emissions"})
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