GHG Emissions (Greenhouse gasses) - TX

Types of Greenhouse gases

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2):
  • Chemical Formula: CO2
  • Primary Source: Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), deforestation, land-use changes, and various industrial processes.
  • Global Warming Potential (GWP): 1 (baseline)
• Methane (CH4):
  • Chemical Formula: CH4
  • Primary Source: Livestock digestion, natural gas production and distribution, rice cultivation, and landfills.
  • GWP: Approximately 25-30 times that of CO2 over 100 years.
• Nitrous Oxide (N2O):
  • Chemical Formula: N2O
  • Primary Source: Agricultural activities (use of synthetic fertilizers), industrial processes, and combustion of fossil fuels.
  • GWP: Approximately 298 times that of CO2 over 100 years.
• Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs):
  • Chemical Formula: Various HFC compounds
  • Primary Source: Used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and electronics manufacturing.
  • GWP: Varies by specific HFC compound, but can be thousands of times more potent than CO2 over 100 years.
• Perfluorocarbons (PFCs):
  • Chemical Formula: Various PFC compounds
  • Primary Source: Produced during aluminum smelting and semiconductor manufacturing.
  • GWP: Varies by specific PFC compound but can be thousands to tens of thousands of times more potent than CO2 over 100 years.
  • Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6):
• Chemical Formula: SF6
  • Primary Source: Used in the electrical industry for high-voltage equipment.
  • GWP: Extremely potent, with a GWP tens of thousands of times greater than CO2 over 100 years.
  • Water Vapor (H2O):
  • Chemical Formula: H2O
  • Primary Source: Natural atmospheric water vapor.
  • GWP: Water vapor is not typically assigned a GWP because its concentration in the atmosphere is primarily influenced by other GHGs and natural processes.

Sources of Greenhouse gases

1. Combustion of Fossil Fuels: This category encompasses the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, including the burning of fossil fuels for energy production, transportation (e.g., cars, trucks, ships, airplanes), and residential and commercial building heating, cooling, and electricity generation. It releases carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere, contributing significantly to global warming and climate change.
2. Deforestation and Land Use Changes: Clearing forests and altering land for agriculture or development release stored carbon in trees and soil, adding to CO2 emissions. Land-use changes and associated activities also contribute to GHG emissions.
3. Agriculture: Agricultural practices, including livestock digestion, synthetic fertilizer use, and certain land management methods, produce methane and nitrous oxide emissions, making agriculture a substantial contributor to GHG emissions.
4. Industrial Processes: Some industrial activities release GHGs as byproducts, including CO2 from cement production and synthetic GHGs like HFCs, PFCs, and SF6 from chemical manufacturing processes.
5. Waste Management: Landfills and waste treatment facilities emit methane as organic waste decomposes anaerobically, and incineration of waste can release CO2 and other pollutants.
6. Livestock Manure Management: Improper handling and storage of livestock manure can produce methane emissions, which can be mitigated through techniques like methane digesters.
7. Natural Sources: Certain GHGs, like methane and nitrous oxide, also originate from natural sources, including wetlands, oceans, and volcanic activity.