Greenhouse effect and greenhouse gases

The greenhouse effect is a natural occurring phenomenon which allows heat to be trapped by gases in the atmosphere close to Earth’s surface and maintain a suitable temperature for life of around 15°C.

It occurs through so called greenhouse gases (GHGs), which are gases with the ability to absorb and re-emit radiations from the Sun.

Natural Greenhouse Gas

Natural GHGs

Most of the GHGs come from natural sources. Natural GHGs include water vapor (H₂O), or water in a gas form, and is derived from evaporation which forms cloud and rains back on Earth; this is part of the natural water cycle.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) originates from various natural and human-induced sources. Natural sources include respiration, volcanic eruptions, and oceanic processes. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, also significantly contribute to CO₂ emissions.

Methane (CH₄) may come from various sources but mainly cattle and wetlands.

Ozone (O₃), is a gas created up in the atmosphere after a chemical reaction with dioxygen (O₂) and sunlight. The well-known ozone layer helps protect us from harmful UV light coming from the Sun. Finally, Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a natural part of the Nitrogen cycle and is made up by bacteria, mostly from our oceans.

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Anthropogenic GHGs

However, since the industrial revolution, human activities have released huge quantities of these gases in the atmosphere, changing Earth’s natural greenhouse effect and producing global warming.

Moreover, new sources of GHGs have appeared. These potent man-made gases are known as fluorinated gases. They damage the Ozone layer letting more UV light coming through and have a powerful greenhouse effect.

There are four types of anthropogenic GHGs: hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) and Nitrogen Trifluoride (NF₃).

CO2e

GHGs common unit

The Tapio tool allows you to estimate the quantity of industrial GHGs emitted by your organization’s activities.

To simplify calculations and comparisons of the various greenhouse gases, their Global Warming Potential (GWP) is measured using a common unit : Carbon Dioxide equivalent (CO₂e). This conversion is done by referring to CO₂, which is the reference gas due to its significant presence in the atmosphere and its substantial impact among greenhouse gases generated by human activities.

Other greenhouse gases are converted into CO₂e by considering their impact and lifespan in the atmosphere relative to those of CO₂.

Taking CO₂ as a reference allows easy conversion and comparison of the impact of these gases in the atmosphere (e.g., CO₂ = 1 CO₂e and CH4 = 28 CO₂e, thus 1kg CH₄ = 28kg CO₂e).

source: AR6 GWP 100y

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Main GHGs

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

  • Stays 100 years in the atmosphere.
  • Comes mainly from fossil energy consumption, deforestation/land use changes, and industrial processes.

Methane (CH4)

  • Stays 12 years in the atmosphere
  • Comes mainly from transport and consumption of gas, enteric fermentation or organic waste, and waste treatment.
  • 1 ton CH4= 28 tons CO2e

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

  • Stays 114 years in the atmosphere.
  • Comes mainly from the use of chemical fertilizers.
  • 1 ton N2O = 273 tons CO2e

Fluorinated Gases (FGs)

  • Stay centuries in the atmosphere.
  • Comes mainly from leaks from cooling and refrigeration systems, and production of insulation foam.
  • 1 ton CFCs >1000 tons CO2e

What GHGs are accounted for on the Tapio platform?

The carbon reports produced on the Tapio platform comply with the Bilan Carbone or GHG Protocol methodology. They take into account GHG emissions covered by the Kyoto Protocol (CO2, CH4, N2O and fluorinated gases). It is also possible to quantify GHGs covered by other international treaties, such as CFCs and NOx, water vapour and condensation trails emitted by aircraft in the stratosphere.

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