The GHG inventory covers the seven direct greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Protocol:
- Carbon dioxide (CO3)
- Methane (CH4)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O)
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
- Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
- Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
- Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3)
These gases contribute directly to climate change owing to their positive radiative forcing effect.
HFCs, PFCs, SF6 and NF3 are collectively known as the 'F-gases'.
In general terms, the largest contributor to global warming is carbon dioxide which makes it the focus of many climate change initiatives. Methane and nitrous oxide contribute to a smaller proportion, typically <20%, and the contribution of f–gases is even smaller (in spite of their high Global Warming Potentials) at <5% of the total.
Also reported are four indirect greenhouse gases:
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC)
- Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
Nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and NMVOCs are included in the inventory because they can produce increases in tropospheric ozone concentrations and this increases radiative forcing (warming of the atmosphere). Sulphur dioxide is included because it contributes to aerosol formation which can either warm (through absorption of solar radiation on dark particles) or cool (from forming cloud droplets and reflecting radiation) the atmosphere.
Source : https://naei.beis.gov.uk/overview/ghg-overview
- Carbon dioxide (CO3)
- Methane (CH4)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O)
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
- Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
- Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
- Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3)