Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat.
During the day, the sun shines through the atmosphere, warming the Earth’s surface.
At night, the Earth’s surface cools, releasing heat back into the air.
However, some of this heat is trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, maintaining the Earth's average temperature at 14°C (57°F).

These gases act like the glass walls of a greenhouse, hence the name, greenhouse gases.
Without this greenhouse effect, temperatures would drop to as low as -18°C (-0.4°F), too cold to sustain life on Earth.
Human activities, however, are altering the natural greenhouse effect by dramatically increasing the release of greenhouse gases.
Scientists agree that these gases are the primary cause of global warming and climate change.
Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have been releasing larger quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Over the past century, this amount has increased dramatically, leading to global warming.
Global temperatures have accelerated in the past 30 years and are now the highest since records began.

Understanding the key greenhouse gases and their sources is crucial in tackling climate change.
Each gas varies in its origins, abundance, and impact on the environment, but together they contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
Let's take a closer look at the main greenhouse gases and how they influence our planet.

CO2 is released through natural processes such as volcanic eruptions, plant respiration, and animal and human respiration.
However, since the Industrial Revolution began in the 1800s, the atmospheric concentration of CO2 has increased by 50% due to human activities like burning fossil fuels and large-scale deforestation.
Due to its abundance, CO2 is the main contributor to climate change.

Methane is produced naturally through decomposition.
However, human activities such as cattle farming, landfill waste, rice farming, and traditional oil and gas production have significantly increased methane levels.

Nitrous oxide is produced through the large-scale use of commercial and organic fertilizers, fossil fuel combustion, nitric acid production, and biomass burning.

Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas.
It increases as the Earth’s atmosphere warms but, unlike CO2, which can remain in the atmosphere for centuries, water vapor persists for only a few days.

The gases detailed above are naturally produced, but their increasing atmospheric concentrations are due to human activities.
In contrast, the three industrial fluorinated gases – hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) –
are solely man-made during industrial processes and do not occur in nature. Though they are present in very small concentrations in the atmosphere, they trap heat very effectively, making them extremely potent.
SF6, used in high-voltage electrical equipment, has a ‘Global Warming Potential’ 23,000 times greater than CO2.

Greenhouse gases can be reduced by phasing out fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas, and moving to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
We can all play a part in protecting our planet by making simple daily changes like reusing and recycling, as well as bigger lifestyle decisions like switching to electric vehicles.

Better Decisions Drive Better Outcomes. We help you achieve your goals.

Methane Emissions Reduction in the Energy Sector:
Executive Summary of the Impact Assessment Report.
Accompanying the Proposal for a Regulation on Methane Emissions Reduction in the Energy Sector.

• The European Green Deal aims for climate neutrality by 2050, highlighting methane's significant role in climate change.
• Deep reductions in methane emissions by 2030 are crucial.
• Uncoordinated regulations across EU states create gaps, necessitating joint action for results.

• Enhance accuracy of methane emission information.
• Ensure effective mitigation across the energy supply chain.
• Reduce methane emissions from fossil energy imports.

• Homogeneous policy approach crucial for accelerated reductions.
• Collective action carries weight in global markets.
• EU-level policy enhances international climate efforts.

• Mandatory asset-level measurements and reporting.
• Obligations to mitigate methane emissions in the energy sector.
• Instruments for transparency and mitigation measures linked to EU fossil energy consumption abroad.

• Widespread support for robust measurement standards and legislative measures.

• Improved reporting and understanding of methane emissions.
• Greater abatement of methane emissions with associated environmental benefits.
• Cost-effective measures with minimal impact on competitiveness and national budgets.

• Ongoing monitoring and enforcement by the Commission.