Introduction
As part of the IEA Greenhouse R&D Programmes (IEAGHG) strategic review of its activities prior to the commencement of Phase 6 (2012-2017) of its work programme, it was agreed by the members at the 41st Executive Committee to undertake a study looking at the Non-CO2 greenhouses (GHG’s). The IEAGHG actively researched mitigation options for Non-CO2 GHG’s in earlier phases of its work programme, whereas much of IEAGHG’s focus in recent years has been on CO2 mitigation and Carbon Capture and Storage in particular. The mitigation of Non-carbon dioxide (Non-CO2) greenhouse gas emissions can be a relatively inexpensive supplement to CO2-only mitigation strategies. The Non-CO2 gases include methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and a number of high global warming potential (high-GWP) or fluorinated gases. These gases trap more heat within the atmosphere than CO2 per unit weight. Approximately 30% of the anthropogenic greenhouse effect since preindustrial times can be attributed to these Non-CO2 greenhouse gases.
The study will also aim to look at the organisations active in these areas, such as the Methane to Markets Programme in the USA, a body similar to the CSLF. This would enable us to consider if there are any opportunities for further work by IEAGHG on such topics that could assist deployment or address barriers to deployment. The review would therefore also assist in IEAGHG’s future strategic planning activities.
The starting point for this study is a review of the historical context of IEAGHG’s previous activities in the area of Non-CO2 GHG’s to put in context why it was done, what it hoped to achieve and what resulted in terms of international co-operative actions and further studies. |
Key Messages
The IEAGHG has not been actively undertaking research in the area of Non-CO2 greenhouse gases since 2006. The USEPA which started their research activities in this area about the same time as IEAGHG however have been continuing to research this topic and have produced at new set of global Non-CO2 GHG emissions projection and abatement cost curves that updates the data IEAGHG generated in 2006. IEAGHG would not propose to undertake its own research to update its analyses in this field but merely take the key messages from the research undertaken by the USEPA for its member’s reference.
The main mitigation options have already been identified what remains are for policy actions and financial mechanisms to implement the mitigation options for the Non-CO2 GHG’s. There are a number of international voluntary programmes aimed at implementing mitigation options for these gases. |
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