Beyond Carbon: Understanding All Greenhouse Gases in the Race to Net Zero by 2050
- energyguardiansltd
- May 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 6
Written by: Energy Guardians
Last Updated: May 11, 2025.
When it comes to climate action, carbon dioxide (CO₂) often takes centre stage. But carbon is only part of the picture. Achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 will require reducing all greenhouse gases (GHGs), each with unique properties and climate impacts.
To build effective strategies, businesses, governments, and individuals must understand the broader spectrum of GHGs and their Global Warming Potential (GWP), a measure of how much heat a gas traps in the atmosphere relative to CO₂ over a 100-year period.
The Major Greenhouse Gases and Their Global Warming Potential (GWP)
1. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
Source: Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), deforestation, industrial processes.
GWP: 1 (baseline for comparison)
Role: The most abundant anthropogenic GHG, responsible for about 76% of global emissions. It lingers in the atmosphere for hundreds to thousands of years, making it critical to reduce at scale.
2. Methane (CH₄)
Source: Agriculture (livestock digestion), oil and gas production, landfills, rice cultivation.
GWP: 28-36 times more potent than CO₂ over 100 years.
Role: Methane has a shorter atmospheric lifetime (about 12 years) but is much more efficient at trapping heat. Cutting methane offers quick wins for slowing near-term warming.
3. Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)
Source: Agricultural fertilisers, manure management, fossil fuel combustion, certain industrial processes.
GWP: 265-298 times greater than CO₂.
Role: Though less talked about, N₂O emissions are rising, mainly from intensive agriculture. It also depletes the ozone layer, adding to its environmental impact.
4. Fluorinated Gases (F-Gases)
Synthetic industrial gases with extremely high GWPs. These include:
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Source: Refrigeration, air conditioning, foam blowing agents.
GWP: 124 to over 12,000, depending on the specific compound.
Role: Widely used as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances but now targeted for phase-down due to their high climate impact.
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
Source: Aluminium production, semiconductor manufacturing.
GWP: 7,000 to 11,100.
Role: Very persistent in the atmosphere, with lifetimes of thousands of years.
Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF₆)
Source: Electrical industry (insulation), magnesium production.
GWP: 23,500 ; one of the most potent GHGs.
Role: Used for its excellent insulating properties but flagged for urgent reduction due to its extreme warming potential.
Nitrogen Trifluoride (NF₃)
Source: Electronics manufacturing (e.g., LCD panels, solar cells).
GWP: 17,200.
Role: A rising concern as tech manufacturing scales globally.
Why All GHGs Matter for Net Zero by 2050
Focusing only on CO₂ overlooks the significant role of other gases that contribute to climate change, often with higher potency and shorter atmospheric lifetimes. Cutting all GHGs is essential for:
Achieving legally binding climate targets (e.g., UK's Climate Change Act, Paris Agreement goals).
Delivering near-term climate benefits (e.g., methane reductions can slow warming within a decade).
Protecting public health and ecosystems from harmful side effects (e.g., ozone depletion, air pollution).
A Multi-Gas Strategy for Real Net Zero
By 2050, the world aims to reach Net Zero, balancing any remaining emissions with removals. This requires:
CO₂ reductions: Shift to renewable energy, energy efficiency, reforestation.
Methane cuts: Improved waste management, better agricultural practices, leak detection.
N₂O control: Optimised fertiliser use, advanced farming technologies.
F-gas phase-out: Adoption of low-GWP refrigerants, circular economy models.
Conclusion: Beyond Carbon, Towards Comprehensive Climate Action
Net Zero is not just about carbon, it is about transforming entire systems that emit a range of potent greenhouse gases. By adopting a holistic approach, businesses, schools, councils, and nations can achieve meaningful and measurable climate progress.
At Energy Guardians Limited, we specialise in helping organisations develop comprehensive Net Zero roadmaps that address all greenhouse gases; from carbon dioxide to fluorinated gases. If your organisation is ready to move beyond carbon and embrace true climate leadership, contact us today to start your journey.
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