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 aim of this study therefore is to update the summary of the work completed by IEAGHG previously (See Section 3). The specific objectives of the study are:

• To review the current sources of Non-CO2 GHG’s and update their emissions data.

• To look at the trends in Non-CO2 GHG emissions over the years from our study to present date and assess which mitigation options have been successfully deployed.

• To attempt to assess why some measures have not been introduced.

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.

1. The key messages remained the same:
2. Non-CO2 GHG emissions remain a significant component of global greenhouse gas emissions

1. There is significant potential to mitigate the Non-CO2 GHG emissions at negative and low costs. The options represent a significant “low hanging fruit” option for global GHG emission reduction.

1. Including Non-CO2 GHG mitigation in a package of greenhouse gas emission reduction must decrease the costs of GHG mitigation compared to a CO2 only abatement strategy.

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.