Greenhouse 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.

Direct Greenhouse Gases

The Greenhouse Gas inventory covers the seven direct greenhouse gases under the Paris Agreement.

• Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
• Methane (CH₄)
• Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
• Hydroflourocarbons (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.

Indirect Greenhouse Gases

Also reported are four indirect greenhouse gases:

• Nitrogen oxides (NO_x)
• 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.

Sector, Gas and Uncertainty Summary Factsheets

Factsheets for each National Communication sector and greenhouse gas (GHG), reported on within the most recent UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory, are available to view here

The Sector, Gas and Uncertainty Summary Factsheets provide a snapshot of historic emissions and their sources, data sets and methods used for estimating emissions, uncertainties and improvements associated with them. 

Note – the current factsheets are based on the UK 1990-2020 GHGI, so emissions estimates are now outdated and not aligned with the latest UK 1990-2022 GHGI.

Local Authority Greenhouse Gas Map

This interactive map shows the latest Greenhouse Gas emissions totals by Local Authority from the UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory.

Greenhouse Gas Targets

Countries that have signed and ratified the Paris Agreement are legally bound to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by an agreed amount.

Greenhouse gas reports

All current and historical reports for greenhouse gases

Greenhouse Gas Data

All data relating to greenhouse gases