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Air emissions - Annual national data - GHG
 
 
CO2    N2O    CH4    HFC    PFC    SF6    GWP
 
     
 

Page last updated : 30/06/2010

Global Warming Potential - GWP

Source : CITEPA / SECTEN format - April 2010

This index provides an aggregated figure covering greenhouse gases. Usually, gases included are limited to the six direct greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol : CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs and SF6.

It is expressed as "CO2 equivalent" because of the GWP (Global Warming Potential) of other substances expressed in relation to CO2 (the value for CO2 is 1 by definition). Confusion may occur between GWP and real CO2 figures when such data is used by non-specialists.

The index is calculated on the basis of a time period of 100 years and takes into account the atmospheric life time of the substances.
Individual gas GWP values defined by IPCC are those of 1995 in accordance with the decisions taken by the Conference of the Parties :

  • CO2 = 1

  • CH4 = 21

  • N2O = 310

  • HFCs = in the range of 140 - 11 700 depending on molecules (weighted values are 5 167 in 1990, 7 167 in 1993 and 1 693 in 2008)

  • PFCs = in the range of 6 500 - 9 200 depending on molecules (weighted values are 7 287 in 1990, 7 469 in 1994 and 7 178 in 2008)

  • SF6 = 23 900

As illustrated in the next figure, the individual contribution of each gas to GWP varies considerably, with carbon dioxide being the dominant GHG (GreenHouse Gases), accounting for approximately two thirds of the total

 

Survey period : since 1990

Emissions (LULUCF* included) Variations
Emissions in 2008 : 443 Mt CO2e Variation 2008 / 1990 : -15 %
Maximum observed : 548 Mt CO2e in 1991 Variation 2008 / maximum : -19 %
Minimum observed : 443 Mt CO2e in 2008 Variation 2008 / minimum : 0 %

Main emitters in 2008 (top 5 of total emissions LULUCF* excluded) :
  1 - Residential 12 %
2 - Crops 10 %
3 - Livestock 9.3 %
4 - Diesel-engined heavy duty vehicles 6.9 %
5 - Tertiary, commercial and institutional 6.7 %

Comments

GWP (Global Warming Potential) for mainland France was estimated at 443 Mt CO2 equivalent (CO2e) in 2008 (LULUCF* included), and 516 Mt CO2e, LULUCF* excluded.

All the sectors participated to greenhouse gas emissions, as followed in importance order (LULUCF* excluded) :

  • road transport with 24% essentially due to CO2,
  • manufacturing industry with 22%, due to all of the 6 direct greenhouse gases,
  • agriculture/forestry with 21% of total emissions, due to two pollutants : N2O and CH4,
  • residential/tertiary with 19% of total emissions, due to all of the 6 direct greenhouse gases,
  • Energy conversion with 13% essentially due to CO2,
  • Other transports (other than road) with 2% essentially due to CO2.

GWP emissions decreased by around 7% between 1990 and 2008 (LULUCF* excluded), that is to say -41 Mt CO2e and -78 Mt CO2e (-15%) LULUCF included.

CO2 emissions contributed to 69% of GWP emissions (LULUCF included). Then came N2O emissions with 15%, CH4 12% and HFCs/PFCs/SF6 4%).

The biggest increase evolution since 1990 (in GWP) came from HFC emissions : +305%.

 Note

The total in this format is different compared to the UNFCCC format (Overseas included) and to the KYOTO format (DOM included) due to the geographical perimeter (mainland France only).

 
 
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