Home Blog & Case Studies What Exactly is CO₂e?

What Exactly is CO₂e?

23 May 2022

We talk about trees sequestering carbon, carbon credits and helping to mitigate climate change. But how does this tie up with the CO₂e (Carbon Dioxide Equivalent) which we refer to elsewhere?

Greenhouse Gases

In practice, there are seven greenhouse gases (GHG) which the Kyoto Protocol identified as contributing to global warming. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) is the most prevalent, accounting for 80% of GHG emissions.

This is followed by Methane (CH4), which comprises 10%, and Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) which makes up 7% of all GHG emissions.

The remaining 3% is accounted for by the fluorinated gases, such as Hydrofluorocarbon, used in refrigerants and aerosol propellants.

Global Warming Potential

Each of these GHGs absorb different levels of energy so have different effects on the earth’s warming. Scientists have therefore developed Global Warming Potential (GWP) to enable comparisons between the global warming impacts of different GHGs.

Specifically, GWP is a measure of how much energy the emissions of one tonne of a gas will absorb over a given period, relative to the emissions of one tonne of CO₂.

Offsetting Projects

The UK government estimates the GWP of Methane and Nitrous Oxide to be 25 and 298 respectively. This standardised metric then provides an easy benchmark for companies and offsetting projects alike who are attempting to balance emissions and suppressions.

A company emitting four tonnes of Methane must sequester (4 x 25) 100 tonnes of CO₂e to neutralise its impact on the earth’s warming.

By using one tonne of CO₂e as a benchmark against which we can measure the impact on global warming of other GHG emissions, companies and offsetting projects are able to work on the same, easily understood and readily exchangeable unit of offsetting currency.

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CarbonStore

CarbonStore provides the vital link to help landowners to sell and companies to buy certified and legally recognised Woodland and Peatland Carbon Units.

If you think your company could benefit from carbon offsetting, or you are a landowner looking to explore the carbon opportunities in your land, contact us.

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