{open_quotes}Perspectives on greenhouse gas emissions trends{close_quotes}

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:160219

Hausker, K

This paper discusses the common perspective on greenhouse gas emissions that well over half of carbon dioxide emissions originate in developing countries. According to IPCC data, in 1991 energy-related carbon emissions from non-OECD countries accounted for 57% of the global total, while emissions from OECD countries accounted for 43%. This perspective is misleading and oversimplified. The true picture of greenhouse gas emissions is much more complex, and varies by country and gas. On a country by country basis, the OECD countries are the largest current and historic emitters. The developed countries must take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We cannot simply look at greenhouse gases in the context of OECD and non-OECD countries. There is a huge disparity between the emissions of Russia, Eastern European and certain Asian Countries compared to other non-OECD countries. On a per country basis, most developing country contributions to the global greenhouse gas budget are negligible. Finally, all greenhouse gases must be considered. While energy-related CO2 will remain the most important greenhouse gas over the next 25 years, land-use related CO2 or anthropogenic methane cannot be ignored or underestimated. Since the relative importance of various emission sources varies from region to region, greenhouse gas mitigation strategies must be tailored to the particular circumstances and factors friving emission in each region.

• OSTI ID: 160219
• Report Number(s): CONF-950574--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
CARBON DIOXIDE
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
GREENHOUSE GASES
MITIGATION
OECD
POLITICAL ASPECTS
POLLUTION SOURCES