Greenhouse Gas Emissions Overview
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Questions and Answers

What does RCP stand for in the context of greenhouse gas emissions?

  • Representative Concentration Pathway (correct)
  • Radiative Concentration Pathway
  • Regulated Climate Projection
  • Radiative Climate Pathway

    • What is a significant expected impact of rising global mean surface temperatures?

  • Increase in cold temperature extremes
  • Decrease in annual mean precipitation in all latitudes
  • Higher frequency of hot temperature extremes (correct)
  • Consistent precipitation across all regions

    • Which RCP pathway is associated with the highest greenhouse gas emissions?

  • RCP2.6
  • RCP4.5
  • RCP8.5 (correct)
  • RCP6

    • In which regions are increases in annual mean precipitation expected?

    <p>High latitudes and equatorial Pacific</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of stringent climate change mitigation efforts on desirable RCP values?

    <p>To maintain low GHG emission levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are some effects of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions?

    <p>Melting of ice caps and glaciers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which sector accounts for 25% of total GHG emissions?

    <p>Electricity and Heat production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT considered a factor influencing GHG emissions?

    <p>Cultural Practices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one result of direct emissions from the energy sector?

    <p>Release of CO2 during fossil fuel combustion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method would only partially address the reduction of GHG emissions?

    <p>Switching to renewable energy sources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following activities contributes to GHG emissions?

    <p>Land Use Changes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of GHG emissions, what does the term 'grid' refer to?

    <p>Electricity and heat production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a category of GHG emissions?

    <p>Fluorinated gases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Global Warming Potential (GWP) measure?

    <p>The energy absorption of one ton of a gas over 100 years relative to CO2.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a higher GWP indicate about a greenhouse gas compared to CO2?

    <p>It has a greater warming effect.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following reflects the role of greenhouse gases in global warming?

    <p>They trap heat in the atmosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which greenhouse gas is often used as the standard for measuring GWP?

    <p>Carbon dioxide (CO2)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common characteristic of anthropogenic CO2 emissions?

    <p>They mainly come from fossil fuel combustion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is least likely to influence GHG emissions?

    <p>Global temperature trends.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary challenge in reducing GHG emissions in the building industry?

    <p>High costs of carbon-neutral materials.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which initiative is essential for addressing climate change through GHG reduction?

    <p>Enhancing public transportation systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are indirect emissions primarily associated with?

    <p>Emissions embedded in products</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which sector is noted as the highest contributor to GHG emissions globally?

    <p>Electricity and heat production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What international treaty was established during COP 3?

    <p>Kyoto Protocol</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During which period did countries commit to specific emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol?

    <p>2008-2012</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of GHG emissions does the building industry contribute indirectly?

    <p>12%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which body is the supreme decision-making body of the Convention regarding climate change?

    <p>COP</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major type of emissions do the processes in the building industry primarily contribute?

    <p>Both direct and indirect emissions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol?

    <p>To set binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant challenge faced by the Kyoto Protocol?

    <p>Lack of binding commitments for developing nations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of the Paris Agreement regarding global temperature increase?

    <p>Limit increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which sector was the largest contributor to India's greenhouse gas emissions in 2014?

    <p>Energy sector</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of India's GHG emissions in 2014 came from agriculture?

    <p>19.6%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of the Paris Agreement, what does 'NDC' stand for?

    <p>National Determined Contributions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What feature distinguishes the Paris Agreement from the Kyoto Protocol?

    <p>It allows countries to set their own emission contributions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the contribution of electricity and heat generation to India's 2014 greenhouse gas emissions?

    <p>49%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following was a primary focus in the efforts highlighted by the Paris Agreement?

    <p>Encouraging international collaboration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Greenhouse Gas Emissions

    • Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing significantly to the greenhouse effect and, consequently, global warming. This process occurs when sunlight reaches the Earth's surface and is reflected back as infrared radiation, which is then absorbed by these gases, thus retaining heat within the atmosphere.
    • The major GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases, each varying in their ability to trap heat and persist in the atmosphere for different lengths of time.
    • Cioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), fluorinated gases (F-gases), and ozone (O3).
    • The Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a measure of a gas's ability to trap heat in comparison to CO2. It is measured over a 100-year period.
    • The higher a gas's GWP, the greater its warming effect compared to CO2.
    • CO2 has a global warming potential of 1, whereas methane has a GWP of 25, and nitrous oxide has a GWP of 298.
    • The atmosphere's average concentration of CO2 has been steadily increasing since the Industrial Revolution, reaching a record high of 420 parts per million (ppm) in 2023.

    Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

    • The primary sources of GHG emissions include:
      • Energy production
      • Industrial activities
      • Transportation
      • Agriculture
      • Land use changes
      • Waste management
      • Industrial processes
      • Use of fluorinated gases

    Global Scenario and Initiatives

    • International processes:

      • The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international environmental treaty that aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
      • The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC, which convenes annually to review progress and negotiate new commitments.

    • Kyoto Protocol (COP 3):

      • An international treaty that established binding targets for developed countries to reduce their GHG emissions during the first commitment period (2008-2012).
      • The protocol was designed to implement the UNFCCC, which aims to stabilize atmospheric GHG concentrations at a level that would prevent dangerous interference with the climate system.

    • Paris Agreement (COP 21):

      • A landmark agreement that aims to limit global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
      • The agreement involves all countries, with each setting its own nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to mitigate GHG emissions.
      • The Paris Agreement emphasizes a transparent and participatory process, encouraging international collaboration to achieve its goals.

    Indian Scenario

    • India’s GHG profile is dominated by emissions from the energy sector (68.7%).
    • Within the energy sector, 49% of emissions are due to electricity and heat generation, followed by 24% from manufacturing and construction.
    • Agriculture is the second highest source of GHG emissions in India (19.6%), with enteric fermentation contributing 45% of agriculture emissions.

    Strategies to Reduce GHG Emissions

    • Energy efficiency:

      • Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro.
      • Promoting energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industrial processes.
      • Reducing energy consumption through behavioral changes and technological innovations.

    • Sustainable agriculture:

      • Adopting sustainable farming practices that minimize GHG emissions.
      • Reducing deforestation and promoting afforestation.
      • Managing livestock populations and reducing methane emissions.

    • Waste management:

      • Implementing proper waste management practices to reduce methane emissions from landfills.
      • Promoting waste recycling and composting.

    Policies, Regulations, and Initiatives in India

    • India has established various policies and initiatives to address climate change, including:
      • The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
      • The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission
      • The National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
      • The National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
      • The National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture
    • The building industry is a significant contributor to GHG emissions, both directly through on-site processes and indirectly through the production of building materials.
    • Challenges in reducing GHGs in the building industry include:
      • High embodied carbon in building materials
      • Energy consumption in building operations
      • Limited adoption of green building standards.
    • Future trends in reducing GHGs in the building industry include:
      • Increasing use of sustainable building materials
      • Development of more energy-efficient buildings
      • Integration of renewable energy sources
      • Adoption of smart building technologies and practices.
      • Embodied carbon assessment and reduction.

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    Greenhouse Gas Emissions Lecture 01 PDF

    Description

    This quiz covers essential information about greenhouse gas emissions, including the major gases contributing to the greenhouse effect and their relative global warming potential. It explores the primary sources of these emissions and their implications for global warming. Test your knowledge on this critical environmental topic!

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