Report on Advanced Tools for Differentiating Between Anthropogenic and Natural Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Introduction

Advanced tools are refining our ability to differentiate between anthropogenic and natural greenhouse gas emissions, helping us better understand the scale of their impact on climate change.

Sustainable Development Goals

• Climate Change and Environment

Natural vs Anthropogenic GHG Emissions

For millions of years, Earth has maintained a balanced climate system, adeptly managing natural emissions from plant uptake and organic matter decomposition as well as events such as volcanic eruptions. Recent human activities have tipped this balance. The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and petroleum and various industrial processes have added a significant burden to our atmosphere.

Distinguishing between human and natural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is crucial for effective climate change action. Despite the numerous efforts by national governments, regional authorities, and private stakeholders to reduce GHG emissions, measuring the effectiveness of related policies remains a challenge. “Current national GHG inventories report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) each year, but these reports are often plagued by substantial uncertainties and cannot easily be independently verified,” states Philippe Peylin, coordinator of the EU-funded VERIFY project.

New Products Filtering Out Data Uncertainties and Biases

VERIFY, a collaborative effort amongst 40 partners, sought to provide a more accurate assessment of carbon stocks and GHG emissions including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).

“Creating a precise characterization of the spatiotemporal variations of GHG fluxes is complex: it requires distinguishing between anthropogenic and natural components and their corresponding drivers,” states Peylin. The team tackled this challenge through advanced modeling approaches. Their strategy included using atmospheric GHG measurements, tracer transport inversions, and a diverse range of land observations – both in situ and from space.

“Our approach is unique as it incorporates independent observations in support of inventories that primarily rely on statistical data,” highlights Peylin. “The wealth of knowledge generated by VERIFY will be harnessed to improve national GHG inventories. In collaboration with national inventory agencies, this information should help track the progress of EU mitigation efforts towards meeting the targets set out in the Paris Agreement on climate.”

Keywords

• VERIFY
• anthropogenic
• framework
• climate change
• GHG emissions
• CO2
• CH4
• N2O

Project Information

Project Name: VERIFY

Grant agreement ID: 776810

Project Website: https://verify.lsce.ipsl.fr/

Status: Closed project

EC signature date: 27 October 2017

Start date: 1 February 2018

End date: 31 July 2022

Funded under:

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES – Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials
• Fighting and adapting to climate change

Total cost: €10,229,338.75

EU contribution: €9,998,963.75

Coordinated by: COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France)

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
   • Target 13.a: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible
   • Target 13.b: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing states, including focusing on women, youth, and local and marginalized communities

   The article discusses the impact of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions on climate change, highlighting the need for effective climate change action. It mentions efforts by national governments, regional authorities, and private stakeholders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These efforts align with SDG 13, which aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

2. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements
   • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally
   • Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world

   The article mentions the importance of distinguishing between anthropogenic and natural greenhouse gas emissions and their corresponding drivers. This distinction is crucial for understanding the impact of human activities on the environment and aligns with SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: cordis.europa.eu

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