NON-CO₂ GASES
What are Non-CO₂ emissions and why do they matter?
Non-CO₂ emissions include pollutants such as methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), black carbon, and tropospheric ozone. These non-CO₂ emissions arise from various activities, including agriculture, waste management, industrial processes, transportation, fossil fuel production, etc. Their atmospheric lifespan ranges from a few days (black carbon, tropospheric ozone) to several decades (methane, HFCs) which is far shorter than CO₂, however, many have global warming potentials (GWPs) far higher than CO₂.
Opportunity for Assam:The state is well placed to lead on non-CO₂ mitigation action with district-level GHG emissions inventory providing a strong evidence base to prioritise non-CO₂ climate action.
Maximize co-benifinte:Non-CO₂ mitigation will maximize co-benefits across livelihoods, agriculture, public health and resilience, driving Assam's transition towards low-carbon and climate-resilient development.
Warming Potential of Non-Co₂ Pollutants
Short-lived
Days to weeks
Medium-lived
Years to decades
Long-lived
Centuries to millennia+
Black Carbon
(Soot)
Atmospheric Lifespan ~4–12 days
Methane
(CH4)
Atmospheric Lifespan ~12 years
Nitrous Oxide
(N2O)
Atmospheric Lifespan ~120 years
Carbon Dioxide
(CO2)
Atmospheric Lifespan hundreds to
thousands of years+
thousands of years+
GWP 460
100 years
20-year GWP = 1,600
GWP 28
100 years
20-year GWP = 84
GWP 265
100 years
20-year GWP = 264
1
100 years
20-year GWP = 1
Time each gas spends in the atmosphere (log scale)
460
Black Carbon (Soot)
Airborne 4–12 days
100-yr GWP = 460
20-yr GWP = 1,600
28
Methane (CH₄)
Airborne ~12 years
100-yr GWP = 28
20-yr GWP = 84
265
Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)
Airborne ~120 years
100-yr GWP = 265
20-yr GWP = 264
1
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
Airborne hundreds to thousands of
years+
100-yr GWP = 1
20-yr GWP = 1
Circle = 100-year GWP
Dashed ring = 20-year GWP
longer lifetime
Bubble size is warming strength. Position is how long the gas lingers in the air.
CO-BENEFITS
Benefits of Non-CO₂ Mitigation
Climate, health, agriculture and livelihood gains across near, medium and long-term horizons.
Medium-term Building momentum
Long-term Lasting transformation
INVENTORY
Non-CO₂ Emissions in Assam
Headline shares for Assam in 2024, excluding Forestry. Switch GWP to compare AR5 and AR6.
46%
of Assam's Total Emissions are Non-CO2
45%
CH Emissions
1%N₂O Emissions
GAS WISE TOTAL EMISSION - 2024
Total emissions in
million tonnes
NON-CO₂ SHARE
46%
of Assam's total emissions
are Non-CO₂
Non-CO₂ Emissions by District
Non-CO₂ Emissions by Sector - 2024
ACTION
Broad Interventions
Priority measures across agricultutre, waste, energy and industry.
AGRICULTURE
Precision nutrient management
N₂O
Site-specific, need-based fertilizer application to reduce excess nitrogen use.
Sustainable rice cultivation
CH₄
Alternate Wetting & Drying (AWD) and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) to reduce water use and methane emissions.
Soil & nutrient management
CH₄
Soil health cards and balanced NPK application to improve nutrient-use efficiency.
Crop residue management
CH₄
Shift from open-field burning to mulching, surface residue retention and zero tillage.
Feed additives & improved fodder
CH₄
Methane-inhibiting feed additives and improved fodder quality to reduce enteric fermentation.
WASTE
Source segregation
CH₄
Wet/dry waste separation at collection to improve downstream waste management.
Organic waste management
CH₄
Composting of organic waste to reduce methane generation from landfilling.
Biogas utilisation
CH₄
Biogas production and utilisation from municipal organic waste.
Wastewater & sludge management
CH₄
N₂O
Improved wastewater treatment and sludge management to reduce emissions.
TRANSPORT
Promoting electrification of private vehicles
CH₄
Accelerate adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce transport emissions.
Public transport & cleaner fuels
CH₄
Promote public transport and cleaner fuel standards, including CNG/LNG upgrades.
IPPU / INDUSTRY
Industrial electrification
CH₄
N₂O
Electrification of industrial heat processes where feasible.
Process efficiency improvements
CH₄
N₂O
Improve industrial process efficiency to reduce energy use and non-CO2 emissions.
Leak detection & repair
CH₄
N₂O
Regular detection and repair of leaks from industrial equipment and pipelines.
Precision nutrient management N₂O
Site-specific, need-based fertilizer application to reduce excess nitrogen use.
Sustainable rice cultivation CH₄
Alternate Wetting & Drying (AWD) and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) to reduce water use and methane emissions.
Soil & nutrient management CH₄
Soil health cards and balanced NPK application to improve nutrient-use efficiency.
Crop residue management CH₄
Shift from open-field burning to mulching, surface residue retention and zero tillage.
Feed additives & improved fodder CH₄
Methane-inhibiting feed additives and improved fodder quality to reduce enteric fermentation.
Source segregation CH₄
Wet/dry waste separation at collection to improve downstream waste management.
Organic waste management CH₄
Composting of organic waste to reduce methane generation from landfilling.
Biogas utilisation CH₄
Biogas production and utilisation from municipal organic waste.
Wastewater & sludge management CH₄N₂O
Improved wastewater treatment and sludge management to reduce emissions.
Promoting electrification of private vehicles CH₄
Accelerate adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce transport emissions.
Public transport & cleaner fuels CH₄
Promote public transport and cleaner fuel standards, including CNG/LNG upgrades.
Industrial electrification CH₄N₂O
Electrification of industrial heat processes where feasible.
Process efficiency improvements CH₄N₂O
Improve industrial process efficiency to reduce energy use and non-CO2 emissions.
Leak detection & repair CH₄N₂O
Regular detection and repair of leaks from industrial equipment and pipelines.