CO2Äquivalente

CO2Äquivalente, often abbreviated as CO2eq or CO2e, is a unit used to standardize the global warming potential of different greenhouse gases into a single number. While carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most prevalent greenhouse gas, other gases like methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases have a much stronger warming effect over a given time period. The concept of CO2Äquivalente allows for a comparative measure of their impact on climate change.

To calculate CO2Äquivalente, the global warming potential (GWP) of each gas is considered relative to CO2. The GWP is typically measured over a 100-year time horizon. For example, methane has a GWP of approximately 28-34, meaning that over 100 years, one ton of methane traps as much heat as 28-34 tons of carbon dioxide. Therefore, one ton of methane emissions would be reported as 28-34 CO2Äquivalente.

This standardized unit is crucial for inventorying greenhouse gas emissions, setting reduction targets, and comparing the climate impact of various activities, policies, or products. It provides a common metric for understanding and addressing the complex mixture of gases contributing to climate change.