Kasvihuonepäästöjen

Kasvihuonepäästöjen, the Finnish term for greenhouse gas emissions, refer to the release of gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, thereby contributing to global warming. The main gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases, each with a distinct global warming potential. These emissions originate from natural processes as well as human activities and are measured in terms of carbon dioxide equivalents, allowing comparison across gases.

The primary drivers of kasvihuonepäästöjen are fossil‑fuel combustion for electricity and heat, industrial processes, agriculture, deforestation, and waste management. In 2021 the global greenhouse gas inventory reported emissions of about 59 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalents, with energy and transport sectors accounting for roughly 73 % of the total. Rising temperatures, sea‑level rise, and extreme weather events are linked to the increasing concentration of these gases.

Measurement of emissions follows internationally accepted protocols such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). National inventories are compiled yearly and shared with the UN as part of the Compliance Report. Accurate data collection is crucial for setting reduction targets, assessing the impact of mitigation actions, and verifying compliance with international agreements.

Mitigation strategies focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy deployment, electrification of transport, carbon capture and storage, and changes in land use. The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, aims to keep global temperature rise well below 2 °C, with most countries committing to net‑zero emissions by 2050. Finland’s National Action Plan includes targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 % from 1990 levels by 2035 and to achieve a carbon‑neutral economy by 2035, with specific measures in the forestry sector and the promotion of bioenergy.

Understanding and reducing kasvihuonepäästöjen is essential for climate stability, economic resilience and public health. Continued research, policy innovation and international cooperation are required to meet the ambitious goals set by the scientific community and world leaders.