Emissions
of nitrous oxide (N2O)
OD-9
Ozone
Depletion
Pressure
1 Indicator
definition and unit of measurement
Total
anthropogenic N
2O
emissions from the sectors energy, industrial processes, solvent and other
product use, agriculture, land use change and forestry, and waste (as defined
by IPCC). Unit of measurement is tonnes N
2O
per year. See indicator “total emissions of N
2O”
in the Climate Change section.
2 Placement
in the framework
5EAP:
See
indicator “Emissions of N
2O”
in the Climate Change section.
Agenda
21:
See
indicator “Emissions of N
2O”
in the Climate Change section.
International
conventions and agreements:
See
indicator “Emissions of N
2O”
in the Climate Change section.
Ranking:
Core
ranking:
9
(14%)
Policy
Relevance:
9
(2.2)
Analytical
Soundness:
9
(2.1)
Responsiveness:
10
(2.5)
Most
appropriate related state indicator:
Stratospheric
concentration of N
2O,
overall ozone depletion potential.
3 Significance
Purpose:
The
purpose of the indicator is to measure anthropogenic N
2O
emissions. N
2O
emissions increase stratospheric NO
x
(NO + NO
2)
concentrations. This has two effects on the ozone layer. 1) NO
x
reacts with chlorine compounds, leading to less ozone destruction; 2) NO
x
reacts catalytically with ozone, leading to an increase in ozone destruction.
Currently,
N
2O
emissions result in a small positive overall effect (less ozone destruction).
However, in the future a larger negative effect (an increase in ozone
destruction) is expected due to lower stratospheric chlorine levels.
Relevance:
Currently,
N
2O
emissions result in a small positive overall effect (less ozone destruction).
However, in the future a larger negative effect (an increase in ozone
destruction) is expected due to lower stratospheric chlorine levels.
Linkages
to other pressure indicators:
The
indicator is one of the most important indicators for climate change.
Furthermore, since stratospheric ozone affects the greenhouse effect, ozone
depletion should be considered in assessing climate change.
Targets:
See
indicator “Emissions of N
2O”
in the Climate Change section.
4 Methodological
description and underlying definitions
Underlying
definitions and concepts:
See
indicator “Emissions of N
2O”
in the Climate Change section.
Measurement
methods:
See
indicator “Emissions of N
2O”
in the Climate Change section.
Limitations
of the indicator:
See
3. Relevance.
Alternative
definitions:
None.
