Key Point
A variety of gases, in excess, cause the greenhouse effect.
The GHG Protocol is the equivalent of an accounting standard for greenhouse gases
Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect
Global warming is caused by what is termed the ‘greenhouse effect’ (source). As NASA explains, this is simply a combination of gases in the atmosphere acting to trap heat. This is a normal and necessary process for life on earth; however, human activity since the industrial revolution has altered the mix of atmospheric gasses. (Twardy, 2007 updated 2023)
Greenhouse Gases (GHG)
Carbon dioxide is the most well-known greenhouse gas, but others include:
methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons and ozone (IPCC, 1992). World-wide action following the 1990 London Amendments to the Montreal Protocol has decreased the proportion and impact of chlorofluorocarbons. (ibid)
GHG Protocol
The World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development partnered to develop the GHG Protocol: essentially an accounting guidance and reporting standard for corporations, governments and non-government organisations to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions across their supply chain. The intention is to have a common basis of calculating. (GHG Protocol, 2012)