Methane CO2 Equivalent Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the methane co2 equivalent calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Methane CO2 Equivalent Calculator

Formulas Used

CO2 Equivalent

co2e = methane_tons * gwp

CO2e at GWP-20 (84x)

gwp_20yr = methane_tons * 84

CO2e at GWP-100 (28x)

gwp_100yr = methane_tons * 28

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
methane_tonsMethane Emissions(metric tons CH4)10
gwpGlobal Warming Potential(x CO2)28

How It Works

How to Convert Methane to CO2 Equivalent

Methane (CH4) is more potent than CO2 but breaks down faster in the atmosphere.

Global Warming Potential (GWP)

  • GWP-100: 28x more potent than CO2 over 100 years
  • GWP-20: 84x more potent over 20 years

    • Formula

    CO2e = Methane (tons) * GWP factor

    Worked Example

    A facility emits 10 metric tons of methane per year.

    methane_tons = 10gwp = 28
    1. 01CO2e at GWP-100: 10 * 28 = 280 metric tons CO2e
    2. 02CO2e at GWP-20: 10 * 84 = 840 metric tons CO2e

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why are there different GWP timeframes?

    Methane breaks down over about 12 years. GWP-20 captures near-term potency while GWP-100 averages over a century.

    Where does methane come from?

    Major sources include livestock, landfills, natural gas systems, rice paddies, and wetlands.

    Why does methane matter for climate change?

    Despite being present in smaller quantities than CO2, methane is responsible for about 30% of current global warming due to its high potency.

    Ready to run the numbers?

    Open Methane CO2 Equivalent Calculator