Methane CO2 Equivalent Calculator
Convert methane emissions to CO2 equivalent using global warming potential over 20 or 100 year timeframes.
CO2 Equivalent
280.0 metric tons CO2e
CO2 Equivalent vs Methane Emissions
Formula
## 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**
Esempio Risolto
A facility emits 10 metric tons of methane per year.
- 01CO2e at GWP-100: 10 * 28 = 280 metric tons CO2e
- 02CO2e at GWP-20: 10 * 84 = 840 metric tons CO2e
Domande Frequenti
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.