Its a known fact that human activities are changing Earth’s natural greenhouse effect. Burning fossil fuels like coal and oil put more carbon dioxide into our atmosphere. The world has observed increases in carbon dioxide and some other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Too much of these greenhouse gases can cause the atmosphere to trap more and more heat and causes Earth to warm up.
In other words, behind the struggle to address global warming and climate change lies the increase in greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxides are the most important greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gas emissions by India are the third-largest in the world. The country emits 7% of global emissions.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most significant greenhouse gas. Human activities increase atmospheric CO2 levels primarily through the burning of fossil fuels (principally oil and coal for use in transportation, heating, and electricity production) and through the production of cement. Other anthropogenic sources include the burning of forests and the clearing of land. These emissions currently account for the annual release of about seven gigatons of carbon into the atmosphere. And this amplified carbon load from human activities far exceeds the offsetting capacity of natural sinks.
Carbon dioxide emission is rising six times than methane, ten times than nitrous oxide, and four times than those two combined. They’re not negligible, and we need to reduce emissions of those other greenhouse gases too, but it’s carbon dioxide that’s the biggest problem. That’s the one we most need to stop dumping in the atmosphere.
LPG and GHG emissions
The study, conducted following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodologies demonstrates that compared to many other energy sources, Liquefied Petroleum Gas can help minimize greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change in many applications and regions around the world today.
Taking into account LPG is a clean-burning, sustainable and efficient fuel source of energy. Liquified Petroleum Gas contains a mixture of Propane and Butane – both derived from crude oil distillation. In terms of the by-products of their combustion, the only gas that is released is CO2. So, yes, LPG as fuel will generate Carbon Dioxide – a pollutant. But LPG has a lower carbon content than diesel, fuel oil and wood.
Switching a consumption of 10000 litres of Diesel oil to LPG can reduce CO2 by 18.68%, CH4 by 52.25%, N2O by 84.08%
| Fuel | Quantity | CO2 Emissions (in Kgs) | CH4 Emissions (in Kgs) | N2O Emissions (in Kgs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel Oil | 10000 Litres | 26764.92 | 3.61 | 0.22 |
| LPG (Equivalent) | 7300 Kgs | 21766.01 | 1.72 | 0.03 |
| Total Reduction | 4998.91 | 1.89 | 0.18 | |
| Percentage Reduction | 18.68% | 52.25% | 84.08% |
Switching a consumption of 10000 litres of Fuel oil to LPG can reduce CO2 by 36.09%, CH4 by 60.81%, N2O by 86.93%
| Fuel | Quantity | CO2 Emissions (in Kgs) | CH4 Emissions (in Kgs) | N2O Emissions (in Kgs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel Oil | 10000 Litres | 29393.42 | 3.80 | 0.22 |
| LPG (Equivalent) | 6300 Kgs | 18784.36 | 1.49 | 0.03 |
| Total Reduction | 10609.06 | 2.31 | 0.19 | |
| Percentage Reduction | 36.09% | 60.81% | 86.93% |
Switching a consumption of 10000 Kgs of Wood to LPG can reduce CO2 by 65.87%, CH4 by 98.99%, N2O by 98.49%.
| Fuel | Quantity | CO2 Emissions (in Kgs) | CH4 Emissions (in Kgs) | N2O Emissions (in Kgs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | 10000 Kgs | 17472.00 | 46.80 | 0.62 |
| LPG (Equivalent) | 2000 Kgs | 5963.29 | 0.47 | 0.01 |
| Total Reduction | 11508.71 | 46.33 | 0.61 | |
| Percentage Reduction | 65.87% | 98.99% | 98.49% |
However, if we look at the alternatives, we will quickly realize how LPG is such a well-behaved fuel. With its tiny carbon footprint and high efficiency, LPG can play a significant role in fighting climate change. Most fuels used in the world today, from coal to wood, oil, gasoline and natural gas, produce various kinds of carbon that contribute to global warming as Greenhouse gas (GHG)
- LPG has been assigned a global warming potential of zero by the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change. With the ever-increasing threat of global warming and the need for maintaining the environment, this has proven to be a viable option that strikes a balance between energy production and environmental protection.
- LPG has a comparatively lower ratio of carbon to hydrogen when compared to other hydrocarbons. What this means is that an LPG cylinder when used produces a considerably lower amount of the carbon dioxide in comparison to the heat that has been produced.
- LPG has been found to have a higher degree of heating value as compared to other hydrocarbons. LPG produces higher energy output for every kilogram of LPG compared to other energy sources.
So, does LPG cause pollution? Yes, but still so far it is one of the clean-burning, sustainable and efficient fuel sources. It has been established that LPG does not contribute to global warming in any capacity. This characteristic of being environmentally friendly sets it apart from other carbon-based fuels.