The Human Impacts Database

A collection of useful numbers for quantifying the impacts of the human presence on Earth.

Total anthropogenic CH4 emissions

Atmospheric & Biogeochemical CyclesGreenhouse Gases

This quantity is a single measurement of the quantity at a given point in time (2008-2017).

Value:

This is equivalent to...

(2.5 - 2.9) × 1011 kg C / yr

0.34 - 0.39 Gt CH4 / yr

0.25 - 0.29 Gt C / yr
HuID: 96837
Relevant Year(s): 2008-2017
Summary: Value corresponds to the 2008-2017 decadal average of methane (CH4) emissions from anthropogenic sources. Represents emissions from agriculture and waste, fossil fuels, and biomass and biofuel burning. Value is not simply the sum of these sources but is based on a full anthropogenic inventory of emissions.
Method: Reported range represents the minimum and maximum estimated emissions from a combination of “bottom-up” and “top-down” models. Top-down estimation of the value from inverting observed atmospheric CH4 produced an estimate of 0.359 Gt CH4 / yr, ranging between 0.336 Gt CH4 / yr and 0.376 Gt CH4 / yr . Bottom-up estimation of the value by estimating the size and output of natural sources directly produced a larger value of 0.366 Gt CH4 / yr, ranging between 0.349 Gt CH4 / yr and 393 Gt CH4 / yr. See Table 3 of the source for a more detailed discussion of the uncertainty in each of these estimates.
Source: Saunois, M. et al. The global methane budget 2000-2017. Earth system science data (2020)
Dataset: Global methane emissions (table_3_processed.csv)
global resolution
Original Data License: CC-BY 4.0
Added By: nsarai