Which gases must typically be reported in GHG emissions?

The requirement to report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions typically includes a specific set of gases recognized for their significant impact on global warming. Hydrofluorocarbons and methane are particularly notable for their potency as greenhouse gases.

Methane, for example, is a much more efficient heat-trapping gas than carbon dioxide in the short term, despite being less abundant. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are often used in air conditioning and refrigeration, have a very high global warming potential (GWP). Due to their potency and the increasing focus on controlling emissions from these substances, they are commonly included in GHG reporting frameworks such as the Kyoto Protocol.

Implementing such reporting practices helps in tracking emissions and planning reductions over time, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of the impact of various gases on climate change.

In contrast, focusing solely on carbon dioxide neglects other significantly impactful gases in the climate change discourse. Similarly, while ozone impacts air quality and human health, it is not typically categorized with direct GHG emissions reporting. Reporting "all compounds generated by fossil fuels" could imply an unmanageable scope and doesn’t specifically highlight the gases recognized in the GHG inventory frameworks that are crucial for climate change reporting. Thus,