Resources
How to understand Greenhouse Gases? Causes and Effects
2025-06-06
GHG Inventory Knowledge
visual GHG emission analysis
What Are Greenhouse Gases?

Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat, they allow sunlight in and prevent part of heat brought by sunlight from leaving the atmosphere. This is ‘greenhouse effect’ that keeps our planet warm enough to support life. However, when the concentration of these gases increases beyond natural level, it leads to global warming and climate changes which are harmful to both nature and human.

Sources of four main Greenhouse Gases

1. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, industrial processes, transportation, etc.
2. Methane (CH₄): landfills, agriculture (especially livestock digestion), oil and gas extraction, etc.
3. Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): agricultural fertilizers, sewage treatment, industrial processes, etc.
4. Fluorinated Gases: refrigeration, air conditioning, manufacturing processes, etc.
These gases differ in how strongly they trap heat and how long they can stay in the atmosphere. Scientists always use the method called global warming potential (GWP) measurement to compare them.

How Do Greenhouse Gases Cause Climate Change?

When GHGs accumulate in the atmosphere, they gradually enhance the natural greenhouse effect by trapping more heat, and this results in higher Earth’s average temperature. This process, known as anthropogenic (human-caused) global warming, may lead to: melting glaciers and rising sea levels, extreme weather events (heatwaves, hurricanes, droughts), ocean acidification, disruption of ecosystems and biodiversity, etc.

Conclusion

While GHGS are essential for life, excessive human-induced emissions would cause harmful climate disruptions. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, we must take collective action toward sustainable solutions and low-carbon technologies.

More Resources

The EU released the revised EUDR in May 2026, clarifying compliance deadlines (Dec 30, 2026 for large/medium enterprises, June 30, 2027 for other SMEs), adjusting due diligence responsibilities and simplifying processes. Enterprises need to prepare in advance, and SKYCO2 provides end-to-end EUDR compliance solutions.

EUDR

The EU released the final CBAM carbon price offset rules in May 2026, effective January 1, 2026. It adjusted the offset scope, phased ratios and verification requirements. Only official carbon market certificates are eligible. Enterprises need to improve carbon asset management, and SKYCO2 provides one-stop compliance services.

CBAM

This article interprets the definitions, differences and correlations of product carbon footprint, carbon inventory and carbon verification, which form a complete carbon management closed loop and are the core of enterprises overseas carbon compliance such as CBAM and EUDR. Skyco2 provides one-stop digital carbon management services.

Carbon Footprint

In May 2026, the EU clarified the core rules for the full implementation phase of CBAM, making a mandatory monitoring plan the primary compliance prerequisite. It upgraded accounting standards from four dimensions and implemented tiered emission report submission. Enterprises need to prepare in advance, and SKYCO2 provides CBAM-exclusive MRV system construction services.

CBAM

The EU released the final EUDR simplification package in May 2026, which will be fully mandatory by December 30, 2026, cutting compliance costs by 75%. It optimizes submission obligations, SME burden reduction, product scope and low-risk country processes. Enterprises need to prepare in advance, and SKYCO2 provides full-process EUDR compliance services.

EUDR