Greenhouse Gas Inventory

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is releasing a statewide inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for public review.  The GHG Inventory contains a detailed accounting of anthropogenic GHGs emitted or removed by key source categories from 1990 to 2017. The inventory also projects North Carolina’s GHG emissions from 2018 to 2030 based on forecasted changes in fuel use, land use, population, historical trends, and other factors.

The North Carolina GHG inventory estimates emissions of the six primary anthropogenic GHG pollutants listed below.

  • Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
  • Methane (CH4)
  • Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
  • Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
  • Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
  • Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6)

 

Emission Sector

Emission Activity 
Electricity Use

Fossil fuel combustion from coal, natural gas, and petroleum products, and imported electricity use
Residential (Home), Commercial, and Industrial Combustion

Stationary sources which combust coal, natural gas, petroleum products, and wood
Transportation

Emissions from gasoline highway, non-highway, diesel highway, and alternative fuel vehicles
Agriculture

Emissions from enteric fermentation, manure management, agricultural residue burning, and agricultural soils management
Waste Management

Emissions from municipal solid waste and wastewater operations
Industrial Processes

Emissions from industrial operations including:

  • Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) substitutes
  • Phosphoric acid production
  • Iron and steel production
  • Electric power transmission and distribution
  • Semiconductor manufacturing
  • Soda ash
  • Limestone and dolomite use
  • Urea consumption
  • Aluminum production
Natural Gas and Oil Systems

Fugitive emissions from natural gas transmission and distribution
Net Carbon Sinks
  • Sequestration of CO2 through carbon flux from forest management, agricultural soils, landfilled yard trimmings, and food waste
  • Emissions from liming, urea fertilization, forest fires, and settlement soils

 

For more information:

The inventory, along with documentation of the data and methods used to develop the emissions estimates, was provided to stakeholders for review between November 2nd and December 14th of 2018.  Stakeholders were asked to suggest or provide more appropriate data sets or methods that may improve North Carolina’s estimates. Summarized comments and responses from the public comment period are listed in Appendix D of the report. The GHG inventory is expected to be updated biennially to incorporate advancements in data and methodologies, as appropriate.

 

For additional questions, please contact:

Paula Hemmer
Division of Air Quality

Andy Bollman
Division of Air Quality

Zaynab Nasif
Public Information Officer

 

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