Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas

The chemical formula, which is often referred to, for carbon dioxide is CO₂. Representing a fusion of carbon and oxygen, CO₂ is naturally present in the Earth's atmosphere.

It has a reputation as the most important GHG and is used as the baseline for establishing measurements of GHG in the atmosphere.

CO₂ emissions result from many different sources and locations including but not limited to, fuel combustion, land usage, idustrial processes, natural processes and many more.

The Kyoto protocol has identified CO₂ as the gas to be used as the prime measurement for greenhouse gas and for establishing limits on its emissions and today carbon budgets are being established based on the measurement of CO₂ emissions by governments throughout the world.