Emission and Removal of Greenhouse Gases in Mongolia

Abstract

An inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and removals was compiled for Mongolia, generally using the methods set forth in the IPCC Guidelines. The inventory included emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, oxides of nitrogen, and carbon monoxide for the year 1990. Removals of carbon dioxide by forests were also calculated. A variety of anthropogenic activities resulted in greenhouse gas emissions and removals, including the consumption and production of energy; agricultural activities such as raising livestock; land-use changes from forestry, grassland conversion, and other actions that alter the land; industrial processes such as cement production; and solid and liquid waste generation. Emissions in 1990 were estimated to be 23.1 Tg CO2, 0.3 Tg CH4, 0.040 Gg N20, 0.90 Gg NOx, and 83.3 Gg CO. By far the largest source of emissions is the energy sector, accounting for about 53.3% of total reported emissions. Natural and planted forests removed 11.3 Tg CO2, resulting in a net emission of 11.8 Tg CO2. On a per capita basis, greenhouse gas emissions in Mongolia are high relative to other countries in the region and higher than the global average.