Greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide ("non-CO₂ gases") and carbon sequestration play important roles in efforts to understand and address global climate change. The non-CO₂ gases include a broad category of greenhouse gases such as methane, nitrous oxide and a number of high global warming potential (GWP) gases. The non-CO₂ gases are more potent than CO₂ (per unit weight) and are contributors to global warming. Carbon sequestration is the process through which forestry and agriculture practices remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. Reducing emissions of non-CO₂ gases and encouraging carbon sequestration can help prevent global climate change and produce broader economic and environmental benefits.

EPA is working to better understand emissions and removals of non-CO₂ gases and carbon sequestration as well as to assess and promote opportunities for cost-effective reductions. This Web site provides information on:

• Scientific background on methane, nitrous oxide, and the high GWP gases.
• Non-CO₂ emissions inventories and mitigation cost analyses.
• Voluntary programs that promote profitable opportunities for reducing emissions of non-CO₂ gases.
• Carbon sequestration practices, opportunities, and benefits.

For more information on global climate change, including the science, emissions of carbon dioxide, potential impacts and mitigation actions, please visit EPA's Global Warming Site.

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