Anthropogenic emissions of methane and nitrous oxide in the Federal Republic of Germany

The anthropogenic emission sources of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in the Federal Republic of Germany were investigated. The object of the recently completed first phase of this research project was to summarize the present knowledge about the emission sources, make a first rough estimate of the emissions, identify the need for further research in the field, and - as far as possible - discuss the existing possibilities to reduce emissions. The main CH4 emission sources identified are the landfills, stock farming and pit mining, the main N2O sources are agriculture (including a minor contribution from animal wastes) and the production of adipic acid, the latter possibly being reducible by means of a new catalytic process. The total anthropogenic emissions of CH4 from Germany are estimated at 5.4 - 7.7 million tonnes per year, contributing a share of roughly 2 % to the world-wide anthropogenic emissions (350 million t/a). Those of N2O are estimated at 200 000 - 280 000 tonnes per year (world-wide 1.4 - 6.5 million t/a).