ABSTRACT
Fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) account for 88% of the world’s commercial primary energy. Burning of the fossil fuels leads to the production of climate-relevant emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). The extent of emissions from various sources is as follows: (i) Energy industries – about 50%, out of which CO2 accounts for 40%, (ii) Chemical products, particularly, CFCs – about 20%, (iii) Destruction of tropical rain forests and related causes – about 15%, (iv) Agriculture and others (e.g. waste deposit sites) – about 15%.
