Emission Reduction Unit

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Emission reduction unit (ERU) refers to the reduction of greenhouse gases, particularly under Joint Implementation, where it represents one tonne of CO2 equivalent reduced.

To allow comparison between the different effect of gases on the environment, scientists have defined multipliers for gases that compare their greenhouse potency (global warming potential) relative to that of carbon dioxide.

Regarding emission reduction units, one example is the production of biogases by landfill sites. These gases consist of mainly methane which escapes to the atmosphere if it is not collected. The main reason for dealing with methane is that it has a 100-year global warming potential multiplier of 25^[1] compared to carbon dioxide (i.e. has 25 times the greenhouse potency). Collection of methane is usually accompanied by its combustion. Although burning methane produces carbon dioxide, its greenhouse effect is reduced by 22 ERU (i.e. 1 tonne of methane (25 tonnes CO2 equivalent) produces nearly 3 tonnes of CO2).

References

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