Table 1 Present value (PV) of global social costs of CH4 emissions from lakes and reservoirs, 2015–2050 (billion 2015 US$).

From: Protecting local water quality has global benefits

 

PV

PV

PV

PV

Low constanta

High constantb

Low risingc

High risingd

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

SC-CH4 methode

 Discount rate = 5%

7496

14,056

8159

19,217

 Discount rate = 3%

21,545

40,396

23,643

57,599

 Discount rate = 2.5%

30,144

56,520

33,120

81,015

SC-CO2 × CO2-e methodf

 Discount rate = 5%

5419

10,162

5881

13,655

 Discount rate = 3%

23,017

43,157

25,147

60,158

 Discount rate = 2.5%

36,110

67,706

39,493

94,873

  1. aLow constant estimates assume low current emissions from lakes (4.8 Pg CO2-eq yr−1), and no change in emissions over time.
  2. bHigh constant estimates assume high current emissions from lakes (8.4 Pg CO2-eq yr−1), which stay constant over time.
  3. cLow rising estimates assume low current emissions, but assume emissions growth of 20%, 2015–2050.
  4. dHigh rising estimates assume high current emissions, as well as high growth over time (100%, 2015–2050).
  5. eSC-CH4 method uses estimates of the social costs of CO2, CH4, and N2O adapted from published sources16,29.
  6. fSC-CO2 × CO2-e method converts CH4 to CO2-equivalents and uses estimates of the social cost of carbon dioxide15.
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