Which type of gas emitted from human activities is tracked by the Kyoto Protocol?

The Kyoto Protocol specifically targets the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change, and one of the key gases it tracks is nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas, significantly more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. It is emitted during agricultural activities, fossil fuel combustion, and various industrial processes. By including nitrous oxide among the gases monitored under the Kyoto Protocol, countries commit to reducing emissions to help mitigate global warming.

The other gases mentioned are either not included in the Kyoto Protocol or do not have the same impact on climate change as greenhouse gases. Nitrogen gas is abundant in the atmosphere but does not contribute to the greenhouse effect. Ozone, while a greenhouse gas itself, is primarily addressed through different regulatory frameworks aimed at protecting the ozone layer rather than directly limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon monoxide, though harmful to health and an important air pollutant, is not classified as a greenhouse gas in the same context as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. Thus, the primary focus of the Kyoto Protocol on nitrous oxide reflects its significance in climate change efforts.