Delegates at U.N. talks in Ghana suggested that a planned treaty to combat global warming may include capping emissions of new greenhouse gases produced during the manufacturing of flat-screen televisions and refrigerants. These recently developed industrial gases, such as nitrogen trifluoride and fluorinated ethers, only account for 0.3 percent of emissions from conventional greenhouse gases in rich nations, but their emissions are increasing rapidly. Yvo de Boer, head of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat, expressed support for the idea of adding these new gases to the group of six already regulated by the Kyoto Protocol to address global warming. He stated during the talks in Ghana that it is logical to address all gases contributing to climate change in order to provide countries with more options for reducing emissions. De Boer emphasized that governments have the authority to make decisions regarding this issue. Over 190 nations have agreed to develop a comprehensive new agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol as part of efforts to prevent the negative impacts of global warming such as heatwaves, floods, desertification, and rising sea levels. Initially, the European Union had advocated for limiting the treaty to carbon dioxide during negotiations leading up to the Kyoto Protocol. The speaker noted that while carbon dioxide is the primary gas contributing to emissions, the addition of five other gases like nitrous oxide and methane from livestock or rotting vegetation in landfills has strengthened the Kyoto agreement. These new gases, including nitrogen trifluoride and fluorinated ethers, have various industrial uses such as in semiconductor manufacturing and as refrigerant replacements. Additionally, gases like iodotrifluoromethane and methyl chloroform are utilized in the electronics industry or are produced as by-products of industrial processes. A technical report presented to delegates stated that there is very limited knowledge about the sources, current and future emissions, and atmospheric levels of these gases. The report mentioned that emissions in 1990 were assumed to be close to zero but are now increasing exponentially. It estimated that current annual emissions are equivalent to less than 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is only 0.3 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in wealthy nations. The report also mentioned that the impact of adding new gases on carbon markets is uncertain, but it could potentially increase the demand for tradable units under the Kyoto Protocol. However, it highlighted that setting up new monitoring systems could be costly and could divert attention from more significant gases. Harald Dovland, a Norwegian official leading a group in Accra examining new commitments from supporters of Kyoto, stated, "I'm pressing this matter to gain a better understanding." The Kyoto agreement requires 37 wealthy nations to reduce emissions by 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-12. Dovland noted, "Currently, there are not significant amounts of these new gases being emitted. However, many parties are eager to guarantee that there are no increases."