Delegates at U.N. talks in Ghana stated that a planned U.N. treaty to combat global warming may include capping new greenhouse gases emitted during the production of flat-screen televisions or refrigerants. These recently developed industrial gases, such as nitrogen trifluoride and fluorinated ethers, account for only 0.3 percent of emissions of conventional greenhouse gases by wealthy nations, but their emissions are increasing. Yvo de Boer, head of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat, expressed support for adding these new gases to the group of six already capped by the U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol to reduce global warming. "It is logical to consider all gases that contribute to climate change," he stated during the sidelines of the talks in Ghana from August 21-27, which were aimed at finalizing the details of a new treaty to combat global warming set to be approved by the end of 2009. He explained that including more gases in the agreement would give countries more options to determine the most effective ways to reduce emissions. Ultimately, he emphasized that the decision rested with governments. Over 190 countries have agreed to negotiate a comprehensive new agreement to replace Kyoto in an effort to prevent the predicted consequences of increasing temperatures, such as heatwaves, floods, desertification, and rising sea levels. De Boer noted that in earlier negotiations for the Kyoto Protocol, the European Union had advocated for only carbon dioxide to be included, which is released from burning fossil fuels in various industries. Livestock emissions are not limited to carbon dioxide, as five other gases including nitrous oxide and methane from livestock and landfills have contributed to the Kyoto Protocol. Carbon dioxide makes up 80 percent of emissions, while nitrogen trifluoride is used in semiconductor production and fluorinated ethers are used as refrigerant replacements. Additionally, gases like iodotrifluoromethane and methyl chloroform are used in electronics or are by-products of industry. According to a technical report presented to delegates, there is limited knowledge about the sources, current and future emissions, and atmospheric levels of these gases. The report stated that emissions were close to zero in 1990 but are now increasing exponentially. It was estimated that current annual emissions were less than 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to 0.3 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from wealthy nations. The report also mentioned that the impact of adding new gases on carbon markets was uncertain, but it could potentially increase the demand for tradable units under the Kyoto Protocol. However, setting up new monitoring systems could be costly and divert attention from more critical gases. "I am pressing this matter in order to gain a better understanding," Harald Dovland, a Norwegian official leading a group in Accra studying new commitments from supporters of Kyoto, stated. Kyoto requires 37 wealthy nations to reduce emissions by 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-12. "Currently, there are not significant amounts of these new gases being emitted. However, many parties are keen to guarantee that there are no rises," he explained.