Quality of Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories Varies Between Developed and Developing Nations

摘要

Elevated concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases can alter climate and adversely affect agriculture, infrastructure, ecosystems, and human health. In response to these global concerns, the United States, represented by the U.S. Department of State (State Department), is participating in international negotiations to develop an international response to climate change. Nations that have signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Convention) submit inventories estimating their greenhouse gas emissions. The Convention Secretariat operates a review process to evaluate the inventories from 41 Annex I nations, which are mostly economically developed nations. The 153 non-Annex I nations that are Parties to the Convention are generally less economically developed, and have less stringent inventory reporting guidelines.