The objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is to stabilize greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent and reduce dangerous human-induced interference with the climate system. The ability of the international community to achieve this objective is dependent on an accurate knowledge of GHG emissions trends, and on our collective ability to alter these trends.

In accordance with Articles 4 and 12 of the Convention and the relevant decisions of the Conference of the Parties (COP), Annex I Parties to the Convention submit to the secretariat national greenhouse gas inventories of anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases not controlled by the Montreal Protocol. These inventories are subject to an annual technical review process. In addition, Annex I Parties provide inventory data in summary form in their national communications and biennial reports under the Convention.