The quality of greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories relies on the integrity of the methodologies used, the completeness of reporting, and the procedures for compilation of data. To this end, the Conference of the Parties (COP) has developed standardized requirements for reporting national inventories.

The UNFCCC reporting guidelines on annual inventories for Parties included in Annex I to the Convention (Annex I Parties) require each Annex I Party, by 15 April each year, to provide its annual GHG inventory covering emissions and removals of direct GHGs (carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3)) from five sectors (energy; industrial processes and product use; agriculture; land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF); and waste), and for all years from the base year (or period) to two years before the inventory is due (e.g. the inventories due 15 April 2016 cover emissions and removals for all years from the base year to 2014).

Under the UNFCCC reporting guidelines on annual inventories for Annex I Parties, inventory submissions are in two parts:

• Common reporting format (CRF) tables – a series of standardized data tables containing mainly quantitative information;
• National Inventory Report (NIR) – a report containing transparent and detailed information on the inventory. It should include descriptions of the methodologies used in the estimations (including references and sources of information), the data sources, the institutional arrangements for the preparation of the inventory (including quality assurance and control procedures), and recalculations and changes compared with the previous inventory.

Good annual inventories should include transparent documentation and data to enable the reader to understand the underlying assumptions and calculations of the reported emission estimates. Annex I Parties should implement and maintain national inventory arrangements for the estimation of anthropogenic GHG emissions by sources and removals by sinks. The national inventory arrangements include all institutional, legal and procedural arrangements made within an Annex I Party for estimating emissions and removals of GHGs, and for reporting and archiving inventory information.

Annex I Parties that are Parties to the Kyoto Protocol are also required to report supplementary information required under Article 7, paragraph 1, of the Kyoto Protocol, with the inventory submission due under the Convention, in accordance with paragraph 3(a) of decision 15/CMP.1.

In decision 24/CP.19 the COP requested that Annex I Parties should use the updated CRF Reporter software (developed by the secretariat) for the submission of their annual greenhouse gas inventories. Frequently asked questions as well as resources and tooling for the updated CRF Reporter software can be accessed here. Should you have any questions or need technical assistance regarding the CRF Reporter, please contact us through the user-support function integrated within the CRF Reporter or via email to crfweb@unfccc.int.

The UNFCCC reporting guidelines on annual inventories for Annex I Parties ( decision 24/CP.19 ) require that Annex I Parties should use of the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.  

Annual inventory submissions under the Convention and supplementary information required under Article 7, paragraph 1, of the Kyoto Protocol, should be uploaded to the UNFCCC secretariat through the submission module of the CRF Reporter, which allows Annex I Parties to easily and securely upload their submissions and to view the status of the submissions made.

Questions relating to the submission process should be addressed to: GHGINVAI@unfccc.int.