Estimating emissions and captures of greenhouse gases (GHGs) is an important element in achieving progress in fulfilment of the objective of successfully stabilising concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level which could prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. Accurate measurement of these gases thus offers fundamental guarantees in addressing this objective and moving forward in the process of negotiating and funding the required mitigation and adaptation measures.

Efforts to reduce GHG emissions depend, among other factors, on the availability of transparent monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) mechanisms. The above was clearly demonstrated by the agreements associated with the Bali Route and highlighted in particular at the Copenhagen, Cancun and Durban COPs.

The developed and developing countries (Annex I and Non-Annex I according to the categories established in the Kyoto Protocol) signatories to the UNFCCC have obligations to present and periodically to publish GHG emissions inventories through their National Reports. In the case of the developing countries they are required to present these reports (including emission inventories) every four years. Meanwhile, it is recommended that, in accordance with their capabilities and the level of financial support achieved, they perform reviews every two years of the GHG inventories, including information regarding the mitigation measures adopted, needs and support received.

Against this backdrop, ECLAC, within the context of the EUROCLIMA Programme, undertook the Study of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories in Latin America, with the main aim of analysing the quality of the national inventories produced in Latin America and performing a critical analysis of the methodologies and data employed in estimating emissions. The results of the study illustrate that in the energy sector the values submitted are similar to those from other international sources, although major deficiencies are noted in the quality of emissions reporting, rather than the calculations performed.

None of the countries included in the study reports levels of activity for the fuels employed with the degree of information required in order to reproduce the inventories independently, without the need to consult additional information from other sources.

In the case of the agriculture and land-use change sectors, there are substantial differences between the inventory reports and their own estimates. Despite the clarity of the differences, results must be viewed with caution. The inventories do not, in general, provide sufficient information in order reliably to replicate the figures reported in the inventories.

One recommendation derived from the report is the need for the GHG inventories in sectors other than energy to present a breakdown of emissions figures, the emission factors employed and the levels of activity used in the calculation. It was also recommended that the type of forest or species and the type of trees referred to in the figures be reported, using for example the classification employed by the IPCC for its emission factors in Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF).