Designing Greenhouse Gas Reporting Systems: Learning from Existing Programs

The document outlines the foundational elements and strategic considerations for jurisdictions designing mandatory GHG reporting systems. It emphasizes that while design must be context-specific, success depends on a sound legal basis, stakeholder engagement, and sufficient institutional capacity. The paper advocates for a phased approach in developing countries and highlights how these programs can inform mitigation policies and track progress toward national targets by leveraging corporate emissions data.

• Effective mandatory GHG reporting programs rely on several core building blocks, including a legal foundation, stakeholder engagement, and a combination of institutional, human, technical, and financial capacities.
• The specific design choices regarding coverage, verification, reporting requirements, and data disclosure are shaped by the program's objectives, the interests of stakeholders, and the existing capacity of the jurisdiction.
• For developing countries facing resource constraints and competing priorities, a gradual, phased approach to developing reporting programs is recommended, starting with investments in capacity building and stakeholder engagement.

APA

World Resources Institute (2013). Designing Greenhouse Gas Reporting Systems: Learning from Existing Programs. https://www.wri.org/research/designing-greenhouse-gas-reporting-systems-learning-existing-programs

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Designing Greenhouse Gas Reporting Systems: Learning from Existing Programs. 2013. https://www.wri.org/research/designing-greenhouse-gas-reporting-systems-learning-existing-programs.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Designing Greenhouse Gas Reporting Systems: Learning from Existing Programs |date=5 December 2013 |url=https://www.wri.org/research/designing-greenhouse-gas-reporting-systems-learning-existing-programs |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2013designing, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Designing Greenhouse Gas Reporting Systems: Learning from Existing Programs}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2013}, month = dec, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/designing-greenhouse-gas-reporting-systems-learning-existing-programs}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }