Designing Greenhouse Gas Reporting Systems: Learning from Existing Programs

This World Resources Institute working paper outlines the design and implementation of mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting programs, identifying key decision drivers and building blocks for jurisdictions to manage emissions and strengthen climate change capacity.

• Mandatory GHG reporting programs are supported by several core building blocks, including a sound legal basis, effective stakeholder engagement, and sufficient institutional, human, technical, and financial capacity.
• The design of a reporting program—specifically its coverage, verification, reporting requirements, data disclosure, and calculation methodologies—is shaped by the program's objectives, the interests of stakeholders, and the existing capacity and preparedness of the country.
• For developing countries facing limited resources and competing priorities, a gradual, phased approach to developing reporting programs is recommended, with early investments in stakeholder engagement and capacity building to support later implementation.

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} }