Emission Inventories

The inventorying of greenhouse gases controlled under the UNFCCC monitors the emissions and sinks of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), hydrogenated hydrofluorides (HFCs), polyhydrofluorides (PFCs), and sulphur dioxide (SF₆). The combined effect of the emissions of these gases is expressed as an aggregate emission, recorded as the sum of emissions of all the gases multiplied by respective conversion coefficients referred to as GWP (Global Warming Potential). The coefficients show the radiation absorption effect of each of the gases relative to carbon dioxide.

The inventorying is carried out in compliance with IPCC methodology. In the Czech Republic, the Ministry of the Environment is responsible for the proper functioning of the National Inventorying System (NIS). It has charged the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute with co-ordinating the preparation of the inventorying and the required data and text output.

The inventorying of greenhouse gases is based on a differentiated approach to important and less important emission categories. Those emissions that contribute by more than 95% to the total aggregate emissions are considered cardinal. The power industry is the cardinal inventorying category, as it generates over 83% of the total greenhouse gas emissions, largely CO₂. In respect of individual gases, CO₂ is the cardinal greenhouse gas with a share of nearly 85% in the total emissions, followed by CH₄ and N₂O (8% and 5% respectively in 2008).