21 October 2009: The Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has released a note on National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Data for the Period 1990-2007, which proved the “continuing growth in emissions from industrialized countries.” On this basis, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer reiterated the urgent need for a “comprehensive, fair and effective deal” to be sealed in Copenhagen.

The note reports that between 1990 and 2007, all Annex I Parties decreased their total aggregate GHG emissions excluding emissions/removals from land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) by 3.9 per cent, and GHG emissions/removals including LULUCF by 5.2 per cent. Annex I Parties with economies in transition (Annex I EIT Parties) decreased GHG emissions excluding LULUCF by 37.0 per cent, and GHG emissions including LULUCF by 42.2 per cent. Annex I non-EIT Parties increased GHG emissions excluding LULUCF by 11.2 per cent and GHG emissions including LULUCF by 12.8 per cent.
On the basis of these data, the Secretariat noted with concern that developed countries increased their emissions by 1% from 2006 to 2007, with an overall 3% growth during 2000-2007. Among these countries, those that have binding emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol produced emissions that were “almost the same” in 2007 than in 2006, with emissions from economies in transition growing by 3% since 2000. [Inventory data] [UNFCCC press release] [UN press release]