Within the framework of the Kyoto-Protocol that came into force in February 2005, Germany entered into the commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 21 % by 2008/2012, in comparison to the base year level (1990). This aim was set in 1998 in the EU burden sharing agreement which allocates the EU-wide reduction commitment of 8 % to all member states, taking into account their respective economic and industrial situation.

In order to document the actual state of GHG emissions, the German Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt) annually compiles a National Inventory Report (NIR) in compliance with the requirements laid down in the Reporting Guidelines of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). GHG inventories are also considered suitable on the federal state level for monitoring the efficiency of measures aimed at reducing GHG emissions as well as for informing the public.

The greenhouse gas inventory for the state of Hesse was compiled in 2007 for the first time and will be updated annually. It was worked out by the Statistical Office of the state of Hesse (Hessisches Statistisches Landesamt, HSL) on behalf of the Hessian Agency for Environment and Geology (HLUG).

The inventory specifies the amount, development and origin of the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O - laughing gas), representing the most relevant greenhouse gases in terms of quantity. The Hessian inventories are generated corresponding to the methodology of the NIR.

• Greenhouse gas inventory Hesse. Year of inventory: 2006 [0.3 MB, in German]