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Background

Reporting of results of national Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventories transparently is a key requirement under the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF). It comprises detailed planning work on how to use quantitative and qualitative information to estimate in a transparent, accurate, complete, comparable and consistent manner the GHG emissions and removals that occur in the country. 

The MPGs, formulated to implement transparency in reporting under the Paris Agreement, defined new specific requirements for reporting the results of national GHG inventories. As such, information on national GHG inventory results should be included in a specific chapter of the BTR (Chapter I) and supporting information should be included in the annexes. In addition, all Parties must provide a national inventory report (NIR), consisting of a national inventory document (NID) and common reporting tables (CRT), to the UNFCCC as part of each Party´s BTR submission process. 

Many countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have developed essential skills in preparing national GHG inventories, primarily through the formulation of their previous National Communications and BURs. While six MENA countries have successfully submitted their BTRs, several others are in the process of updating their inventories as part of their BTR preparation. However, a key challenge remains in effectively reporting on the processes involved in inventory development and adhering to the new reporting formats, in line with the transparency requirements set out under Article 13 of the Paris Agreement.

In addition, only a few countries in the MENA region have established robust Institutional Arrangements (IAs) for their national GHG inventory systems, which are crucial for the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of inventory management. Many countries also face difficulties in developing comprehensive Inventory Improvement Plans and establishing effective QA/QC management systems. These challenges often arise from gaps in data management, limited experience with QA/QC processes, and the complexities involved in adopting new reporting formats and tools.

The CBIT-GSP Regional Network for the MENA region is organizing a virtual Webinar Series on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventories, which will take place over four days, from 28 to 30 April 2025. The upcoming workshops aim to tackle these challenges by providing participants with the necessary knowledge, tools, and best practices to strengthen their GHG inventory systems. Through targeted sessions on QA/QC planning, inventory work plans, and data management, the workshops will help countries in the MENA region improve the accuracy, transparency, and effectiveness of their national GHG reporting in line with international standards.The objective of the CBIT-GSP is to provide streamlined support and capacity-building at the national, regional, and global level to assist developing countries in responding to the reporting provisions under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework, and ultimately increase ambition for climate action. The CBIT-GSP is planning to achieve this through multiple support modalities, including the establishment and work of 10 Regional Networks across the globe to foster south-south collaboration, knowledge-sharing and learning among countries. 

This initiative responds to one of the key priorities identified by countries in the MENA Regional Network: strengthening capacity for transparency, with a particular focus on GHG inventory systems. The overall objective is to support MENA countries in improving the quality, consistency, and transparency of their GHG inventories, especially in the context of their Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs).

Objective

The overarching objective of this webinar series is to support national practitioners and experts in the MENA region in managing and improving their national GHG inventories in line with international transparency standards, particularly under the Paris Agreement's Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF). Through a series of interactive and knowledge-sharing sessions, the webinars aim to provide participants with practical tools, methodologies, and expert guidance to improve their reporting processes, close data gaps, and ensure the accurate and transparent reporting of GHG inventories and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). The series will foster peer learning and collaboration, helping countries in the MENA region meet their transparency obligations while advancing their climate action goals.

Specific Objectives:

• Introduce best practices and key concepts in QA/QC planning for GHG inventories, focusing on effective processes and data management to ensure transparency and accuracy in reporting.
• Equip participants with the knowledge and tools to design and manage Inventory Work Plans, identifying gaps and challenges in the inventory cycle to improve reporting and transparency over time.
• Enhance participants' capacity to address data management challenges, close data gaps, and improve the quality of GHG inventory reporting, using best practices and CBIT-GSP tools and templates.
• Foster peer learning and collaboration among MENA countries to share experiences and strengthen capacity for effective GHG inventory preparation and reporting.

Approach

This virtual webinar series will consist of three consecutive technical sessions designed to strengthen institutional and technical capacities in GHG inventory management and reporting across the MENA region. Each webinar will target a specific building block of a robust and transparent national inventory system, in line with the modalities, procedures and guidelines (MPGs) of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement. The sessions will include expert presentations, interactive discussions, and country examples to support peer learning and practical application.

Workshop 1: The Fundamentals of QA/QC Planning

This webinar is to introduce participants to the key concepts and best practices in Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) planning for GHG inventories, focusing on the essential structure and requirements for implementing effective QA/QC processes. Through presentations, country experiences, and interactive discussions, participants will gain an understanding of how to manage QA/QC processes and establish robust data management systems to enhance the accuracy and transparency of their national GHG inventories, in line with international reporting standards and Article 13 of the Paris Agreement. The webinar will also foster peer learning and provide participants with practical tools to develop or improve their own QA/QC plans.

Workshop 2: The Fundamentals of Inventory Work Plans

The second Workshop will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of Inventory Work Plans and their critical role in the management of national GHG inventories. Through in-depth sessions, participants will learn how to design and manage the inventory cycle, establish a solid work plan, and identify challenges and gaps in the inventory process. The workshop will also focus on designing an Inventory Improvement Plan that enhances reporting and transparency over time, ensuring that countries can meet the requirements for accurate and transparent GHG reporting. The webinar will include interactive discussions and practical insights into overcoming common challenges and improving inventory management practices.

Workshop 3: Data Management and Gaps

The final Workshop will be to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance data management and address data gaps in national GHG inventory systems. The workshop will focus on improving the presentation of data in the BTR and National Inventory Document (NID), using the CBIT-GSP template. Additionally, participants will explore best practices for establishing robust Institutional Arrangements for National Inventory Systems (NIS), following the MPGs, and ensuring sustainable systems for data collection. Through practical examples and interactive discussions, the session will aim to strengthen countries’ capacity to manage their data more effectively, close existing gaps, and improve the quality of their reporting to meet international transparency standards.