ASIATODAY.ID, GENEVA – The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), through its Integrated Global Greenhouse Gas Information System (IG3IS), has launched the Urban Greenhouse Gas Emission Observation and Monitoring Good Research Practice Guidelines (2025 Edition) — a landmark reference designed to help cities worldwide generate accurate, transparent, and comparable data on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
As urban centers account for over 70% of global CO₂ emissions, reliable data is critical to track progress, design effective mitigation strategies, and meet international climate commitments. The 2025 IG3IS guidelines aim to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world policy by offering standardized methodologies for GHG observation, monitoring, and reporting at the city level.
“These guidelines are the first step toward establishing documentary standards that will allow cities and researchers to demonstrate that their emissions information is robust and accurate,” said Dr. Jocelyn Turnbull, Co-Chair of the IG3IS Steering Committee and lead author of the report, in an interview with the Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS), quoted on November 4, 2025.
Practical Tools and Methodologies for Cities
The guidelines provide a clear framework for measuring and interpreting urban GHG emissions, supporting local governments, research institutions, and international organizations in their sustainability efforts.
– Part 1 introduces the core principles, potential actions, and key stakeholder needs, offering a concise overview for newcomers to the field.
– Part 2, titled Extended Technical Discussions, details 31 advanced techniques for professionals and policymakers implementing emission monitoring systems.
A central principle of the guidelines is that urban GHG information must respond to stakeholder needs — from identifying major point sources to analyzing spatial and temporal emission patterns. The document integrates atmospheric observation data, activity statistics, and modeling approaches to capture a holistic picture of emission dynamics.
Supporting Science-Based Climate Solutions
The IG3IS initiative, coordinated under WMO’s Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Programme, is supported by MeteoSwiss and NASA. By promoting standardized practices, the guidelines enhance collaboration between data providers and users — including governments, private sector entities, and civil society — while advancing global understanding of urban GHG behavior.
“Reliable and consistent emissions information is essential as this field transitions from research to operational applications,” the report states.
“The guidelines will help cities take evidence-based climate action, aligning local initiatives with WMO’s mission to advance science-driven solutions for a sustainable planet.”
About IG3IS
The Integrated Global Greenhouse Gas Information System (IG3IS) leverages observational science to better understand greenhouse gas sources and sinks at decision-making scales — from global to urban. The 2025 Urban Guidelines are part of its ongoing effort to establish best practices that inform climate policy and enhance data credibility worldwide. (AT Network)
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