Updating the IEA GHG Global CO2 Emissions Database: Developments since 2002
- 1 February 2006
- Industry Insights
IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme’s (IEA GHG) global CO2 emissions database was first published in July 2002 [1]. Consisting of some 14000 entries, the database was an attempt at producing a global snapshot of large stationary CO2 emissions sources, stating their location and the size of their emissions. The database was a first step, in a series of subsequent regionally focussed studies that would match these large stationary emission sources of CO2 with possible storage sites. Two regional studies have been completed by IEA GHG for Europe [2] and North America [3] and a third for the Indian subcontinent is now being planned.It was acknowledged during the compilation of the database that there could be some errors in the dataset brought in with the source material. So, alongside the regional studies, IEA GHG has, since 2002, had a parallel programme to progressively improve the emissions data by updating the information contained in the database and improving its accessibility to a wider audience. This paper identifies the problems with the original database, lists the steps undertaken and the reasons behind the improvements.