The Executive Council of the World Meteorological Organization has approved an implementation plan for the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch (G3W) to enhance the monitoring of heat-trapping gases that drive climate change. The main focus will be on the three most important greenhouse gases influenced by human activities: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). The plan aims to establish a staged approach, with the initial phase running from 2024 to 2027, and it will be built on the long-term efforts of the Geneva-based WMO in coordinating greenhouse gas observations and research.
The initiative intends to improve the quantification of both natural and human-caused greenhouse gas sources and sinks, complementing emission inventories. According to the WMO, the G3W implementation plan takes into account both human and natural influences on greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.
The Global Greenhouse Gas Watch (G3W) aims to support WMO member countries in their efforts to implement the Paris Agreement and combat the impacts of climate change. This includes providing relevant information to assist countries in their long-term strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as outlined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).