Yesterday, 15 September 2025, marked the launch of a new training course designed to equip greenhouse gas inventory experts from developing countries with the skills necessary to fully utilize the IPCC Inventory Software. This will enhance capacity for accurate estimation and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals, which is at the heart of effective climate action and policy development.

The IPCC Inventory Software is a comprehensive tool designed to support national greenhouse gas inventory systems. It integrates all IPCC tiers and approaches to data collection and is fully interoperable with the UNFCCC Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) Greenhouse Gas Inventory Reporting Tool. It enables countries to meet international reporting requirements while improving data quality and transparency.

Recognizing the importance of building technical capacity to use this widely applicable tool, the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT), in cooperation with the Technical Support Unit of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (IPCC TFI TSU), developed this new course. It is tailored to support inventory compilers in navigating and maximizing the functionalities of the software to produce robust greenhouse gas inventories.

“This course is a valuable new addition to ICAT’s training portfolio. Using a blended learning approach, it offers participants a flexible training that equips them with the technical skills to use the IPCC Inventory Software, the facilitation skills to share their knowledge effectively, and opportunities to exchange experiences and network with peers,” highlighted Dr. Hannah Swee, Climate Change Expert, ICAT secretariat. 

The course is organized into six modules, Introduction, Energy, Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU), Agriculture, Waste, and Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF), with each requiring a minimum of four hours to complete. The training approach combines e-learning modules, interactive virtual sessions, and practical, hands-on exercises, followed by an in-person workshop for selected participants in early 2026. A “train the trainers” approach will also ensure that participants not only strengthen their own skills but can also support capacity-building efforts in their national and regional contexts. 

By completing the course, participants will gain:

• Proficiency in employing the IPCC Inventory Software for data management, estimation, and reporting in line with the 2006 IPCC Guidelines and the 2013 Wetlands Supplement;
• The ability to generate high-quality, transparent inventories across all sectors, including energy, IPPU, agriculture, waste, and LULUCF;
• The knowledge and confidence to serve as resource persons and train others.

The course is offered in English to government officials and technical professionals from eligible developing countries in Anglophone Africa and Asia with prior experience applying the 2006 IPCC Guidelines. Participation is free of charge and certificates will be awarded upon successful completion.