The increasing demands of reporting

Article 7 of the Protocol increases the reporting burden by providing that Annex I Parties shall supply "the necessary supplementary information for the purposes of ensuring compliance…" Although it currently lacks substance, this standard set by Article7 basically amounts to whatever additional data the COP requires to demonstrate compliance with the Kyoto commitments. The OECD suggests what "necessary supplemental information" might include, inter alia:

• A description of the national system for estimating GHG emissions and removals

• An overview of the national inventory from 1990 to the most recent available year and a discussion of trends with respect to national policies and measures to mitigate GHGs

• An overview of the aggregate transfers and acquisitions under the Kyoto mechanisms and of changes to national target amounts

• A demonstration that emissions reduction units (ERU, from JI) and/or changes in stock from land use change and forestry activity are verifiable

In addition, Article 3 of the Protocol includes a reporting requirement as well. It authorizes any Annex I state to declare a base year or base period other than 1990, which is the default base year the Protocol specifies. If a country chooses this option, it acquires an additional reporting requirement. Four EIT countries -- Bulgaria, Romania, Poland and Hungary -- have each elected to declare non-1990 base years.