Integrated Global Greenhouse Gas Information System IG3IS – World Meteorological Organization WMO

Report on the Integrated Global Greenhouse Gas Information System (IG³IS) and its Role in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Framework for Global Climate Action

In response to the urgent need for climate action as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and its partners have established the Integrated Global Greenhouse Gas Information System (IG³IS). This initiative provides a science-based framework to support nations, cities, and industries in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By delivering actionable data, IG³IS directly contributes to the targets of the Paris Agreement and the broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The system has been formally recognized by the UNFCCC and IPCC, underscoring its critical role in global climate governance and its alignment with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Core Mission and Contribution to Sustainable Development

Primary Objective: Advancing SDG 13 (Climate Action)

The central mission of IG³IS is to provide decision-makers with reliable information to guide and verify GHG emission reduction strategies. The system’s success is measured by its ability to facilitate tangible actions that mitigate climate change. Key contributions to SDG 13 include:

1. Providing robust data to identify and target key sources of emissions.
2. Enabling the tracking and evaluation of the effectiveness of climate policies and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
3. Building confidence in the use of atmospheric measurements as an essential tool for climate change mitigation.
4. Fostering science-informed policymaking for long-term climate resilience.

Broader Impacts on Interlinked SDGs

The benefits of the IG³IS framework extend beyond climate mitigation, supporting a range of interconnected Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): IG³IS provides data for urban and regional domains, empowering local governments to develop targeted policies for reducing their carbon footprint and improving urban environmental quality.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The system’s methodology also addresses pollutants that impact air quality. By providing data to reduce these pollutants alongside GHGs, IG³IS contributes to healthier living environments.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): IG³IS represents a significant scientific innovation. It provides industries with the information needed to transition towards more sustainable operational models and supports the development of green infrastructure.

Methodological Framework and Implementation

Scientific Approach

IG³IS utilizes a scientifically proven, multi-faceted approach to generate precise and consistent GHG emission information across multiple scales. The methodology involves:

1. Systematic measurement of atmospheric GHG concentrations.
2. Integration of these measurements with human-activity data (e.g., industrial output, traffic).
3. Application of advanced modelling and analysis frameworks to translate raw data into actionable insights on emission sources and trends.

This integrated system ensures that information is consistent from the local facility level to the national scale, supporting coherent policy implementation in line with SDG targets.

Future Engagements and Scientific Dissemination

European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2025

To further advance the science supporting global sustainability, IG³IS will be featured at the EGU General Assembly 2025. This event serves as a critical platform for disseminating research and fostering collaborations essential for achieving the SDGs.

• Event: EGU General Assembly 2025
• Dates: 27 April – 2 May 2025
• Location: Vienna, Austria, and Online
• IG³IS Session (AS3.43): “Science-based, measurement-based greenhouse gas monitoring and emission estimates in support of national, sub-national, city and industrial climate change mitigation.” This session directly addresses the data needs for implementing SDG 13 and SDG 11 at all governance levels.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 13: Climate Action
  
  This is the primary SDG addressed. The article focuses entirely on the Integrated Global Greenhouse Gas Information System (IG³IS), a framework designed to provide “science-based information for targeting emission reduction opportunities and tracking the efficacy of policies and actions” to combat climate change. Its mission is to guide “valuable and additional emission reduction actions.”
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  
  The article explicitly states that the IG³IS framework supports emission reduction efforts at the “sub-national, city” level and aims to “extend it to the regional and urban domains.” It also mentions serving decision-makers who want to reduce “pollutants that reduce air quality,” a key aspect of urban environmental quality.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
  
  The article highlights a strong collaborative approach. It mentions that IG³IS was initiated by the “WMO and its partners” and has been recommended by the “UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA)” and referenced in guidelines by the “IPCC.” This demonstrates a multi-stakeholder partnership between major international bodies to achieve a common goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
  
  The article directly supports this target by stating that IG³IS aims to provide information to “support to NDCs” (Nationally Determined Contributions), which are the core of national climate action plans under the Paris Agreement. The system is designed to help “decision-makers take better-informed action” at national, sub-national, and city levels.
• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
  
  The article connects to this target through its mission to help reduce “pollutants that reduce air quality.” By extending its observational capacity to “urban domains,” the IG³IS provides tools for cities to monitor and manage air pollution, directly contributing to reducing the adverse environmental impact of urban areas.
• Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources…
  
  The initiative itself is an embodiment of this target. IG³IS is a partnership led by the WMO that involves the UNFCCC and IPCC. The article describes it as a “common framework to ensure the consistency of methods and approaches,” which involves sharing scientific knowledge, measurement methods, and analytical frameworks globally.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 13.2.2: Total greenhouse gas emissions per year.
  
  The entire purpose of the IG³IS is to improve the measurement and estimation of GHG emissions. The article states that the system combines “atmospheric GHG concentration measurements with human-activity data” to provide better “estimates of GHG concentrations and fluxes.” This directly provides the data needed for this indicator.
• Implied Indicator for Target 11.6: Measurement of air quality pollutants in urban areas.
  
  While not naming a specific indicator number (like 11.6.2 for PM2.5), the article’s stated goal of helping to reduce “pollutants that reduce air quality” and extending its capacity to “urban domains” implies the measurement of these pollutants. The IG³IS framework provides the methodology to monitor and quantify these pollutants, which is essential for tracking progress on urban air quality.
• Implied Indicator for Target 17.16: Existence and effectiveness of multi-stakeholder partnerships.
  
  The article describes the structure and endorsement of the IG³IS. The approval of its Science Implementation Plan by the WMO Executive Council and its recommendation by the UNFCCC and IPCC serve as qualitative evidence of a functioning and recognized global partnership dedicated to sharing scientific information for climate action.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Identified in the Article

Source: wmo.int