The IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme (IEA GHG) is an international collaboration which aims to:

• Evaluate technologies for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases;
• Disseminate the results of these studies;
• Identify targets for research, development and demonstration and promote the appropriate work.

The IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme operates under an Implementing Agreement provided by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The IEA itself was established in 1974 within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to implement an international energy programme. The IEA fosters co-operation amongst its 26 member countries, and with other countries, in order to increase energy security by improved efficiency of energy use, development of alternative energy sources and research, development and demonstration on matters of energy supply and use. This is achieved through a series of collaborative activities, organised under more than 40 Implementing Agreements. These agreements cover more than 200 individual items of research, development and demonstration. IEA GHG operates under one of these Agreements.

The IEA GHG Programme started in November 1991 and the fourth phase began in November 2000. Its main activities concern methods of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from fossil fuels. The principal anthropogenic greenhouse gas is CO2 and its major source is power generation so this is where IEA GHG has put much of its effort. Other greenhouse gases and other sources of CO2 are also examined - for example, methods of reducing methane emissions from many sources have been investigated; also use of renewable sources of energy has been assessed so as to put the different mitigation options in perspective. The IEA GHG Programme delivers new information to its members at low cost, as well as providing opportunities for practical research.

IEA GHG has given much attention to the option of capture and storage or utilisation of CO2. As well as establishing the feasibility of this option, the Programme is working to put it in perspective with other methods of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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Organisation of IEA GHG

In recognition of the need for global action on abatement / mitigation technologies, membership of the IEA GHG Programme is open to countries both inside and outside the IEA. In addition, a number of major and multi-national companies have joined as industrial sponsors. Each country and sponsor is represented on the Executive Committee which is the decision-making body. Members contribute funds to a common pool; the operating agent (see below) manages these funds on behalf of the members, organising the required studies and other activities.

Industry is also actively involved in the Programme by supporting national memberships. Such participation provides a broad range of expertise guiding the management of the Programme as well as ensuring that the output reaches the many organisations and individuals interested in this work.

The Programme's activities are carried out by the Operating Agent, IMC Group Holdings Ltd., which has established a subsidiary company, IEA Environmental Projects Ltd. for administrative purposes. The operating agent is responsible for delivering the work programme required by the members and for the efficient management of the common funds. The operating agent has established a small project team to manage the technical studies, dissemination activities and research facilitation in accordance with members' requirements.

Technical studies are carried out by suitably qualified contractors from anywhere in the world, selected by competitive tendering. The draft reports are examined by experts in the relevant fields before being finalised and reported to members and sponsors. In this way, members of the Programme gain access to valuable and topical information at moderate cost. The project team also publishes a series of publicly available reports, and a regular newsletter "Greenhouse Issues", as well as organising international workshops and conferences in relevant areas. The team is also actively involved in facilitating an increasing number of practical research and monitoring projects.

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