As a Party to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (⁠UNFCCC⁠), since 1994
Germany has been obliged to prepare, publish and regularly update national emission
inventories of greenhouse gases. In February 2005, the Kyoto Protocol entered into force. As
a result, for the first time ever the international community of nations is required to implement
binding action objectives and instruments for global climate protection. This leads to
extensive obligations vis-à-vis the preparation, reporting and review of emissions inventories.
As a result of Europe's own implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, via the adoption of EU
Decision 280/20041, these requirements became legally binding for Germany in spring 2004.