Chaolin GU, Yan LI and Ian G. COOK
China is now experiencing dramatic urbanization, the environmental impact of which is a global concern. This paper focuses on city-level GHG (Greenhouse Gas) inventory and emission in the metropolitan areas. Firstly, the paper introduces various inventory methods especially three key models that have been used to develop a GHG inventory: The emission-oriented IPCC and WRI/WBCSD GHG emission model, the demand-oriented mixed lifecycle method, and the ICLEI GHG inventory method. Secondly, the paper introduces the progress of the national and provincial GHG inventory and provides an overview of key research results related to development of individual city’s inventories in China. Thirdly, in order to examine the progress of the urban GHG inventory in China, the paper takes Beijing as an example to review the relevant research. Beijing’s GHG studies are mainly focused on CO2 emissions, without considering other GHGs required by the IPCC reporting. According to current publications, most research on Chinese urban GHG inventory fails to meet the method of IPCC. It is difficult for Chinese researchers to achieve statistical requirements of the ICLEI protocol on two levels and three scopes or the Global Protocol. Therefore, it is very important that cities in China establish a GHG inventory framework and methodology system that effectively addresses climate change and permits international comparisons as well.