Explain greenhouse gas accounting at the national level, including sources and sinks.

• A. GHG inventory accounts for emissions from energy, transport, industry, agriculture; sinks include forests and soils that absorb CO2.
• B. Only accounts for methane emissions.
• C. Sinks are not included.
• D. Only accounts for CO2 emissions from electricity.

Answer: (A)

National greenhouse gas accounting tracks all emissions and removals within a country, providing a complete picture of how much greenhouse gas is entering the atmosphere and how much is being taken out. Emissions come from multiple sectors that release gases directly or as a byproduct, including energy production and use, transportation, industry, and agriculture, as well as waste management. It’s not limited to CO2; other important gases like methane and nitrous oxide are included and converted to CO2-equivalents to compare their climate impact. Equally important are the sinks—natural or managed systems that remove CO2 from the atmosphere, such as forests and soils—so the inventory can show net emissions rather than just gross releases. This broad view lets policymakers gauge sector contributions, design targeted reductions, and monitor progress over time. The statement that best captures this scope says emissions come from energy, transport, industry, and agriculture, and that sinks like forests and soils absorb CO2.