The International Hydropower Association has published the first edition of the GHG Measurement Guidelines for Freshwater Reservoirs, the current standard on measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from reservoirs, IHA reported.

The GHG Measurement Guidelines, a key outcome of the UNESCO/IHA GHG Status of Freshwater reservoirs Research Project, were officially launched at a session held by IHA at the recent HydroVision International conference in Charlotte, N.C., United States.

For the first time, the GHG Measurement Guidelines provide individuals responsible in this area with a comprehensive tool to assess the GHG status of freshwater reservoirs, including definitive guidance on measurement and qualification of emissions resulting from the formation of reservoirs.

With the concept of global application being at the forefront of the development of the GHG Measurement Guidelines, IHA has ensured that the methodology contained within the publication is applicable to all climate types and reservoir conditions. By providing the tools required to determine net GHG emissions in a selected set of reservoirs, IHA's intention is to ensure that the results gained will be utilized to develop predictive tools, thereby avoiding the necessity of such intensive field measurements in the future. It is anticipated that shared results from the use of these GHG Measurement Guidelines will contribute to this intention.

Commenting on the GHG Measurement Guidelines, Richard Taylor, IHA executive director, said: "IHA is proud to have taken a leading role in advancing the knowledge relating to the determination of net GHG emissions from freshwater reservoirs through the publication of the GHG Measurement Guidelines. This milestone publication draws from ongoing research hosted by IHA, in collaboration with the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) of UNESCO, and has benefitted from the collaboration of numerous research institutions and scientists within its peer-review group."

IHA would encourage any organization that has an interest in GHG emissions from freshwater reservoirs to utilize the GHG Measurement Guidelines. The publication is available in both printed and electronic (pdf) formats and can be ordered directly from the IHA Web site at www.hydropower.org.

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