JRC Activities
The JRC's Climate Change Unit performs several experimental and policy support activities related to the biosphere - atmosphere interface ().
The policy support activities are mainly related to the preparation of GHG inventory of the European Community, as specified in the Commission Decision 2005/166/EC (rules implementing Decision No 280/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning a mechanism for monitoring Community greenhouse gas emissions and for implementing the Kyoto Protocol). Under this framework, JRC performs a 'QA/QC' (Quality Assurance/Quality Control) of the sectors Agriculture and LULUCF of the Member State submissions. This QA/QC involves checking of MS inventories for errors and inconsistencies (e.g. use of notation keys, consistency of time series, potential outliers…), and interaction with national representatives when relevant. Furthermore, the JRC compiles the Agriculture and LULUCF chapters of European Community GHG inventory, highlighting the trend of the main methodological issues for the most relevant subcategories, the completeness of the reporting (i.e. on pools, gases and land uses), the recalculations since previous submissions, the analysis of key sources and the estimation of uncertainties.
In addition, JRC periodically organizes workshops mainly dedicated to improving reporting under UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol, but also to communication of information and sharing of experiences, with the aim to foster knowledge and understanding related to the estimation of emissions and removals from the land use sector.
The
mission of the JRC is to provide customer-driven scientific and
technical support for the conception, development, implementation and
monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission, the
JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the
Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common
interest of the Member States, while being independent of special
interests, whether private or national. 
