IEA GHG focuses its efforts on studying technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. IEA GHG was established in 1991 and aims to provide its members with informed information on the role that technology can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Programme has three main activities which are:

Evaluation of technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions,

Promotion and dissemination of results and data from its evaluation studies,

Facilitating practical research, development and demonstration activities (R,D&D)

The IEA GHG Programme's activities to date have covered all the main anthropogenic greenhouse gases. IEA GHG's work currently remains focused on ways to control and reduce emissions of CO2, which is the principal greenhouse gas.

The members of the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme (IEA GHG) include: 17 member countries, the European Commission and 17 multi-national industrial sponsors. Each member pays into a common research fund and has a seat on the Programmes governing board, the Executive Committee which meets twice yearly.

StatoilHydro is a sponsor of the IEA GHG.