GHG emissions from hydroelectric reservoirs in tropical and equatorial regions: Review of 20 years of CH4 emission measurements

• On the 741 large dams in the tropics (ICOLD), GHG emission measurements have been made on 18. • Standard methodologies have only recently been proposed; past studies are difficult to compare. • Available data (except Petit Saut) have a high level of uncertainty and may not be representative. • Reservoir gross emissions are rarely higher than those from their thermal power plant equivalent. • No global position can be taken regarding the importance of GHG emissions in warm latitudes.