If the Party has not used a consistent data set or a methodology throughout the entire time series, it should provide an explanation of how these inconsistencies were handled mathematically. You should question any biases that might have been introduced in the Party’s estimates based on its handling of these inconsistencies. Any such biases are especially critical if they affect the base year estimate and/or the most recent year estimate because of their role in calculating the Party’s emission trend.

You should also check for significant discontinuities in the time series of emissions or removals from each source and sink category (including sub categories).

These discontinuities may point to potential time series inconsistencies, and therefore should be investigated. The tables in Part I of the Synthesis and Assessment (S&A) report in that year are a useful source of detailed data on emission trends.