The use of fossil fuels, at least for the next 50-100 years, will be necessary to underpin world economic development. However, combustion of fossil fuels produces greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide. Some reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases is the only way in which the continued use of fossil fuels can be reconciled with stabilising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases in accordance with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme has an important role to play in responding to the challenge posed by climate change through developing and demonstrating opportunities to reduce emissions from the use of fossil fuels. The aims of the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme are to evaluate technologies for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases from fossil fuel use, to disseminate information, to prepare research, development and demonstration proposals and, where appropriate, to conduct R&D projects. Activity under the programme initally focused on the capture and storage of carbon dioxide from power stations and has since broadened to explore a range of opportunities for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (for example, additional sources of carbon dioxide, other greenhouse gases and comparison with alternative mitigation options). Work under the Programme includes studies, research and development projects and information dissemination. Three research and development projects have been initiated: geological storage of carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide recycle combustion, and modelling of ocean storage of carbon dioxide. The strong information dissemination component includes a regular newsletter, published reports, international conferences and a world wide web home page. Work under the Agreement has helped demonstrate the opportunity for continued use of fossil fuels, even under scenarios involving deep reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases. Findings from the Programme have contributed to the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Costs of the work programme are shared between participants.