A monitoring system for greenhouse gas concentrations has been launched in North China's coal-rich Shanxi province as local meteorological authorities aim to better deal with climate change by using firsthand emission data.

It is the first such monitoring system that has been built among provincial-level regions in the country.

The system can monitor the concentration of carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, oxynitride and particulate matter in the air, and publish the data in a timely manner, a spokesman with the provincial meteorological administration said.

Construction of the monitoring system began in November, with an initial investment of 10.25 million yuan ($1.63 million).

It now operates a central monitoring station and three substations in the cities of Taiyuan, Datong and Linyi.