On looking at the development of greenhouse gas emissions over the last few decades, we find that while some countries and regions (such as the EU) have succeeded in reducing territorial emissions, their consumption patterns have often resulted in an increase in emissions elsewhere on the globe (consumption-based emissions). We thus argue that given the current piecemeal nature of (global) climate policy, and in order to address global emission development more adequately, existing policy instruments need to be augmented. We discuss improvements needed in the emission indicator system (i.e. emission accounting beyond the current UNFCCC standards), and identify the core fields of future development in emission reduction policy. These are discussed in some detail to be in consumption-oriented, extraction-oriented, and income-oriented policy instruments. All these are needed in order to ensure effective greenhouse gas emission reduction at the global level.