This article summarizes the findings of research into the global environmental impact of biotech crops since their commercial introduction in 1996. It is largely drawn from analysis by Brookes and Barfoot that annually assesses the global economic and environmental impact of GE crops, the latest of which can be found in the peer reviewed journal GM Crops 2:1, 1-16, January-March 2011. The environmental impact analysis focuses on the impacts associated with changes in the amount of insecticides and herbicides applied to the GE crops relative to conventionally grown alternatives. The analysis also examines the contribution of GE crops towards reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.