INTRODUCTION TO QUANTIFYING EMISSIONS

After setting the boundaries and identifying which sources to report, Members must quantify their emissions. In some cases, Members may be able to directly measure GHG emissions by monitoring exhaust streams, such as for large stationary combustion units equipped with continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS). More often, Members will apply calculation tools and methodologies to estimate GHG emissions using activity data such as fuel use. Part III provides emissions quantification guidelines that provide step-by-step guidance on how to quantify GHG emissions for different emission sources.

Cross-Sector and Sector-Specific Sources

Chapters 12 to16 of Part III provide guidelines for quantifying emissions from sources that are found in many sectors. These sources include:

Chapter 12: Stationary combustion Chapter 13: Mobile combustion Chapter 14: Electricity use

Chapter 15: Use of imported steam, district heating, cooling, and electricity from combined heat and power (CHP)9

Chapter 16: Use of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment

Members will need to use some or all of these chapters to quantify emissions, depending on the emissions sources in the inventory boundary.

Appendix D provides guidelines for quantifying various emissions from sector-specific sources—that is, sources that apply only to particular industry sectors. These sources are specific to the following

industry sectors:

 Adipic acid production  Aluminum production  Ammonia production 9

Combined heat and power (CHP) is also sometimes referred to as cogeneration.

 Cement production  HCFC-22 production  Iron and steel production  Lime production

 Nitric acid production  Pulp and paper production

 Refrigeration and air condition equipment manufacturing  Semiconductor manufacturing

Only Members with emissions sources in these sectors need to refer to these sections.

Members will need to make use of all chapters and sections of Appendix D that are relevant to the organization. For example, an entity involved in iron and steel production may need to make use of each of the cross-sector chapters (Chapters 12 to 16) as well as Section D.6 of Appendix D, which provides methodologies specific to the iron and steel sector.

Calculation-Based Methodologies

Most Members will use calculation-based methodologies to quantify their organizations’ GHG

emissions. Calculation-based methodologies involve the calculation of emissions based on activity data and emission factors. Activity data can include data on fuel consumption, input material flow, or product output. Emission factors are determined by means of direct measurement and laboratory analyses or by using generalized default factors.

Default emission factors sometimes change over time as the components of energy (electricity, fuel, etc.) change and as emission factor quantification methods are refined. The Registry updates emission factors on an annual basis in January to reflect the most up-to-date knowledge. In most cases,

Members reporting emissions data from previous years can use the most up to date emission factors available when the inventory is being reported. In the case of default emission factors for electricity use, Members must use the emission factor closest to the emissions year reported that do not post-date the emissions year.

Members with access to high-quality site specific emission factors are encouraged to use those factors. Activity data and calculations should be reported in appropriately accurate detail.

Measurement-Based Methodologies

Measurement-based methodologies determine emissions by means of continuous measurement of the exhaust stream and the concentration of the relevant GHG(s) in the flue gas. Direct measurement will only be relevant to entities with facilities using existing continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS), such as power plants or industrial facilities with large stationary combustion units. Members without existing monitoring systems will not need to install new monitoring equipment to comply with The Registry’s quantification requirements. Those with CEMS should follow the guidance provided in Chapter 12.

Mandatory Methodologies

The Registry accepts all GHG emission calculation methodologies mandated by a state, provincial, or federal GHG Regulatory reporting program.10 Like all information publically reported through The Registry, data calculated using mandatory methodologies must be included in the Verification Body’s risk assessment in accordance with the guidelines of the General Verification Protocol.

Although it is encouraged, Members are not required to use mandatory calculation methods. Members may also elect to use some mandatory calculation methods for select sources or gasses and other Registry-approved methods for others. Please note, where mandatory requirements exclude certain emission sources, Members are still required to quantify emissions from those sources in accordance with The Registry’s reporting requirements.

Data Quality

The use of common quantification guidelines ensures that facilities and entities reporting to The Registry quantify their emissions consistently, such that a “ton of CO2 is a ton of CO2” throughout The Registry.

Several Registry-approved quantification methods are available for each type of GHG emitting activity identified in Part III of this protocol. Each calculation methodology is assigned a unique reference identifier. These identifiers help provide transparency and streamline some verification activities.

In each section, the most rigorous methodologies are generally listed first. Members are always

encouraged to use the most accurate methodology for each emissions source. Using the most rigorous methods feasible will result in the greatest likelihood that reported emissions data will be considered robust by stakeholders and reduces the risk that Members will need to increase the stringency of data collection methodologies in the future. Members that cannot use the most rigorous method—for example, due to technical constraints or excessive costs of data collection—should use the next best available method.

Regardless of the approach employed, Members must report consistently over time to ensure the comparability of emissions data. One exception to this rule is if a Member develops the capability to use a more accurate method for a particular source, it is encouraged to do so and should continue using the more accurate method consistently going forward (refer to Part II, Chapter 7 for requirements for

adjusting a base year due to methodological changes).

When reporting activity-level data or entering pre-calculated data at the facility or entity-level, Members are not required to indicate in CRIS which methodology was used to quantify emissions. However, Members must be able to disclose the quantification approaches used to develop the inventory to the Verification Body if requested.

Quantifying Emissions from Sources without Registry-Approved Methodologies

If The Registry has not endorsed guidelines for quantifying emissions from a particular emissions source, Members should use existing industry best practice methods. Methods should be based on internationally accepted best practices whenever possible. The Registry defines industry best practice as calculation and measurement methodologies or factors that are documented and have been through

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Examples of mandatory programs include U.S. EPA’s Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, California’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program and Alberta Environment’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.

a reasonable peer review process conducted by industry experts. Examples of best practice resources include the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (2006); the WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol calculation tools and calculation guidance (available at www.ghgprotocol.org); and other internationally recognized sources.

In rare instances, Members find it necessary to develop a new methodology to complete their GHG inventory. Registry Members can propose new methodologies under two circumstances:

1. A Member is unable to use any Registry-provided methodology or published, peer reviewed industry best practice, or

2. A Member has developed a more accurate methodology than is included in The Registry’s guidance or industry best practice for that source.

Members wishing to propose new methodologies must submit a Member Developed Methodology proposal form, which can be found on The Registry’s website (www.theclimateregistry.org). Members are encouraged to submit this form prior to entering the verification stage.

Members struggling to quantify very small emission sources can also use simplified estimation methods (SEMs) or indicate that a source is miniscule without submitting a Member Derived Methodology form. For more information about SEMs see Chapter 11 and for minuscule sources, see Chapter 5.

Using CRIS to Calculate and Report Emissions

The Registry has developed a sophisticated GHG calculation, reporting, and verification tool to enable our members to submit and centralize GHG emissions data. The Climate Registry Information System (CRIS) provides multiple options to calculate and report GHG emissions annually, and produces user- friendly reports for both the Member and the public. Since Members have different approaches for collecting and reporting GHG emissions data, CRIS provides a number different methodologies that allow Members to follow an approach that aligns best with their own internal process.