Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Project Description
A Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory is a comprehensive assessment that tracks the emissions of greenhouse gases within a specific community or municipality. The inventory typically covers emissions from various sectors, including transportation, energy use, waste management, and industrial activities. This project involves collecting data, calculating emissions, and categorizing them. The outcome is a clear, baseline understanding of the community’s carbon footprint, which serves as a critical starting point for climate action planning. There are two main options for conducting a GHG Inventory:
Using Pre-built Software: There are several established tools and software platforms specifically designed to assist with GHG accounting, such as ICLEI’s ClearPath or other region-specific software. These tools provide templates, emissions factors, and automated processes to streamline data collection, calculation, and reporting. Using software can significantly reduce the time and effort needed to compile the inventory and improve accuracy.
Manual Approach: For communities with limited resources or who prefer a hands-on approach, a more manual process can be used. This typically involves gathering raw data from utility bills, transportation reports, waste records, etc., and applying emissions factors manually to calculate total emissions. While this process is more time-consuming and complex, it allows for customization and greater control over the data.
Why This Project Matters
The Greenhouse Gas Inventory is crucial because it provides the data necessary to develop targeted strategies for reducing emissions and mitigating climate change impacts. By accurately measuring emissions, communities can identify their biggest sources of pollution and prioritize actions that will have the greatest environmental and health benefits. The GHG Inventory also allows municipalities and organizations to set measurable targets, track progress over time, and report on their climate action to stakeholders and funders. It ensures transparency and accountability, empowering communities to take informed steps toward achieving climate resilience and sustainability.
Key considerations:
Community readiness
Creating a Greenhouse Gas Inventory is a data-intensive process, and the level of effort can vary depending on the community's existing readiness and available resources. Communities with established systems for collecting emissions data or prior experience with environmental assessments may find the process more straightforward. However, for many communities, the bulk of the work involves gathering accurate data from different sources, such as energy usage, transportation data, and waste management records. Your group should start by requesting the necessary data early in the process to avoid delays.
Resources
*This vulnerability assesment plug and play was developed with the support of Brie Cunliffe.
Cost
For communities opting for pre-built software like ICLEI’s ClearPath, there may be licensing or subscription fees.
The manual approach typically has lower direct costs, as it doesn’t require purchasing software, but it often demands more time and effort from staff or volunteers.
Some municipalities may also be eligible for grants or funding to support the inventory process.
Time Requirement (excluding waiting data time):
Using the ICLEI software path the inventory process can take between 1 to 2 months
Using the manual approach the process can take between 3 to 6 months
People Power
Both routes need some allies in the municipality to advocate for this project
Using Software: For communities choosing to use software like ICLEI’s ClearPath, the process typically requires one full-time staff member to manage the data input, oversee the inventory, and ensure its accuracy. This staff member will also play a key role in communicating with other stakeholders and guiding the project through the approval process.
Manual Approach: For communities with fewer resources, the manual approach can be supported by an intern or a part-time staff member. Additionally, a group of volunteers can help with data gathering and analysis. Volunteers will need appropriate guidance and oversight to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the inventory. While this approach may require more coordination and training, it can be a viable option for communities with a strong volunteer base.
How to:
Using ICLEI Software (ClearPath):
ClearPath is a detailed tool designed for small cities and larger towns, though it may not be suitable for small communities. It walks you through the process step-by-step, which is a strength for those unfamiliar with GHG accounting. However, this detailed approach can also be a weakness, as it can require substantial time and effort to input the data correctly.
Data Requests:
The process often involves sending numerous data requests to utilities and other providers. This can take time, as data may not be immediately accessible, and the response time varies depending on the community and the provider. It's often helpful if these requests come from the town manager, as they carry more weight and can streamline the process.
Timing:
It’s beneficial to complete the GHG Inventory before the development of the action plan, as it will provide the baseline emissions data needed to identify where emissions are coming from. The inventory serves as the benchmark to measure progress in future climate action efforts.
Alternative Manual Approaches
For communities with fewer resources or who prefer a less detailed approach, there are alternative methods for completing a GHG Inventory that may still serve the same purpose. In these methods, you will typically collaborate with local utilities, census data, gas providers, and other sources. Some tools, like the Greater Portland Council of Governments’ tutorial, offer resources to help walk communities through the process of creating a basic inventory without the level of detail required by ClearPath.For example, you can follow the Southern Maine GHG Inventory Protocol (available at this link: GHG Inventory Protocol) to guide your data collection and analysis. This approach may be simpler but still provides useful information for communities to begin understanding and addressing their emissions.
Sharing Results
Once the inventory is complete, it's crucial to share the results in a way that is accessible and productive. Use clear, easy-to-understand formats to communicate findings to stakeholders, including the general public, local businesses, and policymakers. This can involve hosting community meetings, providing reports, or creating visual aids like infographics or interactive dashboards. It's important to present the data in a way that encourages action and shows the community the steps they can take to reduce emissions.