2019 U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Introduction

Purpose and Scope of the Community Protocol

This U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (US Community Protocol) is designed to inspire and guide U.S. local governments to account for and report on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the communities they represent.

Many chemical compounds found in the Earth’s atmosphere act as and are referred to as “greenhouse gases” that allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere and prevent infrared radiation from natural processes (biogenic and physical) and also from human activities and sources (anthropogenic) such as the burning of fossil fuels. A scientific consensus has emerged that increasing concentrations of GHG emissions in the Earth’s atmosphere results in increased average global temperatures. This, in turn, leads to changes in the Earth’s climate that are detrimental to our economies and environment. Therefore, it is important to measure and decrease anthropogenic GHG emissions. This Protocol addresses the six internationally recognized greenhouse gases which directly impact the climate:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2);

• Methane (CH4);

• Nitrous oxide (N2O);

• Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs);

• Perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and

• Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

Local governments estimate and report on community GHG fluxes using a tool known as a GHG inventory. A GHG inventory estimates the quantity of GHG emissions and removals associated with community sources and activities taking place during a chosen analysis year. By conducting additional inventories every three to five years and presenting data over time, local governments can use community GHG inventory reports to provide information on trends in GHG emissions associated with a given community. Local governments may choose to develop a community GHG inventory report for a number of reasons, including to:

• inform climate action planning

• demonstrate accountability and leadership

• track GHG emissions performance over time

• motivate community action

• recognize GHG emissions performance relative to similar communities

• enable aggregation of GHG emissions data across regions, and

• demonstrate compliance with regulations, voluntary agreements, and market standards (where applicable).

Community GHG inventory reports typically focus on selected GHG emissions occurring within the jurisdictional boundary of the community (e.g., emissions from combustion of natural gas in furnaces throughout the community), as well as certain trans-boundary emission sources associated with community activities (e.g., emissions from electricity generation at a power plant located outside the community associated with electricity use occurring in the community). GHG removals may also occur, particularly in the land sector.

This Protocol establishes requirements and recommended best practices for developing community GHG inventories. This Community Protocol is designed to meet the following objectives:

Measurement

1)  Enable local governments to estimate and report on GHG emissions and removals associated with their communities in order to measure progress towards GHG emission reduction goals.

2)  Use best practice methods that align, where possible, with nationally and internationally recognized GHG accounting and reporting principles, as well as with emerging reporting processes or registries.

Policy and Actions

3)  Provide local governments with an assessment of GHG emissions associated with their communities so that they – and others – can make more informed decisions about where and how to pursue GHG emissions reduction opportunities.

4)  Help local governments engage with residents, businesses, and other stakeholders about opportunities in their communities for reducing GHG emissions.

Consistency/Comparability

5) Advance consistent, comparable, and relevant quantification of GHG emissions and appropriate, transparent, and policy-relevant reporting of GHG emissions to allow communities to compare their baseline emissions and progress towards achieving emission reduction goals.

Contribution Analysis

A technique called contribution analysis allows separating the contributions of different drivers to changes in local community emissions between multiple years’ inventories. The contributions from emissions factors, population growth, per-capita usage, and weather, among others, can be separately quantified. Contribution analysis adds significant value for local governments in evaluating progress and identifying the most important areas to focus policy interventions. Consistency between inventories is particularly important for meaningful contribution analysis. It is important to carefully document inventory methods and data sources so they can be replicated in future inventories.

Building on and evolving from previous advice provided by ICLEI and others, this Community Protocol represents the national standard in guidance to help U.S. local governments develop effective community GHG inventories. It establishes reporting requirements for all community GHG inventories, provides detailed accounting guidance for quantifying GHG emissions (and removals) associated with a range of GHG sources (and sinks3) and community activities, and provides a number of optional reporting frameworks to help local governments customize their community GHG inventory reports based on their local goals and capacities. A number of innovations are introduced to help those new to community GHG inventories and experienced practitioners alike to gain value from best practices.

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