Mandatory and Voluntary GHG Reporting Programs and Lessons Learned

摘要

The data reported to mandatory programs such as GHGRP and MRR and voluntary programs such as CCAR is similar. However, several differences exist in terms of scope, report content, and quality assurance requirements. Nevertheless, the details required by both mandatory and voluntary GHG reporting regulations and programs have uncovered the huge level of effort that is necessary to provide such data with reasonable assurance of accuracy and provided lessons that can be used to improve the reporting process. These lessons learned can be divided into five categories - Data Collection; Data Quality; Emissions Calculations, Reporting and Record-Keeping; Stakeholder Management and Capacity Building; Management of Change. As large amounts of data are collected from several different and non-traditional sources, most companies need a comprehensive GHG program to obtain quality-assured data. Implementation of such a program requires stakeholder commitment and mapping of requirements, data, processes, and resources. This helps in data management and in tracing back the data to the sources. Data collection for these programs is also very time-intensive and last minute data collection is not advisable. Implementing quality assurance and quality control processes can avoid reporting contradictory data across programs. Documentation that supports a company's GHG program is necessary to implement standard practices and minimize variability of processes. Management of change (MOC) of equipment, resources, and documentation is very important and must be addressed through a strong MOC Program. Dedicating GHG personnel (with training) proportional to the size and complexity of a company's operations improves verifiability of the reported data.