Technology and Policy

Greenhouse Gas Inventories

Ann ElsenElsen Energy Associates

ElsenEnergy.comMay 31, 2008

Cool Cities WorkshopSierra Club – Maryland Chapter

If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.

• Inventory identifies sources and causes of emissions –shows you what you need to mitigate

• Inventory baseline = snapshot in time for a base year, for comparison, the baseline will never change

• Protocols - for identifying and quantifying emissions sources

• Tools - for making calculations & unit conversions

• Watch out! Don’t let the data drive the process.

Purpose of Inventory

Communicate sources of greenhouse gas emissions

Establish baseline for future comparison

Identify energy and resource waste and its cost

Enable financial decisions

Initiate meaningful change

By itself, even the best inventory provides zero emissions reductions

Why Conduct an Inventory?

The right reasons• Measure emissions in order to

manage them• Accountability – basis for

performance measures and tracking progress

• Arial view – what are biggest/best opportunities?

• Management – what is within scope of control?

• Prioritization – what to tackle first, identify immediate reduction vs. long-term investments

Why Conduct an Inventory?

The wrong reasons• Fear – maintain control through an

extended “process”

• We have no money – let’s just study it until we can figure out how to fund it

• We have some money – let’s throw $ at a consultant to appease the environmental community

• Tool for delay

Some Types of Approaches

Avoidance – identify a cost and delay inventory until funding is available

Expensive – pay someone to do it

In-house – by government staff

Student project or thesis - inexpensive

Participative – community representation and buy-in – more appropriate at Action Plan stage

Guerilla – campaign organizers conduct community-wide inventory on their own (best to omit government facilities at this stage – mitigate fear factor)

Step by Step ProcessResources on the Cool Cities

Web site

GHG Inventory Training Presentation For Tonight!Link to New Presentation for GHG Inventory Training

More >  Cool Counties Success in MDRead about Montgomery County's new laws! More >    CoolState WashingtonTake a look at this fantastic website from the folks working to cool WA

More >    NEW Early Implementation Solutions!First steps your city should take... More >    ICLEI Clean Air and Climate Protection Software Demo VideoView the short video More >   

Emissions Sources

Key Areas to Address in Inventory:• Energy consumption and fuel source

• Municipal solid waste management – Resources: WasteWise Communities, Pay As You Throw (PAYT), WARM Calculator

• Transportation and land use planning

FY04 FY03 FY02 units

Fuel Oil:

#1 308,049 239,346 175,719 gallons

#2 and #3 8,408,135 12,426,256 3,615,106 gallons

#4 0 2,215 2,796 gallons

#5 0 0 0 gallons

#6 0 0 0 gallons

L.P. Gas 6,583,243 7,417,662 6,001,451 pounds

Coal none none none tons

Steam none none none therms

Electricity 5,174,566,271 5,287,050,52

4 4,998,342,09

9 kwh

Natural Gas 110,727,319 125,967,516 72,520,986 therms

Non-residential Energy Consumption, Montgomery County [based on fuel energy tax revenues]

Data Example:

Sources of Emissions - Arial View

200000

250000

300000

350000

400000

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

2009

CorporateEmissionsOffset =218,000 TonsCO2-E

TotalCorporateEmissions

1991-2010 Montgomery County, MD Corporate CO2-E Emission Reductions From Proposed 5% Wind Purchase (In Metric Tons)

Source: Montgomery County, MD Department of Finance using Torrie Smith/ICLEI CCP Software Version 5.0

1996: Abnormally Cold Winter

Energy ConsumptionCounty Agencies Example

(measured 2001)

Reporting Findings

• Communicate process to move forward – in person whenever possible

• Identify next steps and specific people responsible

• Written document – keep it brief – use appendices

• Make a one-page summary as stand-alone handout

“Action brings good fortune.”