Carbon Accounting, Reporting and Auditing
Measurement of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions (CO2, CH4, NO2)
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and contribute to global warming and climate change. The measurement of GHGs is an important aspect of understanding the impact of human activities on the environment and climate change.
The measurement of GHGs involves several steps. The first step is to identify the types of GHGs that are being emitted. The most common GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases. Once the types of GHGs have been identified, the next step is to determine the sources of the emissions.
To measure GHG emissions, several methods can be used. One common method is to use direct measurements, such as using sensors to measure the concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere. This method is often used for CO2 and CH4, which are the most abundant GHGs in the atmosphere.
Another method is to use indirect measurements, such as using data on fuel consumption or electricity generation to estimate GHG emissions. This method is often used for N2O and fluorinated gases, which are emitted in smaller quantities and are more difficult to measure directly.
Calculation of CO2e Emitted
Once the emissions have been measured, the next step is to calculate the total amount of GHGs emitted. This is often done by converting the emissions into CO2 equivalents, which is a standard unit of measurement that allows for the comparison of emissions from different types of GHGs.
Calculation of CO2e Sequestered
To calculate the amount of CO2 sequestered, we need to know the amount of carbon that is being stored and the conversion factor to convert carbon to CO2 equivalents.
Calculation of Carbon Stock Change in CO2e
To calculate the carbon stock change in CO2e, we need to know the initial carbon stock and the final carbon stock, as well as the conversion factor to convert carbon to CO2 equivalents.
Reporting Carbon Stock Change to a 3rd Party Verifier for Carbon Credits
Reporting carbon stock change to a third-party verifier is an essential step in the process of obtaining carbon credits. Carbon credits are a market-based mechanism that provides financial incentives to companies that reduce their carbon footprint. The concept of carbon credits is based on the idea that companies can offset their emissions by investing in projects that reduce emissions elsewhere. The effectiveness of carbon credits in reducing emissions depends on the accuracy and reliability of the verification process, which includes reporting carbon stock change to a third-party verifier.
Carbon stock change refers to the change in the amount of carbon stored in a particular ecosystem, such as a forest or grassland. The amount of carbon stored in an ecosystem can change over time due to various factors, such as deforestation, afforestation, or changes in land use. To obtain carbon credits, companies must report the carbon stock change that has occurred in their project area to a third-party verifier.