GARP SCR: Understanding BASIC and BASIC+ (Part 2/2)

This is the 2nd part of the article. in case, you have NOT read the 1st part of the article. You can read the 1st part of the article here (click here).

In the 2nd part of the article on understanding GPC BASIC and BASIC+, we will go into the details of the frameworks defined by GPC.

So, how does the report structure look like using both the above frameworks? Here it is.

 Let us focus more on BASIC and BASIC +

                                     

	BASIC +	BASIC
Stationary energy	Yes	Yes
Transportation	Yes	Yes
Waste	Yes	Yes
AFOLU	Yes	-
IPPU	Yes	-

Below table shows the details with sectors and sub-sectors and what all emissions are reported under each scope. The table is worth studying and identifying various interesting trends to take a note of. These trends will help you understand the way accounting and reporting is done under BASIC and BASIC+. Shall we start noting down the trends?

1.       Stationary energy:

                                 I.            Scope 1 is the emissions due to the fuel being consumed within the buildings – commercial, residential, factories, mining operations, refineries etc..

                               II.            Scope 2 denotes electricity from the grid. In fact, whenever you come across the word “electricity” anywhere, it has to be scope 2. This is true even in the case of an electricity generation unit within the boundary of the city. Try to think why? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.

                             III.            Scope 3 is the emissions from transmission and distribution (T&D) losses of the electricity through the grid outside the city boundary. Please note BASIC reporting doesn’t report Scope 3 or T&D losses while BASIC+ reports.

2.     Transportation:

(Direction of the arrow indicates direction of travel, tip and end of arrow indicates the origin and destination of the the travel)

                                 I.            Scope 1 is the emissions from all the vehicles within the boundary of the city.

                               II.            Scope 2 denotes vehicles using electricity from the grid within the city boundary. In fact, whenever you come across the word “electricity” anywhere, it has to be scope 2. This is true in  the case of an electricity generation unit within the boundary of the city.

                             III.            Scope 3 is the emissions from trans-boundary journeys.

                            IV.            Those journeys across the city where both the origin and destination are outside the boundary of the city may or may not be considered by the city for emissions. Hence,I have marked it as “X”.

3.    

    Waste:

 

Above figure illustrates boundary considerations for emission sources in the Waste sector. In this figure, the blue border represents the city’s geographic boundary and:

 • A illustrates waste generated outside of the city boundary and treated within the boundary

• B illustrates waste generated and treated within the city’s boundary

• C illustrates waste generated inside the boundary and treated outside of the boundary Based on the above, the reporting requirement for the Waste sector is as follows:

 

• Scope 1 emissions = emissions from A+B (all emissions generated within the city boundary)

• Scope 3 emissions = emissions from C

• Emissions reported for BASIC and BASIC+ = emissions from B+C (all emissions resulting from waste generated by the city)

 

Scope 1: Emissions from waste treated inside the city This includes all GHG emissions from treatment and disposal of waste within the city boundary regardless whether the waste is generated within or outside the city boundary. Only GHG emissions from waste generated by the city shall be reported under BASIC/BASIC+. GHG emissions from imported waste shall be reported as scope 1, but not added to BASIC/BASIC+ totals.

Scope 2: Not applicable All emissions from the use of grid-supplied electricity in waste treatment facilities within the city boundary shall be reported under scope 2 in Stationary Energy, commercial and institutional buildings and facilities (I.2.2).

Scope 3: Emissions from waste generated by the city but treated outside the city This includes all GHG emissions from treatment of waste generated by the city but treated at a facility outside the city boundary.

 

Example:

City "A" produces certain solid waste of its own and treats it locally and emits 300 units of emissions. For treating water waste, "A" sends the water waste to a facility outside the city to another city "B". Its water waste treatment incurs 200 units of emissions.  If BASIC reporting is used, what should be the emissions reported.

·       As per BASIC, only emissions that have originated in the city must be considered. So, the waste that originates in the city: Solid waste and Water waste.

 ·       Waste originated and treated within the boundary of city "A" =  Scope 1  = 300 units from solid waste

 ·       Waste originated in the city "A" but treated outside the boundary ,that is, in city "B" =  Scope 3  = 200 units from solid waste

 ·       So, under BASIC, Scope 1  =  300 units and Scope 3 = 200 units.

 

  

4.   IPPU: Cities shall report all GHG emissions from IPPU in scope 1 under BASIC+ reporting only.

 

Scope 1: Emissions from industrial processes and product uses occurring within the city

 

Note: Allocation of emissions from the use of fossil fuel between the Stationary Energy and IPPU sectors can be complex. The GPC follows IPCC Guidelines, which define “fuel combustion” in an industrial process context as: “the intentional oxidation of material within an apparatus that is designed to provide heat or mechanical work to a process, or for use away from the apparatus.” Therefore:

·  If the fuels are combusted for energy use, the emission from fuel uses shall be counted under Stationary Energy.

·    If the derived fuels are transferred for combustion in another source category, the emissions shall be reported under Stationary Energy.

·  If combustion emissions from fuels are obtained directly or indirectly from the feedstock, those emissions shall be allocated to IPPU.

·  If heat is released from a chemical reaction, the emissions from that chemical reaction shall be reported as an industrial process in IPPU.

 

To put it simply, if a fossil fuel or its derivative Is used for heating purposes, the emissions from it should be reported under stationary energy.  On the other hand, if a fossil fuel or its derivative is itself used as a raw material then the emissions from it should be reported under IPPU.  

·                Scope 2: Not applicable All emissions from the use of grid-supplied electricity in industrial or manufacturing facilities within the city boundary shall be reported under scope 2 in Stationary Energy

·                Scope 3: Other out-of-boundary emissions from IPPU outside the city are not included in the inventory boundary.

 

 

5.    AFOLU:

 

Scope 1: In-boundary emissions from agricultural activity, land use and land use change within the city boundary. GHG emissions associated with the manufacture of nitrogen fertilizers, which account for a large portion of agricultural emissions, are not counted under AFOLU. IPCC Guidelines allocates these emissions to IPPU

 

Scope 2: Not applicable Emissions from use of grid-supplied energy in buildings and vehicles in farms or other agricultural areas shall be reported in Stationary Energy and Transportation, respectively

 

Scope 3: Other out-of-boundary emissions from land-use activities outside the city (e.g., agricultural products imported for consumption within the city boundary) are not covered in the GPC under BASIC/ BASIC+

 

IPCC Guidelines divides AFOLU activities into three categories:

• Livestock  - CO2 emissions from Livestock are not estimated because annual net CO2 emissions are assumed to be zero—the CO2 photosynthesized by plants is returned to the atmosphere as respired CO2. Livestock production emits CH4 through enteric fermentation, and both CH4 and N2O through management of their manure.

 

• Land - Large quantities of GHG emissions can result as a consequence of a change in land use. Examples include change of use from agriculture (e.g., urban farms) or parks, to another use (e.g., industrial development). When the land use is changed, soil carbon and carbon stock in vegetation can be lost as emissions of CO2.

 

• Aggregate sources and non-CO2 emissions sources on land

 Remember when a biomass is burnt without it being put to a productive use, the emissions from it will be reported under AFOLU. On the other hand, if the biomass is burnt and put to a productive use, the emissions will be put under the Stationary energy category.

 

Example:

1)      If biomass pellets are burnt to heat up the water in a boiler à Here emissions will be reported under Stationary energy as the purpose is to do something useful, “heating the boiler”.

2)      Wood blocks are used to heat up Pizza oven à Here emissions will be reported under Stationary energy as the purpose is to do something useful, “heating the oven”.

3)      Forest wildfire à Same wood burns without any use or practical use. In this case, emissions are reported under AFOLU.

4)      Bonfire à Wood and biomass burns without any practical use. In this case, emissions are reported under AFOLU.

 

 

Summarizing:

 

   Red encircle areas are reported for BASIC+. Remaining are reported under BASIC.

 This marks the end of part 2. Should you need additional clarification on a point/have suggested/Questions, please share it in the comment section. This will help the readers to also benefit from the information you are asking/sharing.

 

References:

• Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories document
• GTALCC Project

                                             -- End of Part 2 ---

#GARP #SCR #BASIC #BASIC+ #GPC #Reporting