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Inventory Management Systems Developing a National System for GHG Inventories. Lisa Hanle U.S. Environmental Protection Agency October 29, 2004 Panama City, Panama. Overview. What is a national inventory system Importance of developing a national inventory system
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Inventory Management SystemsDeveloping a National System for GHG Inventories Lisa Hanle U.S. Environmental Protection Agency October 29, 2004 Panama City, Panama
Overview • What is a national inventory system • Importance of developing a national inventory system • Basic elements of a strong national inventory system • Conclusions
What is a National Inventory System? A national inventory system incorporates all the elements necessary to estimate GHG emissions and sinks, including institutional, legal and procedural arrangements Inventory Planning Inventory Management Inventory Preparation Higher-quality inventory that meets needs of policy-makers, researchers and public
Importance of Developing a National Inventory System • Ability to develop higher-quality inventory at more regular intervals (e.g., annually, every 2-4 years, etc). • Resources are focused on the most significant emission sources in the country • Sources of data are identified, appropriately archived and regularly accessible • Emission estimates are continually improved; adhere to international guidance (e.g., IPCC Good Practice Guidance) • The inventory and national inventory system can be a foundation for analysis of a range of energy and environmental issues
Inventory Planning: Institutional Arrangements • Single national entity responsible for Inventory development • Support appropriate training for Inventory staff EXAMPLE
Example: U.S. National System Source Lead: LULUCF Management Team (in EPA) • Assemble Estimates • General QA/QC • Cross-Cutting Analyses (e.g., key sources) • Prepare CRF Tables • Conduct peer and public reviews • Archives Inventory Source Lead: Waste Consultants, USDA, USFS Universities Source Lead: Ag U.S. Inventory Management Team Source Lead: IP and Solvents Source Lead: Energy Trade Associations, Consultants, U.S. Geological Survey Energy Dept., Universities, consultants
Inventory Planning: Procedural Arrangements • Assign specific responsibilities: data collection, emission calculation, uncertainty analysis, and QA/QC • Develop a QA/QC Plan • Establish process for inventory review (expert and/or public review) • Incorporate methodological improvements • Develop a timeline for work
Example: U.S. Inventory Cycle Nov - Dec January-February April 15th Mid October Summer June Late December March Incorporate expert comment Incorporate public comments Gather data and prepare initial estimates Prepare draft report Kick-off Meeting Expert and interagency review Submit Inventory to UN Release for public comment
Inventory Planning: Legal Arrangements • Allow for the timely acquisition of all necessary data • Where national statistical agencies, private companies or others are relied upon for activity data, have arrangements been made to ensure data is available in time for the inventory cycle? • Identification of Ministry/person responsible for approving inventory prior to official submission
A key source has a significant influence on a country’s total inventory of direct GHG in terms of both level of emissions, the trend in emissions, or both.(see GPG, Chpt.7) A key source also may be determined through a qualitative assessment. A key source category is one that is prioritized within the national inventory system With limited resources, countries should focus on key sources to improve the quality of the GHG Inventory Inventory Planning: Identify Key Sources
Key Source Analysis: Example Level Assessment • CO2 emissions from stationary combustion- coal: A key source • CH4 emissions from manure management: Not a key source
Key Source Analysis: Example Trend Assessment • Note: N20 Emissions from adipic acid production a key source according to Trend, but not Level Assessment. Should still be treated as a key source.
Inventory Preparation • Develop emissions estimates (highest priority) • Collect activity data and emission factors; calculate emissions based on IPCC Good Practice Guidance • Implement QA/QC Plan • Basic checks should be completed on entire inventory (Tier 1) (see GPG Chpt. 8) • More in-depth examination of specific sources(Tier 2) • Prepare uncertainty estimates • Developing qualitative and/or quantitative estimates also may be useful for prioritizing future activities • Recalculate previous estimates, if necessary
Examples of Tier 1 QC Checks • Check a sample of input data for transcription errors • Reproduce a sample of emissions calculations; for complex models use simplified methods to judge relative accuracy • Confirm that relationships/links in underlying databases are correct • Are all data sources/references/assumptions documented • Check for consistency in data between source categories • Are animal population data used for enteric fermentation the same as those used for manure management?
Examples of Tier 2 QC Checks • Assess emissions trends and/or activity data trends: if there are significant fluctuations can these be explained? • Assess representativeness of emission factors for national circumstances • If use IPCC default, does the default reflect your own national circumstances? If use a country-specific emission factor, how does it compare with IPCC default? • Compare estimates derived with a “top down” method to estimates derived from a “bottom up” methodology.
Inventory Preparation • Documentation is key!! Everything must be documented, including: • All methods, emission factors and activity data should be documented; sufficient to allow expert to reproduce official estimates • References, including documentation of expert judgement • QA/QC Plan • Planned improvements • Uncertainty analysis • Recalculation
Inventory Preparation: Planned Improvements • Inventory development is an evolutionary process. • Future inventories build on existing structure, planned improvements should be based on: • Key source assessment: key sources should be estimated using higher-tiered methods • Issues arising during any technical review of inventory • Opportunities for improvement • Are better data sources available? • Can a better method be used? • Uncertainty analysis • Can additional analysis be undertaken to reduce uncertainty in emissions estimates?
Inventory Management We need an archive! • Archiving of all information used in inventory planning and preparation is essential • Information related to emission factors, activity data, key sources, QA/QC, uncertainty, methods used, technical review comments and response to comments should be archived • Archive may be electronic and/or hard copy • Should be located in single location • Need not be expensive: Simple but necessary!
Conclusions • National inventory systems are a foundation for more complete and higher-quality inventories • Inventory development is an evolutionary process; continuously improve capabilities to develop emission estimates • Resources focused on key sources • Inventory process should be transparently documented, an expert should be able to reproduce estimates • Goal: Develop higher quality inventory on a more regular basis (e.g., every 2-4 years)
Archiving Single entity, roles and responsibilities, QA/QC Plan, identify key sources, improvement plan Collect activity data & emission factors, estimate emissions, QA/QC, uncertainty, documentation PLANNING MANAGEMENT PREPARATION Summary: Building Blocks of a Strong Inventory Development of a higher quality inventory on a more regular basis
Muchas Gracias! CONTACT INFORMATION: Lisa Hanle U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Hanle.Lisa@epa.gov
Example: U.S. National Inventory System • EPA has decentralized approach to preparing inventory • Individual source leads manage each source category • Determine methodology, data sources, improvements • Inventory coordinator collects emission estimates from individual source leads • Aggregates emissions, prepares NIR and CRF tables, archives each inventory submission
Example: U.S. National System • Individual source leads manage each source category • Develop most appropriate methods • Based on IPCC Guidelines and Good Practice Guidance • Collect best data • Research and improvements • Constant search for best way to account for source emissions