Common Framework

Common Framework

The Common Framework for Mandatory GHG Reporting

Background

This is a challenging time for jurisdictions that are responding to different requirements for greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting. There are now many states and provinces with mandatory GHG regulations, as well as three regional market-driven initiatives in North America aimed at reducing GHG emissions. As mandatory GHG reporting regulations evolve at the state and regional levels, there is a need to provide a standard approach to how GHG emissions are calculated, to simplify the reporting process for those who are regulated and to provide jurisdictions an accelerated, low cost solution to implementing programs.

The Climate Registry’s Common Framework for Mandatory Program is a solution that addresses each of these needs. It provides a standards-based application for reporting and sharing GHG data. It uses common tools, such as the Climate Registry Information System (CRIS), that are shared with The Climate Registry’s voluntary reporting program and it reduces expense by sharing the cost across many jurisdictions. The solution combines all of the infrastructure services and tools developed for The Registry’s voluntary program and makes them available to a state or provincial mandatory program in an environment that can be managed by the jurisdiction

The Common Framework provides a number of features that should be considered as decisions are made on how to implement solutions that enable compliance with mandatory programs.

Standardized GHG Data Collection: Adopting The Registry’s General Reporting Protocol (GRP) ensures consistent emissions reporting based on an open standard and enables extensions to support a jurisdictional mandatory program.

Centralized Access: The Common Framework provides a centralized point of access to data collection for all GHG emissions. Members only need to learn one application.

Minimized Reporting Burden: Adopting a solution which is shared by the voluntary program simplifies the reporting process and encourages voluntary reporting.

Quality Assessment Options: Jurisdictions that adopt the Common Framework have the option to select third party verification, agency review or self-certification for Data Quality Assurance.

Sharing Data with the Voluntary Program: With the Common Framework, mandatory data can be made available to the voluntary program simply by changing the submission status for a regulated facility. There is no need for a jurisdiction to transfer data from an external repository to CRIS on the Exchange Network using the Consolidated Emissions Reporting Schema (CERS).

Sharing Data with External Programs: Jurisdictions may want to export their data from the Common Framework to another repository at the state, provincial, regional or federal level. The Common Framework will include tools to map their data to the CERS and provide an Exchange Network Node to enable the transfer.

Shared Cost Model: The Common Framework minimizes the cost to any individual program by taking advantage of tools developed for the voluntary program and sharing the cost of technology infrastructure, implementation services and the ongoing operational support across all participating programs.