Data Transfer

Data Transfer

GHG Data Transfer from Mandatory Programs

Background

The Climate Registry’s Data Transfer option provides jurisdictions with the ability to send relevant greenhouse gas (GHG) data from their individual GHG database to The Registry’s voluntary reporting program. This transfer is done using the Exchange Network and the Consolidated Emissions Reporting Schema (CERS).

As jurisdictions adopt mandatory rules for GHG reporting, they may choose to integrate GHG data collection and management into their existing emissions (criteria, toxics, etc.) data infrastructure. Constraints within a jurisdiction’s laws, or other factors, may require jurisdictions to house mandatory data on servers that are physically within their jurisdictions. This approach may simplify the sharing of information across other jurisdictional emissions programs, but it will segregate emissions reporting for regulated parties who also participate in The Registry’s voluntary reporting program. To resolve this problem, jurisdictions can utilize The Registry’s Data Transfer option to communicate relevant GHG data to its voluntary reporting program.

Decision makers should consider the following issues when they are deciding how to best collect mandatory GHG data and communicate it to The Registry’s voluntary reporting program:

Standardize GHG Data Collection: If a jurisdiction implements its own GHG emissions reporting program, it should promote consistency with GHG accounting best practices, such as The Registry’s General Reporting Protocol (GRP), so that resulting data can be easily exchanged between GHG programs.

Minimize the Reporting Burden: From a regulated party’s perspective, each distinct GHG database application they are required to use adds complexity to their reporting process. Automating the transference of relevant GHG data from jurisdictions to The Registry’s voluntary reporting program minimizes their reporting burden and promotes consistency of GHG data.

Encourage Voluntary Reporting: It is critical for organizations to be able to report GHG emissions at the corporate level so they are able to track and measure reductions over time. The GHG Data Transfer option will encourage voluntary reporting by enabling organizations to leverage their mandatory GHG data in The Registry’s voluntary reporting program.

Sharing Data with the Voluntary Registry: Jurisdictions will be responsible for mapping GHG data from their own database applications to the CERS, as well as for transferring the data to The Climate Registry’s voluntary reporting program using the Exchange Network.

Sharing Data with External Programs: Jurisdictions may wish to export their GHG data to other repositories at the regional or federal level. To do so, jurisdictions must implement appropriate data export processes for other GHG reporting programs.

Development Costs: The cost of developing the infrastructure and tools, as well as data export capabilities for a GHG reporting program, can be significant. The Registry’s Common Framework option minimizes these costs by sharing them across multiple jurisdictions (to create common tools), while the GHG Data Transfer option assumes that jurisdictions individually fund all of the necessary costs.

To learn more about these technical solutions, please contact Chris Condit for more information.