General Reporting Protocol

General Reporting Protocol

The General Reporting Protocol (GRP) outlines the policies of The Climate Registry and required reporting calculation methodologies for the majority of greenhouse gas (GHG) sources.

• General Reporting Protocol v. 1.1, May 2008

As clarifications and corrections on the GRP are developed, they will be integrated into the Clarifications and Corrections document. The content in this document will be incorporated directly into the General Reporting Protocol when it is updated by The Registry.

• GRP Updates and Clarifications – Released May 12, 2010
  • Archived Versions of this Document:
    04-27-2009
    03-02-2009
    01-05-2009

Default emission factors sometimes change over time as the components of energy (electricity, fuel, etc.) change and as emission factor quantification methods are refined. The Registry updates emission factors on an annual basis in January to reflect the most up-to-date knowledge. New emission factors are now available. These emission factors will be part of the CRIS 3.0 calculation tool (released Spring 2010) and must be used to calculate 2009 emissions. Members who choose to report emissions data from previous years can use the most up to date emission factors in the CRIS calculation tool at the time they report.

• Default Emission Factors – Released January 5, 2010*

*The following tables were updated on March 29, 2010: Table 12.9 Default CH4 and N2O Emission Factors By Fuel Type Residential and Commercial Sectors; Table 13.1 US Default CO2 Emission Factors for Transport Fuels; Table 13.4 CH4 and N2O Emission Factors for Highway Vehicles by Model Year

Performance Metrics for Transit Agencies

The following metrics for transit agencies can be used when quantifying the carbon efficiency of transit agency operations:

• Metric 1: Emissions per passenger mile travelled
• Metric 2: Emissions per vehicle mile
• Metric 3: Emissions per revenue vehicle hour

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) were integral to the development of these metrics and their expertise ensured that the metrics reflect the best knowledge of the transit industry.

• NEW Performance Metrics for Transit Agencies v. 1.0 – Released June 24, 2010

Member Developed Methodologies

In rare instances, Members find it necessary to develop a unique methodology to complete their greenhouse gas inventory. The Climate Registry has developed a process to approve these member developed methodologies. Complete information and the necessary forms for this process can be found below. We encourage Members to complete this process prior to entering the verification stage.

Please note that Members can only propose methodologies under three circumstances: 1) the methodology is for an emissions source not covered under The Registry’s guidance, 2) a member is unable to use any of the Registry-provided methodologies for a certain source or 3) a member is able to develop a methodology that is more accurate than The Registry’s methodology for that source. To be approved, the methodology must be at least as accurate as one of The Registry’s methodologies

• Member Developed Methodology Form

Confidential Business Information

Members that have confidential business information can be exempted from The Registry’s requirement to release facility-level information to the public. To obtain this exemption, Members must submit the Public Disclosure Exemption Request Form to exemption@theclimateregistry.org. This form must be submitted annually.

• Public Disclosure Exemption Request Form

DEVELOPMENT OF THE GRP

The GRP was developed through a public stakeholder process. The Registry received over 1,140 individual comments on the draft GRP from 107 respondents representing industry, environmental non-governmental organizations, regulatory agencies, individuals and consultants.

Protocol Feedback