GHG Inventories and Accounting

Calculator and accounting spreadsheetsThe USAID LEAD program provides training on developing and managing national and enterprise-level greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory systems and emission estimation consistent with international best practices. An accurate understanding of GHG emissions allows governments, companies, and other entities to identify opportunities to manage emissions, enhance removals, evaluate the success of low-carbon growth strategies over time, and ensure that resources are targeted towards effective solutions.

To learn more about national GHG inventories, please visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) website sections on GHG Emissions and National GHG Inventory Capacity Building.  See the UNFCCC and IPCC websites for more information on reporting and guidelines for preparing national GHG inventories.

To learn more about corporate GHG accounting, visit the website of the WRI/WBCSD Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol), the leading international GHG accounting framework for corporate GHG emissions.

Training and Technical Assistance

The USAID LEAD program provides training and technical assistance on GHG inventories according to the guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The training also supports developing countries to meet their reporting requirements under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) including Biennial Update Reports (BUR). The program helps countries build both human and institutional capacity and works at both the regional and country level. At the enterprise and facility level, LEAD provides technical assistance and training on the use of GHG accounting protocols and tools. Examples of training and technical assistance include:

  • Institutional capacity for national GHG inventory development. LEAD will provide training to assist developing countries in Asia compile their national GHG inventories by drawing on the USEPA National GHG Inventory System template workbook and guidance materials, including key category analysis and software, to help document and institutionalize the inventory management process. This training material and software has been successfully used in developing countries including in Southeast Asia through the Regional Capacity Building for Sustainable National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Management Systems in Southeast Asia Project (SEA GHG Project). LEAD will expand upon and replicate the success of this project.
  • Sector-specific training. LEAD can respond to country-level requests for sector-specific inventory capacity building assistance. To date, in country consultations indicate that the energy (especially transportation) and waste sectors would most benefit from LEAD support. LEAD can provide international experts and training that conforms with IPCC 2006 guidelines, and training on the IPCC guidelines themselves, to support improved national inventories.
  • Supporting sub-national efforts. LEAD will support sub-national government inventory initiatives at the provincial and city levels in support of local green growth initiatives, low carbon cities, and programs to encourage low carbon societies and lifestyles that are increasingly recognized as important counterparts to “top down” national initiatives. LEAD will also work with the private sector and civil society to support efforts to develop entity-level inventories and undertake project and product-based GHG accounting.
  • Demonstrations. The LEAD program supports demonstrations and replications of inventory-related software, tools, and data collection and management systems. Examples include the Agriculture and Land Use (ALU) National GHG Inventory Software. The ALU software guides an inventory compiler through the process of estimating GHG emissions and removals related to agricultural and forestry activities.

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