A variety of approaches have been developed for measuring the GHG emissions of cities around the world, but for consistency and comparability, local governments must be able to measure their emissions relative to a common standard.
Emissions sources noted in a local government GHG inventory, as well as the methods used to quantify these sources, are generally consistent among local governments, but are unique when compared with any other type of entity.
Proposals from negotiations for the post-2012 period include urban GHG reduction activities in the Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) of developing countries. There are further efforts to develop an urban scope within the Programme of Activities of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
Given these developments, there will likely be a growing need and demand for harmonization of GHG emissions from cities and local governments.
C40 and ICLEI to establish Global Standard on Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Cities
On 1 June 2011, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability and C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) announced at the C40 Cities Mayors Summit in Sao Paulo that the two organizations will establish a global standard for accounting and reporting community-scale greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that can be used across multiple platforms. This common approach will help local governments to accelerate their emission reduction activities whilst meeting the needs of climate financing, national monitoring and reporting requirements. The standard will be released in time for UNFCCC COP 17 in November (Durban, South Africa).
The standard, once developed, will result in consistent, robust and comparable city inventories. It will also allow for accurate monitoring of progress against emissions targets, facilitate robust climate action planning, and provide standard guidance as local governments pursue environmental review, inventory certification and other relevant policy making processes in their day-to-day operations.
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The International Local Government GHG Emissions Analysis Protocol (IEAP) sets the global standard for accounting and reporting of local greenhouse gas emissions. ICLEI has developed it through an international peer review process between 2007 and 2009. The IEAP uses the approach of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative - developed by the World Resource Institute and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development - combined with the knowledge and experience gathered through 17 years' work of the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign.
The Protocol is available for download:
International Local Government GHG Emissions Analysis Protocol Version 1.0 (PDF, 0.4 Mb)
Key peer organizations around the world began reviewing the International Protocol in November 2007, including the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the World Resources Institute, the International Energy Agency, the California Climate Action Registry, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Center for Neighborhood Technologies. The Protocol was reviewed by ICLEI member cities and stakeholders during a public comment period.
A US national supplement of the IEAP, the Local Government Operations Protocol (LGOP) was further developed as a collaborative effort of The California Air Resources Board, The California Climate Action Registry, The Climate Registry and ICLEI. The Climate Registry adopted the LGOP in 2009 for use by local government reporters, including those from Canada and Mexico, with regionally relevant supplements.