In the current context when global warming becomes the most urgent problem facing the Earth, the Government, businesses and consumers have increasingly strict requirements on activities that emit gases causing the greenhouse effect, or greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, effectively grasping and managing issues related to greenhouse gases will ensure sustainable development as well as the ability to quickly adapt to national, regional and world policies.
At the COP26 Conference held in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, all 197 participating countries adopted the Glasgow Climate Agreement. The agreement aims to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including a 2% reduction in CO45 and a 4% reduction in CH30 by 2030 to reach Net Zero by 2050.
Vietnam - a developing country has been implementing effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with existing resources. As a citizen of the country, what do you understand about greenhouse gas inventory? How is the inventory process considered effective? Let's find out through the content below!
1. What is a greenhouse gas inventory?
Theo Decree No. 06/2022 on "Regulations on greenhouse gas emission reduction and ozone layer protection" was issued by the Government on January 07, 01. has the following provisions:
“Greenhouse gas inventory is the activity of collecting information and data on greenhouse gas emission sources, calculating greenhouse gas emissions and greenhouse gas absorption in a given micro-film and in a specific year according to methods and procedures issued by competent authorities.”
In simple terms, greenhouse gas inventory is an activity that includes collecting information, data, identifying, calculating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions into the environment from projects and business activities of enterprises or countries. The scope of measuring total emissions of enterprises includes direct emissions, indirect emissions from purchased energy sources and indirect emissions from other production and business activities within the supply chain.
2. Reasons for greenhouse gas inventory
Firstly, the greenhouse gas inventory comes from Decision No. 13/2024/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, promulgating the list of sectors and facilities emitting greenhouse gases that must conduct greenhouse gas inventories. Accordingly, there are 6 sectors that must conduct greenhouse gas inventories including energy, transportation, construction, industrial processes, agriculture - forestry - land use and waste.
LIST OF SECTORS THAT MUST CONDUCT GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORIES
(Attached to Decision No. 13/2024/QD-TTg dated August 13, 8 of the Prime Minister)
| STT | Sectors that must conduct greenhouse gas inventories |
| I | Energy |
| 1 | Energy production industry |
| 2 | Energy consumption in industry, commerce, services and civil |
| 3 | Coal mining |
| 4 | Oil and natural gas extraction |
| II | Transportation |
| 1 | Energy consumption in transportation |
| III | Build |
| 1 | Energy consumption in the construction industry |
| 2 | Industrial processes in the production of building materials |
| IV | Industrial processes |
| 1 | Chemical production |
| 2 | Metallurgical |
| 3 | Electronics industry |
| 4 | Use alternatives to ozone-depleting substances |
| 5 | Production and use of other industrial products |
| V | Agriculture, forestry and land use |
| 1 | Breed |
| 2 | Forestry and land use change |
| 3 | Crop |
| 4 | Energy consumption in agriculture, forestry and fisheries |
| 5 | Other sources of emissions in agriculture |
| VI | Waste |
| 1 | Solid waste landfill |
| 2 | Biological treatment of solid waste |
| 3 | Incineration and open burning of waste |
| 4 | Wastewater treatment and discharge |
In the above 6 areas, greenhouse gas emission facilities with annual emissions of 3.000 tons of CO2 equivalent or more or falling into one of the following cases will have to conduct an inventory:
- Thermal power plants and industrial production facilities with total annual energy consumption of 1.000 tons of oil equivalent (TOE) or more.
- Freight transport business with total annual fuel consumption of 1.000 TOE or more.
- Commercial buildings with total annual energy consumption of 1.000 TOE or more.
- Solid waste treatment facilities with annual operating capacity of 65.000 tons or more.
Second, the greenhouse gas inventory process is required and promoted by brands through:
- “Part 1: Technical specifications and guidance for quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and removals at the organization level” specified in Standard TCVN ISO 14064-1:2011
- Higg Index (Higg FEM 3.0)
- Textile Exchange Global Recycled Standard (GRS 4.0)
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS 6.0)
3. Steps to conduct greenhouse gas inventory
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), greenhouse gas inventories are conducted in four main steps:
3.1. Step 1: Clearly define the scope and inventory plan
- Consider greenhouse gas accounting methods and standards for your organization’s reporting: The first step in developing a greenhouse gas inventory is to identify appropriate methods and standards, such as ISO or other international frameworks. This ensures that the data collected will be reliable and internationally usable.
- Define organizational and operational boundaries: The organization needs to define the scope of the inventory, including the objects and activities for which greenhouse gas emissions will be calculated.
- Select a base year: This will help the organization compare greenhouse gas emissions over years to assess progress in reduction.
- Consider Third-Party Auditing: To ensure accuracy and transparency, organizations should consider using the services of a qualified third-party audit firm.
3.2. Step 2: Data collection and calculation
- Identify data requirements and collection methods: Clearly identify what types of data need to be collected and the appropriate methods for collecting them.
- Develop a data collection process: The development ensures consistency and completeness.
- Compile and review facility data: Existing data needs to be thoroughly reviewed to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Estimate missing data: In case of insufficient data, the organization needs to estimate and adjust to complete the data set.
- Select emission factors and calculate: Use appropriate emission factors to calculate emissions from different activities of the organization.
3.3. Step 3: Develop a greenhouse gas inventory management plan
- Complete data collection procedures: Data collection procedures need to be completed and integrated into the organization's management system.
- Document the entire process: All inventory steps and procedures should be fully documented for reference.
3.4. Step 4: Set emission reduction targets, monitor and report progress promptly
- Data Completion: Ensure all data has been collected and checked for accuracy.
- Complete third-party due diligence: This is done to ensure transparency and accuracy.
- Report data as needed: A clear reporting plan is needed, especially when requested by stakeholders.
- Establish a GHG target and tracking process: Once the inventory is complete, the organization needs to set emissions reduction targets and perform tracking to report progress promptly.
4. Conclusion
Conducting a greenhouse gas inventory not only helps organizations/facilities understand their emissions but also creates a basis for setting sustainable emission reduction targets in the future. In Vietnam, greenhouse gas emitters are encouraged to reduce their emissions in accordance with their business conditions and operations, thereby joining hands to protect the environment sustainably.