How does the U.S. Local Government Operations Protocol calculate emissions from solid waste and how does this compare to previous guidance given by ICLEI?
• The U.S. Local Government Operations Protocol includes detailed guidance on calculating Scope 1 emissions from solid waste disposal facilities that the government owns or operates. Dependent upon the operating characteristics of the landfill, this may be based on either engineering estimates or modeling. It also acknowledges that there are potential Scope 3 emissions from solid waste generated by a local government, but which may be disposed of at a facility not controlled by that government. Calculation methodologies for estimating these Scope 3 emissions are not provided. The Clean Air and Climate Protection (CACP) software provides two methodologies for calculating waste emissions from local government operations which roughly correspond to these two categories. The waste-in-place method is based on the U.S. EPA’s LandGEM model for calculating Scope 1 landfill methane.
• The U.S. Local Government Operations Protocol includes detailed guidance on calculating Scope 1 emissions from solid waste disposal facilities that the government owns or operates. Dependent upon the operating characteristics of the landfill, this may be based on either engineering estimates or modeling. It also acknowledges that there are potential Scope 3 emissions from solid waste generated by a local government, but which may be disposed of at a facility not controlled by that government. Calculation methodologies for estimating these Scope 3 emissions are not provided. The Clean Air and Climate Protection (CACP) software provides two methodologies for calculating waste emissions from local government operations which roughly correspond to these two categories. The waste-in-place method is based on the U.S. EPA’s LandGEM model for calculating Scope 1 landfill methane. Local governments that control solid waste disposal facilities should begin using the guidance provided in the U.
Related Questions
- How does the U.S. Local Government Operations Protocol calculate emissions from solid waste and how does this compare to previous guidance given by ICLEI?
- Should we wait to begin our government operations emissions inventory until after the completion of the U.S. Local Government Operations Protocol?
- How can I calculate greenhouse gas emissions from solid waste management?
