This module's scope is now covered by a different module - view it for the latest updates.
Transportation Emissions Accounting
Loading...
This module (Independent components of Isometric Certified Protocols which are transferable between and applicable to different Protocols.) describes how transportation emissions should be considered for Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) projects (An activity or process or group of activities or processes that alter the condition of a Baseline and leads to Removals or Reductions.), as part of project greenhouse gas (GHG (Those gaseous constituents of the atmosphere, both natural and anthropogenic (human-caused), that absorb and emit radiation at specific wavelengths within the spectrum of terrestrial radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, by the atmosphere itself, and by clouds. This property causes the greenhouse effect, whereby heat is trapped in Earth’s atmosphere (CDR Primer, 2022).)) accounting. This module applies to all transportation modes, including transportation by trucks, rail, ships, pipeline and aircraft. Furthermore, this module applies to all CDR pathways (A collection of Removal or Reduction processes that have mechanisms in common.), ensuring a consistently rigorous standard in how transportation emissions are quantified and reported between different CDR projects and approaches.
The emissions associated with the transportation of goods must be calculated when any mode of transportation is used to move goods between sites as part of project operations. For a CDR project, the transportation of goods includes, but is not limited to, the transportation of CO2, feedstock, consumables and wastes. The upfront transportation of materials associated with project establishment, for example to transport construction materials to site to build project facilities, is covered under the Embodied Emissions module.
At minimum, GHG (Those gaseous constituents of the atmosphere, both natural and anthropogenic (human-caused), that absorb and emit radiation at specific wavelengths within the spectrum of terrestrial radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, by the atmosphere itself, and by clouds. This property causes the greenhouse effect, whereby heat is trapped in Earth’s atmosphere (CDR Primer, 2022).) emissions from the direct combustion of fuels in vehicles, as well as the upstream emissions associated with the production and distribution of the fuel and/or electricity must be accounted for.
A full cradle-to-grave (Considering impacts at each stage of a product's life cycle, from the time natural resources are extracted from the ground and processed through each subsequent stage of manufacturing, transportation, product use, and ultimately, disposal.)GHG assessment (The process by which all emissions associated with a Project's Removal or Reduction process, including leakages, are accounted for.) is required for vehicles and infrastructure produced, constructed, and utilized for the CO2 removal project. Where vehicles and/or infrastructure is not utilized explicitly for the CO2 removal project, a proportional approach to emissions accounting can be taken.
Emissions are calculated as the sum of all transportation journeys, [math: j], as part of a removal [math: R]:
[math: {{CO}_{2}^{}e}_{Transportation, R} = \sum_{j}{{CO}_{2}^{}e}_{Transportation, j}]
(Equation 1)
Where
[math: {CO}_{2}^{}e_{Transportation, R}^{}] = the total quantity of GHG emissions associated with transportation of products for a removal [math: R], in tonnes of CO2e
[math: {CO}_{2}^{}e_{Transportation,\ j}^{}] = the total quantity of GHG emissions associated with the transportation journey of a product, [math: j], as part of a removal [math: R], in tonnes of CO2e , see below for calculations of this term
Equation (1) and Section 3 can also be followed for a batch [math: n], or for a reporting period [math: RP].
For each leg, [math: {CO}_{2}^{}e_{Transportation,\ j}^{}] must be calculated by using one of the two approaches:
(1) Energy Usage Method: uses direct measurement of fuel or energy usage and associated emissions factors (preferred), see Section 3.2, Equation (2)
(2) Distance-Based method: uses the distance traveled, transport mode, and load weight with associated emissions factors (acceptable if data unavailable for (1) ), see Section 3.3., Equation (3)
The Energy Usage Method must always be prioritized. Where it is not possible to use the Energy Usage Method due to lack of data and this is appropriately evidenced, the Distance-Based Method may be used.
Emissions are calculated as follows:
[math: {CO}_{2}^{}e_{Transportation,\ j}^{}\ = \ F_{j}^{}\ \times \ {EF}_{Fuel,\ Transportation,\ j}^{}]
(Equation 2)
Where
[math: {CO}_{2}^{}e_{Transportation,\ j}^{}] = the total GHG emissions associated with the transportation journey of a product, [math: j], in tonnes of CO2e
[math: F_{j}^{}] = the quantity of fuel or electricity consumed during the transportation journey, [math: j], from one location to another including other induced transportation, in appropriate units e.g. litres
[math: {EF}_{Fuel,\ Transportation,\ j}^{}] = the relevant fuel or electricity-based emission factor, in appropriate units e.g. kg CO2e/litre
Emissions are calculated as follows:
[math: {CO}_{2}^{}e_{Transportation,\ j}^{}\ = \ D_{j}^{}\ \times \ W_{j}^{}\ \times \ {EF}_{Transportation,\ j}^{}]
(Equation 3)
Where
[math: D_{j}^{}] = the distance traveled for the transportation journey, [math: j], from one location to another, in appropriate units e.g. km
[math: W_{j}^{}] = the mass of material transported as part of the transportation jounrey, [math: j], from one location to another, in appropriate units e.g. tonnes
[math: {EF}_{Transportation,\ j}^{}] = the weight- and distance-based emission factor for transportation for a specific vehicle type, or infrastructure asset where available, provided in appropriate units e.g. kg CO2e/tonne-km
For the Energy Usage Method, emission factors (An estimate of the emissions intensity per unit of an activity.) must:
For the Distance-Based Method, emissions factors must:
For both methods, emission factors must:
Recommendations for additional considerations for four common modes of transportation (road, rail, ship, and pipeline) are included in Appendix 1.
Under this Module, the use of Book and Claim Units (BCUs) for low-carbon fuels to substitute for some, or all, of project fuel usage is permitted. BCUs are an instrument which Project Proponents can purchase to finance the use of low-carbon fuels by a third party in situations where the third party would otherwise have used conventional fuel. The net effect of the BCU purchase attempts yield the same outcome as if the Project Proponent had used low-carbon fuel within their own supply chain. BCUs can offer additional flexibility to Projects where constraints may limit availability of low-carbon fuels in the region of project operations. In the context of this Module “low-carbon fuels” refers to alternative transportation fuels with a lower carbon intensity than a conventional equivalent, for example biodiesel as a substitute for conventional diesel.
It should be noted that BCUs for low-carbon fuels may be used to substitute for both mobile and non-mobile fuel usage within the project system boundary.
BCUs used to substitute for project fuel usage must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
Criteria | Description | Documentation required |
|---|---|---|
EC1 | BCUs must be purchased and retired by the Project Proponent in a volume equivalent to the volume of fuel substitution claimed. | Provide proof of BCU purchase and retirement in a volume equivalent to the volume of fuel substitution claimed. Purchased BCUs must specify:
|
EC2 | GHG emissions associated with low-carbon fuel production represented by BCUs must be verified in accordance with an existing regulatory or voluntary methodology. | Provide proof of verification of GHG emissions associated with low-carbon fuel production according to an existing methodology. Available methodologies vary by sector/application:
|
EC3 | Production and use of low-carbon fuels represented by BCUs must be demonstrably additional. | Provide either of the following:
|
EC4 | The chain of ownership of all BCUs, from generation to retirement, is recorded in a suitable registry, or other suitable record keeping system. | Provide proof that BCU ownership, transference, and retirement is managed by a registry aligned with the principles established in the Book and Claim Communities “Best Practices for Book and Claim Systems in Heavy Transport” 1. In circumstances where suitable registries have not yet been established, high quality record keeping is required to ensure traceability of ownership of the BCUs, and validation of verification of the fuel supply chain in accordance with the relevant methodology (see EC2). Project Proponents should refer to the Book and Claim Communities “Best Practices for Book and Claim Systems in Heavy Transport” (Principle 3) for record keeping requirements. Where BCUs are used off-registry, Project Proponents must provide a signed affidavit stating that the claimed BCUs will not be sold or otherwise used by any third party, or by the Project Proponent, in any other context. |
EC5 | A range of transportation decarbonization approaches should be considered for implementation by The Project. | Provide a statement that summarizes alternative decarbonisation options considered by the project in relation to project fuel usage. This should include a plan for future decarbonisation. Alternative decarbonisation opportunities can include, but are not limited to, the following:
|
When using BCUs to substitute for some, or all, of project fuel usage, the calculation approach described in the following subsections must be followed for the calculation of transportation emissions. Projects applying the energy usage method (as in Section 3.2) should follow the calculation approach described in Section 4.2.1 when using BCUs. Projects applying the distance-based method (as in Section 3.3) should follow the calculation approach described in Section 4.2.2 when using BCUs.
When using BCUs to substitute for some, or all, of project fuel usage and calculating transportation emissions using the energy usage method, transportation emissions must be calculated as:
[math: CO_2e_{Transportation,R} = \sum_j \left[ EF_{Fuel,Transportation,j} \times \left( F_j - F_{BCU,j} \frac{ED_{BCU,j}}{ED_{Fuel,Transportation,j}} \right) + \left( EF_{BCU,j} \times F_{BCU,j} \right) \right]]
(Equation 4)
Where:
When applying Equation 4, at maximum, an amount of BCUs may be used for each journey, [math: j], such that:
[math: \left( F_j - F_{BCU,j} \frac{ED_{BCU,j}}{ED_{Fuel,Transportation,j}} \right) \geq 0]
(Equation 5)
When using BCUs to substitute for some, or all, of project fuel usage and calculating transportation emissions using the distance-based method, the amount of fuel required for each transportation journey, [math: j], must be calculated as:
[math: F_j = D_j \times W_j \times \frac{EF_{Transportation,j}}{EF_{Fuel,Transportation,j}}]
(Equation 6)
Where:
Transportation emissions may then be calculated by following the approach established in Section 4.2.1 (see Equation 4), using the fuel usage for each transportation journey, [math: F_j], calculated according to Equation 6.
This approach for the usage of BCUs is the closest proxy for using a low-carbon fuel as part of project operations. However, Project Proponents may elect to propose an alternative calculation method for the calculation of transportation emissions using BCUs, which must be specified in the public PDD and agreed with Isometric.
GHG emissions from transportation sources must be evaluated for all transportation completed between facilities, from the gate of one facility to the gate of the next facility. Primary measurements considered in calculation of emissions are:
The fuel consumed, [math: F_{j}^{}] , can be determined by one of the following methods:
The distance traveled, [math: D_{j}^{}], can be determined by one of the following methods:
Distance traveled and fuel usage must consider:
Evidence must be provided showing the distance of every trip to the next destination if the second option is used. When no onwards journey information is available, the full round trip must be assumed in calculations.
Calculations shall be completed separately for each leg of the trip associated with a removal, with total emissions calculated by the sum of emissions from each leg.
Weight of the material being shipped, [math: W_{j}^{}], should be determined as loaded gross vehicle weight measured at facility gate of departure minus vehicle gross weight upon facility entry, as determined by calibrated a weigh scale.
Required records for each transportation leg calculated using the Energy Usage Method include:
Required records for each transportation leg calculated using the Distance-Based Method include:
Any use of book and claim mechanisms to reduce reported transportation emissions should be transparently disclosed. Any meters used must be calibrated for the fuel being used both initially and at regular intervals in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
Isometric would like to thank following contributors to this module:
EcoInvent. (2013). Overview and methodology Data quality guideline for the ecoinvent database version 3. https://ecoinvent.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dataqualityguideline_ecoinvent_3_20130506\_.pdf
International Organization for Standardization. (2006). ISO 14040:2006 Environmental management --- Life cycle assessment --- Principles and framework. https://www.iso.org/standard/37456.html
International Organization for Standardization. (2006). ISO 14044:2006 Environmental management --- Life cycle assessment --- Requirements and guidelines. https://www.iso.org/standard/38498.html
International Organization for Standardization. (2008). Evaluation of measurement data --- Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (ISO JGCM GUM). https://www.iso.org/sites/JCGM/GUM/JCGM100/C045315e-html/C045315e.html?csnumber=50461
International Organization for Standardization. (2019). ISO 14064-2:2019. Greenhouse Gases - Part 2: Specification With Guidance At The Project Level For Quantification, Monitoring And Reporting Of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions Or Removal Enhancements. ISO. https://www.iso.org/standard/66454.html
International Organization for Standardization. (2019). ISO 14064-3:2019. Greenhouse gases --- Part 3: Specification with guidance for the verification and validation of greenhouse gas statements. ISO. https://www.iso.org/standard/66455.html
Isometric. (n.d.). Isometric --- Glossary: Defining the terms that appear regularly in our work. Isometric. https://isometric.com/glossary
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023, April 18). Understanding Global Warming Potentials | US EPA. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved June 14, 2023, from https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/understanding-global-warming-potentials
Additional guidelines for choosing emission factors for different types of transportation modes.
Road:
Rail:
Ship:
Pipeline:
Aircraft: