Measurement : Challenges in Aggregating Global GHG Emissions

michalinach

Hello,

In the 6th chapter of the course Green Software for Practitioners, titled "Measurement," I noticed the following statement:

"Through this approach, it's possible to sum up all the GHG emissions from every organization and person in the world and reach a global total."

I believe this is not a relevant approach. The primary objective of GHG reporting for a company is to track progress annually and identify key areas of carbon-intensive energy use.

Here are my concerns:

1- Scope Overlaps: Emissions are categorized as Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (indirect from energy), and Scope 3 (other indirect). These can overlap, leading to double counting. For example, a manufacturer's Scope 1 emissions might also be reported as Scope 3 by a retailer.

2- Complex Supply Chains: Interconnected supply chains mean the same emissions can be reported multiple times at different stages, complicating accurate aggregation.

3- Data Variability: Different methodologies and varying accuracy levels across organizations can make aggregated data unreliable.

I am not certain if this summing approach is the most valid and effective method. It might lead to challenges in properly understanding GHG reporting, especially for those new to the topic.

What are your thoughts?