Greenhouse Gas Inventory

Practical Solution

The “How To”

Municipal greenhouse gas inventories typically address two categories: emissions associated with the community as a whole and emissions created by local government activities. Broadly speaking, greenhouse gas inventories typically estimate emissions associated with residential, commercial, and industrial energy use; refrigerant use; vehicle fuel use; the decomposition of solid waste and wastewater; and water consumption.

The International Council for Local Environment Initiatives (ICLEI) has created tools and established protocols to help municipalities complete a greenhouse gas inventory. Many municipalities, including those in the St. Louis area, join ICLEI-USA to gain assistance and use their tools to complete a greenhouse gas inventory. You can find a list of greenhouse gas inventories completed by local governments in the St. Louis region here. 

A successful greenhouse gas inventory will be written into a report and presented to the appropriate governmental body or representative, such as the City Administrator, the Mayor, and the City Council. There is little point to a greenhouse gas inventory if it is not presented to those who can make policies based on the information. Municipalities typically take the findings of the greenhouse gas inventory and develop a Climate Action Plan to identify strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to changes anticipated as a result of climate change. Typically, the ultimate goal of a greenhouse gas inventory is to promote the creation of new policies. If changes are not made as a result of the inventory, it can be argued that the inventory was not worth the time or money.

Benefits of Greenhouse Gas Inventories

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are six benefits local governments can receive by completing a greenhouse gas inventory. 

1. Identify sectors, sources, and activities responsible for greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Understand emission trends.
3. Quantify the benefits of activities that reduce emissions.
4. Establish a basis for developing a local action plan.
5. Track progress in reducing emissions.
6. Set goals and targets for future reductions.

Dollars & Cents

Costs of Creating a Greenhouse Gas Inventory

The actual cost of creating and performing a greenhouse gas inventory can vary greatly between municipalities. The size and complexity of the municipality combined with the availability of the desired records and information each have a significant impact on the total cost. When preparing for its greenhouse gas inventory, the City of Creve Coeur was informed that the total cost would be equivalent to the total cost of a full-time staff member for thirteen weeks. The city chose to hire an intern to complete the majority of the work for the inventory.

Internship Programs

Using an intern, under guidance and supervision of city staff, might be the most cost-effective way to complete a greenhouse gas inventory. Interns from SIUE have partnered with the Cities of Granite City and Collinsville to complete greenhouse gas inventories.