ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability
Updating the Nation's Greenhouse Gas Accounting Protocol
Eli Yewdall
Executive Summary
In 2010, ICLEI USA convened experts from around the United States to develop the U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (USCP). This protocol provides industry-standard authoritative guidance for communities to account for carbon pollution accurately and consistently.
Together with ICLEI and a wide range of experts, the MENV capstone team will develop the USCP Plus, one of two new methods for local and regional governments to view and manage emissions and increase action in line with ICLEI’s Five Pathways: decarbonization, resilience, equity, nature, and circularity. USCP Plus will include equity and adaptation metrics that will help local governments develop climate action more aligned with community needs.
The MENV Capstone Team will contribute holistically to the USCP Plus update. The team’s tasks will include exploration of options, research, steering committee engagement, and drafting the protocol. Working on the USCP Plus update will provide invaluable networking opportunities with experts in local, regional, state, and national government climate mitigation, adaptation, and sustainability; climate justice; philanthropy; energy and emissions data; nature-based solutions, and circular economy.
Through this project, MENV students will be directly contributing to a protocol that hundreds of local governments will use to holistically address climate change.