Carbon accounting is a relatively new and rapidly evolving field, and the number and variety of tools available has expanded alongside new and enhanced methods, guidance and reporting requirements. However questions remain over how the evidence carbon accounting provides can best be used to meet policy objectives, and which are the best tools to use for different purposes.

In January 2013 an ICARB team from Heriot-Watt University, Glasgow Caledonian University, and the Crichton Carbon Centre submitted a Review of Green House Gas (GHG) accounting tools in use in Scotland to the Scottish Government. The report is centred around a detailed database of sectoral carbon accounting tools relevant to Scotland, and compiled for the ClimateXChange.

The report is split into three parts with the first providing a summary characterising each tools listed and Part 2 includes a discussion and commentary on the compatibility of the tools and their strengths and weaknesses. Part 3 is a table of the different tools with a comprehensive attribute analysis to demonstrate the nature and structure of the tool. The study was designed to help a broad range of readers understand which tool might be best suited to their own purposes.

To download the Review as a PDF right click and select “Save Target/ Link As…”