Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and system for visualising and modelling metrics in a complex system, such as an urban area (e.g. a city). In particular, the method and system finds use in monitoring, modelling and reporting on a large number of interconnected metrics, such as greenhouse gas emissions. The method and system provide an important visual tool for visualising and modelling complex systems.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a method and system for visualising and modelling metrics in a complex system, such as an urban area (e.g. a city). In particular, the method and system finds use in monitoring, modelling and reporting on a large number of interconnected metrics, such as greenhouse gas emissions. The method and system provide an important visual tool for visualising and modelling complex systems. 
       DESCRIPTION OF BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    In recent years, the issue of sustainability has become increasingly important on a global level. Sustainability metrics include greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, waste generation, embodied greenhouse gas emissions and embodied water. Of these, by far the most discussed sustainability metric has been greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe). 
         [0003]    In order to be used for inter-agency carbon reporting and trading, quantification of such emissions as tonnes equivalent of CO 2  must be carried out in accordance with internationally recognised protocols, such as the International Standards Organisation (ISO) 14064:2006. These protocols prescribe regular reporting and place emphasis on the performance of greenhouse mitigating actions. The actions are often defined in terms of effected change with respect to a user-specified base year or any other benchmark data. 
         [0004]    However, software applications and systems designed to provide reporting and tracking of Greenhouse Gas production and mitigation actions are either simplistic applications which require a high degree of user input and knowledge, or are specialist applications which are not user friendly and require a large amount of semi-private data which is generally not available to private users and organisations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of visualising a sustainability metric of one or more inventory groups, each group comprising one of more operational units, the method comprising the steps of: 
         [0006]    receiving at least one of consumption data and one or more inventory parameters associated with each of the one or more inventory groups; 
         [0007]    determining a factual sustainability metric of the one or more inventory groups, based on the received at least one of consumption data and one or more inventory parameters; 
         [0008]    determining a model sustainability metric of the one or more inventory groups in at least one model scenario, the model scenario comprising modifying at least one of received consumption data and a received inventory parameter, to assess the effect of the modification of the factual sustainability metric; and 
         [0009]    displaying at least one of the sustainability metric groups and the inventory or the consumption data in a Graphical User Interface. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a Graphical User Interface having at least two sub-regions, the first sub-region providing a visual representation of the one or more inventory groups, and the second sub-region containing one or more of the consumption data and the sustainability metric. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the inventory groups are collocated within a geographical area. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the geographical area is displayed as a map. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the map is interactive, to allow a user to view sub-regions of the map in more detail. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the information in the second sub-region is varied to reflect is the sub-region selected by the user. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the display provides a series of graphs, the graphs providing an aggregate of at least one of the consumption data, the one or more inventory parameters associated with the one or more inventory groups and the at least one model scenario. 
         [0016]    In accordance with a second aspect, the present invention provides a system for visualising a sustainability metric of one or more inventory groups, each group comprising one of more operational units, the method comprising the steps of: 
         [0017]    a receiving module to receive at least one of consumption data and one or more inventory parameters associated with each of the one or more inventory groups; 
         [0018]    a determining module arranged to determine a factual sustainability metric of the one or more inventory groups, based on the received at least one of consumption data and one or more inventory parameters; 
         [0019]    the determining module also being arranged to determine a model sustainability metric of the one or more inventory groups in at least one model scenario, the model scenario comprising modifying at least one of received consumption data and a received inventory parameter, to assess the effect of the modification of the factual sustainability metric; and 
         [0020]    and a display module arranged to provide instructions to display at least one of the sustainability metric groups and the inventory or the consumption data in a Geographical User Interface. 
         [0021]    In accordance with a third aspect, the present invention provides a computing program, arranged to, when executed on a computing system, perform the method steps in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. 
         [0022]    In accordance with a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a computer readable medium incorporating a computer program in accordance with the third aspect of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    Notwithstanding any other embodiments that may fall within the scope of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a general purpose computer system upon which an embodiment of the present invention may be operated; and 
           [0025]      FIGS. 2 to 11  are screen shots of a Graphical User Interface in accordance with a computer program implementing an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
       [0026]    The foregoing describes only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a general purpose computer system  100 , upon which the method may be practised. 
         [0028]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , the computer system  100  is formed by a computer module  101 , input devices such as a keyboard  102  (which may include a virtual keyboard arranged to be provided via a display device  114 ), a mouse pointer device  103 , a scanner  126 , a camera  127 , and a microphone  180 , and output devices including a printer  115 , the display device  114  and loudspeakers  117 . An external Modulator-Demodulator (Modem) transceiver device  116  may be used by the computer module  101  for communicating to and from a communications network  120  via a connection  121 . The network  120  may be a wide-area network (WAN), such as the Internet or a private WAN. Where the connection  121  is a telephone line, the modem  116  may be a traditional “dial-up” modem. Alternatively, where the connection  121  is a high capacity (e.g. cable) connection, the modem  116  may be a broadband modem. A wireless modem may also be used for wireless connection to the network  120 . 
         [0029]    The computer module  101  typically includes at least one processor unit  105 , and a memory unit  106  for example formed from semiconductor random access memory (RAM) and semiconductor read only memory (ROM). The module  101  also includes a number of input/output (I/O) interfaces including an audio-video interface  107  that couples to the video display  114 , loudspeakers  117  and microphone  180 , an I/O interface  113  for the keyboard  102 , mouse  103 , scanner  126 , camera  127  and optionally a joystick (not illustrated), and an interface  108  for the external modem  116  and printer  115 . In some implementations, the modem  116  may be incorporated within the computer module  101 , for example within the interface  108 . The computer module  101  also has a local network interface  111  which, via a connection  123 , permits coupling of the computer system  100  to a local computer network  122 , known as a Local Area Network (LAN). As also illustrated, the local network  122  may also couple to the wide network  120  via a connection  124 , which would typically include a so-called “firewall” device or device of similar functionality. The interface  111  may be formed by an Ethernet™ circuit card, a Bluetooth™ wireless arrangement or an IEEE 802.11 wireless arrangement. A terminal  151  A is located on the WAN  120  and is, thus, connected to the computer module  101  via a connection  121 . Similarly, a terminal  151 B is located on the LAN  122  and is connected with module  101  by way of a link  123 . 
         [0030]    The interfaces  108  and  113  may afford either or both of serial and parallel connectivity, the former typically being implemented according to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards and having corresponding USB connectors (not illustrated). Storage devices  109  are provided and typically include a hard disk drive (HDD)  110 . Other storage devices such as a floppy disk drive and a magnetic tape drive (not illustrated) may also be used. An optical disk drive  111  is typically provided to act as a non-volatile source of data. Portable memory devices, such optical disks (e.g. CD-ROM, DVD), USB-RAM, and floppy disks for example may then be used as appropriate sources of data to the system  100 . The components  105  to  113  of the computer module  101  typically communicate via an interconnected bus  104  and in a manner which results in a conventional mode of operation of the computer system  100  known to those in the relevant art. Examples of computers on which the described arrangements can be practised include IBM-PC&#39;s and compatibles, Sun Sparcstations, Apple Mac™ or alike computer systems evolved therefrom. 
         [0031]    The method for determining a sustainability metric may be implemented using the computer system  100  wherein the processes, to be described, may be implemented as one or more software application programs  133  executable within the computer system  100 . In particular, the steps of the method are effected by instructions  131  in the software  133  that are carried out within the computer system  100 . The software instructions  131  may be formed as one or more code modules, each for performing one or more particular tasks. The software may also be divided into two separate parts, in which a first part and the corresponding code modules performs various steps of the method and a second part and the corresponding code modules manage a user interface between the first part and the user. 
         [0032]    The software  133  is generally loaded into the computer system  100  from a computer readable medium, and is then typically stored in the HDD  110 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , or the memory  106 , after which the software  133  can be executed by the computer system  100 . In some instances, the application programs  133  may be supplied encoded on one or more CD-ROM  125  and read via the corresponding drive  11  prior to storage in the memory  110  or  106 . Alternatively the software  133  may be read by the computer system  100  from the networks  120  or  122  or loaded into the computer system  100  from other computer readable media. Computer readable storage media refers to any storage medium that participates in providing instructions and/or data to the computer system  100  for execution and/or processing. Examples of such storage media include floppy disks, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, a hard disk drive, a ROM or integrated circuit, USB memory, a magneto-optical disk, or a computer readable card such as a PCMCIA card and the like, whether or not such devices are internal or external of the computer module  101 . Examples of computer readable transmission media that may also participate in the provision of software, application programs, instructions and/or data to the computer module  101  include radio or infra-red transmission channels as well as a network connection to another computer or networked device, and the Internet or Intranets including e-mail transmissions and information recorded on Websites and the like. 
         [0033]    The modelling capabilities of the software application (i.e. the aforementioned “first part of the software application”) are described in an, earlier filed application by the same Applicant, namely PCT/AU2009/000408, entitled “A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A SUSTAINABILITY METRIC”, which is incorporated herein by reference. The software application described in the earlier PCT Application provides a carbon accounting application which allows for the setting of targets and the development of mitigation and reduction verification strategies. In particular, the described method in the earlier PCT Application allows for modelling of a possible portfolio of assets scenarios, described by different inventory parameters, and the calculating of GHGe resulting from the operation of a given portfolio of assets. Such a portfolio is usually subdivided into subgroups of assets consuming the same or similar types of energy resources. The assets may include buildings, building sites, shopping centres, factories, etc. A group or subgroup of assets will be referred to as an “inventory group”. 
         [0034]    The inventory parameters may include number, type and technical data of various assets included in an inventory group associated with a business sustainability account. The inventory parameters may also include resource bases (e.g. fuel, energy, refrigeration gas use etc.), number and type of operational units within an inventory group, as well as any efficiency coefficients of the operational units. 
         [0035]    In the context of the embodiment described herein, the activities associated with greenhouse gas emission are related to the emissions produced by various entities (i.e. individuals, businesses, other organisations, etc) within a defined geographical area, such as a “Council” area or a “County” area). It will be understood that while the previous PCT Application was concerned primarily with the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions for an organisation, such as a corporation, the present embodiment is primarily directed to Government and Quasi-Government organisations, such as Local or Regional Government Authorities that have partial or complete control over land use activities carried out within a defined geographical area. However, it will be understood that while the example provide herein is described with respect to Local or Regional Government Authorities, the broader invention has application to any geographical area, such as a city, a state/region or indeed, to an entire country or legal jurisdiction. 
         [0036]    The method allows a greenhouse emissions account to be assembled for a given portfolio of physical assets according to internationally recognised protocols. Account data allows an overview to be extracted of the consumption of a broad range of resources. The method also allows the quantification of various strategies for mitigating resultant greenhouse emissions, through changes to inventory parameters. The inventory parameters are directly or indirectly related to the business activities, the number and/or the type of assets associated with a particular portfolio. 
         [0037]    To reiterate, in the example provided in the present specification, there is described a particular application which is dubbed “CCAP City”. CCAP City focuses on inventory groups around Local Government Authorities such as Councils (i.e. municipalities or counties), which are geographically bounded (i.e. all assets and inventory groups generally reside within a defined geographical area). 
       Graphical User Interface 
       [0038]    The second part of the application programs  133  and the corresponding code modules mentioned above may be executed to implement one or more Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) to be rendered or otherwise represented upon the display  114 . Example screen shots of a GUI in accordance with an embodiment of the invention are shown in  FIGS. 2 to 11 . Through manipulation of typically the keyboard  102  and the mouse  103 , a user of the computer system  100  and the computer application program  133  may manipulate the interface in a functionally adaptable manner to provide controlling commands and/or input to the applications associated with the GUI(s). 
         [0039]    However, while the application from the earlier PCT application describes the methodology for calculating various sustainability metrics based on dividing assets into inventory groups, the embodiment described herein provides an overlay, in the form of a Graphical User Interface, which allows a user to interact with the application in a sophisticated and seamless manner. 
         [0040]    In particular, turning to  FIGS. 2 to 12 , there are shown a number of screenshots of the Graphical User Interface, each screen shot providing specific information and navigation tools which allow the user to both view complex data in a simple and intuitive manner, and also to manipulate data and model scenarios in a simple and intuitive manner. 
         [0041]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a geographical map, which in the example, is a “Council” (i.e. municipal or county) region  200 , which is defined by a particular geographical/physical border. The map provides basic information on sub-regions (e.g. wards) in the council area, and allows a user to “click” on a region to access further information about the region. In this manner, the user can visually navigate the entire geographical area to zoom in or focus on regions of interest in an intuitive manner. 
         [0042]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a further example screen of the GUI. In this screen shot, there is provided a summary or overview page (also referred to as the “dashboard” page). The Dashboard provides a number of “at a glance” graphs which provide the user with a rich amount of data (both actual data and modelled data) on some strategic indicators regarding the aggregate council area. In particular, there is included a strategic plan graph  302 , which outlines current aggregate Greenhouse Gas output and the proposed future aggregate Greenhouse Gas output, in the form of a waterfall graph which outlines the strategies by which Greenhouse Gas output will be reduced. There is also provided a Cost of Abatement Graph, which provides a graphical representation of the cost and magnitude of greenhouse gas emission reductions for each discrete action, such as bio sequestration, street lighting, employee density, electric vehicles, waste to energy, co-generation, ring power purchase, wind, solar photovoltaic cell installation, solar hot water installation, changes to lighting on private properties and various other carbon reduction strategies. 
         [0043]    There is also provided a tracking progress graph  306 , which provides three projections, namely the amount of greenhouse gas that would be emitted if no action is taken, the projected reduction in greenhouse gas if all proposed strategies are followed as required, and the actual live data on the amount of greenhouse gas reduction to date. There is further provided a consumption graph which breaks down the entire population of the geographical area into particular sectors, such as commercial buildings, residential dwellings, commercial waste, etc and describes the percentage of greenhouse gas emissions that can be attributed to each activity. 
         [0044]    In other words, the dashboard provides a quick at a glance view of both the current state of play within a geographical area and also the projected strategy and progress to date. As such, such graphs can be easily printed or downloaded into an electronic document by using button  310 . This allows a user of the application to easily distribute the content or incorporate the content into a report or other document. 
         [0045]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a capture of a screen which provides more detail on the actual composition of residential and non-residential developments within the geographical area. In particular at  402  there is shown the proposed planning data over a particular time period. Further, at  404  there is shown the current number of dwellings (and their type) both at the present time and the proposed number of dwellings at a predetermined future date. There is also provided at  406  a snap shot of the resources currently utilised by the total number of residential developments. At  408  and  410  there are provided corresponding metrics for non-residential developments. As such, a snap shot can be provided of the proposed changes to the make-up of the properties in the residential area. 
         [0046]    The screen displayed at  FIG. 4  also provides an input function, such that a user can change the rate of growth of the residential and non-residential dwellings within the geographical area. While much of the data required to model or predict growth is pre-populated in a database, a user with appropriate access is able to vary the rate of growth by changing the numerals displayed generally at  404 . Not only can the rate of growth be changed, but also the replacement rate can be changed (i.e. the rate at which one type of dwelling is replaced by another type of dwelling—to avoid double counting of dwellings). As such, the screen of  FIG. 4  provides the user with the ability to model, in real time, substantive changes to land use within the geographical area and such changes will be automatically translated into variations in greenhouse gas emissions. 
         [0047]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a screen shot of the Graphical User Interface including a two-dimensional map of the geographical area. At  502  the map  502  is interactive, such that a user may click on area of the map to “zoom in” and thereby receive detail with regard to a specific sub-area or sub-region within the geographical area. This feature will be explained in more detail with reference to subsequent Figures. Returning to  FIG. 5 , at  504  there is provided a snap shot of residential and non-residential data (similar to the data provided in  FIG. 4 ). However, in  FIG. 5 , the data is provided utilising a year-by-year breakdown so that particular trends and changes may easily be identified by the user. 
         [0048]    At  FIG. 6 , there is shown a further screen shot of the Graphical User Interface, which includes a two-dimensional map  602 . Further there is provided a drop down menu  604 . The drop down menu  604  provides a list of various metrics, such as housing/property density, car ownership, gas availability, electricity demand and access to public transport. By selecting an item in the drop down menu  604 , an overlay (not shown) is provided on map  602  which provides a visual representation of the particular metric. To provide an example, if a user chooses the option “gas availability”, various lines are superimposed on the map to show where gas is available within the geographical area. As such, the user of the system can use this information to make planning decisions (e.g. a decision to increase or decrease the number of dwellings within a particular precinct). Such decisions are facilitated by the information provided generally at region  606  of the Graphical User Interface. At region  606  there is provided a breakdown of the total number of dwellings within each precinct in the geographical area, plus a projected number of dwellings (and the corresponding number of people living in each precinct), which aids the user in determining whether particular precincts are suitable for further development. A corresponding breakdown of non-residential properties is also provided at  608  (but not shown in this particular example). There is further provided a selectable button which allows the user to either collapse or expand a section. In the present example at  FIG. 6 , the non-residential information is shown in the collapsed format (i.e. it is not visible on the screen). By clicking on the selectable button  610 , the user can expand this section of the screen to display the information. 
         [0049]    At  FIG. 7 , there is shown an energy action planning screen including the two-dimensional map  702  and the drop down menu  704  (which act in a similar fashion to the map and drop down menu described in  FIG. 6 ). The energy action planning screen outlines energy use across the entire area defined by the map broken down to provide a number of efficiency metrics  706 , a number of potential projections if fuel or resources are modified or switched (generally at section  708 ) and a snap shot of the amount of renewal energy utilised within the geographical area (as denoted generally at area  710 ). It is instructive to note that there are a number of variables on this screen which may be changed by a user. The variables shown in a greyed box may be varied by the user to model various scenarios. By allowing the user to change certain variables, the user has the ability to see how such changes flow through over a defined period of time and in turn change various other variables such as the amount of greenhouse gas emitted. As such, the screen of  FIG. 7  allows the user to model the effect of various building policies (e.g. such as requiring all new buildings to install gas or solar hot water systems). 
         [0050]    Turning to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a transport action planning screen with map  802 . At general area  804  there is shown a snap shot of the aggregate vehicle efficiency within municipal area and total carbon output for the vehicles in questions. 
         [0051]    Turning to  FIG. 9 , there is shown an example of a particular sub-area or sub-region within the municipality. That is, map  902  provides an example of the map shown when a user chooses to zoom into a particular sub-area or sub-region. Comparing the map  902  of  FIG. 9  to the map  802  of  FIG. 8 , it will be seen that map  902  provides a view of a sub-area of map  802 . Furthermore, when a user zooms into a particular sub-area, more specific information about the particular sub-area is shown. Again, it is instructive to compare the summary information provided at  804  and the summary information provided at  904 . At  804 , an aggregate of vehicle efficiency and the number of electric vehicles for the entire geographical area is given. At  904 , more detailed information is provided about transport, including the ease of access to public transport, the car ownership and car park rates, and any car share programs that may be in place. As such, by simply clicking on the map, the user can hone in on particular sub-areas and review specific metrics (i.e. review more detailed information). This provides a particularly powerful planning tool, as the user is able to not only make decisions based on aggregate data for the entire geographical area, but is able to micromanage particular sub-areas, depending on specific needs. 
         [0052]    Turning to  FIG. 10 , there is shown the map  1002  and detailed information regarding the waste action plan for the area shown generally at  1004 . Again, there are various quantities or switches (i.e. “true” or “false” switches), which allow a user to easily change certain policies and thereby automatically model the flow through affects of changes in such policies. 
         [0053]    Lastly, at  FIG. 11 , there is shown a screen which provides similar information to the screen shown at  FIG. 3 . However, as the map  1102  is provided and a summary of the key metrics is provided in a numerical form generally at  1104  (rather than in a graphical form), the user can use the map  1102  to zoom into particular areas and receive information on specific sub-areas, rather than the aggregate data which is provided by the graph shown at  FIG. 3 . 
         [0054]    As such, taking  FIGS. 2 to 11  in their entirety, it can be seen that the Graphical User Interface provides a visualisation tool with a number of important features. Firstly, the visualisation tool provides a way to visualise aggregate data and strategies (e.g.  FIG. 3 ). However, through use of a map and through the ability of a user to click on the map and thereby zoom into specific areas, the Graphical User Interface also provides a powerful planning and modelling tool, as the user can both focus on specific sub-areas within the geographical area and can also focus on specific metrics or policies. Each time the user changes a particular value on any of the screens (i.e.  FIGS. 4 to 11 ), all interlinked values and all interdependent values are automatically recalculated. As such, the user can quickly and easily preview the consequences of changing a particular policy or changing a particular “mix” of policies. Moreover, the user can see the consequences of such changes both at a macro level and at a micro level. This is due to the fact that the Graphical User Interface is integrated seamlessly with the modelling component of the software application, such that a user does not require any programming or database knowledge to either view data in a sophisticated manner or to model various scenarios. 
       Data Storage 
       [0055]    As will be described below, the method is implemented by the one or more application programs (e.g.  133 ) that are hosted on a dedicated application server. As the computer module  101  represents a typical implementation of such a server, the computer module  101  will also be referred to below as an “application server  101 ”. In one implementation, the application server  101  will be maintained by a company that provides service administration of the method and the application program  133 . This company may be referred to as the service administrator. Apart from the service administrator, there are users, which represent other companies that wish to use the services including the method as facilitated by the service administrator. Any account data associated with the structure of a business organisation (referred to below as a portfolio of assets) may also be stored on the application server  101 . Alternatively, the account data may be stored on a user company&#39;s server with a secure connection to the application server  101 . Implementations where the user company provides its own service administration and all the data is stored on the application server  101  may also be envisaged. 
         [0056]    Similarly, any consumption data that is entered into the system  100  may also be stored, in an information database or otherwise, configured within the hard disk drive  110  of the application server  101 . Alternatively, the information database may be stored on a separate user company&#39;s server, hi this case, the data may be uploaded via a secure connection to the application server  101 . The system  100  may be arranged for such uploads on a regular basis or only for uploads on demand. Typically managers or dedicated officers located at the various assets in a portfolio will have the responsibility of entering the consumption data. The consumption data entry may be effected by way of local or remote terminals  151 A and  151 B, communicating with the application server  101  by way of the WAN  120  and LAN  122 , respectively. 
         [0057]    The consumption data may comprise one or more operational parameters associated with the use of the operational units within an inventory group (i.e. a group of assets). The value of each operational parameter is in some way indicative of the resource consumption of the respective inventory group. For example, the operational parameters may be related to the number of operational units in each asset or inventory group (i.e. group of assets), the recourse consumption of one operational unit or a group of units etc. 
         [0058]    With respect to access and user rights, the computer application program  133  is arranged to provide various personnel within a respective business activity, enterprise or organisation with prescribed levels of access to the information database and the computer application program  133 . Such prescribed levels of access are both intended to safeguard data and to provide an automatically and fully documented audit trail. 
         [0059]    The method starts with the step  102  where the computer application program  133 , under the execution of the processor  105 , receives consumption data indicative of a resource consumption of the one or more inventory groups under consideration. The received consumption data may be purely related to the consumption of one or more resources within the defined geographical area (plus any other assets under control by the local government authority). 
         [0060]    The consumption data may be only indirectly related to the amount of a consumed resource. For example, instead of providing directly the amount of energy consumed by an individual unit, data may be received that includes hours of operation and hourly energy consumption of the unit. This data is still indicative of, and may be used for the determination of the energy consumption of the unit. 
         [0061]    It will be understood that the consumption data may also include information regarding vehicles, both publicly and privately owned, that generally operate within, pass through or are under control of the local government area. Moreover, as data on individual vehicles may not be available, it will be understood that the consumption data may be provided in an appropriate aggregate form, in the form of the total traffic throughput across particular roads, the general vehicle mix (e.g. vehicle type, fuel type, etc.) in the geographical area and the total number of public transport journeys undertaken over a defined period of time, to name a few examples. 
         [0062]    Alternatively, the data entered into the information database, configured within the hard disk drive  110 , may actually include the type of resources and the amount of consumed resource of each type. In this instance, the data received at step  102  of the application program  133 , when executed by processor  105 , may include the consumption of grid energy (e.g. by all types of appliances), various fuels (e.g. consumed either directly by a particular fleet, or indirectly, by hiring taxis or by purchasing of bus, train and airline tickets), as well as CFC, HFC and HCFC and other gases (e.g. associated with leakages of refrigerators and air conditioners). The number and/or type of appliances, vehicles or other operational units included in each subgroup (or inventory group) may also be included if detailed modelling is to be performed on the basis of the received data. 
         [0063]    The process of entering the consumption data is typically effected by authorised management staff at the user&#39;s sites via the input terminals  151 A and  151 B, linked to the dedicated application server  101  by way of WAN  120  or LAN  122 , respectively. After undergoing security checks, a user may access the application server  101  for entering consumption data, business data and/or extracting a report of performed scenario modelling in accordance with the method. 
         [0064]    Once the consumption of all inventory groups is entered and/or received by the computer application program  133  executed by processor  105 , at the next step  104 , factual (or real life) GHGe (i.e. sustainability metrics), of the inventory groups are determined. 
         [0065]    Through a relational database, the consumption data is saved and related to the respective organisation using id values between tables to establish the relationship. A single database is used data, although it will be understood that various databases may be utilised. However, because each record for each table in the database is attached to a specific organisation, each user can only view, edit or update the records and information respective to their organisation, in accordance with their user profile. In the same way, any new record created through the application will be attached to the respective organisation. A user from an organisation is unable to view, edit or update records for another organisation because of constraints added at the database and web level that forbid this unless the user is a Kinesis user. 
         [0066]    Kinesis users have an administrator account that has all privileges to modify in the database the parameters related to any specific organisation when it is necessary. 
         [0067]    Although not required, the embodiments described with reference to the Figures can be implemented as an Application Programming Interface (API) or as a series of libraries for use by a developer or can be included within another software application, such as a terminal or personal computer operating system or a portable computing device operating system. Generally, as program modules include routines, programs, objects, components and data files assisting in the performance of particular functions, the skilled person will understand that the functionality of the software application may be distributed across a number of routines, objects or components to achieve the same functionality desired herein. 
         [0068]    It will also be appreciated that where the methods and systems of the present invention are either wholly implemented by computing system or partly implemented by computing systems then any appropriate computing system architecture may be utilised. This will include stand alone computers, network computers and dedicated hardware devices. Where the terms “computing system” and “computing device” are used, these terms are intended to cover any appropriate arrangement of computer hardware capable of implementing the function described. 
         [0069]    Furthermore, it will be understood that where a client server architecture is utilised, the display device may be remote from the computing device which undertakes the substantive modeling. In such situations the display device may be a portable computing device a mobile telephone or any other mobile device capable of receiving data and displaying data in an appropriate format. 
         [0070]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. 
         [0071]    Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.