IPCC Expert Meeting for Technical Assessment of IPCC Inventory Guidelines(Energy, IPPU, Waste Sectors)
Geneva, Switzerland, 29 June – 1 July 2015
Co-Chairs Summary
1. In accordance with the IPCC Trust Fund programme and budget for the year 2015 (approved by the IPCC at its 40th
Session), the IPCC Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI) is implementing technical assessmentof IPCC Inventory Guidelines. This work is to assess where science and data availability have developed sufficiently
since the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (2006 IPCC Guidelines) to support therefinement or development of methodological advice for specific categories and gases, with a view to identifying any
specific areas or issues to be prioritized. Another aim is to conduct technical assessments on cross-sectoral issues,
including improvement of user-friendliness of other inventory tools of the IPCC with a view to contributing to capacity
development programmes.
2. This technical assessment is being undertaken through a combination of an on-line questionnaire survey and two
expert meetings. The on-line questionnaire survey was conducted from 30 January to 27 February, and 243 experts
submitted a total of 987 comments to the Technical Support Unit for the IPCC TFI (TFI TSU). About half of these (446)were the Energy, IPPU and Waste Disposal Sectors.
3. The Geneva expert meeting was the first of the two expert meetings following the on-line questionnaire survey. The
Geneva meeting covered Energy, Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU), and Waste Sectors. In particular it
aimed to:•assess the maturity of scientific advances and the availability of new data (but not an exact scientificexamination of new methodology or data);•

identify any specific areas or issues that should be prioritized in TFI’s future work; and•consider associated cross-sectoral issues identified in the survey.

4. The meeting considered comments submitted by experts in response to the on-line questionnaire survey, particularlyon the issues identified as high priorities through the prior analysis made by the TFI TSU. This was with a view tomaking recommendations to the Bureau of TFI (TFB) on the following:•

Categories for which the science is sufficiently mature and data are available to recommend refinement ordevelopment of inventory guidance;•

Where such refinement or development on the basis of this new information would lead to a noticeable
improvement of the 2006 IPCC Guidelines and the 2013 Supplement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for
National Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Wetlands (Wetlands Supplement) 1;•

Specific type of refinement or updating that is needed for those categories; and•How these refinements could be made (i.e., suggested possible way(s) to address issues).

5. The issues were considered and discussed through three break-out groups (BOGs), taking significance & prioritization
criteria (see Box 1) into account. The BOGs were:•

BOG1: Energy Sector(Co-facilitators: Mr. Dario Gomez and Mr. John David Watterson, Rapporteur: Mr. Amit Garg)

1 The Wetlands Supplement is relevant mainly to the second meeting, on AFOLU.

1•

BOG2: Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) Sector(Co-facilitators: Mr. Newton Paciornik and Mr. Julien Vincent, Rapporteur: Ms. Deborah Ann Ottinger)•

BOG3: Waste Sector(Co-facilitators: Ms. Riitta Pipatti and Ms. Sirintornthep Towprayoon, Rapporteur: Ms. Deborah Bartram)Box 1: Significance and prioritization criteria (previously agreed in the Terms of Reference forthis work)•

Significance of the source/sink and the gas within the sector on a global scale. Sources
significant only for a limited number of particular countries currently or in the foreseeable future
may not meet this criterion. The adequacy of the existing guidance for a particular category
should be considered, as should the likelihood that new information would lead to a definite
improvement in the IPCC Guidelines.

•

Availability of relevant new scientific results.

•

Sufficient data availability and maturity of scientific advances since 2006 to provide a basis formethodological development or refinement, including:o Ability to develop new or updated default emission/removal factors
o Feasibility of obtaining the necessary data to implement the methods•

Emergence of new sources or gases meeting these criteria

7. Based on the discussion by each BOG, the meeting participants agreed to forward the recommendations based on
the elements mentioned in paragraph 4 above to the TFB as summarized in Tables 1-3 below.
8. The following issues were identified as potential elements/areas for refinements to be made by producing a
Methodology Report(s).

<Energy Sector>•

Development of guidance for estimating GHG emissions from charcoal production (Category 1.A.1.c, N2O,
CH4)•Development of guidance for estimating GHG fugitive emissions from abandoned or decommissioned oil andgas wells (Category 1.B)•

Development of guidance for estimating GHG fugitive emissions from abandoned or decommissioned
surface mines (Category 1.B)•

Development of guidance for estimating GHG emissions from unconventional oil and gas production suchas shale gas, shale oil, tight gas ,tight oil and CBM (Category 1.B.2)•

Update or addition of default emission factors of fugitive emissions from oil and gas by reflecting current
practices and the latest measurement data (Category 1.B.2)•

Provision of clearer guidance on fuel transformation considering linkages with the methodology on fugitive
emissions under IPPU (Category 1.B.3)<IPPU Sector>•

Development of guidance for estimating GHG emissions from hydrogen production (Category 2.B)•

Addition of guidance on appropriate emission factors to use for dual pressure processes for nitric acidproduction (Category 2.B.2)•

Update of default emission factors for production of fluorinated compounds other than HCFC-22 (Category
2.B.9)•Development of guidance (methodology and emission factors) on non anode effect PFC
emissions.(Category 2.C.3)

2

•

Update of guidance on methods and Tier 2 emission factors for semiconductor industry (Category 2.E)•

Update of guidance on fluorinated GHGs from magnesium production taking into account SF6 replacement
by HFC-134a (Category 2.C.4) [This is a subject for additional literature analysis.]•

Identification of unknown PFCs sources and development of guidance on those sources (Category unknown;
one possibility is rare earth production) [This is a subject for additional studies. Feasibility of development ofclear guidance should be further considered.]•Update of guidance and emission factors for iron and steel production (Category 2.C.1) [This is for future
consideration in the longer term than others. In the short term, this should be dealt with by EFDB and FAQs.]•

Update of guidance on sub-applications and update of default emission factors for ODS substitutes,
particularly for RAC, for different equipment types, geographical regions and time periods (Category 2.F.1)[This is for future consideration in the longer term than others.]<Waste Sector>•

Development or update of methods and default emission factors for emission estimation from septic tanks(Category 4.D.1)•

Improvement of guidance and update or addition of default emission factors of N2O emissions from
nitrification and denitrification at wastewater treatment plants (Category 4.D.1)•

Development of guidance on N2O emissions from industrial wastewater treatment process (Category 4.D.2)•

Development of guidance on N2O emissions from SWDS (Category 4.A) [Due to limited scientific studies
and understanding of the process causing the emissions this is for future consideration – in the longer termthan others.]

9. It was agreed that refinements by FAQs and EFDB can start as soon as practicable no matter how the BOGs judged
the priority is on each issue.
10. The meeting also considered and raised some cross-sectoral issues (Table 4) for further consideration at an expert
meeting on cross-sectoral issues in the near future.
11. Recommendations from this meeting will be considered by the TFB, and reflected in the draft TFI’s work programmefor 2016 and onwards. Draft work programme will be submitted to the IPCC for consideration at its 42nd Session in
October 2015.

3

Table 1: Recommendation on issues on Energy Sector (from BOG1)
Type of refinement and explanation of
issue
Issues relative to fuel properties and combustion activities
High
Fuel
Comprehensive update, improvement andCombustion
provision of standard net calorific values andActivities (1.A)
carbon emission factors
Priority

Low
MediumCategory

Fuel
Combustion
Activities (1.A)
FuelCombustion
Activities (1.A)

Provision of conversion factors or related
information to convert parameters based on
net calorific values to gross calorific values
Reconsideration and update of the default
oxidation factors for fossil fuels which are
100% for all fuels

Issues on stationary combustion
Low
Petroleum
Development of guidance for estimating
Refining
GHG emissions from catalyst coke
(1.A.1.b) /incineration in the petroleum industries
Refining(1.B.2.a.iii.4)
Low
Petroleum
Provision of clarification on petroleum coke
Refining
grades(1.A.1.b) /Refining(1.B.2.a.iii.4)
Medium Manufacture of Development of guidance for estimating
Solid Fuels and GHG emissions from charcoal production
Other Energy
Industries(1.A.1.c), N2O,
CH4

Issues on mobile combustion
Low
Cars (1.A.3.b.i), Development of guidance for estimating nonCH4, N2O
CO2 emissions from biofuel and blends offossil fuels
Low
Cars (1.A.3.b.i), Addition or improvement of methods, activity
CH4, N2O
data and emission factors reflecting thelatest technology such as hybrid vehicle andactual status of the usage of vehicle indeveloping countries
Low
Off-road
Addition of information on CH4 and N2O EFs(1.A.3.e.ii),
CH4, N2O
Issues on fugitive emissions
High
Fugitive
Development of guidance for estimating
emissions from GHG fugitive emissions from abandoned orfuels (1.B)
decommissioned oil and gas wells

4

Suggested possible way(s) of
refinement
EFDB: include in the database thevalues used to develop the 2006
IPCC Guidelines and new data tofacilitate the assessment of statistical
distributions, regional values, etc.
FAQ: provide information on standard
combustion calculations for nonspecialized users
FAQ: cross-reference on importanceof using higher tier and countryspecific EFs and oxidation factors
EFDB: include in the databaseoxidation factors from different
countries as they become publicly
available. Countries are encouraged
to report their scientific studies forconsideration for EFDB.
FAQ: provide information on
estimation and allocation under
1.B.2.a.iii.4
FAQ: provide guidance to clarify
reporting including on different formsof Pet Coke
Methodology Report (Long term)
EFDB (Short term): update EFs as
and when more data become
available.
FAQ (Short term): clarify relationshipbetween production and combustion
Need to coordinate with FOLU
EFDB: update EFs as and whenmore data become available.
EFDB: update EFs as and whenmore data is made available.
Gathering AD is CS issue.
EFDB: Update EFs when more data
become available.
Methodology Report (Long term)- Consider whether there is robust
data to develop a methodology

Medium

High

High

Low

Fugitiveemissions fromfuels (1.B)

Oil and NaturalGas (1.B.2)

Oil and NaturalGas (1.B.2)

Other
emissions fromEnergyProduction(1.B.3)Development of guidance for estimating
GHG fugitive emissions from abandoned or
decommissioned surface mines

EFDB (Short term): update EFs as
and when more data become
available.
Methodology Report (Long term)- Consider whether there is robust
data to develop a methodology

Development of guidance for estimating
GHG emissions from unconventional oil andgas production such as shale gas, shale oil,tight gas ,tight oil and CBM

EFDB (Short term): update EFs as
and when more data become
available.
Methodology Report (Long term)- Provide definition of what the
Guidelines mean by conventional
and unconventional production

Update or addition of default emission
factors of fugitive emissions from oil and gas
by reflecting current practices and the latest
measurement data

Development of guidance for estimating
GHG fugitive emissions from geothermal
power plants

5-

Consider development of Tier 1
EFs for unconventional oil andgas production, and refine
methodology if necessary-

Scoping meeting should take into
consideration the outputs fromthe expert meeting held in
Washington in 2013

EFDB (Short term): update EFs as
and when more data become
available.
FAQ (Short term): provide definitionof “conventional” and“unconventional” production, clarify
existing guidance on estimation
methods and EFs in the 2006 IPCC
Guidelines
Methodology Report (Long term)- Revise default EFs if necessary,
using new, representative
facility-specific information-

Provide time-changing tier 1 EFs(e.g., by using different default
EFs reflecting industry practices
and control technologies)-

Include new sub-categories more
specific for natural gas
production-

Scoping meeting should take into
consideration the outputs fromthe expert meeting held in
Washington in 2013

EFDB (Short term): update EFs as
and when more data become
available.
FAQ: explain the source
EFDB: Include available data (e.g.
Germany, Iceland, Italy, New
Zealand, U.S.)

Issues on CO2 transport and storage
Low
Carbon dioxide Addition or improvement of methods for CO2
Transport andemissions from Carbon dioxide transport andStorage (1.C)
storage
Low
Other
Provision of further guidance on fuelemissions from transformation considering linkages with theEnergymethodology on fugitive emissions under
Production
IPPU(1.B.3)

6

Present guidelines are sufficient on
methodology. However look for new
information availability to provide EFs
FAQ: provide clarification confirming
the allocation under 1.B.3
May be included in Methodology
Report considering linkages with themethodology on fugitive emissions
under IPPU.

Table 2: Recommendation on issues on IPPU Sector (from BOG2)
Priority

Category

Low

Other Process
Uses of
Carbonates(2.A.4)High

ChemicalIndustry (2.B)

Low

Nitric Acid
Production(2.B.2)Type of refinement and explanation of
issue
Provision of clearer guidance onemissive/non-emissive carbonates use.

Development of guidance for estimating
GHG emissions from hydrogen production.
No guidance in 2006 GL, though mentioned(see Ammonia, Methanol).

Addition of guidance on appropriate EF touse for dual pressure processes for nitricacid production.

Suggested possible way(s) of
refinement
FAQ: provide additional guidance, if
possible and deemed appropriate.
(Although Table 2.7 in the Guidelines
may be confusing, major sources ofemissions are covered in the
Guidelines.)
Methodology Report- Method exists in U.S. GHGRP.
-

Double-counting and non-energy
use of fuel statistics should beconsidered.

-Linkage with Energy Sector
should be considered.

-

Guidance on data collection
should be provided.

FAQ or EFDB (Short term): provide
additional guidance, although updateof EFs may not be necessary.
Methodology Report (Long term)- Guidance given in FAQ or EFDB
above may be included in a new
Methodology Report.

High

High

Fluorochemical
production(Production offluorinatedcompounds
other than
HCFC-22)(2.B.9)Iron and Steel
Production(2.C.1)

Update of default emission factors for
production of fluorinated compounds otherthan HCFC-22.
The default EF of 0.5% is a factor of five toten smaller than the uncontrolled EFs
implied by information gathered during
development of U.S. GHGRP.
Inappropriately low default may result in
failure to identify source category as key.
Update or elaboration of guidance on threepillars: method, allocation, emission factors
for iron and steel production.

Methodology Report- Relevant new data andinformation are available from
U.S. GHGRP.
-

No specific recommendation can bemade yet on possible ways ofrefinement, given recent
implementation of 2006 GL.
- Parties’ submissions are needed
as well as information on EFs.
-High

Aluminium
Production(2.C.3)Development of guidance (emission factors)
on non anode effect PFC emissions.
New research reveals large emissions thatare not captured by current IPCC methods.

7

Feasibility of updating the default
EF should be further consideredat the Scoping Meeting.

Linkage with Energy Sector
should be considered.

Possibly, FAQ or EFDB (Short term)
Possibly, Methodology Report(Long term)
Methodology Report- Literature and multiple
measurements of EFs exist.

High

Magnesium
Production(2.C.4)

Update of guidance on fluorinated GHGs
from magnesium production taking into
account SF6 replacement by HFC-134a.
Some of the HFC-134a may react with themolten magnesium to be (1) destroyed
and/or (2) converted into other compounds,
including other fluorinated GHGs.

High

High

High

Electronics
Industry (2.E)

Refrigeration
and Air
Conditioning(2.F.1)

Unknown PFCs
sources

Update of guidance on methods and Tier 2emission factors for Semiconductor Industry.
Information gathered under GHGRP
supports addition of new and updated Tier 2EFs, methodological refinements (i.e.,
distinguishing among wafer sizes, whichhave different emission factors), andcoverage of new sources. (Note: GHGRP
etch and clean EFs representative of global
industry, but GHGRP destruction andremoval efficiencies are not)Update of default emission factors for ODS
substitutes, particularly about RAC.
RAC emissions are significant; ranges fordefaults are broad.
Identification of unknown PFCs sources anddevelopment of guidance on those sources.
Bottom-up estimates of PFC emissions areabout half as large as the emissions impliedby changing atmospheric concentrations.
Possible sources of these unquantified
emissions include:- Rare earth elements production-

Non anode effect emissions from
Aluminium Production

8-

Additional studies regarding
variability of EFs would be
helpful.

-New data and information may
be available from aluminium
industry which continues topursue measurements.

No specific recommendation at
this stage.
-

One or two studies of thisphenomenon may exist but could
not be located in time for Expert
Meeting.

Possibly, Methodology Report-

Need to obtain existing literature(if any) for consideration at the
Scoping Meeting.

Technical Bulletin (Short term)
Methodology Report (Long term)- Relevant information and data
are available from U.S. GHGRP
to add new and updated Tier 2EFs, methodological refinements
and coverage of new sources.

Technical Bulletin (Short term)
Methodology Report (Long term)- Guidance could be made more
precise by further segregating
equipment types, regions, andtime periods.
Methodology Report- Additional studies would be
required.
-

Feasibility of development ofclear guidance should be further
considered at the Scoping
Meeting.

Table 3: Recommendation on issues on Waste Sector (from BOG3)
Priority
High

High

High

Category
Solid Waste
Disposal (4.A)

Domestic
Wastewater
Treatment andDischarge(4.D.1)

Domestic
Wastewater
Treatment andDischarge(4.D.1)

Type of refinement and explanationof issueDevelopment of guidance on N2Oemissions from SWDS.

Potential for significant emissions, but
reactions are complex and not
sufficiently understood to assess levelof importance. Also N2O emissions
from leachate need to be considered.
Development or update of methods anddefault emission factors for emission
estimation from septic tanks.
Significance is unclear, but septic tanks
are used in almost every country.

Improvement of guidance and update
or addition of default emission factorsof N2O emissions from nitrification anddenitrification at wastewater treatment
plants.
New studies confirm highly variable
emissions dependent on type oftreatment, but the current EF isconsidered too low for these types ofsystems and there may be need for an
EF for other types of systems. Current
guidance is outdated and does not
respond to recent research.

High

Industrial
Wastewater
Treatment andDischarge(4.D.2)Development of guidance on N2Oemissions from industrial wastewater
treatment process.
Significance of this source is not clear,but additional guidance would be
helpful.

Suggested possible way(s) of
refinement
Methodology Report (Very long term)
New source; need to assess maturity ofdata for developing IPCC method to beassessed.
EFDB (short term): include topic as focus
area in 2016 IPCC EFDB data meetings
Methodology Report- Scoping meeting should consider
whether this issue can/should be
addressed in the Methodology Report,
if an expert meeting mentioned below
does not take place before the
Scoping meeting.

EFDB (Short term): add data to reflect
different types of septic systems (e.g.,bottomless, water sealed) and temperature
Expert meeting (Short term): for technicalassessment of ability to
update/complement default parametersand clarify the methodology (e.g., whenusing multiple systems)
Methodology Report- Relevant new studies are available.
-

EFDB (Short term): add data to evaluate
the default factor and evaluate range ofemissions.
FAQ (Short term): discuss/highlightpotential source
Expert meeting (Short term): for technicalassessment of method, EF, and activity
data before further consideration for
supplementary guidance related to N2Oemissions from wastewater treatment.
Methodology Report- Methodology used for domestic
wastewater could be applied toindustrial wastewater (both direct andindirect N2O) for countries where thisis a significant source and activity data
are available.
-

9

Scoping meeting should consider
whether this issue can/should be
addressed in the Methodology Report,
if an expert meeting mentioned below
does not take place before the
Scoping meeting.

Scoping meeting should consider
whether this issue can/should be
addressed in the Methodology Report,
if an expert meeting mentioned below

does not take place before the
Scoping meeting.

Low/
MediumWaste (4)Development of guidance on GHG
emissions from disposal of dead bodyof livestock killed by pandemic ofinfectious diseases.

FAQ (Short term): Guidance could be
provided on how to address industrial
wastewater treatment emissions.
EFDB (Short term): add data to reflect
industrial data and emissions.
Expert meeting (Short term): for technicalassessment of activity data and method
before further consideration for
supplementary guidance related to N2Oemissions from wastewater treatment.
FAQ: add guidance to describe how toreport and what is good practice
EFDB: add newly available data

“Other” category addresses dead bodyof livestock but lacks description of how
to estimate.
Low/
MediumWaste (4)Low/
MediumSolid Waste
Disposal (4.A)

Low/
MediumBiologicalTreatment of
Solid Waste
(4.B)

Low/
MediumIncineration andOpen Burningof Waste (4.C)

Update of default emission factors andparameters for GHG emissions fromincineration of waste

Low/
MediumDomestic
Wastewater
Treatment andDischarge(4.D.1)Development of guidance on GHG
emissions from underground sewer.

Low/
MediumDomestic
Wastewater
Treatment andDischarge(4.D.1)

Update of MSW generation rate.
It is necessary to improve guidance ondata collection of waste generation andtreatment.
Update of default data related to GHG
emission estimation from SWDS suchas methane generation rate (k value),
DOCf, oxidation factor
Update of default emission factors for
GHG emissions from biologicaltreatmentThis is recognized as a source of CH4
emissions, but its overall significance isunclear.
It is difficult to develop activity data to
support emission calculation.
Addition or improvement of guidanceon how to deal with the sludge ororganic waste removed fromwastewater treatment process inestimation of GHG emissions fromwastewater treatment, and guidance on
GHG emissions from sludge digestion.
Existing methodology is appropriate.

10

EFDB or FAQ: add good country-specificexamples for data collection
EFDB: add newly available data
FAQ: add discussion that there is a range
associated with default data, and referreporters to EFDBEFDB: add newly available data, taking
into account potential for emissions fromdigestate storage, to determine
significance of emissions.
FAQ: add further discussion aboutmechanical biological treatment.
EFDB: add newly available data.
FAQ: add discussion of new technologies,
such as gasification, pyrolysis, and plasma
technology.
EFDB: add data to evaluate this as a newsource.
FAQ: discuss/highlight potential source

FAQ: provide examples for handling ofsludge/organic waste in multiple pathways
through the treatment system, including
sludge digestion. Also, provide examples
of conversions of biogas to units used inenergy sector.

Table 4: Cross-sectoral issues for further consideration at an expert meeting on cross-sectoral issues
Category

Type of refinement and explanation of issue

Precursors andIndirect
Emissions

Clearer guidance for the calculation of indirect CO2
emissions with regard to:- which sources should be included in the calculation ofindirect CO2. (E.g. it is not clear whether indirect CO2
should be calculated based on biomass fuels or otherbiogenic sources or CH4 and NMVOC such as entericfermentation, manure management and landfills.)-

Approaches toData Collection

whether indirect CO2 emissions are already covered byassumptions or not in the methods and default
parameters provided in the sectoral methodologicalguidance in the 2006 IPCC Guidelines (Vol. 2-5).

Development of guidance on the integration of GHG
emissions reported from industrial facilities into national
GHG inventories- After the 2006 IPCC Guidelines were developed, many
countries started obtaining GHG emission reports fromindustrial facilities within their jurisdiction (e.g. EUETS). Based on the experiences gained by suchcountries, new guidance may be developed tosupplement the 2006 IPCC Guidelines on how the datareported from facilities can be used in national GHG
inventories.
-

Suggested possible way(s)of refinement
FAQ: provide explanation ofterminology
Technical bulletin: provide
clearer guidance

Improve user-friendliness of
website (Short term)
Methodology Report (Longterm)- The contents of existingmeeting report andtechnical bulletin may beincorporated into a new
Methodology Report.

This subject was discussed at two expert meetings the Expert Meeting on Use of Models andMeasurements in GHG Inventories in Sydney, Australia(August 2010) and the Expert Meeting on the Use of
Facility and Project Information in National GHG
Inventories in Wellington, New Zealand (July 2011).

Approaches toData Collection

Enhancement of support to inventory compilers in order tofacilitate their data collection

Other

Addressing emerging issues (and need to communicate
them to the research community)

Other

Better dissemination of information produced.
It is important to ensure that inventory compilers and othertargeted users are aware of, and have access to, the IPCCTFI Products (in whatever format).

11

Explore collaboration with the
UN Statistical Division andother organization’s efforts(e.g., International Solid Waste
Association, OECD Library, 3R
Knowledge Hub, FAO
AQUASTAT)
Expert meetings: address
topics that are emerging andtechnology assessments for
supplementary guidance
EFDB: add newly available
data
No specific recommendation at
this stage