multiplying activity data from a given project, by its emission factor, the quantity of greenhouse gases produced per unit of energy (CCAR et al., 2010, 40). This can be done using a formula such as the one below (CCAR et al., 2010, 42).

# _CO2 emissions (MTCO2) = electricity use (MWh) x emission factor (MTCO2/MWh)_

The CURB (Climate Action for Urban Sustainability) tool enables local governments to analyze the impacts of different interventions designed to reduce local GHG emissions, improve air quality, and cut local energy demand. The software‐based tool, developed by the World Bank in collaboration with the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and AECOM, allows local governments with emissions inventories to forecast how their city’s emissions will change over time; compare their energy and emissions performance to peer cities; explore which actions can help the municipality achieve its reduction targets in a cost effective manner; and access other information germane to the development of a climate action plan.

Existing tools, however, may not contain parameters amenable to a particular proposed project. The Climate Registry’s protocol stipulates that, in the absence of data for a given piece of infrastructure, energy use should be estimated based on another infrastructure asset of similar size and use (CCAR et al., 2010, 44). For example, if a municipality has energy data from an existing hospital, that data can be used to estimate the probable energy use of a new hospital, given that it is of similar size and energy requirements. If no such data exists, there are tools that give rough estimates of energy use for different types of building uses per location (e.g., IFC’s EDGE tool). Again, multiplying energy data by the appropriate emission factor yields the greenhouse gas output of the asset. This information can be fed directly into the capital investment plan.

Even if a tool or calculator does not already exist, the specifications of the technologies incorporated in the design of the projects may be used to generate rough forecasts of emissions from future investments. Estimates can also be generated by comparing the energy‐related features (i.e., energy generated and/or consumed) of common infrastructure technologies to one another (e.g., steam compared to combined combustion and steam natural gas turbines, fluorescent compared to LED streetlights). Though greenhouse gases occur in several forms, it is common to discuss the emissions of gases in terms of the equivalent measure of carbon dioxide they would create (CO2e, or “carbon”). If the emissions are in a form of gas other than carbon (i.e., methane gas), a ratio can also be applied to convert the form of emission to carbon equivalent. The information necessary to generate these rough forecasts would include the type of project, scale of project, sources fuel and technology used to generate energy, and technologies incorporated in the project that consume or conserve energy. Thus, if proposals for investments could describe the features of the project relevant to energy generation and consumption, this information could be used to estimate future emissions, in carbon equivalent, from the operation of the facility.

If emissions for any given infrastructure project are already estimated in the capital investment plan prior to the beginning of operations, that information can then be incorporated into the local government’s next greenhouse gas inventory. Before this can happen, actual energy use should be Page | 19