1. Priority areas in establishing and enhancing collaboration between GHG inventories and statistics
Riitta Pipatti
UNECE Conference of European Statisticians
Expert Forum for producers and users of climate change related statistics
2-3 September 2015, Geneva, Switzerland

2. Contents
Use of statistical information in greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories
current status and challenges in use of statistics in developed countries
Challenges and how to overcome them
Finnish experiences as examples – in Finland the statistics office responsible for the GHG inventory
The future after Paris – potential changes with respect to greenhouse gas inventories and how statistical offices could help in meeting future reporting requirements
Priorities in establishing and enhancing collaboration between GHG inventories and statistics
13 November 2018
Riitta Pipatti

3. GHG inventory reporting – key sectors
Five sectors: (1) Energy, (2) Industrial Processes and product use (IPPU), (3) Agriculture, (4) Land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) and (5) Waste
Greenhouse gases: CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs and NF3
Energy the most important sector and CO2 from combustion the most significant source (commonly from 70 up to 90 per cent of annual national emissions without the LULUCF sector)
Industrial sources and agriculture also significant – shares of national emissions vary, in developing countries role of agricultural emissions often more significant than in developed countries
Waste accounts for 2 to 4 per cent of national emissions on average
13 November 2018
Riitta Pipatti

4. Greenhouse Gas Inventories – key sectors
Land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) – a sink in the order of 10 per cent of national emissions in developed countries but large differences by country;
Sink or source – shares can vary from almost zero to more than 50 per cent of the national emissions
On average the sink has increased but also this differs much from country to country
The estimates in the LULUCF sector are more uncertain than national total emissions on average and have changed much over time
=> Energy and agriculture important for almost all – in these areas official statistics cover the needs of GHG inventories well, especially energy statistics
13 November 2018
Riitta Pipatti

5. Sources of activity data in inventories
Activity data come mainly from statistics and administrative registries (e.g. in Finland the registry with data based on environmental permits)
For energy production and industrial processes, EU emission trading data also an important data source in Europe
Agriculture – some activity data for estimating emissions calculated based on available data such feed data, etc.
LULUCF – activity data comes from national forest inventories and remote sensing, but also harvest and other statistics
In Finland activity data are seldom collected solely for the purpose of the GHG inventory:
Data for F gases (PFCs, HFCs and SF6) from queries to users
The national forest inventory has been improved to take GHG inventory needs into account (timing, contents)
Landfill gas recovery data collection resources come from the inventory but the data needed also for other purposes
13 November 2018
Riitta Pipatti

6. Energy statistics and the GHG inventory – case Finland
In Finland, GHG inventory’s energy sector calculations done in close collaboration with energy statistics (both done at Statistics Finland)
Data sources for the GHG inventory: EU ETS data, VAHTI-registry (environmental permits) and additional data collected by energy statistics (queries and data from energy associations)
Common database with energy statistics, but partly parallel processes due to differences in reporting requirements and formats (e.g. only CO2 emissions can be calculated based on basic energy data, GHG inventory needs also technical data to estimate the CH4 and N2O emissions)
GHG inventory – has access to all background information collected for energy statistics, energy statistics have access to data processed by the GHG inventory – good coverage of point sources and QA and verification – mutual benefits
13 November 2018
Riitta Pipatti

7. Energy statistics and the GHG inventory – challenges and how to overcome them
GHG inventory, energy statistics and EU ETS and reporting of air pollutants under UNECE – different and often complicated rules, coverage and classifications
Sharing knowledge and expertise helps to understand differences in ”numbers” and enhances complete reporting and coherence/consistency of published information
In Finland, collaboration achieved through agreements, working groups and other coordinated efforts, the preparation of the GHG inventory at the statistical office and additional benefit
Time and resources needed to build good networks and coordinate work done at several institutions
High level support needed (in Finland agreements for the inventory often agreed at ministerial and general director level; the GHG inventory advisory group enhances information exchange between ministries and expert organisations)
13 November 2018
Riitta Pipatti

8. Energy statistics and the GHG inventory – challenges and how to overcome them
EU GHG monitoring mechanism regulation – requires as a QA/QC and verification measure comparisons by the GHG inventory with energy statistics, air pollutant and EU ETS reporting – large differences need to be explained
UNFCCC – similar comparisons with IEA and FAO data during reviews, also comparison of sectoral (bottom-up) and reference (top-down) approaches a key QA measure for the energy sector in the GHG inventory
Important to know who is responsible for the reporting (contact information)
Early access to data, also relevant detailed background data (e.g. fuel tables) – gives time to explore and understand differences
Energy balance – timetable and contents should take the GHG inventory needs into account
13 November 2018
Riitta Pipatti

9. Statistics and the GHG inventory – challenges and how to overcome them
Confidentiality
Statistical data can be disclosed only if unit data can be protected (data from minimum of 3 units, dominance rules, etc.)
In Finland, the GHG inventory has access to data but cannot disclose all data – in other countires often vice versa, when inventory units may not receive all detailed data they need from the statistical offices
Confidentiality – ensures good quality and completeness of data
Aggregation to hide confidential data in reporting and disclosing during reviews more detailed data without disclosing any information on units is possible
Agreements with industry/companies on disclosure of data essential for transparent reporting sometimes the solution
Problems with access to data – agreements with statistical offices on provision the inventory estimates at a level were data can be disclosed - common in many countries
13 November 2018
Riitta Pipatti

10. Future – Paris agreement
Climate negotiations aim for a comprehensive agreement in Paris in November-December this year
INDC – indicative nationally determined contributions
Parties with commitments/contributions to provide data on their emissions and progress towards the targets
Developing countries – national GHG inventories every second year?
Capacity building - statistical offices could play a key role in improving access to activity data
National collaboration: GHG inventory and statistical offices
Collaboration with the UNFCCC (national inventory arrangements) and the IPCC (guidance on how to improve activity data collections, improving statistics to meet the needs of developing countries – contents, priorities)
13 November 2018
Riitta Pipatti

11. Priorities in establishing and enhancing collaboration between GHG inventories and statistics
UN and EU level – enhance collaboration with the bodies responsible of statistics and UNFCCC and IPCC
Improvement of statistical guidelines/regulations to take into account also the needs of GHG inventories
Long-term – IPCC and UNFCCC could develop inventory requirements and guidelines in a way that takes better into account what statistical data which is already collected (2006 IPCC GlS work already towards this – energy sector classifications almost equal to industrial branch classifications)
National level – establish and enhance contacts between national statistical offices and the GHG inventory
Statistical offices should a formalised role in the GHG inventory preparation
Support for the collaboration needed at sufficient high level
13 November 2018
Riitta Pipatti

12. Thank you!
13 November 2018
Etunimi Sukunimi