China Conference Report

Last Updated (Monday, 07 December 2009 18:41)

Executive Summary

The China Conference on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data Management in Energy Intensive Industries and the Power Sector took place in Beijing, China, on 12th and 13th October 2009. Over 120 participants discussed their experience and perspectives regarding the importance of measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) to achieving credible emissions reductions.

Six separate sessions were held at the conference, each one involving expert presentations followed by a panel discussion:

• Plenary One, Energy and Carbon Data Management, in which government experts from countries around the world shared their experience on GHG emissions data management in energy intensive industries and the power sector.
• Plenary Two, Monitoring Capability, examined what minimum MRV requirements are needed to ensure accuracy.
• Plenary Three, Reporting Capability, examined compliance and voluntary reporting and how to ensure credibility in reported data while safeguarding integrity and confidentially concerns.
• Plenary Four, Verification Capability, examined experience with third-party verification and its comparison with internal verifications, inspections and controls.
• Plenary Five, Carbon Accounting and Registry in China, examined from China’s perspective what it is doing on carbon accounting and registry.
• Plenary Six, MRV Needs for a Developing Carbon Market, examined possible scenarios for the future of the carbon market and what that means for MRV, including in terms of costs.

Overall, the following key points were made during the conference:

• China is working with countries and organizations around the world to share lessons and avoid mistakes as it develops its own MRV but it still faces many great challenges. These relate to its complex industrial make-up and level of development which makes the collection, management and calculation of GHG data tremendously difficult.
• Government leadership is critical in setting clear direction for industry to follow. More specifically this includes the provision of legislation that reduces uncertainties, guidelines and capacity building to assist industry, as well as a system of rewards and penalties to ensure accurate and trustworthy data is provided.
• Centralized data management systems enable good data flow and analysis, and can provide opportunities for automated quality checks, benchmarking as well as provide important information for target setting.
• Whilst the need for third-party verification was shown to be different within different MRV programs depending on what the data was for, verification was shown to have important benefits not only to improve the quality and reliability of data, but also to help more effectively link energy and material costs with reduced emissions.
• The use of international standards and methodologies is important as it enables greater cooperation, accountability and trust to develop between countries as well as within carbon markets.