A new phrase has emerged to describe the effectiveness of changes imposed on facilities which emit greenhouse gas due to their use of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems or heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Additionality refers to the formula which compares emissions prior to implementation with levels realized after a greenhouse gas reduction project has been implemented.
Additionality metrics are part of a monitoring and verification plan, which is set up when a greenhouse gas reduction project is underway. The metrics explain when and how the plan would be implemented as well as who is responsible for conducting the process. As this is a complicated area, software has been developed by specialists to simplify the procedure.
Many facilities that use refrigerant conduct a project specific assessment to determine additionality. This method evaluates greenhouse gas reduction projects on an individual basis by creating a baseline of emission levels before the project is in place. After the project is implemented, the emission levels are compared to the baseline to determine actual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
A performance standard assessment is used to determine additionality. Such an assessment is assessed for specific industries, like heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system or refrigeration and air conditioning system manufacturers. Measures show performance improvements as compared to existing standards for particular processes or appliances, in so far as they relate to the reduction of greenhouse gas.
When it comes to slowing global climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions, additionality plays a key role in determining the effectiveness of a reduction project. Greenhouse gas offset projects are being conducted across all industry sectors. Some examples are renewable energy efforts, methane capture and recovery in landfills, and reforestation.
For businesses, it is important from an accounting standpoint to show the benefits of a greenhouse gas reduction program. In order for it to be a true emissions reduction, additionality criteria must be met. Ongoing monitoring and verification are key components to ensure actual reductions are real and have long-term sustainability. For facilities developing methods to reduce their use of refrigerant gas, automation of monitoring and tracking exists through software and web based applications developed by software providers who specialize in this area.
The permanency of a gas reduction project is an essential part of an additionality equation. At the same time, risk factors must be assessed, issue of leakage addressed and monitoring and verification systems maintained to ensure proper accounting.
There is much discussion in the U.S. and other foreign countries as to whether funding should be made available to companies to enact programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, a benchmarking system and protocols for certain industry sectors are under development. Determination of funding would rely on additionality to show how the project goes well beyond business as usual improvements. For example, if a project would have occurred anyway as part of a business improvement, then funding credits would not be awarded.