Intro to GHG Accounting

This module is suited for professionals and students in environmental science, sustainability, policymakers, educators, NGO workers, and individuals seeking to reduce their GHG emission footprint.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Prepare a goal and scope statement for a GHG inventory of an organisation or process;
2. Organise and manipulate data sources to build a database for GHG inventory in order to undertake a GHG emission analysis of an organisation or process;
3. Qualitatively assess uncertainty associated with the GHG inventory;
4. Communicate GHG inventory/emission findings using ISO standard written reporting.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to ISO 14064 family and integration between parts 1, 2 and 3 of ISO 14064; the goal and scope; strategies for data collation; calculation of CO2-e values for all GHGs to express climate change implications; interpretation of results; and example applications.

Participants will develop skills in data collection, GHG accounting, and deterministic modelling, enabling them to design interactive models for GHG quantification, inventory management, and informed decision-making.

Student effort hours:

50 hr Specified Learning Activities 

30 hr Autonomous Student Learning

24 hr Lectures 

8hr Tutorial

Total 112 hrs

Applicants must hold a NFQ Level 8 honours degree (or international equivalence) in a relevant subject or >5 years relevant professional experience.

Learning Recommendations:

• Experience using Excel or similar spreadsheet software
• Some knowledge of system modelling
• Search strategies
• Some knowledge of construction materials, agriculture, food, and energy systems

Assignment (Including Essay):

Assignment 1: Goal, Scope, and the Functional Unit of GHG Accounting for Selected Organisation; Week 3; (20% of overall grade)

Individual Project:
Assignment 2: Data inventory (Excel file and a synthesis report), including all assumptions made; Week 6; (20%) Individual Project: Self- explanatory Spreadsheet submission: A deterministic model; Week 9; (30%)

Assignment (Including Essay):

Report on GHG inventory assessment in ISO format reporting on results and interpretation; Week 12; (30%)

Feedback Strategy/Strategies:

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Students will complete elements of the project throughout the Trimester and receive feedback on each component (post-assessment). In addition, feedback will be given during tutorials (online).

Sustainability implementation micro-credentials, other UCD micro-credentials addressing sustainability. 

On successful completion of this micro-credential, you will receive credits as per the European Credit and Transfer System. These credits are recognised by the awarding institution as credits aligned to learning completed at undergraduate level.

If you have any questions about this micro-credential, or would like to speak to a UCD staff member, please contact (opens in a new window)microcredentials@ucd.ie.