Emissions Measurement & Verification Flashcards

Which quality assurance test compares a CEMS against an independent reference method to confirm its accuracy?

Answer: Relative accuracy test audit (RATA)

A RATA compares CEMS readings to simultaneous reference method measurements to determine relative accuracy.

When combining uncorrelated uncertainties of emission sources that are added together, which approach does the IPCC recommend?

Answer: Square root of the sum of the squared absolute uncertainties

IPCC error propagation for addition combines uncorrelated absolute uncertainties by root-sum-of-squares.

How should a company report CO2 emitted from combusting wood biomass under the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard?

Answer: Separately, outside the scopes

Direct biogenic CO2 from combustion is reported separately from the scopes, while CH4 and N2O from it remain in Scope 1.

A verifier traces a sample of fuel invoices to the facility's emissions spreadsheet; what type of procedure is this?

Answer: Substantive testing of source data

Checking reported data against underlying source documents is a substantive test of detail.

What does the GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance require companies with market-based instruments in their operating markets to do?

Answer: Report both location-based and market-based Scope 2 totals

Dual reporting of location-based and market-based figures is required where contractual instruments are available.

In audit risk terms, which risk component can a carbon verifier directly control through the design of its procedures?

Answer: Detection risk

Detection risk depends on the verifier's procedures, whereas inherent and control risk belong to the reporting entity.

In US GHG calculations, natural gas emission factors such as EPA's 53.06 kg CO2/MMBtu are usually expressed on which energy basis?

Answer: Higher heating value

EPA emission factors and fuel heat content in the US are typically based on higher heating value.