| The Climate Registry | Frequently Asked Questions | Principles and Goals | Press Releases |
Climate Registry Frequently Asked Questions
- What is The Climate Registry?
- Who can be members of The Climate Registry?
- Who will report to The Climate Registry?
- Why is The Climate Registry important?
- Why do businesses support The Climate Registry?
- Why do environmentalists support The Climate Registry?
- How will The Climate Registry fit into future national or international schemes?
- How will The Climate Registry support greenhouse gas reduction programs?
- Does a Registry like The Climate Registry already exist?
- How will The Climate Registry be funded?
- How might existing state or regional emissions programs work with The Climate Registry?
- Where will The Climate Registry be located? How will it be staffed?
- When will The Climate Registry be operational?
1. What is The Climate Registry?
The Climate Registry is a tool to measure, track, verify and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions accurately, transparently and consistently across industry sectors and state borders. It will also help track allocations and reductions for state regulatory programs.
The Climate Registry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Directors made up of state and tribal representatives. Governors and Environmental Secretaries from member states and tribes joined the organization by signing on to a Statement of Principles and Goals and designating a representative to the organization’s Board of Directors.
2. Who can be members of The Climate Registry?
States and tribes that sign an agreement to adopt common GHG reporting standards are welcome to join the Registry at any time. Canadian provinces and Mexican states are also welcome.
3. Who will report to The Climate Registry?
Corporations, state agencies, municipalities, educational institutions and non profit groups are all invited to report under the voluntary program. Various states may also have specific sources and facilities required to report under state regulatory programs. In the future, offset reduction projects are also likely to be reported in The Climate Registry.
4. Why is The Climate Registry important?
- You can’t manage GHGs until you measure them.
- Having common measurement standards and reporting systems for greenhouse gas emissions makes it easier for states/tribes/provinces to work together.
- It saves money for states and reporters. Pooling resources and establishing common standards lowers costs.
- It establishes a high level of integrity in greenhouse gas emissions measuring and reporting.
5. Why do businesses support The Climate Registry?
Common reporting standards allow businesses to follow the same rules in all states. This reduces the cost of reporting and better manages risk.
6. Why do environmentalists support The Climate Registry?
Its reporting standards have high integrity.
7. How will The Climate Registry fit into future national or international schemes?
The Climate Registry is designed to serve state needs, not replace a federal program. States recognize that national GHG policies will be adopted in the future. The GHG data collection and measurement in the Registry has the high quality national and international programs will demand. It may well serve as a reporting conduit for national programs. And, when national programs are adopted, states and tribes will continue to want to know the GHG sources within their own states.
8. How will The Climate Registry support greenhouse gas reduction programs?
States and tribes will implement various GHG reporting and reduction programs, and The Climate Registry and its protocols are tools to help measure and report those reductions accurately and consistently.
9. Does a Registry like The Climate Registry already exist?
The California Climate Action Registry has successfully operated a voluntary greenhouse gas registry since 2001 with over 240 members that comprise leading multi-national corporations, state agencies, municipalities, educational institutions and environmental non-profits. The California Registry has certified over 320 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions (roughly the annual emissions of Brazil).
10. How will The Climate Registry be funded?
Initial funding and in-kind support will be provided by foundations and a number of the participating states, although there is no specific obligation for state funding. Voluntary reporters will pay fees.
11. How might existing state or regional emissions programs work with The Climate Registry
They will work to incorporate the minimum quantification standards of The Climate Registry into their programs.
12. Where will The Climate Registry be located? How will it be staffed?
The Climate Registry was incorporated in Washington, D.C. in March 2007. It is anticipated that there will be several regional offices throughout the country. Initially, the California Climate Action Registry will provide administrative and reporting infrastructure support. NESCAUM will also be part of starting up the new Registry, and it is likely that LADCO, WRAP and other associations of states will assist too.
13. When will The Climate Registry be operational?
The Climate Registry will begin accepting data in January 2008.
