Climate Solutions Metrics Garden
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Climate Solutions Metrics Garden

Goal: To provide Climate Solutions grantees with options for how to measure what matters and attest to their impact in order to: 1. Assist with the review process; 2. Attract more funding for the Climate Solutions round as well as the individual climate projects. Each project is unique in their impact, technical knowledge, ability to pay gas fees, etc. and so we refrain from being prescriptive; instead, we offer a set of options whereby the grantee can pick the best metrics that showcase their impact. See also Impact Measurement Tools for Climate Solutions Grantees for information on tools such as Hypercerts, KarmaGAP and Deresy. This CCN Metrics Garden is modeled on the OP Metrics Garden originally designed by @LauNaMu.eth
Metric NameCategoryMetric StrengthWhat & WhyData
Renewable Energy
Medium

Decrease in GHG emissions is a key metric for the CS Round

• 1 litre of kerosene burnt = 2.5 kg of CO2 • 357 liters of kerosene burnt = 1 tonne of CO2 • Average household* 10 litres burnt/month = 120 litres/year • 3 households = 1 tonne of CO2

Renewable Energy
Medium

Decrease in GHG emissions is a key metric for the CS Round

99 gallons of diesel fuel produces 1 tonne of GHG emissions

Renewable Energy
High

Replacement of what fuel type or new energy that will displace future emissions

GHG emissions dependent on size of projects and what type of energy (present or future) they are replacing

Renewable Energy
High

It takes approximately 2.396 megawatt-hours (MWh) of solar energy generation to displace 1 ton of GHG emissions, assuming the average carbon intensity of electricity generation

CommunityRenewable Energy
Low

GHG emissions reduced if replacing fossil fuel systems. Future GHG emissions avoided if this is the base starting point

In order to save 1 ton of GHGs, 769 cell phones would need to be charged with solar instead of fossil fuels for a year

CommunityRenewable Energy
Low

The overall worth in terms of GHG emissions avoidance would be a combination of direct reductions from the work that the trained individuals do, indirect reductions from behavior changes, and the reductions associated with using solar power instead of fossil fuels for the operation of the community center.

GHG emissions reduced if replacing fossil fuel systems. Future GHG emissions avoided if this is the base starting point

CommunityRenewable Energy
Low

GHG emissions reduced if replacing fossil fuel systems. Future GHG emissions avoided if this is the base starting point

CommunityRenewable Energy
Low

GHG emissions reduced if replacing fossil fuel systems. Future GHG emissions avoided if this is the base starting point

CommunityRenewable Energy
Medium

GHG emissions reduced if replacing fossil fuel systems. Future GHG emissions avoided if this is the base starting point

Community Center and school GHG emissions could run from 1 ton for basic lighting and power to 90 tons or more for heating/cooling and lighting depending on location and necessity

Renewable Energy
High

This is equal to 1 REC (1,000 kilowatt hours)

Approximately 2.396 megawatt-hours (MWh) of solar energy generation to displace 1 ton of GHG emissions, assuming the average carbon intensity of electricity generation

Renewable EnergyBuilt Environment
Medium

This includes electric heat/hot water if it is powered by coal plants rather than renewables

Average GHG emissions for single family homes: • North America – 6 – 11 tons • EU - 3 – 6 tons • UK – 2 -4 tons • Australia – 10 – 13 tons • China - 4- 6 tons • India - 2- 4 tons • Africa – 0 - 4 tons

Built Environment
Medium

Embodied Carbon arises from the manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal of building materials. Key materials that contribute to embodied carbon include steel, cement, glass, and aluminum, among others.

For a conventional single-family home, the embodied carbon emissions are typically in the range of 50 to 80 metric tons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e).

Renewable Energy
Medium

This includes electric heat/hot water if it is powered by coal plants rather than renewables

GHG emissions for commercial buildings depend entirely upon industry and size and could range from 1 or 2 tons for a small store to several thousands tons for a large manufacturing operation

Regen Ag
Medium

Much of the problem with cows in particular comes from their feed which causes methane burping. Studies have shown that additives can make a huge difference. For example - adding 1% of seaweed to feed can reduce cow methane emissions 70%

1 ton of GHG emissions/year is produced by: • 11 Cows or 200 pigs or 350 chickens

Waste
Low

Approximately 8.89 metric tons of plastic would need to be diverted to mitigate 1 metric ton of CO2e emissions.

Regen Ag
Medium

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agricultural activities primarily result from nitrogen fertilizer use and manure management practices. These emissions are a significant driver of climate change.

Agricultural operations avert various amounts of N2O emissions by: • Optimized fertilizer use • Manure management 1. Composting, anaerobic digestion, or covered storage 2. Optimized animal diets • Using cover crops and crop rotation • No-till or reduced tillage • Integrating trees and agroforestry to improve soil structure

Regen Ag
Medium

Regenerative agriculture practices can sequester on average around 0.4 to 1.2 metric tons of carbon per acre per year

Renewable Energy
High

One 1.5 MW turbine could replace the fossil fuel energy of: • 479 houses in the US • 4,380 houses in India One 5 MW turbine could replace the fossil fuel energy of: • 1,437 houses in the US • 13,140 houses in India

GHG emissions/year averted by adding 1 turbine to replace fossil fuel energy : • Coal-fired electricity ◦ 5 MW Wind Turbine: ▪ 5,359.12 metric tons CO2 averted ◦ 5 MW Wind Turbine ▪ 15,767metric tons CO2 averted ◦ Gas-fired electricity ▪ 5 MW Wind Turbine: • 2,365.2 metric tons CO2 averted ▪ 5 MW Wind Turbine • 7,2 metric tons CO2 averted

Energy efficiency
Low

Replacing one appliance makes a very small dent in the overall picture when it comes to GHG emissions however, just like voting, it’s all about how many appliances you replace.

Close to 1 metric ton less of GHG emissions/year would be emitted by upgrading approximately: • 10 refrigerators • 1 washer and dryer set • 25 to 30 dishwashers • 3 - 5 ovens/stoves

Transportation
High

Reductions in GHG emissions are dependent on where the electricity is coming from. Coal still plays a major role in many countries including China, India, Australia, US, Indonesia, Russian and Japan. Countries that generate most of their electricity from renewables include: • Iceland 100% • Costa Rica 99% • Uruguay 98% • Norway 97% • New Zealand 84% • Denmark 81% • Canada 68% • Sweden 68% • Portugal 61%

• EVs – 0 tonnes of GHGs/year • Hybrids – 2 tonnes of GHGs/year • Regular cars – 4.6 tonnes of GHGs/year • SUVs – 6.5 tonnes of GHGs/year

Transportation
Medium

The actual reduction in GHG emissions would depend on the specific details of the ICE vehicles and the public transportation system. Calculations need to be adjusted based on local data, including the fuel type and/or source of electricity for electric trains/buses, to get a truly accurate estimate.

If one bus replaces 30 ICE cars: - Total car emissions: 30 cars * 4.6 metric tons/year = 138 metric tons/year - Bus emissions (assuming high occupancy and similar mileage): 19.19 metric tons of CO2 per year Total emissions difference is approximately 118.81 metric tons

Regen forestryNature based solutions
Medium

Carbon sequestration potential of newly planted forests (in metric tons) Growth rates, survival rates, sequestration of specific species

Dependent on species - ongoing calculations on specific GHG sequestration rates by type in various area of the world

Regen AgRegen forestry
Medium

Regen forestryNature based solutions
Medium

The amount of (GHG) emissions that old growth and 2nd growth forests can sequester can vary depending on various factors such as climate, soil conditions, species composition, and forest management practices. Protecting forests across different continents is a crucial piece of the puzzle for mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon and helping to offset GHG emissions.

South America: • Old Growth Forests 3 to 7 metric tons (CO2e)/acre/year. • 2nd Growth Forests: 1 to 3 metric tons of CO2e/acre/ year. North America: • Old Growth Forests 2 to 4 metric tons (CO2e)/acre/year. • 2nd Growth Forests: 1 to 3 metric tons of CO2e/acre/ year. Asia/Africa: • Old Growth Forests 1.5 to 3.5 metric tons (CO2e)/acre/year. • 2nd Growth Forests: 1 to 2.5 metric tons of CO2e/acre/ year. Europe: • Old Growth Forests 1.5 to 3 metric tons (CO2e)/acre/year. • 2nd Growth Forests: 1 to 2 metric tons of CO2e/acre/ year.

Nature based solutionscarbon sequestration
High

Mangroves sequester CO2 at a rate of 2-4 metric tons of CO2 per hectare per year. The total carbon stock (carbon already sequestered) in mangrove forests can range from 200 to over 1,000 metric tons of carbon per hectare (t C/ha) when considering both above-ground and below-ground biomass. While the above-ground biomass is easier to measure, the majority of the carbon in mangrove ecosystems is often stored in the anoxic (oxygen-free) soils beneath them, which can preserve carbon-rich organic materials for millennia.

Nature based solutionscarbon sequestration
High

• Coastal vegetated habitats (seagrass for example) can sequester between 2 to 4.5 metric tons of carbon per hectare per year. • Kelp forests can capture 3.6 metric tons of carbon per hectare during a typical growing season. Kelp is one of the fastest growing plants in the world (up to 2 feet/day)

carbon sequestrationNature based solutions
Medium

Oyster reefs can sequester carbon at a rate of approximately 1 metric ton of carbon per acre per year. Mussels and clams have similar rates of carbon sequestration.

Regen AgNature based solutionscarbon sequestration
Medium

By reducing agricultural runoff and mitigating nutrient pollution, it is possible to regulate and optimize the growth of phytoplankton in a way that maximizes carbon sequestration while minimizing harmful algal blooms.

Supply chain
High

Supply chain optimization plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions as it can lead to more efficient operations, reduced waste, and lower energy consumption.

The potential carbon emissions reductions through supply chain optimization can vary depending on the specific strategies implemented and the industry in question however up to 50% of supply chain emissions could potentially be cut through optimization.

CommunityActivismEducation
High

Measuring the impact of community engagement campaigns on climate change involves assessing various indicators through: • Surveys and Feedback • Behavior Change • Individual Carbon Footprint Reduction • Participation Rates • Policy Influence • Awareness and Education • Social Media and Website Analytics

CommunityEducation
Medium

CommunityActivism
Medium

CommunityActivism
High

RegenEducation
Medium

CommunityRenewable EnergyEducation
Medium

Carbon offsetting
Low

Carbon offsetting
Low