Observation-based estimates of emissions are required by multiple stakeholders and at multiple scales to aid bottom-up emission estimates and identify gaps in existing reporting. These estimates are performed at different scales for a variety of applications: the continental scale for science purposes, country-scale for reporting to the UNFCCC, subnational scale (including states, regions, cities and other types of intermediate local governments) for planning, and point sources for direct monitoring of for instance large power plants. This workshop focused on the reporting and verification needs at sub-national scale and the potential role the future Copernicus anthropogenic CO2 emissions Monitoring and Verification Support (CO2MVS) capacity can play to support these needs.
The main purpose of this workshop was to engage sub-national entities and other local stakeholders in the process of product development of the new CO2MVS capacity. Many local and regional governments integrate and report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventories to set reduction targets, design mitigation plans, and track progress during and post-implementation. The European Union’s Horizon 2020 project, CoCO2, in partnership with ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, is engaging with these groups.
The workshop aimed to identify gaps in existing reporting that are amenable to improvement through the Copernicus CO2MVS capacity. The outcome of the workshop will help defining a list of potential service products that the Copernicus service could provide to local governments. A second workshop later in the CoCO2 project will aim at a wider audience and improved and further definition of products.