Sustainable Waterloo Region and e3 Solutions would like to introduce RCI members to the new Carbon Accounting Tool (CAT 2.0).
CAT 2.0 is the second iteration of the carbon accounting software RCI members have been using for the past two and a half years to quantify GHG emissions, identify trends and reduction areas, and ultimately track reductions. Since the launch of the original Carbon Accounting Tool in June of 2009, we’ve been collecting comments and recommendations on how to improve it. As you browse through CAT 2.0, we’re confident you’ll see how your feedback contributed to its enhanced features.
Logging in, you’ll notice right off the bat increased use of graphics and improved navigation. After a tour, you’ll notice our new reporting features and updated calculations functions.
Here are some of the key features in more detail:
New Reports: We hear more and more from members about how important the excel reports are for understanding their data. This year, we’re happy to announce three new reports to improve the legibility of GHG emissions data. First, members are quickly able to evaluate their progress towards their GHG targets by running the multi-year report which breaks down detailed GHG data by facility over a 10 year period. Second, members are able to compare performances of their facilities with a single click by running the multi-facility report. This report breaks down the inventories of up to 50 individual facilities and compares them back-to-back-to-back. Finally, Members are able to evaluate the successes of their projects against the overall performance of their facilities by running the project report. This report draws from projects added to the new CAT 2.0 project page and contrasts the duration of the projects with overall GHG emissions so you can see the impact of projects on your inventory. More information on these reports, in addition to the older GHG and quality checking reports, can be found win the upcoming weeks in a Report and QA document to be released at our Technical Workshop on December 13.
Graphic Intensity: The new dashboard has more integrated graphic representations of your facilities’ energy data and costs. It allows for a quick overview of the past two years’ of data illustrating comparisons.
Navigation: A menu-driven navigation system has been implemented into CAT 2.0. Instead of old the navigation tree, the new menu makes it easier and quicker to find the pages you’re looking for. It also takes up less space on the screen so you can see more of your information.
RCI Integration: As the services in the Regional Carbon Initiative continue to grow, so does the integration with the CAT. One example is the project page. The page will tie in with our online Directory of Sustainable Initiatives which helps share best practices between members. CAT 2.0 also has automatic e-mail reminders for key tasks (such as energy data uploading). There is also a place to store collective documents which can be shared with RCI members as well. The CAT 2.0 also has one click links to both MemberLink and Sustainable Waterloo Region’s homepage.
Behind the Scenes Information: There are other important but less obvious improvements to the CAT 2.0 including: increased internet browser support, expanded emissions factor library, increased details on individual assets, update GHG calculation methodology.
For an individual tour of the CAT 2.0 please contact me at matthew.day@sustainablewr.ca or come to our next event on Tuesday, December 13 where we’ll be discussing best practices in GHG Reporting.
-Matthew