Community decarbonisation modelling incorporates three key steps -
The components of your inventory data (activities and emission factors) is loaded for each location and sector, e.g. kWh for the commercial sector, and the associated emission factor.
Each activity is projected based on growth in using a development metric relevant to that sector, e.g. residential electricity is projected using new dwelling growth; commercial waste with new employment growth.
Decarbonisation Interventions can then be modelled against each location, sector, activity and emission factor to calculate expected decarbonisation pathways.
Decarbonisation intervention areas are encoded in the model to modify one of the following:
Modifying an emissions factor
The first way of reducing emissions is to reduce the intensity at which consumption produces emissions by modifying an emissions factor. For example, the roll-out of renewable energy across the electricity grid will see the emissions intensity of electricity come down.
We use this method to model the grid decarbonisation.
Modifying a consumption intensity
The second way of reducing emissions is to reduce consumption or production of a resource or activity, for example, through energy efficiency measures that reduce the amount of gas or electricity needed to power a building.
We use this method to model new building standards, energy efficiency strategies and per-person travel or waste reductions.
Moving consumption from one resource to another
The final way of reducing emissions is to shift resource consumption or production to a less emissions intensive resource, for example, replacing internal combustion engine vehicles with electric vehicles.
We use this method to model electrification, electric vehicle uptake, transport mode shift and the waste diversion interventions.