Criterion A.8 - Calculation of result uncertainty

The Bilan Carbone® method notes that the physical approach using activity data and emission factors has imperfect accuracy. Nevertheless, the primary objective of an uncertainty calculation is to raise users' awareness of the uncertainty inherent in greenhouse gas emission assessments — that is, what level of confidence can be placed in them — while identifying priorities for improving data quality.

It will be assessed here whether the tool enables calculation of the uncertainty of results for each emission source, allowing its users to identify levers for reducing that uncertainty.

It will be valued if the tool facilitates this uncertainty analysis with a view to continuous improvement. For example, an appropriate display could allow for the interpretation of uncertainty results, which are not always straightforward to read and use.

Criterion

Mandatory	Criterion A.8 - Calculation of result uncertainty
Question	Does the candidate tool allow the calculation of uncertainty for each emission source in an assessment, based on the uncertainties of emission factors and activity data?
Answer	Yes, in a qualitative manner (overall or detailed) for activity data and emission factors, enabling facilitated analysis of results Yes, in a qualitative manner (overall) for activity data and emission factors, enabling facilitated analysis of results Yes, in a qualitative manner (overall) for activity data and emission factors, with results displayed through an export of assessment data No
Implementation guidance	Verify that the tool allows uncertainty input for activity data using a qualitative approach, and whether it is overall (a single indicator) or detailed (five characteristics). Verify that the tool incorporates uncertainty values for all emission factors used. Verify that the tool allows modification of uncertainties related to emission factors. Verify that the tool offers displays or exports enabling analysis of uncertainty results, using a quantitative or qualitative approach. Check whether, for major emission categories with high uncertainty, the candidate tool correctly identifies a need to reduce that uncertainty.