Methodology

Continuous improvement of the inventory is delivered through a programme of review of inventory data followed by a programme of targeted research. This is possible through maintaining an on-going "live" list of comments, improvements and issues that the inventory team find at any time during the inventory cycle.

In addition, there is a broader programme of activities, which contribute to the identification of improvement options:

  • attendance at technical national and international workshops, conferences and meetings such as the TFEIP/UNFCCC
  • ongoing data collection and inventory compilation
  • ongoing stakeholder consultation
  • assessment of results from the annual uncertainty assessments
  • recommendations from external and internal reviews
  • inconsistencies identified in verification work

The NAEI team also include specific improvement feedback from the wider user community including users of data for modelling and Local Authority review and assessment work.

An improvement list identifying inventory improvement research projects is compiled and prioritised in consultation with BEIS/Defra in April of each year. The improvement list predominantly covers items which could feasibly be undertaken as part of the core inventory improvement work. Additionally, it includes complex, technical research programmes involving in-depth investigation of individual sources (for example through in-situ measurements) that would require different project teams and alternative funding.

For ongoing improvement items that will feed into future submissions, please refer to the National Inventory Report for GHGI improvements, and the Informative Inventory Report for AQPI improvements. These can be found on the Reports page.

EMEP/EEA and the IPCC describe a minimum acceptable level of QA/QC and the UK emissions inventory team aim to exceed these baseline requirements. In addition to the UK’s own GHGI and AQPI specific QA/QC system, through Ricardo Energy & Environment, the Inventory has been subject to ISO 9000 since 1994 and is now subject to ISO 9001:2015. It is audited by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) and the Ricardo Energy & Environment internal QA auditors. The NAEI has been audited favourably by LRQA on five occasions in the last 15 years. The emphasis of these audits was placed on authorisation of personnel to work on inventories, document control, data tracking and spreadsheet checking and project management. As part of the Inventory management structure there is a nominated officer responsible for the QA/QC system – the QA/QC Coordinator. As part of the Ricardo group certification, Ricardo Energy & Environment is currently accredited to ISO 9001:2015. Lloyds Register Quality Assurance carried out a three-yearly recertification audit of Ricardo Energy & Environment which was completed in October 2019. Ricardo Energy & Environment successfully passed the recertification, with no major non-compliances, and a new Ricardo Group certificate was issued in February 2020. Under the Ricardo Group certification Ricardo Energy & Environment is currently certificated both for the Quality Assurance ISO 9001:2015, Environmental Management System ISO 14001: 2015 standards and Health & Safety ISO 4500:2018 standards.

Page last modified: 10 February 2022