ESP CSR helps provide a wide range of assurances to help authenticate the accuracy of GHG inventory methodologies and reporting.

The below is a detailed overview of how CSR improves your assurances: 

Processes: 

Processes sit at the highest level of data collection within CSR and maps out the information that will be sent to the Data Suppliers, Data Uploaders and Data Overseers

Processes provide complete oversight of:

  • The data collection methodology.
  • Any calculations or assumptions made when collecting data.
  • Who is responsible for sourcing and supplying the data file (The Data Source Owner (DSO)).
  • Who is responsible for uploading the file into ESP CSR (The DSO or Data Submitter (DS)).
  • Who is responsible for verifying the data is accurate (The Data Overseer (DO)).

Tasks: 

Tasks sit within a process and map out the data collection periods within the system, i.e., data collection for a process may be required quarterly so a task would be set up for each quarter, e.g., 3 months starting July 1st, 3 months starting Oct 1st etc. 

The DSO, DS and DO responsible for each task will have a task start/notification date and task due date notifying them when the data is due and should be in the system.

Instructions for completing the task are also sent during this stage. These instructions contain the data collection methodology and any other required information needed for ensuring the correct data is captured accurately. 

Tasks also help ensure the data being collected into the system is verified as it must past several stages of checks during the task process.

The below steps outline the verification process:

  1. The DSO supplies the data.
  2. The DS or DSO uploads the data into CSR AND is able to add any relevant commentary, documents or notes during the file upload and quarantine process.
    The system will notify the user if there is an issue with the data file being uploaded into CSR.
    After the DS/DSO uploads the file into the system, the data is quarantined for the DO to verify. 
    The file uploaded into the system is also attached to the task. Each file upload is given a batch ID by the system, allowing all transactions to be tracked within the system against each task.
  3. The DO then checks to ensure the data is correct and there are no anomalies by:
    - Checking the data in the system against the file uploaded into the system.
    - Comparing the data being uploaded for this task against historical data provided on the page.
    - Looking at all the additional evidence provided by the DS/DSO as necessary.
  4. The DO then adds final commentary and documentation on the data during the Quarantine step before approving the data source.
  5. If the DO is unhappy with the data, they can decline the data. The system then notifies the DSO or DS of selected that there was an issue, and the above process must be repeated or more information must be provided before the data is considered accurate and complete.

This allows for easy tracking of data uploaded into the system and provides assurances that each data set for each inventory within CSR is accurate and complete.

An entire history of all user and system actions performed against each task is also recorded in the system. This includes actions such as: data uploaded into the system, who uploaded it, who accepted it, notifications and instructions sent regarding data collection methods, notes made by the data source owners and data overseers etc.

The associated locations and Inventory also contain a complete history of all user and system actions made against them, allowing for complete oversight and auditability of any changes (including data changes) made against the Inventory.

Emission Factors

ESP CSR also tracks the emission factors used in the system against every inventory item in the system

Emission factors contained within CSR contain the emission factors:

  • Source.
  • Description of the resource used.
  • the emission factor (in t CO2 e).
  • The gas breakdown provided.

This provides assurances that all t CO2e is calculated accurately. 

Things to Note:

  • CSR provides a complete oversight of everyone responsible in the data collection process.
  • CSR maps out the entire data collection methodology allowing for easy tracking of data collection tasks.
  • Tasks ensure that inventory data sets are completed within the system and no gaps exist during reporting.
  • Data goes through a rigorous data verification check ensuring the quality and completeness of the data uploaded into CSR.
  • A complete history of all user and system actions within the system is recorded, from the processes and tasks to individual inventory allowing for complete oversight within CSR.