The Climate Action Planning Tool is a step by step calculator to find the impact of various technologies to an overall action plan. The target of the tool is research campuses. This tool was developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This tool is a starting point to see potential savings for greenhouse gas technologies. The tool involves four steps:

1. Gather baseline energy consumption data
2. Enter baseline data into the calculator
3. Set and adjust emissions and technology options goals
4. Generate a report

Inputs

Inputs are collected in a baseline energy consumption data sheet. Data includes:

1. Scope 1: Emissions (direct combustion) in units of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent
   • Gas
   • Oil
   • Coal
   • Fleet
2. Scope 2: Indirect Emissions (purchased power) in megawatt hours and pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt hour.
   • Vendor
3. Scope 3: Other Indirect Emissions (transportation) in tones of carbon dioxide equivalent
   • Commuters
   • Business Travel
4. Growth Rates – this is measured in percent growth per year
   • Buildings
   • Commuter
5. Set overall carbon dioxide reduction goal
   • This is in percent reduction over forty years. A 100% reduction means the research campus will have no greenhouse gas emissions in 40 years.
6. Individual goals for a range of technologies are listed next. The inputs for these categories are in percent reduction to achieve the final goal. Technologies include:
   • People and Policy
   • Buildings
   • Transportation
   • Energy Sources
   • Renewable Energy
   • Carbon Offsets and Certificates

Outputs

A summary report is generated after calculating possible reductions. The input baseline data is set, with information displaying business as usual. A brief summary of technology option sis also listed with a wedge chart displaying the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

View the Climate Action Planning Tool.