QUALITY TARGETS
1.4 Short, general description of the methods and data sources used
1.4.1 Greenhouse-gas inventory .1 Data sources
1.4.1.1.1 Energy
Figure 9: Responsibilities and data flows for calculation of greenhouse-gas emissions in the energy sector
The central data sources for determination of activity data for category 1.A are the "Energy
Balances of the Federal Republic of Germany" ("Energiebilanzen der Bundesrepublik
Deutschland"; hereinafter referred to as: Energy Balances), which are published by the Working Group on Energy Balances (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Energiebilanzen – AGEB) and are based
primarily official statistics of the Federal Statistical Öffice. The AGEB receives data on renewable energies, for the Energy Balance, from AGEE-Stat. An Energy Balance provides an overview of the links within Germany's energy sector, and it supports breakdowns in accordance with fuels and categories.
To date, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) has commissioned the AGEB for preparation of Energy Balances throughout the period 2007 – 2020. Under the pertinent three orders issued to date, the AGEB has been contractually required to meet the National System's minimum requirements for quality assurance. Since 2012, the AGEB has prepared a joint quality report for the Energy Balance (cf. Chapter 18.4.1), and an "energy data action plan for inventory improvement" (Aktionsplan Energiedaten Inventarverbesserung; cf.
Chapter 18.4.1.1.1) that sets forth strategies for addressing issues raised in the Inventory Review process. This action plan fulfills the action-plan requirement set forth in Paragraph 39 of the 2011 review report (FCCC/ARR/2011/DEU).
Companies Reporting
Länder Statistical Offices Evaluation Compilation
Federal Office of Economics and Export Control
(BAFA)
National statistics, oil industry
UBA FG V 1.6 Single National Entity Central responsibility for inventories,
planning, quality control and management, and archiving Activity data (AR; 1.B.1, 1.B.2)
Energy Balance
UBA FG III 2.4
Data sources outside of UBA GHG emissions calculation
EF CH4 + N2O 1.A.1 EF CH4+ N2O 1.A.1, 1.A.2, 1.A.4, 1.A.5, EF CH41.B.2.a through c
UBA FG III 2.1 Federal Statistical
Office (DESTATIS)
Compilation of national statistics;
publication
Working Group on Energy Balances
(AGEB e.V.)
Compilation and publication of energy
balances
Compilation and publication of association
statistics Associations
Statistical surveys on special topics
Various ministries
AR: 1.A.1, 1.A.2, 1.A.4, 1.A.5
UBA FG V 1.5
1.B.1.a through c UBA FG III 2.2
Research projects UBA, various
sections UBA FG I 2.2
AR and EF for 1.D.1.a, 1.D.1.b, 1.A.3.a, 1.A.3.b, 1.A.3.c,
1.A.3.d, and for mobile sources in 1.A.4 and 1.A.5
NRW State Initiative Future Energies
1.B UBA DEHSt Transport models
TREMOD, TREMOD-MM & TREMOD-AV,
BSH
The Federal Statistical Office (Statistisches Bundesamt) is the most important data source for determination of activity data and for the preparation of Energy Balances. The resources of that office that are used in inventory preparation include the Fachserien 4 (technical series 4) Reihe (sub-series) 4.1.1, Reihe 6.4, and, for waste data, Fachserie 19. These data are published relatively promptly after collection (about one year), and they are broken down finely in accordance with various areas of the manufacturing sector. To support further data differentiation, and
clarification of details, the Federal Statistical Öffice provides special evaluations.
For the iron and steel sector, as of the 2012 report, data of the Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl German steel industry association are being used. Inter alia, these data replace the so-called
"BGS form" (Fuel, gas and electricity industries of blast furnaces, steelworks and rolling mills;
and forging plants, press works and hammer mills, including the various other plants (without their own coking plants) locally connected to such operations), a section of the "Fachserie 4, Reihe 8.1", publication of which was discontinued as of 31 December 2009.
The series Statistik der Kohlenwirtschaft ("Coal industry statistics"), especially its annual
publication "Der Kohlenbergbau in der Energiewirtschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland" ("Coal mining in the energy sector of the Federal Republic of Germany"), is used as an additional data source. In addition, the special evaluations provided by the Bundesverband Braunkohle (DEBRIV; federal German association of lignite-producing companies and their affiliated organisations) are used for differentiation of the different types of raw lignite coal that are burned. Furthermore, DEBRIV provides the necessary data for calculation of fuel inputs for lignite drying.
Another data source consists of the "Petroleum Data" of the Association of the German Petroleum Industry (MWV), which include data on petroleum production and consumption in Germany, broken down by various production, transformation and utilisation sectors. These statistical data, which are a key basis for the National Energy Balance, are published within just a few months after the relevant survey and are thus a relatively current source.
The quantities of secondary fuels used for energy generation (listed under CRF 1.A.2) are taken from the annual report of the German Pulp and Paper Association (Verband der Papierindustrie) and from reports of the German Cement Works Association (Verband der Zementindustrie – VDZ).
Another important data source is the Emissions Trading System (ETS). It keeps highly detailed, plant-specific data that are also used for the inventory. Emissions trading data is used especially in areas that are not covered by national statistics:
• fuel-related CÖ2 emission factors for stationary combustion systems,
• fuel inputs for natural gas compressors,
• emissions from coke burn-off in catalyst regeneration, and in calcining, in refineries, and
• fugitive emissions in coking plants.
For collection of transport emissions data (1.A.3), Official Mineral-oil Data (amtliche
Mineralo ldaten) of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) and Petroleum Data (Mineralo l-Zahlen) of the Mineralölwirtschaftsverband e.V. Association of the German Petroleum Industry (MWV) e.V. are used, in addition to Energy Balance data.
For air transports, in addition to the aforementioned sources, the following sources for
consumption data are used: The fuel consumption and emissions are broken down in accordance with national and international flights, on the basis of data on real aircraft movements. Those data are collected and made available by the Federal Statistical Öffice, and then they are processed in the TREMÖD AV model, a separate module of the TREMÖD ("Transport Emission
Estimation Model") database. Fuel consumption and emissions are also broken down in accordance with the flight phases L/TÖ cycle (Landing and Take Öff; movements below an elevation of 3,000 feet) and cruise (movements above 3,000 feet); this is also done on the basis of the aircraft-movement data collected by the Federal Statistical Öffice.
Country-specific consumption and emissions data provided by Eurocontrol are used solely for verification purposes.
Road-transport emissions are calculated primarily with the TREMÖD model. For calculations carried out in TREMÖD, extensive basic data from generally accessible statistics and special surveys are used, co-ordinated, and supplemented. A precise description of the data sources for emission factors is provided by the "Handbook of road-traffic emission factors" ("Handbuch Emissionsfaktoren des Straßenverkehrs") (HBEFA, Version 4.1).
TREMÖD is also used for modelling emissions from fuel combustion in railway vehicles and inland waterway vessels. The emissions caused by historic steam railways, via combustion of coal and coke, are calculated outside of TREMÖD, on the basis of operator information.
The specific consumption and emissions of ship transports departing from German seaports are calculated within a model developed by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH).
For this area, the breakdown of fuel consumption and emissions in accordance with domestic and international transports is based on data derived, inter alia, from the ships' AIS messages.
Data on emissions of other mobile sources (in 1.A.4 and 1.A.5.b) are also collected from figures of the Working Group on Energy Balances (AGEB), of the Federal Öffice of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) and of the Association of the German Petroleum Industry (MWV). Military transports (1.A.5.b) have a special status in this regard; the consumption data for such
transports, which as of 1995 are no longer listed in the Energy Balances, are obtained directly from BAFA statistics.
Due to a lack of reliable figures on consumption of biofuels by mobile sources in the
construction, agricultural and forestry sectors, and by the residential and military sectors, the relevant annual quantities are calculated on the basis of the official admixture quotas.
Data for categories of category 1.B.1 are taken from publications of Statistik der
Kohlenwirtschaft e.V. (coal-industry statistics), the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), the DEBRIV Federal German association of lignite-producing companies and their affiliated organisations, Deutsche Montan Technologie GmbH (DMT), the German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology (DGMK) and Interessenverband Grubengas e.V.
(IVG; association for the mine-gas sector).
The publication "Statistik der Kohlenwirtschaft" (coal-industry statistics) is especially important in this context. It is processed with the help of federal and Land (state) ministries, including their authorities (such as supreme state mining authorities), and with use of reports and expert opinions of the "Landesinitiative Zukunftsenergien" NRW ("NRW State Initiative for Future Energies"; here, the AG Grubengas mine-gas working group). Inventory preparation is co-ordinated with the support of the Gesamtverband Steinkohle (Association of the German hard-coal mining industry).
Data for categories in category 1.B.2 are taken from publications of the Federal Statistical Office, the Association of the German Petroleum Industry (MWV), the German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology (DGMK), the Federal association of the natural gas, oil and geothermal energy industry (BVEG), the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW), the Federal association of the German gas and water industry (Bundesverband
der deutschen Gas- und Wasserwirtschaft – BDEW; gas statistics) and the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt).
1.4.1.1.2 Industrial processes
Activity data for the mineral industry are obtained primarily from association statistics. The data for the cement industry (2.A.1) were provided by the German Cement Works Association
(Verband der Zementindustrie – VDZ), especially by that association's research institute, as well as by the Federal association of the German cement industry (Bundesverband der Deutschen Zementindustrie e.V. – BDZ). For the most part, the data in question consist of data published in the framework of CÖ2 monitoring under the industry's voluntary climate-protection
commitment. The figures for lime and dolomite-lime production (2.A.2) are collected by the German Lime Association (BVK) on a per-plant basis and then provided annually in aggregated form. Glass-production figures (2.A.3) are taken from the regularly published annual reports of the Federal glass industry association (Bundesverband Glasindustrie), although relevant orientational figures on glass recycling are taken from other statistics. Production trends in the ceramics industry (2.A.4.a) are determined via official statistics and via conversion factors provided by experts, in the framework of a project. Figures for soda ash use (2.A.4.b) are obtained via expert assessment carried out by the Federal Environment Agency.
Figure 10: Responsibilities and data flows for calculation of greenhouse-gas emissions in the area of industrial processes
A range of different sources are used to determine emission factors for the mineral industry. The emission factor used for calculation of emissions from cement-clinker production (2.A.1) is based on a calculation of the German Cement Works Association (VDZ) carried out by
aggregating plant-specific data. CÖ2 emissions from lime production (2.A.2) and from soda-ash
use (2.A.4.b) are calculated with the help of stoichiometric factors. The CÖ2-emission factors for various types of glass (2.A.3) have been derived, by responsible experts, from glass-composition data, while CÖ2-emission factors for the ceramics industry (2.A.4.a) have been derived, by Federal Environment Agency experts, from analyses of ETS data.
The activity data for category 2.B Chemical industry are determined from data of the Federal Statistical Office (FS 4, R 3.1) and directly from figures of industry associations and producers.
Some of these data are confidential. The relevant emission factors have been determined by experts in the Federal Environment Agency, via research projects or by the pertinent producers.
Until 2008, activity data for 2.B.1 Ammonia production and 2.B.2 Nitric acid production were collected by the Federal Statistical Office. Since 2009, data for ammonia and nitric-acid
production have been collected by producers themselves – plant-specifically, on the basis of an agreement with the chemical industry and for the entire time series as of 1990. These data are forwarded to the association, which aggregates them and forwards them, in anonymised form, to the Federal Environment Agency. For this purpose, in addition to determining the applicable activity data, the producers also determine the applicable emissions for 2.B.1 and the applicable emission factors for 2.B.2. Until the mid-1990s, plant-by-plant activity data were supplied for 2.B.3 Adipic acid production. The default emission factor for N2Ö was applied to that data. Now, plant operators are supplying emissions data directly to the Federal Environment Agency, on a confidential basis. For the area of adipic-acid production, data delivery has also been assured for the long term, via an agreement from 2009. In 2.B.4, only N2Ö emissions from caprolactam production play a significant role. Those emissions are below the applicable threshold value, however, and thus are not reported. Since there is only one calcium carbide (2.B.4) producer in Germany, the relevant data are confidential. The Federal Environment Agency obtains these data directly from the producer. The CÖ2 emissions from titanium dioxide production are not
reported, because they lie below the applicable threshold (2.B.6). The Federal Statistical Office determines the total amounts of soda ash (2.B.7) produced in Germany. The pertinent emission factors are derived from the ETS monitoring data of the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt). The activity data for production of the products listed under 2.B.8 Petrochemicals and carbon black production are obtained from statistics of the Federal Statistical Office. Some of the data are subject to confidentiality. The emission factors have been obtained from experts' assessments, research projects and default figures in the IPCC Guidelines. The activity data for carbon-black production are extrapolated backward, with the help of the default EF, from the CÖ2
emissions reported in the context of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). In the area of production of halocarbons and SF6 (2.B.9), data are obtained from producers' figures and surveys of producers. For the most part, activity data are researched in the framework of research projects, directly in accordance with the inventory's requirements. In some cases, producers supply only emissions data. Önly small numbers of companies are involved in the various sub- source categories, and thus data in these areas are confidential. Under 2.B.10 Öther, emissions of precursor substances from production of sulphuric acid and fertilisers are reported. The activity data are obtained from information provided by producers and from data of the Federal
Statistical Öffice. The emission factors are obtained from experts' estimates and research projects.
The activity data for the metal industry (2.C) are provided by the Federal Statistical Office, by the relevant associations (Steel Institute VDEh, Wirtschaftsvereinigung Metalle (metals industry association) and Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie (aluminium industry association) and by sellers of industrial gases. The emission factors for the metals industry (2.C) are normally calculated by experts in the Federal Environment Agency; in some cases, emission factors are provided by industrial associations or IPCC default values are used.
Öne exception in this regard is the category Ferroalloys; for it, activity data from statistics of the UK Geological Survey are used, while the relevant emission factors are taken from the results of a research project (in some cases, IPCC default values are also used).
In category 2.D Non-energy-related products from fuels and solvents, the activity data have been taken from published surveys of the Federal Statistical Öffice and of other federal authorities (for production and foreign-trade statistics, and for petroleum statistics) and of relevant associations (the VDD industry association for bitumen paper and bitumen roof sheeting; the German asphalt industry association (Deutscher Asphaltverband – DAV)). The activity data are supplemented with industry statistics and information supplied by experts.
The emission factors are obtained from various sources. The emission factors for paraffin wax use (2.D.2), for example, are calculated with the help of IPCC default values. The emission factors for lubricant use (2.D.1) have been determined via a research project (pursuant to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines, NMVÖC emissions are to be given only as CÖ2 equivalents). The emission factors for production and laying of bitumen paper and bitumen roof sheeting (2.D.3), and for production of asphalt for road paving (2.D.3), refer only to NMVÖC, and they have been taken from research reports.
Emission factors, along with other parameters that enter into calculation of emissions from solvent use, are taken from national studies, experts' opinions and research projects directly commissioned by the Federal Environment Agency; in some cases, they are also based on information provided by experts in the context of dialogues with industry.
More-detailed pertinent information regarding emission factors is presented in the descriptions of methods for the various categories. The activity data for the electronics industry (2.E), for product use as substitutes for ÖDS (2.F) and for other product production and use (2.G), have been determined from information provided by producers and associations, from surveys of the Federal Statistical Öffice and of other federal authorities and with the help of calculation models.
In individual cases, producers provide emissions data directly. The data are classified into
several subcategories. Product use as ÖDS substitutes is also subdivided into production, use and disposal emissions. In these categories as well, the data in some areas are subject to
confidentiality requirements.
Emission factors for fluorinated greenhouse gases are obtained in part from national and international fact sheets and directives or via surveys of experts; where necessary, IPCC default values are used.
In the area of 2.H.1 Öther production: Pulp and paper production, data from the production report of the German Pulp and Paper Association (Verband Deutscher Papierfabriken – VDP) are used. In the area of 2.H.2 Öther production: Food and beverages, data of the Federal Food
Industry Association (Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Erna hrungsindustrie; BVE), of the Federal Statistical Öffice (Statistisches Bundesamt) and of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) are used. The emission factors have been obtained from a research project that was completed in 2008.
1.4.1.1.3 Agriculture
Figure 11: Responsibilities and data flows for calculation of greenhouse-gas emissions in the area of agriculture
Emissions calculations for category 3 (Agriculture) are carried out by the Thu nen Institute (TI).
For calculation of agricultural emissions in Germany, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) initiated a suitable joint project, in the framework of which the former Federal
Agricultural Research Institute (FAL) developed a modular model for relevant spread-sheet calculation (GASeous EMissions, GAS-EM) (Da mmgen et al. (2002) & Ro semann et al. (2019)).
Agricultural statistics of the Federal Statistical Öffice are another important data source for calculation of agricultural emissions. Animal statistics have been obtained from Fachserie 3, Reihe 4 of the Federal Statistical Öffice (STATISTISCHES BUNDESAMT, FS 3, R 4); other Fachserien (technical series) provide data on amounts of fertilizer sold and agricultural land under
cultivation . In some areas, such data are supplemented by figures from the pertinent literature (for example, crop residues and fertilizer data). Additional data are available from experts' assessments (for example, an evaluation of model districts with regard to techniques for storing farm fertilisers).
In many areas, calculations for the agriculture sector are based on highly differentiated activity data obtained via national data sources. The activity data are combined, depending on the emission sources involved, either with national emission factors or with the standard emission factors of the 2006 IPCC Guidelines and of the EMEP/EEA guidebook of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
UBA FG V 1.6 Single National Entity Central responsibility for inventories, planning, quality control and management, archiving
Data sources outside of UBA GHG-emissions calculation
e.g. Livestock populations: FS 3, Reihe 4, Cultivated land: FS 3, Reihe 3, Land use: FS 3, Reihe 5, Fertiliser sales: FS 4 Reihe 8.2
Data delivery, agricultural inventories, NIR Chapter 5
Agriculture Scientific literature
e.g. data on harvest residues, Feed properties
▪IPCC default
▪EMEP/EEA default Emission factors
Activity data
e.g. techniques for storage of farm manure Associations
Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture
(TI–AK) -Working group on emission inventories
GAS-EM calculation model Federal Statistical
Office (DESTATIS)
‘ -district evaluation, RAUMIS)
+
▪Country-specific, e.g.
Association for Technology and Structures in Agriculture (KTBL)
KTBL TI - Institute for Rural Studies Scientific evaluation, quality assurance / control
1.4.1.1.4 Land-use changes and forestry
Figure 12: Data flows for calculation of greenhouse-gas emissions from the areas of land-use changes and forestry (LULUCF) and KP-LULUCF
In the 2012 Submission, a consistent, unified method was introduced for taking account of land-use changes in the LULUC sector and the forestry sector. The method expands the existing sample-based system for determining forest-land areas, and land-use changes to and from forest land, for all land-use categories and change types. In the current submission, the method for preparation of the land-use matrix has been adjusted and expanded, and the practice of emission calculation at sample points has been introduced.
Soil carbon stocks are estimated with the help of soil maps and soil-profile data (both differentiated to show usages), and of data from Forest Soil Inventories and Agricultural Soil Inventories (BZE), while use-change-related changes in these stocks are estimated on the basis of changes in the mean stocks per land-use category.
Changes in biomass carbon stocks are estimated on the basis of harvest statistics, the main survey on soil use (Bodennutzungshaupterhebung), the National Forest Inventory (NFI) and specific factors that are given in the pertinent scientific literature and used in conjunction with area data.
UBA FG V 1.6 (Single National Entity):
Central responsibility for inventories, planning, quality control and management, archiving
Data sources outside of UBA GHG-emissions calculation
Harvest statistics, Validation data
- Overall coordination - Approval and release of
data
- Inventories and NIR text 4.B-4.F, KP 2 3.4 CM/GM w/o LUC from/to forest - land-use matrix
Shared database, Standardised methodology and
Joint calculation;
Consistency checks
Emission factorsActivity data
TI of Climate-Smart Agriculture (TI-AK)
Federal Statistical Office (DESTATIS) Agricultural statistics
Scientific Evaluation,
QA/QC Federal States
Field surveys for forest inventory
Thünen Institute (TI), Working group on emission inventories
- Coordination UNFCCC 4.A, 4.B.2.1-F.2.1:
LUC from/to forest, KP 3.3 and 3.4
- Inventory data and NIR text
- Archiving TI of Forest Ecosystems (TI-WO)
Working Committee of the Surveying Authorities
of the Länder (AdV) ATKIS
Digital landscape model (DLM)
Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources
(BGR Soil maps
Thünen Institute for Forest Ecosystems (TI-WO) -National coordination and
evaluation of forest inventories -Forest inventory studies
Scientific literature Accompanying research
Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture
(TI-AK)
- Soil condition survey Agriculture
TI of Wood Research (TI-HF) - Coordination,4.G, wood industry from/to forest, KP 3.3 and 3.4 - Inventory data and NIR text
- Archiving
1.4.1.1.5 Waste and wastewater
Figure 13: Data flows for calculation of greenhouse-gas emissions from the area of waste and wastewater
Federal Environment Agency Section FG III 2.4 Waste technology, waste technology transfer is responsible for selecting the methods, parameters and data for calculating emissions from the waste sector.
Activity data in the waste sector are drawn mainly from published data of the Federal Statistical Öffice, which provides detailed, disaggregated time series. The section on waste provides precise information as to what statistical series and sources were used. The Federal Statistical Öffice has not published any data on amounts of waste produced in the former GDR. In this area, an official source of the former GDR's ministry for nature conservation, environmental protection and water-resources management was used. The calculations relative to landfill-gas use are based on data from the Energy Balances and from Fachserie 19 of the Federal Statistical Öffice. The
database for landfill-gas use was updated in the framework of the 2010 In-Country Review.
Statistical data on gas collection at landfills in the follow-on care phase have been collected since 2012.
The emission factors and other parameters that enter into calculation of emissions from waste landfilling, from mechanical-biological waste treatment and from composting were taken from national studies and research reports conducted/prepared in research projects commissioned directly by the Federal Environment Agency. IPCC default parameters were also used for this purpose. Selected experts were also consulted regarding a few of the relevant parameters (for example, half-life selection). The relevant chapter presents the sources for the various
parameters, in detail.
The Federal Environment Agency's Section for General Aspects, Chemical Industry, Combustion Plants (III 2.1) is responsible for selecting the methods, parameters and data for calculating
Landfills, waste-treatment
facilities, sewage-treatment
facilities
Reporting
UBA FG V 1.6 Singe National Entity Central responsibility for inventories,
planning, quality control and management, archiving Activity data
GHG-emissions calculation
Federal Statistical
Office (DESTATIS) Compilation and publication
of national statistics
National research reports, studies
UBA FG III 2.4 Waste treatment, storage
UBA FG III 2.1 Wastewater treatment, industrial wastewater treatment Waste statistics
wastewater statistics
Emission factors and other parameters
UBA Research
projects
Surveys
of experts IPCC default parameters Ministry for Nature
Conservation, Environmental Protection,
and Water-Resources
Management of the former GDR
Waste production in the
former GDR
UBA environmental
data, research
projects Data on landfill-gas
use
FAO Per-capita protein intake
relative to wastewater
Data sources outside of UBA
Personal communications
Open-bed sludge digestion
UBA FG III 2.5 Wastewater treatment, municipal wastewater treatment