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Why Use Attribution

Attribution enables precise tracking of component contributions across the carbon removal process. A component represents a certain amount of CO₂e transferred during a Carbon Removal process. The result of each component can be attributed to specific activities or groups of activities in the ways outlined below. This attribution determines how its carbon impact is distributed. Attribution allows users to:
  • Track how components contribute to multiple removals
  • Distribute emissions across different accounting boundaries
  • Enable flexible allocation of carbon impacts
  • Maintain accurate carbon accounting across the system
Our multi-level attribution system ensures accurate, flexible, and verifiable carbon accounting while supporting complex project structures.

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Attribution levels

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Component-level attribution

The most granular level of attribution. A component’s emissions can be split precisely between different removals.

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Key concepts

  • Components can be partially attributed (like the below example)
  • Total attribution of a single component cannot exceed 100%
  • The removals that a component is attributed to can exist in different GHG statements if necessary

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Example

A transport leg might have been applicable to multiple removals, with:
  • 60% attributed to Removal A
  • 40% attributed to Removal B
Our system would allow for the creation of a singular Transport component, which can then be attributed between Removal A and Removal B, without having to duplicate the component itself. This will mean that only the portion of the component determined in the attribution factor will be attributed to the removal.

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GHG Statement-level attribution

Manages how GHG statement-level emissions are distributed across the Removals in the GHG statement. Any GHG statement level emissions would be evenly distributed across all removals within the statement. This ensures consistent accounting within the statement boundary and simplifies verification.

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Key concepts

  • Components within a GHG statement are evenly attributed across its removals, regardless of individual removal size.
  • Maintains consistent accounting within statement boundaries
  • Ensures complete attribution of all GHG statement emission components

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Example

A GHG statement has 3 removals, with the following sequestration amounts:
  • Removal A: 1000 tCO₂e
  • Removal B: 2000 tCO₂e
  • Removal C: 3000 tCO₂e
The GHG statement has a total of 6000tCO₂e sequestered. If a Supplier wants to account for their office energy use over the entire statement period, they can add a GHG emission component to the GHG statement with a size of 600tCO₂e. It would be split between the removals evenly, with each removal accounting for 200tCO₂e. This would result in the following totals for the removals:
  • Removal A: 800 tCO₂e
  • Removal B: 1800 tCO₂e
  • Removal C: 2800 tCO₂e

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Project-level attribution

Project level attribution is a way to manage how project establishment and end-of-life emissions are distributed across GHG statements. This may use a proportional distribution based on the gross sequestration in each statement relative to the total project output. Total project output is the expected gross removals for a project over its lifetime, which must be provided when a project is added to Isometric’s system. This method of attribution is useful in the cases of large up-front emissions which aren’t attributable to a singular removal activity. For example, facility setup or machinery acquisition. Attributions are automatically applied to any existing unverified GHG statements upon Project emission creation, or when a new GHG statement is created when Project emissions already exist. Read more about project-level attribution in the Project Emissions user guide.
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