System and method for automatic generation of carbon credits from mitigation activity data

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for collecting data on multiple mitigation activities and generating carbon credits based on the data. The systems and methods incorporate the use of digital measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) technologies. The system includes one or more application programming interfaces (APIs) for accessing data on the mitigation activities, and a communications module for real-time communication with third party verifiers and offset registries. The system also includes a computational module for qualification and quantification of the environmental benefits based on the collected data, and a reporting module for generating reports on the carbon credits and the mitigation activities. The system may also include a credit trading module to market and sell the credits.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF CARBON CREDITS FROM MITIGATION ACTIVITY DATATECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for collecting and aggregating data on mitigation activities and generating carbon credits.

[0002] REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority from United States Patent Application No. 63 / 523,489 filed on June 27, 2023 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF CARBON CREDITS FROM MITIGATION ACTIVITY DATA”. For the purposes of the United States, this application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of United States Patent Application No. 63 / 523,489 filed on June 27, 2023, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF CARBON CREDITS FROM MITIGATION ACTIVITY DATA”. United States Patent Application No. 63 / 523,489 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.BACKGROUND

[0003] Carbon offsets can be used to compensate for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with the objective of neutralizing the impact of GHGs on the environment and the earth’s climate. A carbon offset (also referred to as a “carbon credit”) represents an avoidance, reduction or removal of emissions. Data on activities that result in the avoidance, reduction or removal of carbon emissions (wherein such activities are also referred to as “mitigation activities”) can be used to generate carbon credits. Carbon emitters can then purchase these carbon credits to offset emissions from their activities. The money spent to purchase these offsets can be used to support further mitigation activities or other projects that reduce emissions elsewhere.

[0004] Markets for the trade of carbon credits include compliance markets and voluntary markets. Compliance markets are driven by public and regulatory authorities. Compliance credits have particular reporting, quantification and trading requirements. Voluntary markets for carbon credits are driven by private actors and supported by voluntary, private initiatives.

[0005] The global demand for carbon credits and other environmental financial instruments such as Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and the like has increased in recent years as organizations seek to offset their greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate their impact on the environment. Conventional methods of generating carbon credits include paper-based systems, or manual data collection and calculation, which are generally time-consuming methods that are also prone to errors. While some automated systems exist, many of them only quantify greenhouse gas emissions (these systems are also called “carbon calculators”). They do not quantify emission reductions. A handful of systems exist that automate the quantification of emission reductions. However, they are generally designed for use in specific industries and / or mitigation activities, such as forestry activities, agriculture, mobility or e-commerce. As such, these systems are typically incompatible with other sectors and / or mitigation activities and cannot be applied outside the specific industry and use for which they were designed.

[0006] There is a need for methods and apparatus to address the aforementioned problems with the art.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0007] In general, the present specification describes methods and apparatus for generating environmental financial instruments, such as voluntary carbon credits.

[0008] One aspect is directed to a system for automatically generating verifiable environmental instruments. In certain embodiments, the system includes a data storage, in which is stored a library of environmental computational modules. The system also includes a server, comprising a processor and having access to a program memory. Instructions are stored on the program memory, which when executed by the processor, perform the steps of: collecting data regarding a plurality of mitigation activities through an application programming interface (API) from one or more providers of such data; based on the data, selecting a plurality of applicable computational modules from the library of environmental computational modules; qualifying the data for environmental benefits, in accordance with criteria provided by the selected computational modules; quantifying the environmental benefits, based on the qualified data and in accordance with computations and computational factors provided by the selected computational modules; and based on the quantification of the environmental benefits, generating environmental instruments, such as carbon credits.

[0009] According to particular embodiments, the server is configured to provide a communications module to communicate with third party verifiers and offset registries to verify and register the generated environmental instruments. The communications module may communicate in real-time with third party verifiers and offset registries over messaging systems, chat systems, email and / or other forms of communication.

[0010] The server is configured to provide a graphical user interface display via a webbased browser, a mobile application, or other application that can be accessed over the Internet, wherein the user interface may be used by a user of the system to provide input for the selection of the computational module.

[0011] The server may be configured to provide a reporting module to generate one or more reports on the generated environmental instruments and the mitigation activity, such as summary reports, detailed reports, charts, graphs, or other visualizations that provide information on the generated environmental instruments, the mitigation activity performed, and verification and registration status of the generated environmental instruments. The server may be configured to display the one or more generated reports to the user on the graphical user interface display. The server may be configured to store the collected data and the one or more generated reports in the data storage.

[0012] Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method for automatically generating verifiable environmental instruments. In particular embodiments, the method includes collecting data relating to a plurality of mitigation activities; based on the data, selecting a plurality of applicable computational modules from a library of environmental computational modules; qualifying the data for environmental benefits, in accordance with criteria provided by the selected computational module; quantifying the environmental benefits, based on the qualified data and in accordance with computations and computational factors provided by the selected computational module; and based on the quantification of the environmental benefits, generating environmental instruments, such as carbon credits. In some embodiments, selection of the computational module is based on one or more inputs provided by a user.

[0013] According to some embodiments, the method includes verifying the generated environmental instruments with a third party verifier. The method may include registering the generated environmental instruments with a carbon offset registry.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the method includes generating one or more reports, such as summary reports, detailed reports, charts, graphs, or other visualizations providing information on the environmental instruments generated, the mitigation activity, and verification and registration status of the environmental instruments, and displaying the one or more reports on a graphical user interface display. The method may include storing the collected data and the generated reports in a data storage.

[0015] Additional aspects of the present invention will be apparent in view of the description which follows.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a carbon credit generation system according to one embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates carbon credit generation computational data layering according to one embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a Carbon Credit Generator according to one embodiment;

[0020] FIGS. 4 and 5 show examples of data relating to mitigation activities according to one embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a Credit Generation Module (CGM) according to one embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates an Environmental Module Selector (EMS) according to one embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a Computational Module Library (CML) according to one embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates a Computational Module ‘ri.’ri (CM n.ri) according to one embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates a Computational Qualification Module ‘n’.’n’ (CQLM n.n) according to one embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 11 illustrates a Computational Quantification Module ‘n’.’n’ (CQTM n.n) according to one embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 12 illustrates a graphical user interface display for an input interface for electric vehicle (EV) charging station credit generation according to one embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 13 illustrates a graphical user interface display for a summary results interface for EV charging station credit generation according to one embodiment; and

[0029] FIG. 14 illustrates a graphical user interface display for a detailed results interface for EV charging station credit generation according to one embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The description, which follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of examples of particular embodiments of the principles of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not limitation, of those principles and of the invention.

[0031] Described herein are systems and methods for generating carbon credits which may be used by a wide range of industry sectors and organizations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, meet their decarbonization and sustainability goals, and contribute to the fight against climate change. Digital measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) technologies are incorporated to provide a streamlined and efficient way to generate environmental instructions and carbon credits at scale in real time. These may include the automatic selection of applicable computational modules relevant to the mitigation activities, use of emission factors’ databases, communication modules with third party audit systems and registries, and the like. The systems and methods described herein support a number of mitigation activities across different industries or sectors, and can be used to generate a number of types of carbon credits.

[0032] Embodiments described herein include a communications module enabling real-time communication with third party verifiers and offset registries, and a verification module and a registration module for verifying and registering the carbon credits. These modules help toensure the integrity and credibility of the generated carbon credits, and facilitates their acceptance and use by various stakeholders.

[0033] The system in accordance with embodiments described herein may allow for customization of the reports generated by the reporting module. The system may also allow for the inclusion of additional data or information in the reports.

[0034] In one embodiment, the system provides a complete end-to-end solution for the qualification and quantification of emissions reductions, to the generation of environmental instruments, such as carbon credits. These carbon credits may be voluntary carbon credits for trading and exchange in the voluntary market for environmental credits. The system may be implemented as a series of modules that perform the conversion of mitigation activity data into an environmental instrument (e.g. carbon offset credits, water credits, and the like). These modules may include a data collection and aggregation module that collects data on multiple mitigation activities from data-collection systems via application programming interfaces (APIs) or other automated methods, a credit generation module which quantifies the environmental benefits generated by each reported activity (e.g. in kg CO2e) according to recognized methods, a data verification module which communicates with a third party verification authority to verify quantified environmental benefits, a credit registration and issuance module which communicates with a third party registry system to generate or issue the verified environmental benefits or carbon credits, a credit tracking module which tracks into a reporting module credits issued and sold into the market, and a credit transaction module which communicates with third party trading platforms (also called exchanges) to trade the carbon credits generated with third parties.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a high-level overview of a carbon credit generation system 100 that may be used to implement various methods according to embodiments of the invention. Data 105 from mitigation activities is provided as input to a carbon credit generator 110 of the system 100. Based on data 105, carbon credit generator 110 generates carbon credits 115 or other environmental assets as the outputs. Revenue may be generated through the sale of these outputs.

[0036] Various methods may be employed to collect data 105 on a plurality of mitigation activities simultaneously for input to carbon credit generator 110. This data may be collected through taking various steps through one or more layers 125 of carbon credit generationcomputational data layering as illustrated in FIG. 2. The carbon credit generation system 100 according to embodiments described herein may be used for a range of mitigation activities implemented by organizations across various vertical sectors. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, data 105 may be collected on mitigation activities carried out through electric vehicle (EV) charging stations using level 2 (L2) charging, direct-current fast charging (DCFC), etc. (represented as data 105A), energy efficiency measures in commercial buildings (represented as data 105B), waste management processes for solids, liquids, gas (represented as data 105C), low-carbon ground fleets using liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, hybrid technologies, etc. (represented as data 105D), low-carbon shipping vessels using LNG, hydrogen, or hybrid technologies, etc. (represented as data 105E), and energy efficiency measures in data centers (represented as data 105F). Asset owners can be organizations that implement or enable the mitigation activities, and carbon credit generation system 100 can obtain data directly from such asset owners (as represented in the outermost layer 125A seen in FIG. 2). Additionally, or in the alternative, data on mitigation activities may be collected or aggregated via data collectors / aggregators 107, such as building management systems (BMS), and the like, in units of data such as kWh, GJ, etc. (as represented in the middle layer 125B seen in FIG. 2). Data collectors / aggregators 107 include software tools that collect data on mitigation activities and provide insights into the data. They may also enhance the data provided.

[0037] Carbon calculators 109 may be used to quantify the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the asset owners (e.g. in kg of CO2e produced) based on the collected / aggregated data 105 (as represented in the inner layer 125C seen in FIG. 2). These carbon calculators 109 may comprise third party software which may not necessarily perform quantification of greenhouse gas emission reductions according to recognized quantification methodologies or protocols. As such, further processing is required in order to convert this data to verified emissions reductions (VERs).

[0038] As described in further detail herein, carbon credit generator 110 uses the data 105 on the mitigation activities (e.g. as collected from layers 125A, 125B and 125C) and generates verified emissions reductions (VERs), which can be used to generate verified carbon units (VCUs) in tons of CO2e.

[0039] Carbon credit generator 110 may be implemented through various modules. These modules are shown in FIG. 3 for one example embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, aData Collection and Aggregation Module (DCAM) 130 receives data regarding mitigation activities from third party systems 131 such as asset owners, data collectors / aggregators, and carbon calculators (as described with reference to FIG. 2) and structures the data for subsequent processing by other modules. DCAM 130 may employ APIs or similar tools for accessing data on the mitigation activities, which may include activities such as renewable energy projects, fuel switching, fuel efficiency, methane avoidance, or other activities that reduce, avoid, or remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. For example, an asset owner can provide data on the energy consumption of their buildings, or a data collector / aggregator can collect data on the amount of waste generated by a particular manufacturing process. DCAM 130 then organizes this data in a standardized format for further processing. In particular, data streams from different management and reporting systems may be reported in various formats having different fields, units, etc. DCAM 130 collects the data streams for each of the mitigation activities, such as energy efficiency in buildings, and converts and structures the data into a standardized format for processing by the quantification module. For example, data reported from building management systems in the United States may need to have the data converted from imperial units into metric units as part of the conversion to a standardized format. FIG. 4 shows an example of data 200 collected for electric vehicle charging stations. FIG. 5 shows an example of data 225 in regard to charging sessions performed by various charging stations, as collected from the electric vehicle charging reporting systems.

[0040] Carbon credit generator 110 also includes a Credit Generation Module (CGM) 132. As described in further detail below, CGM 132 qualifies and quantifies the environmental benefits generated by each mitigation activity, and receives and communicates data with external users 118 and connect to other modules. These other modules include a Data Verification Module (DVM) 134, Credit Registration and Issuance Module (CRIM) 136, and Credit Tracking Module (CTKM) 138.

[0041] In particular, DVM 134 selects and communicates with third party validation and verification systems 135, which perform the functions of validation and verification based on established procedures by recognized program authorities, such as Verified Carbon Standard or the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards. DVM 134 selects and communicates with third party validation and verification systems to ensure that environmental benefits or carbon offsets generated by the system meet the requirements of a specific carbon credit program and are credible and verifiable.

[0042] DVM 134 (as well as CRIM 136 below) may use various methods and technologies for real-time communication with third party verifiers and offset registries. These methods and technologies may include messaging systems, chat systems, email, or other methods and technologies that allow for rapid communication and exchange of information. The module may also allow for the transmission of documents, such as reports, verification certificates, or other documents, between the system and the verifiers and registries.

[0043] CRIM 136 selects and communicates with external registry systems 137, recording the verified environmental units into the registry upon successful verification. The communication may occur in real-time to enable system 100 to receive updates on the registration process, and to automatically generate reports on the carbon credits and the mitigation activities. Registry systems 137 maintain a database of environmental units (such as carbon credits) and their ownership. The registries may include organizations such as the Gold Standard, Verra, Global Carbon Council, or other organizations that register and issue carbon units (carbon credits) as well as other environmental financial instruments such as Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), water credits, plastic waste credits, and more. For example, CRIM 136 may register carbon credits generated by system 100 with a carbon credit registry so that the credits can be traded on carbon markets.

[0044] CTKM 138 maintains an accurate and up-to-date record of credits generated by the system upon issuance from external registry systems. Credits may reside in the CTKM 138 or in the external registry systems. CTKM 138 may generate reports that include information on the carbon credits generated, the mitigation activities performed, and the verification and registration status of the carbon credits. The reports may be generated in real-time or on a periodic or regular basis, and may be provided to the user or other stakeholders in various formats, such as PDF, Excel, or other formats. For example, CTKM 138 may communicate these reports to external credit reporting systems 139.

[0045] In addition, carbon credit generator 110 may include a Credit Transaction Module (CTSM) 140 which selects and communicates with external transaction systems 141 (also called “marketplaces” or “exchanges”) where generated credits can be transacted. CTSM 140 performs transactions, records these transactions, and transfers ownership of each credit in accordance with predefined criteria and / or user inputs. For example, CTSM 140 may facilitate the sale of carbon credits generated by system 100 on a carbon market platform, ensuring that the credits are transferred to the buyer and that the asset owner receives payment for thecredits. CTSM 140 may track the ownership of carbon credits generated by system 100 and provide regular reports on the status of these credits to the asset owner or a carbon market platform.

[0046] Turning to FIG. 6, the functions of credit generation module (CGM) 132 are described for one example embodiment. CGM 132 is responsible for qualifying and quantifying the environmental benefits generated by each mitigation activity. Quantification refers to the measurement and estimation of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions avoided or removed from the atmosphere. Qualification involves ensuring that the quantification is performed according to methodologies or protocols developed and maintained by program authorities such as government agencies, industry associations, or international organizations, ensuring that the environmental benefits generated by each mitigation activity are accurately and consistently quantified and qualified.

[0047] CGM 132 performs the quantification and qualification of the environmental benefits generated by each mitigation activity in terms of their carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) using recognized methods such as those established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), or others. CGM 132 quantifies the amount of emissions reduced or removed by each activity and converts it into a standardized unit (such as CO2e). The quantification considers the type of greenhouse gas involved in the activity. Different greenhouse gases have different global warming potentials, and the calculation takes this into account by using appropriate global warming potentials (GWP) or emissions factors. For example, carbon dioxide (CO2) is a common greenhouse gas that is emitted by a wide range of activities, and its global warming potential is typically expressed in units of CO2 equivalent (CO2e). Other greenhouse gases, such as methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), or sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), have different global warming potentials, and their emissions may be converted to CO2e using appropriate global warming potentials or emissions factors.

[0048] CGM 132 includes an Environmental Module Selector (EMS) 145 and a Computational Module Library (CML) 147. After the mitigation activity data has been processed by Data Collection and Aggregation Module (DCAM) 130, the processed data is input to EMS 145, which selects the appropriate computational module 150 from a database of computational modules based on the input data and, in certain cases, user preferences as provide through user inputs 117. For example, if a mitigation activity involves the implementation of renewableenergy sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines, EMS 145 may select a methodology for quantifying the amount of greenhouse gas emissions avoided by the implementation of renewable energy. The methodology may take into account factors such as the amount of electricity generated, the source of the electricity being replaced, and the emissions intensity of the replaced electricity source. CGM 132 uses the selected methodology 150 to calculate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions avoided by the renewable energy implementation and ensures that the quantification is performed according to recognized protocols.

[0049] The EMS communicates the selected computational method 'n' 150 to the CML 147, which is responsible for qualifying and quantifying the mitigation activity data. The CML 147 then interacts with the Data Verification Module (DVM) 134, Credit Registration and Issuance Module (CRIM) 136, and Credit Tracking Module (CTKM) 138 systems. The EMS 145 and CML 147 may be implemented as software functions comprising instructions stored in program memory that, when executed by a processor of a server, carry out the operations of CGM 132.

[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates the process 146 by which the EMS 145 selects the computational method 150. In process 146, EMS 145 chooses the appropriate computational method based on several factors. These factor may include: (1) mitigation activity data 105, (2) user inputs 117 (where applicable), and (3) predefined parameters 119. Representative parameters 119 are illustrated in FIG. 7, such as parameters 119a for jurisdiction, parameters 119b for regulations, parameters 119c for industry practice, parameters 119d for mitigation activities, and other parameters as needed (represented as parameters 119e, 119f, 119g, 119h). The output 115 of the EMS 145 provides instructions to the Computational Module Library (CML) on which computational method 150 to use.

[0051] For instance, if the activity is an electric vehicle (EV) charging event, the parameters 119 may include credit pricing data from the exchanges and revenue. Therefore, when using these parameters for the EV charging event, EMS 145 may select a computational method that maximizes revenue based on the credit pricing data. The user may also specify through user inputs 117 which methodology to use. For example, the user inputs 117 may request that the EMS 145 exclude, from the analysis and output, certain methodologies such as those under the UNFCCC CDM program or specific compliance programs. In other instances, the user inputs 117 may request that data sourced from specific jurisdictions apply a specific methodology, while other jurisdictions may use a different methodology due to a different regulatory framework in those other jurisdictions. In other cases, the user inputs 117 may specify theexclusion of a particular methodology in certain situations, for example, in connection with energy efficiency in residential buildings, due to commercial constraints, or other external factors.

[0052] The Computational Module Library (CML) 147 may be organized into multiple libraries. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, CML 147 comprises Computational Credit Module Library (CCML) 148 and Computational Factor Library (CFL) 160. CCML 148 is a collection of computational methods organized by criteria such as mitigation activity or jurisdiction. FIG. 8 shows, illustratively, a plurality of credit modules 155 (numbered as Credit Modules 1, 2, 3, 4 .... n) wherein each credit module 155 comprises a plurality of computational modules 156 (e.g., for Credit Module 1, these computational modules are represented as 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, ... 1.n, with a similar numbering scheme used for each of credit modules 2, 3, 4 ... n). Each credit module 155 may be associated with a particular sector of mitigation activity (e.g. energy, electricity-powered transportation, buildings, road construction). Each computational module 156 of a credit module 155 may be associated with a type of mitigation activity within the sector. For example, for a credit module 155 associated with the renewal energy sector, there may be computational modules 156 for grid-connected solar, off-grid solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro energy projects or technologies. For a credit module 155 associated with the electricity-powered transportation sector, there may be computational modules 156 for electric vehicle charging, fuel switch or modal shift projects or technologies. For a credit module 155 associated with the buildings sector, there may be computational modules 156 for energy efficiency, fuel switch, low-carbon concrete, electric vehicle charging and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and direct air capture (DAC) projects or technologies. For a credit module 155 associated with the road construction sector, there may be computational modules 156 for the use of energy efficiency, fuel switch, low-carbon asphalt, nitrogen oxide (NOx) avoidance and route efficiency projects or technologies. As discussed above, EMS 145 provides instructions to CML 147 to select which of these computational modules 156 to use.

[0053] For a given set of mitigation activities within a sector, a plurality of computational modules 156 may be selected as the applicable computational modules. A plurality of mitigation activities associated with a building may comprise, for example, the building’s energy efficiency, fuel switch, low-carbon concrete, electric vehicle charging and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and direct air capture (DAC) projects or technologies. In that case, EMS145 provides instructions to CML 147 to select the computational modules 156 that apply to these mitigation activities.

[0054] CFL 160 provides the factors 161 required by the CCML 148 to perform the operations of its computational modules 156. For instance, CFL 160 may include the Electric Power Sector (EPS) Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) power generation factors for the grid in the United States. Other factors 161 may include: Fuel Combustion Emission Factors, measured in metric tons of CO2 equivalent per unit of fuel (e.g., metric tons of CO2e per ton of coal, per gallon of gasoline, per cubic meter of natural gas), Electricity Emission Factors, measured in metric tons of CO2 equivalent per unit of electricity generated (e.g., metric tons of CO2e per kilowatt-hour), Transportation Emission Factors, measured in metric tons of CO2 equivalent per unit of distance traveled (e.g., metric tons of CO2e per kilometer, per passenger-mile, per ton-mile), Industrial Process Emission Factors, measured in metric tons of CO2 equivalent per unit of specific activity or product output (e.g., metric tons of CO2e per ton of cement, per ton of steel produced), Agriculture and Land Use Emission Factors, measured in metric tons of CO2 equivalent per unit of activity or land area (e.g., metric tons of CO2e per hectare of cropland, per head of livestock), Waste Management Emission Factors, measured in metric tons of CO2 equivalent per unit of waste processed or managed (e.g., metric tons of CO2e per ton of waste disposed, per cubic meter of wastewater treated), or Fugitive Emission Factors, measured in metric tons of CO2 equivalent per unit of fugitive emissions (e.g., metric tons of CO2e per ton of extracted coal, per cubic meter of natural gas produced).

[0055] Turning now to FIG. 9, the operations of a computational module 156 are described. FIG. 9 shows a Computational Module ‘ri.’ri (CM n.n) 156. The computational module (CM) 156 comprises a Computational Qualification Module (CQLM n.n 158 that determines whether the activity data qualifies for the generation of environmental benefits, and a Computational Quantification Module (CQTM n.n) 159 that determines, for qualified activity data, the resulting environmental benefits such as emission reductions. In particular, activity data 105 is first evaluated by CQLM 158 against a set of criteria (as will be explained below with reference to FIG. 10), and where the activity data 105 meets the criteria, CQLM 158 communicates with the CQTM 159 that receives inputs from the Computational Factor Library (CFL) 160. If CQLM 158 determines that the criteria are met and the CQTM 159 performs its operations on the data 105, the CM 156 generates output data 116 which is provided to the relevant systems such as the DVM 134, CRIM 136, and CTKM 138. The output 116 refers to “Verifiable Emission Reductions”(VERs). VERs can be represented in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (C02e). To convert VERs into carbon credits, the VERs need to undergo verification by third party verification systems 132 (see FIG. 3) with DVM 134 communicating with such systems to facilitate the verification of the VERs. Once the reductions are verified, the CRIM 136 communicates with an offset registry system 137 to facilitate issuance and registration of the credit by carbon credit by offset registry system 137.

[0056] FIG. 10 shows a Computational Qualification Module ‘ri.’ri (CQLM n.ri) 158. The role of CQLM 158 is to assess the activity data 105 provided against specific criteria 163 to determine whether the activity data 105 qualifies for the generation of environmental benefits. These criteria 163, as determined by each Computational Module (CM) 156, specify the requirements for the activity data 105 to be considered valid for quantifying the environmental benefits generated by the activity. If the activity data 105 fails to meet the criteria, it is deemed a "fail" at 106 and no environmental benefits can be generated. If the activity data 105 meets the criteria, output 108 is provided to indicate the activity data 105 qualifies for the generation of environmental benefits. The criteria used for evaluation may include concepts such as: additionality, not overestimated, permanent, not claimed by another entity, and not associated with significant social or environmental harms.

[0057] A Computational Quantification Module ‘ri.’ri (CQTM n.ri) 159 is seen in FIG. 11. If the activity data 105 passes qualification by the CQLM 158 (as described in FIG. 10), output 108 is provided along with the activity data 105 as inputs to CQTM 159 and the data is processed to quantify the environmental benefits (see FIG. 11). The Computational Module (CM) 156 determines a set of formulas 165 for the calculations performed on the activity data 105, with computational factors 161 from the Computational Factor Library (CFL) 160 as inputs. Formulas may be determined by the methodologies. For example, an EV charging station’s methodology has a set of predefined equations used to quantify emission reductions. For fuel switching, the methodology has another set of predefined equations used to quantify emission reductions. Equations from each methodology incorporate factors (such as power grid emission factors). These factors are stored in the CFL. For example, to quantify the emission reductions generated by 50 kWh delivered to an EV when it is being charged, one needs to quantify the emissions generated by the electricity delivered to the vehicle (50 kWh). For example, if the grid in the particular jurisdiction generates 50 gr of CO2e / kWh, the 50 kWh generates 2.5 kg CO2e. At the same time, the “baseline emissions’” are calculated, as the emissions generated by the equivalent gasoline vehicle. Emissions from the gasoline vehicle are calculated using thecarbon intensity of gasoline, which are normalized for comparison to the electricity for the charging of the EV. The reductions will then be the baseline emissions minus the project (EV) emissions.

[0058] The output 116 of the CQTM 159, representing VERs, can be positive to indicate environmental benefits generated by the activity (i.e. CO2e has been reduced or removed), zero to indicate no generated benefits, or negative to indicate that the activity reported has generated more emissions than the baseline.

[0059] In the above-described embodiments, qualification is performed by CQLM 158 prior to quantification being performed by CQTM 159. In some embodiments, quantification is performed only if the qualification criteria are met. However, in other embodiments, quantification by CQTM 159 is performed, independently of qualification, to quantify the emission reductions. After or simultaneously with quantification, CQLM 158 determines whether or not the qualifying criteria has been met. Based on the qualification determination by CQLM 158, the output 116 of CQTM 159 may be adjusted. For example, if the qualifying criteria is not met then the output may be set to zero (representing no generated benefits).

[0060] Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) may be used to communicate with organizations, entities, third party verifiers and registries that interact with system 100 of the embodiments described herein. In particular, APIs may be used to collect data from organizations or entities that perform the mitigation activities or by other parties that have access to data on the activities such as data aggregators, greenhouse gas emission quantification systems, and the like. The APIs may be used to collect data on each mitigation activity performed by different organizations or entities, regardless of their location or jurisdiction. The APIs may be used to collect data on various aspects of the activities, such as the type of activity, the location, the duration, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduced or removed, and other relevant information. The APIs may be accessed using various methods, such as, Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and the like, and may use various protocols, such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), and the like. The APIs may also use authentication methods, such as tokens, certificates, or other methods, to ensure the security and integrity of the data.

[0061] For example, an API may be provided by a solar panel manufacturer that allows carbon credit generator 110 to access data on the solar panel installations performed by themanufacturer, including the location, the size, the capacity, and the emissions reductions achieved. Similarly, an API may be provided by a transportation company that allows carbon credit generator 110 to access data on the fuel efficiency improvements achieved by the company, such as the use of electric or hybrid vehicles, the routes traveled, and the emissions reductions achieved. By using APIs to collect data on the various mitigation activities, system 100 can provide a comprehensive and accurate view of the carbon credits generated by different organizations and entities.

[0062] APIs can also be used to facilitate real-time communication between system 100 and third party verifiers and registries. For example, an API provided by a third party verifier may enable system 100 to send data on the carbon credits generated by an organization or entity for verification, and to receive a verification report or certificate in return. Similarly, an API provided by a carbon offset registry may enable system 100 to send data on the carbon credits generated by an organization or entity for registration, and to receive a registration certificate in return. By using APIs to communicate with third party verifiers and registries, system 100 can ensure the integrity and credibility of the carbon credits, and facilitate their acceptance and use by various stakeholders.

[0063] A graphical user interface is provided to enable user access to system 100. The user interface may be implemented as a web-based platform, a mobile application, or other software application that can be accessed by users 118 of system 100 over the internet or other networks. The user interface may provide various forms, inputs, buttons, and other graphical user interface elements for allowing users 118 to interact with the system. For example, the user interface may provide forms for entering data on the mitigation activities, such as the type of activity, the location, the duration, and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduced or removed. The user interface may also provide buttons for accessing different functions of the system, such as generating reports, viewing verification certificates, or other functions.Examples of user interface features are described below.

[0064] In particular embodiments, the user interface provides a login feature that allows users to access the system using their credentials, such as a username and password, or other forms of authentication, such as biometric authentication or single sign-on. The user interface provides a data entry feature that allows users to input data on the mitigation activities performed, such as the type of activity, the location, the duration, and the emissions reductions achieved. The data entry feature may be implemented as a form, a spreadsheet, or other dataentry interface, and may be integrated with Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) or other data sources to allow for automatic data collection and update. FIG. 12 shows an example of a graphical user interface display 170 providing an input interface for electric vehicle (EV) charging station credit generation.

[0065] The user interface may provide a dashboard showing a high-level overview of the carbon credits generated by the user or organization, as well as key metrics and indicators, such as the amount of carbon credits generated, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and the verification and registration status of the carbon credits. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a graphical user interface display 180 providing a summary results interface for EV charging station credit generation.

[0066] In addition, certain embodiments of the user interface provide a reporting feature enabling users to view and download various reports on the carbon credits and the mitigation activities, such as summary reports, detailed reports, charts, graphs, or other visualizations. The reporting feature may allow for user customization of the reports, including the type of data displayed, the format of the report, and the period of time covered. FIG. 14 shows an example of a graphical user interface display 190 providing a detailed results interface for EV charging station credit generation.

[0067] The user interface may provide a verification and registration feature allowing users to view and manage the verification and registration status of the carbon credits. This feature may provide information on the status of the verification and registration process, along with outstanding issues or requirements that need to be addressed.

[0068] The user interface may also provide a user profile feature enabling users to view and update their personal and organization-specific information, such as their contact details, their role in the organization, and their carbon credit portfolio.

[0069] System 100 may be integrated with other systems, such as accounting systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, or customer relationship management (CRM) systems, to allow for seamless data exchange and reporting. This can help to streamline the process of generating carbon credits and reduce the risk of errors or discrepancies.

[0070] Blockchain or distributed ledger technology may be incorporated into system 100 to store and track the data collected from the mitigation activities and the carbon creditsgenerated. This can provide an additional layer of security and transparency, as the data would be stored on a decentralized and immutable ledger.

[0071] In some embodiments, system 100 uses artificial intelligence (Al) and machine learning algorithms to analyze the data collected from the mitigation activities and optimize the calculation of carbon credits by processing and implementing existing quantification methodologies across the web in real time. This can help to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the calculation process, and identify trends or patterns in the data that can inform future emissions reduction efforts.

[0072] To improve accuracy and reliability of the data collected from mitigation activities, system 100 may incorporate data validation, data cleansing, or data reconciliation methods. These methods can ensure the quality and integrity of the data, and improve the accuracy and reliability of the calculations of the environmental benefits and the carbon credits generated. System 100 may include methods to improve the security and privacy of the data collected from the mitigation activities, such as encryption, access controls, or data masking.

[0073] For advanced analytics and reporting capabilities, system 100 may allow users to view and analyze the data collected from the mitigation activities in various ways, such as through the use of dashboards, charts, graphs, or other visualizations. This can help users to better understand the data and identify trends or patterns, and make informed decisions based on the data. System 100 may also include features that allow users to customize the analytics and reporting, such as by selecting specific data points, time periods, or geographic regions.

[0074] A system 100 incorporating a carbon credit generator 110 for generating carbon credits as described in embodiments herein provides a number of advantages. For example, the system 100 may use application programming interfaces (APIs) and real-time communication to collect data on multiple mitigation activities and generate carbon credits in a more efficient and accurate manner.

[0075] The carbon credit generator 110 of system 100 incorporates computational modules that automatically determine the amount of carbon credits generated based on the collected data and ensures the accuracy and consistency of the carbon credits. System 100 may also incorporate a reporting module that automatically generates reports based on the carbon credits and the mitigation activities.

[0076] System 100 can benefit a number of industry sectors including those which are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. For example, system 100 can be used in the construction sector to quantify and reduce its emissions through the generation of carbon credits. In particular, a construction company can use system 100 to track and measure the emissions reductions from energy efficiency improvements in buildings, such as the use of insulation, windows, or appliances with higher energy ratings, and generate carbon credits based on these reductions. The carbon credits can be sold or traded on carbon markets, providing a financial incentive for the company to invest in further energy efficiency technologies.

[0077] System 100 can also be used in the manufacturing sector. System 100 allows manufacturers to quantify and reduce their emissions through the generation of carbon credits. For example, a manufacturer can use the system to track and measure the emissions reductions from waste reduction or recycling programs, and generate carbon credits based on these reductions. The carbon credits can be sold or traded on carbon markets, providing a financial incentive for the manufacturer to invest in waste reduction or recycling initiatives.

[0078] System 100 can also be used in the energy sector. The system 100 can assist energy companies in becoming more profitable and / or more attractive to investments through the generation of carbon credits. For example, an energy company can use the system to track and measure the emissions reductions from renewable energy projects, such as solar or wind farms, and generate carbon credits based on these reductions. The carbon credits ca be sold or traded on carbon markets, providing necessary capital to invest in renewable energy projects.

[0079] System 100 can also be used in the transportation sector to help transportation companies further accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through the generation of carbon credits. For example, a transportation company can use system 100 to track and measure the emissions reductions from fuel efficiency improvements, such as the use of routing optimization software, and generate carbon credits based on these reductions. The carbon credits can be sold or traded on carbon markets, providing a financial incentive for the company to further invest in fuel efficiency technologies. Carbon credits may also be used to generate additional revenue to enable new and / or yet to be proven models such as ridesharing providers or alternative transport modes such as electric scooters, micro-transit, and more.

[0080] While forests are a major contributor to sequestration of greenhouse gas emissions, the forestry product sector (including companies that produce structural and / or non-structural wood products for the construction sector) can use system 100 to accelerate the use of low- carbon products, replacing high-carbon intensive ones such as concrete, steel, and more. Through the generation of carbon credits, system 100 can help forestry wood producers to generate revenue and support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

[0081] Other sectors or industries in which system 100 may be used include the government, education, healthcare, and financial sectors. For example, a government agency can use system 100 to track and measure the emissions reductions from energy efficiency improvements in public buildings, and generate carbon credits based on these reductions. A university may use system 100 to track and measure the emissions reductions from renewable energy projects on campus, such as solar panels or wind turbines, and generate carbon credits based on these reductions. A healthcare facility can use system 100 to track and measure the emissions reductions from waste reduction or recycling programs, and generate carbon credits based on these reductions. A financial institution can use system 100 to track and measure the emissions reductions from investments in renewable energy or energy efficiency projects, and generate carbon credits based on these reductions.

[0082] The examples and corresponding diagrams used herein are for illustrative purposes only. Different configurations and terminology can be used without departing from the principles expressed herein.

[0083] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the illustrative embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. For example, various features are described herein as being present in “some embodiments”. Such features are not mandatory and may not be present in all embodiments. Embodiments of the invention may include zero, any one or any combination of two or more of such features. This is limited only to the extent that certain ones of such features are incompatible with other ones of such features in the sense that it would be impossible for a person of ordinary skill in the art to construct a practical embodiment that combines such incompatible features. Consequently, the description that “some embodiments” possess feature A and “some embodiments” possess feature B should beinterpreted as an express indication that the inventors also contemplate embodiments which combine features A and B (unless the description states otherwise or features A and B are fundamentally incompatible).

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for automatically generating verifiable environmental instruments, comprising: a server comprising a processor and having access to: (a) a data storage, in which is stored a library of environmental computation modules, and (b) a program memory in which are stored instructions, which when executed by the processor, perform the steps of:(i) collecting data regarding a plurality of mitigation activities through an application programming interface (API) from one or more providers of such data;(ii) based on the data, selecting a plurality of applicable computational modules from the library of environmental computational modules;(iii) qualifying the data for environmental benefits, in accordance with criteria provided by the selected computational modules;(iv) quantifying the environmental benefits, based on the qualified data and in accordance with computations and computational factors provided by the selected computational modules; and(v) based on the quantification of the environmental benefits, generating environmental instruments; and a communications module configured to communicate with one or more other systems to verify and register the generated environmental instruments.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more other systems comprise third party verification systems and offset registry systems.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the communications module is configured to communicate in real-time with the third party verification systems and the offset registry systems.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the server is configured to provide a graphical user interface display via an application that can be accessed over theInternet, wherein the user interface may be used by a user to provide input for the selection of the computational modules.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the server comprises a reporting module configured to generate one or more reports on the generated environmental instruments and the mitigation activity.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the one or more reports comprise one or more of summary reports, detailed reports, charts, graphs, and visualizations that provide information on the generated environmental instruments, the mitigation activity performed, and verification and registration status of the generated environmental instruments.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the server is configured to display the one or more generated reports to the user on the graphical user interface display.

8. The system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the server is configured to store the collected data and the one or more generated reports in the data storage.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the communications module is configured to facilitate communication with the one or more other systems using the API.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the server is configured to write the generated environmental instruments to a distributed ledger.

11. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the generated environmental instrument comprises a carbon offset, carbon credit, or water credit.

12. A method for automatically generating verifiable environmental instruments, comprising:(i) collecting data relating to a plurality of mitigation activities;(ii) based on the data, selecting a plurality of applicable computational modules from a library of environmental computational modules;(iii) qualifying the data for environmental benefits, in accordance with criteria provided by the selected computational modules;(iv) quantifying the environmental benefits, based on the qualified data and in accordance with computations and computational factors provided by the selected computational modules; and(v) based on the quantification of the environmental benefits, generating the environmental instruments.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein selection of the computational modules is based on one or more inputs provided by a user.

14. The method according to either one of claims 12 or 13, comprising verifying the generated environmental instruments with a third party verifier.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, comprising registering the generated environmental instruments with a carbon offset registry.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, comprising generating one or more reports on the generated environmental instruments and the plurality of mitigation activities, wherein the one or more reports comprises one or more of summary reports, detailed reports, charts, graphs, or other visualizations providing information on the environmental instruments generated, the mitigation activity, and verification and registration status of the environmental instruments.

17. The method according to claim 16 comprising displaying the one or more reports on a graphical user interface display.

18. The method according to claim 17, comprising storing the collected data and the generated reports in a data storage.

19. The method according to claim 15 comprising communicating with providers of the mitigation activity data and the third party verifier and the carbon offset registry via an Application Programming Interface (API).

20. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 19 wherein the generated environmental instruments comprise carbon offsets, carbon credits, or water credits.

21. Apparatus having any new and inventive feature, combination of features, or sub-combination of features as described herein.

22. Methods having any new and inventive steps, acts, combination of steps and / or acts or sub-combination of steps and / or acts as described herein.

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