Systems and methods for managing carbon credits

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for managing carbon credits and recapture benefits. For example, systems disclosed herein may receive emission data related to the production of carbon emissions, select a template based on an entity type associated with the emission data, and generate one or more reporting documents by populating the template with values from the emission data. The system may transmit the reporting documents to an issuing entity. Systems described herein can further predict a likelihood of an entity obtaining carbon credits and recapture benefits, as well as a predicted quantity and value of carbon credits and recapture benefits for the entity to receive. Systems described herein may additionally identify applicable protocols and may generate and transmit reporting documents based on reporting periods in accordance with the applicable protocols.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING CARBON CREDITSCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 596,141, filed on November 3, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Carbon credits, also known as carbon offsets, have gained significant recognition as a mechanism to incentivize and promote actions that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon credits are typically issued in association with the avoidance, reduction, or removal of a certain quantity (e.g., a metric ton) of carbon dioxide (CO2) and / or other greenhouse gasses. They allow organizations, governments, and individuals to offset their own emissions by investing in projects or activities that lead to carbon reduction or removal.

[0003] The process of obtaining carbon credits typically involves various steps, such as measuring emissions, implementing emission reduction measures, quantifying the resulting reductions, and undergoing verification by an accredited third-party issuer. These credits can be acquired through participation in approved carbon offset programs, projects, or initiatives that adhere to recognized standards and methodologies.

[0004] The process of obtaining carbon credits is typically complex, inefficient, and lacks transparency, which has contributed to a lack of widespread adoption and effectiveness of the carbon credit market. For example, the process is typically time-consuming, manual, and prone to errors, which may lead to delays and difficulties in acquiring and utilizing carbon credits. Additionally, there is a lack of standardization to the process, making it challenging for organizations to navigate the carbon credit landscape and participating effectively in emission reduction activities.

[0005] Accordingly, a computer system that can automate and streamline the process of obtaining carbon credits may be advantageous by providing stakeholders a user-friendly, efficient, and transparent platform, as well as providing a digital, durable, and searchable storage for carbon credit information.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment including an emission management system in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation of a carbon credit module within a framework of the emission management system in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates an example workflow of information in at least one implementation of the carbon credit module within the emission management system in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates an example workflow of information between various components of an implementation of the carbon credit module within the emission management system in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates an example implementation of a recapture benefit module within a framework of the emission management system in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 6. illustrates a thread diagram showing communications between components of a recapture benefit module within an emission management system in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates an example series of acts showing an implementation of the emission management system in facilitating generation and maintenance of carbon credits in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates another series of acts showing an implementation of the emission management system in facilitating generation and maintenance of carbon credits in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 9 illustrates various components of an example computing system.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The present disclosure relates generally to systems, methods, and computer- readable media for managing carbon credits and recapture benefits. In particular, as will be discussed in further detail below, an emission management system may receive emission data associated with the production and / or sequestration of carbon emissions by one or more entities. Based on the emission data, the emission management system may automatically generate one or more reports for submitting to an issuing entity in connection with obtaining the carbon credits and recapture benefits. For example, the emission management system may select a template for the report associated with an entity type of the entity from a collection of templates associated with different entity types. The emission management system may populate fields of the template with values from the emission data having a value typecorresponding with a value type of the fields. The emission management system may also determine whether the emission data satisfies a criterion for obtaining carbon credits and / or recapture benefits. For example, the emission management system may predict whether the entity will qualify for obtaining one or more carbon credits and / or recapture benefits. The emission management system may generate a report for submitting to the issuing entity in accordance with obtaining carbon credits and / or recapture benefits, for example, based on the values entered into the template (and in some cases, based on measurement data), and based on determining that the entity satisfies the criterion. The emission management system may also provide recommendations for improving the report based on comparing similar reports (e.g., for carbon credits already issued). The emission management system may also digitally transmit the report directly to a computer interface of the issuing entity. For example, through the use of one or more application programming interfaces (APIs), the emission management system may prepare and transmit relevant data in any of a variety of forms in order that the issuing entity may receive the necessary information for issuing carbon credits and / or recapture benefits to the entity. In this way, the emission management system may provide a comprehensive, robust system for managing the acquisition of carbon credits by an entity.

[0016] In addition to collecting data and generating and transmitting reports generally, the emission management system may facilitate these management features in accordance with specific protocols for the obtaining of carbon credits and recapture benefits. For example, the emission management system may identify an applicable protocol for an entity to obtain the carbon credits and / or recapture benefits. The protocol may include instructions associated with submitting one or more reports, and may include reporting periods associated with the one or more reports. For each reporting period, the emission management system may select an applicable template and populate the template with emission data associated with the applicable reporting period. The emission management system may be in communication with one or more sensors for receiving sensor data, and may collect the sensor data (e.g., as part of the emission data) in accordance with the reporting periods of the protocol. Thus, the emission management system may generate one or more reports associated with the reporting periods in accordance with the protocol and may digitally transmit the reports directly to the issuing entity. In this way, the emission management system may facilitate an entity satisfying the requirements of the protocol including specific reporting periods, and may incorporate sensor data directly received to the emission management system for reporting to the issuing entity.

[0017] The present disclosure includes a number of practical applications that provide benefits and / or solve problems associated with obtaining carbon credits and recapture benefitsby an entity. For example, as mentioned above, the emission management system may receive emission data and incorporate the emission data across a variety of actions and across a variety of phases associated with obtaining carbon credits and recapture benefits. For instance, the emission management system may determine an entity type based on the emission data. The entity type may facilitate identifying and selecting applicable templates for generating necessary reporting documents, as well as identifying applicable protocols dictating required data to be reported and periods for recording and / or reporting data. Additionally, the emission management system may utilize the emission data to predict whether and to what extend an entity may obtain carbon credits and / or recapture benefits, as well as predicting present and future values of obtained carbon credits and / or recapture benefits. This facilitates determining the feasibility of an entity for implementing carbon reduction efforts. Further, the emission management system may utilize the emission data to generate a variety of reporting documents. These documents are further generated automatically by the emission management system implementing APIs and / or machine learning models trained to identify values from the emission data for inputting into fields of an associated template. The emission management system may also supplement these documents with additional qualitative and / or quantitative data by implement internal and / or external APIs as well as machine learning models trained for inferring based on historical data.

[0018] By utilizing a template and populating values of the template in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein, the emission management system collects and implement the emission data throughout many phases of the carbon credit process, providing a robust, holistic approach to obtaining carbon credits as well as managing emission entities generally. For example, conventional techniques generally approach the carbon credit process as discrete, often disjointed acts by multiple parties with little to no sharing of information between parties and phases of the process. Accordingly, information is often collected and recollected multiple times and at different moments in time as the information changes. The emission management system provides features and functionality that perform all of the phases associated with obtaining carbon credits and which benefit from having advantageous information from one phase available for use in another phase. The emission management system also provides efficiency by collecting the emission data once, and maintaining the emission data as it goes, rather than multiple times at each discrete step. This provides the additional benefit of the emission data being a consistent and reliable single source of truth for information required at any of the many phases of the carbon credit process, as opposedintroducing the potential for inaccuracies, mistakes, and / or errors between multiple instances of re-collected data.

[0019] In addition to receiving and maintaining the emission data, the emission management system facilitates adhering to a protocol for obtaining carbon credits and / or recapture benefits. For example, required reporting data, documents, deadlines, etc. may be identified by the emission management system and the system may accordingly generate and transmit necessary reports in accordance with the protocol. Reporting documents can typically be substantial in length, and often require a considerable amount of time and resources to prepare, review, and complete. By automatically populating fields with values identified in the emission data as applying to those fields, the emission management system can significantly simplify and expedite the preparing and submitting of reporting documents. Additionally, populating template fields with information directly from the emission data reduces the potential for errors, inaccuracies, and mistakes when preparing the reporting documents as opposed to, for example, manually completing documents or requiring that different sources format their data in a uniform manner or that the different sources communicate with one another.

[0020] Further, directly transmitting the reporting documents to computer systems of the issuing entities may further simplify and expedite the obtaining of carbon credits and / or recapture benefits according to the identified protocols. For example, the emission management system may prepare any number of formats (e.g., data packets or containers) for submitting various pieces of information to one or more issuing entities and in the form required by those issuing entities. This may facilitate delivering relevant information directly to the systems described herein to be populated within a template via modules or APIs associated with the issuing entities for processing a carbon credit application or request, as opposed to, for example, a party or system of the issuing entity parsing through an entirety of a submitted reporting document to locate and identify relevant information.

[0021] Conventional mechanisms for obtaining carbon credits and recapturing benefits are a relatively new and budding industry that suffers from inconsistency and a lack of transparency. For example, the quality, quantity, form, etc. of information reported pursuant to obtaining carbon credits may vary widely from one market participant to another. By implementing templates that are populated with defined types, forms, quantities, etc. of data, the emission management system may generate reporting documents in a form and of a quality that may be most useful for obtaining carbon credits, and that issuing entities may become most accustomed to engaging with. Indeed, different types of templates utilized by the emissionmanagement system may be periodically updated to reflect and incorporate innovations and patterns of success observed in the carbon credit process. Moreover, the emission management system may make use of templates of different types that are better suited for different types of carbon credits and recapture benefits. In this way, the emission management system may help establish industry standards for entities that are not well versed or experts in looking to obtain carbon credits. Additionally, the transfer of carbon credits through the carbon credit market may similarly benefit from the consistency and transparency that the emission management system provides. For example, by receiving and maintaining the emission data throughout and entirety of the process, relevant emission data associated with each obtained carbon credit may be made available to future or prospective owners of a carbon credit. This transparency may result in higher value carbon credits as the emission data upon which the carbon credit is based can be made readily and reliably available, ensuring that buyers can purchase with a higher confidence. In this way, the emission management system may facilitate establishing standards for the carbon credit market. This standardization and transparency further enables organizations to avoid mistakes, fraud, and other problems that are common in conventional systems for maintaining carbon credits.

[0022] As illustrated in the foregoing discussion, the present disclosure utilizes a variety of terms to describe features and advantages of the systems described herein. Additional detail is now provided regarding the meaning of such terms. As used herein, “carbon, “carbon emissions,” “emissions,” “carbon gasses,” “greenhouse gasses,” and other like terms may refer to gasses that collect in the atmosphere and cause a greenhouse effect of trapping heat. Carbon emissions may refer to the gasses which are widely believed to be contributing to global climate change and for which efforts are made to reduce and / or remove from the environment. While carbon emissions may refer to carbon dioxide emissions or gasses, as used herein, “carbon” and other like terms may refer to any of the many greenhouse gas emissions such as methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, etc. attributed to be causing the global climate crisis.

[0023] As used herein, “entity” may refer to an entity which is associated with carbon emissions and / or greenhouse gasses. In some examples, an entity may be a specific project, site, or production which produces carbon emissions. For instance, an entity may be an oil or natural gas (e.g., methane) well or site, a cement production operation, an energy production installation, a transportation operation, a waste facility, an agricultural enterprise, or any other entity which may produce carbon emissions and which may be eligible for carbon credit related benefits. In another example, an entity may refer to an organization which owns, operates, manages, oversees, inspects, or is otherwise associated with a facility or operation thatproduces carbon emissions. In another example, an entity may refer to a specific project or operation by an organization or at a cite or facility which produces and / or attempts to reduce or remove carbon emissions. Thus, as used herein, an entity may be a source, organization and / or project associated with obtaining carbon credits and / or recapture benefits (each of which are described below).

[0024] Entities may have an entity type (“entity type” as used herein) associated with the entity. The obtaining of carbon credits and / or recapture benefits may be dependent on entity type. For example, different entity types may have different reporting requirements or carbon credit criteria. Different entity types may be eligible for different amounts of carbon credits and / or recapture benefits. In some examples, an entity type may describe a type of project, such as a reduction type, a sequestration type, etc. In other examples, an entity type may describe a type of source, such as an oil and gas well type, a transportation type, a cement production type, an energy production type, etc. In other examples, an entity type may describe an organizational type, such as an owner organization type (current owner, previous owner, lessee, etc.), an inspection organization type, a managing organization type, a contracting organization type, etc.

[0025] As used herein, “carbon credits” are credits or commodities issued in connection with the production (e.g., a reduction and / or sequestration) of carbon emissions and / or greenhouse gasses. Carbon credits are typically issued for projects or efforts that aim to eliminate greenhouse gasses from the environment. For example, carbon credits may be issued to entities that reduce an output of carbon emissions to the environment, or to entities that sequester carbon emissions out of the environment. Carbon credits are typically obtained by reporting the reduction and / or sequestration of carbon emissions by an entity to an issuing entity (“issuing entity” as used herein). Reporting is typically done by submitting one or more emission reports (“emission report” as used herein) to the issuing entity which provide an accounting of an amount (e.g., volume, weight) of greenhouse gasses that the entity has prevented from emitting and / or recaptured from the environment. The issuing entity may vigorously verify and validate the reporting of an entity to ensure that the efforts of the entity meet established criteria and standards for carbon offsetting. Once verified, the issuing entity may issue carbon credits to the entity. Each carbon credit typically represents one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) that has been reduced or removed. Carbon credits may be obtained by and / or transferred between entities in order to offset the production of carbon emissions by an entity, such as in a voluntary effort to achieve a reduced carbon footprint or carbon-neutral initiative, as well as part of compliance with government-mandated regulatoryschemes. Thus, an entity may offset their own production of carbon emissions through their own carbon-reduction measures, by obtaining carbon credits from another entity through the carbon credit market, or by a combination of both.

[0026] As used herein, “carbon recapture benefits,” or “recapture benefits” are benefits, reimbursements, or incentives issued in connection with the production (e.g., a reduction and / or sequestration) of carbon emissions and / or greenhouse gasses. For example, recapture benefits may be tax deductions or tax credits issued or claimable by an entity in association with the carbon offset efforts of the entity. The recapture benefits may be associated with the 45Q tax credit, or any other tax credit or deduction provided by federal, state, and / or local tax governance organizations. Similar to carbon credits, recapture benefits may be obtained by reporting the reduction and / or sequestration of carbon emissions by an entity to an issuing entity. Reporting may also include reporting associated resources (e.g., expenses), which may factor into the issuing of the recapture benefits. An accounting of an entity’s carbon reduction efforts may be reported to the issuing entity by submitting one or more recapture reports. The issuing entity may require a periodic accounting and / or periodic submission of the recapture reports. An entity may obtain both carbon credits and recapture benefits in association with a reduction and / or sequestration of carbon emissions by the entity.

[0027] Additional detail will now be provided regarding systems for predicting, obtaining, and managing carbon credits and other incentives associated with the production of carbon emissions in relation to illustrative figures portraying example implementations. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment 100 in which an emission management system is implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. As shown in FIG. 1, the environment 100 includes one or more server device(s) 102. The server device(s) 102 may include an emission management system 104 implemented thereon. The emission management system 104 may include and / or may implement a carbon credit module 106 and a recapture benefit module 108. The emission management system 104 may include a data storage 110 having various types of data implemented thereon as will be discussed herein. The environment 100 may include one or more client devices 112 which may include an emission management application 114.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the server device(s) 102 and client device(s) 112 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly through a network 116. The network 116 may include one or multiple networks and may use one or more communication platforms or technologies suitable for transmitting data. The network 116 may refer to any data link that enables transport of electronic data between devices and / or modules of the environment 100.The network 116 may refer to a hardwired network, a wireless network, or a combination of a hardwired network and a wireless network. In one or more embodiments, the network 116 includes the internet.

[0029] The client devices 112 may refer to various types of computing devices. For example, one or more client devices 112 may include a mobile device such as a mobile telephone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet, or a laptop. Additionally, or alternatively, the client devices 112 may include one or more non-mobile devices such as a desktop computer, server device, or other non-portable device. In one or more implementations, the client devices 112 include graphical user interfaces thereon (e.g., a screen of a mobile device). In addition, or as an alternative, one or more of the client devices 112 may be communicatively coupled (e.g., wired or wirelessly) to a display device having a graphical user interface thereon for providing a display of system content. The server device(s) 102 may similarly refer to various types of computing devices. Each of the devices of the environment 100 may include features and functionalities described below in connection with FIG. 9.

[0030] Users of the client devices 112 may navigate and interact with various features of the emission management system 104. For example, the emission management application 114 may provide an interface or may provide access to an interface for accessing a platform of the emission management system 104 offering the various features described herein. The emission management application 114 may be an application such as a smartphone application, a desktop application, or the like, which is built for or compatible with a given device type of the client devices 112. In one or more embodiments, the emission management application 114 may be a web browser for accessing a web application or other online portal to the platform of the emission management system 104. In this way a user may interact with the emission management system 104 through an emission management application 114 on the client devices 112.

[0031] In addition to providing content to the client devices 112, in some implementations the emission management system 104 may receive or collect data from the client devices 112. For example, as describe herein, the emission management system 104 may receive emission data associated with the production and / or sequestration of carbon emissions by an entity. The emission management system 104 may store the emission data on the data storage 110 implemented on or otherwise accessible to the server device 102.

[0032] The emission management system 104 may utilize the emission data in a variety of ways. For example, as will be discussed herein in detail, the emission management system 104 may utilize the emission data (e.g., apply a model, such as a machine learning model oralgorithm(s), to the emission data) to predict an amount of carbon credits or recapture benefits to be obtained by an entity. The emission management system 104 may predict a value of one or more carbon credits or recapture benefits. In another example, the emission management system 104 may apply a model to the emission data and may populate one or more templates in order to generate and transmit reports associated with obtaining the carbon credits or recapture benefits.

[0033] In some examples, the emission management system 104 may identify one or more protocols associated with obtaining carbon credits or recapture benefits. The emission management system 104 may manage the collection of the emission data as well as the generation and transmission of one or more reports associated with the protocol. The emission management system 104 may prompt or alert a user of the client device 112 regarding the generation and transmission of one or more reports, including receiving user input associated with the reports. For example, the emission management system 104 may identify one or more users whose position or role corresponds with one or more actions or tasks associated with the reports, and may according alert or prompt these user(s). In this way, the emission management system 104 may provide and / or may facilitate a process for documenting, obtaining, and managing credits and benefits associated with the production and / or sequestration of carbon emissions.

[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation of the carbon credit module 106 of the emission management system 104. The carbon credit module 106 may be associate with documenting, obtaining, and / or otherwise managing carbon credits or carbon offsets. As mentioned above, carbon credits are credits or commodities issued in connection with the production (e.g., a reduction and / or sequestration) of carbon emissions and / or greenhouse gasses by or at an entity.

[0035] The carbon credit module 106 may include a credit prediction manager 118, an emission report engine 120, a transmission manager 122, and credit exchange agent 124. As mentioned above, the emission management system 104 may include a data storage 110. The data storage may have a variety of types of data stored thereon, including emission data 126, and report data 130. Additional detail in connection with these components will be discussed below in connection with various examples and workflows.

[0036] As just mentioned, the carbon credit module 106 includes a credit prediction manager 118. As shown in FIG. 3, in one or more embodiments, the credit prediction manager 118 may receive one or more inputs 134. The inputs 134 may be received in the form of signals received from one or more sensors, information received from an application or website, inputreceived from a user (e.g., through the client devices 112), or any other input. The inputs 134 may include one or more measurements taken with respect to a carbon producing entity. For instance, in an example where an entity is (or is associated with) a natural gas well, the emission data 126 may include flow measurements of carbon emissions, depth measurements of a well, concentration measurements of gasses being emitted from the well, or any other measurements relevant to the production of carbon emission by the entity and combinations thereof. The inputs 134 may include historic data of one or more of these measurements. For example, the inputs 134 may include some or all of the measurements taken over a given period of time and / or may include one or more computations based on the historical measurements such as a mean, median, mode, or any other statistical metric. The inputs 134 may include present data of the measurements (e.g., state data). For example, the inputs 134 may be a currently observed measurements and / or may include a recent statistical metric of the measurements, such as a mean, media, mode, etc. over a recent period of time (e.g., shorter than the historic mean, median, mode, etc.) The inputs 134 may include entity data related to an identification of the an individual, organization, or any entity such as who presently or previously has owned, managed, or operated the well; who capped or sealed the well; who has inspected the well; who has upkept the well; known, documented, or historic leakages from the well; and any other information relevant to carbon emissions associated with the well (and combinations thereof). The credit prediction manager 118 may store the inputs 134 as emission data 126.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, this disclosure relates to managing landfill methane gas to energy projects, which destroys the methane, converting it to less harmful carbon dioxide and in the process creating electricity and heat. All the data inputs and measurements required for registering projects for the issuance of carbon offset credits would be recorded and tracked in the software. This would allow for the calculation of CO2 equivalent gas destruction and a time series of supporting metrics.

[0038] Another example implementation that this disclosures relates to is providing a prefeasibility analysis for the economic potential of a given plot of land in generating carbon offset credits. This would compare various scenarios of improved management of existing vegetation, inclusion of new vegetation, other carbon sequestration activities that provide additionality, and also quantify co-benefits, including improvement to soil and water. Features of the systems described herein would further support the creation of a project design document to be filed with the application to the relevant registry. All the supporting data - vegetation type and details, growth, temperature, rainfall, microsensor data of tree diameter, and other environmental data - would be tracked and tagged to the project. Communication to and fromthe registry for credit issuance will also be managed by features and functionality of the systems described herein, along with all the data to substantiate the credit quality to prospective offset credit buyers.

[0039] In some implementations, the credit prediction manager 118 outputs one or more feasibility metrics 132. For instance, the credit prediction manager 118 may optionally determine an entity type of the entity associated with the emission data 126. For example, the credit prediction manager may apply one or more entity type classification models to the emission data 126 to determine the entity type. The one or more entity type classification models may be a machine learning model trained to determine a given entity type based on the emission data. The one or more entity type classification models may identify a plurality of entity types that are eligible for obtaining carbon credits including specific requirements for obtaining carbon credits for the various entity types. The models may analyze and / or compare the emission data 126 against the one or more entity types and may determine an entity type for (e.g., that most closely relates to) the entity associated with the emission data 126. In another example, the carbon credit module 106 may receive user input and may determine the entity type based on the user input. In this way, the credit prediction manager 118 may associate the emission data 126 with a specific entity type which may be eligible for obtaining carbon credits. The credit prediction manager 118 may store the entity type to the data storage 110, for example, as part of the emission data 126.

[0040] Based on the entity type (e.g., determined from the emission data 126), in some implementations the carbon credit module 106 identifies one or more criteria or protocols for obtaining carbon credits. For example, different entity types may have different reporting requirements, reduction / seque strati on requirements, storage requirements, etc. and the carbon credit module 106 may identify the specific requirements applicable to the entity type. In some embodiments, the credit prediction manager may determine whether the entity satisfies the criteria for obtaining carbon credits. For example, the credit prediction manager 118 may apply one or more credit prediction models to the emission data 126 in order to predict (e.g., determine a likelihood of) whether the entity and the associated emission data 126 will satisfy the criteria for obtaining carbon credits. The credit prediction models may be machine learning models trained to predict whether a given entity will satisfy the criteria for obtaining carbon credits (e.g., whether an issuing entity will determine that an entity meets the requirements) based on the emission data 126 and based on the determined entity type. In this way, the credit prediction manager 118 may generate feasibility metrics 132 that provide an indication of the potential for a given entity to obtain carbon credits.

[0041] In some embodiments, the feasibility metrics 132 include an indication of additional information or data which may be beneficial for obtaining carbon credits. For example, the credit prediction manager 118 may indicate additional data to include or provide to an issuing entity in order to improve a likelihood of obtaining cardon credits and / or improve a quality of carbon credits to be obtained. In another example, the credit prediction models may be trained to identify data types, instances, or values from entities that have successfully obtained carbon credits, and may be trained to indicate data types, instances, values, etc. for an entity to improve a likelihood of obtaining carbon credits. The credit prediction manager 118 may alert a user to obtain the additional information or may automatically obtain the additional information without user input.

[0042] In one or more implementations, the credit prediction manager 118 determines a quantity of carbon credits that an entity may obtain (e.g., where the credit prediction manager 118 determines that an entity is likely to satisfy the criteria to obtain carbon credits). For example, the credit prediction models may be trained to predict, based on the emission data 126, how many carbon credits that an emission reduction or sequestration project will likely obtain or generate over time. In some embodiments, the credit prediction manager 118 may be trained to determine a value of the carbon credits. For example, the credit prediction models may be trained to predict a current and / or future value of the carbon credits based on market conditions, pricing schemes, government regulations, etc. In some embodiments, the credit prediction manager 118 may dynamically predict and / or update the predicted value of the carbon credits. In some embodiments, the credit prediction manager 118 may predict the quantity and / or value of carbon credits in association with values entered into multiple iterations of a template (as described herein below). In this way, the credit prediction manager 118 may generate feasibility metrics 132 related to predictions of potential carbon credits for an entity.

[0043] In some embodiments, the credit prediction manager 118 provides financial metrics and analyses as part of the feasibility metrics 132. For example, the inputs 134 may include financial information such as expenses and resources associated with the reduction and / or sequestration efforts of an entity. Based on the financial information, the credit prediction manager 118 may predict a value, revenue, and / or profitability of an entity. In this way, the credit prediction manager 118 may provide feasibility metrics 132 which may facilitate a more complete and robust analysis of the overall value of an emission reduction or sequestration project.

[0044] The credit prediction manager 118 providing the feasibility metrics may facilitate assessing the feasibility of a given emission reduction or sequestration project. For example, conventionally feasibility assessments are performed manually through a variety of spreadsheets and calculations, and accuracy and reliability of such assessments may typically be achieved only by employing skilled and experienced consultants. The emission management system 104 of the present disclosure may take the emission inputs 134 and may generate one or more valuable feasibility metrics 132 as describe herein for quickly and easily assessing the feasibility (e.g., profitability, value, etc.) of carbon reduction projects. In addition, the credit prediction manager may use existing data from similar projects that have previously obtained carbon credits to further evaluate the feasibility metrics for the given emission reduction or sequestration project.

[0045] In some examples, the emission management system 104 generate and / or present a visual representation of any of the data accessible to the system. For example, the emission management system 104 may present one or more graphs, charts, illustrations, alerts, indications, images, or any other visual representation via a graphical user interface of a client device. In another example, the credit prediction manager 118 may visually present one or more portions of the emission data 126, such as measurements or calculations of the emission data 126. In another example, the credit prediction manager 118 may visually present one or more of the feasibility metrics 132, such as an indication that an entity is predicted to receive a carbon credit, a quantity of carbon credits, a value of carbon credits, or any other feasibility metric 132 and combinations thereof. These visual representations may facilitate comparing the impact, effectiveness, and / or business feasibility of different (e.g., similar) projects.

[0046] As mentioned above, the emission management system 104 includes an emission report engine 120. The emission report engine 120 may generate one or more emission reports 136, for example, based at least in part on the emission data 126 obtained and / or generated by the credit prediction manager 118, as shown in FIG. 3. As mentioned above, the emission reports 136 may be associated with obtaining carbon credits. For example, the emission reports may include documents, forms, statements, or any other information or form of information for submitting to an issuing entity in accordance with one or more protocols for obtaining carbon credits. In some embodiments, the emission reports 136 may include a representation of the emission data 126 or feasibility metrics 132. In one or more implementations, the emission reports 136 may include one or more calculations, statistical and / or historical representations, or graphic representations of the emission data 126 or feasibility metrics 132. The emission reports 136 may include or may be based on any other presentation or representation of data inaccordance with the techniques described herein, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the emission report engine 120 may receive other data 138 for generating the emission reports 136, such as data based on user input, from one or more webpages or databases, or from any other source.

[0047] The emission report engine 120 may generate and / or may present a representation via a graphical user interface of the client device of any of the data accessible to the emission report engine 120. For example, the emission report engine 120 may present the emission report. The emission report may be in the form of a document or text. The emission report engine 120 may present one or more graphs or illustrations of any of the data or statistical calculations associated with the emission report.

[0048] In some embodiments, the emission report engine 120 generates the emission reports 136 based on a template 140. For example, a collection of templates 140 may be stored on the data storage 110 as report data 130. In some implementations, different templates 140 are associated with different entities or entity types (e.g., in accordance with the entity type determined by the credit prediction manager 118 described above). For example, specific types or forms of emission data may be associated with different entity types. In another example, different reporting protocols may be associated with different entity types. In another example, specific issuing entities may be associated with a specific form of the emission report. The emission report engine 120 may accordingly select a template 140 of the collection of templates 140. In this way, templates may be selected in a standardized and / or uniform manner, which may facilitate setting a standard for how various projects should be documented and presented. This in turn may facilitate reviewing and / or consuming relevant information associated with carbon reduction and / or sequestration projects.

[0049] In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the emission report engine 120 selects a template 140 from the collection of templates based on the entity type, (e.g., in order to satisfy a reporting protocol associated with obtaining carbon credits for the specific entity type). Each of the templates 140 may include one or more fields 142 for populating with values from any of the types of data accessible to the emission report engine 120 as discussed herein. After selecting a corresponding template 140 associated with the determined entity -type or carbon credit type, the emission report engine 120 may populate one or more of the fields 142 of the template 140 with values based on a value type associated with the fields 142. For example, the emission report engine 120 may populate fields 142 with entity information (e.g., entity name, entity type, people / organizations associated with the entity) one or more state and / or historic measurements (e.g., flow measurements, depth measurements,etc.), or any other value or information consistent with the present disclosure. In this way, the emission report engine 120 may generate an emission report 136 based at least in part on values from the emission data 126 received via the credit prediction manager 118 by selecting and populating a template 140. In one or more implementations, the emission report engine 120 may generate the emission report 136 in this way without user input such that the emission report 136 may be automatically generated. The emission report engine 120 may store the selected template and the emission report 136 (e.g., the populated template 140) to the data storage 110 as report data 130.

[0050] In some examples, the emission report engine 120 implements one or more APIs for populating the template 140 and generating the emission report 136. For example, the APIs may enable the emission report engine 120 to access the emission data 126 obtained via the credit prediction manager 118 and may identify values of types that correspond to one or more of the fields 142 of the template 140. In some examples, the APIs may facilitate access of any other data accessible to the emission report engine 120, such as data obtained via user input to a client device, and may similarly identify values of types for populating associated fields 142 of the template 140. In some examples, the APIs may enable the credit prediction manager 118 and / or the emission report engine 120 to obtain, generate, and / or estimate the emission data 126. For example, the APIs may facilitate obtaining high-resolution satellite imagery for forestry projects, as well as estimating numbers and / or locations of trees from the imagery. In another example, the APIs may facilitate obtaining scanned documents and extracting text, tables, figures, etc., from the documents. The APIs may facilitate inputting information from the emission data 126 to the template 140. For example, the emission report engine 120 may implement a plurality of APIs for obtaining a plurality of values for entering into a plurality of associated fields of a template. A first API may obtain a first set of values to enter into the template from a first source and a second API may obtain a second set of values to enter into the template from a second source. The APIs may facilitate dynamically updating the values entered into the template without receiving additional inputs from a user as the corresponding values are update form the respective sources.

[0051] Conventionally, the process of obtaining carbon credits can involve isolated silos of information at discrete steps of the process, with much of the information not being passed on throughout the discrete steps. For example, the feasibility features performed by the credit prediction manager 118 may typically be performed by one party, and the emission report may be generated by another party, with information being independently gathered by each party. By integrating the feasibility features into one system with the report generation features, aswell as sharing data collected and / or generated in association with each feature, better continuity may be provided throughout the process of obtaining carbon credits. This may facilitate a more efficient and more accurate generation of the emission reports by eliminating human error, and sharing data between features and processes as a single source of truth for data as opposed to obtaining data multiple times and potentially from multiple sources. Additionally, by combining and integrating data from all different data sources into one integrated system, the emission management system 104 may facilitate intelligent early detection and correction of erroneous data and / or measurements, which may in turn provide higher confidence and reliability of the data and measurements through cross validations. The techniques described herein may also generate higher-value carbon credits with a higher confidence level by providing valuable transparency to an entity that may obtain carbon credits through the techniques described herein.

[0052] It will be understood that one or more of the features performed by the emission report engine 120 may be performed prior to, after, or in conjunction with one or more of the features performed by the credit prediction manager 118. For example, the emission report engine 120 may select and / or populate the template 140 prior to, after, or in conjunction with the credit prediction manager 118 generating one or more of the feasibility metrics 132. In another example, the emission report engine 120 may select a template 140 in conjunction with the credit prediction manager 118 generating one or more of the feasibility metrics 132, but may generate the emission report 136 (e.g., populate the template 140) after the credit prediction manager 118 generates one or more (or all) of the feasibility metrics.

[0053] As described herein, the emission report engine 120 may store the selected template 140 and / or the emission report 136 to the data storage 110 as report data 130. In some embodiments, the credit prediction manager 118 may access some or all of the report data 130 in order to perform one or more of the features described herein. For example, the credit prediction manager 118 may generate one or more of the feasibility metrics 132 based on one or more of the values populated to the fields 142 of the template 140. The credit prediction manager 118 may incorporate one or more of the values for predicting whether the entity will satisfy the carbon credit criteria for obtaining carbon credits as described herein. Based on the values and based on determining that the entity satisfies the carbon credit criteria, the emission report engine 120 may generate the emission report 136. In this way, the features described herein are not necessarily performed as a series of sequenced steps by the credit prediction manager 118 and the emission report engine 120, but may be performed in any order consistent with the present disclosure, or in parallel.

[0054] As mentioned above, the emission management system 104 includes a transmission manager 122. As discussed herein, one or more issuing entities or registries may be associated with the issuing, managing, transferring, and / or accessing data associated with carbon credits. As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the transmission manager 122 may communicate, or may facilitate communication with, one or more issuing entities 144.

[0055] In some examples, the transmission manager 122 may transmit one or more of the emission reports 136. For example, the issuing entities 144 may issue and / or transfer carbon credits based on the one or more emission reports 136, and the transmission manager 122 may transmit the emission reports 136 to the issuing entities in a digital format. The transmission manager 122 may implement one or more APIs to communicate with the issuing entities 144. In some implementations the transmission manager 122 may communicate with one or more APIs of the issuing entities 144. The APIs may facilitate transmitting one or more portions of the emission reports 136 through one or more websites or online portals associated with the issuing entities 144.

[0056] In some implementations, the transmission manager 122 may transmit one or more portions of the emission reports 136 in a specific form or data structure. For example, the transmission manager 122 may transmit one or more portions of the emission reports 136 as one or more individual values or groups of values, in one or more data structures, in one or more containers or container types, or as any other electronic format, type of data, or data schema compatible with an interface of the issuing entities 144. In some examples, the transmission manager 122 may generate or convert the emission reports 136 to a given format in order to transmit the emission reports 136 to the issuing entity 144. In some examples, the transmission manager 122 may receive the emission reports 136 in the correct data format from another component of the emission management system 104, such as the emission report engine 120. In this way, the transmission manager 122 may facilitate digitally transmitting the emission reports 136 directly to the issuing entities 144. For example, the transmission manager 122 may facilitate the emission reports 136 being emailed to the issuing entities 144. In another example, the transmission manager 122 may integrate with an API of the issuing entities 144 for transmitting one or more portions of the emission reports 136.

[0057] As mentioned above, the emission management system 104 may include a credit exchange agent 124. The credit exchange agent 124 may facilitate receiving, tracking, logging, and / or transferring carbon credits 146 of an entity. For example, the credit exchange agent 124 may implement a platform for an entity to receive issued carbon credits 146 from the issuing entity 144. The credit exchange agent 124 may maintain a record or log of the carbon credits146 obtained, applied for, and / or transferred to or from an entity or multiple entities. In some implementations, the credit exchange agent 124 may provide a platform for exchanging or transferring carbon credits 146 between entities, such as entities 148. For example, the credit exchange agent 124 may facilitate making and / or accepting offers for transferring carbon credits 146 from one entity to another.

[0058] As described herein, the emission management system 104 may store various types of data to the data storage 110, such as emission data 126 and report data 130. The credit exchange agent 124 may associate data stored in the data storage 110 with one or more carbon credits 146 of an entity. In some embodiments, the credit exchange agent 124 may facilitate access of some or all of the data storage 110 to one or more entities 148. For example, when transferring carbon credits between entities (or for prospective transfers) the credit exchange agent 124 may facilitate a receiving entity accessing some or all of the data storage associated with carbon credits to be transferred by a transferring entity. This may facilitate transparency in the carbon credit marketplace for transferring of carbon credits, and may facilitate transferring entities and receiving entities better evaluating the value of carbon credits being transferred. In some embodiments, this may be as part of a carbon credit exchange or marketplace that is native (e.g., implemented by) the emission management system 104. In some embodiments, the emission management system 104 may integrate with one or more external carbon credit exchanges or marketplaces and may facilitate access to information relevant to (e.g., obtained) carbon credits in order to facilitate the exchange of the carbon credits.

[0059] As mentioned above, the emission management system 104 includes a recapture benefit module 108. The recapture benefit module 108 may be associated with documenting, obtaining, and / or otherwise managing carbon recapture benefits. As described above, carbon recapture benefits may be benefits such as tax credits associated with the recapture or sequestration of carbon emissions and / or greenhouse gasses, such as from the environment or an industrial process. As shown in FIG. 5, the recapture benefit module 108 may include a protocol manager 150, a resource record manager 152, a recapture report engine 154, and a transmission manager 156.

[0060] As just mentioned, the recapture benefit module 108 includes a protocol manager 150. The protocol manager 150 may perform one or more of the functions of the credit prediction manager 118 as discussed above, but with respect to the carbon recapture benefits. For example, the protocol manager 150 may receive emission inputs associated with obtaining the recapture benefits from any of a variety of sources as described herein. In another example,the protocol manager 150 may generate one or more feasibility metrics, such as predicting whether and / or to what extent an entity may obtain recapture benefits, or predicting a present or future value of recapture benefits. In another example, the protocol manager 150 may store information to the data storage 110 as emission data 126. In another example, the protocol manager 150 may provide financial analyses of the profitability or value of a project to obtain recapture benefits. For instance, the protocol manager 150 may analyze costs associated with sequestering, transporting, storing, etc. recaptured carbon and may leverage this information against predicted amounts, values, or profitability of a recapture benefits that an entity may obtain. In some embodiments, the protocol manager 150 may be the same component of the emission management system 104 as the credit prediction manager 118, which may perform functions across both the carbon credit module 106 and the recapture benefit module 108. In other embodiments, the protocol manager 150 may be a separate component from the credit prediction manager 118, such as a separate instance of the credit prediction manager 118 implemented on the recapture benefit module 108 (or vice versa), or a distinct component including some or all of the features and functionalities of the credit prediction manager 118. In this way, the protocol manager 150 may provide one or more of the features of the credit prediction manager 118.

[0061] In some situations, issuing entities may issue recapture benefits in accordance with one or more protocols. The protocols may include instructions or directions for an entity to obtain recapture benefits, such as types or forms of information to report, reports to prepare and / or file, time periods or deadlines to meet, or any other requirements, and combinations thereof. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the protocols include instructions associated with reporting recapture reports to the issuing entities within certain reporting periods.

[0062] In one or more implementations, the protocol manager 150 may identify a protocol associated with obtaining recapture benefits. For example, the protocol manager 150 may identify from a collection of protocols an applicable protocol for an entity to obtain recapture benefits of a particular type (e.g., an entity type or carbon credit type). The protocol manager 150 may identify the protocol based on an entity type determined by the protocol manager 150 from received emission data 126. In some examples, the protocol manager 150 may identify from the protocol, one or more recapture reports to submit to the issuing entities. In some examples, the protocol manager 150 may identify from the protocol one or more types of emission data 126 (e.g., values from the emission data 126) to include in the recapture reports. In some examples, the protocol manager 150 may identify from the protocol one or morereporting periods for submitting the recapture reports. The protocol manager 150 may store the identified protocol to the data storage as part of the emission data 126.

[0063] In one or more implementations, the protocol manager 150 may receive one or more emission inputs. For example, the protocol manager 150 may receive any of the emission inputs and / or emission data described above in connection with the credit prediction manager 118. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the emission inputs the protocol manager 150 receives may include emission inputs specifically associated with the sequestration of carbon emissions by an entity. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the protocol manager 150 may receive sensor data 158. The sensor data 158 may be sensor data from one or more carbon sequestration sensors 160. The carbon sequestration sensors 160 may be located at a location associated with the recapture entity. The sensor data may include data captures by a plurality of different types of sensors. For example, the sensor data 158 may include flow measurements of a flow of recaptured carbon gasses, volume and / or weight measurements of a volume of recaptured carbon gasses, or any other measurement consistent with the techniques described herein. The sensor data my be transmitted by a device of the recapture entity that is configured to transmit the sensor data at a time that the sensor data is captured. The protocol manager 150 may store the emission inputs including the sensor data 158 to the data storage 110 as emission data 126.

[0064] The protocol manager 150 receiving and storing the sensor data may facilitate providing an entity with more complete or robust information regarding the sequestration of carbon emissions. The sensor data in this way may be advantageous for an entity evaluating and understanding their carbon sequestration efforts. For example, conventional techniques may only take few measurements, may only take these measurements periodically, and may record or log the measurements in an inefficient manner (e.g., manually, analog, pen-and- paper, scanned documents, etc.). By receiving the sensor data 158 by the protocol manager 150, the recapture benefit module 108 may provide a detailed overview of how, when, and how much carbon is recaptured over a historic period of time. The sensor data 158 in this way may also be advantageous for maintaining a detailed record of the carbon sequestration by the entity. For example, in some situations an entity may be required to verify an observed or reported sequestration of carbon emissions, such as in accordance with an audit by an issuing entity. Maintaining a record of the sensor data 158 in this way may facilitate verifying reported data in order that an entity may fulfill the requirements of an audit.

[0065] Additionally, receiving and ultimately reporting emission data directly through the emission management system 104 may provide a more secure, accurate, and reliable reportingof the sequestration of carbon emissions by the entity. For example, reporting through traditional means such as manual, pen-and-paper processes, may be prone to error, misinterpretation, fraudulent reporting, and lost information. The reporting techniques of the recapture benefit module 108 may eliminate many or all of these limitations, and may provide the issuing entities with data reporting that can be confidently relied upon when making issuing decisions for recapture benefits. For instance, receiving emission data through a system as described herein may reduce or eliminate the opportunity for an entity to generate inaccurate or fraudulent data. Time and date stamps may also facilitate accuracy and reliability of reporting. In this way, the techniques described herein may facilitate establishing standards in the industries of carbon credits and / or recapture benefits that add valuable transparency, accuracy, and reliability to the issuing of these credits and / or benefits.

[0066] In some examples, the protocol manager 150 may receive the sensor data 158 directly, such as a direct signal or feed from the carbon sequestration sensors 160. In some examples, the protocol manager 150 may receive the sensor data 158 as an indirect input, such as a user input. For example, a user may capture an image of a readout of the carbon sequestration sensors 160 (e.g., via a mobile device), and the protocol manager 150 may extract the sensor data 158 by processing the image. The protocol manager 150 may receive the sensor data 158 continuously (e.g., at discrete intervals over a period of time), or periodically. For example, the sequestration sensors 160 may constantly monitor, or may take periodic carbon sequestration measurements. In some embodiments, the protocol manager 150 may receive sensor data 158 in accordance with the identified protocol. For example, the protocol may include one or more reporting periods for reporting certain sequestration measurements. The protocol manager 150 may accordingly receive the sensor data 158 and may associate it with the corresponding reporting period. The protocol manager 150 may store this reporting-period- specific sensor data 158 as part of the emission data 126. In some embodiments, the protocol manager 150 may send the sensor data 158 to the recapture report engine 154 in accordance with each reporting period. As shown in FIG. 6, the protocol manager 150 may store and / or send the sensor data 158 in connection with any number of reporting periods.

[0067] In one or more implementations, the protocol manager 150 may generate and send a prompt or alert based on one or more of the reporting periods. For example, the protocol manager 150 may alert a user via a client device regarding one or more user inputs or information related to a reporting period. For instance, the protocol manager 150 may alert a user of an upcoming, current, or past deadline or timeline for taking a measurement or reporting a recapture report. The protocol manager 150 may prompt a user to provide user input, such assigning a document, inputting text, inputting measurement data (e.g., by capturing an image), approving the generation or transmission of a recapture report, or any other prompt related to the reporting periods. In this way, the protocol manager 150 may facilitate keeping an entity up to date with the measuring, logging, and reporting of sequestration measurements in accordance with an identified protocol, as well as informing a user of relevant deadlines.

[0068] As mentioned above, the recapture benefit module 108 includes a recapture report engine 154. The recapture report engine 154 may generate one or more recapture reports, for example, based on the emission data 126 obtained and / or generated by the protocol manager 150. The recapture reports may be associated with obtaining recapture benefits, and may include documents, forms, statements, or any other information or form of information for submitting to an issuing entity in accordance with the identified protocol for obtaining the recapture benefits. In this way, the recapture reports may be similar to the emission reports discussed above, but as applied to the recapture benefits.

[0069] In some implementations, the recapture report engine 154 may perform one or more of the features of the emission report engine 120 discussed above. For example, the recapture report engine 154 may select and populate a template associated with the recapture reports with values from the emission data 126. The recapture report engine 154 may implement one or more API’s for populating the template and / or generating the recapture reports. The recapture report engine 154 may generate and present a visual representation of the recapture report and / or any other data accessible to the recapture report engine 154. In some embodiments, the recapture report engine 154 and the emission report engine 120 may be the same component of the emission management system 104, which may perform functions across both the carbon credit module 106 and the recapture benefit module 108. In some implementations the recapture report engine 154 may be a separate component from the emission report engine 120, such as a separate instance of the emission report engine 120 implemented on the recapture benefit module 108 (or vice versa), or a distinct component including some or all of the features and functionalities of the emission report engine 120. In this way, the recapture report engine 154 may provide similar functionality to the emission report engine 120, but with respect to the recapture reports and recapture benefits.

[0070] In some embodiments, the recapture report engine 154 may generate one or more recapture reports for one or more periods identified in the protocol. The recapture report engine 154 may generate the reports based on the sensor data 158 received from the protocol manager 150. In some implementations, the recapture report engine 154 may generate a recapture report for each recapture period, such as a first recapture report and a second recapture report as shownin FIG. 6. In one or more implementations, the recapture report engine 154 may generate a recapture report and may update or augment the recapture report for one or more reporting periods. The recapture report engine 154 may generate the recapture reports by selecting and populating a template as describe above. The recapture report may select one or more templates for each reporting period and / or may select one or more templates to use over multiple reporting periods. In this way the recapture report engine may facilitate generating recapture reports with values from the emission data 126 for each reporting period in accordance with the identified protocol. The recapture report engine 154 may store the recapture reports as report data 130. In some implementations, the recapture report engine 154 may send the recapture reports to the transmission manager 156.

[0071] As mentioned above, the recapture benefit module 108 may include a transmission manager 156. As discussed above in connection with the transmission manager 122 for the carbon credit module 106, the transmission manager 156 of the recapture benefit module 108 may transmit one or more of the recapture reports to the issuing entities. The transmission manager 156 may perform any of the functionalities of the transmission manager 122 discussed above. In some embodiments, the transmission manager 156 and the transmission manager 122 may be the same component of the emission management system 104, or may be separate, distinct components. In this way, the recapture benefit module 108 may digitally transmitting the recapture reports directly to the issuing entities via the transmission manager 156.

[0072] As mentioned above, the recapture benefit module 108 includes a resource record manager 152. The resource record manager may facilitate generating and maintaining a resource record associated with an entity and / or associated with the sequestration of carbon emissions by an entity. For example, the resource record manager 152 may receive one or more resource inputs related to resources associated with (e.g., expended by) a sequestration project. The resource inputs may be user input, inputs from one or more other components of the emission management system 104, inputs from one or more other systems, inputs from the internet or a web portal, inputs from any other source, and combinations thereof. The resource inputs may relate to resources associated with capturing, measuring, storing, loading, or transporting, recaptured carbon emissions. The resource record manager 152 may generate a resource record of one or more of the resource inputs. The resource record manager 152 may maintain a database of one or more resource inputs and / or one or more resource records.

[0073] In some implementations, one or more of the resource inputs may be reported to an issuing entity, such as in accordance with a protocol for obtaining recapture benefits. For example, one or more resource records may be transmitted to the issuing entity by thetransmission manager. In another example, the resource inputs and / or resource records may be incorporated into recapture records generated and transmitted to the issuing entity. In some situations, resources expended by an entity for the sequestration of carbon emissions may be offset, at least in part, by issuing recapture benefits associated with those resources. In this way, the recapture report engine 154 may facilitate an entity obtaining carbon credits, for example, in accordance with expended resources. In some implementations, the resource inputs and / or resource records may facilitate evaluating a value or a profitability of an entity’s recapture efforts. For example, the protocol manager 150 may incorporate some or all of the resource records in order to provide the financial analyses described herein.

[0074] The emission management system 104 has been described herein having a plurality of components, such as various modules, managers, engines, etc. While one or more embodiments described herein describe features and functionalities performed by specific components of the emission management system 104, it should be understood that features described in connection with one or more components of the emission management system 104 may, in some examples, be performed by one or more of the other components of the emission management system 104.

[0075] By way of example, one or more features of the carbon credit module 106 may be performed by the recapture benefit module 108 (and vice versa). As another example, one or more instances of the emission data 126 may be gathered, received, and / or processed by the credit prediction manager 118, and in some instances, some or all of these features may be performed by the emission report engine 120 (or other component(s) of the emission management system 104). Indeed, it will be appreciated that some or all of the specific components may be combined into other components and specific functions may be performed by one or across multiple components of the emission management system 104.

[0076] Additionally, one or more embodiments described herein describe features and functionalities related to or attributable to the carbon credit module 106 or the recapture benefit module 108. Similarly, one or more features and functionalities of the emission management system 104 have been described with respect to carbon credits or with respect to recapture benefits. It should be understood, however, that any of the features described specifically with respect to the carbon credit module (and accordingly with respect to the carbon credits) may also be applicable or may be performed by the recapture benefit module 108 (and accordingly with respect to the recapture benefits). In this way, the emission management system 104 may perform any of the functionalities described herein across either the carbon credit module, therecapture benefit module, or both, and with respect to the carbon credits, the recapture benefits, or both.

[0077] FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram for a method 700 or a series of acts for managing carbon credits as described herein, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. While FIG. 7 illustrates acts according to one embodiment, alternative embodiments may add to, omit, reorder, or modify any of the acts of FIG. 7.

[0078] In some implementations, the method 700 includes an act 710 of receiving emission data associated with a production of carbon emissions by an entity. The emission data may include historical emission data and state emission data. The emission data may include entity data for one or more additional entities associated with the production of the carbon emissions. In some examples, the method 700 includes an act 720 of determining an entity type associated with the received emission data. For example, the emission management system may apply an entity type classification model to the received emission data to determine the entity type. The entity type classification model may be a machine learning model trained to determine a given entity type base on input emission data.

[0079] In one or more embodiments, the method 700 includes an act 730 of selecting a template associated with the entity type. The template may be selected from a collection of templates associated with different entity types. In one or more implementations, the method 700 includes an act 740 of populating one or more fields of the template. For example, the emission management system may populate the fields with one or more values of the emission data based on the values being a value type associated with a value type of the corresponding fields. The emission management system may implement one or more APIs of the fields to populate the fields in accordance with executable code configured to populate the fields using the API.

[0080] In one or more examples, the method 700 includes an act 750 of determining that the emission data satisfies a carbon credit criterion associated with the production of the carbon emissions. The emission management system may determine that the emission data satisfies the carbon credit criterion based on the values entered into the template. In some examples, the emission management system may determine that the emission data satisfies the carbon credit criterion by identifying a net reduction in the production of the carbon emissions by the entity. In some implementations, the emission management system may provide an indication that the emission data satisfies the carbon credit criterion to a user on a client device. In one or more embodiments, the emission management system may predict a quantity of carbon credits to be obtained in connection with the net reduction in the production of the carbon emissions by theentity. The emission management system may predict a value of the carbon credit(s). For example, the emission management system may predict a present value and / or may dynamically update a predicted value of the carbon credit(s).

[0081] In some embodiments, the method 700 includes an act 760 of, generating an emission report associated with obtaining the carbon credit. The emission management system may generate the emission report based on the values entered into the template. The emission management system may generate the emission report in response to determining that the emission data satisfies the carbon credit criterion. In one or more examples, the emission management system may present a representation of the emission report to a user on a client device through a graphic user interface. In some embodiments, the emission management system may transmit the emission report to an issuing entity computing system associated with issuing the carbon credit. The emission management system may generate the emission report in a first data form compatible with an interface of the issuing entity computing system. In some embodiments, the emission management system may maintain a database including, for each carbon credit obtained by the entity, the emission data, the populated template, and the emission report associated with the carbon credit.

[0082] FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 or a series of acts for managing carbon recapture benefits as described herein, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. While FIG. 8 illustrates acts according to one embodiment, alternative embodiments may add to, omit, reorder, or modify any of the acts of FIG. 8.

[0083] In some embodiments, the method 800 includes an act 810 of identifying a protocol for obtaining the carbon recapture benefits. The protocol may include instructions associated with reporting recapture reports to an issuing entity associated with issuing the recapture benefits. The instruction of the protocol may include one or more reporting periods for submitting one or more recapture reports to the issuing entity. In some embodiments, the protocol includes a criterion for obtaining the recapture benefits. An emission management system may determine that the emission data satisfies the criterion. For example, the emission management system may identify a threshold amount of the carbon emission that have been sequestered per each carbon recapture benefit to be obtained, in accordance with the criterion.

[0084] In one or more examples, the method 800 includes an act 820 of receiving emission data associated with a sequestration of carbon emissions by a recapture entity. The emission data may include sensor data captured by the one or more sequestration sensors. In some examples, the sequestration sensors may be located at a location associated with the recapture entity. In some examples, the emission management system receives the sensor data as animage captured with a mobile device. For example, a user may capture an image of a readout of one or more sequestration sensors located at a location associated with the recapture entity, and the emission management system may receive the image and may process the image to generate the sensor data. In one or more embodiments, the emission management system may periodically receive the emission data, for example, based on the protocol. The emission management system may generate a sequestration record of the sequestration of the carbon emissions over time based on the emission data. The emission management system may present the sequestration record via a graphical user interface on a client device. In one or more embodiments, the emission management system may receive resource data of resources associated with the sequestration of the carbon emissions. The emission management system may generate a resource record of the resource data.

[0085] In some implementations, the method 800 includes an act 830 of generating one or more recapture reports. In some examples, for each recapture report generated, the method 800 may include one or more additional acts associated with generating the corresponding recapture report. For example, the method 800 may include an act 830a of identifying a reporting period associated with the recapture report. The method 800 may include an act 830b of selecting a template of a collection of templates corresponding with the recapture report. The method 800 may include an act 830c of identifying one or more values of the emission data associated with the applicable reporting period and associated with the recapture report. The method 800 may include an act 83 Od of causing a computing device to populate one or more fields of the template with the one or more values based on the values being a value type associated with a value type of the corresponding fields. In some embodiments, the emission management system may generate a first recapture report associated with a first recapture period, and may update the first recapture report for subsequent recapture periods. In one or more examples, the emission management system may receive user input in connection with generating the one or more recapture reports. The emission management system may prompt a user through a client device to receive the user input based on the reporting period associated with each of the one or more recapture reports.

[0086] In one or more embodiments, the method 800 may include an act 840 of transmitting the one or more recapture reports to the issuing entity. For example, the emission management system may transmit the recapture reports based on a reporting period of the one or more reporting periods associated with each of the one or more recapture reports.

[0087] Turning now to FIG. 9, this figure illustrates certain components that may be included within a computer system 900. One or more computer systems 900 may be used to implement the various devices, components, and systems described herein.

[0088] The computer system 900 includes a processor 901. The processor 901 may be a general-purpose single- or multi-chip microprocessor (e.g., an Advanced RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) Machine (ARM)), a special purpose microprocessor (e.g., a digital signal processor (DSP)), a microcontroller, a programmable gate array, etc. The processor 901 may be referred to as a central processing unit (CPU). Although just a single processor 901 is shown in the computer system 900 of FIG. 9, in an alternative configuration, a combination of processors (e.g., an ARM and DSP) could be used.

[0089] The computer system 900 also includes memory 903 in electronic communication with the processor 901. The memory 903 may be any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. For example, the memory 903 may be embodied as random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices in RAM, on-board memory included with the processor, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) memory, registers, and so forth, including combinations thereof.

[0090] Instructions 905 and data 907 may be stored in the memory 903. The instructions 905 may be executable by the processor 901 to implement some or all of the functionality disclosed herein. Executing the instructions 905 may involve the use of the data 907 that is stored in the memory 903. Any of the various examples of modules and components described herein may be implemented, partially or wholly, as instructions 905 stored in memory 903 and executed by the processor 901. Any of the various examples of data described herein may be among the data 907 that is stored in memory 903 and used during execution of the instructions 905 by the processor 901.

[0091] A computer system 900 may also include one or more communication interfaces 909 for communicating with other electronic devices. The communication interface(s) 909 may be based on wired communication technology, wireless communication technology, or both. Some examples of communication interfaces 909 include a Universal Serial Bus (USB), an Ethernet adapter, a wireless adapter that operates in accordance with an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 wireless communication protocol, a Bluetooth® wireless communication adapter, and an infrared (IR) communication port.

[0092] A computer system 900 may also include one or more input devices 911 and one or more output devices 913. Some examples of input devices 911 include a keyboard, mouse,microphone, remote control device, buttonjoystick, trackball, touchpad, and lightpen. Some examples of output devices 913 include a speaker and a printer. One specific type of output device that is typically included in a computer system 900 is a display device 915. Display devices 915 used with embodiments disclosed herein may utilize any suitable image projection technology, such as liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED), gas plasma, electroluminescence, or the like. A display controller 917 may also be provided, for converting data 907 stored in the memory 903 into text, graphics, and / or moving images (as appropriate) shown on the display device 915.

[0093] The various components of the computer system 900 may be coupled together by one or more buses, which may include a power bus, a control signal bus, a status signal bus, a data bus, etc. For the sake of clarity, the various buses are illustrated in FIG. 9 as a bus system 919.

[0094] The techniques described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof, unless specifically described as being implemented in a specific manner. Any features described as modules, components, or the like may also be implemented together in an integrated logic device or separately as discrete but interoperable logic devices. If implemented in software, the techniques may be realized at least in part by a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform one or more of the methods described herein. The instructions may be organized into routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which may perform particular tasks and / or implement particular data types, and which may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.

[0095] Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer system. Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions are non-transitory computer-readable storage media (devices). Computer-readable media that carry computer-executable instructions are transmission media. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, embodiments of the disclosure can comprise at least two distinctly different kinds of computer-readable media: non-transitory computer-readable storage media (devices) and transmission media.

[0096] The techniques described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof, unless specifically described as being implemented in a specific manner. Any features described as modules, components, or the like may also be implemented together in an integrated logic device or separately as discrete but interoperable logic devices. If implemented in software, the techniques may be realized at least in part by anon-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform one or more of the methods described herein. The instructions may be organized into routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which may perform particular tasks and / or implement particular data types, and which may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.

[0097] The steps and / or actions of the methods described herein may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the method that is being described, the order and / or use of specific steps and / or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0098] The term “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions and, therefore, “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing and the like.

[0099] The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. For example, any element or feature described in relation to an embodiment herein may be combinable with any element or feature of any other embodiment described herein, where compatible.

[0100] The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of managing carbon credits, comprising: receiving emission data associated with a production of carbon emissions by an entity; determining an entity type associated with the received emission data; selecting a template associated with the entity type from a collection of templates associated with different entity types; populating one or more fields of the template with one or more values of the emission data based on the values being a value type associated with a value type of the corresponding fields; determining that the emission data satisfies a carbon credit criterion for obtaining a carbon credit associated with the production of the carbon emissions based on the values entered into the template; and based on the values entered into the template and in response to determining that the emission data satisfies the carbon credit criterion, generating an emission report associated with obtaining the carbon credit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the emission data includes historical emission data associated with a historical production of the carbon emissions by the entity, and state emission data associated with a current production of the carbon emissions by the entity.

3. The method of any of claims 1 -2, wherein the emission data includes entity data for one or more additional entities associated with the production of the carbon emissions.

4. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein determining that the emission data satisfies the carbon credit criterion includes identifying a net reduction in the production of the carbon emissions by the entity.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining that the emission data satisfies the carbon credit criterion includes predicting a quantity of carbon credits to be obtained in connection with the net reduction in the production of the carbon emissions by the entity.

6. The method of any of claims 1-5, wherein determining that the emission data satisfies the carbon credit criterion includes predicting a value of the carbon credit.

7. The method of claim 6, further including dynamically updating the predicted value of the carbon credit.

8. The method of any of claims 6-7, wherein predicting the value of the carbon credit is based on the values entered into the template over multiple iterations of the template.

9. The method of any of claims 1-8, wherein populating the one or more fields of the template includes populating the one or more fields of the template using one or more application programming interfaces (APIs) associated with one or more respective fields of the template.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more APIs include executable code for obtaining values to be entered into the template from one or more sources interfacing with the template via the one or more APIs.

11. The method of any of claims 9-10, wherein the one or more APIs include a first API for obtaining a first set of values to enter into the template from a first source and a second API for obtaining a second set of values to enter into the template from a second source.

12. The method of any of claims 9-11, wherein the one or more APIs facilitate dynamically updating the values to be entered into the template without receiving additional inputs from a user as the corresponding values are updated from the one or more sources.

13. The method of any of claims 1-12, further comprising transmitting the emission report to an issuing entity computing system associated with issuing the carbon credit.

14. The method of claim 13, where generating the emission report includes generating the emission report in a first data form compatible with an interface of the issuing entity computing system.

15. The method of any of claims 1-14, further comprising, for each carbon credit obtained by the entity, maintaining a database including the emission data, the populated template, and the emission report associated with the carbon credit.

16. The method of any of claims 1-15, further comprising providing an indication that the emission data satisfies the carbon credit criterion to a user on a client device.

17. The method of any of claims 1-16, further comprising presenting a representation of the emission report to a user on a client device through a graphical user interface.

18. The method of any of claims 1-17, wherein determining the entity type includes applying an entity type classification model to the received emission data to determine the entity type, the entity type classification model being a machine learning model trained to determine a given entity type based on input emission data.

19. A system comprising: one or more processors; a memory in electronic communication with the one or more processors; and instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the one or more processors to perform any of the acts as recited by claims 1-18.

20. A computer-readable medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, causes a computing device to perform any of the acts as recited by claims 1-18.

21. A method of managing carbon recapture benefits, comprising: identifying a protocol for obtaining the carbon recapture benefits, the protocol including instructions associated with reporting recapture reports to an issuing entity associated with issuing the recapture benefits, the instructions of the protocol including one or more reporting periods for submitting one or more recapture reports to the issuing entity; receiving emission data associated with a sequestration of carbon emissions by a recapture entity, the emission data including sensor data captured by one or more sequestration sensors; and generating the one or more recapture reports, wherein generating the one or more recapture reports includes, for each recapture report: identifying a reporting period associated with the recapture report;selecting a template of a collection of templates corresponding with the recapture report; identifying one or more values of the emission data associated with the applicable reporting period and associated with the recapture report; and causing a computing device to populate one or more fields of the template with the one or more values based on the values being a value type associated with a value type of the corresponding fields.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising transmitting the one or more recapture reports to the issuing entity based on a reporting period of the one or more reporting periods associated with each of the one or more recapture reports.

23. The method of any of claims 21-22, wherein receiving the emission data includes periodically receiving the emission data in accordance with instructions of the protocol.

24. The method of any of claims 21-23, wherein receiving emission data includes receiving emission data at periodic intervals, and wherein the method further includes generating a sequestration record of the sequestration of the carbon emissions over time based on the emission data.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising presenting the sequestration record via a graphical user interface on a client device.

26. The method of any of claims 21-25, wherein the protocol includes a criterion for obtaining the recapture benefits, and the method further comprising determining that the emission data satisfies the criterion.

27. The method of 26, wherein determining that the emission data satisfies the criterion includes identifying a threshold amount of the carbon emissions that have been sequestered per each carbon recapture benefit to be obtained, in accordance with the criterion.

28. The method of any of claims 21-27, further comprising receiving user input in connection with generating the one or more recapture reports and wherein receiving the userinput includes prompting a user through a client device based on the reporting period associated with each of the one or more recapture reports.

29. The method of any of claims 21-28, wherein generating the one or more recapture reports includes generating a first recapture report associated with a first recapture period, and updating the first recapture report for subsequent recapture periods.

30. The method of any of claims 21-29, further comprising: receiving resource data of resources associated with the sequestration of the carbon emissions; and generating a resource record of the resource data.

31. The method of any of claims 21-30, wherein the sequestration sensors are located at a location associated with the recapture entity.

32. The method of any of claims 21-31, wherein the sensor data is received as an image captured with a mobile device.

33. The method of any of claims 21-32, wherein the sensor data includes data captured by a plurality of different types of sensors.

34. The method of any of claims 21-33, wherein the sensor data includes: first sensor data captured and transmitted from a first device at a location associated with the recapture entity and configured to capture and transmit the first sensor data at a time that the first sensor data is captured; and second sensor data captured by a mobile device.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the second sensor data includes an image captured by the mobile device.

36. A system comprising: one or more processors: a memory in electronic communication with the one or more processors; andinstruction stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the one or more processors to perform any of the acts as recited by claims 21-3537. A computer-readable medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, causes a computing device to perform any of the acts as recited by claims

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