Annex I GHG Inventory Reporting CRF Reporter Development

Annex I GHG Inventory Reporting CRF Reporter Development Update Use of the CRF Reporter for 2006 GHG inventory reporting & further development of the software 24 th session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies Bonn, 23 May 2006 James Grabert Reporting, Data & Analysis Programme UNFCCC Secretariat

Outline • • • History of CRF Reporter Questionnaire 2006 CRF Reporter Technical Workshop 2006 Development and Release Plans for Version 3 Submissions in 2006 Opportunity for Resubmissions

History CRF Reporter • Requested by Parties at COP 8 – Annex I Reporting Guidelines updated and decision to develop supporting software • Reporting software for Annex I GHG inventory reporting – Facilitates Party reporting and secretariat processing – Helps ensure transparent and comparable reporting • Provides functionalities for data entry and checking, and production of required submission files • 1 st version released in 2004 , 2 nd version in 2005

CRF Reporter Technical Workshop March 2006 - Results • • Technical Workshop provided clear understanding of users requirements, issues and priorities Results of workshop and internal technical assessments served as input of development plans User feedback on training needs and materials taken into account in support plans Most important priorities set – complete and accurate reporting the highest priority!

CRF Reporter Technical Workshop (II) • • Plans for acceptance testing of CRF Reporter version 3 discussed - several volunteers for the various releases and focused testing Training for new users identified as necessary while less so for experienced users; and need for focused training – new functionality, particular sectors Increased support – documentation, FAQs, details (XML, formulae), quick reference guide, remote access assistance, telephone support Further activities - One page 2006 submission note, side event during SBs, further technical workshops, improved Party-secretariat communication on submission plans/software development

CRF Reporter User Questionnaire Feb-March 2006 - Results • • Questionnaire – 60% response rate General results: – – – • • • Most common problems – performance and functioning Least common problems – installation, usability, logic, functionality, layout Other points: reflects reporting requirements, facilitates reporting, 90+% intend use for 2006 reporting, helpdesk useful and extensively used Around 100 specific detailed comments provided Workshop reviewed questionnaire inputs and most were addressed immediately with participants during workshop Secretariat has considered carefully all the feedback from the questionnaires and the workshop participants

Development Plans • • • A stable and reliable version of CRF Reporter Significantly improved performance in key areas Enhanced XML import/export facility Implement the revised Convention LULUCF sector Align development activities to Parties’ needs, enabling all Parties to submit using the CRF Reporter – – – Updated user manual, FAQs, more info e. g. formulas details Develop training materials and arrange trainings for Parties One-off migration of old Excel format into the CRF Reporter

Focus Areas: Performance Software Performance Improvements in: • Data forms (forms building, values entering and other operations) • Checks (including improved user options) • Report and Submission Generation • XML Export and Import

Focus Areas: Import and Export • Simplify and optimize the XML structure for – – • • • Bulk Import, XML with Metadata Submission XML Keep the UID and other key fields that some Parties currently use for their national systems integration Add documentation optional field in the new structure Provide selection choices upfront when importing fields Some re-mapping by Parties for new structure Publish explanations for the new XML structure before software release in order to help Parties in adopting it Provide tool to convert data XML from v 2. 30 to v 3. 0

Focus Areas: Functionality • • • The new LULUCF tables adopted in Montreal implemented to allow reporting in 2007 submissions Formalize entry and reporting of negative values Publish the formulas behind the data grids Provide descriptions of new functions and changes to version 3 Address critical and high priority remaining issues in the help desk and from the technical workshop

Focus Areas: Functionality • Address quick gains and user friendly functions: – – – – Investigate dual-installation of the CRF Reporter Read only CRF Reporter (viewer) Documentation boxes and graphs Opening/closing tree nodes using short cut keys Revise traffic light implementation More consistent user interface Updated User documentation including user manuals, FAQ, web site, etc. .

Release Timeline • First release of CRF Reporter 3 in July 2006 – include new XML, more reliable software and some optimised performance – Update/migration of CRF reporter 2. 30 to 3 • Second release of CRF Reporter 3 by Oct. 2006 – include remaining usability, functions and optimisation work – Include revised convention LULUCF tables

Submissions in 2006 As of 22 May 2006

Submissions in 2006 • • • Only have 32 submissions to date Of those, 10 are not provided using the CRF Reporter Nine Parties still have to submit their 2006 inventories • 100% use of the CRF Reporter will greatly facilitate the review processes under the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol and the management of submission data by the secretariat

Opportunity for resubmissions • No reviews planned before Q 4 2006, thus a window of opportunity to get all Parties to report in a consistent manner using the CRF Reporter software in order to: – – • • • Meet the UNFCCC and GPG guidelines and COP/MOP Decisions Conduct consistent reviews based on transparent, comparable and consistent CRF submissions across all parties Inventory submissions were due by 15 April 2005 Initial Report submissions for Kyoto Protocol Parties due by 1 January 2007 Thus time to resubmit 2006 inventories and submit Initial Report inventories using the CRF Reporter

How secretariat will assist • One-off migration from old Excel format for Parties who are using the old 1999 Excel format – – – Migrate Parties’ April submission data to the CRF Reporter Provide migrated data in CRF Reporter back to Parties to check and review by end of June Offer resubmission of 2006 data with CRF Reporter v. 3 For UNFCCC Parties • Receive 2006 resubmission by end of August • Start 2006 Annual review in Q 4 2006 For Kyoto Protocol Parties • Receive Initial Report submissions by 1 January 2007 • Perform Initial Review in late 2006 (for early IR submissions) and in 2007 for remaining IR submissions

How secretariat will assist • For Kyoto Protocol Parties who are currently using the CRF Reporter – Initial Report Inventories by 1 January 2007 using the improved CRF Reporter v. 3 • For UNFCCC Parties currently using the CRF Reporter – Offer resubmission of 2006 inventory data by end of August 2006 using the improved CRF Reporter v. 3 for the 2006 Annual review

How secretariat will assist • Provide continuous support – – • • Online helpdesk Email Telephone support Assistance using remote desktop tools Organise trainings starting from June 2006 Updates of the user manual and online help Update FAQs on web site Provide XML technical details as required

Next Steps • • Contacting Parties concerning status of their submissions and interest in resubmission/data migration Coordinate Parties’ desires with the upcoming release of the CRF Reporter Implement support for associated processes Follow-up with Parties throughout process to ensure 100% CRF Reporter use by end of 2006

Thank You For more information or to provide feedback Contact: JGrabert@unfccc. int Or CRFSupport@unfccc. int