Companies that have facilities which use refrigeration and air-conditioning systems or heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems have to measure changes which are imposed upon them due to greenhouse gas emissions. Additionality is a measure which compares the level of emissions prior to implementation with the levels after a greenhouse gas reduction project has been introduced.

Additionality metrics are part of a monitoring and verification plan, which is set up when a greenhouse gas reduction project is underway. The metrics explain when and how the plan would be implemented as well as who is responsible for conducting the process. As this is a complicated area, software has been developed by specialists to simplify the procedure.

Prior to a greenhouse gas reduction project, facilities that use refrigerant undertake a project specific assessment, determining additionality. Current greenhouse gas emission levels are assessed, and once the project is underway, emission levels are then compared to the baseline. In this way, actual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions can be calculated.

A performance standard assessment is used to determine additionality. Such an assessment is assessed for specific industries, like heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system or refrigeration and air conditioning system manufacturers. Measures show performance improvements as compared to existing standards for particular processes or appliances, in so far as they relate to the reduction of greenhouse gas.

As global climate change is significantly affected by greenhouse gas emissions, so additionality plays a very important role in determining a reduction project’s effectiveness. Many different industries and sectors are involved in greenhouse gas offset projects, for example, the methane capture and recovery projects in landfills, reforestation, and renewable energy efforts.

For businesses, it is important from an accounting standpoint to show the benefits of a greenhouse gas reduction program. In order for it to be a true emissions reduction, additionality criteria must be met. Ongoing monitoring and verification are key components to ensure actual reductions are real and have long-term sustainability. For facilities developing methods to reduce their use of refrigerant gas, automation of monitoring and tracking exists through software and web based applications developed by software providers who specialize in this area.

Part of any additionality equation is an examination of how permanent the project will be and a determination of any risk factors involved. The issue of leakage should be addressed and properly accounted for through monitoring and verification.

There is much discussion in the U.S. and other foreign countries as to whether funding should be made available to companies to enact programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, a benchmarking system and protocols for certain industry sectors are under development. Determination of funding would rely on additionality to show how the project goes well beyond business as usual improvements. For example, if a project would have occurred anyway as part of a business improvement, then funding credits would not be awarded.