Scorecard Project | AIChE

Scorecard Project

Since the spring of 2008, members of the Founders Society Carbon Management project have been working to identify practical steps the country can take toward managing greenhouse gas emissions, a key issue in the climate change debate. The group has selected the Scorecards approach as a tool for assessing the merit of various greenhouse gas management options. The Scorecards developed so far focus on electric power and transportation systems (4-wheel passenger vehicles).

The objective of the Scorecard approach is to identify options that could be implemented in sufficient quantity to provide a significant impact on GHG reduction in the 2020 and 2050 timeframes. In general, options for 2020 timeframe will be different from those that become important in 2050.

The nomenclature used in the Scorecards is:

  • Options: Technologies and/or other measures that could reduce GHG emissions
  • Attributes: A set of indicators (metrics) used to grade each Option; in combination, they yield a relative (compared to other options in the same scorecard) potential for success in a timely manner.

The Scorecards employ a simple A, B, C, D and E grading system (similar to that used in many schools) for the Attributes. The Electric Power Scorecard rates major types of power sources (with and without carbon capture and sequestration), including coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewable technologies (i.e., solar, wind, and biomass) using several Attributes. The Transportation Scorecard rates various transportation systems, using traditional or new fuel sources and technologies, by the same set of Attributes.  The Attributes include items such as GHG reductions, technical issues, cost, environmental issues, social-political issues, risk issues, and timing.

The Carbon Management Committee developed the initial list of Options and Attributes.  The participants of the workshop on Gaps & Barriers Workshop, held in October 2009, were asked to complete the Scorecards. Based upon the input from the Workshop participants the Scorecard format was revised and the generic Scorecard and Instructions are attached.

Scorecard - General Description & Instructions (PDF)

Master Scorecard (Spreadsheet)

Please have any completed Scorecards sent to carbonmanagement@foundersocieties.org.  We will then do the compilation (running) and periodically post (once we have enough).