##Conducting a GHG Emissions Inventory
[Clean Air and Climate Protection (CACP) Software 2009](http://www.icleiusa.org/tools/cacp-2009/cacp-software-2009/)
Local governments can use the Clean Air and Climate Protection (CACP) software to determine GHG emissions and criteria pollutants from government operations and communities. CACP is a downloadable spreadsheet, which ICLEI members can use to input aggregate information about energy usage, waste generation, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) to calculate a GHG emission inventory. CACP was updated in April of 2009 to include the calculation methods of the Local Government Operations Protocol.
##Developing a Climate Action Plan and Estimating GHG Emissions Reductions
[Climate and Air Pollution Planning Assistant (CAPPA) Version 1.5](http://www.icleiusa.org/tools/cappa/climate-and-air-pollution-planning-a...)
A decision support tool designed by ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability to help U.S. local governments explore, identify, and analyze potential climate and air pollution emissions reduction opportunities. This tool provides a starting point for two major tasks: determining an achievable emissions reduction target and selecting strategies to include in a climate action plan.
[GreenPoint Rated Climate Calculator](http://www.stopwaste.org/docs/calculator_report-spring_09_update.pdf)
The GreenPoint Rated Climate Calculator offers a way to calculate GHG emission reductions of a green home compared to a conventional home of the same vintage. The GHG emission reduction rating is specific to the building regardless of ownership or occupancy behavior. Build It Green and StopWaste.org partnered to develop version one of the GreenPoint Rated Climate Calculator as one tool to measure and verify GHG emission reductions from green buildings. Cities and counties can use the calculator to determine GHG emission reductions from new construction of green homes in their local jurisdiction.
##Modeling Tools for Climate Action Planning
[INDEX](http://www.crit.com)
INDEX is a climate action planning tool available to assist with AB 32 and SB 375 calibrations for California energy and GHG emissions. It is a land-use and transportation scenario tool that quantifies total GHG emissions from existing community conditions, and compares them to alternative future scenarios sketched by stakeholders. In addition to GHG emissions, INDEX evaluates scenarios with 90 indicators measuring urban design, housing, employment, recreation, water, transportation, and infrastructure. Users are able to sketch and evaluate low-carbon scenarios in real-time at “digital charrettes,” for consideration during general plan updates and preparation of MPO sustainable community strategies. In addition to building and transportation GHG emissions, INDEX also estimates materials-embodied emissions and vegetative sequestration of emissions.
[Sustainable Communities Model](http://www.ctg-net.com/energetics/documents/SCM_Jan-2010.pdf)
This model quantifies total CO2e emissions allowing communities the ability to optimize planning decisions that result in the greatest environmental benefit for the least cost. Total CO2e emissions are based on emissions from energy usage, water consumption and transportation. The model provides a comparison of various scenarios to provide environmental performance, economic performance, and cost benefit analysis.
##Tracking and Monitoring GHG Reduction Progress
[Climate Registry Information System (CRIS)](http://www.theclimateregistry.org/resources/climate-registry-information...)
Several cities and counties have historically used the California Climate Action Registry’s On-Line Tool (CARROT) to calculate and report GHG emissions. However, CCAR is no longer registering GHG emission inventories. CCAR formed The Climate Registry, which offers the next generation of online reporting through The Climate Registry Information System (CRIS). Cities and counties can use CRIS to report their GHG emission inventories, which is 3rd-party certified and available for public review.
[Hara Environmental and Energy Management (Hara EEM)](http://www.hara.com/)
Hara EEM enables local governments to comprehensively manage and implement a Climate Action Plan (CAP) while leveraging best practices to improve efficiency and manage risk. With Hara EEM, cities and counties can aggregate environmental record information from relevant data sources in order to provide a comprehensive view of greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, and environmental impact. Local governments can define strategies, optimize planning decisions, forecast reductions, identify objectives and metrics, and calculate timing and benefits for each initiative. In addition, Hara EEM helps local governments to manage the execution of environmental and energy programs, track results per initiative, and provides an audit trail for any current or future regulatory requirements.