[image courthouse.jpg align=right] The operations of public sector organizations represent a substantial source of GHG emissions worldwide; in the US, the federal government collectively is the largest single emitter. Building off 10 years of success in working with the corporate sector, the GHG Protocol has developed new accounting guidance that interprets the principles from the Corporate Standard for the unique structures and needs of U.S. government operations at the federal, state and local level. As a flexible framework designed to help measure and manage GHG emissions, the protocol serves as a background reference for implementing [Executive Order 13514](http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/2009fedleader_eo_rel.pdf), which President Obama [signed](http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/2009fedleader_eo_rel.pdf) on October 5, 2009. The Executive Order requires federal agencies to report and reduce their GHG emissions over time. To develop the case studies and best practices featured in the protocol, WRI and LMI convened a [stakeholder group](http://www.ghgprotocol.org/files/list-of-participating-organizations.pdf) with over a hundred federal, state, and local government managers and contractors, as well as leaders from voluntary GHG reporting programs. The result is that the protocol offers guidance on key areas of concern for government inventories, including: * Identifying direct and indirect emissions sources * Accounting for emissions from leased assets * Estimating emissions from supply chains * Consistently tracking emissions over time with departmental restructuring * Ensuring high data quality Setting reduction targets. The Protocol also recommends that local governments consult the Local Government Operations (LGO) Protocol for guidance that is compatible with the Public Sector Protocol and specific to city, county and municipal organizations. The LGO protocol was developed jointly by The Climate Registry, the California Climate Action Registry, the California Air Resources Board and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability. ## About LMI ## LMI is a government consulting firm committed to helping government leaders and managers reach decisions that make a difference. As a not-for-profit organization, LMI is a trusted advisor to the government—free from commercial or political bias and dedicated to the mission of advancing government management. ## Public Sector Protocol Documents ##

Document	Date
Final publication
U.S. Public Sector Protocol	Oct 10
Drafts
Final Draft	May 10
Final Draft: Appendix A, Overview of GHG Programs	May 10
Summary of changes for provisional draft	Oct 09
Provisional draft	Oct 09
Summary of Main Changes	Aug 09
Revised Draft #1	Aug 09
Draft	June 09
Background Information
List of Participating Organizations	Aug 09
Public Sector Protocol FAQ	June 09
Terms of Reference	June 09
Timeline	June 09
Questionnaire	June 09
Presentations
Federal Road Test PowerPoint	Aug 09
Kick-Off Webinar Re-Recording	July 09

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