In the US, nearly 80% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are energy related. For organizations, these emissions can come from:

• Direct GHG emissions from the combustion of energy (e.g. natural gas used in process heating) at the facility.
• Indirect GHG emissions that come from consumption of delivered energy (e.g. electricity consumed) at the facility.
• Indirect GHG emissions that come from energy consumed by activities (e.g. outsourced production processes) throughout an organization’s value chain.

50001 Ready Navigator is designed to help industrial, commercial, and institutional organizations improve their energy performance by implementing a structured energy management system (EnMS). For any facility that is interested in reducing GHG emissions, 50001 Ready Navigator provides guidance on managing and lowering energy-related GHG emissions through the EnMS. Specifically, the 50001 Ready Navigator provides guidance for facilities and organizations to:

1. Develop or improve a data collection, analysis, and reporting process for energy-related GHG emissions.
2. Establish a systematic approach to managing and reducing energy-related GHG emissions.

This systematic approach can help facilities and organizations:

1. Align internal systems, processes, and stakeholders to more effectively and efficiently reduce energy-related GHG emissions.
2. Improve the quality and rigor of energy-related GHG emissions data and information shared internally and with key stakeholders such as regulatory authorities, customers and investors.
3. Create a culture for continual improvement of energy and GHG emissions performance, capture synergies among various investments (e.g. energy efficiency and renewable energy), and create sustained energy and cost savings.

Organizations that are interested in using Navigator to manage energy-related GHGs should first read the energy management guidance given for each task and then read the recommendations given in the “Decarbonization” tab for each task. Recommendations in each task are separated into how to:

1. Enhance an existing 50001 Ready-based energy management system to consider the management of energy-related GHG emissions.
2. Incorporate the management of energy-related GHG emissions when developing a 50001 Ready energy management system.

The 50001 Ready Navigator decarbonization guidance is enhanced with DOE's Framework for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Planning (ERP) guidance. The ERP Framework has been developed for both industrial and commercial companies. Coupling the technical specifics from the ERP Framework with the business practice guidance from 50001 Ready provides sound footing for lasting organizational change and deep GHG reductions. By using these resources in parallel, an organization will create a detailed portfolio-level plan for emissions reduction, and it will have the organizational structures to implement the plan successfully over time. Details of how the ERP Framework and 50001 Ready Navigator work together can be found in this fact sheet. Language used in the commercial and industrial ERP Frameworks can be found in the “Decarbonization” tab for relevant 50001 Ready Navigator tasks.

An organization might face other climate-related challenges and risks beyond those arising from its energy-related GHG emissions. These could include facility damage from sea-level rise, higher likelihood of storm damage or mandated decreased use of HFCs. These challenges are not directly addressed by the expanded use of Navigator presented here.

Following the 50001 Ready Decarbonization Management Guidance is not necessary to obtain DOE 50001 Ready recognition. Please see recognition requirements on the 50001 Ready Navigator Recognition Requirements page.

To access the 50001 Ready Decarbonization Management Guidance select the “Decarbonization” tab on any of the 25 Navigator tasks.

Resources Referenced in the 50001 Ready Decarbonization Management Guidance

This table provides a list of additional resources that can be helpful to organizations that want to comprehensively manage energy-related greenhouse gas emissions through an energy management system.