Books are collections of CorEST views, analyses, and visualisations of your emissions data. With views, analyses, and visualisations presented on Tabs. To use spreadsheets as an analogy, think of the Book as the spreadsheet and the Tabs as the datasheets in the spreadsheet.
The Books and Tabs have been developed with CorEST best practices in mind. Reflecting the Plans, Roles, and Scenarios that form the delivery of Emissions Account using CorEST. The have developed with user experience and usability to the form of mind.
Books
Out of the box CorEST has the following roles Books:
- CorEST Administration Book
- CorEST Book
Additional Books and or Tabs will be created as part of customisations your organisation has requested as part of Statements of Work and implementation of them. Documentation and help for them will be sperate to this out of the box help guide.
CorEST Administration Book
The CorEST Administration Book is where the set-up and configuration of CorEST is done.
Tabs
Out of the box CorEST Admin Book has the following tabs:
- SetupTab
- Factors Tab
- Targets Tab
Setup Tab
In the Setup tab you add, edit, and delete your organisation’s Emission Activities and Emission Activity Groups and their associated attributes such as Scope. The initial add is done during Setup CorEST Plan.
Key Features
The Setup Tab has the following key features:
- Emission Activities Table
The Emissions Activities Table displays all Emission Activities as rows. The columns are Attributes for an Emission Activities. You can edit these values by clicking in cell and changing it.
Out of the box Emission Activity Attributes are:
- GHGP Scope
- GHGP Category
- ISO Category
- ISO Sub-Category
- Unit of Measure
- Activity Group
Other Features
The Setup Tab has the following out of the box features:
- Add Activity Group
- Import Activity
- Add Activity
- Delete Activity
- Delete Activity Group
Press the associated button at the top right of the Tab to invoke them.
Instructions and a template for the import activity file format can be found here.
Filters
The Setup Tab has the following out of the Filters:
- Emission Activities Table Filter
The Emission Activities Table Filter is the small table directly above the Emission Activities Table. Use it filter the Emission Activities in the Emission Activities Table.
Factors Tab
In the Factors Tab you associate your emission activities with the emissions factor it should use for calculations. CorEST comes pre-loaded with common factor sets and factors. You can also add additional emission factors and load emission factors and sets of emission factors. The initial matching is done during Setup CorEST Plan.
You’re always going to have less Emission Activities than Emission Factors by a massive margin. The features here allow you to narrow the Emission factors to a manageable amount before assigning the one you want to the Emissions Activity.
Key Features
The Factors Tab has the following key features:
- Emission Factor Table
- Emission Activity to Emission Factor Table
- Calculation Month Field
The Emission Factor Table displays Emission Factors in rows. The columns are Attributes for Emission Factors. You can edit these values by clicking in cell and changing it other than the CorEST Code. The CorEST Code is added when the Emissions Factor is loaded.
Emission Factor Attributes are:
- CorEST Code
- Factor Set
- Factor Set Year
- Label
- Unit
- Emission factor CO2e
- Scope
- Level 1 notes
- Level 2 notes
- Level 3 notes
- Level 4 notes
- Level 5 notes
- Emission Factor CO2
- Emission Factor CH4
- Emission Factor N2O
The Emission Activity to Emission Factor Table displays Emission Activities as a row. The columns are Years and Months. The Emission Activity to Emission Factor Table is where you match an Emission Factor to an Emission Activity.
After first using the Emission Factor Table to narrow your search for the right emission factor(s) for an Emission Activity (see Filters below) you then click on the Emissions Activity / Years and Month cell. A picklist with the CorEST Codes for the filtered Emission Factors will display allowing you to pick the desired one.
Once an Emission Factor has been allocated for an Emission Activity and Year Month all emissions calculations from that date forward will use it the factor. You do not need to put it in every month. If a new factor comes available at a later Year Month, then update the cell with it and it will become the new one used in calculations.
The Calculation Month Field sets the date from which emissions calculations will occur. Emissions calculations from before that data will be locked and will not recalculate if details change. Update this Year Month date as part of your end of year roll-over. Roll-over can be a task in your End of Year Plan.
Other Features
The Factor Tab has the following out of the box features:
- Add Factor
- Import Factor
- Delete Factor Set
- Delete Factor
- Match Factor
Press the associated button at the top right of the Tab to invoke them.
Instructions and a template for the import factor file format can be found here. Match factor updates the factors from the Effective Date chosen with those from the most recent Factor Set year,
Filters
The Factor Tab has the following out of the Filters:
- Emission Factor Table Filter
The Emission Factor Table Filter is the small table directly above the Emission Factor Table. Use it filter the number of Emission factor in the Emission Factors Table.
Factor sets loaded
Off the shelf CorEST is loaded with the following factor sets sourced from:
- Ministry for the Environment (MFE)
- BraveTrace (BT)
- 2024 (PY24 market-based electricity factors)
- New Zealand Gazette (NZG)
- 2014 (landfill factors)
- 2017 (landfill factors)
- 2020 (landfill factors)
- 2022 (landfill factors)
- 2023 (landfill factors)
- 2024 (landfill factors)
- Fertiliser Association New Zealand (FANZ)
- Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs United Kingdom (DEFRA)
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water Australia (DCCEEW)
- 2023 (electricity factors)
Factors are taken from source files and formatted into a common CSV format for loading. When uploaded to CorEST they are sorted by source (i.e. MFE, NZG, etc) and year. Each factor, and each factor is given a unique code based on this, for example MFE 2024 100974 for Refrigerant Gas 404A. Copies of these files and sources can be supplied to CorEST customers and their auditors on requested.
Additional CorEST has factors for pre-authorised electricity, travel, staff commute, capital goods, and purchased goods and services. They are stored in You can associated them using the OTHER These use a unit of ton of CO2e per, so if your pre-authorised comes in at say 5.26 tCO2e then you should enter 5.26 as the quantity.
Targets
In the Targets Tab you define your Target Scenario and to create additional ones. It rules allow you to give ‘shape’ to Scenarios with different short-term and long-term emission reduction targets, as well as limiting it certain scopes and or Business Units. The initial creation is done during Setup CorEST Plan.
Key Features
The Factors Tab has the following key features:
- Target Projections Rules table
- Emission projections graph
- Target Projections by Activity and Year Month table
The Target Projections Rules Table is where you develop your targets scenarios. You add a series of rules that ‘shape’ the reduction line. For example, if you have a target for 2030 and 2050 then you would add 2 rules, the first for the reduction from base period to 2030, and the second for the reduction from 2030 to 2050. Each row is a rule and the columns the attributes of that rule, i.e. what
For each Target you add a:
- Source Scenario, what Scenario to base the target on
- Comment, your comments for reference
- Start period, the year after the Base Period for the for the first rule and the end date of the prior rule for subsequent rules
- End period, as required 2030 and 2050 are common “pivots” for targets
- % Start Base, what percentage of Source Scenario’s, 100% for the first rule and the % End Base of the prior rules for subsequent rules
- % End Base required reduction by the End Period. i.e. if the target is 10% reduction on Base Period, then it should be 90%
- Activity, based on what activity, could be All Activities, Scope 1 & 2, individual activities, etc.
- PC1 through PC 10, based on which business unit(s), could be all business units, multiples (up to 10 by using PC1 through PC10), or just one
The Emission projections Graph is a line graph that displays the target as well as other scenarios. The default and user created Scenarios are plotted on it. The Target Projections by Activity and Year Month table has the Scenarios emissions (tCO2e) by Activities (rows) and Years (columns). Press the ‘>’ next to Activities and Dates to expand them.
Other Features
The Factor Tab has the following out of the box features:
- Base Period field
- Add Target Scenario
- Delete Target Scenario
- Apply Targets
Edit Base Period to set the base period for a Target Scenario. As the names indicates the Add and Delete Target Scenario buttons add and delete Target Scenarios. As a rule, please limit deletion to the Target Scenario you have added. Press the Apply Targets button to apply the Target Projections Rules to the Target Scenario.
Filters
The Factor Tab has the following out of the Filters:
- Scenario
The Scenario select in the Scenario filter will be displayed in the Target Projections Rules and Target Projections by Activity and Year Month tables. Worth checking you have the right one selected ahead of creating rules.
CorEST Book
The CorEST Book is where the month-to-month, quarter-to-quarter, year-to-year emission climate action happens.
Tabs:
The out of the box CorEST Book has the following tabs:
- Planning Tab
- Projections Tab
- Initiatives Tab
- Actuals Tab
- Dashboard Tab
Planning Tab
The Planning Tab is where the Projections Scenario is developed and maintained. It is also the Tab where you can add additional Scenarios. The initial planning and Project Scenario is done, and subsequently reviewed, during Annual Planning Plan.
Key Features
The Planning Tab has the following key features:
- Projections Scenario Rules form
- Projections Scenario Rules table
- Emissions Projections graph
The Projections Scenario is shaped by Rules. Rules are instructions adjust the projected emissions amounts. For example, lower all emissions by 4% for the next year for all Planning Centres. Rules are written using the Adjustment Rules Form and displayed side-by-side in the Adjustment Rules Table.
For each rule you add a:
- Source Scenario
- Apply
- Comment
- Start period
- End period
- % Start Base
- % End Base
- Activity
- PC1 through PC 10
See the Targets Tab > Key Features > Target Projections Rules table for detailed on these attributes. They are the same feature but for the Projections Scenario.
Worth noting that rules are applied in order (i.e. 1 first, 2 second, and so on). For example, a simple plan may to have a year-on-year percentage reduction across all Activities and Planning Centres, starting with 4% in the first year (Rule 1), 6% in year 2 (Rule 2), and then 8% ongoing.
You need to be care they don’t override each other. i.e. different rules for the same activities and period. You need to be aware of the planning centre too.
The Emission Projections Graph shows the effects the rules have on Scenarios. It also can show those effects for a specific Cost Centre by changing the Planning Centre Filter to a specific Planning Centre.
Other Features
The Planning Tab has the following out of the box features:
- Base Period
- Add Scenarios
- Apply Rules
- Delete Scenarios
Edit Base Period to set the base period for the Projection Scenario. As the names indicates the Add and Delete Scenario buttons add and delete Target Scenarios. As a rule, please limit deletion to the Scenarios you have added. Press the Apply Rules button to apply the Projection Rules to the Projections Scenario.
Filters
The Planning Tab has the following out of the Filters:
- Scenario
- Activity
Use the Scenarios Filter to change focus to different Scenarios. Each Scenario has its own set of rules. Use the Activity Scenario to change the Activities included in the Emissions Projections graph.
Projections Tab
The Projections Tab is where the Projections Scenario can be views and drilled into. The data displayed here is used Annual Planning Plan.
Key Features
The Setup Tab has the following key features:
- Emission Projections graph
- Emissions Projections by Activity table
- Emissions Projections by Planning Centre table
As well as the Emission Projections Graph first seen in the Planning Tab, this Tab also has the Emissions by Activity Table and the Emissions Projections by Planning Centre Table.
Filters
The Planning Tab has the following out of the Filters:
- Scenario
- Planning Centre
Use the Filters to change focus to different Scenarios and Planning Centres. Useful tools when Planning Centres are looking to develop their reduction initiatives.
Changing Scenario updates the Emissions Projections by Activity table and
Emissions Projections by Planning Centre table. Changing Planning Centre updates the Emission Projections graph and the Emissions Projections by Activity table.
Initiatives Tab
The Initiatives Tab is where the Initiatives Scenario is developed and maintained. Simply put, it is where Planning Centres create their initiatives to meet the emissions emission budget for the current year and beyond. The initial Initiatives and Initiatives Scenario is done, and subsequently reviewed, during Annual Planning Plan.
Key Features
The Initiatives Tab has the following key features:
- Initiatives Scenario Rules table
- Emission Projections graph
The Initiatives Tab is where the Initiatives Scenario is developed and maintained. Simply put, it is where Planning Centres create their initiatives to meet the Emissions Projections in the Projections Scenario for the current year and beyond.
The Initiatives Scenario is shaped by Initiatives. Initiatives as the name indicates are planned activities to reduce emissions, a switch to an electric fleet or subsidising staff’s public transport use for example.
The Initiatives tab allows you to add Initiatives and how much you estimate them to reduce emission by. Each row is a new Initiative.
For each rule you add a:
- Source Scenario
- Apply
- Comment
- Start period
- End period
- % Start Base
- % End Base
- Activity
- PC1 through PC 10
See the Targets Tab > Key Features > Target Projections Rules table for detailed on these attributes. They are the same feature but for the Projections Scenario.
Other Features
The Initiatives Tab has the following out of the box features:
- Apply Initiatives
- Clear Initiatives
Press the Apply Initiatives button to apply the Initiatives to the Initiatives Scenario and Press Clear to Clear the Table.
Filters
The Planning Tab has the following out of the Filters:
- Scenario
- Planning Centre
- Activity
- Emissions Projections Period Range
Use the Scenario filter to move between initiatives scenarios when you have multiple (OTS CorEST has just one Initiative scenario). Use the Planning Centre and Activity Filters to change focus of the Emission Projection graph accordingly. The Emissions Projections Period Range sets the date range Emission Projection graph. It is included in this tab as initiatives often have a shorter timeframe in years.
Actuals Tab
The Actuals Tab is where actual emissions data is entered and maintained as part of the Monthly Plan. Emission data can be entered manually or using automated data uploads. Data entered at a Business Unit level will be aggregated to total organisational emissions. IBM Planning Analytics has various features for working with data, data spreading for example, click on the question mark symbol in the top right-hand corner of the PAW Screen to learn more.
Key Features
The Actuals Tab has the following key features:
- Actuals Table
The Actuals table is a place to enter and view actual emissions data. The rows are your emissions activities. The table is split into three areas:
- Current month, left three columns
- Current Year to date, next two columns
- Historic years, remaining columns
Current Year to Date and Historic years can be displayed by months too if you click on the “>” symbol next to the year. For each ‘period’ there are three columns:
- Quantity
- Emissions Factor
- Emissions (tCO2e)
Emissions Factor are only shown for months and not annual and year to date aggregations as factor may be different for different months.
Current month Quantity is where units of emission data is entered. To do this:
- Use the Planning Centre filter to select the Business Unit the data is for
- Use Current Month field to the month the data is for
- Click on the cell in the Actuals table that transects the emission activity the data is for and the Current Month Quantity column
- Type the number of units and press enter
- The Emission (tCO2e) will calculate. Right click on the cell and select Comments to enter comments and links to source documents
Other Features
The Actuals Tab has the following out of the box features:
- Current Month, sets the year and month in Actuals Table Current Month columns
- Upload Data
- Lock Actuals
- Unlock Actuals
Press the associated button at the top right of the Tab to invoke them. Locking Actuals means data in that range they cannot be changed
Instructions and a template for the import actuals file format can be found here. Note this is the same format as the Toitū Emanage bulk uploader.
Upload Data allows you to add a file that contains the data to be uploaded by automation. This is a customisation which will have been added as part of your CorEST implementation or a subsequent project. CorPlan will have supplied you with a CSV file format for this.
Filters
The Planning Tab has the following out of the Filters:
- Actuals Table Filter
- Planning Centre
Use the Actuals Tabel Filter to narrow the number of rows of Emission Activities displayed in the Actuals Table. Useful if you have a large number.
Use the Planning Centre Filter to change focus to different Planning Centres. Each Planning Centre can enter its own actuals which aggerate to an organisational total.
Dashboard Tab
The Dashboard Tab is where users can review and export high level graphs and reports as part of the Monthly Plan. The Dashboard Tab gives an organisation a place to review and discuss summary emissions data and to drill into details if required. Graphs can be exported too for inclusion in external reporting. IBM Planning Analytics has various features for working with graphs and tables, making a graph full screen for example, click on the question mark symbol in the top right-hand corner of the PAW Screen to learn more.
Key Features
The Dashboard Tab has the following key features:
- Emissions Projections Graph
- Emissions Summary Table and Graphs
- Emissions by Source Table
- Emissions by Business Unit Table and Graph
The Emissions Projection Graph is a line graph that plots the Target, Projections, Initiatives, and Actuals Scenarios. With Emissions in Tons CO2e is plotted on the X axis and Years on the Y axis.
The Emissions Summary Table and Graph shows Tons CO2e summarised by GHGP Scope. Emissions in Tons CO2e is plotted on the X axis and Scope on the Y axis. You can drill on Scopes down to their Emissions Activities.
The Emissions by Source Table and Graph shows Tons CO2e by Emission Activities. Emissions in Tons CO2e is plotted on the X axis and Emission Activity on the Y axis.
The Emissions by Business Unit Table and Graph shows Tons CO2e by Business Unit. The graph is a heat map with the Business Units with the greatest emissions have the deepest colour.
Filters
The Dashboard Tab has the following out of the Filters:
- Period
- Planning Centre
- Measure (M,Sustainability)
- Activity
Use the Period and Planning Centre Filters to change focus to different Years and Planning Centres. Applying a Planning Centre filter narrows the emissions to that business Units allocation of emissions.
Measure (M,Sustainability) will change graph unit from Tons CO2e to any Impact Metrics established for your organisation. Not OOTB CorEST current has none.
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