Information for Assurance Teams: Data Governance and Due Diligence

Data Governance

Thrust Carbon ensures that calculations are being completed consistently, inline with the prescribed methodology selected by the client. 

Changes to the underlying methodologies are only made in 2 instances: 

• Changes to methodology inputs - this is a change to the inputs that are entered into a calculation-based methodology. Examples:  

  • Emission factor annual updates 

  • A calculation methodology (e.g. ICAO+), relies on the aircraft type flown for a fuel burn calculation, this aircraft type can change between booking and flight operation, and therefore the methodology ‘input’ of aircraft type might change.
    
    

• Changes to methodology calculation approaches - this is typically a change to the calculation approach (e.g. ICAO’s methodological changes every ~6 years, or updated best practice climate science such as radiative forcing estimations).

Changes to methodology inputs

The available datasets for business travel update over time. In order to provide the most accurate data at the point of sale, Thrust Calculator undergoes live data updates.

When using Thrust Carbon data for external reporting, we strongly recommend that calculations are refreshed to ensure the calculations using the most up to date data available at the time of reporting. 

Key dates for air carbon emission numbers updating

• At time of booking, the estimated emissions will be based on the most recently available data for the supplier.

• Any pre-trip changes (e.g. aircraft type changes), will lead to a newly calculated emission for the new aircraft.

• 3 months post trip, accurate ‘load factor’ and ‘freight factor’ data will arrive for US carriers.

• 6 months post trip, accurate ‘load factor’ and ‘freight factor’ data will arrive for non-APAC carriers.

• 12+ months post trip, semi-accurate ‘load factor’ and ‘freight factor’ data will arrive for APAC carriers (some APAC carriers are only publishing average load factors for the year, rather than monthly data).

Changes to methodology calculations approaches

Thrust Carbon provides almost all travel methodologies available on the market, and we therefore treat methodology updates extremely sensitively. The approach we take to methodology updates depends on the nature of the underlying methodology update:

• Immaterial changes (<1%) 
  Thrust Carbon will apply the update immediately, as this will reflect the most accurate calculation and the client will be informed that immaterial improvements have been made.

• Material changes (>1%) 

Thrust Carbon will not apply the new methodology, but instead consult with the client to explore the materiality of the change and whether it triggers a rebaseline event. If a rebaselining event is not triggered, we will advise the client to apply the updated methodology the next time a rebaseline event is reached to ensure the new baseline includes the most scientifically relevant methodology.

Due Diligence and Testing

To ensure the highest accuracy of calculations, Thrust Carbon completes a number of due diligence data checks on any new data inputs, alongside regular spot checks on running calculations. An overview of the process can be found below:

API Testing

Before enabling a data feed for a client, we create a test instance to load the data into. We then compare the segments created on a test instance with the raw data from the data feed source. 

The first check we perform is to ensure the number of segments created matches the number of records returned from the data feed source. 

We then drill down into a sample of the created segments and ensure that their data matches the corresponding record from the data feed source. 

These checks allow us to have confidence that we are receiving complete data and the groupings and categorisation are being assigned appropriately. 

Automated checks 

A number of automated checks are integrated into Thrust Calculator to flag outliers and missing data. Additionally high level overview dashboards are used to review consistency and flag any spikes in emissions or number of segments being returned

Monthly 

New input data, such as load factors, are added to the calculator and rigorous testing is completed to ensure correctness (methodologies: ICAO+ and DEFRA+) 

Quarterly 

Every quarterly we conduct a spot check of all methodologies to spot bugs and outliers. 

Annually 

Annual emission factors are updated, and thorough testing is conducted to ensure they are being applied correctly. 

ISO 14083 Third Party Verification

To ensure our calculations meet the highest standards of accuracy and transparency, we have taken deliberate actions to align a range of our methodologies with ISO 14083. This alignment enhances the credibility and reliability of our GHG emissions reporting and supports our commitment to environmental sustainability.

Third party limited assurance on Thrust Carbon emission calculations for air, rail, and car has been conducted by LRQA in accordance with ISO 14083.

Thrust Carbon’s Calculator undergoes third party assurance to ISO 14083 every 2 years. In the in-between year, we conduct our own shadow assurance process to ensure that the calculations are working as expected.

Thrust Carbon every year sees our clients through a number of third party assurance process, through which we are constantly checking and monitoring the robustness of our calculations.