WASHINGTON-U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the leader in federal sustainability initiatives, continues its commitment to a clean energy economy and a more sustainable government with the release of a new version of the GSA Carbon Footprint Tool.

GSA will continue to offer the GSA Carbon Footprint Tool to all federal agencies to assist them as they compile their annual comprehensive GHG inventory and track progress towards achieving their GHG reduction goals. There continues to be no charge to use this tool. New advanced analytics features will help users to verify the validity of data, identify underperforming facilities, and take corrective actions. The redesign was based on extensive internal user experience audits, focus groups, and input from over 30 federal agencies.

The redesigned GSA Carbon Footprint Tool is easier to navigate, helps users find and share key information faster, and offers better support for mobile devices. The redesign focuses on helping agencies save time and money associated with implementing GHG reductions under Executive Order 13514.

Highlights of the GSA Carbon Footprint Tool’s redesign include:

• Aligning site navigation with the GHG inventory and reduction process. The Tool is now organized by key tasks—from initial agency site setup to data collection, second-party data verification, U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (DOE FEMP) Reporting workbook creation, GHG reduction planning, and goal tracking.
• Enabling agencies to seamlessly import building energy data from EPA ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and GSA building and travel data systems. Data can also be downloaded for export to the DOE FEMP Reporting Portal with a single mouse click.
• Embedding a quality assurance review process that allows agencies to submit their GHG emissions data to agency administrators for second-party review and verification.
• Allowing agencies to share site and GHG emissions data on the geographic information system (GIS) map fosters interagency collaboration for climate adaptation planning.
• Creating a benchmarking capability that lets agencies compare their building energy and GHG emissions performance against other buildings within the portfolio and against industry averages.

By the end of 2012, GSA will release a Building GHG Reduction Planning module that will allow agencies to review the potential cost, payback period, return on investment, and GHG emissions reductions associated with building energy conservation measures. This feature will incorporate money-saving strategies in the initial planning processes so that agencies can focus their efforts on the implementation phases.

The GSA Carbon Footprint Tool is free to government agencies. It is in use at over 30 federal agencies and currently has over 800 registered users. Learn more at https://www.carbonfootprint.gsa.gov.