Quality Tools

Aether has developed a series of tools which facilitate efficient documentation and checking of datasets at any step in the data production process. These tools are adapted to and can be embedded within existing data management systems. They save time compared to conventional QA/QC approaches. 

For more information contact Lucy Garland.

Inventory Tools

Aether’s Inventory Tools support the development of greenhouse gas and air pollution emission inventories. They are provided as part of clear and concise training for national inventory teams. The Excel based tools are designed to be easy to use and understand, making them perfect for new inventory compilers.

  • The Key Category Analysis Tool is simple and intuitive. It is used to identify the key sectors contributing to emissions using a method in line with the 2006 IPCC Guidelines.  The tool also provides a template for documentation and discussion points related to the analysis. The user inputs the emission estimates and the tool transparently calculates key category analysis in terms of emission levels and trends. The results of the analysis can be used to prioritise emission estimate improvement activities.
  • The Uncertainty Analysis Tool for emission inventory compilers quantifies uncertainties in line with international guidance. This provides information to develop a prioritised improvement plan. It can help stakeholders better understand the accuracy and limitations of key messages.
  • The Completeness Assessment Tool will support inventory discussions by providing a clearly presented overview of the completeness of the inventory and improvement actions. The tool is an Excel table that lists all CRF categories, GHGs and years. The user completes the table by indicating if emission estimates are calculated or not.  If not, the tool allows documentation of why they have not been compiled for that category, GHG and year.
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Q-Comments

Aether’s Quality Comments (Q-Comments) tool has been developed to enable teams to carry out QA/QC processes in a highly efficient and transparent way. Through its tagging system, the tool improves communication and transparency, accelerating learning and aiding work handover. The tagging system is customisable and therefore offers a bespoke, consistent and efficient approach to completing and documenting QA/QC processes.

The Q-Comments tool is an advanced Excel tagging system that provides the user with a complete, transparent and documented record of the QA/QC procedure. This record is consistent across all spreadsheets in which the tool is used. Aether has implemented this system successfully, receiving excellent feedback from spreadsheet model users. The Q-Comments tool uses tags and comments to facilitate documentation and conversation between a spreadsheet author and a reviewer. The tags used can be customised to the needs of the user and the tools come with a user guide.

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Q-Analyst

The Quality Analyst (Q-Analyst) tool can be used to verify timeseries datasets. It has been developed based on Aether’s experience in running quality assurance activities both as data compilers and reviewers.  The Q-Analyst tool is an easy-to-use, Excel-based review tool that can be applied to all time series data.

Through the tool’s user-friendly interface, data are visualised to support QA/QC activities.  Analysis of the data identifies attributes of the data that need checking, and the checking is enabled through data visualisation. Users can ensure datasets are comparable and consistent across a time series.  Recalculations between versions of datasets can easily be reviewed in order to verify changes.

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Case studies

GHG inventory support for Estonia

Aether is supporting the Estonian Environmental Research Centre (EKUK) and Estonian Environment Agency (EstEA) in the development of its national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory templates. We are helping to ensure that the compilation process is transparent and efficient.

LULUCF GHG Inventory Support for Romania

Aether is supporting the Romanian National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies (ICSI) in the compilation of its national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory for non-forest land areas. We are helping to ensure that Romania’s land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) inventory is robust and of high quality.

Devolved Administration Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Inventories

Aether is now leading on the compilation and reporting of greenhouse gas and air pollution inventories for England and the Devolved Administrations, as a part of the wider UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory programme.

Testimonials

Don't just take our word for it...

“It has been a pleasure to work with Chris Dore and Richard Claxton from Aether: they did their job in a very professional and timely manner. The workshop was organized and carried out in a cooperative spirit; the information provided to the workshop participants was complete and clear.”

Alina Novikova, UN/ECE Secretariat

“The Aether team were a joy to work with and I would recommend the consultancy - the service provided throughout the process was exceptional. Where there were problems, they provided solutions. The team were working to very short time scales but were able to deliver a high quality piece of work within the specified time frame.”

Sefton Council - for the Merseyside Atmospheric Emissions Inventory

“Both the face-to-face training and the online version have been of high quality, with dynamic methods and a practical orientation that have allowed students to reach a solid knowledge base. The products have been delivered within the stipulated deadlines with an excellent quality and the team has always shown willingness to make adjustments according to the requirements of CONAF. We are very satisfied with the work. ”

Javier Cano Martín, Professional Unit for Climate Change and Environmental Services, CONAF (National Forestry Corporation), Chile

“The Aether team were a joy to work with and I would recommend the consultancy - the service provided throughout the process was exceptional.”

Clare Bayley, Defra

“The team at Aether works very professionally and communicates very well which makes working with them a pleasure. Outputs are delivered on time to high quality. The team brings the rigour of technical knowledge and expertise and finds innovative ways of communicating complex messages. I would be happy to recommend the Aether team to organisations working on analysing and presenting emissions information in the public domain.”

Fiona Glover, States of Jersey

“Chris was excellent to work with and always very pro active in making suggestions, taking work forward and applying his considerable technical knowledge in effective ways.”

Robert Vaughan, Defra Air Quality Team

“We have been collaborating with Aether for several years, and our projects have greatly benefited from it. Aether staff are very knowledgeable, professional and flexible - and last but not least, very friendly and a pleasure to work with.”

Umhverfisstofnun, Environment Agency of Iceland

“I must congratulate each of you for your professional and tireless efforts. Let me point out that this has been the 'neatest' in-country review expert review team I have coordinated, and it has been a real pleasure.”

UNFCCC Secretariat

“Saint Lucia embraces the professional approach with which this project was undertaken by Aether, particularly their ability to develop mentorship relations with local government experts. This provides a basis for ensuring that the pool of local experts remain engaged and recognized over successive processes.”

Annette Rattigan-Leo, Chief Sustainable Development and Environment Officer

“If we have a need for any more reports in the future Aether will be first on my list.”

Alan Hardy, Kyson Design

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