An ontology for anthropogenic impact accounting

FINAL: "Anything perceivable or conceivable." ("object" - ISO 9000:2015(E))

"An entity is a physical, digital, conceptual, or other kind of thing with some fixed aspects; entities may be real or imaginary." (https://www.w3.org/ns/prov#Entity)

FINAL: A claim is a statement about a (some specific) thing.

"[A]n assertion that something is true." (OED, Google)

13 Aug 2024 

"A claim that is validated by formal statement of an official authority "

Attestation, evidence or proof of something.

a declaration that something exists or is the case.

the action of being a witness to or formally certifying something.

Cambridge:a formal statement that you make and officially say is true

TODO.

A means of representation though a control:format

Media can be digital or physical

(A x-scape is a coded aggregate interpretation of an environment)

A medium is a thing that can be altered, either temporarily or permanently, to serve as a vehicle of communication.

A defined structure and encoding system for the processing, storage, or presentation of data.

Format: encoding system [text, images, audio, sensor data,)

FINAL: An agent is a thing that bears some form of responsibility for an activity taking place or for the existence of another thing, and which can be held accountable for it.

"An agent is something that bears some form of responsibility for an activity taking place, for the existence of an entity, or for another agent's activity." (http://www.w3.org/ns/prov#Agent)

"[A] person or thing that takes an active role or produces a specified effect." (OED, Google)

"[The] doer of an action, typically expressed as the subject of an active verb or in a by phrase with a passive verb." (OED, Google)

'organization' as defined in ISO's Annex SL Appendix 2 is treated in this ontology as an agent consisting of multiple other agents.

Think further about delegation.

foaf has: The foaf:Agent class is the class of agents; things that do stuff. A well known sub-class is foaf:Person, representing people. Other kinds of agents include foaf:Organization and foaf:Group.

2024/07/20

FINAL: A thing that an agent does and which impacts an environment.

"[A] thing that a person or group does or has done." (OED, Google)

"Smallest identified object of work in a project." (ISO 9000:2015(E))

"An activity is something that occurs over a period of time and acts upon or with entities; it may include consuming, processing, transforming, modifying, relocating, using, or generating entities." (http://www.w3.org/ns/prov#Activity)

Occurs over a period of time and has a duration.

Has a spatial dimension.

2024/07/20

FINAL: The activity of ascertaining the value of a parameter defining a state.

"[A]scertain the size, amount, or degree of (something) by using an instrument or device marked in standard units." (OED, Google)

"[A]ssess the importance, effect, or value of (something)." (OED, Google)

FINAL: The activity of making a statement about a (specific) thing.

"[S]tate or assert that something is the case..." (OED, Google)

"[A]ssert that one has gained or achieved (something)." (OED, Google)

assert

W3C Glossary: (n.) Assertion (i) Any expression which is claimed to be true. (ii) The act of claiming something to be true.

https://www.w3.org/TR/vc-data-model/#claims is practically identical: "A claim is a statement about a subject. A subject is a thing about which claims can be made."

FINAL : The activity of confirming or demonstrating that something is true, accurate, or justified.

"[M]ake sure or demonstrate that (something) is true, accurate, or justified." (OED, Google)

"[C]onfirm[], through the provision of objective evidence, that specified requirements have been fulfilled." ("verification" - ISO 9000:2015(E))

"[T]o establish the truth, accuracy, or reality of." (Merriam-Webster)

FINAL: The activity of performing a systematic, independent, objective and documented evaluation of a claim and its supporting evidence to determine the extent to which it complies with specific criteria. [control]

"[C]onduct a systematic review of." (OED, Google)

Conduct a systematic review or assessment of something.

"systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining objective evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which the audit criteria are fulfilled" ("audit" - ISO 9000:2015(E))

FINAL (proposed): The surroundings and conditions in which a thing exists.

"[T]he surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates." (OED, Google)

"[T]he setting or conditions in which a particular activity is carried on. (OED, Google)

"[A] specified sphere of activity or knowledge." ("domain" - OED, Google)

FINAL: A quality or feature forming one of a set that defines an owl::thing or sets the conditions of its existence or operation.

"[A] numerical or other measurable factor forming one of a set that defines a system or sets the conditions of its operation." (OED, Google)

"[A] limit or boundary which defines the scope of a particular process or activity." (OED, Google)

"[A] numerical characteristic of a population, as distinct from a statistic of a sample." (OED, Google)

"[A] quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something." ("attribute" - OED, Google)

FINAL: A state is the value of a parameter at a specific time position.

"[T]he particular condition that someone or something is in at a specific time." (OED, Google)

"Condition" in the sense of "if x then..." are expressed by using thing:state inside thing:control. Definitions for "condition": {

1. "[A] situation that must exist before something else is possible or permitted." (OED, Google)
2. "[A]n arrangement that must exist before something else can happen." (Cambridge)
3. "[A] premise upon which the fulfillment of an agreement depends." (Merriam-Webster)
4. "[A] provision making the effect of a legal instrument contingent upon an uncertain event." (Merriam-Webster)
5. "[S]omething essential to the appearance or occurrence of something else." (Merriam-Webster)
6. "[A] restricting or modifying factor." (Merriam-Webster)

}

TODO.

FINAL: (TODO: Import without change from owl-time.)

E.g., "travel through space and time"

Time: "[T]he indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole." (OED, Google)

FINAL: (TODO: Import without change from owl-time.)

A specific point in time.

FINAL: (TODO: Import without change from owl-time.)
"[T]he time during which something continues." (OED, Google)

It's an amount of time.

FINAL: (TODO: Import without change from owl-time.)

a length or portion of time

A portion of time defined by a specific starting point in time and a specific ending point in time.

Some periods in time may be "fuzzy" - exact y:m:d h:m:s may be unknown, but we can attribute a starting or ending point with a certain level of confidence. I.e., they can be definite or fuzzy.

TODO.

TODO.

Location, or space, can - like time and periods - be either definite or fuzzy.

Spatial equivalent of "period" is region.

TODO.

TODO.

TODO.

TODO.

TODO.

FINAL: thing that happens or takes place and which impacts an environment. An event is differentiated from an activity by the absence of explicit human intention.

"Nature has events, humans act"

"[A] thing that happens or takes place,..." (OED, Google)

"[A] single occurrence of a process, e.g. the ionization of one atom." (OED, Google)

 A transition in the world (http://www.w3.org/ns/prov#InstantaneousEvent).

"Events include generation, usage, or invalidation of entities, as well as starting or ending of activities...

An... event... happens in the world and marks a change in the world, in its activities and in its entities. The term 'event' is commonly used in process algebra with a similar meaning. Events represent communications or interactions; they are assumed to be atomic and instantaneous." (http://www.w3.org/ns/prov#InstantaneousEvent)

FINAL: A set of predefined behaviours for an agent with regards to a specific activity.

The function assumed or part enacted by an agent in a particular situation, and which might be subjected to a thing:control.

"[T]he function assumed or part played by a person or thing in a particular situation." (OED, Google)

"[A] role is particular behaviour which a material entity may exhibit."

CHEBI:50906

"A role is the function of an entity or agent with respect to an activity, in the context of a usage, generation, invalidation, association, start, and end." (http://www.w3.org/ns/prov#Role)

Roles are context-specific.
A role restricts the set of activities that an agent can perform in the context within which they enact the role.
Roles are sometimes mutually exclusive.
Some roles require the enacting agent to have met certain requirements to be allowed to enact the role in that context.

Cf. 4E cognition: embodied, embedded, enactive, extended.

FINAL: A set of predefined behaviours for an agent who owns a specific thing in the context of a specific activity.

"[A] person who owns something." (OED, Google)

FINAL: A set of predefined behaviours for an agent who operates a specific thing (e.g., an instrument) in the context of a specific activity.

"[A] person who operates equipment or a machine." (OED, Google)

"[A] person or company that runs a business." (OED, Google)

FINAL: A set of predefined behaviours for an agent who makes a claim in the context of a specific activity.

"[A] person making a claim, especially in a lawsuit or for a state benefit." (OED, Google)

FINAL: A set of predefined behaviours for an agent who defines and prepares the conditions for an activity or a set of activities.

"[A] person or thing that develops something." (OED, Google)

FINAL: A set of predefined behaviours for an agent who verifies a claim.

"[S]omeone who vouches for another or for the correctness of a statement." ("verifier")

FINAL: A set of predefined behaviours for a certified agent who conducts an audit.

"[A] person who conducts an audit." (OED, Google)

"[P]erson who conducts an audit." (ISO 9000:2015(E))

FINAL: A set of predefined behaviours for an agent who calibrates a measurement instrument.

FINAL: A means of limiting or directing a thing.

"[A] means of limiting or regulating something." (OED, Google)

"[T]he restriction of an activity, tendency, or phenomenon." (OED, Google)

limit, regulation, constraint, guide(n),

directive, specification,

requirement,

constraint

An impact accounting standard is a control that comprises both procedures and object specifications.

"standard": {

1. "[A] level of quality or attainment." (OED, Google)
2. "[A] required or agreed level of quality or attainment." (OED, Google)
3. "[S]omething used as a measure, norm, or model in comparative evaluations." (OED, Google)
4. "[P]rinciples of conduct informed by notions of honour and decency." (OED, Google)

}

requirement: {

1. "[A] thing that is needed or wanted." (OED, Google)
2. "[A] thing that is compulsory; a necessary condition." (OED, Google)
3. "[N]eed or expectation that is stated, generally implied or obligatory." (ISO Annex SL Appendix 2)

}

constraint: {

1. "[A] limitation or restriction." (OED, Google)
2. "[S]omething that controls what you do by keeping you within particular limits." (Cambridge)
3. "[A] constraining condition, agency, or force." (Merriam-Webster)
4. "[A] restrictive condition." (Collins)

}

A procedure guides an activity.

procedure: {

1. "[A]n established or official way of doing something." (OED, Google)
2. "[A] series of actions conducted in a certain order or manner." (OED, Google)
3. "[S]pecified way to carry out an activity or process." (ISO 9000:2015(E))

}

"methodology": {

1. "[A] system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity." (OED, Google)

}

Methodology vs. procedure: {

1. Option 1: "methodology" is a synonym for "procedure".
2. Option 2: A methodology is a subclass of a procedure; hence narrower as a procedure.
3. Option 3: A methodology is a thing:control that simply contains a procedure. 

}

An object specification is a control.

"[D]ocument stating requirements." ("specification", ISO 9000:2015(E))

"A plan is an entity that represents a set of actions or steps intended by one or more agents to achieve some goals." (http://www.w3.org/ns/prov#Plan)

A condition limits an activity with reference to a state.

TODO.

TODO.

FINAL: A measurement system allows the expression of the state of a parameter.

reference system

datum

system of measurement

TODO.

TODO.

TODO.

TODO.

FINAL: A thing used to perform an activity.

"[A] tool or implement, especially one for precision work." (OED, Google)

"[A] means of pursuing an aim." (OED, Google)

"[A] measuring device used to gauge the level, position, speed, etc. of something,..." (OED, Google)

"[A] thing made or adapted for a particular purpose, especially a piece of mechanical or electronic equipment." ("device" - OED, Google)

"[A] plan, method, or trick with a particular aim." ("device" - OED, Google)

"[A] device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function." ("tool" - OED, Google)

"[A] thing used to help perform a job." ("tool" - OED, Google)

device (?)

tool (?)

FINAL: A series of interrelated or interacting events or activities.

"[A] series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end." (OED, Google)

"[A] natural series of changes." (OED, Google)

"[A] systematic series of mechanized or chemical operations that are performed in order to produce something." (OED, Google)

"[S]et of interrelated or interacting activities that uses or transforms inputs to deliver a(n) (intended) result." (ISO Annex SL Appendix 2; ISO 9000:2015(E))

FINAL: A series of interrelated or interacting natural events without a primary human cause. 

FINAL: A unique process, consisting of a set of coordinated activities, undertaken to achieve an objective under specific controls.

"[A]n individual or collaborative enterprise that is carefully planned to achieve a particular aim." (OED, Google)

"[A] proposed or planned undertaking." (OED, Google)

"[U]nique process, consisting of a set of coordinated and controlled activities with start and finish dates, undertaken to achieve an objective conforming to specific requirements, including the constraints of time, cost and resources." (ISO 9000:2015(E))

FINAL: A calculated interpretation of measured parameters that indicates the state or level of an OWL::thing.

"[A] thing that indicates the state or level of something." (OED, Google)

Cambridge Dictionary says: @something that shows what a situation is like:

"[T]he beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something." (OED, Google)

"[A] widespread belief that someone or something has a particular characteristic." (OED, Google)

Agents

• unique identifier (identity)
• type (individual or group; if group, what type of group, e.g. organisation, company or movement; auditor)
  • Develop or source a schema describing a minimum set of properties by agents type

An agent asserts their identity though digital signatures

Agents provide proofs of their properties through verified credentials 

Other parties can verify agent properties and make claims about their methods and results

Digital signature

Verified credentials 

Validation claim by third party

See: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/CHEBI_50906

Definition "A role is particular behaviour which a material entity may exhibit."^^xsd:string

Activities

• activity class (e.g. IPCC categories)
• activity description including objective(s) 
• location
• start time
• end time (possibly)
• agent
• input(s) (e.g. materials and energy; consumables and non-consumables)
• process(es): a process links inputs to products and waste
• output(s) product + waste

• objective (experience, create, reduce, destroy, avoid, verify) (optional / not required in all instances)

* An audit is a special type of activity where the input is a claim and the output is an evaluation of that claim.

Ex ante: An agent asserts their intentions to act in a Projet Design Document (PDD) 

Ex post: An agent describe their actions in a Projet Design Document (PDD) 

The activity and its results and impacts are documented by the agent at intervals in a monitoring report (MR)

• unique identifier

Consider a token for an activity that contains all the essential elements in column 1. Such a token must have a time limit and proof of life requirements (e.g. minimum process data feed to confirm it is ongoing)

NACE activity codes

IPCC

NAICS

ISIC

• location and temporal extent (either objective or referential)
• definition (in terms of parameters of interest)

States

• metrics referring to parameters
• type (actual [measured] or baseline [counterfactual])

*State as in environmental state (not political state)

Parameters/indicators for states

Parameters/indicators delivered by agents via PDDs and MRs

• unique identifier
• impact claim per state

• name
• definition
• unit of measure
• rationale
• calculation
• credibility

(Emission factors are parameters, for example.)

• unique identifier

• name
• author(s)
• applicability - type of agent, type of activity, state
• requirements (e.g. reporting requirements, calculation requirements)
• version
• method(s)
• precision
• accuracy / std error
• emission factors (defaults)

• unique identifier

• agent 
• activity
• "before" state for every every environment and aspect of the state under consideration
• "after" state for every every environment and aspect of the state under consideration
• causal connection between activity and the resultant state (e.g. scope 1 (primary/secondary), scope 2 or scope 3)
• standard followed