Effective Date: January 27, 2026
GHGMET PLATFORM
1. INTRODUCTION AND ACCEPTANCE
Welcome to GHGMet ("Platform"), a greenhouse gas metrics and agricultural modeling platform operated by Colorado State University ("CSU," "we," "us," or "our"). By accessing or using the Platform at ghgmet.com, app.ghgmet.com, or any associated services, you ("User," "you," or "your") agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms").
If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use the Platform.
2. PLATFORM DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE
2.1 Overview
GHGMet is a research and informational platform that provides tools for agricultural greenhouse gas modeling and analysis. The Platform enables users to input agricultural field data, apply scientific models (including DayCent and Landscape DNDC), and receive estimated emissions outputs.
2.2 Research Purpose Only
IMPORTANT: The Platform is provided for research, educational, and informational purposes only. Model outputs are scientific estimates based on user-provided inputs and should not be relied upon for:
Regulatory compliance or emissions reporting
Legal filings or official submissions
Carbon credit verification or certification
Commercial audits or third-party verification
Financial or investment decisions
3. ACCESS AND USER ACCOUNTS
3.1 Public Access
The Platform is publicly available. No special invitation, institutional affiliation, or approval is required to create an account and use the Platform.
3.2 Account Requirements
To access Platform features, you must create an account through our authentication provider (Auth0). You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to maintain the security of your account credentials.
3.3 Access Controls
CSU reserves the right to implement rate limits, usage caps, or access controls at any time to protect platform stability, prevent misuse, or preserve scientific integrity.
4. USER DATA AND OWNERSHIP
4.1 Your Data, Your Ownership
You retain complete ownership of all data you submit to the Platform, including field boundaries, location data, crop and management inputs, and any other information you provide. CSU does not claim any ownership interest in your data.
4.2 Model Outputs
You own all model outputs and results generated from your data. Neither CSU nor its contractors have any rights to your outputs without your explicit consent.
4.3 No Research Use
Your data will not be shared publicly, used for research purposes, or accessed by CSU or its contractors without your prior consent.
4.4 Administrative Access
Platform administrators may only access your data if you explicitly grant permission for troubleshooting or support purposes through in-platform settings.
5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
5.1 Platform Ownership
The Platform, including its software, design, features, documentation, and underlying scientific models (DayCent, Landscape DNDC, and others), is owned by or licensed to Colorado State University. All rights not expressly granted herein are reserved.
5.2 Model Access
Users receive model outputs only. The Platform does not provide access to, inspection of, or the ability to extract model source code, algorithms, or internal logic.
5.3 Export Capabilities
You may export your data and results in supported formats (currently JSON; PDF summaries planned for future release).
6. ACCEPTABLE USE
6.1 Permitted Uses
You may use the Platform for research, educational, informational, and commercial purposes, including using outputs in commercial applications or for resale.
6.2 Restrictions
You may NOT:
Represent Platform outputs as certified, verified, validated, or officially approved by any regulatory body
Use outputs for regulatory compliance submissions without independent verification
Attempt to circumvent access controls, rate limits, or security measures
Interfere with Platform operations or other users' access
Attempt to reverse-engineer, decompile, or extract model algorithms
Misrepresent your identity or provide false information
6.3 Usage Limits
The Platform implements daily model run limits and system-level throttling to ensure fair access and system stability.
7. THIRD-PARTY DATA AND SERVICES
The Platform incorporates data from multiple third-party sources (including soil data providers, climate data services, and mapping services), which may evolve over time. The availability, accuracy, and licensing terms of third-party data are subject to change without notice. CSU makes no warranties regarding third-party data.
8. DISCLAIMERS
8.1 No Warranty
THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, or non-infringement.
8.2 Scientific Uncertainty
Model outputs involve inherent scientific uncertainty. Results are estimates based on the models and data sources employed, and actual emissions or outcomes may differ materially.
8.3 No Certification
The Platform is not certified, validated, or approved by any governmental or regulatory authority. Outputs should not be used for official emissions reporting, carbon credit verification, or regulatory compliance without independent verification.
9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CSU, its officers, employees, contractors, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, use, or goodwill, arising out of or related to your use of the Platform, regardless of the theory of liability.
In no event shall CSU's total liability exceed the amount you have paid to use the Platform (if any), or one hundred dollars ($100), whichever is greater.
10. SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION
10.1 CSU Rights
CSU may suspend, restrict, or terminate your access to the Platform at any time, with or without cause, to protect platform stability, prevent misuse, or preserve scientific integrity.
10.2 Data Retention After Termination
Upon termination, you may request export of your data within 30 days. After this period, your data may be deleted from our systems.
10.3 User Termination
You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us or using in-platform account deletion features.
11. CHANGES TO TERMS
We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by email or through the Platform prior to the changes taking effect. Your continued use of the Platform after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
12. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Larimer County, Colorado, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.
13. ACCESSIBILITY
CSU is committed to making the Platform accessible. The Platform is designed to comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility guidelines. If you encounter accessibility barriers, please contact us.
14. CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions about these Terms, please contact:
Email: privacy@ghgmet.com
Mail:
GHGMet Platform
Colorado State University
1490 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523
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