What are (GHG) emissions and CO₂e?
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. While carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the most prevalent, other significant GHGs include methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and various industrial gases like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃). The concept of 'Carbon dioxide equivalent' or CO₂e is used to standardize the climate impact of different GHGs, based on their Global Warming Potential (GWP), enabling a unified measurement of their cumulative effect.
What are the different scopes of emissions?
Emissions are categorized into three scopes by the GHG Protocol.
- Scope 1 covers all direct emissions under an organization's control, such as on-site fuel combustion and vehicle emissions.
- Scope 2 accounts for indirect emissions from purchased electricity, with emissions arising during its production.
- Scope 3, or 'value chain' emissions, includes all other indirect emissions linked to an organization's operations, from sources outside its direct control. This can encompass emissions from business travel, procurement processes, waste management, and water usage, often forming the largest part of an organization's carbon footprint.
What are the primary causes of climate change?
The main cause of climate change is the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, deforestation, and industrial processes. These activities release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere and lead to a warming effect known as the greenhouse effect.
How do greenhouse gases affect climate change?
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, creating a 'greenhouse effect'. This effect is natural and necessary for life, but excessive greenhouse gas emissions from human activities have amplified this effect, leading to global warming and climate change with severe consequences, such as weather catastrophes, food and water shortages, extreme migration, new epidemies and more.
What is carbon accounting and why is it important?
Carbon accounting involves measuring the amount of carbon dioxide emissions produced by an organization or individual activities. It's crucial for understanding and managing climate impact, setting emission reduction targets, and tracking progress toward these goals. Accurate carbon accounting helps organizations like Footprint Intelligence to implement effective strategies for reducing their carbon footprint.
What is the GHG Protocol?
The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol is a globally recognized framework that provides standardized guidelines and principles for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions by organizations. It's akin to a set of rules for GHG accounting, similar to financial accounting standards, ensuring relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, and accuracy in emissions reporting. The protocol categorizes emissions into three scopes - Scope 1, 2, and 3 - covering direct and indirect emissions associated with an organization’s operations. This systematic approach helps businesses in preparing comprehensive corporate-level GHG inventories and aligning their reporting practices with global standards.
What is the difference between carbon offsetting and carbon reduction?
Carbon offsetting involves compensating for emissions by funding equivalent carbon dioxide savings elsewhere, such as through renewable energy projects or reforestation. Carbon reduction, on the other hand, refers to actual measures taken to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, like improving energy efficiency or switching to renewable energy sources.
Why should I decarbonize rather than offset my carbon emissions?
Decarbonization, which involves actively reducing or eliminating carbon emissions, is a more sustainable and effective approach compared to offsetting. Offsetting, while it compensates for emissions, does not eliminate them and relies on the assumption that the carbon captured or offset will not re-enter the atmosphere. Decarbonizing ensures a direct reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, making it a more impactful and long-term solution for addressing climate change.
Why is it important for businesses to set Science-Based Targets (SBTs)?
Science-Based Targets (SBTs) provide a clear pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aligning their business strategies with the goals of the Paris Agreement. By setting SBTs, companies like Footprint Intelligence commit to making significant and measurable contributions to combating climate change, enhancing their corporate responsibility, and often improving operational efficiencies and competitiveness.
What does 'net zero emissions' mean?
'Net zero emissions' refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and the amount removed from the atmosphere. Achieving net zero means that any emissions are counterbalanced by absorbing an equivalent amount from the atmosphere, through means like reforestation or carbon capture technologies. This is a key target for mitigating climate change.
What are biogenic emissions and why is it important to calculate them?
Biogenic emissions originate from biological sources, such as plants and animals, and are part of the natural carbon cycle. They differ from fossil emissions, which are released by burning fossil fuels and release carbon that has been sequestered for millions of years, thus adding to atmospheric carbon levels. Distinguishing biogenic emissions is crucial for understanding their role in the carbon cycle and assessing the overall environmental impact of various materials and products. This helps in developing more accurate and effective strategies for managing and mitigating carbon emissions.
What is the difference between PCF and CCF?
The Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) pertains to the total greenhouse gas emissions linked to a specific product or service, from production to disposal. In contrast, the Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) refers to the total emissions generated by all activities across an entire organization. The calculation of PCF is particularly vital for identifying major emission sources within product lines, which can inform the broader CCF by pinpointing key areas for emission reduction, especially in manufacturing contexts where Scope 3 emissions are significant.