Carbon Footprint
WHAT IS A 'CARBON FOOTPRINT'?
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. It is also called Carbon Profile.
It is the overall amount of carbon dioxide (CO2, along its supply-chain and sometimes including from use and end-of-life recovery and disposal. ) and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with a product
Causes of these emissions are, for example, electricity production in power plants, heating with fossil fuels, transport operations and other industrial and agricultural processes.
HOW IS THE CARBON FOOTPRINT MEASURED FOR A PRODUCT ?
The carbon footprint is a sub-set of the data covered by a more complete Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCA is an internationally standardized method (ISO 14040, ISO 14044) for the evaluation of the environmental burdens and resources consumed along the life cycle of products; from the extraction of raw materials, the manufacture of goods, their use by final consumers or for the provision of a service, recycling, energy recovery and ultimate disposal.
One of the key impact categories considered in an LCA is climate change.
Hence, a carbon footprint is a life cycle assessment with the analysis limited to emissions that have an effect on climate change. Suitable background data sources for the footprint are therefore those available in existing LCA databases. These databases contain the life cycle profiles of the goods and services that you purchase, as well as of many of the underlying materials, energy sources, transport and other services.
HOW IS CARBON FOOTPRINT CALCULATED
To achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions we needed to establish a per capita carbon baseline. Our emissions arise from a range of sources, but energy consumed by buildings and through travel are the largest contributors. Energy consumption in commercial buildings can be derived from gas and electricity bills.
IMPROVING PERFORMANCE
One can improve the accuracy of our carbon footprint and meet commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by following a number of strategies.
• Embarking on energy audits of offices to better understand consumption and identify opportunities for saving energy
• Establishing better reporting of energy and resource consumption through our Local Environment Practice Plan.
• Encouraging inter-office competition to improve performance.
• Monitoring performance.
• Specific objectives include -creating greater carbon-consciousness and encouraging behavioural change among staff.
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