Carbon footprint measurement and reporting as a tool for climate change management
In this series of articles, we concentrate on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and their impact on climate change. We investigate how they originated and how they can be reduced to meet the 1.5 °C increase of the Paris Climate Agreement.
We have investigated and can report that the majority of emissions are from energy generation, human and economic activities.
Last week we focused on Climate Change Mitigation Strategies and the technologies available at our disposal to deal with Climate Change.
This week we take a dive into Carbon Footprint Measurement and Reporting and how it can be used as an effective tool for Climate Change Management to build climate resilient communities. For the purposes of this article, we will use GHG emissions and Carbon emissions interchangeably.
Last week, we defined Carbon footprint as the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product. It is calculated by summing the emissions resulting from every stage of a product or services. It is important for businesses to understand the impact they are having on climate change. Calculating a carbon footprint is an essential starting point.
Knowing your organisational carbon footprint is key in formulating and implementing an effective sustainable carbon reduction strategy with an immediate impact on climate action. Calculating and communicating your organisational and product carbon footprints effectively, can help an organisation to map their unique pathway to setting science-based Net Zero targets. Science based targets quantify the amount of emissions that need to be reduced in order to meet the targets set out in the Paris Climate Agreement, limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The Net-Zero Standard, launched in October 2021, gives companies a science-based framework for defining ambitious and effective climate targets with a long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions.
There are two types of Carbon footprint. Organisational carbon footprint which measures GHG emissions from all the activities across the organisation, including energy used in buildings, industrial processes and company vehicles, And Product carbon footprint which measures the GHG emissions over the whole production cycle and value chain from raw materials, manufacturing, consumption final reuse, recycling and disposal.
After measuring carbon footprint, an organisation may choose to publicly disclose their footprint. As such it is it’s important to use a robust and standardised approach in calculating carbon emissions. Most organisations worldwide have adopted the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. It provides detailed guidance on methods, and is available free of charge online. Another recognised standard include ISO 14064 from the International Organisation for Standardisation.
You can download a free copy of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol on https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards/ghg-protocol-revised.pdf (More than 9 out of 10 Fortune 500 Companies reporting to Carbon Disclosure Project use GHG Protocol)