16 June 2009
Posted in Go Green - Carbon Accounting

Go Green offer carbon accounting solutions to businesses looking to enhance their green credentials, whilst meeting the need to reduce running costs . . . significantly.

By carrying out a detailed audit of a companies green house gas emissions we at Go Green, can and do save companies a lot of money by pointing out the obvious, reduce your emissions and save on your energy bills. Not to mention preparing companys' for the upcoming legislation, BY 2012 all business will have to report on emissions.

Methodology 

The methodology that we use in our carbon accounting process are divided into four major steps, with each step covering

several activities and building on the previous. Following, are the major steps which are undertaken for

carbon accounting:

1. Data Gathering

2. Site Survey

3. Calculations

4. Report Generation

Data Gathering

During this critical first phase of the analysis, a wide variety of data is collected from our client. Any

historical records concerning operations which affect Green House Gas emissions are supplied. These

records vary depending on the type of operations and record keeping practices for each particular client,

but may include:

Historical utility bills

Waste production records

Recycling production records

Facility square footage

Commuter and vehicle travel records

Water and Waste Water Treatment Plant productions

This data is reviewed in detail to begin understanding how the client generates Green House Gas emissions

through normal operations.

Site Survey

With a preliminary understanding of the operations affecting Green House Gas production, a site survey

is conducted throughout the clients’ facilities and properties. During this site survey a thorough

understanding of how people interact with the facilities is gained, an assessment of energy consuming

devices is performed, and a general understanding of the operations is obtained. The goals of the site

survey process include:

1. Verify data gathered is accurate, and determine other operations which may require further data

gathering efforts.

2. Gain a first hand understanding of the users operations and facilities to ensure an accurate carbon

footprint analysis.

3. Identify potential areas for improvement and reduction of the current carbon footprint.

Calculations

Calculations, using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, are done to determine the actual affect of each

operation on the overall carbon footprint for the client. As much of these calculations are performed using

the data and observations found during the first two steps of this process as possible. Some assumptions

are necessary in order to complete the calculations.

A key factor in the Green House Gas calculations is the emission factor of each operation.