Carbon accounting
Understanding Your Carbon Footprint
May 18, 2012 | 
Author What is your carbon footprint?
In basic terms it is a measure of all the greenhouse gases we produce as individuals, businesses and societies.
What are greenhouse gases?
Greenhouse gases are present in the atmosphere and help to retain the earth’s heat. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most well known and significant greenhouse gas. Others include methane, nitrous oxide, HFCs, PFCs. Some are naturally occuring, while others are man made.
What is the significance?
Without greenhouse gases the heat from the sun would be re-radiated back into space and the earth would be too cold to live on. However, too high a concentration of greenhouse gas results in a trapping of the heat and an increase in the Earth’s surface temperature. This increase in turn creates climate change – sea level increases, rain patterns and increased storm severity, etc.
What is required is a stabilisation in the level of greenhouse gases so that energy re-radiated back into space equals the energy coming from the sun, at present rates greenhouse gases output are increasing at alarming rates.
What can we do about this?
We as individuals, businesses, regions and countries can all take action to manage and reduce our carbon footprint. In order to do this it is important to understand how to measure this output. There are some useful resources for calculating your carbon footprint available on the internet.
However these calculators are by nature simplistic and cannot respond to individual nuances or circumstances. What this calculator (and others) does not reflect is the emissions as a result of our choices as consumers – the ‘hidden’ consumption element. What is our energy producer doing to reduce their emissions? How environmentally responsible are the companies you buy products from? How many food miles are required to supply your meals on a weekly basis? Are the products we purchase contained in unnecessary moulded plastic packaging?
How Can ISO 14001 Benefit My Business?
Environmental Issues are now of paramount consideration by company directors, owners and employees worldwide.
Since the 14001 Environmental management system includes everyone in the business and all aspects of the organization that affect the environment, it can improve an organization’s environmental performance in many ways. This improved performance comes at a cost to the organization, a cost which can be recovered by aggressively seeking benefits.
Some of those benefits are as follows:
All environmental policies and procedures are now in the same format
All documents are now more accessible to employees so compliance has improved
Regularly scheduled EMS reviews are ensuring both legal and ethical obligations are met in a timely fashion.
Increased Profits
The quantity of materials and energy required for manufacturing a product may be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the product, material handling costs, and waste disposal costs.
An EMS can help reduce incidents of pollution and the associated expense of recovery.
Recycling manufacturing waste and unused inputs could increase revenues. Recycling need not be within the same facility, but with another one that can use the waste as input to their production.
Employee health and safety can be improved, thereby improving productivity, decreasing sick days, and reducing insurable risk.
Insurance claims may be reduced, thus reducing the costs of coverage and settlements.
This is just a sample of the benefits available to business; the list of benefits and potential benefits is considerably larger.
Posted in Carbon accounting, carbon emissions, Carbon footprint, Carbon management, carbon reduction, Carbon Reduction Commitment, Climate Change, CO2, CSR, Environmental accounting, Footprint, ghg emissions, Iso14001, Social Responsibility | 
Tags: Benefits, Business, carbon reduction, Change, Climate, Corporate, CSR, EMS, Enterprise, Environment, ENVIRONMENTAL, environmental management system, Global, Green, Greenhouse, ISO 14001, Management, Money, Social, Social Responsibility, Solutions | 
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Realising Global Benefits By Staying Close To Home
Cutting business travel costs while boosting green image through web conferencing
Climate change and the emissions of business travel
Prevailing scientific wisdom is in little doubt that climate change is the result of human activities, and as an issue that will certainly have global impact on all societal levels, urgent action is required. Without a concerted effort by both businesses and individuals alike, we’re facing increases in extreme weather, coastal flooding, extensive species extinctions, and widespread upticks in human diseases and premature deaths, to name a few potential consequences.
Our collective challenge is not to determine the cause of climate change, but how to prevent the emission of additional atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHG) such as CO2. Can any immediate actions with instant impact be taken that won’t harm economic growth? It is a question that has many enterprises concerned that they must choose between financial viability and social responsibility.
Yet achieving increased energy efficiency presents many considerable business opportunities. Take business travel, for instance. The transportation sector in the US was responsible for 28% of overall GHG emissions in 2007 with corporate trips playing no small role.
Consider that it costs between 0.40 and 0.64 pounds of CO2 per passenger mile for air travel, which is four times more GHG emissions than ground travel, or 2- 50% of a company’s overall GHG emissions. Yet air travel isn’t the most common way to get to meetings. In fact, 81% of all corporate travel takes place in cars with a lower per-mile CO2 load, yet still a noteworthy effect on climate change.
But corporate travel isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s big business. On average, 46% of business travel budgets go to air travel—significant opportunity for financial savings.
A 2007 survey of 345 executives indicated that 57% of companies are working on carbon-reduction strategies. When asked about approaches for reducing their carbon footprint, reduction of air travel through carbon neutral meetings was at the top of the list.
Attaining carbon and financial savings with web conferencing
Web conferencing can dramatically reduce travel costs and slash a company’s overall GHG emissions—AT&T reduced their air travel by 15% through web and video meetings. But the advantages don’t stop there:
Time is saved by keeping employees near home rather than on the road.
Participants can simultaneously collaborate and gain hands-on training through online interaction with the presentation.
Entire meetings can be recorded for future reference.
Unfortunately, executives often lack knowledge, have security concerns, and fear losing the prestige of globe-hopping travel. Regardless, economic concerns and interest in corporate social responsibility are driving more businesses to seek out carbon neutral operations.
Posted in Carbon accounting | Tags: Benefits, Close, Global, Home, Realizing, Staying | No Comments »
What Makes a Home a Green Home?
What Makes a Home a Green House?
One of the main topics today is about being environmentally friendly. There are many ways to become environmentally friendly about the home including water preservation and energy reduction. This not only helps with a positive action by reducing your impact on the environment, but will also save you money!
Lets take a look at what makes a home green.
Reduced Energy Use
Energy comes in many forms such as electricity, natural gas, oil, etc. The creation or use of this energy results in greenhouse gas emissions that affect our planet in a negative way.
Methods of Reducing Energy Usage
Insulation, One of the best things that you can do to make a green house is to ensure that the walls, windows, attic, and floors are all well insulated and draft free. The majority of the energy used in a home goes towards heating the house. Good insulation will prevent the air temperature from escaping the home and save you money on your utilities.
Energy Star Appliances When one of your appliances has reached it’s end of life, or when you are building a new home, consider installing an appliance that meets energy star requirements. This will ensure that it will use over 30 percent less electricity or fuel than a typical appliance of that type.
Other options include advanced mechanical Systems On demand tankless water heaters, geothermal HVAC equipment, and even solar power is a great way to reduce the amount of energy that is wasted to run the plumbing, heat and air, and electrical systems in the home. While they can have a higher upfront cost than a typical unit of its kind, tax incentives from the government can offset a good deal of the extra cost and allow you to make the money back within a few years time.
Reduced Water Use
Water is another essential resource that can be preserved in our day to day use around the house.
Low Flow Fixtures Many low flow shower heads and toilets developed a bad reputation in the past because they could not live up to their less efficient counterparts. Fortunately, todays better engineered models and aerators allow you to experience the luxury and ease of use that you prefer, while additionally using a significantly lower amount of water.
Efficient Clothes Washers Many of the newer front loading clothes washers use as little as half of the water of a typical top loading washer. For families who are constantly putting in a new load of dirty clothes, this can lead to a significant savings in cost and water usage over time.
Use Rain Water For Irrigation For those who want to really cut down on water usage, storage tanks that collect rain water during a storm for latter use to water the garden and lawn can save thousands of gallons over the span of a summer.
These are just a few of the many ideas out there that will help ensure that your home is green. Environmentally friendly decisions in the home can lead to wallet friendly results over time and allow for the satisfaction of knowing you are reducing your negative impact on the planet.
At Be Seen Go Green, we offer solutions for a variety of Environmental issues. Please click on the following link to contact us.
Posted in Carbon accounting, carbon emissions, Carbon footprint, carbon reduction, Climate Change, CO2, computer recycling, CRC, CSR, Edinburgh Recycle, Edinburgh WEEE, eee, Energy, Environmental accounting, Food Recycling, Food Waste, Footprint, ghg emissions, glasgow eee, glasgow recycling, Glasgow waste, Green IT, landfill, Packaging Waste, Recycle Edinburgh, Recycle UK, recycling, UK Recycle, UK WEEE, Uncategorized, Waste management, weee, WEEE Edinburgh, WEEE UK, wheelie bin | Tags: Change, computer recycling, eco house, edinburgh green home, Edinburgh Recycling, Efficiency, electrical waste recycling, Emissions, Energy, Environment, ENVIRONMENTAL, Footprint, Glasgow green home, glasgow recycling, Global, Going, going green, Green, green home, green house, Greenhouse, Home, House, London green home, Makes, Management, Money, Power, Responsibility, warming | No Comments »
How to Achieve a High Breeam Rating
DREAM A LITTLE BREEAM
Building methods can result in high energy usage, large quantities of waste, poor occupancy comfort and low user satisfaction. However, Breeam building assessments can address the environmental impact of these issues and provide a range of benefits to all involved with buildings. Breeam – the Building Research Establishment’s environmental assessment method – is the world’s most widely used means of reviewing and improving the environmental performance of office buildings. It is increasingly required by regulatory and government organisations, including English Partnerships and the Office of Governmental Commerce (OGC).
Breeam buildings bring an improved internal environment, increased productivity, staff retention and attraction, increased profitability for business, reduced utility bills and improved corporate image. Such desirable buildings also give a high rate of return and a low void rate.
With heightened awareness of green issues in today’s marketplace, this rating will soon become the norm for all commercial and domestic buildings. Assessments can be carried out on both new and existing office buildings, whether empty or occupied. Within Breeam there are four ratings: ‘pass’, ‘good’, ‘very good’, and ‘excellent’.
1. The Guidelines
The assessment process isn’t just about the building. It covers a range of elements that encompass the office environment. It looks at how energy efficient a business is, what impact an office has on the health and wellbeing of its people, water, material and waste. It even looks at management policies to see how environmentally sound they are.
2. Where to Start
You can get a rating without a complete redesign and refurbishment, but it is best to build your design around the Breeam guidelines when you plan a refurbishment or fit out. This is more cost effective – especially when long-term energy savings are factored in. At the concept design stage (or as early as possible) an assessor should be involved to ensure the performance of the building is maximised for least capital cost. An assessor will also be able to help you understand what needs to be implemented into your design to achieve a rating.
3. The Main Criteria
Good building management is crucial to the building’s performance as it has an impact throughout the building’s life. Breeam looks at how the building is managed, so it is important to ensure someone is responsible for maintaining optimum performance. The award credits where the environment is designed to maximise occupant control; for example in heating, lighting, air quality and noise.
The CO2 emitted from the operation of buildings in the UK accounts for more than 50 per cent of the total UK CO2 emissions. Breeam looks at how companies can reduce CO2 emissions from building operations and looks at aspects such as low energy lights, metering, ‘A’-rated white goods and energy management. Businesses can also minimise CO2 emissions from transport to and from a building – by looking at the location of the development, parking and cyclist facilities and access to public transport and local amenities. Breeam credits are also awarded when companies introduce measures such as low-flush toilets, water metering, leak-detection systems and use of water butts. In addition, it rewards the use of materials with a low embodied energy, such responsibly resourced materials and the use of recycled materials.
4. Assessment
The assessments are carried out by BRE’s licensed assessor network. This can be at the design stage for new build or refurbishment projects, post-construction or an assessment for existing buildings can be carried out while they are operational. Credits are awarded in each area according to performance. A set of environmental weightings enables the credits to be added together to produce a single overall score. As a guide, the rating bands are; a score of 70 for ‘excellent’, 55 for ‘very good’, 40 for ‘good’ and 25 for ‘pass’. But each element of the assessment must also be backed up with physical evidence. This may be in the form of a letter from a contractor, a train timetable, or specific information about a material from suppliers. This can often be the most difficult and lengthy part of the process.
5. Costs
It’s not that just the initial financial cost, there is a time cost involved too. To achieve a successful Breeam rating, the client must be aware that they need to be fully committed to achieving Breeam by attributing time and effort to locating the required information and evidence. In essence, the more input given by the client leads to a more effective result. However, a sustainable office interior uses less energy – so you could save at least 25 per cent on your energy bills, year after year.
The Main Factors for a High Rating
The extent to which these factors are considered as part of the building’s design has an impact on the eventual Breeam rating:
good building management
how the building contributes to the health and well-being of staff
a reduction in CO2 emissions from building operations and transport to and from a building
location and access for staff
water use and efficiency
use of responsibly resourced materials, those with a low embodied energy and recycled materials
best use of the building’s location and footprint
minimising pollution
This article first appeared in FM World, 2 June 2006
Iso 50001 As The New Energy Management Standard
According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) there is a pressing need for an international energy management standard. ISO 50001 is intended to establish an international framework for industrial plants and companies to manage all aspects of energy.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recognizes the high need for an international energy management standard by introducing ISO 50001 which can be very helpful in commercial energy management.
The need to promote energy efficiency, the adamant need to reduce carbon emissions, the higher prices of fossil fuels due to reduced supply, and the need to use renewable energy sources give enough reason for this new energy management standard to be developed which was based on advanced best practices and existing regional and national standards.” – Alan Brydon, ISO Secretary-General
It is estimated that 60% of carbon emissions are from energy production. Due to the threats and implications of global warming and climate change, now is the right time to maximize efficiency in energy use and to manage energy resources.
ISO 50001 will be complementary with ISO 14000 (environmental management standards series) and ISO 9000 (quality management standards series). The new energy management standards will help improve efficiency of enterprise energy management.
ISO 50001 has a set if goals which might be introduced by the end of the year 2010, as follows: * assist organizations in making better use of energy consuming assets * provide benchmarking, measuring, documenting and reporting guidance * facilitate communication and create transparency regarding the management of energy sources * promote best practices and reinforce good energy management behavior * assist in evaluation and prioritization of new technologies * help to promote energy efficiency through the supply chain
This new energy management standard will implement a framework which will help organizations give attention to energy efficiency to overall operation and further define management practices and attention. This new standard has been long awaited and introduction of such is already widely anticipated. One of the best ways to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions is energy efficiency and reduction on usage of fossil fuels.
To help companies reach targets in energy use reduction and carbon emissions, ISO 50001 can be used by corporations, supply-chain partnerships, and energy service utility companies. The new energy management standard could be used in the supply chain to be able to compare efficiency when it is implemented.
Being an international standard, the ISO 50001 will enable multinational organizations to have a consistent methodology in identifying and implementing energy efficient improvements.
Business Carbon offsetting for healthy future
Global warming is more than a hot-button issue these days as the quality of our air continues to decrease. As carbon dioxide (CO2) is a normal part of the air, but it’s also one of the major greenhouse gases. At normal levels, CO2 traps some heat in the earth’s atmosphere and lets some escape. (This process is known as the greenhouse effect.) But high levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases trap too much heat in the earth’s atmosphere, causing global warming. Scientific investigations over many decades point to human activity as the primary cause of global warming because humans need energy for just about any type of function they perform. Burning fossil fuels as a natural energy resource leads to the emission of vast quantities of carbon dioxide gas (CO2), which is considered a major cause of global warming.
As we all are responsible for global warming and each of us contributes to climate change with our daily activities; businesses cause more carbon footprints by using a great deal of energy. Total amount of greenhouse gases produced to support a business, includes those caused by direct and indirect emissions. Direct emissions are emissions from sources that a company owns or controls such as vehicle fleets or natural-gas fired boilers. Indirect emissions are a consequence of actions at a business, but occur at sources owned or operated by another company such as emissions associated with electricity, heat and/or steam use. The challenge of dealing with the impact of carbon emissions is an area that has been long overlooked by the global community.
Because businesses play an important role in climate change, they should be aware about their carbon footprints. A starting point for addressing the carbon footprint of business operations is to assess current carbon emissions. It is important to measure your business’s carbon footprint because if you cannot measure it, you cannot change it! By reducing your company’s consumption of electricity, fuel and resources like paper; you can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. Another option to address the carbon footprint of business operations without making any of the changes your resources is to purchase carbon offset credits. These credits are an investment in environmentally friendly projects, such as tree planting projects, and are a form of compensation to the environment for the harm caused by business operations.
Reducing emissions can benefit your business in many ways, including reducing costs, boosting your market positioning and branding, and improving efficiency and competitiveness. Your efforts to reduce your organization’s carbon emissions will also demonstrate a real commitment to environmental responsibility. Business has the power to change the world – and you have the power to change business. As an employer it’s your responsibility to estimate Carbon Footprint of your business to reduce CO2 emissions and ensure healthy future for your employees and coming generations. You should take your step towards carbon offsetting as quickly as possible to avert the most damage.Business carbon offsets gives you the power to reduce your carbon emissions by making your business “carbon neutral”.
Posted in Carbon accounting | Tags: Business, Carbon Accounting, Future, healthy, offsetting | No Comments »
Going Green. No Matter Your Take the Choice is Clear
Global warming. Controversial to say the very least. Scientists on both sides have mountains of evidence to suggest that humans are either having a devastating impact on the earth’s climate or it’s just the natural climate change like any number of other climate changes the earth has gone through in its history. Whichever side you support going green can be more than just taking responsibility for the now; it can be taking responsibility for our future.
Carbon Reduction In Our Atmosphere
If you are of the belief that humans are the primary cause of climate change then you feel it is important to reduce your total carbon footprint. In fact you may already be taking the necessary steps to reduce your footprint.
If, however, you feel that humans are not the primary cause of Global Warming you should look at reducing your carbon footprint regardless and here’s why? Most green technology that is now coming online is more cost effective and efficient. For example by just switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs in a home the average US household saves over $150 per year. In this economy that kind of savings can really start to add up.
Changes You Can Make
The first thing most experts agree on when it comes time to “go green” is to start with your own home. Sure you can purchase tree credits and carbon offsets, but the first greatest impact you can make on your carbon footprint starts at home. And to those of you who feel that the process of global warming is not man made, realize that most of these methods actually reduce your energy use and dependence which actually reduces your monthly bills. It’s also helpful to look at this from the standpoint of by reducing now you leave a little bit more for the future at lower cost. The less energy we can take now the more we will have for the future. So save a little energy now and save a little money all at the same time.
Now some of the things that you can do:
- Change Your Light Bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. Saves energy and money.
- Add an insulating blanket to your hot water heater or convert to a tankless hot water heater.
- Put electronics on surge protectors and unplug them when not in use.
- Replace older appliances with new Energy Star compliant. Some even have rebates!
- If your car gets less than 25mpg it might be time to trade it in for a new hybrid.
- Try adjusting the thermostat to be a tad cooler in the winter and a tad warmer in the summer. The savings alone will make that extra sweater in the winter or the tank top in the summer worth it.
- Take reusable bags with you whenever you go shopping. You will save on plastic, which will reduce carbon. If you use to use paper you will reduce deforestation. It’s just good all the way around.
Whatever side you believe in, whether human caused or natural progression of the earth, going green transcends political views and becomes something that can help and affect everyone involved. Whether you are doing it to save the planet, or doing it to save some money, feel good and just do it.
Buy Carbon Offset to Not Allow Your Consequences to Effect the Life on Earth
The environmental conditions of earth are solely responsible for our existence on it. Without proper and favorable environmental conditions, we cannot even imagine our survival on earth. The ultimate atmosphere of earth, which contains a layer of gases, protects life on the ‘Green Planet’ by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention (greenhouse effect), and reducing temperature extremes between day and night.
However the major part of the air is composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, there are many other gases, often referred to as ‘Green House Gases’ that are responsible for making the planet a place suitable for existence of life by holding the heat of sun so that the temperature of the earth could support life on it. So, we can say that, there is a big role of green house gases for the survival of the life elements on Earth but what would be happen if the temperature becomes too high? In such conditions would there be any life on earth? Let’s simplify this; the green house gases support life but only when they are present in a particular concentration and they will no longer produce the same effect if there will be a change in their concentration.
There are many reasons today that are affecting the concentration of the Green House Gases and this is the major reason that the temperature of earth is gradually getting warmer and warmer. Yes, our Planet is suffering today from the ‘Global Warming’ that if the situation is not controlled in time, the time is not far away when most of life varieties of earth will become extinct. There is a need of action today to save our tomorrow.
As carbon-di-oxide (CO2) gas is mainly responsible for the Global warming, by controlling the concentration of it, we can control the situation efficiently. Climate change is very likely having an impact now on our planet and its life but the good news is that there are plenty of things that we can do to reduce our carbon footprint. Being a great climate change solution ‘Carbon Credits’, can be used to compensate our carbon footprints. A carbon offset is designed as a simplest way to reduce or eliminate our carbon footprint. The goal of buying and selling carbon offsets is to get everyone’s carbon footprint to zero.
Posted in Carbon accounting | Tags: Allow, Carbon Accounting, Consequences, Earth, effect, Life., Offset | No Comments »
Going Carbon Neutral
Going carbon neutral is really not overly difficult, though many complain that cost is what mainly gets in the way. The truth is that while it might be expensive at first, going carbon neutral can actually be cheaper in the long run and it helps to clean the air. Going carbon neutral basically means that an individual or a business use alternative ways to get around, to reduce the amount of fossil fuels being burned, cutting down on the emissions being created by heating and electricity, turning to alternative renewable energy sources, and offsetting the carbons that the individual or business put into the air. To be truly carbon neutral means that absolutely no carbon emissions are being released into the air by the individual or business.
Going completely carbon neutral can be difficult and people are always looking for an easier way to do this. The fact is that going carbon neutral is not easy for everyone because it requires a change, though a company that has a little more money may have an easier time making the change than less profitable individuals or businesses. As mentioned before, initial costs are often blamed for the disinterest in making the changes in the business or home to eventually become carbon neutral. What many have to think about is the long-term rather than the immediate costs. Switching over to renewable energy will save on energy and heating bills and while this is saving an incredible amount of money in the long run, the business is looking good for taking part in reducing harmful emissions.
Of course, while making the changes in one day would be great, it is not easy to do; however, there are easy things that can be done in order to reduce carbon emissions and start the change to becoming carbon neutral. Five top practical things to do in order to minimize emissions would be:
•Reducing the amount of electricity being used by turning off machinery, lights and computers that are not being used.
•Reduce the amount of hot water being used, which will help save energy that is needed for heating.
•Become more practical in the use of transportation. Encourage employees to use public transportation and car pool.
•Insulate the building so that less energy is required to heat or cool the building.
•Offset emissions that are being put into the air by purchasing carbon credits.