Carbon Footprint Management Research Articles

Management of Carbon Footprint and Determination of GHG Emission Sources in Construction Sector

Carbon footprint involves the calculation of direct and/or indirect emissions of fossil fuels that emit greenhouse gases (GHG) that lead to greenhouse effect responsible of global warming. The resulting carbon dioxide (CO2) due to the activities of the individuals/institutions emerges into the atmosphere with the consumption of energy. The amount of emissions throughout the world in general and in Turkey, and the main reasons of these emissions is explained in this study. Carbon footprint management and tracking since 1990’s in Turkey are underlined, and carbon tax and carbon trade terminologies are introduced. Scope classification for determining emissions according to three classification of ISO 14064 Greenhouse Gas Calculation and Validation Management System is described. Scope-1 covers the activities that create direct carbon footprint. In this context, the fossil fuels used by the projects for heating or energy needs and the emissions from the fuels of the vehicles are taken into consideration. Within Scope-2, the carbon footprints of the emissions caused by the electrical energy consumed by the projects are considered. Scope-3 is an indirect carbon footprint and includes emissions from projects that are not directly emission-driven projects. With this study, it is aimed to address the carbon footprint caused by the entire construction sector that extends from the production of construction materials to the construction and post-construction (operation) stages. This sector is focused on due to its significance regarding GHG emissions globally. Emissions from non-owned or uncontrolled sources such as production, transportation, leased assets, outsourced services and disposal of the wastes generated during the construction or operation of the stages of different building typologies are included in the carbon footprint calculations.

Carbon footprint management of unconventional natural gas development in the export scenario

In Australia, exploitation of shale gas is at an early stage. Western Australia has estimated its technically recoverable gas resources at 235 trillion cubic feet (tcf). It is viewed as an exciting economic prospect and decarbonising option for transition to climate change mitigation. The central focus of this paper is to estimate the climate impacts of Australian shale gas fracking and compare with other energy sources. Electricity generation has been considered as end use of gas in export scenarios to Japan and China. Analysis has been done for resource development periods of 20 and 40 years. Carbon footprints of shale gas range from 604MtCO2e to 543 MtCO2e per annum for China and Japan export cases, respectively, for 20 years field lifetime, if 66 tcf of shale gas is exploited and used. This result is roughly equivalent to 115% of Australia's total national emissions for the year 2014. If all technically recoverable shale gas (235tcf) from the Canning Basin in the Kimberley is exploited and exported to China and Japan over 40 years, the annual emissions are double the total Australian national emissions. The result suggests that shale gas has low carbon intensity compared to coal and oil but solar PV and wind are much cleaner energy options for GHG mitigation. The solar PV and wind electricity would produce 8% and 5% of the shale gas electricity emissions, respectively. Unless accompanied by stringent regulation and compliance on the upstream resource development, stage shale gas cannot be an appropriate energy source for sustainable development as opposed to renewable energy sources.

Methodology of Calculation of the Carbon Footprint of Container Terminals as a Link in the Logistics Chain

To minimize administration efforts and to base all energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions recording on the same consistent operational database, an integrated approach to manage energy and capture carbon footprint in one management system is recommended. Measuring and reporting terminal GHG-emissions currently is not mandatory but recommended in the view of already existing and upcoming new carbon dioxide reporting standards. Some terminals have already developed systems to monitor emissions for internal use. Mandatory carbon footprint reporting is expected for the near future, which must be based on comparable conditions and methodologies. Pre-competitive co-operation and exchange of ideas therefore is essential. Workload on container terminals is very high, so additional burdens from carbon footprint management system must be kept at a minimum. This article explains the methodology of calculation of the carbon footprint of container terminals as a link in the logistics chain.

Reducing students’ carbon footprints using personal carbon footprint management system based on environmental behavioural theory and persuasive technology

This study applied environmental behavioural theories to develop a personal carbon footprint management system and used persuasive technology to implement it. The system serves as an educational system to improve the determinants of students’ low-carbon behaviours, to promote low-carbon concepts and to facilitate their carbon management. To assess the validity of the system, high school students were chosen to participate in an experiment, the results of which reveal (1) the system has significant and positive short-term and relatively long-term effects on the reduction of their self-reported carbon footprint, (2) the system significantly improves their carbon footprint awareness and perceived behavioural control (PBC), and it also promotes behavioural subjective norms, (3) reduction of their self-reported carbon footprint is significantly correlated to PBC, carbon footprint awareness and attitude and (4) PBC is the most critical determinant of carbon reduction. Suggestions are accordingly made.

Carbon Footprint Management of Road Freight Transport under the Carbon Emission Trading Mechanism

Growing concern over environmental issues has considerably increased the number of regulations and legislation that aim to curb carbon emissions. Carbon emission trading mechanism, which is one of the most effective means, has been broadly adopted by several countries. This paper presents a road truck routing problem under the carbon emission trading mechanism. By introducing a calculation method of carbon emissions that considers the load and speed of the vehicle among other factors, a road truck routing optimizing model under the cap and trade mechanism based on the Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) is described. Compared with the classical TSP model that only considers the economic cost, this model suggests that the truck routing decision under the cap and trade mechanism is more effective in reducing carbon emissions. A modified tabu search algorithm is also proposed to obtain solutions within a reasonable amount of computation time. We theoretically and numerically examine the impacts of carbon trading, carbon cap, and carbon price on truck routing decision, carbon emissions, and total cost. From the results of numerical experiments, we derive interesting observations about how to control the total cost and reduce carbon emissions.

EL DESPLIEGUE DE LA HUELLA DE CARBONO

ABSTRACT Carbon footprint (CFP) is defined, sum of greenhouse gas emissions and removals in a product system, expressed as CO2 equivalents and based on a life cycle assessment using the single impact category of climate change. In short, net emissions of green house gasses, this is not so easy to understand and CFP management may become one of those ratios used by technicians and managers but far away from company's bottom line. Despite of the increasing interest of CFP issues, in their different aspects, both regarding energy consumptions and brand image, the authors have not found a method to deploy CFP management, company wide. A management tool to include CFP management into the control system should be very valuable for companies, for the people in charge; this tool will allow, also, supporting further decisions about CFP. Authors propose a systematic approach to CFP deployment through any company or organization, the main reason for this proposal is the use of CFP related information to be done. In fact, nowadays, many organizations of different types are moving on to calculate, to certify and to manage CFP, supported by world class entities. The proposed way of acting, CFP deployment top down, leads to the optimization of CFP business in three complementary fields, energy and transport cost savings, environmental issues and, even more, social responsibility business.

Facilities Management Carbon Footprints: An Audit of Critical Elements of Management and Reporting

Concern for the environmental impact of organizations’ activities has led to the recognition and demand for organizations to manage and report on their carbon footprint. However, there is no limit as to the areas of carbon footprints required in such annual environmental reports. To deliver improvements in the quality of carbon footprint management and reporting, there is a need to identify the main elements of carbon footprint strategy that can be endorsed, supported and encouraged by facility managers. The study investigates carbon footprint elements managed and reported upon by facility manager in the UK. Drawing on a questionnaire survey of 256 facility managers in the UK, the key elements of carbon footprints identified in carbon footprint reports are examined. The findings indicate that the main elements are building energy consumption, waste disposal and water consumption. Business travel in terms of using public transport, air travel and company cars are also recognized as important targets and objectives for the carbon footprint strategy of several FM (facilities management) organizations.

Quantifying Carbon Footprint Reduction Opportunities for U.S. Households and Communities

Carbon management is of increasing interest to individuals, households, and communities. In order to effectively assess and manage their climate impacts, individuals need information on the financial and greenhouse gas benefits of effective mitigation opportunities. We use consumption-based life cycle accounting techniques to quantify the carbon footprints of typical U.S. households in 28 cities for 6 household sizes and 12 income brackets. The model includes emissions embodied in transportation, energy, water, waste, food, goods, and services. We further quantify greenhouse gas and financial savings from 13 potential mitigation actions across all household types. The model suggests that the size and composition of carbon footprints vary dramatically between geographic regions and within regions based on basic demographic characteristics. Despite these differences, large cash-positive carbon footprint reductions are evident across all household types and locations; however, realizing this potential may require tailoring policies and programs to different population segments with very different carbon footprint profiles. The results of this model have been incorporated into an open access online carbon footprint management tool designed to enable behavior change at the household level through personalized feedback.

전기로 산업에서의 Carbon Footprint Management 시스템 구축에 관한 연구

Hyundai Steel Company is performing the project on development of Carbon Footprint Management (CFM) System in Electric Arc Furnace Industry with government support. Through this project, 20 material suppliers of HSC will be supported for process on energy management & saving and construction method of CFM system. This paper provides the methodology to develop CFM system and presents expected effects of green house gas and energy saving in the 20 suppliers