Developing a rigorous building and transparent methodology for carbon counting

Developing a rigorous building and transparent methodology for carbon counting

John StocksManager - Scotland

Requirements for Carbon Accounting

To provide a clear and unambiguous statement of impact;– Numerical– Recognised methodology– Clear statement of boundaries– Verifiable

Carbon Footprints

Site

Energyin

Emissionsout

Raw materials

in

Productout

Product footprint

Sit

e f

ootp

rin

t

Carbon Trust activity

Site and company footprinting– Carbon Trust Standard

Product footprinting– PAS 2050– Carbon Label Company

International protocols and standards exist

The GHG Protocol provides guidance on defining the ‘boundary’ and inclusion of emissions types

Operational boundary: Emissions Scope

Parent Company

Subsidiary A Subsidiary C

100% 51% 30%

Employee air flights + travel

Outsourced activities

Supply chain

Scope 2: Electricity indirect

Scope 3: Other indirect

Purchased electricity

Waste products

Ship fleet

Gas burner

Gas boiler

Truck fleet Scope 1: Direct

Organisational boundary

Subsidiary B

GHG Protocol Approach

Carbon footprinting tools

Carbon footprinting; an introduction for organisationsOn-site surveys; footprinting moduleOn-line footprint calculatorTraining event

Measurement based on GHG ProtocolAll organisations must have achieved a reduction

– Absolute (tCO2) or

– Relative -2.5% (tCO2/widget)

2 year renewal cycle– Renewal will require

progress since initial certification

65 organisations certifiedCertified organisations can display logo on marketing materials

The Carbon Trust Standard

Carbon Trust activity

Site and company footprinting– Carbon Trust Standard

Product footprinting– PAS 2050– Carbon Label Company

What makes up a carbon footprint

Developing product footprinting methodology

Standards settingPAS 2050

Company engagementCarbon Label Company

Developing standards to: Measure; Reduce; and Communicate

the GHG emissions from goods & services

Product footprintingReduction planningCommunication (including labelling)

PAS 205 published - October 2008

Process map- Boots Botanics shampoo

Innocents Smoothies

Continental Clothing

Walkers Crisps

Walkers re-certification

Nearing 2-year anniversary of original footprint launch

Recertified footprint: shows 7% reduction on 2007

– Mix of supplier & Walkers internal initiatives

Saved £400,000, to reinvest in carbon-saving initiatives

New label appearing in April/May

www.walkerscarbonfootprint.co.uk

WRI/WBCSD ISO

Building on existing GHG ProtocolDeveloping guidance/requirements for product carbon footprintingThe Carbon Trust on Steering GroupLikely 2-3 year processCT agreed to feed in results from projects in UK, US and other countries

ISO Committee agreed to develop standard in NovemberPAS2050 only product footprinting standard in reviewAttending meetings e.g. Malaysia

ButLikely 3-5 year processHighly consensus-driven: likely to be very high-level - important for “air cover” but still need product-specific guidance

International Update: Standards

We are closely involved in the ongoing international work

International Update: Projects

US: Coke announced as new partner

US: Tropicana results exclusive in NY Times– Generated 78 follow-on stories

with 3.5 million online page impressions

– PepsiCo committing to footprint further brands

China: Footprinting trials about to begin with ~3 product categories– Sugar– Clothing– Toys– Possibly others to follow

Coordinating with other country initiatives e.g. Germany, Japan, Korea

Requirements for Carbon Accounting

To provide a clear and unambiguous statement of impact;– Numerical– Recognised methodology– Clear statement of boundaries– Verifiable

Allows;– Progress to be assessed– Comparisons to be made– Efforts to be accurately focused– Myths to be uncovered

Making Business Sense of Climate Change

www.carbontrust.co.ukwww.carbontruststandard.co.uk

www.carbon-label.co.uk