carbon footprints
DESCRIPTION
Carbon Footprints. Marlowe Kulley Mike O’Brien Office of Sustainable Development. What is a “carbon footprint”?. Total carbon emissions of a person or organization from all sources, both direct and indirect, over one year. Direct: burning natural gas in a furnace - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Carbon FootprintsCarbon Footprints
Marlowe KulleyMike O’Brien
Office of Sustainable Development
Marlowe KulleyMike O’Brien
Office of Sustainable Development
What is a “carbon footprint”?
What is a “carbon footprint”?
Total carbon emissions of a person or organization from all sources, both direct and indirect, over one year.
Direct: burning natural gas in a
furnace Indirect: using electricity generated
by a coal-fired powerplant
Total carbon emissions of a person or organization from all sources, both direct and indirect, over one year.
Direct: burning natural gas in a
furnace Indirect: using electricity generated
by a coal-fired powerplant
Typical personal carbon sources
Typical personal carbon sources
Driving a car Lights and heat Travel Food Consumer goods Building
materials
Driving a car Lights and heat Travel Food Consumer goods Building
materials
Oregon Electricity MixOregon Electricity Mix
Coal42%
Wind & Geothermal
Nuclear3%
Natural Gas7%
Hydro44%
Going on a carbon dietGoing on a carbon diet
A Carbon Diet is similar to a food diet
Start by assessing your current weight (of carbon dioxide)
Calculate a carbon footprint to find your “current weight” of carbon dioxide emissions
A Carbon Diet is similar to a food diet
Start by assessing your current weight (of carbon dioxide)
Calculate a carbon footprint to find your “current weight” of carbon dioxide emissions
Going on a carbon dietGoing on a carbon diet
Determine your ideal weight Measure your carbon footprint
against your peers Determine your ideal carbon footprint Identify sources of carbon emissions Reduce by starting with the most
significant sources first
Determine your ideal weight Measure your carbon footprint
against your peers Determine your ideal carbon footprint Identify sources of carbon emissions Reduce by starting with the most
significant sources first
Why would you diet?Why would you diet? CO2 is a significant cause of global warming
Human activity is a significant cause of CO2
CO2 emissions relate to individual choices
Individual initiative is necessary because market forces or legislation will not be powerful and timely enough
Each individual should take responsibility for his or her share of carbon emissions
CO2 is a significant cause of global warming
Human activity is a significant cause of CO2
CO2 emissions relate to individual choices
Individual initiative is necessary because market forces or legislation will not be powerful and timely enough
Each individual should take responsibility for his or her share of carbon emissions
Or, why not a carbon diet?Or, why not a carbon diet?
Other causes are important It’s natural, such as volcanos or the sun Many emissions cannot be attributed to
individuals Markets or politics will correct human
activity Population growth invalidates the
calculations One cannot limit everyone to equal
emissions
Other causes are important It’s natural, such as volcanos or the sun Many emissions cannot be attributed to
individuals Markets or politics will correct human
activity Population growth invalidates the
calculations One cannot limit everyone to equal
emissions
The planetary gambleThe planetary gamble “If humanity wishes to preserve a planet
similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and ongoing climate change suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced from its current 385 ppm to at most 350 ppm.
“If the present overshoot of this target
CO2 is not brief, there is a possibility of seeding irreversible catastrophic effects.”
“If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and ongoing climate change suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced from its current 385 ppm to at most 350 ppm.
“If the present overshoot of this target
CO2 is not brief, there is a possibility of seeding irreversible catastrophic effects.”
Dr. James Hansen, NASA/Goddard Institute for Space Studies, et alDr. James Hansen, NASA/Goddard Institute for Space Studies, et al
Carbon Footprint (GHG Inventory)Carbon Footprint (GHG Inventory)
Why do it?Understand risksFocus efforts on biggest
impactsYour employees, customers
and investors care!
Why do it?Understand risksFocus efforts on biggest
impactsYour employees, customers
and investors care!
Carbon FootprintCarbon Footprint
Where to start?1. Set Boundaries
organizational & operational2. Choose Protocol
GHG Protocol created by WRI/WBCSD
3. Select tool Climate Registry, excel spreadsheet
Where to start?1. Set Boundaries
organizational & operational2. Choose Protocol
GHG Protocol created by WRI/WBCSD
3. Select tool Climate Registry, excel spreadsheet
Source: WRI
Business Emissions: Wells FargoBusiness Emissions: Wells Fargo
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
tons CO2e
natural gas fuel oil electricity Business airtravel
2006 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Scope 1
Scope 2
Scope 3
Business Emissions: REI
Carbon FootprintCarbon Footprint
Where to start?1. Set Boundaries
organizational & operational2. Choose Protocol
GHG Protocol created by WRI/WBCSD
3. Select tool Climate Registry, excel spreadsheet
Where to start?1. Set Boundaries
organizational & operational2. Choose Protocol
GHG Protocol created by WRI/WBCSD
3. Select tool Climate Registry, excel spreadsheet
Carbon FootprintCarbon Footprint
Where to start?1. Set Boundaries
organizational & operational2. Choose Protocol
GHG Protocol created by WRI/WBCSD
3. Select tool Climate Registry, excel spreadsheet
Where to start?1. Set Boundaries
organizational & operational2. Choose Protocol
GHG Protocol created by WRI/WBCSD
3. Select tool Climate Registry, excel spreadsheet
Most importantly …Most importantly …
Remember that doing a carbon footprint is not a means to an end – just a tool to help you focus your efforts on your greatest source of GHG emissions!
Remember that doing a carbon footprint is not a means to an end – just a tool to help you focus your efforts on your greatest source of GHG emissions!