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Carbon Footprints Marlowe Kulley Mike O’Brien Office of Sustainable Development

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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!