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The growth and benefits of calculating carbon footprint

Consumers, legislation, and corporate social responsibility are combining to demand more sustainable and environmentally friendly products with packaging regularly targeted as an area for improving efficiency.

There has previously been a focus on raw materials and waste, but with the onset of global warming and the increasing cost of fuels, energy is now a key aspect when conducting lifecycle analysis. In addition to this, global warming has become a part of the public conscience; and many companies are also being asked for information on their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from interested third parties such as clients, investors, and pressure groups.

The standard format for expressing energy use is now the carbon footprint

A carbon footprint usually shows the GHG emissions for which a product or organization is responsible but can also be calculated for events, specific sites, or individuals. For clarity, and as carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas, other GHGs are included with their impact relative to that of CO2 over a 100 year period. The impact from 1 ton of methane, for example, would be equivalent to 21 tons of carbon dioxide. This is why you often find a carbon footprint expressed in terms of CO2e (equivalent).

When calculating a footprint, GHG emissions will fall into one of three areas or scopes. These are based on definitions from the Greenhouse Gas Protocol with the methodology for corporate emissions reporting now covered by international standard ISO 14064.

Scope 1—direct emissions—are those that the company has 'direct' control of, such as gas used for heating or hot water. This should also include emissions from company owned vehicles and other GHGs the company may emit.

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