EVT61704 Chp 12 Green House Gases (GHG) PDF

EVT61704 Sustainable Event Management Chapter 12 GreenHouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Learning Outcomes 1. Measurement Scope 2. Carbon Offset 2 Introduction to Greenhouse Gasses (GHGs) Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. When the Sun’s energy reache...

EVT61704 Sustainable Event Management Chapter 12 GreenHouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Learning Outcomes 1. Measurement Scope 2. Carbon Offset 2 Introduction to Greenhouse Gasses (GHGs) Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases. The absorbed energy warms the atmosphere and the surface of the Earth. This process maintains the Earth’s temperature at around 33 degrees Celsius warmer than it would otherwise be, allowing life on Earth to exist. Enhanced Greenhouse Effect The problem we now face is that human activities – particularly burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), agriculture and land clearing – are increasing the concentrations of greenhouse gases. This is the enhanced greenhouse effect, which is contributing to warming of the Earth. There are three factors affect the degree to which any GHG will influence global warming, as follows: 1. Its abundance in the atmosphere. 2. How long it stays in the atmosphere. 3. Its global-warming potential. https://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/climate-science-data/climate-science/greenhouse-effect 3 Introduction to Greenhouse Gasses (GHGs) https://youtu.be/VYMjSule0Bw https://youtu.be/yU3GwJu_yNA Greenhouse Effect https://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/climate-science-data/climate-science/greenhouse-effect 4 Introduction to Greenhouse Gasses (GHGs) Greenhouse Gasses (GHGs) DEFINITION: Greenhouse gases (GHGs), also known as heat trapping gases, are compound gases that trap heat or longwave radiation in the atmosphere, and their presence in the atmosphere makes the Earth’s surface warmer. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that the most significant GHGs are: water vapor (H2O) carbon dioxide (CO2) methane (CH4) nitrous oxide (N2O) Other GHGs include: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Fluorinated gases Oxygen (O2) is the second most abundant gas in the atmosphere but it is NOT a GHG because it does not absorb thermal infrared radiation https://www.livescience.com/37821-greenhouse-gases.html https://www.esg.adec-innovations.com/about-us/faqs/what-is-ghg/ 5 Introduction to Greenhouse Gasses (GHGs) GHGs Sources and Causes Carbon dioxide (CO2) Burning of fossil fuels, deforestation Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Refrigeration, solvents, insulation foams, aero propellants, industrial and commercial uses Methane (CH4) Growing paddy, excreta of cattle and other livestock, termites, burning of fossil fuel, wood, landfills, wetlands, fertilizer factories. Nitrogen oxides (N2O) Burning of fossil fuels, fertilizers; burning of wood and crop residue. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Iron ore smelting, burning of fossil fuels, burning e-waste. https://www.pmfias.com/greenhouse-effect-global-warming/ 6 Introduction to Greenhouse Gasses (GHGs) The impact of the main GHGs on the atmosphere 1. Carbon dioxide – caused by burning of fossil fuels, solid waste, trees and wood products, and certain chemical reactions, but can be removed from the atmosphere naturally by plants as part of the biological carbon cycle. 2. Methane (CH₄) – released by the production and transport of coal, natural gas and oil, livestock and agricultural practices, and the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills 3. Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, and during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste. 4. Fluorinated gases are synthetic gases from industrial processes. They include hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride. They are sometimes known as stratospheric ozonedepleting substances or high global warming potential (GWP) gases because they can be 1,000 times more powerful than carbon dioxide and can be in the atmosphere for 1,000 years. https://www.esg.adec-innovations.com/about-us/faqs/what-is-ghg/ 7 1. Measurement Scope - GHG Emissions and Events Event related GHGs are created either: directly by an event or as a consequence of an event’s activities However, it is a challenge and not totally necessary to measure every bit of GHG emitted. Each event is unique with different circumstances and that makes creating one method for measuring GHGs difficult. As a result, every event has a different approach to measuring GHG, which makes it difficult to: 1. Make comparisons between events 2. Create industry benchmark However, no matter which method is applied, the disclosure and justification of choosing an approach and its measurement boundaries are essential. Source: Event Sustainability Management (Jones, 2018) 8 1. Measurement Scope - Defining The Measurement Boundary Development of measurement boundaries for events can be guided by protocols and standards such as: The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (International) ISO 14064 (International) PAS 2050 Specification for the assessment of the Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas emissions of goods and services (UK) PAS 2060 Carbon Neutrality (UK) National Carbon Offset Standard (Australia) Source: Event Sustainability Management (Jones, 2018) 9 1. Measurement Scope - The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GGP) The GGP sets principles to consider the calculation of GHG emissions as follows: Considerations Description 1. Relevance Ensure the GHG inventory appropriately reflects the GHG emissions attributed to the event. It will be relevant if it is helpful for future decision making 2. Completeness Accounts for all GHGs within the boundary. Disclose and justify exclusions 3. Consistency Ensure that all methodologies from event to event are consistent to allow for meaningful comparison 4. Transparency Ensure that the collation of GHG emissions data can be evaluated by auditors. Disclose assumptions, reference methodologies and data sources. Include Qualifying Explanatory Statement (refer PAS 2060) 5. Accuracy Data should be sufficiently precise to enable intended users to make decisions with reasonable assurance that the reported information is credible. Source: Event Sustainability Management (Jones, 2018) 10 1. Measurement Scope - The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GGP) The GGP categorise sources of GHG emissions into: a) direct – sources owned or controlled by the reporting entity b) indirect – consequence of activities of the reporting entity, but occur at sources owned/controlled by another It is further categorised into the following 3 scopes of emissions: Scopes Categorisation Scope 1 All direct GHG emissions Scope 2 Indirect GHG emissions from consumption of purchased electricity, heat, steam or cooling Scope 3 Other indirect emissions, such as: The extraction and production of purchased materials and fuels, transport-related activities in vehicles not owned or controlled by the reporting entity Outsourced activities Waste disposal 11 Source: Event Sustainability Management (Jones, 2018) 1. Measurement Scope - GHGs for Events Scopes Sources at Events Scope 1 (Direct) Scope 2 (Indirect) Purchased heat, steam or electricity used by the event – from mains (grid) electricity supply For events held in very hot or cold locations, district heating and cooling would also be included Scope 3 (Other Indirect) Fuel used in mobile power generators Bottled gas and main gas supply Fuel used at site plant, equipment and vehicles Fuel used in vehicles owned by the company and used off-site Transport of employees, including all paid contractors, talent, crew Hotel nights for event production (crew, talent, staff, contractors) “significant additional” freight impact of equipment, goods or services required by the event, or waste produced by the event Hired transportation (shuttle buses, taxis, boats, aircrafts) Transport of products and equipment for the event Transport of waste (liquid and solid) 12 Attendee travel (often Source: Event Sustainability Management (Jones, 2018)the single biggest GHG contributor) 1. Measurement Scope - Example of Event GHGs Map Scope 1 Scope 2 Office / HQ Whole of Event Lifecycle Year-round office operations Office Energy Company Cars / Vehicles Business Travel Couriers Scope 3 Source: Event Sustainability Management (Jones, 2018) Office Waste Whole of Event Cycle 13 1. Measurement Scope - Steps to Measure Event GHGs Describe the event and determine the critical metrics: Location: Number of venues or sites, Duration: Number of days People: Number of attendees, workforce size Other units of measurement relevant to frame the “footprint” – such as budget, size of active event floor space Draw a map of the event lifecycle and the possible GHG impacts This should include materials, services, event logistics, production processes and event activities Agree and Record the boundaries set This should describe justification for what is included or excluded – such as which GHGs. Time boundaries are also important. Prioritise Data Collection activities within the event management and measurement plan. Identify likely GHG hotspots. Especially those with complicated or multi-stakeholders data collection Source: Event Sustainability Management (Jones, 2018) 14 1. Measurement Scope - Carbon Footprint DEFINITION The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with all the activities of a person or other entity (eg. building, corporation, country) It includes direct emissions, such as those that result from fossilfuel combustion in manufacturing, heating, and transportation, as well as emissions required to produce the electricity associated with goods and services consumed. In addition, the carbon footprint concept also often includes the emissions of other greenhouse gases, such as methane, nitrous oxide, or chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Source: Event Sustainability Management (Jones, 2018) 15 1. Measurement Scope - Carbon Footprint for Events Declaring a carbon footprint for an event would give a visual indicator of the impact of the event in terms of GHG emissions. Calculating an event’s carbon footprint  would mean calculating the total sum of all GHG emissions, minus any offsetting or other removals  Would require the organizational and operational boundaries set, as well as a prescribed time frame defined. However, comparing carbon footprint sizes for events would NOT be possible because: Each event is unique with different circumstances There are many variables at each event that does not allow for like-forlike comparison 16 Source: Event Sustainability Management (Jones, 2018) Learning Outcomes 1. Measurement Scope 2. Carbon Offset 17 2. Carbon Offset - Definition DEFINITION: any activity that compensates for the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) or other GHGs by providing for an emission reduction elsewhere. If carbon reductions are equivalent to the total carbon footprint of an activity, then the activity is said to be “carbon neutral.” https://www.britannica.com/technology/carbon-offset 18 2. Carbon Offset - How it works Because greenhouse gases are widespread in Earth’s atmosphere, the climate benefits from emission reductions regardless of the location that such cutbacks occur. Consumers and businesses may also voluntarily buy carbon offsets to compensate for their emissions Carbon offsets can be bought, sold, or traded as part of a carbon market, where prices vary according to how carbon credits are traded 1 carbon credit = removal of 1 tonne CO2 or GHG from atmosphere https://www.britannica.com/technology/carbon-offset Source: Event Sustainability Management (Jones, 2018) 19 2. Carbon Offset – for Events For carbon offsets, events may channel money to buy credits in support of projects which falls under the following categories: 1. Renewable energy – solar installations, wind farms, microhydro 2. Sequestration (long-term storage of carbon in plants, soils, geologic formations, and the ocean) – protection of forest reserves, preservation of peat swamps 3. Energy efficiency – compost, biogas 4. Methane capture – energy from landfills https://youtu.be/0d7FObM4N7o Source: Event Sustainability Management (Jones, 2018) https://youtu.be/3dm1esCpzR0 20 2. Carbon Offset – for Events Another alternative is to be a carbon neutral event, where: 1. the total event’s GHGs emissions are added up 2. Then deduct any carbon offset or other credible compensation 3. To achieve “net zero carbon footprint” The “PAS 2060 Carbon Neutrality” publication outlined the following steps: 1. Identify, define and adequately justify what will be included in the GHG emissions calculation 2. Communicate methodologies and emissions factors 3. Measure and disclose what the emissions are anticipated to be, in a “business as usual” scenario 4. Take actions to make measurable reductions in carbon emissions 5. Report (or disclose) performance, including reductions and how they were achieved Source: Event Sustainability Management (Jones, 2018) 21 Discussion #1 Discuss ways to reduce the carbon footprint for an event Check out the online carbon footprint calculators For Events https://store.b-e-f.org/event-calculator/ or https://co2.myclimate.org/en/event_calculators/new?allow_cookies=true For Homes https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx READING: Chp 12 Carbon footprint Source: Event Sustainability Management (Jones, 2018) 22 Research on how attendees of “Shambala Festival” offset their travel GHGs. Discussion #2 Discuss if this is possible for all events. Source: https://www.greenhousepr.co.uk/shambala-festival-trail-blazers-forsustainable-events/ 23