What is Carbon Footprint? What must you do to become a business in the era of a sustainable low-carbon society?

 

Currently, Carbon Footprint is considered an important indicator. For almost every step of human activity or action. In order to control the release of carbon dioxide. which is an important factor causing global warming.

 

Carbon Footprint This article, Easetrack will invite you to understand what is Carbon Footprint? How to calculate it and what are the benefits of Carbon Footprint, along with answering questions about why businesses must give importance to this matter.

 

What is Carbon Footprint?

 

Carbon Footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted from human activities. Whether it is daily use Transportation Production of consumer products, etc. If we put it in a simple picture, it is the daily life of all of us. Whether raising animals, using electricity, traveling by private car or even waste generated from food on a daily basis All of them cause greenhouse gas emissions.

 

There are 7 greenhouse gases that are taken into consideration: carbon dioxide gas, methane gas, nitrous oxide gas, hydrofluorocarbon gas group, perfluorocarbon gas group, and sulfur hexa gas. Fluoride and nitrogen trifluoride gas

 

Each of these types of greenhouse gases has a different potential to cause global warming (Global Warming Potential: GWP). According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: IPCC) has determined the global warming value of each gas to be compared with the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide gas has a global warming potential value equal to 1, which will have units of Carbon dioxide equivalent : CO2e

 

 

What are the types of Carbon Footprint?

 

Carbon Footprint of a product is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted throughout the product life cycle, that is, from raw materials, production, transportation, use, to destruction at the end of its life. Currently, various products will have a Carbon Footprint mark showing information to consumers to know how much greenhouse gas emissions are produced throughout the lifecycle of those products.

 

• • Carbon Footprint of a service is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted in providing that service (product + organization).
  • An organization’s Carbon Footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted from the organization’s operating activities.

 

How to calculate Carbon Footprint

Emission of 1 kilogram of carbon dioxide = Carbon Footprint 1 kilogram and because there are many types of greenhouse gases. To calculate the amount of greenhouse gases emitted, we use the unit Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) in Thinking

 

Based on the global warming potential values of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report on Climate Change (IPCC Fifth Assessment Report 2014: AR5), which has determined that Methane gas’s global warming potential has increased from 25 times to 28 times that of carbon dioxide. And nitrous oxide has a global warming potential of 265 times that of carbon dioxide.

 

For example, if we release 1 kilogram of methane gas, it means that we release a carbon footprint equal to 28 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kgCO2e). And if we release 1 kilogram of nitrous oxide gas, it will mean that We release a carbon footprint equal to 265 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kgCO2e).

 

The average Carbon Footprint per person in America is 16 tons, which is the highest average in the world. Because it is usually 4 tons, this is an opportunity to avoid a 2 degree increase in global temperatures. Therefore, the average annual Carbon Footprint must be reduced to 2 tons per person by 2050.

 

Therefore, it is not surprising that we see business sectors moving towards becoming organizations that emit zero carbon dioxide. The Carbon Footprint of the organization has been created in order to assess greenhouse gas emissions. and to know the important sources of greenhouse gas emissions of the organization before leading to management and planning of production processes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

 

 

Why must organizations focus on Carbon Footprint?

 

Because it will make the organization aware of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in various activities. and can plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions precisely along with effectively reducing the impact on the environment This will lead to reducing costs for the organization. from reducing energy use and use of natural resources

 

They can also expand and develop the project into the future. By expanding the organization’s greenhouse gas assessment results, such as developing products to receive global warming reduction label certification.

 

It is also a preparation for dealing with Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) or trade barriers that are not tariffs, such as carbon taxes and measures to combat environmental destruction. Using environmental labels It will bring commercial advantages to environmental organizations. which is a strong point both domestically and internationally that everyone sees global warming as an urgent matter and can be measured numerically

 

This makes it possible to respond to the needs of customers in the supply chain who want products or business partners that are environmentally conscious. and global warming All of this can be communicated to be understood internationally throughout the world.

 

At the same time, it can also be sold as carbon credits. or make carbon offsets with other organizations Along with using that information to prepare the company’s sustainable development report. To answer investor questions And finally, it is about showing the organization’s responsibility according to transparent ESG principles in order to achieve the organization’s ESG goals.

 

Therefore, in many countries Carbon Footprint has begun to be used, including England, France, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, and Korea, etc. It can be considered that investments related to global warming will help create business advantages as well. It also shows corporate social responsibility (CSR), creating awareness and good communication between producers and consumers. that will lead to sustainability for the business According to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations

 

The concept of business operations focuses on sustainability. Not seeking profit only (Investment Style) which is considered an expression of responsibility towards the environment, society and good governance. (Environment, Social, Governance : ESG) in concrete terms Through the numbers that come out in the form of Carbon Footprint, we can assess the situation, inspect, and follow up and evaluate. In order to manage the amount of greenhouse gas emissions to be truly reduced.

 

Reference: nature.org & carbonfootprint