Carbon management, also known as greenhouse gas management, is the process of identifying, reducing, and offsetting GHG emissions in order to reduce the negative impacts of climate change. GHGs, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming and other environmental problems.
There are three main categories of GHG emissions, known as Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3.
Understanding these categories is important for effective carbon management, as each represents a different source of GHG emissions and requires a different approach to reduction. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by a company. These include emissions from vehicles, boilers, and other equipment owned by the company and used in the production process. An example would be a manufacturing company with a large fleet of delivery trucks that emit GHGs through their exhaust pipes. These delivery trucks would be considered Scope 1 emissions.
Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the production of electricity, heat, or steam consumed by a company. An example would be a company that purchases electricity from an energy provider that generates electricity using fossil fuels. The GHG emissions from the power plants would be considered Scope 2 emissions for the company. Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2. These include emissions from employee travel, business air travel, and waste disposal, as well as emissions from the supply chain, such as from suppliers and contractors.
Effective carbon management involves a combination of strategies for reducing GHG emissions in all three categories.
Some common strategies for reducing emissions in Scopes 1 and 2 include:
Introducing energy-efficient technologies and processes
Switching to renewable energy
Using low-carbon fuels
Implementing digital solutions (e.g. in production)
For emissions in Scope 3, companies can work with suppliers to reduce their GHG emissions, invest in carbon offsets, or set goals to reduce their own emissions in Scope 3. Carbon offsets are a way to offset GHG emissions by investing in projects that remove or reduce GHGs from the atmosphere, such as reforestation or renewable energy projects.
Effective carbon management requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account all three categories of GHG emissions. It is important for companies to regularly measure and report their GHG emissions, set reduction goals, and implement strategies to achieve those goals. By taking action to reduce GHG emissions, companies can not only reduce the negative impacts of climate change, but also improve their sustainability and financial performance.
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is also important for companies to consider their carbon footprint, which represents the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted over the entire lifecycle of a product or service. This includes GHG emissions from raw material extraction, production, transport, and disposal. By considering the full carbon footprint of their products and services, companies can identify opportunities to reduce GHG emissions and improve their sustainability.
There are several tools and frameworks that help companies manage their greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint. The GHG Protocol is a widely recognized standard for quantifying and reporting GHG emissions from the private and public sector, value chains, and climate change mitigation actions.
In summary, carbon management is essential in combating the negative impacts of climate change and improving sustainability. By understanding and managing GHG emissions in all three scopes, companies can implement solutions to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to low-carbon emissions.
At Trilleco, we are always looking for companies that want to increase their competitiveness while combining sustainability with increased efficiency in the company.