Circular Economy

Unit 5, Lesson 13 – Environmental Standards

Lesson outcomes
• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Accounting
• Waste related emissions
• Voluntary actions by Companies to reduce to
GHG
• Self Assessment
Table of contents
1. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Accounting
i. Definition and Purpose
ii. Key steps involved in GHG Accounting
2. Waste Related Emissions
i. Definition
ii. Main sources of Waste Related Emissions
iii. Practices for reducing Waste Related Emissions
3. Voluntary actions by Companies
i. GHG Protocol
ii. Main Standards followed in GH protocol
GHG
(Greenhouse Gas
Accounting)
Greenhouse Gas Accounting
Definition

∙ Process of quantifying and tracking GHG emissions

produced by human activities
∙ Systematic measurement, reporting, and
verification of GHG emissions

Purpose: Understand and Manage environmental

impact of emissions

∙ Assess and manage contributions of different

sectors, organizations, or activities on climate
change
∙ Identify emission sources
∙ Develop strategies to reduce emissions, and
∙ Monitor progress towards emission reduction goals
 Key Steps Monitoring
Identifying
progress and
and
setting
Track progress towards achieving emissions targets and categorising Sources of GHG emissions include energy use,
reduction
identify areas for improvement. emissions transportation,
targets industrial processes, and waste management.

Third-party verification for consistent, accurate, Collecting data on activities, fuel consumption,
Accounting methodology production processes, and other factors

Verification
and
GHG Measuring
emissions
contributing to emissions.

(collecting Measured as metric tonnes of carbon dioxide

assurance
Accounting Data)
equivalent (tCO2e)

Calculated using factors such as the Greenhouse Gas

Transparent reporting of emissions data such as
Reporting Calculating Protocol. Emission factors represent the average
total emissions, emission breakdown by source or sector, and
emissions emissions emissions associated with a specific activity or fuel type.
progress toward emission reduction targets.
Waste Related
Emissions
Waste Related Emissions
Definition
GHG emissions associated with the production, handling, and disposal of waste materials. Caused by
decomposition of organic waste in landfills and the energy -intensive processes involved in waste management

Main sources of
Landfills: Large source waste-related
Organic waste disposed of in landfills undergoes anaerobic decomposition, which produces methane (CH4)
of methane emissions - a potent GHG, with a significantly higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2).
Waste treatment and Processes such as incineration, thermal treatment, and anaerobic digestion release various GHGs, including
disposal CO2, CH4, and nitrous oxide (N2O). CO2 emissions result from the combustion of fossil fuels in
incinerators, while CH4 and N2O emissions are generated during the decomposition of organic waste in
anaerobic conditions.
Transport and Transportation of waste materials from collection points to treatment or disposal facilities contributes to
collection GHG emissions. This includes emissions from vehicles used for waste collection and the consumption of
fossil fuels in the transportation process.
Recycling and waste Energy-intensive processes such as sorting, processing, and manufacturing recycled materials generate
management emissions. These emissions primarily stem from energy consumption during recycling operations.
Reducing Waste Related Emissions
Practice Benefit
Waste reduction and By minimizing waste generation through source reduction, reuse, and recycling, fewer materials end up in
prevention landfills, reducing the associated emissions.
Landfill gas Implement methane capture and flaring systems to collect and burn methane emitted during waste
management decomposition.
This process converts methane into carbon dioxide, which has a lower global warming potential.
Anaerobic digestion A controlled decomposition process that captures and utilizes methane.
Captured methane can be used for energy generation, reducing the need for fossil fuel-based energy sources.
Improved waste Advanced waste treatment technologies such as modern incinerators with energy recovery systems can
treatment technologies minimize GHG emissions and generate renewable energy.
Energy-efficient Employing energy-efficient vehicles and optimizing waste collection routes.
transportation
Promotion of circular Encouraging circular economy principles, which prioritize the reduction, reuse, and recycling of materials to
economy reduce the demand for virgin resources, lower emissions from production processes, and minimize waste
generation.
Voluntary Actions
by Companies
The GHG Protocol, or Greenhouse Gas
Protocol
∙ Widely recognized standard for accounting and
reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

∙ Developed by the World Resources Institute

(WRI) and the World Business Council for
Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

∙ Provides guidelines and methodologies for

organizations to measure, report, and manage
their GHG emissions.
Main standards in The GHG Protocol
Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard
• Framework for organizations to measure and report their direct and indirect GHG emissions.
• Also known as Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions.
∙ Scope 1 emissions: Direct emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the organization,
such as emissions from company-owned vehicles or on-site fuel combustion

∙ Scope 2 emissions: Indirect emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity, heat, or steam.
They occur from the generation of the purchased energy

∙ Scope 3 emissions: Indirect emissions that occur from activities in the value chain of the organization,
including emissions from purchased goods and services, transportation and distribution, waste
disposal, and employee commuting
Product Accounting and Reporting Standard
• Standard for measuring and reporting GHG emissions associated with specific products or services.
• Assess emissions associated with each product throughout its life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal
• Enables the identification of emission reduction opportunities
Summary
Summary
GHG accounting provides a foundation for developing and implementing
effective climate strategies, such as energy efficiency measures, renewable
energy adoption, and sustainable practices. It assists organizations and
governments:

∙ to understand their carbon footprint

∙ identify opportunities for emission reduction, and
∙ contribute to global efforts in mitigating climate change.
By addressing waste-related emissions, societies can significantly
contribute to mitigating climate change, conserving resources, and
promoting a more sustainable approach to waste management.
Overall, the GHG Protocol has played a significant role in promoting
accountability, transparency, and effective management of GHG
emissions, helping organizations take informed actions to address
climate change.
Self Assessment
 1. How can GHG Accounting help manage the global emissions?

1. What are the steps in GHG Accounting?

Self Assessment 1. Landfills are a ‘necessary evil’… write three sentences in

favour of having landfills and three sentences against the
idea of landfills?

1. What are the two main standards in the GHG Protocol?