introduction to greenhouse gas inventories by renewable choice energy
DESCRIPTION
In this presentation from Renewable Choice, you will learn about our climate challenges, an introduction to inventories, the greenhouse gas protocol, and motivations for corporate action. Renewable Choice Energy is a leading provider of climate change solutions including green power, carbon offsets, and renewable energy advisory services. Recognized as a trusted partner to numerous major brands, Renewable Choice was the recipient of the prestigious Green Power Supplier of the Year award in 2012 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and has been featured in hundreds of media outlets. To learn more, visit www.renewablechoice.com.TRANSCRIPT
Introduction to Greenhouse Gas Inventories
Renewable Choice Services
A Partner to Leading Brands
Contents:
Our climate challenges
Introduction to inventories
Greenhouse gas protocol
Corporate actions
Renewable Choice services
Greenhouse Gas Inventories
Renewable Energy Standard
Carbon Offsets
Cap & Trade
Verified Emission
ReductionsClimate Change
Energy Security
The American Clean Energy and
Security Act of 2009
Kyoto Protocol
The Problem
Climate-related impacts are occurring now and are expected to increase
Global warming is unequivocal and primarily human-induced
Future climate change and its impacts depend on choices made today
Source: United States Global Change Research Program (June 2009)
Addressing Climate Change: No Silver Bullet
Renewable Choice’s Mission:
• 20% wind by 2030
• CO2 at 1980 levels
“Geo-Greenism"—is not only what we need to save the planet from overheating; it is what we need to make America healthier, richer, more innovative, more productive, and more secure.
Thomas Freidman, Hot, Flat & Crowded
Harness commercial and consumer demand to help drive the growth of renewable energy and clean technologies
Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Greenhouse Gas Inventory - Defined
• A comprehensive and documented accounting of all greenhouse gas emissions attributed to an organization’s activities
Inventory Basics
Identify sources
Choose boundaries
Collect data
Calculate emissions
Document results
Greenhouse Emissions
• Purchased electricity & steam
• Corporate fleet
• Natural gas
• Air travel
• Propane
• Refrigerants
• Waste stream
• Employee commuting
Greenhouse Gas Protocol
The Corporate GHG Accounting Standard
• World Resources Institute
– Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol
– The most widely used standard
– Comprehensive accounting guidelines
GHG Protocol
Guidance
• Business goals
• Accounting for reductions
• Identifying GHG sources
• Managing inventory quality
• Verifying GHG emissions
• Setting GHG targets
Standards
• Accounting principles
• Organizational boundaries
• Operational boundaries
• Tracking emissions over time
• Reporting GHG emissions
Corporate Voluntary Actions
State of Corporate Activity
Source: The Conference Board, 2006 & U.S. EPA Green Power Partnership, 2008
• 75% actively measure GHG emissions
• 60% of corporate boards have carbon on agenda
• 50% have programs to reduce or offset emissions
• 15% engage in voluntary emissions trading
• 40% considering voluntary purchase
• >1000 EPA Green Power Partners
• Green Power Partners purchase >16 billion kWh of RECs annually
Voluntary Climate Registries
• U.S. EPA Climate Leaders
• WWF Climate Savers
• Carbon Disclosure Project
• California Climate Action Registry
• US DOE 1605b Registry
• The Climate Registry
Momentum is Building
Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reporting
Source: Groom Energy Solutions (2009)
Corporate Motivations
• Fulfill voluntary reduction targets
• Create internal incentives for reductions
• Prepare for regulations
• Enhance the brand
• Differentiate a product
• Provide information to stakeholders
• Participate in GHG reporting programs
• Identify opportunities to reduce energy and costs
Carbon Offsets & Renewable Energy Credits
What is a Carbon Offset?
A carbon offset (also referred to as a
verified emission reduction, or VER)
represents the reduction of carbon
dioxide, or its equivalent in other
greenhouse gases
What is a Renewable Energy Credit (REC)?
• A REC represents the environmental benefits associated with the generation of electricity from a renewable energy source
• A renewable energy source is credited with RECs as it produces electricity
• The owner of the REC receives the property rights to its environmental benefits
Offsetting Emissions
RECs & Carbon Offsets
SCOPEUse of Carbon Offsets Use of RECs
Climate NeutralA dynamic ongoing process ~ Clean Air-Cool Planet
1. Embrace a stretching boundary
2. Demonstrate a broad understanding of your carbon footprint before making a claim
3. Exhibit caution before making a corporate-wide claim of neutrality
4. Consider whether a blanket claim of neutrality will resonate with stakeholders
5. Use the carbon management hierarchy before making claims
6. Be completely transparent
7. Exhibit leadership on climate change
8. Treat neutrality as a long-term commitment
Energy Efficiency Advisor
The Energy Efficiency Advisor (EEA) Service
Available to all GHG Inventory customers
Library of information that helps a company reduce energy demand and identify cost savings strategies
Consists of three sections:
Commercial Energy Advisor
Operations & Maintenance Advisor
Purchasing Advisor
Commercial Energy Advisor
Provides sector-specific insights including: Typical usage breakdown
Common load shapes
Energy saving ideas:– No cost– Low cost– Cost-effective investments
Identifies the most cost-effective savings available for numerous industries: Find out where energy dollars are going
Get money-saving advice
Select the equipment that makes the most sense
Identify key purchasing criteria
Operations & Maintenance Advisor
Develop a regular maintenance plan
Improve equipment performance and
increase energy efficiency with:
• Controls and systems optimization
• Re-lamping techniques
• Cleaning schedules and filters
Identify what equipment needs maintenance
Judge what tasks can be done ‘in house’ and what is worth outsourcing
Purchasing Advisor
When purchasing new equipment:
Understand what the technology does and why
Discern the real options without vendor bias
Make purchases with a transparent decision-
making process
An up-to-date library of buyer’s guides and energy-management tips
for over 45 energy technologies, including:
Best lamps and ballasts
HVAC options and configurations
Energy management systems
Legislative Landscape
Proposed Mandatory Reporting Rule
• Report if emissions > 25,000
MtCO2e/yr (facility)
• 85%-90% of national GHG
emissions covered
• Affects ~13,000 facilities
Reporting Breakdown
Source: EPA Proposed Mandatory Reporting Rule – Draft (March 2009)
About Renewable Choice
Renewable Choice
4,000+
LEED projects
GHG inventories
Helps companies
do the right thing
RECsReduce and
understand your
environmental impact
VERs
Choice Inventories
Understand
• Establish an emissions baseline to understand and/or
report your greenhouse gas emissions
Track
• Conduct a yearly inventory to track your progress toward
a reduction goal
Reduce
• Identify high carbon intensive activities and target with
process, infrastructure changes or offsets
Renewable Choice Offset Portfolio
Renewable Energy Credits
• American Wind – Green-e Energy
• Clean Source – Green-e Energy
Verified Emission Reductions
• Choice Carbon – American Carbon Registry Standard
• Global Carbon – Voluntary Carbon Standard
Business Essentials
What you get:• Dedicated Client Services Manager
• CD of images and graphics
• RCE website exposure
• Business Essentials Starter Kit– Custom certificate of purchase
– Messaging guide
– Window clings and magnets
– Custom poster
– Image library
– Facts and figures
Customized Marketing Support:Choice Programs
1. Determine commitment level
2. Choose a Choice Program that fits with
your company’s or project’s
communication & outreach goals
3. Renewable Choice customizes the
program you choose and provides on-
going consultation and support
2500 55th Street, Suite 210 . Boulder, CO 80301 . 877.810.8670 . www.renewablechoice.com
Contact
Matt WoodGreenhouse Gas Channel Manager
303-551-7571