Climate Change and Carbon Footprint

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1 Climate Change The climate is changing. Nowadays we have an accelerating trend. The world has witnessed 0.8 C (1.5 F) of warming since 1880 and just 0.4 (0.7 F).over the last decades, resulting already in significant changes to physical, hydrological and ecological systems. Yet man-made climate change has barely begun to bite. Global average surface temperature in 2010 tied as the warmest on record and took the honors as the wettest year since records began: a development in line with models that predict that warmer temperatures will increase precipitation. human experience. Over the past year, the world has witnessed weather events on all continents so extreme that they stretch the limits of modern Last summer s flooding in Pakistan inundated one fifth of the country and affected 20 million people driving up cotton prices. The record Moscow heat wave led to more than 10,000 deaths, widespread peat bog and forest fires, and the loss of a third of Russia s grain crop, driving up food prices worldwide has already witnessed flooding in Eastern Australia that submerged an area the size of France and Germany combined, followed by the most powerful cyclone to hit the country in almost a century. In Brazil, New Year floods combined with mudslides triggered the nation s deadliest natural disaster on record. It is too early to tell whether these extreme events are directly caused by human-induced climate change. What is not in dispute is that they are consistent with the broad scientific consensus that links a changing climate with more extreme events and more severe climatic cycles. Equally indisputably, the world is quickly moving towards a much hotter tomorrow. Global warming is caused by releasing what are called greenhouse gases (GHG): carbon dioxide and other gases warm the surface of the planet naturally by trapping solar heat in the atmosphere. shelter and water. However, by burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil and clearing forests we have dramatically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth s atmosphere and temperatures are rising. into the atmosphere thereby increasing the planet`s temperature leading to real issues: melting ice caps, rapidly spreading droughts. Additionally, the irreversible damage to the world s ecosystems, including the resulting extinction of a large fraction of the earth s species, will be the most extensive civilized humans will have ever experienced. And yet, with every ton of carbon burned, the earth is irreversibly altered and the changes in climate to come will likely threaten many people s access to those basic services: including food, 1 Page 1 of 9

2 Everything we buy, produce, use and dispose of has a carbon footprint. The carbon footprint of a product or service is the total carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases emitted during its life cycle, ranging from its raw materials, through production to its final disposal. A Carbon Footprint Label A Carbon Footprint leads to carbon emissions, to understand the carbon footprints of the products, sites and services they use and support positively the environment with sustainability development objectives. Measuring carbon emissions at every step of the supply chain leads to valuable energy and cost saving opportunities and this ultimately contributes to a cleaner, better world. And publicizing a carbon footprint through a recognized Carbon reduction Label enhances brand reputation and sales appeal. It is the first step towards carbon neutral targets. A Carbon Footprint Mitigation Project The main objective of a carbon footprint mitigation project is to helping organizations and individuals to reduce their carbon emissions for a sustainable future and for the world preservation in a business framework. Assessment Criteria A Carbon Footprint helps meeting the needs of both businesses and their customers abroad. A project can be launched under CFMP (Carbon Footprint Mitigation Program) to reflect the breadth of services it now provides to meet the needs of: Organizations - to measure, reduce, improve eco-efficiency and communicate the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of their products, site and services, Customers - to help customers of manufacturers make choices that would lower their own carbon footprints, and to educate them on how the way they use the products they buy can lower their carbon footprints by selecting a privileged green supplier. Individuals - to acknowledge and manage their personal carbon footprints. 2 The Carbon Footprint Label Certification can be established with an independent assessor to provide impartial certification services for carbon footprints extended to all industry and services sectors. Page 2 of 9

3 Some Carbon footprint labeling schemes have already been developed in different countries worldwide and Carbon Footprint is well perceived and more and more requested by endconsumers. These complements work of helping individuals and organizations to certify and communicate their corporate carbon footprints to their customers and end consumers worldwide. Creating a standard for comparability The standards used include ISO 14044, guidelines and the Publicly Available Specification (the PAS 2050 and PAS 2060) for assessing GHG emissions of products and services. When working with businesses, Carbon Footprint Mitigation Project applies its own set of proprietary data and the procedure to ensure standardization of measurements within product and service categories. It is this process that allows customers to easily compare the GHG footprints of different products and plants, whatever their origins. How can the a carbon footprint mitigation program help a company s products and services? Awareness training Measurement Independent Certification Carbon Emissions Reduction Commitment Communication Sustainability development Energy Savings The 9-step footprinting process Working either with a footprint expert partner or with your own people, the process begins with a start-up meeting to scope the project. Once the scope has been agreed, the foot printing process will follow these steps in accordance with established requirement and standards: 1. Awareness training 2. Building a process map and setting boundaries, 3. Collecting data 4. Assessing materiality 5. Calculating the Carbon Footprint 6. Defining Carbon Footprint Reduction objectives 7. Carbon Footprint assessor review 8. Carbon Footprint Certification 9. Management review and recertification 3 Page 3 of 9

4 This will deliver a final footprint statement expressed in absolute carbon dioxide equivalent CO2 e. (kg or tonne) and relative to product or services providing value that can then be put forward for reduction certification if you choose to do so. Assessing the supply chain Key questions that will be asked during the project include: What requires energy (fuel, electricity)? What could cause direct or indirect emissions? What materials are used? Where did they come from? Where are they going? How much water has been used? What are the benchmarks in our field? The evidence-based approach and implications for a sustainable business strategy The measurement process will entail a rigorous methodology and analysis of the whole supply chain. These studies reveal potential energy cost savings in the chain, including opportunities that you can exploit as well as problem areas that you will need to manage: hot spots. While you may find that these discoveries may force you to substantially rethink your business strategy, they will ensure that your company is better prepared for the low carbon world of the future. Analyze and re-engineer your processes The results will allow you to analyze internal processes and see where reconfiguration of processes or changes in working practices can reduce the carbon footprint. This can produce significant energy cost savings, reduce waste, improve efficiency and enhance the reputation of your company both internally and externally. Collaborate with supply chain partners to achieve reductions Working with your supply chain partners, you may well find ways to immediately reduce costs on both sides and strengthen relationships for the future. The work will also highlight possible areas to be tackled going forward. Investigate alternative sources of supply By examining your suppliers of energy and raw materials, you may find that a change of supplier/s could lead to a reduction in your product's carbon footprint. Uncertainty in product carbon footprint calculation 4 While carbon footprint methodologies, expertise and data accuracy will improve continuously, there will always be some degree of uncertainty associated with the carbon footprint measurement process. Page 4 of 9

5 Uncertainty, or margin of error, is a natural part of many other measurement and reporting schemes. For instance, carbon conversion units of electricity grid involve local electricity production which has an accepted margin of error due to a mix fuel, energy origin, and losses on line. If a company subsequently chooses to communicate the results of its carbon footprint work, the uncertainty values are not a core part of the Blue Carbon Footprint Label itself. Reduction and mitigation By examining the constituent parts that make up the product carbon footprint, it is possible to see where the greatest opportunities lie to reduce it. Your company can then apply for Blue Carbon Footprint Assessment criteria. To achieve the Blue Carbon certification and label level for one year assessment need to meet three criteria: 1.Provide an accurate footprint measurement including all required emission sources: 2.Demonstrate an absolute reduction of your footprint or equivalent relative efficiency improvement: Less than 10% reduction : More than 10% and less than 20%: More than 20% and less than 40%: red level orange level green level More than 40%: blue level And 100% carbon neutral with carbon zero 3. Demonstrate good carbon management to standard requirement including carbon governance, accounting, reduction methods and targets: Assessment process If you apply, two forms will be used during the assessment to determine whether the criteria have been met: 1. Carbon Footprint Calculator 5 2. Assessment Form The Carbon Footprint Calculator will be used to calculate the organization s carbon footprint and the reduction in this footprint over time. The methodology has been developed following the Page 5 of 9

6 principles outlined in the GHG Kyoto protocol; with all carbon emissions calculated using established standards and most reliable and reputable emissions factors. The assessment form summarizes the carbon footprint information and includes a series of questions on carbon management. The answers to these questions are used to assess whether the organization meets the required carbon management standards. During the assessment process, an independent assessor will review the completed assessment form against the rules of the Carbon Footprint methodology. The carbon footprint must have been measured accurately and show a reduction to meet the different reduction level and respective certification step. For further information, or to apply for the Standard please either: 1. Contact to register your interest and to discuss how you would prefer to proceed 2. Request and Complete the enquiry form and submit it. to Rexizon C.E., an assessor will contact you shortly. We will discuss your readiness to apply for the Standard, your ability to meet the criteria and advise you on how best to proceed. If you decide to go ahead and apply for the Standard, we will send you a proposal and arrange to start the assessment process. Assessment approach During initial discussions you will choose one of two types of assessment: 1. Certification only: If you have all the information necessary and the evidence to support your application, you can complete your own assessment form and submit it to us. An independent assessor will then assess your organization s carbon reduction activities against the Standard. This assessment will include visiting your organization and verifying the evidence contained in the application. 2. Assisted certification: If you think you require some assistance in collating and presenting the data and completing the assessment form then we can provide additional support. The assessor will spend more time working with you to help in completing the assessment form as well as assessing compliance with the Standard. Moderation If the assessor is satisfied that your organization meets the standard specifications requirements, the assessor will pass your application to final moderator who will review each assessment to verify the conclusions. 6 Page 6 of 9

7 Certification On successful assessment the Blue Carbon Footprint will certify the organization, division or site and award a certificate for one year with option of recertification if reduction improvements have been achieved. The organization will then be able to use the Carbon Footprint label prove its climate change credentials. The certification is valid for a period of one year and needs to be renewed on a yearly base or anytime with substantial progress achievement. Assessment costs The cost of assessment and certification depends on the type, sites and size of the organization and the level of service you require: Awareness training only : For an introduction training to carbon footprint Certification only: For organization that are able to complete the assessment form and spreadsheet themselves Assisted Certification: For organizations that would like support in collating evidence and completing the assessment form and spreadsheet. You will need to set aside sufficient resources to be able to complete the application form, collate the evidence required and arrange site visit(s) with the assessor as necessary. We do recommend that a Carbon Footprint project leader within your organization is appointed for coordination and quick progress. The overall cost for undertaking either of the above levels of assessment or just training will be dependent upon the particular organization and can be provided upon request. Independent certification The Blue Carbon Footprint Certification provides independent and impartial certification services to clients. Your product carbon footprints are certified for compliance with a verified certification. Rexizon C.E.Ltd is an international firm specialized in nontraditional management consulting with strong experience in sustainable development. These past years, we have accumulated specialized expertise in the quantification of carbon emissions, carbon footprints and reductions assessment on different companies, processes and products in various countries worldwide. In that capacity, we help companies count, quantify, manage and reduce their carbon emissions and accrue cost savings. Our expertise consists in selecting, applying and elaborating methodologies and technologies to quantify and value carbon footprints with the Blue Carbon certification. 7 Page 7 of 9

8 Comparability Standard Certification for compliance with the certification requirements maximizes the comparability of your product carbon footprint with those of other similarly certified products and services and therefore gives you the ability to provide your customers and share-holders consistent product carbon footprints with the assurance of independent third party certification. Certification to this standard is necessary to be able to use the Blue Carbon Footprint Labels. Impartiality and Search for Excellence is committed to providing effective assessment and impartial certification services. It has built impartiality into its structure, strategy, policies, procedures and operations and is committed to continuous improvement in this area. How to get started with certification process? The certification process starts with an application form that needs to be requested, completed and sent to Rexizon C.E. Communication The Blue Carbon Footprint can help you to communicate your product carbon footprint in the way that best suits your business, and in accordance with the standards. Whether it is on-pack, online or other media, organizations can be creative in how they communicate the information to customers, leveraging the authority and credibility of Label to the full. Advantages of displaying the Blue Carbon Footprint Label include: Differentiating your product or service to consumers and/or business customers. Pre-empting growing consumer interest in understanding the carbon footprints products and services they purchase for consumption. Helping consumers to compare between different products and services and helping them use and dispose of them in a lower-carbon way. Enhancing your brand and corporate reputation by leveraging the authority and credibility, together with your reduction commitment. Driving carbon reduction and finding cost savings across your organization and supply chain through your public reduction commitment. Engaging with your own employees to drive carbon reductions and increase staff loyalty. Helping to create a critical mass of companies and consumers to drive significant carbon reductions nationally and worldwide. Labeling opportunities for products and services We will work with you to help you find the best ways to use your Label, from a small area of your website to full on-pack labeling. 8 Displaying the Label on-pack is one of the most powerful ways to deliver the benefits of the Carbon Footprint Label for a product as it provides a point of difference in the marketplace. If on-pack labeling does not meet Page 8 of 9

9 your business needs, the value of the Label for both products and services can be maximized by displaying it in a wide variety of other media, including: Point of Sale material Websites belonging to the product manufacturer or service provider Online product catalogues and directories Advertising, mailpacks, product brochures, catalogues, business cards, local directories and other sales materials Product manuals where carbon-reducing usage advice can be explained REXIZON CONSULTING EXPERTISE LTD., info@rexizon.com KaylRay Building Royal Road Street, Pointes aux Cannoniers, Grand Baie, Republic of Mauritius 9 Page 9 of 9