1st Edition

Carbon Footprint Analysis Concepts, Methods, Implementation, and Case Studies

By Matthew John Franchetti, Defne Apul Copyright 2013
    270 Pages 61 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    The negative impacts of carbon emissions from human activities continue to dramatically reshape the environmental, political, and social landscape. These impacts coupled with cap and trade schemes iterate the importance and need to properly measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon Footprint Analysis: Concepts, Methods, Implementation, and Case Studies provides up-to-date technical information and practical guidance on measuring and reducing energy and GHG emissions. Presenting a comprehensive framework for carbon management, this book:

    • Provides definitions, concepts, benefits, and background information regarding carbon footprint analyses
    • Discusses the GHG accounting methods
    • Outlines the general systems framework for conducting an audit
    • Features four case studies in higher education, service, and manufacturing organizations

    The book includes detailed discussions of the concepts and explains how the different concepts fit together. It supplies the necessary background as well as systematic tools and procedures for organizations to measure and reduce their carbon footprints and begin to adapt to a carbon-constrained world.

    WHY CARBON FOOTPRINT ANALYSIS AND REDUCTION?
    Definitions of Carbon Footprint Analysis and Related Concepts
    Introduction
    Carbon Footprint Analysis
    Greenhouse Gases
    Global Warming, Climate Change, and Global Change
    Life Cycle Assessment and Embedded Carbon
    Other Footprints: Water, Nitrogen, Ecological Footprints
    Pollution Prevention
    Sustainability and the Triple Bottom Line
    Acronyms
    Units
    References

    Benefits of Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Minimization
    Introduction
    Environmental Benefits
    Economic Benefits
    Corporate Image Benefits
    Personal and Social Benefits
    References

    Environmental Laws and Regulations
    Introduction
    The U.S. Clean Air Act
    The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990
    Energy Policy Act of 2005
    American Clean Energy and Security Act
    Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule
    Kyoto Protocol
    References

    CARBON FOOTPRINT ANALYSIS METHODS
    Standards for Carbon Footprint Analysis

    Introduction
    Product-Based Standards
    Activity-Based Standards
    Iterative Carbon Management Steps
    References

    GHG Protocol

    Introduction
    GHG Protocol Overview
    The GHG Protocol’s Overarching Principles
    Greenhouse Gases
    Boundary Setting
    Organizational Boundary Setting
    Operational Boundary Setting
    Temporal Boundary Setting
    References

    Metrics and Performance Measurement for Carbon Footprint Analyses

    Introduction
    Greenhouse Gas Emission Measurement
    Business and Financial Measurement
    Customer and Stakeholder Satisfaction Measurements
    Reference

    Energy and Greenhouse Gas Calculators Available on the Internet

    Overview of Calculators and Comparisons
    American Forests
    Bonneville Environmental Foundation
    Clearwater
    The Conservation Fund
    Green Mountain Energy
    TerraPass
    The U.S. Department of Energy—Home Energy Saver
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)

    Carbon Footprints of Some Entities

    Introduction
    Carbon Footprint of Persons, Organizations, and Nations
    Embedded Carbon of Products
    References

    SYSTEMS APPROACH TO PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
    Introduction: The System Approach to Carbon Footprint and Energy Reduction

    The Six Sigma Systems Approach for Deployment
    Introduction
    Define Stage
    Measure
    Analyze
    Improve
    Control
    Summary
    References

    Deployment Alternatives

    Introduction
    Choosing a Waste Minimization Provider or Partner
    Essential Elements of the Deployment Plan

    Creating a Successful Project Launch

    Introduction
    Executive Leadership
    Strategic Goals
    Resources
    Metrics
    Culture
    Communications
    Lessons Learned
    Summary
    Reference

    The General Approach to Greenhouse Gas and Energy Analyses

    Introduction to the Systems Approach Framework
    Establish the Team and Define the Project (Step 1)
    Existing Records Review (Step 2)
    Process Mapping and Production Analysis (Step 3)
    On-Site Data Collection (Step 4)
    Data Analysis (Step 5)
    Identify Minimization Opportunities (Step 6)
    Determine, Evaluate, and Select Alternatives (Step 7)
    Documentation and the Deployment Plan (Step 8)
    Implementation and Execution (Step 9)
    Validate the Program versus Goals (Step 10)
    Monitor and Continually Improve Performance (Step 11)

    Employee Training

    Introduction
    Strategy
    Agendas for Training

    CASE STUDIES
    Higher Education Carbon Management

    Organizations and Programs That Encourage and Support Carbon Footprint Analysis and Management
    Case Study of the University of Toledo
    References

    Energy Analysis and Minimization in Manufacturing

    Introduction
    Methodology
    Data Analysis
    Cost Savings Opportunities/Recommendations
    Recommendations and Summary

    Energy Analysis and Minimization in Health Care

    Introduction and Background
    Methodology
    Lighting Results
    Lighting Recommendations
    Economic Analysis of Lighting Recommendations
    Environmental Impact
    Other Areas for Energy Reduction
    References

    Energy Analysis in Minimization in Construction and Manufacturing

    Background
    Methodology
    Data Analysis
    Cost-Saving Opportunities
    Recommendations and Summary
    Index

    Biography

    Matthew John Franchetti, Defne Apul

    "… the first comprehensive engineering and technically based treatment of all the associated issues in one book. … will have a wide appeal not only among students and teachers, but also among technocrats, industrialists, researchers, and government policy makers. … written by authors who are technically competent in the field and they combine theory and practice in presenting a case for carbon footprint reduction."
    —Adedeji Badiru, Air Force Institute of Technology, Beavercreek, Ohio, USA


    "Carbon emissions represent a major environmental impact of any institution. This book provides practical guidance for the calculation of an institution’s carbon footprint, and will be of use to a wide audience."
    —Jeffrey D. Corbin, Union College, Schenectady, New York, USA