Carbon Footprinting

Global climate change is one of the biggest environmental issues facing society today and it is widely accepted that the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by humans are having a negative impact on the environment.

The total set of GHG emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organisation, event or product is commonly called their 'carbon footprint'. Calculating the carbon footprint of an organisation can be the first step in a programme to reduce the emissions it causes.

'The full footprint of an organisation encompasses a wide range of emissions sources, from direct use of fuels to indirect impacts such as employee travel or emissions from other organisations within the supply chain.

A common classification method is to group GHG emissions by the level of control an organisation has over them. On this basis, there are three main types of GHG classification:

1. Direct emissions that result from activities the organisation controls
   For example via the on site combustion of fuels, emission of gases during operation, production and manufacture, and running of a vehicle fleet
   
   
2. Emissions from electricity usage
   For example for lighting, heating, and powering of equipment. Although the organisation is not directly in control of the emissions, by using the electricity it is indirectly responsible for the release of CO2.
   
   
3. Indirect emissions from products and services that the organisation does not directly control
   For example, a company that manufactures a product is indirectly responsible for the carbon that is emitted in the preparation and transport of the raw materials.'
   
   

(Carbon Trust 2008)

All businesses should be looking at reducing their carbon footprint or even considering emissions offsetting. Carbon management assists companies to protect themselves from energy, carbon and climate threats and to position themselves, their goods and their services for market advantage. For organisations considering offsetting, carbon management is vital to understanding and minimising their unavoidable emissions so as to display green credentials.

Large companies are increasingly aware that they need to look at the impacts of climate change on their core business, rather than just reducing their CO2 emissions.

There are a number of internet websites that offer simple calculations of carbon footprints but for organisations that require a detailed study of the matter Rabbitt Recycling has access to a specialist on the subject. Anyone wishing to obtain further information should contact Rabbitt Recycling, see the Contact Us page.