Sustainability Framework For Carbon Reduction

Introduction

Part 1 ~ Climate Change: Grand Challenges

Part 2 ~ Framing a Solution

Part 3 ~ Sustainability Framework for Carbon Reduction

Sustainability Framework for Carbon Reduction (entire article)

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A Modern Day Victory Garden

Today's threat is climate change and the immediate need for mitigating future warming of the planet beyond 2 degrees Celsius. The Victory Garden campaign engaged 51% of US Households during WWII. With potential social media engagement there is the potential to reach a similar civic engagement rate by extending a Victory Garden response to a global threat, climate change. Can you imagine if this type of a coordinated federal, state, local effort was put into a modern day campaign to reduce carbon emissions?

Sustainability

By approaching a challenge with the three aspects of sustainability in mind, each process within a system has the potential for increased efficiency that leads to a harmonization of true sustainability. In the case of carbon emissions, these efficiencies can be a can be quantified with economic efficiency of cost savings, social efficiencies of increased stakeholder involvement and environmental efficiencies of cleaner air, land, and water.

The term “sustainability” came into modern parlance through the 1987 United Nations Brundtland report (PDF), “Our Common Future.” which discussed environmental and developmental issues as one issue, associating business with development.

"Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Sustainable development was framed as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development involves the transformation of an economy by increasing productive potential while the society ensures equitable opportunities.

Three aspects of sustainability are typically considered

• The economic aspect maintains cash flow to support the business and the workers
• The social aspect treats everyone within the business and community with respect.
• The environmental aspect involves being a good steward of the land, air and water

Within each sustainability aspect processes are identified, examined and benchmarked for efficiency. Each aspect is distinct but not isolated, each aspect is managed for the long term. The sustainability story of a home, organization or business is embedded within its activities. 

Economic Aspect: How does the economic aspect affect a process or system?

• Generate income
• Pay workers / vendors
• Engage Stakeholders

Social Aspect: How does the social aspect affect a system or process?

• Social Responsibility
• Do good
• Engage Stakeholders

Environmental Aspect: How does the environmental aspect affect a system or process?

• Reduce impact to air, land, and water
• Be a good steward
• Engage Stakeholders

Sustainability Framework Components

By borrowing from the Victory Garden movement as well as a corporate sustainability framework, there are potential opportunities to fine tune a methodology that could be easily understood and replicated in a broad nationwide (and worldwide) method similar to the Victory Garden movement. While it is always a good idea to continually record and monitor this continual improvement, even if a portion of a projected 167 million US Citizens active participation substantial carbon reduction is possible.

The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) was formed to communicate sustainability performance to investors. Many industries have their own specific disclosure topics with their SASB frameworks. The Alcoholic Beverages industry disclosure topics (pdf) align well with a small organization or a household participation in carbon reduction.

• Energy Management
• Water Management
• Responsible Drinking & Marketing
• Packaging Lifecycle Management
• Environmental & Social Impacts of Ingredient Supply Chains

This corporate sustainability framework, while not specifically aimed at carbon reduction, it does have components of reducing carbon emissions. Energy and water are necessary modern day household components, responsibility can be transposed to a variety of social themes, packaging relates to a households upstream purchases while impacts can be modified into a downstream topic in the household. Depending on the size and complexity of an organization, a variety of detailed baseline documentation and continued reporting can be incorporated within each of the disclosure topics.

How to ...

With a few modification to the SASB framework above, a household or small organization has numerous opportunities to reduce their footprint by baselining current usage or resources or methods then over time continually improving on the baseline. A simplified household and small organization carbon reduction framework addresses the following:

The Sustainability Framework for Carbon Reduction

This is a framework, an outline, something easy to remember and to be used as a guide.

1. Energy Management
2. Water Management
3. Social Responsibility
4. Supply Chain Upstream
5. Supply Chain Downstream

Each organization can add detail within each step of the framework. Carbon emission reductions are realized when there is a net reduction in emissions that are measured per the use of the resource, thus it is a good idea to create a baseline first, then set attainable goals. If you cannot measure a reduction how do you know that you have reduced anything?

Carbon Reduction Framework: George H Thomas

1. Energy: Create a Baseline and Reduce Energy Use Over Time

By calculating an individual, household or organization baseline emissions, a starting point is created to improve on. By setting a yearly or multi year goal, real efficiencies can be created that in turn reduce the annual carbon footprint of the participant. The three major types of emissions, Scope 1, 2, and 3 can easily be calculated through online calculators or by applying some additional research for more exact metrics.

Energy has a footprint, whether it is a direct emission out of a tailpipe, a smokestack or indirectly through the purchase of electricity from a utility or the indirect emissions from a trip on a plane. By calculating a current footprint then setting a goal for reduction is the first step. Even modest reductions can add up over time and in many respects these goals create opportunities for efficiencies and cost savings, similar to a corporate sustainability model.

Set a Goal for Scope 1 Direct Emissions Reduction

The average driver in the United States drives 13,476 miles annually at 23.3 mpg. Each driver can account for an average of 5.07 mT Scope 1 CO2e emitted from their tailpipe of their automobile.

• 13,476 annual miles at 23.3 mpg = 578 gallons gasoline
• Gasoline Automobile Scope 1 emissions = 5.07 mT CO2e

A 5% reduction can be rounded to 675 miles or a monthly savings of 56 miles, a goal that can easily be realized through combining errands or taking the bus. By riding a bike, taking public transportation or a ride share, the Scope 1 direct emissions normally attributed to the mileage and gas efficiency of driving, are now accounted for as Scope 3, indirect emissions.

One method to reduce Scope 1 direct emissions from a car is to purchase an electric car. An electric car's "emissions" are accounted for Scope 2 , indirect emissions.

Driving an electric vehicle in Washington using eGrid emission factors for WECC Northwest at 3 miles per kWh (Tesla).

• 13, 476 annual miles at 3 miles per kWh = 4492 kWh
• Electric Vehicle Scope 2 emissions (WA) = 1.36 MT CO2e
• Electric Vehicle Scope 2 emissions (CO) = 3.71 MT CO2e

Scope 2 Home Electricity Use

In the home if you use 10,000 kWh annually (US Avg) a 5% reduction of 42 kWh monthly can be realized through efficiencies, whether it is a thermostat on an electric baseboard heater, or a combination of LED light bulbs, powering down a computer and shutting off unnecessary lighting. The United Sates Department of Energy offers numerous tips and strategies to reduce home energy use. Yes, there is a financial investment involved, though many utilities offer rebates and efficiency programs to assist. With electricity use shifting into the realm of transportation, home electric demand will most likely increase.

Utility based Scope 2 energy emissions are classified by the energy mix within an eGrid region (see eGRID map at top). Each region has a different energy mix including renewables, hydro, coal, gas, nuclear and coal for utility-scale power generation.

An investment in Solar PV can reduce or eliminate Scope 2 emissions within a household or an organization while supplement the addition of an electric car. Solar PV directly impacts both the economic and environmental aspects of an organization based on numerous factors including the sighting of the installation, weather, climate, latitude, temperature and the overall installation including the quality of the panels.

Some new homes include Solar PV, thus deferring costs over the mortgage period. Batteries and energy management software will take efficiency to a new level within the next few years. Localization of electric production offers a resilient method for preparedness within the changing climate. Further community efforts of community solar and microgrids with battery backup can reduce some impacts.

This savings in energy use from the utility, serves the economic aspects of sustainability with annual cost savings over the life of the solar system as well as serving the environmental aspect of sustainability by using less utility energy and its associated Scope 2 carbon emissions.

2. Water: Conserve with Efficient Use

In many areas of the United Sates, clean water is taken for granted. You turn on the faucet and out comes the water, and why drink the tap water when you can have bottled water! This is an all too common occurrence and in this example, a safe resource that is available to many homes is not always the first choice.

Water has been rebranded as a beverage, complete with a supply chain of extraction, packaging, transport, then finally consumption by the consumer then recycled or in some cases waste and the environmental issue of micro-plastic degradation in our waterways and oceans. The simple act of filling a reusable water container can impact reductions in three of the five Sustainability Framework for Carbon Reduction steps, water, supply chain upstream by eliminating the need for the packaged water and the supply chain down stream the waste associated with plastic packaging.

3. Social Responsibility: Do Good Things

Social responsibility is not always associated with some type of quantifiable metric. Living by the golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” or in modern parlance "do something good" is a good place to start. Social responsibility can take the form of volunteering, philanthropy, engaging in a cause or simply "walking the talk" and living a purposeful life then engaging with others to promote socially responsible purposes.

Social responsibility involves stakeholder engagement, a stakeholder is an individual or concerned group, they are powerful people and not so powerful people. They address their concerns in numerous ways. Successful projects engage the stakeholders.

A business positions itself within a community from a sustainability perspective with its "license to operate" which is proactive and involves a network of individuals and groups. A focus on communication and community engagement builds a broader public support that results in action and a broader broadcast of goodwill that promotes awareness of social legitimacy, credibility, and trust. 

4. Upstream Supply Chain

An effective strategy to reduce solid waste on the supply chain downstream is to "pre-cycle" or think about the components or processes of a consumer product or other purchase, before the purchase. Plastic, paper, styrofoam, glass and food are components of the upstream supply chain, both packaging and product involve components or processes that have a carbon footprint.

Do you drink organic wine? while organic agriculture is an excellent mostly low carbon method of growing things, have you considered the carbon footprint of the wine bottle?

5. Downstream Supply Chain

The supply chain downstream is the "waste" in a household or an organization. There are numerous methods to both quantify the footprint as well as simpler methods of using a mindset within a daily routine.

Pre-cycle by purchasing smartly packaged goods, purposely recycling the packages from the goods you smartly purchased, reuse or donate any surplus goods and composting food waste through a municipal "clean green" bin, backyard compost or worm-bin whose nutrient rich compost can be used in your victory garden.

Measuring Results of Carbon Emission Reductions

Averaging emissions on a national scale is a moving target, though these averages do provide reference points. Household averages within this article, using conservative estimates emissions related to US household average energy use.,

• Scope 1 direct emissions 5.07 MT
• Scope 2 indirect emissions 3.02 MT
• Scope 3 indirect emissions 2.15 MT

The Union of Concerned Scientists in 2015, have estimated US per capita carbon emissions related to fossil fuels as 15.53 MT per capita. The US EPA has estimated overall carbon emissions, including all CO2 equivalents as 6.5 billion MT CO2e or 20.18 MT per capita (every man, woman and child). These cumulative per capita averages most likely include emissions beyond the boundary of a home, including many of the emitters mentioned as grand challenges.

This example chart assumes annual US carbon emissions of 6.5 billion MT (EPA,2015) with a participation of 66 million households in a Victory Garden scale effort to follow a sustainable carbon reduction framework, the same participation rate as the WWII Victory Garden movement.

While combining the Scope emissions is not a common practice (Net estimates, bottom 3 rows), they are included in this chart for a comparison of the potential emission savings scenarios using 2% and 5% household reductions. Emissions savings can be attained through conservation and efficiency, eventually technology will reduce the overall reliance and inefficiencies with carbon based fuels, offering overall reduced emissions from transportation and the energy mix associated with generating electricity.

As this reliance of carbon based fuels for cars reduces, the Scope 1 emissions which are direct, become Scope 2 emissions that are indirect and at the whim of the energy mix of the utility. This example chart using eGrid data, provides insight into the geographical variability of Scope 2 emissions. What stands out clearly is that Washington State has a 52% reliance on Hydro-electric power generation, while Colorado has a 70% reliance on coal.

National regulation, market economics and consumer demand are the drivers that will change the energy mix provided by electric utilities. This risk averse industry by necessity will have to assume more risk in creating innovation to reduce their emissions.

The Future

We should all really be listening to the youth, this young woman has a command of the climate crisis topic and she will face this issue head on long after the "adults" are gone.

Fifteen-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg addressed the U.N. plenary in Katowice, Poland, condemning global inaction in the face of catastrophic climate change.

Tools to Measure Emissions and Create Efficiencies

Creating a baseline is a starting point, depending on how much detail and effort one puts into this carbon reduction effort, visualizing a footprint is the first step to creating a mindset for necessary change.

Greenhouse Gas Protocol Take a corporate approach to your home emissions.

Carbon Footprint Calculator a comprehensive guide to a variety of carbon emissions measuring tools.

Nature Conservancy Carbon Calculator This website will give you a starting point, though a more detailed analysis with Greenhouse Gas Protocol methodologies will zero in on exact metrics.

Energy Star Portfolio Manager Create efficiencies within your home or office.

Landscape Water Conservation USDOE guide to reducing water use on landscape applications.

Puget Sound Energy calculators for ownership, energy usage and carbon footprint of owning an electric car.

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Introduction

Part 1 ~ Climate Change: Grand Challenges

Part 2 ~ Climate Change: Framing a Solution

Part 3 ~ Sustainability Framework for Carbon Reduction

Sustainability Framework for Carbon Reduction (entire article)

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My Take on Sustainability: All Linkedin articles

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