Our discussion on carbon foot printing began last month (S&DG, July 2010) with the discussion regarding greenhouse gas emissions. (GHG). As stated in the June article, carbon foot printing is really the process to assess report and verify greenhouse gas emissions. And this assessment process can occur at both the product and facility level. It is not unusual to see advertising stating the carbon footprint of a particular product. In fact, in Europe, this type of advertising is quite popular with the general public. The question remains regarding the structure of the assessment process as well as the validation of the footprint in question.

 

DRAFT STANDARDS COMING

The International Standards Organization (ISO) is working on draft standards providing the principles and framework requirements for the quantification of a carbon footprint for a product. Under this standard, ISO defines carbon footprint as “weighted sum of greenhouse gas emissions and greenhouse gas removals of a process, a system of processes, or a product system, expressed in CO2 equivalents.” 

 

A partial carbon footprint is the “carbon footprint of selected processes of a product system.” The development of this international standard is critical as it will set the needed framework for determining the boundaries for the assessment of GHG emissions. It is vital to point out that although this standard is still in the draft stage, the quantification of the carbon footprint is based on a life cycle assessment methodology contained in set of ISO standards, 14040, Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment-Principles and Framework; and 14044, Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment-Requirements and Guidelines. A life cycle analysis does ask you to take into consideration the life cycle of a product when assessing the carbon footprint. This includes raw material acquisition, production and use, as well as end of life operations. 

 

SEEKING METHODOLOGY

SGIA is participating, as a non voting member, on an ISO working group that is seeking to develop a methodology for developing a carbon footprint methodology for the printing industry. This work has just begun so it is unclear as to the time frame for availability. However, all these efforts point to the need to establish a methodology that can be used to establish baselines for not only products, put processes. It is important that all work from the same page or run the risk of inadvertent greenwashing.

 

This inadvertent greenwashing becomes evident when companies tout carbon neutrality. Carbon neutrality, or having a net zero carbon footprint, refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions. This involves balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset, or buying enough carbon credits to make up the difference. While there are printing companies claiming carbon neutrality, one must remember that a standard methodology does not exist. There are guidelines available, but they have not been adopted by the industry at large. 

 

To be considered carbon neutral, an organization must reduce its carbon footprint to zero. Determining what to include in the carbon footprint depends upon the organization and the standards they are following. Generally, direct emissions sources must be reduced and offset completely, while indirect emissions from purchased electricity can be reduced with renewable energy purchases.

 

Direct emissions include all pollution from manufacturing, company owned vehicles and reimbursed travel, livestock and any other source that is directly controlled by the owner. Indirect emissions include all emissions that result from the use or purchase of a product. For instance, the direct emissions of an airline are all the jet fuel that is burned, while the indirect emissions include manufacture and disposal of airplanes, all the electricity used to operate the airline’s office, and the daily emissions from employee travel to and from work. 

 

In another example, the power company has a direct emission of greenhouse gas, while the office that purchases it considers it an indirect emission. While the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) program does not specifically address the issue of carbon neutrality or carbon foot printing in its current certification criteria, it is quite possible that the next version will address both these issues.

 

CARBON NEUTRALITY

Achieving carbon neutrality often requires the purchase and use of carbon offsets. Simply stated, a carbon offset is a financial instrument aimed at a reduction in GHG emissions. Carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) and may represent six primary categories of greenhouse gases. One carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases. A word of caution if purchasing carbon offsets. It is critical that you know who you are buying from and that the offsets are credible. When seeking to buy offsets, do not be afraid to dig deep. Remember, it is your company’s reputation on the line.

 

Check to see if their offsets are certified. Is there a process in place that provides third party certification and verification of their offset programs. Are the offsets permanent? Are the offsets verifiable? Again, these should be elements of their offset certification program. Finally, does the organization offer a choice of projects for your offsets? This may not be a deal breaker, but these are your offsets. Choices may include renewable energy, energy efficiency and carbon credits, or reforestation projects. 

 

Carbon foot printing as a sustainability tool is here for the long haul. While today no distinct boundaries exist specific for the printing industry, we shall movement in the not so distant future. In the meantime, there are steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint. Not only through the use of offsets but through onsite energy audits as well as adopting a Sustainability Management System that encourages the consideration of all aspects of a facility’s operation.