PowerPoint Presentation

Sustainability ReportingSection 5: Carbon ManagementClick anywhere to move to the next slide

Carbon Management PlansWhy are they required?

How is waste incorporated?

What is changing when including waste?Click anywhere to move to the next slide

Carbon Management in contextKey step to meet the Duties under the Climate Change (Scotland) ActAlmost all Scottish Public Bodies have a Carbon Management Plan (around 150 in total)

Key components of a Carbon Management Plan:Carbon baselineCarbon reduction targetProject plan to meet targetGovernance and reportingClick anywhere to move to the next slide

Waste within Carbon Management PlansAs a minimum, the Carbon Management Plan includes internal waste; Councils include MSW

Included in:Carbon baselineCarbon reduction targetProject plan to meet targetClick anywhere to move to the next slide

Assessing the baseline (1)Estimate of tonnes

If (1) own waste:Based on waste surveyEstimate from volume of bins and uplift frequency

If (2) entire MSW collection:From reports to SEPA

(2) Is much more accurate than (1)Click anywhere to move to the next slide

Assessing the baseline (2)(1) From own premises and processesTypically 1%-6% of total baseline

or

(2) For Councils from entire MSW collectionTypically 30%-35% of total baselineClick anywhere to move to the next slide

Assessing the baseline (3)Carbon Trust emissions factor:447 kgCO2e/tonne

Not a fixed factor (unlike for gas, oil, etc.)

Based on aggregation of different aspects:Waste composition into landfillLandfill capacityElectricity generation rates from landfillFugitive emissions from landfillClick anywhere to move to the next slide

Assessing the baseline (4)Each aspect has changed:Composition of waste sent to landfill (increased recycling)

Improved landfill site management (lower fugitive emissions)

Increased levels of electricity generation (from landfill gas, encouraged by incentives)

Zero Waste Plan (waste segregation, landfill bans on biodegradable material)Click anywhere to move to the next slide

Assessing the baseline (5)So 447 kgCO2e/tonne no longer a representative emissions factor for waste

Ideally move to using the Carbon Metric, but this has complications (as outlined earlier)

However, updated values for use in Carbon Management Plans are now being developedClick anywhere to move to the next slide

Assessing the baseline (6)Options include:

Scottish Mixed Household Waste to Landfill (HH)= 322 kgCO2e/tonne

Scottish Mixed Commercial & Industrial Waste to Landfill (C&I)= 299 kgCO2e/tonneClick anywhere to move to the next slide

Assessing the baseline (7)Should Public Sector organisations adopt the Commercial & Industrial or the Household factors for Carbon Management Plan reporting?Click anywhere to move to the next slide

Assessing the baseline (8)HH waste to landfill= 322 kgCO2e/tonne

C&I waste to landfill= 299 kgCO2e/tonne

Two significant differences:PlasticPaper & CardboardClick anywhere to move to the next slide

Baseline Example (1)Council includes MSW in the baselineRevised to use HH factor

Waste emissions = -28%Total emissions = -9%Click anywhere to move to the next slide

Baseline Example (2)College includes own waste in the baselineRevised to use C&I factor

Waste emissions = -33%Total emissions = -2%Click anywhere to move to the next slide

ImplicationsWill need careful explanation to internal and external stakeholders

Resist the temptation to claim a 9% reduction!

Need to reassess target and projects at the same time

Zero Waste Scotland plan guidance on this topicClick anywhere to move to the next slide

Revising the targetTarget must be on the same calculation basis as the baseline

Typically, targets set top-down:e.g. 20% reduction by 2015

So resetting the baseline has a simple knock-on impactClick anywhere to move to the next slide

Revising the project detailsMay be same basis as baseline and target

But large investment projects should use the full Carbon Metric, as recommended in the Zero Waste Plan

Will need to convert to the same approach as the baseline and target

Potential for confusion at this stage?Click anywhere to move to the next slide

In Summary Reviewed the policy context

Introduced the principles behind the Carbon Metric

Provided examples of the Carbon Metric in use

Introduced a new way to include waste within Carbon Management PlansClick anywhere to move to the next slide

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