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Emissions Blog Posts
The concept of emissions management progressed from the realm of the environmentalist through society to the business board room. The progressive organizations are shifting away from traditional business to adopt sustainability.
Carbon Emissions Data
Carbon Emissions Data Shows a Reduction, But is Qualified
If any good can come out of what will surely be classified as one of the most impactful global recessions of all time, it may be the fact that the emission of harmful greenhouse gases fell substantially during the year 2008. This can be attributed in large part to the worldwide economic slowdown as well as to relatively high oil prices present during the first part of that year.
While economic cycles have modified abnormally high oil prices, the recession, while losing its grip during the second half of 2009, is likely to restrict overall consumption and may point to an overall flattening of global CO2 emissions during this calendar year.
Data released by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (NEAA) shows that emissions attributed to fossil fuels and cement production rose by only 1.7% in 2008, as opposed to a figure of 3.3% the previous year. While such an improvement would be very welcome if it were able to be maintained long-term, it appears that the measures to contain greenhouse gas emissions may not have played a major role in this achievement.
The economic recession really took hold during 2008 and resulted in a significant reduction in consumption of oil, a very rare occurrence and one which was led by consumer retrenchment in the United States. Meanwhile in China, a significant and growing contributor to the overall problem, oil consumption, rose but at a lesser rate (3% instead of an average of 8%).
Carbon Emissions are Contributed Mainly by Fossil Fuels
While global emissions from fossil fuel and cement production account for a considerable proportion of the problem, other elements such as deforestation are still on the increase and in the developed world account for a sizable release of GHGs.
One of the major findings of the NEAA's carbon emissions data report is likely to trouble environmentalists everywhere. CO2 emissions in the countries of the developing world now exceed those of the developed world and this will cause additional friction and pose significant hurdles to a post-Kyoto Protocol initiative down the road.
Data Indicating Reduced Carbon Emissions Does Not Necessarily Imply Initiatives on GHG Reductions are Done Worldwide
Traditionally, developing nations have been adverse to the embracement of significant greenhouse gas emission constraints and restrictions due to a perceived threat to the welfare of their people.
While a decrease in emissions is always welcome, it will undoubtedly create difficulties as we try to analyze carbon emissions data for the years 2008 and 2009. It is difficult to differentiate between renewable energy initiatives and any improvements in energy efficiency across the board as the results are intertwined with the net effects of unusually high oil prices and the worldwide recession.
About Verisae
Verisae helps measure, manage and reduce equipment and energy costs including the related business and environmental impacts of carbon emissions. The Sustainability Resource Planning (“SRP”) software platform improves operational efficiency, protects brand integrity and helps ensure regulatory compliance for distributed enterprises across many industries. Verisae delivers a broad range of sustainability solutions to dozens of clients globally with thousands of daily users including an extended network of third-party suppliers. Verisae’s integrated sustainability platform actively tracks millions of assets across thousands of sites worldwide.
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