MOOC Energie Climat S02E03 : Apprenons à compter le CO2 (2/2) !

Summary

This video guides viewers through the process of conducting a carbon footprint assessment for a campus or organization. It explains essential steps like defining the study's scope, collecting data, and calculating greenhouse gas emissions. Key points include creating a data collection matrix, using emission factors, and organizing efficient meetings with campus staff. The video highlights the importance of accurate data, provides tips on estimating emissions, and emphasizes the iterative nature of the carbon footprint calculation. The video also advises on gathering data from key campus resources and offers strategies for handling difficult-to-collect information.

Takeaways

• 😀 Define the function you're studying, set the perimeter of the study, and choose a reference year for your carbon footprint assessment.
• 😀 Organize your data collection by preparing a collection matrix, which helps track necessary information efficiently.
• 😀 Use a collection matrix to list all relevant data points, such as energy consumption, transportation modes, waste production, etc.
• 😀 Be mindful of the factors of emission you choose for your data—make sure you can find reliable data for them.
• 😀 For data you can't collect directly, use sampling methods or consult available reports and resources to estimate emissions.
• 😀 Key data points for a campus carbon footprint include energy consumption, transportation, waste production, food services, and building materials.
• 😀 Ensure you work with the right people, such as campus managers or sustainability officers, to gather necessary data and support.
• 😀 Using previous reports like energy diagnostics or past carbon footprint reports can make your job easier and more accurate.
• 😀 Emission factors can vary, so always use the most applicable and conservative estimates to avoid underestimating emissions.
• 😀 Check the order of magnitude of your emissions calculations to catch any obvious mistakes and refine your results for accuracy.
• 😀 A carbon footprint assessment is iterative—start with rough estimates and refine the data as you gather more information.

Q & A

What is the first step when starting a carbon footprint assessment?

The first step is to define the function being studied, such as manufacturing pencils or providing education on a campus.

Why is it important to establish a reference year in carbon footprint assessments?

The reference year helps to calculate emissions over a standard period, and it allows for comparison in the future to track the evolution of emissions and improvements over time.

What is the role of a data collection matrix in the carbon footprint assessment process?

The data collection matrix is used to list all the data points that need to be collected, helping to stay organized and efficient during the data gathering phase.

How can emission factors impact the accuracy of a carbon footprint assessment?

Emission factors are crucial as they define the amount of CO2 emitted per unit of activity. Choosing the wrong emission factor can skew the results, so it’s important to select those that match the collected data.

What kind of data is typically collected for a campus carbon footprint assessment?

Data typically includes energy consumption, transportation methods and distances, waste production, food consumption, building specifications, and the usage of consumables like paper or office supplies.

Why is sampling used in data collection for carbon footprint assessments?

Sampling is used when it’s impractical to collect data from everyone. For example, not all campus members can be asked about their transportation habits, so a representative sample is surveyed and the results are extrapolated.

What are some of the key people or departments to contact for data during a campus carbon footprint assessment?

Key contacts include the vice president or director of sustainability, energy managers, the facilities department for building data, the IT department for equipment lists, and the purchasing department for consumables data.

What is the potential issue with adding 'negative emissions' to a carbon footprint calculation?

Negative emissions, like CO2 absorbed by forests, should not be subtracted from the overall emissions calculation because they don’t contribute directly to emission reductions within the studied scope. They can be tracked separately.

What are two key tips for avoiding mistakes when calculating carbon emissions?

First, always check the order of magnitude to ensure the result makes sense. Second, verify that the correct units are used in the calculations to prevent mixing incompatible measurement types.

How should the data on building emissions be treated in a carbon footprint assessment?

For buildings, emissions related to construction are spread out over the building’s lifespan (typically 20 years) to avoid inflating the emissions for the year it was built. The same method is used for equipment and vehicles.