Carbon Footprints
Marlowe Kulley
Mike O’Brien
Office of Sustainable Development
What is a “carbon footprint”?



Total carbon emissions of a person or
organization from all sources, both
direct and indirect, over one year.
Direct: burning natural gas in a
furnace
Indirect: using electricity generated
by a coal-fired powerplant
Typical personal carbon sources
Driving a car
 Lights and heat
 Travel
 Food
 Consumer goods
 Building materials

Oregon Electricity Mix
Hydro
44%
Coal
42%
Wind &
Geothermal
Nuclear
3%
Natural Gas
7%
Going on a carbon diet



A Carbon Diet is similar to a food diet
Start by assessing your current
weight (of carbon dioxide)
Calculate a carbon footprint to find
your “current weight” of carbon
dioxide emissions
Going on a carbon diet


Determine your ideal weight
Measure your carbon footprint against
your peers

Determine your ideal carbon footprint

Identify sources of carbon emissions

Reduce by starting with the most
significant sources first
Why would you diet?

CO2 is a significant cause of global warming

Human activity is a significant cause of CO2

CO2 emissions relate to individual choices


Individual initiative is necessary because
market forces or legislation will not be
powerful and timely enough
Each individual should take responsibility for
his or her share of carbon emissions
Or, why not a carbon diet?

Other causes are important

It’s natural, such as volcanos or the sun

Many emissions cannot be attributed to
individuals

Markets or politics will correct human activity

Population growth invalidates the calculations

One cannot limit everyone to equal emissions
The planetary gamble


“If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar
to that on which civilization developed and to
which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate
evidence and ongoing climate change suggest
that CO2 will need to be reduced from its
current 385 ppm to at most 350 ppm.
“If the present overshoot of this target CO2 is
not brief, there is a possibility of seeding
irreversible catastrophic effects.”
Dr. James Hansen, NASA/Goddard Institute for Space Studies, et al
Carbon Footprint (GHG Inventory)

Why do it?
 Understand
risks
 Focus efforts on biggest impacts
 Your employees, customers and
investors care!
Carbon Footprint

Where to start?
1.
Set Boundaries

2.
organizational & operational
Choose Protocol

GHG Protocol created by
WRI/WBCSD
3.
Select tool

Climate Registry, excel spreadsheet
Source: WRI
Business Emissions: Wells Fargo
600,000
500,000
400,000
tons CO2e
300,000
Scope 1
Scope 2
200,000
Scope 3
100,000
0
natural gas
2006 Greenhouse Gas Em issions
fuel oil
electricity
Business air
travel
Business Emissions: REI
Carbon Footprint

Where to start?
1.
Set Boundaries

2.
organizational & operational
Choose Protocol

GHG Protocol created by
WRI/WBCSD
3.
Select tool

Climate Registry, excel spreadsheet
Carbon Footprint

Where to start?
1.
Set Boundaries

2.
organizational & operational
Choose Protocol

GHG Protocol created by
WRI/WBCSD
3.
Select tool

Climate Registry, excel spreadsheet
Most importantly …
 Remember
that doing a carbon
footprint is not a means to an
end – just a tool to help you
focus your efforts on your
greatest source of GHG
emissions!