Greenhouse Gas Assessment for the Young NTUC Run 350

March 20th 2010

Pulau Ubin
 CONTENTS


1 Introduction 


2 Assessment
methodology



3 Data



4 Results
for
organisational
GHG
assessment
5 Analysis
and
Recommendations

6 References







appendix
1
‐
glossary


.
 1
Why
Carry
Out
a
Greenhouse
Gas
Assessment?


Climate change is one of the most complex challenges today. No country is immune,
and no country alone can take on the interconnected challenges posed by climate
change with its daunting technological requirements, and far reaching global
consequences.

It is developing countries will bear the brunt of the effects of climate change, even as
they strive to overcome poverty and advance economic growth. For these countries,
climate change threatens to deepen vulnerabilities, erode hard-won gains, and
seriously undermine their prospects for development.

In response to the international call to take action on climate change, business

leaders are actively exploring, developing, and probing new ways to manage their
environmental impact. 


So what action can Asian companies take in order to achieve the goals of
sustainable development? In Europe and elsewhere, companies from various
sectors have found that by calculating their “carbon footprints,” they have effectively
taken the first step to tackle climate change while achieving cost savings and even
breaking into new markets. A carbon footprint is defined by the UK Carbon Trust as
“the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an
[individual, event, organisation, product] expressed as CO2 equivalents (UK Carbon
Trust 2008).”

According to the World Business Council and the World Resources Institute,
companies increasingly will need to understand and manage their GHG risks in order
to maintain their license to operate, to ensure long-term success in a competitive
business environment, and to comply with national or regional policies aimed at
reducing corporate GHG emissions (WBCSD/WRI 2004).

1.2


Objectives
of
Run
350
Greenhouse
Gas
Assessment


By conducting a GHG assessment, Young NTUC can establish accurate and reliable
GHG emissions baselines (carbon footprints) associated with Run 350.

Once the GHG emissions baseline is determined, Young NTUC can use the results
to recommend improvements for further such event footprints. A carbon
management system may include further initiatives such as target setting to reduce
GHG emissions by a certain percentage for the next event, and implementing
mitigation activities.

Run 350 arranged by Young NTUC, aims to raise awareness about the 350
movement, 350 being the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit
for carbon dioxide—measured in "Parts Per Million" in our atmosphere. 350 ppm is
the number humanity needs to get back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway
climate change. Currently it stands at 387 ppm.
 2 Assessment
Methodology


2.1
 General
Procedure

The assessment methodology used here follows the reporting principles and
guidelines provided by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol published by the World
Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Resources Institute
(WBCSD/WRI Protocol).

In line with the WBCSD/WRI Protocol, the following procedure to undertake a GHG
Assessment has been established:
1. Establishment of the assessment boundaries
2. Collection of client data.
3. Evaluation of data quality and of client data sources.
4. Calculation of emissions.
5. Analysis of results.
6. Determination of suitable recommendations for future action.

In practice there is some overlap between steps 1 and 2 as building the product
lifecycle map follows directly from the analysis of the materials and supply chain
processes. Similarly, there is some overlap between steps 3 and 4 as defining the
emissions sources which are included is to some extent determined by the
availability of data, and the decision as to setting boundaries for lifecycle analysis of
a product.

The assessment procedure and a summary of results are presented in the main text
of the report.

A glossary of climate change terms is found in Appendix I

2.2
 Greenhouse
Gases
‐
Overview

A Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment can include all six greenhouse gases
covered by the Kyoto Protocol. The six Kyoto gases are carbon dioxide (CO 2),
methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), perfluorocarbons
(PFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

The global warming potential (GWP) of each greenhouse gas may be expressed in
CO2 equivalents (see Table 1). For those gases with a high global warming potential,
a relatively small emission can have a considerable impact.
Table 1. The global warming potential of the Kyoto gases

Kyoto Gas GWP*

Carbon dioxide (CO2) 1 *Note that the 'global
warming capacity' of a gas
Methane (CH4) 23
is its relative potential
Nitrous Oxide (N2O) 296
contribution to climate
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) 22000 change over a 100 year
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) 4,800-9,200 period, where CO2 = 1
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) 12-12,000

2.3
 Organisational
Boundaries
–
Run
350

For the purpose of this GHG assessment, Young NTUC set the organisational
boundaries. The activities included in the assessment of Run 350’s management
operations include:
• Public transport of participants and organisers on the day of the event
• Bumboat transport of participants and organisers from pier to Pulau Ubin and
return journey
• Organisers’ travel to prepare for the event
• T-shirt for each participant (and organiser)
• Refreshment and paper cup, along with packaging
• 8 canvas banners, 3m x 0.8m

2.4
 Reporting
Approach

The Greenhouse Gas Assessments is based on estimates of material and energy
consumption from which estimates of emissions can be derived, by the application of
relevant conversion factors (i.e. amount of CO2 produced per unit of fuel consumed).
This approach is considered the most pragmatic, since the quantity of key
greenhouse gases produced in most combustion and manufacturing processes is
well understood.

The validity of all estimates depends on the accuracy, relevance and completeness
of the data provided by the client and on the conversion factors used. The approach
is to set out as clearly as possible all the assumptions made, so that the report is as
transparent as possible and the estimate of emissions is founded on 'best evidence'.

For organisational GHG assessments, TGAG follows the WBCSD/WRI protocol

which calls for a three scope reporting framework. Scope 1 covers direct GHG
emissions from company owned vehicles and facilities. Scope 2 includes net indirect
emissions from energy imports and exports, particularly imported and exported
electricity and steam.

Scope 3 includes other indirect GHG emissions such as employee business travel,
product transport by third parties, outsourcing of core activities and off-site waste
disposal/management activities. All activities and their associated GHG producing
activities are outlined, and classified according to the appropriate scope.
The WBCSD/WRI Protocol recommends that Scopes 1 and 2 are reported as a
minimum. For a comprehensive assessment of total climate change impact, relevant
Scope 3 activities will also be included in this assessment.
 3 Data







3.1
 Data
Sources
and
Quality

The collection of the data, upon which the emissions calculations were based, was
co-ordinated by The Green Asia Group along with Ang Jia Da of Young NTUC.

The data collection periods used related to the time period prior to and the day of the
run on 20th March 2010.

3.2
 Data
Assumptions

The fundamental assumption underlying the assessment is that all data provided by
Young NTUC personnel is as accurate and as complete as possible, given shortness
of data collection time period.

The following assumptions are made:

The generator, size unknown, but estimated at no larger than 220V, is of household
size rather than industrial size, using 2 litres diesel per hour, and running for a
maximum of 5 hours.

A T-shirt weighs approximately .25kg, with the GHG emissions taken into account
from cradle-to-gate. The manufacture of a dri-fit T-shirt incurs exchanges of materials
with the environment at all stages from the production of cotton/polyester and dyes,
the spinning of yarn, knitting and sewing up of the garment through to it being
packaged for sale. The GHG emissions calculated for this assessment do not take
into account the emissions produced during the subsequent life of the product, which
depends on use by the recipient. Nor has there been an indication of where the item
has been manufactured. The footprint thus given assumes the lower end figure for a
polyester dri-fit T-shirt. The size of a T-shirt's carbon footprint also depends on how
frequently it is washed, and the manner in which it is washed and dried. Over the
lifecycle, around 75 per cent of the T-shirt's carbon footprint will be caused by
machine washing and drying.

The organisers have requested that all plastic, paper and cardboard is to be
recycled, and therefore the GHG emissions for these items are subtracted from the
total emissions. TGAG used an emissions factor of zero for recycled waste as the
emissions associated with recycling are attributed to the product which is made from
the recycled material and not to the product which is recycled.

Very little recycled paper is used to make paper cups because of contamination
concerns and regulations. Most paper cups are coated with plastic, thus both
composting and recycling of paper cups is uncommon. However, as there is no
indication of composition of the paper cups used, for the purpose of this assessment,
recycling is assumed, and the footprint of the item is therefore subtracted from the
total emissions.

Participants were urged to travel by public transport. For the purpose of this
assessment, it is assumed that both participants and organisers travelled both to the
venue and back home by public transport, with an average one-way journey of 10km.

Boat travel took into account the fact that each person travelled both to Pulau Ubin
and back to the mainland, a distance of 2km for each journey. Each boat
accommodated 12 persons. The return of an empty boat from Pulau Ubin to the
mainland to pick up another 12 persons has not been included as part of the GHG
emissions calculations.
4 Results
for
Organisational
GHG


Assessment
of
Run
350


The results of the carbon footprint of Run 350 are presented for the three different
scopes outlined by the WBCSD.

Scope 1 covers direct GHG emissions, in this case the use of a generator. Scope 2
includes net indirect emissions from energy imports and exports, particularly
imported and exported electricity and steam.

Scope 3 includes other indirect GHG emissions such as production of items used
during the event – t-shirts, plastic bottles, packaging.

TGAG estimates that during the event the GHG emissions associated with the event
activities were approximately 6.080 tonnes of CO2E after deducting emissions for
recycled products.

Percentage
CO2e of total
emissions CO2e
Source of emissions Scope (tonnes) emissions
Generated electricity Scope 1 0.023 0%
Purchased electricity Scope 2 0 0%
Sub-total 0.023 0%
Boat travel participants 0.488 8%
Boat travel organisers 0.177 3%
Public transport 1.83 29%
T-shirt LCA cradle-to-gate 3.5 56%
Scope 3
Plastic bottles LCA 0.104 2%
Paper cup LCA 0.07 1%
Packaging LCA 0.007 0%
Canvas Banner 0.062 1%
Sub-total 6.238 100%
Total 6.261
Recycling of plastic bottles -0.104
Recycling of paper cup -0.07
Recycling of packaging -0.007
Sub-total -0.181
Total taking recycling into account 6.080 100.00%
 5
5.1
 Analysis



Analysis
and
Recommendations




The largest source of CO2e emissions was the LCA of a T-shirt from cradle-to-gate.
Were the LCA to include the subsequent emissions for use by wearer, then the
emissions per T-shirt would increase from 3.5kg / T-shirt to 73.35kg / T-shirt.

Public transport was the next highest source of GHG emissions, at 1.83 tonnes, with
the assumption that no participants or organisers used private transport.

The boat travel, 0.665 tonnes, is unavoidable for this event, held as it was on a small
island. Pulau Ubin, one of the last rural areas to be found in Singapore, with an
abundance of natural flora and fauna, is one of the last areas in Singapore that has
been preserved from urban development, concrete buildings and tarmac roads.

Pulau Ubin reinforces the primary aim of Run 350, being to raise awareness of what
350 means, as Singaporeans are generally unaware of the importance of this
number and the existing 350 movement.

Although the emissions for plastic and paper was small, 0.181 tonnes, the use of
such items, often not recycled should still be reduced. Approximately 25% of
emissions are saved by the use of recycled materials for new products. There is the
possibility that a knowledge that a plastic item may be recycled may lead to
complacency, rather than eliminating the item altogether.

5.2
 Recommendations

• For future assessments Young NTUC should implement an internal system for
recording and submitting the data required for a GHG Assessment. This would
improve the ease and efficiency of data collection and the accuracy of future
emissions assessments.
• Young NTUC should review its emissions profile for similar events so that any
changes in emissions can be monitored. This will allow an emissions baseline to be
established, against which targets can be set and progress can be monitored.
• Young NTUC can set overall targets to reduce GHG emissions by looking at the
GHG emissions for each item independently.
• Young NTUC must ensure that less one-off use items are used. Over 6.5 million
trees were cut down to make 16 billion paper cups used by US consumers in 2006,
using 4 billion gallons of water and resulting in 253 million pounds of waste. The loss
of natural habitat potential from the paper coffee cup (16 ounce) with a sleeve is
estimated to be .09 square meters. Paper cups may be replaced by biodegradable
corn cups. Sponsors could be sought who supply each person with a reusable plastic
bottle, or participants could be requested to bring their own. This would reduce the
amount of paper cups used.
• Young NTUC needs to look at the use of plastic bottles for providing refreshments for
participants. Plastic bottles provided both water and cordial for the participants.
According to the Pacific Institute, the total amount of energy embedded in the use of
bottled water is the equivalent of filling a plastic bottle one quarter full of oil. The high
price of bottled water is not the water but, in actuality, the cost of the bottling,
packaging, shipping, marketing, retailing and transporting it all over the globe.
• Young NTUC needs to look at how best to provide T-shirts for the participants, as the
highest emissions are those produced by the manufacture of a cotton or polyester T-
shirt. Today’s textile industry is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gases on
Earth, due to the huge size and scope of the industry as well as the many processes
and products that go into the making of textiles and finished textile products. Both
cotton and polyester production is energy consuming. New Dri-fit products are now
being produced that use recycled plastic thus reducing the overall footprint. Nike is
sourcing plastic bottles from Japanese and Taiwanese landfill sites and then melting
them down to produce new yarn that is ultimately converted to fabric for the jerseys.
This process reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions by up to 30 per
cent compared with producing shirts from virgin polyester, while also limiting the
need for fresh raw materials. Nike also claims that using recycled polyester stops
nearly 13 million plastic bottles, totaling nearly 254,000kg of polyester waste, being
sent to landfill.
• Another material to consider is bamboo, which has been experiencing a major boom
in popularity among environmentally conscientious people lately – but not without
controversy. Bamboo is an amazing grass because it naturally does not require the
use of pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals to be grown successfully, thus is a
major winner over organic cotton which requires immense amounts of water and the
production of polyester which is energy consuming during the production of the yarn.
There is a definite caveat regarding bamboo and chemicals, however. While no
chemicals are needed to grow the plant itself, chemicals do come into play during the
process that turns bamboo grass into bamboo fabric. Chemical manufacturing is the
only inexpensive method to mass produce bamboo fabric with current technology.
However, new methods are constantly being sought in order that less reliance on
chemicals is used, which will make bamboo fabric the least damaging to the
environment.
• Hopefully, the banners made can be stored and reused for a further event, thus
decreasing the emissions associated with the banners for the next event.
References

Carbon Trust: Product carbon footprinting: the new business opportunity


Facts and Fiction around Ingeo™ Biopolymer

The Carbon Trust. (Online) July 3, 2008.

<http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/solutions/CarbonFootprinting/what_is_a_carbon_footp
rint.htm>.

PAS 2050:2008

World Development Report 2010: Development and Climate Change

ISO 14064: an emerging standard on Greenhouse Gas accounting and verification

Ecological Footprint Standards 2009

Carbon Offsets: Saviour or cop-out? Australia Institute for a just, sustainable,

peaceful future

WBCSD/WRI 2004 Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and

Reporting Standard – Revised Edition. World Business Council for Sustainable
Development, Geneva and World Resources Institute, Washington.

Guidelines for Social Life Cycle Assessment of Products.UNEP

Asian Development Bank: The Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia: A

Regional Review

World Development Report 2010: Development and Climate Change

Appendix
I
­
Glossary

Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e). The universal unit of measurement used to indicate the
global warming potential (GWP) of each of the 6 Kyoto greenhouse gases. It is used to
evaluate the impacts of releasing (or avoiding the release of) different greenhouse gases.
Climate change. A change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human
activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural
climate variability over comparable time periods (Source: United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change).
Control. The ability of a company to direct the operating policies of a facility or organisation.
Usually, if the company owns more than 50% of the voting interests, this implies control. The
holder of the operating licence often exerts control, however, holding the operating licence is
not a sufficient criteria for being able to direct the operating policies of a facility or
organisation. In practice, the actual exercise of dominant influence itself is enough to satisfy
the definition of control without requiring any formal power or ability through which it arises.
Direct emissions. Emissions that are produced by organisation-owned equipment or
emissions from organisation-owned premises, such as carbon dioxide from electricity
generators, gas boilers and vehicles, or methane from landfill sites.
Equity share. The percentage of economic interest in/benefit derived from an organisation.
Global warming The continuous gradual rise of the earth's surface temperature thought to be
caused by the greenhouse effect and responsible for changes in global climate patterns (see
also Climate Change).
Global Warming Potential (GWP) The GWP is an index that compares the relative potential
(to CO2) of the 6 greenhouse gases to contribute to global warming i.e. the additional
heat/energy which is retained in the Earth’s ecosystem through the release of this gas into the
atmosphere. The additional heat/energy impact of all other greenhouse gases are compared
with the impacts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and referred to in terms of a CO2 equivalent (CO2e)
e.g. Carbon dioxide has been designated a GWP of 1, Methane has a GWP of 21.
Greenhouse gases. The current IPCC inventory includes six major greenhouse gases.
These are Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous oxide (N2O), Hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
IPCC. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A special intergovernmental body
established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World
Meteorological Organisation (WMO) to provide assessments of the results of climate change
research to policy makers. The Greenhouse Gas Inventory Guidelines are being developed
under the auspices of the IPCC and will be recommended for use by parties to the
Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Indirect emissions. Emissions that are a consequence of the activities of the reporting
company but occur from sources owned or controlled by another organisation or individual.
They include all outsourced power generation (e.g. electricity, hot water), outsourced services
(e.g. waste disposal, business travel, transport of company-owned goods) and outsourced
manufacturing processes. Indirect emissions also cover the activities of franchised companies
and the emissions associated with downstream and/or upstream manufacture, transport and
disposal of products used by the organisation, referred to as product life-cycle emissions.
Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol originated at the 3rd Conference of the Parties (COP) to
the United Nations Convention on Climate Change held in Kyoto, Japan in December 1997. It
specifies the level of emission reductions, deadlines and methodologies that signatory
countries (i.e. countries who have signed the Kyoto Protocol) are to achieve.