Low Carbon Learning (User V1)

Craig SimmonsTechnical Director

Low Carbon Learning

and Communications

Source: Marland, G., T.A. Boden, and R. J. Andres. 2003

Our Carbon Footprint is Rising

Source: IPCC 4th Assessment report (February 2007)

Change in Temperature, Sea Level &

Northern Hemisphere Snow Cover.

“11 of the last 12 years (1995 -2006) rank among the 12 warmest… since 1850.”

Source: Marland, G., T.A. Boden, and R. J. Andres. 2003

Action is needed…

Climate change by degrees

Probably unavoidable(>350 ppm CO2)

Emissions peak 2015 (400ppm CO2)

Emissions peak 2030 (450ppm CO2)

Emissions peak 2050 (550ppm CO2)

Emissions peak > 2050(>650ppm CO2)

Amazon carbon f/b loop

Arctic ice-albedo f/b loop

Siberian methane f/b

Ocean methane hydrate release

Elimination of most life

1°

2°

3°

4°

5°

Source: Lynas (2007) Six Degrees : our future on a hotter planet (figures based on 75% certainty)

Source: Brooks & Adger (Ambio, In Press)

Global Frequency of Climate-related Disasters

Human dimension often forgotten

Source: MOSUS project www.mosus.net

Global Use of Resources (1980 - 2002)

Carbon not the only issue…

Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005 www.millenniumassessment.org

“nearly two thirds of the services provided by nature to human-kind are found to be in decline worldwide”

Year of Peak Fish HarvestHarvest peak

Pre-peak

Post-peak

Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and Sea Around Us project

Year of Peak Fish HarvestHarvest peak

Pre-peak

Post-peak

Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and Sea Around Us project

Year of Peak Fish HarvestHarvest peak

Pre-peak

Post-peak

Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and Sea Around Us project

At the moment, we are using 30% more than the Earth can

sustainably provide.Source: Global Footprint Network / Best Foot Forward

Rising to 100% by 2050 (unless we act).

Source: Global Footprint Network / Best Foot Forward

Nations & Regions

OrganisationProject /event

Product Person

International footprinting

standards

IPCCEurostat

WBCSD/WRI; ISO 14064

PAS2050; (WBCSD);

Legislative drivers

Kyoto; EU targets; Climate

Change Act; NI186; PSA 27; RTFO

EU-ETS; Climate Change Act; CCA; CRC;

NI 185

Climate Change Act

EU Directives (e.g. EuP); CCL; Code

for Sustainable

Homes

Personal carbon

allowances?

‘alphabet soup’ of policies

UK policy response framed by carbon budget

Source: Committee on Climate Change 2008

Carbon reduction trajectory to 2050

Source: Committee on Climate Change 2008

Key challenges for organisations

A Case Study:

• business travel vs. video-conferencing

Client: GLA• Home-working (webcam) • Use of professional VC equipment• Compared with mixed mode business

travel

Current commuting; CO2/mode

average footprint:

422kgCO2/person

Homeworking vs. commuting(kgCO2/year)

Current business travel; CO2/mode

average footprint:

42kgCO2/person

video-conferencing vs. business travel(kgCO2/trip)

Carbon ‘break even’ point by mode (total staff business travel km/yr and VC)

Other opportunities…

• Modal switch

• Technology

• Demand management

Fortunately, there are tools to help you…

www.footprinter.com

Questions/challengesWhat CO2 reductions do you think would be

‘fair’ for your operations?

What are the business implications of operating in a more resource-constrained world?

Could you reduce supply chain CO2 per unit of output by 80% by 2050?

How do you plan to sustainably manage growth?

What combination of demand management, technology & efficiency improvements will work best for you?

How can you minimise the cost per tonne of CO2 avoided?