Lyons Leadership

As most companies need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, so they turn to a carbon footprint calculator. Organizations can now much more easily recognize their greenhouse gas emissions, put in place measures to reduce and then assess benchmarks to see how they are progressing.

Within the past several years, there have been many efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Among them are the U.S. Clean Air Act and The Climate Registry, which is a nonprofit agency that sets uniform standards for calculating, verifying and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. Membership in The Climate Registry is voluntary, however most North American states, provinces, territories and native sovereign nations are participating.

Data about daily facility operations can be entered into a carbon footprint calculator, and this information is expected to contribute greatly to greenhouse gas emission reduction. The main areas playing a major role in harmful gas emissions are energy use, waste generation, purchased materials and transportation.

Harmful gases are thought to remain in our atmosphere for hundreds of years following their emission. As the future health of our planet depends on reduction, it is imperative that businesses measure their carbon footprint accordingly. Research has shown that certain gases deplete the ozone layer and contribute to global warming.

Gases proven to cause most harm to the atmosphere are measured by a carbon footprint calculator. The villains of the piece include carbon dioxide, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons. Scientists believe that these gases contribute to warming, to extreme heat waves, rising sea levels and corresponding harm to all manner of life. Thus immediate action is required to stop these damaging effects.

Under EPA requirements, a business can now use a carbon footprint calculator to identify the extent of their gas emissions, creating a management plan, establish goals and report their findings. Companies that have multiple buildings or locations will find the calculator to be of particular benefit.

Emissions Factors and Global Warming Potential data is entered into a carbon footprint calculator, for each emissions source. For example commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning systems or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. Indirect emissions are also classified and described as being used by a company during its daily operations, but supplied by another source — such as the use of electricity or heat. The total emissions involve reading EF and GWP at each source.

The task of monitoring, tracking and reporting greenhouse gas emissions is a somewhat cumbersome and tedious one. Companies are required to input complex data into a carbon footprint calculator so many companies who use HVAC systems in stores, warehouses, offices or hospitals are turning to computerized refrigerant management programs to help them achieve the task.