Article date:14 October 2011
Written by:Hayley Humberstone
With the launch of the GHG Protocol standards for Corporate supply chain (Scope 3) and product Life Cycle standards, there is now an harmonised and consistent approach providing a robust global foundation for carbon accounting and reporting which will allow businesses to hold to a clear path of measurement, reduction and reporting. The new standards, developed by the WRI and WBCSD and road tested by Sustain, will help companies to
- Identify GHG emissions reduction opportunities, set reduction targets and track performance
- Engage suppliers and other supply chain partners in GHG management and sustainability
- Enhance stakeholder information and corporate through public reporting
The standards will therefore enable companies to save money, reduce risks and gain competitive advantage.
Large and small companies can now look strategically at
greenhouse gas emissions across their supply chain, often referred
to as the 'treasure chest' for savings, and identify where the
biggest savings can be made. This is crucial to organisations
wanting to drive down emissions, and many have already started to
axe suppliers who fail to address this.
http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2111961/multinationals-threaten-axe-firms-fail-cut-carbon?WT.rss_f=Home&WT.rss_a=Multinationals+threaten+to+axe+firms+that+fail+to+cut+carbon&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Including Nestle (
https://s3.amazonaws.com/ethicalcorp/engaging_suppliers2010/ware.html)
The use of these new standards have been supported by key organisations such as:
- The consumer good forum
- The Sustainability consortium
- The global e-sustainability initiative
With the product life cycle standard also announced, companies
will have the data needed to identify and address areas to improve
and design new products and provide insights for more informed
consumer choice. Companies need to start acting to unlock the
potential and value that product carbon footprinting can hold. Not
just to become resource efficient but to reduce bottom line costs.
With public procurement, competition and legislation also adding to
the pressure, now could be the 'tipping point' needed to bring
carbon footprinting to the main stream.
Organisations such Tesco, who have engaged with product carbon
footprint on a large scale benefited enormously from the
exercise.
The GHG Protocol product life cycle standard is likely to mean the end of UK PAS 2050. A new revision of the UK standard was recently published which principally aims to align with the GHG protocol. The Carbon Trust Footprinting verification company have recently launched a new verification service designed to verify product carbon footprint assessment to the GHG Protocol. This adds to the importance of this new standard
The GHG protocol standards were developed through a global multi-stakeholder process, building on best practice and business experience. These standards will make a significant contribution to reduce GHG emissions globally.
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