Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases are a critical factor for our world...
Today, we'll talk about how we're affecting our planet, how this happens, what we should do, and where your company stands in this journey.
Ready? Let's begin...
What Are Greenhouse Gases?
Types of Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that trap some of the sun's reflected radiation, preventing it from escaping back into space. This process is known as the greenhouse effect. Excessive increases in greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere from human activity drive global warming and climate change.
The Kyoto Protocol defines six main categories of greenhouse gases: CO2 (the largest share), CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, and SF6. These gases can occur naturally in the atmosphere or be produced by human activity, and each has a different greenhouse effect potential.
The Impact of Greenhouse Gases on Climate
We have long been physically feeling the impact of greenhouse gases on our climate. Most of us know this as global warming. But the effects of greenhouse gases don't stop there:
- Rising sea levels
- Ocean acidification
- Disruption of ecosystems and biodiversity
- Declining water resources
- Loss of biodiversity
- Disrupted agriculture
We could continue expanding this list. This process is connected like a chain, and we must first bring this chain under control and then break it at its source.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and GHG Inventory
Greenhouse gas emissions refer to the amount of greenhouse gases released into or absorbed from the atmosphere. A greenhouse gas emission inventory is a technical report in which organizations — or a specific operational area — quantify their greenhouse gas emissions and absorption in line with international standards. This inventory covers emission sources, volumes, and the time period in which emissions occurred.
Creating and managing a greenhouse gas emission inventory is done using a range of international standards and guidelines:
- GHG Protocol — Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard
- ISO 14064 — Greenhouse gases: requirements for quantifying, reporting, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) — Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories
Reducing and Controlling Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is critical, and it can be achieved through energy savings, improving energy efficiency, expanding the use of renewable energy, and implementing carbon-neutral projects. These methods can significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere by cutting fossil fuel consumption and shifting to cleaner energy options. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower have strong potential to minimize the carbon footprint. By improving energy efficiency through technological innovation in buildings, industry, and transport, we can reduce energy consumption and, in turn, greenhouse gas emissions.
How Can Organizations Exporting to the European Union (EU) Calculate Their GHG Emissions?
Naturally, with CarbonSmart :)
Considering all its existing processes, the European Union is a global leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fighting climate change. The EU has established a system regulating carbon markets known as the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and has set emission reduction targets for facilities with greenhouse gas emissions trading within the EU. These companies must comply with specific standards for both their exports and imports. The calculation and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions must be carried out in line with these rules and standards.
- Identifying emission sources: The first step is to identify the sources of greenhouse gas emissions that result from the organization's activities. These can include fossil fuel use, industrial processes, livestock, deforestation, and synthetic fertilizer use.
- Selecting emission calculation methods: Once emission sources have been identified, appropriate methods must be chosen for quantifying emissions from those sources. The EU provides specific methodologies and emission factors for these calculations.
- Data collection and calculation: The organization must collect the data needed to calculate greenhouse gas emissions from these sources. This can include data from fuel consumption, production processes, waste management, and other relevant activities.
- Verification: Under the EU ETS, organizations' emission reports must be verified by verifiers accredited by EU member country accreditation bodies. This is an important step in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of reports.
- Reporting: Verified emission data must be reported to the relevant EU bodies in the format and on the schedule defined by the EU. This reporting is used to monitor and evaluate progress toward emission reduction targets.
Turkish companies exporting to the EU need to put the processes above in place.
CarbonSmart is right by your side. With our technical infrastructure and a team with deep expertise in sustainability, we provide technology support throughout all of these processes. You can handle all of them on a single platform and — in the very near future — take advantage of reduction opportunities once you reach the reduction phase of your carbon footprint.
(The linear reduction factor set for the ETS in 2024 is planned to rise to 4.5% in 2026 and to 4.6% after 2029. This is expected to reduce emissions within ETS scope by 63% in 2030 compared to 2005 levels.)
What Does the EU Emissions Trading System Mean for Turkey?
The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is seen as a key step in the fight against global climate change. By targeting the carbon intensity of products imported from outside the EU, it aims to help reduce global carbon emissions. Carbon fees determined based on weekly EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) prices will be applied to products exported to the EU, which will have significant implications for exporting countries.
For Turkey to export to the EU under CBAM without additional taxes, it needs to implement an emissions trading system similar to the EU ETS. This system encourages emission reduction by enabling the trading of greenhouse gas emissions within a defined cap. If Turkey effectively implements this system and local producers pay their emissions taxes under it, they may be exempt from CBAM. This approach would help Turkish producers and exporters maintain their competitive position while also contributing to the global fight against climate change. Adopting this mechanism is an important step in meeting Turkey's international commitments to reduce carbon emissions. It also aligns with Turkey's sustainable development goals.
What Does CarbonSmart Do?
We provide technology solutions that help you manage and reduce your carbon footprint in line with regulatory requirements and standards.
For more details about our solutions, contact us.
