Download An Introduction to the Scottish Carbon Metric

An Introduction to the Scottish Carbon Metric
Keith James,
Environment Manager, WRAP
Linda Ovens,
Associate Director, Entec
Kimberley Pratt
Environmental Analyst, ZWS
Content
Introduction
Background to LCAs & System Boundaries
Data Sources
Calculating the Metric
Carbon Factors and Weightings
Using the Calculator
Working with Stakeholders
Development of the Metric
Background
Scottish Carbon Metric
The SCM allows decisions about end of life choices to be
made based on environmental impact as well as tonnage
Why do we need it?
Part of the drive to reduce Climate Change impacts and work
towards a more efficient economy (Scotland Climate Change
Act)
Stern review: “Climate change is the greatest market failure
ever seen”
What the Carbon Metric is NOT
• A Carbon Footprint of waste streams – some life cycle
stages are excluded
• A comparison between all end of life scenarios – does not
compare reuse or prevention … yet
• Set in stone – reviewed annually and as new data becomes
available
Scottish Carbon Metric
Published 15th March 2011
•Technical Guide
•Local Authority Guide
•Carbon Calculator
Life Cycle Assessment and Thinking
Life Cycle Assessment
Decision Support Tool;
Can provide a comparison
between alternatives;
Covers a range of
environmental issues;
Is specific to a certain supply
chain, product, or system.
Carried out in line with a
standard (e.g. ISO 14040).
Life Cycle Thinking
Use of Life Cycle information
in decision making;
May be used to compare
between alternatives and
draw general conclusions;
Can be general in scope and
conclusions;
Can be used in implementing
the waste hierarchy.
Boundaries of the Scottish Carbon Metric
Data Quality
Time;
Geography;
Technology;
Complete;
Representative;
Consistent;
Reproducible;
Transparent;
Precise / variance /
uncertainty;
Criteria
Less than 5 years old;
Scotland / UK / Europe;
Average;
Clearly defined limits;
Representative of average;
Fair treatment;
Independent assessment possible;
Data is traceable;
Understand risks / issues;
Data Sources
Trade Associations
US LandGEM Model
WRATE
WRAP (2010) Environmental Benefits of Recycling
Calculating the Metric
Factors
Impact of waste management
options for different waste streams
Weighting
Ranked materials comparing
environmental impact
Metric
Tonnage + environmental impact
(weighting)
11
Carbon Factors
 A summary of the carbon factors can be found
on ZWS website
 Carbon impacts of materials based on LCA
results
 Designed to include additional data as it
becomes available
12
Carbon Metric Weightings
13
The Calculations
14
Recycling Rate (%)
Tonnage V Carbon impact
example
15
Calculating the Metric
• Total waste arisings, arisings by composition
• Recycling rate by composition
Focusing on Carbon
• Real LA data
• Tonnage RR = 39%, Carbon RR = 28%
Total arisings (t)
Total recycled (t)
Tonnage RR
Carbon Metric RR
Calculating the Metric
• Increase textiles recycling to 90%
• Send 90% food to Anaerobic Digestion
Tonnage RR
Carbon Metric RR
Working with stakeholders
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Local Authorities
Waste Management sector
Scottish Government and SEPA
Commercial and Industrial sectors
Construction and Demolition sector
Development of the Carbon Metric
• Unique and ground breaking…
but still a work in progress
• Areas for development include:
• New materials and technologies
• Better understanding of end of life choices
• Improved data sources
• CM Steering group
• Interaction with other Metrics as they develop
Thank you for listening