Carbon footprint and its application to cities

Gabriella ChiellinoTechnical-Scientific manager of eAmbiente Srl

Federico BalzanTechnical-Scientific employee of eAmbiente Srl, natural scientist

Venice International UniversityFriday, June 17

Carbon footprint and its application to cities

Gabriella Chiellino is the first woman graduated in Environmental Science in Italy and she founded eAmbiente in the year 2002. The Company is now a consultancy firm for environment and engineering that works in Italy and in Europe.

MILANVia Tiziano

Branch office

CONEGLIANORegistered

Office

VENICE - VEGA Head Office

CASTELLAVAZZO (BL) Branch

office

BRUXELLES - Belgium

Branch office

NEWNEW

Environmental assessments and analysis

UNDERSTANDING

DESIGNEnvironmental restoration

and remediation

Environmental management and control

MANAGE

CARBON FOOTPRINT

FIRST PART

Global climate changeIncreased concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere since the revolution industry.

The temperature riseIt represents one of the most important indicators that we are living beyond the capacity of ecosystems to absorb disturbances.

Decreased emissionsAn effort by the productive sectors to reduce emissions and the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is vital to combat climate change in progress.

CO2 and Global warming

The differences

CARBON FOOTPRINTAssessment throughout the life cycle of a product / process related to the impact category "global warming " (in terms of CO2 eq.)

LCA (Life cycle assessment)Assessment throughout the life cycle of a product / process relating to many categories of impact: acidification, eutrophication, land use etc..

The Carbon Footprint is a part of an LCA

LCA

Carbon footprint

Applicable law

Screening study Complete studyunder the rulesUNI EN ISO 14040:2006 UNI EN ISO 14044:2006

EPD Environmental Product Declaration

Time + internal resources for data retrieval

Testing a possible third body on internal methodology

Certification of a possible third body in accordance with standard

Comunication

Comunication / Ecodesign

Comunication

Carbon markets

BINDINGThe trading of greenhouse gas emissions has been established through the EU Directive 2003/87/EC to fulfill their commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.Annex I of Directive:•Combustion installations exceeding 20 MW•Petroleum Refineries•Coke ovens•Etc.

VOLUNTEERThere are independent verification and validation services to voluntary projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, for the issuance of VERs (Verified Emissions Reductions), or "emission reduction units".

Objective: environmental communication

What happended with CO2?

The whole life on earth is based on photosynthesis of chlorophyll:

Reactions during which green plants produce organic substances -mainly carbohydrates - from carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of light. This series of chemical reactions within the anabolic processes (synthesis) of carbohydrates and is totally opposed to the reverse process of catabolisi (oxidation).

Reaction of the molecules6 CO2 (carbon dioxide) + 6 H2O (Water) + light → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2 (Oxygen)

And then?

The “food chain” or “net chain” (better) provides to feed animals and the uman:

Dynamic balance

The CO2 cycle on earth (but also water cycle, nitrogen cycle etc.) are in dynamic balance during the years.

Only with other sources not renewable (fossils) this dynamic balance is altered with many pollution problems.

Carbon footprint

It measure the impact that human activities have on the environment in terms of amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide (CO2 equivalent).

Production ActivitieskWh energym3 waterMaterials / resources

AdministrativekWh energym3 methane

TransportationKm covered

WasteKg produced

Processing tonnes of CO2 equivalent

SimaPro 7.3.0. Analyst

Processing

Method of calculation

Categories of impact

Mid-PointEvaluate the causes of the

damage

End-PointEvaluate the

damage

Acidification Eutrophication Global Warming Thinning of the ozone layer Photochemical oxidation Land use Fossil Fuels Ecotoxicity Ionizing radiation Etc.

Human Health Ecosystem quality Decay of natural

resources

SimaPro 7.3.0. Analyst

Explanation of categories

Decay of natural

resources Ecosystem quality Human health

The results are expressed as:

Equivalent unitsCO2 eq.kg SO2 eq.kg CFC-11 eq.

"Eco-points"Normalized equivalent units around them, with a percentage of the total European currency.

The calculation of carbon footprint provides tons of CO2 equivalent produced in a year

The Company may decide to reduce emissions with a reduction plans (technological improvements, logistics etc.).

So they may decide to compensate (offset) for remaining emissions (in part or entirely).

Total CO2

CO2

reduced

CO2 offset

A number of tonnes of CO2

Project Choice

Purchase of credits corresponding

1 ton = 1 credit

Emissions offset

Publication on the register

Cancellation of debt certificates

Environmental Communication

Forest managemet Energy saving

Biogas from landfills

1 ton = 1 credit Public Register Credits Certificates

Our experience

Calculation of CO2 equivalent

Projections of the reduction with improvement initiatives

Communication on the company website and 1.000.000 of paper carnet

Withdrawal of claims and posting to register eCO2care

Calculation of CO2 equivalent to 20 emitters

APPLICATION TO CITIES:CONVENANT OF MAYORS

SECOND PART

Rural and urban populations worldwide, 1950-2050

Year

Source: United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects, 2009

2009

Sustainability in urban

contest

ENERGY ISSUES

Urban population Rural population

Cities have a fundamental role. They are residential place but also administrative, trading and productive places.

ENERGY, NATURAL RESOURCES, GOODS…

ATMOSPHERIC EMISSIONS, WASTEWATERS, WASTE, HEAT…. …

URBAN SYSTEM

ENERGY ISSUES


contest

Air pollution

Human diseases

Loss of natural and cultural heritage

Urban waste

Water pollution

© Jan Lai Ming Chuen

© Roberto Salomone / AFP -

Getty Images

© Reuters

Human diseases

Environmental degradation

Resource waste

B(a)P

O3

NO2

PM10

aquatic life toxicity

Impossibility to use the resource for recreational goals

LOW LIFE QUALITY

LOW LIFE QUALITY

COSTSCOSTS

ENERGY ISSUES


contest

ENERGY: an essential factor • gives personal comfort and

mobility to people

• is essential for the generation of

industrial, commercial and social

wealth.

Unfortunatly energy production and consumption

place considerable pressures on the

environment

emission of greenhouse gases and air

pollutants

BUT

ENERGY ISSUES

“The urban world consumes about 75% of global energy and emits about 80% of total greenhouse gas "

(Hayden, 2007)

Energy61,4%

GHG SOURCES

CO2: 77%CH4: 14%N2O: 8%

HFC, PFC, SF6: 1%

Source: UN-HABITAT, State of the World’s Cities, 2009

ENERGY ISSUES

ENERGY DEMAND

Energy demand is growing

Fossil fuels still predominate

about 79% of the energy needs of the average European are met by coal, gas and oil

around 13% comes from nuclear power

the remaining 8% comes from rapidly increasing renewable energy sources (especially wind and solar energy).

Energy demand is growing

Fossil fuels still predominate

about 79% of the energy needs of the average European are met by coal, gas and oil

around 13% comes from nuclear power

the remaining 8% comes from rapidly increasing renewable energy sources (especially wind and solar energy).

ENERGY ISSUES

Present

contest

TOWARDS LOW CARBON

ECONOMY

The 20-20-20 targets

What are they?

How?

In January 2008 the European Commission proposed binding legislation to implement the

CLIMATE AND ENERGY PACKAGE

It was agreed by the European Parliament and Council in December 2008 and became law in June 2009.

It set a series of demanding targets to be met by 2020, known as the "20-20-20" targets.

1.- 20% EU greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels2.+20% of EU energy consumption from renewable resources3.- 20% in primary energy use to be achieved by improving energy efficiency

The 20-20-20 targets s

TOWARDS LOW CARBON

ECONOMY

The 20-20-20 targets

Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (2007-12)

•to improve the energy performance of products, buildings, services•to improve the yield of energy production and distribution•to reduce the impact of transport on energy consumption•to facilitate financing and investments in the sector •to encourage and consolidate rational energy consumption behaviour •to step up international action on energy efficiency

CLIMATE AND ENERGY PACKAGE

MEASURES

TOWARDS LOW CARBON

ECONOMY

29 January 2008

in the second edition of the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW 2008), the European Commission launched

The Covenant of Mayors

initiative to actively involve European cities in the path towards sustainability and environmental efficiency.

29 January 2008

in the second edition of the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW 2008), the European Commission launched

The Covenant of Mayors

initiative to actively involve European cities in the path towards sustainability and environmental efficiency.

What is it?THE COVENANT OF MAYORS

PECULIARITIES

DIRECT INVOLVEMENT of local and regional authorities. For the first time the DG ENER (Directorate-General for Energy) gets in touch directly with the local level

It is a VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT by signatories to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO2 reduction objective. It goes beyond what is requested by law in matter of urban planning

It is based on the adoption of a flexible instrument called SEAP which can be adapted to the progress towards goals

THE COVENANT OF MAYORS

Mayors commit to…

Go beyond the objectives set by the EU for 2020, reducing the CO2 emissions in their respective territories by at least 20%, through the implementation of Sustainable Energy

Action Plans

Go beyond the objectives set by the EU for 2020, reducing the CO2 emissions in their respective territories by at least 20%, through the implementation of Sustainable Energy

Action Plans

SIGNATORIES

Cities with different size that have signed the Covenant of Mayors on a voluntary manner during the Covenant of Mayors Annual Ceremony


9 February 2009Hemicycle of the European

Parliament, Brussels

370 cities committed to reduce CO2 emissions on their territories by at least 20% by 2020


1680 cities committed to reduce CO2 emissions on their territories by at least 20% by 2020

4 May 2010Hemicycle of the European

Parliament, Brussels

The unprecedent growth of the Covenant of Mayors

Who ?

Today 2586 signatories


1. Energy is one of the few municipal fields where significant financial savings can be achieved...

3 main reasons why cities get involved

Why to get involved?THE COVENANT OF MAYORS

2. Lower energy bills for citizens, comfortable living conditions, pleasant environment, more jobs…

3. The battle against climate change has to be fought at local level…

Steps

Baseline Emission Inventory & SEAP developmentwith stakeholders and citizens

Monitoring and reporting

Implementation of your SEAP

STEP 1: Signature of the Covenant of Mayors

STEP 2: Submission of your SEAP

STEP 3: Regular submission of implementation reports (every 2 years)

Creation of adequate administrative structures

1st year

3rd year& beyond

3 steps leading to the Covenant objective


All the elements to develop a Sustainable Energy Action Plan

STRUCTURE:

Part 1The SEAP process, step-by-step towards the -20%target by 2020

Part IIBaseline emissions inventory

Part IIITechnical measures for energy efficiency and renewable energy

Official GuidelinesBy Joint Research Centre (JRC)


Step 1The political commitment

Signature of the Covenant of Mayors must be decided by the municipal council

Step 2Adapting administrative structures

Adjustment and optimisation of Local Authority’s internal administrative structures: multidisciplinary approach is needed

Step 3Building support from stakeholders

Concertation and partecipation allow to mobilise the civil society to take part in developing the action plan, establishing a common vision for the future

Stakeholders:• Local and regional energy agencies

• Financial partners such as banks,

ESCO

• Energy suppliers, utilities

• Transport companies

• Universities

• Chambers of commerce


Step 4Baseline emission inventory (BEI) elaboration

Step 4Baseline emission inventory (BEI) elaboration

Assessment of the current framework about energy consumption and CO2 emissions at the local level

Building the BEI - Features and contents

Geographical boundariesthe administrative bounderies of the local authorities.

Define Baseline yearsIs the year against which the achievements of the emission reductions in 2020 shall be collected.

Collecting dataQuantification of following emissions that occur due to energy consumption in the territory of the local authority:

DIRECT EMISSIONS: fuel combustion

INDIRECT EMISSIONS: production of electricity, heat or cold consumed in the territory

OTHER DIRECT EMISSIONS: depending on the choice of BEI


SECTORS TO INCLUDE IN BEI

BUILDINGS - Municipal buildings - Tertiary buildings - Residential buildings

URBAN INFRASTRUCTURES - municipal public lighting - wastewater treatment - solid waste treatment

ENERGY PRODUCTIONFuel consumption for electricity productionFuel consumption for heat/cold production

TRANSPORTATION-Municipal fleet-Public transportation-Private and commercial transportation


Step 4Baseline emission inventory elaboration

Assessment of the current framework about energy consumption and CO2 emissions at the local level

Step 5Establishment of a long term vision with clear objectives.

To point out the direction in which the local authority wants to head.

Step 6SEAP elaboration

Translation of the vision into practical actions assigning deadlines and a budget for each of them.


AT LAST!!

How to reach the goals•Measures in the short and medium term•Long-term strategies

\

SECTOR POLICIES TECHNICAL MEASURES

Buildingsplantsfacilities

• Regulations for new or renovated private buildings• Financial incentives and loan• Information and training• Increase the rate of refurbishment• Urban plannig and regulations• Energy taxes• Coordinate policies with other levels of authority• Public procurement requirement in public building

• smart systems for energy management• more efficient heating /cooling/lighting systems•Condensig boilers• geothermal heat pumps• solar termal and photovoltaic plant on roofs•insulating technics (walls, windows, ….)

Transport • Reducing the need for transport through ICT (teleworking)• Increasing the attractiveness of alternative transport mode (public transport, cycling, walking)• making travel by car less attractive (fees, circulation taxes, pedestiran only zone in the center, more expensive parking or parking costs related to the car model)

•smart systems for traffic management•Smart system for driving management•Bike-sharing•Car-sharing•Electric cars

Energy generation and distribution

• local energy generation• Intruducing renewable energy installation requirements in new buildings• Provide information and support to stakeholders

Photovoltaic electricity generation on abandoned land and on the roof of public buildingsCreation of heating and cooling district (centralised plant to provide thermal energy for external custromers


MOSAIC OF ACTIONS & SOLUTIONS

…contributing to the achievement of the Covenant objectives


Communication with local stakeholders and citizens

Organisation of Local Energy Days www.sustenergy.org


Step 7Approval of the Plan and its associated budget

Formal approval of the SEAP by the municipal council is a mandatory requirement. In addition the local authority should allocate the necessary resources in the annual budget .

Step 8Monitoring and progress description

Step 8Monitoring and progress description

Continuous monitoring is needed to follow SEAP implementation and eventually to maje corrections in a continuous improvement cycle.


1.Covenant of Mayors Office (COMO)

2. Covenant Supporting Structures

3. Benchmarks of Excellence

4. Financial support

5. European institutions

What support for the Signatories?

Who supports?THE COVENANT OF MAYORS

Covenant of Mayors Office

Promotes the initiative in the EU and beyond

Provides administrative and technical support for Signatories

Monitors the implementation by Signatories and Supporting Structures

Facilitates exchange of experiences and networking

Liaises with relevant EU initiatives and actors


1. Public administrations - national and regional public bodies, counties, provinces, agglomerations, mentor cities etc.

They provide: strategic guidance financial support technical support

to municipalities lacking the skills and /or resources to fulfil the Covenant commitments, esp. the preparation and implementation of SEAP.

Covenant Supporting Structures


Last september during the International Conference on Climate Change on Palmaria Island near La Spezia, 25 Italian Provinces had signed

The Province of Venice had signed as Supporting Structures

The Province of Venice

44

Municipalities

Technical partners


The Province of Venice

Start-up

Organization of a plenary event open to all the Municipalities in San Servolo in 18th of March

Meeting with the Municipality interested in the project

Application to European Financial Instruments called Intelligent Energy for Europe with an international project involving more or less 35 Municipalities

www.202020-provinciavenezia.it


Monitor emissions of their productive activity and helping to organize a plan to reduce emissions (= savings);It provides an objective assessment of the performance of their products / processes;The compensation provides a significant contribution to combating climate change;It allows you to identify aspects of the process which lends itself more easily to be optimized;Allows a comparison of products with the same functional unit (ie the service provided);Allows the communication environment to new customer groups, particularly effective if done in a standardized and controlled by third party EPD. Battle against climate change that has to be fought at local level…

ConclusionsCarbon footprint and its application to cities:

Global problem……local solution!

Thanks for your attention

www.eambiente.it

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Carbon footprint and its application to cities

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