HomeEach organization, event, or product line is unique and there is no one ‘cookie cutter’ approach to becoming carbon neutral. The first basic step of any carbon neutral or GHG emissions reduction effort is to determine and measure the GHG emissions associated with the organization (i.e. knowing your carbon footprint).
You can use the calculators available on GreenRegistry.org or other websites to estimate GHG emissions from specific activities or operations. This will give you your GHG emissions baseline. Your baseline is the total GHG emissions you “normally produce”. Your baseline will be the value that you will counterbalance, if you wish to become carbon neutral.
Green Registry Calculators
GreenRegistry.org calculators can estimate GHG emissions from activities like building energy use, running conferences, and vehicle fleet travel. The calculators ask a few pertinent questions and use this information to estimate your specific GHG emissions. Use these tools to understand the GHG emissions implications of your operations and create targets for your organization.
Go to Green Registry Calculators ››
If the calculators provided do not cover all of the GHG emissions sources in your organization, there are other calculators, quantification protocols and guidance on how to prepare your GHG inventory. The Project Toolbox section of GreenRegistry.org includes a database of quantification protocols. These are detailed documents and are typically used by organizations to large GHG emissions reductions projects.
The list of resources, references, and tools provided by CSA’s GHG CleanStart™ Registry may help you find existing resources that will enable you to measure your carbon footprint. This list of resources includes tools which can be used by specific sectors to quantify GHG emissions. Please see the resources, references, and tools link on the CSA GHG Clean Start Registry.
It is not uncommon, where possible and as permitted, for organizations to adapt or customize an existing tool to meet specific needs.
You must, however, be open and transparent about all data sources, calculations, and assumptions you make so that it is very clear as to how your carbon footprint was calculated. There are also numerous organizations that can help you to establish your GHG inventory if you wish to seek third party support.
CSA has designed the CleanStart™ Registry to help organizations manage their carbon footprint and gain recognition for their efforts. The CSA’s CleanStart™ Registry can help you showcase the GHG footprint of your entire organization, or a specific activity, product or service. It reports on your commitment to improve your carbon footprint and recognizes your efforts, including achieving carbon neutrality.
Click here for the CSA CleanStart™ Registry ››
Once the measurement of a suitable carbon footprint has been completed, you are in a better position to decide on a commitment to improve your carbon footprint by reducing GHG emissions and/or improving the efficiency of your operations.
Please see the link for Reduce Your Emissions ››
Adapted from the CSA CleanStart™ website