A Carbon Footprint Calculator Defines Emissions

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A Carbon Footprint Calculator Defines Emissions

As most companies need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, so they turn to a carbon footprint calculator. Organizations can now much more easily recognize their greenhouse gas emissions, put in place measures to reduce and then assess benchmarks to see how they are progressing.

Many efforts are being made to reduce carbon emissions, as witnessed by the US Clean Air Act and the formation of The Climate Registry, a powerful organization that sets the standards for calculating, verify and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. Whilst membership is voluntary, most states, provinces, territories and sovereign nations are taking part in the effort within North America, to reduce carbon emissions.

The carbon footprint calculator is a valuable tool in which facilities can enter data about their daily operations in areas that contribute greatly to greenhouse gas emissions. Energy use, waste generation, purchased materials and transportation are among the main areas that play a major role in the emitting of harmful gases into the environment.

It is imperative that carbon emissions are reduced, and that businesses measure their carbon footprint accordingly. As the future health of our planet depends on it and research shows that certain gases deplete the ozone layer, steps must be taken now to slow this damage. Gases are expected to remain in the atmosphere for hundreds of years hence.

Immediate action is required to stop the damaging effects of certain greenhouse gases. A carbon footprint calculator measures emissions of the primary gases - hydrochlorofluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons. It is perceived that these gases contribute to extreme heat waves, to rising sea levels, to warming in general and over a period of time can cause considerable harm to all minor of life on the planet.

Following EPA requirements, an organization can identify the extent of their greenhouse gas emissions, can create a management plan, can set goals and report their findings through the use of a carbon footprint calculator. The calculator should be of particular benefit to companies that have multiple locations.

Data is entered into a carbon footprint calculator representing Emissions Factors and Global Warming Potential, for each source. Sources are defined as being either direct or indirect, with direct emissions being those classified from equipment or other sources owned or operated by a company and indirect emissions being used by a company during its daily operations, but supplied by another source. The former will cover commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, whilst the latter may involve the use of electricity or heat. Total emissions are factored by multiplying EF and GWP at each source.

Complex data is required to be input into a carbon footprint calculator, so companies with HVAC systems in stores, hospitals, warehouses or offices are turning to refrigerant management programs. These computerized programs include a calculator to handle the sometimes tedious tasks of monitoring, tracking and reporting.