carbon footprint and climate change june 2012

All you need to know about carbon footprint and climate change

by Toronto Training and HR

June 2012

Contents

3-4 Introduction to Toronto Training and HR

5-6 Definitions7-8 Growth sectors of the green economy9-10 Drivers of change11-16 Skills17-18 Carbon footprint19-20 Recognizing ecosystem health21-24 Community, green business & climate

change adaptation-green jobs strategy25-26 The corporate zoo27-28 Self-identifying as green organizations29-31 Green goods or services produced32-35 Green programs and initiatives36-38 Links between HR and environmental

performance39-41 Trends and policies affecting green

organizations42-43 Drill44-51 Case studies52-53 Conclusion and questions

Introduction

Introduction to Toronto Training and HR

• Toronto Training and HR is a specialist training and human resources consultancy headed by Timothy Holden

• 10 years in banking

• 10 years in training and human resources

• Freelance practitioner since 2006

• The core services provided by Toronto Training and HR are:

- Training event design

- Training event delivery

- Reducing costs

- Saving time

- Improving employee engagement & morale

- Services for job seekers

Definitions

DefinitionsCarbon footprintClimate changeGreenhouse gases

Mitigation actions

Mitigation actions 1 of 5

< or >1. Moving from a house to an apartmentChanging to energy efficient light bulbs2. Reducing two loads of laundry per weekStarting to turn off the TV when not watching it3. Stop using air conditioning in some of the rooms during summerSwitching from a large SUV to a midsized car

Mitigation actions 2 of 5

< or >4. Flying in an aeroplane one less time per yearEating one less time per week at a fast food restaurant5. Starting to recycle plasticStarting to recycle paper products6. Switching from a car to riding a bus to schoolStop using air conditioning in some of the rooms during summer

Mitigation actions 3 of 5< or >7. Switching from eating everything to becoming vegetarianEating one less time per week at a fast food restaurant8. Flying in an aeroplane one less time per yearSwitching from eating everything to becoming vegetarian9. Watching one less hour of TV per dayPlaying one less hour of video games per day

Mitigation actions 4 of 5< or >10. Changing to energy efficient light bulbsReducing two loads of laundry every week11. Reducing garbage disposal to two bags per weekStarting to recycle paper products12. Stop using air conditioning in some of the rooms during the summerSwitching from eating everything to becoming vegetarian

Mitigation actions 5 of 5< or >13. Switching from a large SUV to a midsized carChanging to energy efficient light bulbs14. Moving from a house to an apartmentSwitching from a large SUV to a midsized car15. Reducing two loads of laundry per weekStarting to turn off video consoles when they are not in use

How to reduce your carbon footprint

How to reduce your carbon footprint 1 of 2

Buy organic and local food whenever possible There are lots of farmers markets popping up all over Toronto so it is not longer as difficult as it used to be to find fresh locally grown foodWalk, bike, carpool or transit to work or school-it’s healthier for you and the planet

How to reduce your carbon footprint 2 of 2

In Canada we have some of the best quality tap water in the world so buying plastic bottled water is a waste of money and supports an unregulated industry full of harmful environmental practicesRecycle, recycle, and then recycle some more-it’s easier today than it’s ever been before to recycle, don’t get lazyUse your home appliances more efficiently-this can even help reduce some of your monthly bills!

Transport

Transport 1 of 2

Check out online ratings for the next car you intend to buy to make sure it's fuel efficient and low polluting-a typical SUV uses almost twice the fuel — and releases nearly twice the emissions —of a modern station wagon, although both seat the same number of passengersWalk, cycle, carpool or take public transit to get to one of your regular destinations each week

Transport 2 of 2

Learn about the impacts of air travel and consider taking a vacation in CanadaIf you are moving, choose a home within a 30-minute bike, walk or transit ride from your daily destinations-a convenient place to live reduces the amount you drive, which means you'll lower your greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants

Air travel

Air travel 1 of 2

IF YOU HAVE TO FLYTry to minimize the number of flights you take by combining trips-for example, book more than one meeting in your destination city, so you don't need to fly there several timesFly the most direct route possible, since take-offs and landings use the most fuelPurchase carbon offsets to account for the emissions from your flight

Air travel 2 of 2

IF YOU HAVE TO FLYFly during the daytime, because studies have shown that flights taken at night have a greater impact on the climateFly economy, because more people per plane means fewer emissions per personPack light, because lighter planes mean less fuel is burned

Energy

Energy

Reduce your home heating and electricity use-a more energy-efficient home will lower your utility bills and reduce the emissions that cause climate change, so find out how you can increase energy efficiency in your home through the Natural Resources Canada website oee.nrcan.gc.caChoose energy-efficient appliances-newrefrigerators, for example, use 40 per cent less energy than models made just 10 years ago

Food

Choose food wiselyEat sustainable seafoodTake care of your trash

Impacts of climate change

Impacts of climate change 1 of 2

HealthAgricultureForestWater resourcesCoastal areasSpecies and natural areas

Impacts of climate change 2 of 2

SensitivityAdaptabilityVulnerability

Natural change

Natural change

Sunspot activityVolcanoesWildfires and dust storms

Anthropogenic change

Anthropogenic change

Fossil fuels, DIRECTDeforestation, INDIRECTLand-use change, INDIRECT

Global warming observationsGlobal warming simulations

Sources of carbon dioxide emissions

Sources of carbon dioxide emissions

Fossil fuel combustionNon-energy use of fuelsIron and steel productionCement manufactureNatural gas systemsMunicipal solid waste combustionLime manufactureAmmonia production and urea consumptionLimestone and dolomite use

Greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gases 1 of 2

Raw materialsAgricultureManufacturingTransportation and storageUse phaseDisposal and recycling

Greenhouse gases 2 of 2

MEASUREMENT STAGESIdentify scope and sourcesSelect a measurement approachCollect activity dataApply calculation toolsIndependent verificationConsolidate into corporate inventoryImplement improvement suggestions

The greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect

AtmosphereSunGreenhouse gasesEarth

Carbon neutral

Carbon neutral 1 of 5

Major sporting events such as the World Cup Soccer are going carbon neutral, as are many athletesAirlines and travel agents are starting to offer customers the option to offset their flights, and some airlines are offsetting all of their flightsMany hotels are also providing carbon neutral accommodations


Movie studios have offset the emissions from the production of feature films and documentaries, and media companies such as MTV and News Corp are offsetting the emissions associated with their broadcastsMajor conferences (e.g. United Nations World Climate Research Programme) and conventions have offset their emissions


Organizations as diverse as Wells Fargo and Whole Foods have purchased large quantities of renewable energy certificates to offset their electricity useCorporates like Google, Nike and Dell have committed to making their entire operations carbon neutral-other companies are offering carbon neutral products or services, such as carpeting, coffee, and deliveries


Some utilities are offsetting their emissions and allowing their customers to purchase carbon neutral energySome nations New Zealand, Norway, and Costa Rica are aiming to be entirely carbon neutralThe World Bank has committed to being carbon neutralSchools and churches are voluntarily offsetting their emissions


Musicians like the Rolling Stones and Coldplay have offset the emissions associated with their concerts and albumsMany people are now offsetting their weddings (including air travel by guests)

Case study A

Case study B

Case study C

Case study D

Case study E

Conclusion and questions

Conclusion and questions

Summary

Videos

Questions

carbon footprint and climate change june 2012

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