Footprint Analysis Flashcards

What is 'carbon sequestration' in the context of carbon footprint analysis?

Answer: The process by which carbon is removed from the atmosphere and stored in sinks like forests or soil

Carbon sequestration refers to the biological or geological capture and long-term storage of atmospheric CO2 in natural sinks.

An auditor reviewing a company's transportation emissions notices they used the 'distance-based method.' What inputs does this method require?

Answer: Vehicle type, fuel type, distance traveled, and relevant emission factor

The distance-based method multiplies distance traveled by vehicle-specific emission factors to calculate transportation emissions.

Under the GHG Protocol Scope 3 Standard, which category includes emissions from the use of fuel and energy that are not already counted in Scope 1 or 2?

Answer: Category 3: Fuel- and energy-related activities

Category 3 captures upstream emissions from extraction, production, and transport of fuels and energy purchased by the company that are not in Scope 1 or 2.

A tech company leases a building but has operational control over all energy use. How should it classify building energy emissions?

Answer: Scope 2, because it purchases the electricity used in the building

Purchased electricity for a leased facility where the company controls energy use is classified as Scope 2 under the operational control consolidation approach.

In LCA-based footprinting, what is a 'functional unit'?

Answer: A quantified description of the function or service delivered by the product system

The functional unit provides a reference basis for comparing different product systems that deliver the same function, ensuring comparability in LCA studies.

Which verification standard is most commonly used by third-party auditors to verify corporate GHG inventories?

Answer: ISO 14064-3

ISO 14064-3 specifies principles and requirements for the validation and verification of GHG assertions at the project and organizational level.

A company reports its carbon footprint and claims 'net zero' after purchasing carbon offsets. What must auditors verify to validate this claim?

Answer: That offsets are real, additional, permanent, and verified by a credible standard

Credible offset claims require that credits meet criteria of additionality, permanence, real measured impact, and third-party verification.