CAP Environmental Impact 3

Question 1

Under the IPCC framework, which sector is the largest contributor to global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions?

Accepted Answer

Energy supply (electricity and heat production)

Answer

Energy supply — primarily electricity and heat generation from fossil fuels — is the single largest sectoral source of global GHG emissions, accounting for roughly 34% of total emissions.

Question 2

What is 'additionality' in the context of carbon offset projects?

Accepted Answer

The requirement that emission reductions would not have occurred without the offset project

Answer

Additionality requires that carbon offset projects deliver emission reductions that are genuinely additional to what would have happened under a business-as-usual scenario.

Question 3

Ocean acidification is a secondary environmental consequence of rising CO₂ levels primarily because:

Accepted Answer

CO₂ reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid, lowering pH

Answer

When CO₂ dissolves in seawater it forms carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which dissociates to release hydrogen ions, lowering ocean pH — a process called ocean acidification.

Question 4

In a carbon audit, 'materiality threshold' determines:

Accepted Answer

The percentage below which an emission source may be excluded without significant impact on total accuracy

Answer

A materiality threshold allows auditors to exclude minor emission sources whose omission would not materially affect the reported total, improving audit efficiency without sacrificing accuracy.

Question 5

Which environmental impact is directly worsened by black carbon (soot) emissions from incomplete combustion?

Accepted Answer

Glacial and sea ice albedo reduction

Answer

Black carbon particles deposited on snow and ice darken their surface, reducing albedo (reflectivity) and accelerating melting — a significant regional climate feedback.

(CAP) Certified Carbon Auditing Professional Practice Test

(CAP) Certified Carbon Auditing Professional Practice Test

CAP Environmental Impact 3