CAP Environmental Impact 5

Question 1

A carbon auditor discovers that a client's supply chain partner in a developing country uses coal-fired electricity. Under the GHG Protocol, this emission is classified as:

Accepted Answer

Scope 3 Category 1 — purchased goods and services

Answer

Emissions embedded in goods and services purchased from suppliers — including the electricity the supplier uses to manufacture those goods — are Scope 3 Category 1 emissions.

Question 2

What distinguishes 'gross' emissions from 'net' emissions in a carbon inventory?

Accepted Answer

Net emissions subtract carbon removals and offsets from gross emission totals

Answer

Net emissions equal gross (total released) emissions minus any carbon removals (sequestration) and verified offset credits, representing the actual atmospheric impact.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes a 'carbon hotspot' in supply chain environmental impact analysis?

Accepted Answer

A specific supply chain activity or supplier that contributes disproportionately large GHG emissions

Answer

Carbon hotspots are identified segments of a supply chain — often raw material processing or energy-intensive manufacturing steps — that account for a large share of total value chain emissions.

Question 4

The Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) is a tool used in environmental impact analysis to:

Accepted Answer

Estimate the economic damage caused by emitting one additional metric ton of CO₂

Answer

The SCC monetizes the long-term economic harm — including climate damages, health impacts, and lost productivity — from releasing one additional tonne of CO₂ into the atmosphere.

Question 5

In assessing corporate environmental impact, 'avoided emissions' (also called 'Scope 4') represent:

Accepted Answer

GHG reductions enabled in third parties' operations by the company's products or services

Answer

Scope 4 or avoided emissions quantify the positive climate impact a company has by enabling others to reduce their emissions — for example, a software firm whose teleconferencing tools reduce business travel.

(CAP) Certified Carbon Auditing Professional Practice Test

(CAP) Certified Carbon Auditing Professional Practice Test

CAP Environmental Impact 5