2.8 Fundamentals of Carbon Footprint

[Audio] Hello Everyone!! This is a lecture for JFB32303 Energy Performance And Environmental Assessment.

[Audio] We will continue subtopic 2.8 in the Chapter 2 Carbon Footprint Analysis.

[Audio] In this chapter, we will learn about the fundamentals of the carbon footprint. A carbon footprint refers to the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by human activities. Understanding carbon footprints is important because these emissions contribute to climate change and global warming. Buildings play a major role in carbon emissions because they consume energy for lighting, cooling, heating, and construction. Example For example, when a building uses electricity generated from fossil fuels, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere..

[Audio] This chapter is organized into three main steps. Defining the Carbon Footprint Understanding key terms and measurement concepts. The Three Scopes Framework Learning how carbon emissions are categorized. Real-World Application Understanding how carbon footprint concepts apply to buildings. This structure helps students understand carbon emissions from theory to real-life examples. Example When analyzing a university building, we must first define emissions, then categorize them, and finally identify their sources..

[Audio] A carbon footprint represents the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by human activities. This includes: Direct emissions from activities such as fuel combustion. Indirect emissions from activities such as electricity consumption. Both direct and indirect emissions combine to form the total greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions are usually expressed in CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e). Example Driving a car produces direct emissions, while using electricity produced from coal power plants produces indirect emissions..

[Audio] Greenhouse gases include several different types, such as: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) Methane (CH₄) Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Fluorinated gases Each gas has a different impact on global warming. To simplify measurement, scientists convert all greenhouse gases into a common unit called CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e). This allows us to measure total emissions in a single standardized unit. Example Methane has a stronger warming effect than carbon dioxide, so one unit of methane is converted into several units of CO₂ equivalent..

[Audio] Carbon emissions are categorized into three scopes. These scopes help organizations identify where emissions come from and how they can reduce them. The three scopes are: Scope 1: Direct emissions Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased energy Scope 3: Other indirect emissions from the value chain This framework is widely used in carbon accounting and sustainability reporting..

[Audio] Scope 1 emissions refer to emissions that come from sources owned or controlled by an organization. These emissions occur directly within the organization's operations. In buildings, this usually includes fuel combustion from heating systems or boilers. Example If a building uses natural gas for heating, the carbon emissions produced by burning that fuel are Scope 1 emissions..

[Audio] Scope 2 emissions come from purchased electricity, heating, or cooling. Although the emissions occur at the power plant, they are attributed to the building that consumes the energy. Electricity production often generates carbon emissions, especially when fossil fuels are used. Example When a building uses electricity from the national power grid, the emissions from the power station are counted as Scope 2 emissions..

[Audio] Scope 3 emissions include all other indirect emissions that occur in the organization's value chain. These emissions are usually outside the direct control of the organization. Examples include: Manufacturing construction materials Transporting building materials Waste disposal after demolition Scope 3 emissions are often the largest and most complex category. Example Producing cement for building construction generates large amounts of carbon emissions before the building is even constructed..

[Audio] Buildings provide a good example of how the three scopes interact together. A building generates emissions from both: Daily operations, such as electricity use Construction activities, such as material production This means that building carbon footprints must consider both operational emissions and embodied emissions. Example An office building produces emissions during construction (materials and equipment) and also during daily operation (lighting and cooling)..

[Audio] Operational emissions occur during the daily use of a building. These emissions mainly come from: Electricity use Heating fuels Cooling systems These emissions are generated continuously while the building is occupied. According to the slide, electricity usually falls under Scope 2, while heating fuels are Scope 1. Example Air-conditioning systems in tropical climates consume large amounts of electricity, which increases operational carbon emissions..

[Audio] Embodied carbon refers to emissions generated during the construction and lifecycle of building materials. This includes emissions from: Manufacturing construction materials Transportation of materials Construction activities Waste generation and demolition These emissions are categorized under Scope 3. Example Producing steel and cement for a building structure generates significant carbon emissions before the building even begins operation..

[Audio] To understand a building's total carbon footprint, we must consider all three scopes together. Examples include: Scope 1 Heating fuels On-site cooling systems Scope 2 Purchased electricity District cooling systems Scope 3 Construction materials Waste generation By analyzing all three scopes, we can identify opportunities to reduce emissions. Example Using renewable energy can reduce Scope 2 emissions, while using recycled materials can reduce Scope 3 emissions..

[Audio] Let us summarize the key ideas from this chapter. Measurement Carbon footprint measures the total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, expressed in CO₂ equivalent. Framework Emissions are categorized into three scopes: Scope 1 – Direct emissions Scope 2 – Purchased energy emissions Scope 3 – Other indirect emissions Application In buildings, the main carbon sources include: Electricity use Heating systems Cooling systems Construction materials Understanding these concepts helps engineers and designers reduce carbon emissions in the built environment..

[Audio] That's all for now. See you in next time!! Have a good day everyone, Bye!.