Why judging environmental impact isn't always simple
Posted 19 June 2008 at 8:25AM by Ian Betteridge in Investment and finance
Japanese car company Honda has released what may be the first commercially-available car which has zero emissions - nothing but water vapour leaves its exhaust. These kinds of technical solutions to environmental problems are potentially a huge benefit to all of us, and also to the businesses that create them.
However, it's worth remembering that simply because something has no emissions when used by the consumer doesn't mean its environmental impact is zero. What's often forgotten is that manufacturing any new product requires energy, and in some cases the energy-efficiency of the final product is outweighed by the amount of energy it takes to make it in the first place.
Computers are a good example of this. When researching a feature that I wrote a few years ago for MacUser magazine, I was astounded to find out that experts estimate that 80% of the power used by a computer over its lifetime is in its manufacture, rather than its actual day-to-day use. In other words, extending the life of your computer by a year, from say four years to five, will contribute more to overall energy savings than switching it off every night.
In the case of the Honda car, then, you need to look at the resources used in its manufacture as well as its use. If someone is replacing a perfectly-good two year old car with the new, energy-efficient Honda it may mean no overall contribution to cutting carbon emissions, thanks to the amount of energy it takes to make the new car.
This kind of "whole lifecycle" approach to judging environmental impact is gaining traction amongst environmentalists, although as-yet there's little indication that governments are taking an interest.
But for businesses looking to their "green credentials" to get a competitive advantage, adopting this approach could reap rewards. For example, replacing your employee's computers every four years instead of every three - and noting how many tonnes of carbon emissions this will effectively save - would be good PR, good for the environment, and good for your bottom line, too.
For more ideas on how you can go green, see our guide to Understanding Green Business Practices.
Tags: bt, bt broadbandoffice, carbon emissions, green
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Comments
2. At June 23, 2008 11:41 AM, Martin Wallace wrote:
Interesting Post. The production of the fuels also needs to be considered in these equations. I've always wondered when i've seen an electric car in London where the owner charges the vehicle. I assume they are using their home electricity, which is no doubt from a fossil fueled power station, so they are just moving the problem back up the chain.
Unless we start powering them from renewable sources, wind etc.
3. At June 24, 2008 9:32 AM, Anom wrote:
what about solar power ?
4. At June 24, 2008 2:20 PM, Chris Sabin wrote:
Top Gear proved on Sunday that driving style can make as much of a difference as anything else.
The Toyota Prius (sp?) has such a large carbon footprint that it wipes out anything that it will save!
Although it shows that even the Americans are turning their nose up at the gas guzzling 4x4's in favour of more economical cars. Made Ford have a rethink on their way forward. This might even encourage them to make eco-friendly cars!
5. At June 26, 2008 4:43 PM, brian sherry wrote:
Not car related but something to consider.
Greening your HVAC system will save you money.
Global Warming
There are two distinct aspects to global warming ( also referred to as climate change)in respect to refrigeration and
air conditioning equipment.These are REFRIGERANT SELECTION and ENERGY EFFICIENCY.REFRIGERANT SELECTION
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)are a familly of refrigerants that have been specifically developed to provide alternates to CFCs and HCFCs.
They have many of the favourable characteristics of CFCs especially those of zero flammability and zero toxicity.However, HFCs are powerful greenhouse gases that are identified in the Kyoto Protocol (the international agreement to limit emissions of greenhouse gases.Purchasers of refrigeration.air conditioning systems should try to minimise emissions of global warming refrigerants.This can be done by
1.Minimising leakage of HFC refrigerants to the lowest practical level.
2.By using low Global Warming Potential refrigerant gases or HCs (hydrocarbons.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The major part of greenhouse gas emissions from refrigerant/air conditioning systems is related to the electricity used to operate them.Generation of electricity leads to CO2 emissions from power stations.On average 85% of greenhouse gas emissions from UK refrigeration/air conditioning systems relates to energy related CO2 and only 15% relates to emissions of High Global Warming Potential refrigerants.You can save money and lower emissions by having this equipment serviced/maintained regularly to run at its most efficient.
Most large offices nowadays have air conditioning as standard,many small business owners such as hairdressers are now purchasing air conditioning,choose your installer wisely.
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1. At June 19, 2008 10:20 AM, Chris Sabin wrote: