Emission Scopes Used to Monitor Greenhouse Gases
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by: DanielStouffer | Total views: 67 | Word Count: 377
As emissions of harmful substances contribute to the major problem of global warming, so the Montreal Protocol and the US Clean Air Act have sought to reduce them. Emission scopes are now used to categorize and define the chemicals. Facilities that deal with greenhouse gases can better understand and administer the discharge level of these gases.
When dangerous chemicals are either intentionally or unintentionally released into the atmosphere, three different emission scopes come into play. Several protocols are covered including reporting, accountability and tracking procedures.
The main designation, Scope 1, of the emission scopes includes greenhouse gas emissions occurring directly onsite from the source, such as when refrigeration and air conditioning systems leak refrigerant gas. Fossil fuels are also included in this category. Any company-owned asset that has the potential to discharge greenhouse gases is included in this category.
The second category of emission scopes covers indirect discharges occurring during a production process. owners of facilities can conserve energy and reduce the amount of electricity that needs to be produced.
Indirect emissions that occur as a result of facility activities that use goods or resources with potential greenhouse gas emissions fall under Scope 3 of the emission scopes. These are items, such as paper products or fuels, which are manufactured by remote vendors, but use harmful greenhouse gases in the production process. Facilities can cut down on their usage or find eco-friendly alternatives to reduce production volumes.
Several harmful greenhouse gases are covered under the emission scopes, for example chlorofluorocarbons, carbon dioxide, perfluorocarbons, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride and nitrous oxide. It is estimated that 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide is produced annually in the United States alone through fugitive emissions of refrigerant and other greenhouse gases.
A wide range of industries use emission scopes, including universities, hospitals and corporations that are equipped with heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems or refrigeration and air- conditioning systems. Facility managers must identify how greenhouse gases are used both directly and indirectly, taking steps to minimize usage and track potential discharge.
As government agencies now require strict tracking and reporting of greenhouse gases, so companies that specialize in software development have emerged with options to track emission scopes and make the process more user-friendly. Any company that fails to comply with government edicts faces strict censure.
About the Author
Daniel Stouffer has much more data on the importance of emission scopesand how the refrigerant-tracker will be of use to you.
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