GHG and Carbon Management

Almost a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture. And, all foods are not equal in terms of their carbon footprint. Michael Gillenwater and Don Bain discuss the relative carbon impact of the food choices we make. The conversation is more personal and less technical than other episodes.

We also give a shout-out for our first-ever listener feedback. We’d love to hear from you too. Email us at [email protected].

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a new rule, the Clean Power Plan, to regulate greenhouse gases from the production of electricity. Michael Gillenwater and Don Bain discuss some features of the proposed rule and describe an outline of how the rule is to be implemented. Each has done independent analysis of the proposed rule and offer opinions of the challenges of implementing it.

After Don Bain visits 5 universities in the U.S., he and Michael Gillenwater reflect on the state of environmental curricula in universities at the dawn of the Anthropocene. Their anecdotes address the extent to which climate change and carbon management are represented in education today. Michael's "around campus" segment addresses GHG Institute's activities in Asia. Don discusses The Supply Chain of CO2 in the "toolbox" segment. The American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment is mentioned.

Don Bain and Michael Gillenwater discuss the relationship between green power and carbon accounting and try to reduce some confusion about offsets and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs). This is timely considering:

- The questions Don encounters from colleagues.

- Michael’s recent blog post which asks (and answers) Is your “green power” really just “green washing?”

- A recent open letter published by GHG accounting leaders on the perils of contractual emissions factors.

- Draft guidance from the GHG Protocol for Scope 2 Reporting (public comment period).

Don Bain and Michael Gillenwater discuss why a supply chain or value chain framework makes sense for GHG management. Michael asks tough questions while Don answers based on his experience as an EY supply chain partner and author of the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute's new course on Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Reporting. News on campus includes information about new curriculum and introduction of Molly White, registrar. Toolbox segment gives a shout-out to HP for publishing their Carbon Accounting Assumptions manual.

Don Bain and Michael Gillenwater discuss initiatives underway to attempt to standardize reporting requirements, materiality, environmental reporting and attention fatigue. Campus segment is about new GHG Management Institute degree programs and the toolbox segment introduces the concept of the internet of things.