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December 1, 2009
Carbon Footprinting Document Offers Guidance to Ports Examining Emissions Inventories
To further the World Ports Climate Initiative’s mission to provide a platform for the exchange of information, the Carbon Footprinting Working Group released its much anticipated 84-page Carbon Footprinting Guidance Document at the International Ports and Harbors Africa/Europe Regional meeting in Hamburg, Germany on November 18.
The document serves as an introduction to “carbon footprinting” and as a resource guide for ports wanting to develop or improve their greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventories. It was developed in a collaborative process by 11 North American and European ports with a common interest in sharing knowledge and methods related to the planning and development of carbon footprint inventories.
Several key planning considerations are discussed, including:
- What are the drivers behind developing a GHG inventory?
- What uses will be made of the information?
- Will change over time be tracked and to what resolution?
- What source categories will be covered?
- What are the geographical boundaries of the inventory?
- What level of information detail will be needed?
Designed to be dynamic, the document seeks new information and improvements to existing content to be included in periodic updates.
The WPCI hopes that all ports will consider developing a GHG emissions inventory and develop a collaborative approach toward collecting information, estimating emissions and developing plans to reduce the footprint of port operations.
For questions or comments about the Guidance Document, please contact Lisa Wunder at lwunder@portla.org.
For more information on Carbon Footprinting, click here.