| Emission Scopes Used to Monitor Greenhouse Gases |
| Written by Daniel Stouffer | |
| Tuesday, 19 May 2009 | |
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It has been scientifically proven that certain chemicals when discharged into the air can cause severe damage to the environment and lead to global warming. Several treaties, among them the U.S. Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol, have been enacted worldwide to reduce the emission of harmful substances. Furthermore, emission scopes are being used to define and categorize the chemicals and their areas of use so facilities can better understand and take action to monitor the discharge rate of greenhouse gases.
It has been scientifically proven that certain chemicals when discharged into the air can cause severe damage to the environment and lead to global warming. Several treaties, among them the U.S. Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol, have been enacted worldwide to reduce the emission of harmful substances. Furthermore, emission scopes are being used to define and categorize the chemicals and their areas of use so facilities can better understand and take action to monitor the discharge rate of greenhouse 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. One of the three emission scopes, scope one, deals with greenhouse gas emissions which occur directly from the source. For example, should a refrigeration and air conditioning system leak gas. This category includes fossil fuels and also covers any company owned assets that have the potential to discharge greenhouse gases. 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. Sometimes, facility owners have the ability to control emissions of harmful greenhouse gases in the production process manufactured elsewhere. For example, where a manufacturer produces goods, such as paper products or fuels, in a remote location, the recipient facility owner can cut down on his need for these goods, or switch to a more environmentally friendly option. This is covered under scope three of the emission scopes A number of harmful greenhouse gases, such as chlorofluorocarbons, carbon dioxide, perfluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, methane, sulfur hexafluoride and nitrous oxide fall under the emission scopes. more than 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide is produced in the United States alone each year due to fugitive emissions of greenhouse gases and refrigerant. Emission scopes are being used by a wide range of industries, including corporations, universities and hospitals that are equipped with refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) systems or heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. After identifying how greenhouse gases are used directly and indirectly in their work area, facility managers are taking steps to minimize usage and to better track their discharge into the air. A number of companies have emerged to offer specialized software which will track emission scopes and make reporting procedures more user-friendly today and in the future. Government agencies require strict adherence to the rules and severe penalties await those who do not comply. The Article Author: Daniel Stouffer has much more information on the importance of emission scopesand how the refrigerant-tracker will aid you. |
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