Turn the engine off when you are stuck in traffic for long periods. If you're stuck in traffic for more than a minute or so it's better to turn your engine off in order to reduce your carbon emissions.
Rather than leaving your engine running when waiting to pick up or drop off passengers turn your engine off instead.
Reducing your speed can radically reduce the amount of green house gases you produce. Traveling at 56 mph rather than 70 mph reduces your fuel use by around 10% and if you dropped your speed from 70mph to 50mph you would reduce the carbon emitted by your car by a whopping 25%.
If you drive more smoothly, instead of accelerating and braking all the time, you can significantly reduce your carbon emissions. It has been estimated that those who drive smoothly and intelligently can save a staggering 30% of fuel consumption compared with those with a heavy right foot. By keeping your distance from the car in front and monitoring the traffic ahead you can slow down efficiently and avoid constant use of the break.
Ensure that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure, you can find the required pressure in your owner's manual. According to figures provided by the RAC under inflated tyres increase resistance and can increase fuel consumption by up to 2%.
Sharing car journeys reduces the number of cars on the road but nearly 40% of car journeys only have one occupant in the car. Check out Liftshare.org to find travel companies and share travel costs.
Avoid carrying unnecessary heavy items, such as tool kits or golf clubs. The more weight you're carrying in the car, the more fuel is used per mile and the greater the carbon emissions per journey.
If you are not using them remove roof racks and/or bull bars. Not only do they add to the weight of the car but these items also increase air resistance, adding up to 5% to your fuel consumption.
If you have air conditioning fitted try and minimise its use. At slower speeds open your car windows and ventilate the car naturally instead. Be aware that at higher speeds open windows can create significant drag, so it is better to use the car's conventional air ventilation system or air con if really necessary. Air conditioning can add around 10% to your fuel consumption.
Regularly servicing, in accordance with the manufactures mileage recommendations, ensures that you car runs as efficiently as possible, thus maximising its performance and fuel efficiency and minimising emissions. A regular service will save you money in the long run, as the car should last longer as well as running far more economically.
Carbon (CO2) Emissions Reporting: It's the law.
In many countries, carbon emissions are required by law to be reported across an organization's entire footprint; hence the common term now in widespread use Carbon Footprinting. Carbon data and detailed records of energy, fuel, and refrigerant gas consumption fall under regulatory compliance rules and must be reported in paper, and increasingly, electronic format.
Similar forms of mandatory monitoring, tracking, and reporting of air, water and soil pollutants fall under the Montreal Protocol (refrigerants gases), The U.S. Clean Air Act (many pollutants), and The Kyoto Protocol (6 GHG gases).
EPA and State Regulatory Compliance
Air, water and soil pollutants resulting from emissions that go beyond the property line or are in excess of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and/or state compliance regulations must be reported in order to maintain a safe and healthy environments. In addition, there is a very high likelihood that the United States will follow suite with many other countries to mandate economy wide carbon emission reporting. Submission of carbon emissions reports help identify main sources of GHG (greenhouse gases) and track the volume emitted into the atmosphere so that these volumes may be ratcheted down over time.
HCFC Refrigerants -- The cause of depleted Ozone and increases of GHG emissions.
This is the main basis and high-level background for carbon emissions reporting. Refrigerants gases add higher levels of carbon into the air due to the composition CFCs and HCFCs. The refrigerants used in commercial heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) or regular air conditioning (AC) units include Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC), chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and perfluorocarbon (PFC).
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are a collection of commonly used refrigerant and aerosol gasses with a wide variety of other commercial applications. The common Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in use today are hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These substances are organic compounds which consist of clorine, fluorine, carbon and hydrogen and are controlled under the rules set forth in Section 608 of the US Clean Air Act.
The U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) documented that increased GHG emissions is the result of misuse of HCFC refrigerants. As a result of conclusion, the EPA has implemented protocols requiring owner or operators of refrigerant systems to accurately track their refrigerant usage. Refrigerants, referenced as fugitive emissions, make up one of the four main scopes of carbon emissions.
Carbon Emissions Protocols - Get to know these intimately (scope by scope).
The Climate Registry Protocol was written in preparation of mandatory monitoring and tracking or mobile (vehicle emissions), stationary (electricity production), and fugitive emissions (refrigerant gases). These possible sources of emissions are defined below as noted in The Climate Registry, the ISO standards, the EPA protocols, and the World Resource Institute requirements.
Mobile emissions are those which emanate from transport vehicles. Most commonly, these are emissions from the combustion of fuels in transportation sources and emissions from non-road equipment such as equipment used in construction, agriculture, and forestry.
Stationary emissions are those which come from a regular source but do not disperse over greater areas, rather remaining in concentrations in the specific source area. These are emissions from the combustion of fuels to produce electricity, steam, heat, or power using in a fixed location.
Fugitive emissions are those which may occur as a result of inefficient control equipment or control equipment that is obsolete. Examples include releases of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) from electrical equipment, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) releases during the use of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, process equipment leaks, etc.
The EPA, ISO, World Resource Institute, and Climate Registry all have reporting protocols which outline, in a systematic way methods for collecting, calculating, and reporting carbon emissions. All protocols are available. There is not a single reporting protocol as of early 2009. The current carbon emission protocols being drafted, reviewed, and supported by businesses and various government agencies all dictate detailed reporting requirements. EPA rules put in place mandatory CO2 emissions reporting regulations. Companies must spend time getting to know the protocols to remain in compliance.
Critical Heads Up - Organizations must organize, manage,and (eventually) report carbon emissions or face tough consequences.
Where refrigerant gases prevail heavily in multiple sources, refrigerant reporting as well as refrigerant tracking will lead to a better phasing in of mandatory carbon reporting. Legal carbon emissions reporting pave the way for lasting reductions in carbon emissions and improved management of company assets. Measure reduction in CO2 emissions. The goal to keep focused upon is a cleaner environment through reduced use of harmful refrigerants and more efficiently managed companies.
Both Martyn & Daniel Stouffer are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Martyn has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recreation Vehicle RV, Finances and Business and Finance. Tony Cowleywww.fasteronline.co.uk. Martyn's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.
Daniel Stouffer has sinced written about articles on various topics from Blogging, Health and Entrepreneurship. To learn more effective refrigerant management tactics and the tools that support them, you can contact Daniel Stouffer, the Product Manager for Refrigerant Tracker. This web-based software makes it easy to monitor, manage, and report refrigerant gas usag. Daniel Stouffer's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.