Methodology to Assess Greenhouse Gas Management Performance
Discussion Paper Summary
The Capital Regional District is committed to the principle of carbon neutrality with respect to the wastewater project. By estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, determining GHG emission targets and incorporating this information into the decision making process, the CRD will be able to make an informed wastewater treatment choice.
GHG analysis is being conducted on two levels:
- A comparison of program choices, which could have a specific influence on the program’s total carbon footprint
- A focus on the total carbon footprint of the overall waste management strategy
Elements of the program which could have a significant influence on total GHG emission include:
- Biosolids management
- Organics residuals energy and resource recovery
- Wastewater heat recovery
The CRD will analyze this data to include GHG emission through to the year 2065. Pressure energy, phosphorus and water recovery will not likely have a significant impact on the carbon footprint. Urine separation, however, could have a significant impact, but as it is a longer term possibility it has also been excluded from current evaluations.
Ways of Measuring the GHG Footprint
Methodologies used to measure GHG footprint include:
- Technical methodologies—estimating emissions based on information available in scientific literature
- Accounting—assessment of the program’s total carbon footprint, including direct and indirect emissions
- Carbon costs—present and future carbon costs, including a variety of different cost scenarios
CRD GHG Emissions Targets
The CRD target is carbon neutrality. Though any project can technically achieve this goal through spending on emission offsets, it is hoped that the analyses being completed will show that the CRD project can be designed to be a zero emitter without the need for external offsets.
In the absence of any currently existing regulations, the CRD has the opportunity to make its own policy decisions on GHG emission targets. However, setting specific targets before planning is complete would be premature.
© Image courtesy of Evan Leeson