The Most Effective Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Measures

Given the increasingly grave climate change situation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions has become a pressing issue for all humanity. Currently, there are several types of greenhouse gases, including CO2, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, and compounds like CFCs and HFCs. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has garnered intensified attention in order to curb Earth's rising temperatures and protect the global ecosystem. This article by Minmax Green aims to provide insight into the causes and the most effective greenhouse gas emission reduction measures being implemented.

Compilation of greenhouse gas emission reduction measures (Image source: Collected)

What are Greenhouse Gases?

Greenhouse gases (abbreviated as GHGs) are atmospheric gases, which exist naturally and are on the rise due to human industrial and domestic activities. The main constituents of greenhouse gases include:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2): This is the primary greenhouse gas, accounting for approximately 76% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. CO2 is released primarily from activities involving the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil, and natural gas.

• Methane (CH4): A potent greenhouse gas which is 80 times more effective than CO2 (1). Methane is emitted from livestock farming, rice cultivation, and decomposition of waste.

• Nitrous Oxide (N2O): This greenhouse gas is 120 times more effective than CO2 (1). It occurs naturally and is also human-induced, mainly from agricultural activities and the burning of fossil fuels.

• • Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): These are used in refrigeration industries, aerosols, and more.

Understanding what greenhouse gases are and their impact on the environment (Image source: Collected)

When the Earth receives light from the sun, it reflects infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases absorb this radiation and retain the heat for the Earth, making it warmer. Without greenhouse gases, the average temperature of Earth would be -18 degrees Celsius, 33 degrees lower than the current average. However, an excessive increase in greenhouse gases will lead to an excessive retention of heat, resulting in a greenhouse effect and global climate change, along with various hazards such as disasters, floods, droughts, and tsunamis in various regions of the world.

Given this situation, many scientists and large organizations have become proactive in limiting the negative impacts of climate change. The measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions embody the responsibility of every individual and organization for a greener future.

Current Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Measures

To minimize greenhouse gas emissions into the environment, the following measures can be implemented:

Planting more greenery

Deforestation is a key source of the 20% CO2 emissions each year (2). Actively planting and nurturing forests is, thus, an effective measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to environmental protection.

Planting more trees is also one of the measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Image source: Collected)

Trees not only absorb large quantities of CO2 from the atmosphere but also cool the living environment and reduce the temperature in the surrounding area.

Prioritizing efficient and energy-saving methods

Efficient and energy-saving use of resources such as electricity, fuels, coal, and various other minerals is also an effective measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You can switch off electrical devices when not in use, reduce the use of personal vehicles, and opt for public transport.

Environment protection advocacy

Businesses or individuals can organize environmental protection campaigns to raise awareness. These efforts can inform people about the reasons and impacts of environmental change, subsequently driving action for better environmental protection. As a result, everyone can build environmental awareness through small acts such as refraining from littering and reducing the use of plastic bags.

Use of clean energy sources

One of the most widely adopted greenhouse gas emission reduction methods among businesses and households today is prioritizing the use of clean energy. Transitioning to clean energy sources such as solar and wind, and investing in clean technologies is substantially effective in significantly reducing CO2 emissions and greenhouse effects.

Clean energy sources will help limit the emission of CO2 into the environment. (Image source: Collected)

Switching to eco-friendly transportation

Use of environmentally friendly means of transportation is another popular measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Using public transport, such as buses instead of personal vehicles, helps to decrease fuel consumption and traffic congestion. Additionally, traveling by bicycle or electric vehicles instead of traditional gasoline vehicles significantly contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the environment.

Why Do Businesses Need to Report and Audit Greenhouse Gas Emissions?

Greenhouse gas audits help to collect information, data, and calculate greenhouse gas emissions and absorption within a specified scope or in a year. Businesses need to report and audit greenhouse gases for the following reasons:

Legal compliance

Within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, by 2030, Vietnam commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 8% compared to 2010, using domestic resources. This reduction level may increase to 25% with efficient support from the international community (3). To fulfill this commitment, the Vietnamese government has augmented the Environmental Protection Law 2020 (Law No. 72/2020/QH14) to cover greenhouse gas-emitting facilities, including mandatory greenhouse gas audits and related activities. Non-compliance will seriously impact the business operations of these facilities.

Image source: thuvienphapluat.vn (4)(5)

Client Requirement

Businesses are required to conduct greenhouse gas audits primarily due to the demands of brands and consumers. In order to export products abroad, factories and businesses operating in Vietnam must comply with greenhouse gas emission standards, such as:

• Meeting the requirements of TCVN ISO 14064-1:2011 – Technical specifications and guidelines for quantifying and reporting emissions, thereby eliminating greenhouse gases at the organizational level.

• Adhering to the Higg Index (Higg FEM 3.0) – Applied to the fashion industry such as textiles, leather shoes, accessories, backpacks, handbags, etc... Higg FEM 3.0 program will be implemented by the end of 2023, and by 2024, Higg FEM 4.0 will be applied.

• Adhering to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS 4.0) – Applicable to all companies dealing in products that utilize recycled materials or organizations looking to verify the recycled components of their products. This standard has been effective since July 1, 2017.

• Compliance with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS 6.0) – Applied to the entire supply chain in the organic textile industry, introduced in 2006.

Meeting these standards is essential for factories and businesses operating in Vietnam, to have opportunities for export to foreign enterprises.

Voluntary Practice and Public Disclosure of Information

Businesses can voluntarily conduct greenhouse gas audits and publish this information to the public in order to:

• Build an image as an environmentally sustainable business.

• Access sponsorship opportunities, credit incentives, and benefits from financial institutions when businesses have fully transparent and comprehensive greenhouse gas audit reports.

Greenhouse gas inventory process according to standard 14064-1:2011 (Source: tqc.vn)

In conclusion

This article has provided you with insight into the most effective greenhouse gas emission reduction measures. Through this article, you have also understood why businesses need to conduct greenhouse gas audits. If your business needs consulting on greenhouse gas audits, please contact Minmax Green at the contact information below for the fastest support.

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References:

(1) What are greenhouse gases? Things to know about greenhouse gases.

https://moitruong.net.vn/khi-nha-kinh-la-gi-nhung-dieu-nen-biet-ve-khi-nha-kinh-57375.html

(2) Greenhouse effect: What is it? Factors of the greenhouse effect on the environment

https://luatminhkhue.vn/hieu-ung-nha-kinh-cac-tac-nhan-cua-hieu-ung-nha-kinh-voi-moi-truong.aspx

(3) Analysis of the current situation of greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam.

https://tapchicongthuong.vn/bai-viet/phan-tich-thuc-trang-phat-thai-khi-nha-kinh-tai-viet-nam-72541.htm

(4) Environmental Protection Law.

https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/Tai-nguyen-Moi-truong/Luat-so-72-2020-QH14-Bao-ve-moi-truong-2020-431147.aspx

(5) Circular guiding information disclosure on the securities market. https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/Chung-khoan/Thong-tu-96-2020-TT-BTC-quy-dinh-cong-bo-thong-tin-tren-thi-truong-chung-khoan-459000.aspx

(6) Process of implementing Greenhouse Gas Inventory according to the latest iso 14064-1 standard in 2023.

https://tqc.vn/6-buoc-thuc-hien-kiem-ke-khi-nha-kinh-hieu-qua.htm

(7) Introduction to Higg FEM Standard - Assessing Environmental Impact in Sustainable Textile Production 2024. https://tqc.vn/gioi-thieu-tieu-chuan-higg-fem.htm

(8) What is the Global Recycled Standard (GRS)? https://knacert.com.vn/blogs/tin-tuc/tieu-chuan-tai-che-toan-cau-grs-la-gi-kna-cert

(9) GOTS Training and Certification - Global Organic Textile Standard. https://tqc.vn/tu-van-chung-nhan-gots.htm