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Constructing yourCarbon Footprint
A guide to calculating your carbonfootprint for the construction industry
 
What is a Carbon Footprint?
We all affect the environment in many different ways, from the way we travel towork, to the equipment we use and the way we heat and light the premises. With allthese things to think about it is hard to find one way of measuring our total impact. Aquick and easy way to show your total impact is to calculate your carbon footprint.
Where does all the Carbon come from? 
When we talk about carbon footprint what we actually mean is ‘carbon dioxidefootprint’. Carbon dioxide (CO
2
) is released when we burn carbon based fuels.Almost all fuels are carbon-based, including:
 
petrol and diesel
in our cars, vans and generators
 
coal, oil and gas
in our power stations (and businesses)
 
 jet fuel
in aeroplanesTypical business activities which directly or indirectly release carbon dioxide include:
How does carbon dioxide affect the environment? 
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas - it traps the sun's heat and keeps the earth warm.Too much carbon dioxide in the air leads to climate change, also known as globalwarming. Other greenhouse gases, such as methane, also contribute to climatechange. Countries and large organisations count these as part of their carbon footprint.But for you and your business the most important greenhouse gas is carbon dioxideand it is the only greenhouse gas included in your carbon footprint.
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Train travelElectricalAppliancesElectricalToolsDieselGeneratorsMini-ExcavatorsRechargeableBatteriesFLTParaffinHeatersVanTravelCoalFiresPropaneHeatersAir Travel
 
Why measure your Carbon Footprint? 
Business benefits
Cost Savings
Reducing the amount of electricity, gas and fuel you use for your business activitieswill result in cost savings. If for no other reason than saving money you shouldmonitor and record energy and fuel use. If you can’t measure it you can’t manage it.
Accreditations and Legislation
An increasing number of accreditation schemes and government legislation is aimedat the construction industry. The majority of which have some element of environmental assessment and a requirement for you to prove your environmentalperformance. The type of data that you need to gather for your carbon footprintcalculation will be the same required by other accreditation schemes and legislation.For example:
 
Code for Sustainable HomesIf you become involved in the construction of new build homes it may benecessary for you to submit your energy data to the Principle Contractor.
 
Considerate Construction SchemeSigning up to this scheme shows a commitment to a number of issues includingyour impact on the environment. To prove your commitment to reducing thatimpact energy saving performance and measures need to be demonstrated.If you have already calculated your carbon footprint and continue to gather the data itwill be easier to sign up to these schemes or meet legal requirements.
Tendering
Even if you choose to dismiss that your activities are changing the climate it is likelythat others around you, including clients, may be totally committed to making adifference by reducing their carbon footprint. Environmental performance isincreasingly included in the tendering process for contracts. Suppliers of products orservices often have to complete some form of written evaluation. By calculating yourcarbon footprint you show an understanding of how your business activities affect theenvironment and it may allow you to answer the environmental question quickly andeasily.
Reputation
With the increase in public awareness there is increasing pressure on businesses tounderstand how they affect the environment and do something about it.
To reduce your negative impact on the environmental
There is now very strong evidence that significant global warming can't be explainedby natural causes alone. Humans are changing the climate by their actions, especiallythrough emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which artificially warmthe atmosphere of the earth. The effects of climate change so far include risingtemperatures, higher sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events like floods.All of these are expected to become more severe. Future effects of climate change canbe influenced by what is done now. By calculating your carbon footprint you have aclear understanding of how your business releases carbon dioxide and allows you totarget areas for improvement.
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