Climate strategies for the industry, energy and public sectors
Climate strategies for the industry, energy and public sectors
In spite of international carbon saving efforts, global carbon emissions are higher than ever before. In Germany too, further measures are needed. At E-world in Essen, TÜV SÜD presents its comprehensive portfolio of certification and testing services related to carbon footprint, carbon neutrality, biomethane and green power (hall 1 / stand 322).
"Businesses, energy suppliers and municipalities undertaking voluntary efforts to mitigate climate change benefit from cost savings and a good reputation", says Thomas Claßen, project manager for voluntary climate-change programmes at TÜV SÜD Industrie Service. "Another advantage is that they obtain hard benchmarking data for comparing their performance against that of competitors." Critical factors in this context are complete measurement and documentation of all carbon emissions caused by the company (Corporate Carbon Footprint) or the product (Product Carbon Footprint). Carbon footprint certification on the basis of approved standards (e.g. GHG Protocol; ISO 14064), carried out by TÜV SÜD's climate-change experts, verifies the greenhouse-gas balance has been drawn up correctly and demonstrates commitment to climate-change targets. Carbon footprint certification also marks an important step in making companies and products carbon neutral. TÜV SÜD's "Carbon Neutrality" certification mark guarantees that all relevant greenhouse gas emissions were taken into account and that the certificate holder has used all opportunities for cutting carbon emissions and taken appropriate measures to offset all inevitable greenhouse gas emissions. Offsetting options include investments in recognized climate-change projects.
GreenMethane certification – options
"Reliable assessment of the greenhouse-gas balance of biomethane requires in-depth understanding of all legal requirements and balancing details", explains Elena Schmidt, Product Manager Biomethane at TÜV SÜD. The greenhouse gas balance is an important element for assessing the sustainability of an energy carrier, and thus ultimately for applying for public funding or tax benefit options. After all, biogas that has been upgraded to natural gas standards can come from a host of sources and offers a wide variety of uses. The most important options include injection into the natural gas grid and use in the electricity, heat or fuel sectors.
TÜV SÜD's "GreenMethane" certification offers a reliable guarantee of origin (GoO) and proof of the injection of biomethane into the natural gas grid. This evidence must be submitted to obtain public funding under Germany's Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and be eligible for crediting under the Act on the Promotion of Renewable Energies in the Heat Sector (EE-WärmeG) or Germany's Biofuel Sustainability Ordinance (Biokraft-NachV).
"Over and above the evidence that must be submitted to be eligible for subsidies and tax benefits, voluntary certification of products for emissions trading and for consumers offers additional benefits for gas traders and energy suppliers", emphasizes Elena Schmidt. Assessment by the auditors focuses in particular on the processes and documentation involved in biomethane trading. Certification provides gas suppliers with reliable, third-party-verified proof of the promised characteristics of their gas product and strengthens consumer confidence.
Updated standard for green power certification
2011 saw a soaring demand for green power, triggered in particular by the rise in consumer awareness in the area of nuclear power. "The growing share of green power in the electricity grid is also a challenge with respect to market transparency. Given this, maintaining and further strengthening client and consumer confidence is important", explains Klaus Nürnberger, energy certification expert at TÜV SÜD Industrie Service. "After all, green power products must come from renewable sources in order to benefit our climate." Critical certification criteria are that the sources of green power can be clearly identified and that the expansion of energy from renewable sources is promoted.
For the certification of a green power product, the experts assess the entire process from generation to supply to consumers. Certification is based on TÜV SÜD's catalogues of criteria for product certification and proof of origin, which are founded in decades of experience in the green power sector and subject to continual improvement. "At E-world, we will present our updated TÜV SÜD standards in the field of green power", announces Klaus Nürnberger. "The updated standards are aligned to current market developments and reflect the higher expectations in the area of green power." Including detailed explanations, these catalogues of criteria are important sources of information for customers, suppliers and analysts.
Success Factor: Carbon Footprint: Roadshow in spring
TÜV SÜD's third-party experts and renowned partners have organized a roadshow demonstrating ways of establishing intelligent carbon management "Success Factor: Carbon Footprint". The roadshow addresses all issues related to this subject, from review and validation of the corporate carbon footprint to reduction of carbon emissions, offsetting to reach carbon neutrality, and carbon reporting. The road show will open in Munich (16 February 2012) and then move on to Mannheim (1 March 2012) and Essen (3 April 2012).
Further information: www.tuev-sued.de/CO2Bilanz and www.tuve-sued.de/is
Contact: Dr. Thomas Oberst