Paper Details

TRB 90th Annual Meeting (January 23-27, 2011)

Event Number:	476
Event Title:	Advances in Climate Change Research
Event Date:	Jan 25 2011 9:30AM- 12:00PM
Event Location:	Hilton, International Center
Event Description:
Event Agenda:

Synthesis of Carbon Accounting Tools with Applicability to the Trucking Industry (11-1529)

Based upon an extensive review of carbon accounting tools, the American Transportation Research Institute(ATRI) evaluated the applicability of these tools to the trucking industry for use in quantifying potential sources of carbon emissions. Potential sources of greenhouse gases emissions are generally divided into three distinct classifications or scopes. Scope 1 includes direct emissions resulting from the combustion of fuel and evaporative emissions released from refrigerants. Emission sources included in Scope 1 could include: (1) the trucks and ancillary equipment used to transport freight; (2) the mobile and stationary equipment used at facilities; and (3) the air conditioning and refrigeration systems used in mobile equipment as well as at facilities. Scope 2 includes indirect emissions resulting from the purchase and use of electricity. Even though the direct emissions associated with producing electricity will occur at a power plant, the indirect emissions associated with a facility are reported. Finally, Scope 3 is an optional reporting component which includes the upstream and downstream emissions associated with various business-related activities. These activities can include business travel, employee commuting, the transportation of products using non-company owned vehicles and other related activities. For motor carriers looking to quantify their greenhouse gas emissions, a number of reporting entities and tools exist in the U.S. and internationally which have been identified in this report. While the reporting tools are generally similar, there are differences between accounting methods which can impact the reported level of emissions.

Authors
Tunnell, Michael , American Transportation Research Institute