OUR RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH STANDARDS BY VANIDA LENNON

OUR RESPONSE TO CLIMATE OUR RESPONSE TO CLIMATE

CHANGE THROUGH STANDARDSCHANGE THROUGH STANDARDS

BY VANIDA LENNON

INTRODUCTION

Uncertainties certainly exist about future trends as a result of climate

change. But the certainties and near certainties are equally important.

Today the scientific community agrees on three key points:

• The earth is warming

• The primary cause of this warming is fossil fuel consumption

• If we don’t act now to reduce emissions, this problem will only

get worse.

What are core functions of SABS

According to the Standards Act, (Act 8, 2008) The objects of the

SABS are to:

• Develop, promote and maintain South African

National Standards;

• Promote quality in connection with commodities,

products and services; and

• Render conformity assessment services and

matters connected therewith.

Essence of Standards and Standardization

1. improve the quality of life in society through enhanced awareness

on safety issues, maintenance of societal health and

environmental preservations.

2. improve the quality of South African products, services and

processes of production.

3. ensure the efficient utilization of existing resources through better

and improved communication.

GAPS IN GOVERNMENT RESPONSE – CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change policies

• Climate change is now a mainstream political issue.

However, there is no yet substantive framework for

policy which offers coherence and consistency as

to how national governments should cope with the

long-term political challenges of climate change.

• Presently, the public discussion on climate change

tends to be partial and disparate.

• Loosely connected debates hinge on:

GAPS IN GOVERNMENT RESPONSE – CLIMATE

CHANGE - cont

Evidence that climate change is occurring and estimates of

its potential impacts;

The prospects for agreeing on an international framework for

an economic response to, for instance, carbon trading;

futurology surrounding the potential for technological

innovation that could solve the problem.

Such a debate is often limited in scope and is too

compartmentalised. In order to come to terms with urgent need for

mitigation and adaptation, a broad policy perspective is required

because the impact of climate change challenges every corner of the

21st century state.

COMMON THEMES AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

Clear and consistent policy signals are urgently needed

• Both broad (economy-wide) and technology-specific policies

are essential

• There is a need to balance policy flexibility with reasonable

policy certainty

• A sustained carbon price signal through policies such as cap

and trade or carbon taxes might be the most important cross-

cutting policy driver

• Mandatory GHG emission reporting might be an essential tool

for identifying and stimulating reductions


A portfolio of technologies will be needed to drive the absolute

reductions of GHG emissions necessary to address climate

change

• No single technology or policy will be sufficient to enable low

carbon future

• All technologies studied so far have the potential, but revamped

research, development and deployment (RD&D) is necessary in

all of them

• Energy efficiency will provide the greatest opportunity in the

near term and will remain important over the long term as well

• While specific technologies are likely to be important players, it

is important to avoid the temptation to pick “winners”

•


A low-carbon technology revolution will require both

leadership and broad engagement throughout society

• Policies should address climate change in the context of

other societal goals (e.g., clean air, energy security)

taking advantage of creating public/private partnerships

• Clear and unambiguous target set by corporate leaders

and governments can have a significant positive effect on

achieving GHG reductions

• Greater focus is needed on critical energy challenges,

both in terms of resources and innovative technology


It is essential to start now

• It is imperative to begin now with clear statements of

policy and both cross-cutting and technology

specific policies and investments in order to transit

to a low-carbon economy

TECHNOLOGY-SPECIFIC POLICIES

Energy Efficiency

Energy conservation and environmental protection are keys to sustainability. The drive for improved energy efficiency and renewable energy sources needs to be addressed by globally accepted standards.

TECHNOLOGY-SPECIFIC POLICIES – cont.

The technological potential for energy efficiency improvements now and

in the future is significant, yet this potential is not likely to be

realized through market forces alone. We need policies that address

the technical, cost, and societal hurdles facing widespread

improvements in energy efficiency. In addition to price signals and

reporting, certain standards, incentives, and RD&D programs can

increase the use of efficient technologies. These options include:

• Adoption and promotion of codes and standards focused on maximizing GHG reductions (e.g., for buildings, vehicles and appliances);

• Increase in public RD&D in innovative energy efficiency technologies; and

• Incentives for the private and public procurement of highly efficient technologies


Hydrogen in transportation

Specific policies are needed to address the major challenges to hydrogen

becoming the low-carbon transportation fuel of the future. Near-term policy

options to enable future widespread deployment of hydrogen and other

potentially low-carbon transportation technologies include:• Continued and increased state support for hydrogen-related R&D in

targeted areas (e.g., low-carbon hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cells);

• National and international harmonization of hydrogen codes and standards

• Incentives to increase the development and deployment of lower-GHG transportation technologies (e.g., hybrids), many of which are part of an evolutionary path toward the use of fuel cells; and

• Increased consumer and public education regarding transportation, energy use, and GHG emissions.


Carbon sequestration/Coal gasification

In order to answer critical R&D questions and to commercialize

carbon capture and storage (CCS), significant effort must be made

over the next 10 to 15 years. Near-term steps include:

• A coordinated international effort to deploy coal gasification

with CCS through trial projects that focus on technical issues;

• Establishment of carbon sequestration trial projects to validate

integrity of geologic storage;

• Beginning to establish regulatory framework for underground

carbon dioxide (CO2 ) storage;

• Establishing frameworks to encourage improved farm and

forest management that enhance carbon storage (i.e., sinks)


Renewables

Despite significant potential for growth of renewables, these resources

currently only provide a small fraction of commercial energy. Closing

the gap between the current low level of renewables deployment and

their high potential will require significant and sustained policies. Near-

term policy options include:

• Establishment of a national Renewable Portfolio Standard with set-asides for specific generation technologies and tradable renewable energy credits;

• A major RD&D effort by DoE focused on the use of renewables beyond niche markets

• National test beds for new electricity grid systems that enable a broader set of power supply options, including intermittent and distributed energy and combined heat and power


Renewables• Increased research on expanding energy storage options

• Pollution fees for polluting energy sources; and

• Continued and consistent support (e.g., through tax credits) to

help renewables become competitive with fossil fuels for

electricity generation.


Renewable energy candidates

Solar energy

Biomass energy

Hydro electricity

Biogas energy

Wind energy

Ocean energy

• Standards should take end use devices into account, and consider their integration with auxiliary energy sources.

• Standards are also needed for the installation, inspection and maintenance of renewable systems to enhance consumer access and confidence in renewable technology


Advanced Nuclear power generation

The ability of nuclear power to play a significant role in reducing GHG

emissions over the next half century depends upon what happens in

the next 10 to 15 years. The question is whether, in that time frame,

the nuclear industry can overcome serious obstacles, including

economic concerns, waste, and safety. Near-term policy options:

• Electricity production tax credits for “first mover” nuclear

plants;

• Public dialogue and education regarding the costs and

benefits of nuclear power, especially in the context of climate

change.

THE ROLE OF SABS IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

MAIN FOCUS

The world is challenged by a changing climate, loss of

biodiversity, abject poverty and environmental degradation.

WHAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Good ideas, creativity, passion, innovation and the application of

standards in order to achieve - in a consistent manner – positive

change.

STANDARDS – A SOLUTION TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES

STANDARDS IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

• Means to ensure that our actions lead to a better quality of

life and a safer evolution of human kind.

• Key tools in influencing sustainability.

• Provide avenues toward improved environmental

performance

• Make a valuable contribution to environmental protection

(Applicable standard: ARP 720, Guide for addressing environmental

issues in product standards

•Standards ensure that our products meet the highest

environmental standards

•Standards help Government in regulating the behaviour of

producers in order to protect consumers. Regulation is there to protect

the public interest against the undesirable outcomes from unregulated

markets.


• Standards are vital towards Energy security: Oil, coal and natural gas are expected to dominate energy supply for decades to come. Climate policy must recognize the role these critical energy sources play to ensure security of supply

• Standards are central to conservation: Energy efficiency and conservation are the most immediate and cost–effective sources of "new" energy with no GHG emissions. Government programs to promote energy efficiency and conservation must continue and should be enhanced.

• Standards ensure broad equitable treatment: Broad and equitable treatment of all sectors of the economy is necessary to ensure no sector or company is disproportionately burdened.

• Standards enable technology: Emerging technology and as-yet-unknown technological breakthroughs have the potential to significantly reduce GHG emissions if they can be developed to commercial scale


• Standards encourages transparency: The costs, risks, trade-offs and uncertainties associated with climate policies must be openly communicated.

• Renewable electricity standards can positively impact the climate by reducing the amount of electricity generated from coal, and thus the total amount of emissions generated from the power sector.

• Secondary benefits of standards include reduced reliance on foreign sources of oil and gas (which comprise approximately 20 percent of electricity generation), stability in the supply and cost of electricity, and the creation of high-tech “green” jobs

PUBLISHED STANDARDS

• The SANS/ISO 14064 standards provide government and

industry with an integrated set of tools for programs aimed at

reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as for emissions

trading.

• SANS/ISO 14064 comprises three standards, respectively

detailing specifications and guidance for the organisational and

project levels, and for validation and verification.

SANS/ISO 14064

1. ISO 14064 part 1 – Greenhouse gases: specification with guidance at the

organization level for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas

emissions and removals.

2. ISO 14064 part 2 – Greenhouse gases: specification with guidance at the

project level for quantification, monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas

emissions reductions and removal enhancements.

3. ISO 14064 part 3 – Greenhouse gases: specification with guidance for the

validation and verification of greenhouse gas assertions.

Requirements of the applicable GHG programs or intended user

• Application of SANS/ISO14001 together with the SANS/ISO14064

standards can provide an excellent framework for effective

environmental management addressing the GHG impacts of an

organisation.

• GHG emission sources should be considered as significant

aspects within environmental policies because of their impact on

the environment. SANS/ISO 14064 provides tools for effective

measurement of these impacts and SANS/ISO14001 an effective

management system to initiate and progress improvement or

containment actions.

Implementing ISO 14064 is intended to achieve the following benefits

• Promote consistency, transparency and credibility in GHG

quantification, monitoring, reporting and verification;

• Enable organisations to identify and manage GHG-related

liabilities, assets and risks;

• Facilitate the trade of GHG allowances or credits, ; and

• Support the design, development and implementation of

comparable and consistent GHG schemes or programs.

SANS/ISO 14065

• SANS/ISO 14065 – Greenhouse gases: specification for greenhouse gas

validation and verification bodies for use in accreditation and other forms

of recognition.

• ISO 14065 recognizes that a number of GHG programs are being used in

various jurisdictions, underscoring the need for a clear and consistent

approach.

• Expressly designed as flexible tools for use in voluntary or regulatory

schemes, ISO 14064 and ISO 14065 assist organizations in managing

GHG-related opportunities and risks, and support the environmental

integrity of GHG claims.

The objectives of the ISO 14064 and ISO 14065 standards include:

• Developing flexible, regime-neutral tools for use in voluntary or regulatory

GHG schemes.

• Promoting and harmonizing best practices.

• Supporting the environmental integrity of GHG assertions.

• Assisting organizations to manage GHG-related opportunities and risks.

• Supporting the development of GHG programs and markets.

SABS RESPONSE TO EE INITIATIVES

RESPONSES

SABS RESPONSE TO EE

CONCLUSIONS

• There are many national and international standards which provide the

necessary tools to help businesses continually improve their sustainability

performance;

• One of those tools is ARP 720, Guide for addressing environmental issues

in product standards;

• Building on the well known SANS/ISO 14001, Environmental management

systems, SABS is now developing SANS/ISO 50001, Energy

management systems – Requirements with guidance for use, a standard

which holds great cost and energy-cutting potential for businesses in

developed and developing countries;

• Carbon management will remain a key pressure on business throughout

the recession, and to assist with this SABS TC 207, Environmental

management, is currently working on carbon footprint quantification.

Conclusions - cont

• Across the board, standards provide the extra cost saving, the

new customer, the new innovation with a range of benefits that

can make all the difference between sink and swim;

• Finally, when times are tough it is natural to look for easy savings,

but the cost of using environmental and sustainability standards

can be offset against the long-term financial gains.

Documents

OUR RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH STANDARDS BY VANIDA LENNON