Greenhouse Gas Management (GHG)

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are often called greenhouse gases (GHG). Some GHG, such as carbon dioxide, occur naturally and are emitted to the atmosphere through natural processes and human activities. Other GHG are created and emitted solely through human activities.

Management of GHG entails all of the tasks necessary to understand and manage risks associated with GHG emissions. It comprises a group of services that begin with a GHG inventory and extend into development of management plans, reduction project design and implementation, and environmental market transactions.

WESTON has provided GHG inventory services since 2004. Our private-sector projects include international clients in services and technology, as well as in manufacturing. WESTON recently completed the first phase of an estimated $250K project for climate change consulting and a GHG inventory for an international manufacturing firm.

Through partnerships in energy services, WESTON can integrate clean energy project development into GHG solutions. WESTON is able to offer energy efficiency projects financed through energy savings as a component of GHG strategy.

Environmental markets play a role in GHG project finance, and WESTON has an established broker relationship to facilitate valuations and transactions in carbon and renewable energy credits. Methane destruction/reuse, part of Weston’s landfill gas practice, can potentially tap these resources for project funding. Opportunities may also exist in fuel substitution (e.g., biofuels), other types of methane destruction projects, and energy-efficiency projects, provided carbon mitigation is sufficient.

Project examples:

Major mining company - Developed a GHG emissions inventory including direct and indirect sources. Inventory was completed utilizing protocol developed by the World Business Council on Sustainable Development and World Resources Institute to ensure accountability of results. Results were used to support client’s development of a GHG management strategy.

Global manufacturing company - Conducted a discovery and requirements analysis of our client’s existing business processes impacting the environment. The project included determination of applicable corporate and regulatory requirements as well as evaluation of existing legacy systems. WESTON’s Environmental Management Information System (EMIS) solution provided automated management information for greenhouse gases and five other areas of environmental concern.