ECF Africa Works 2012

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Soil & More International B.V.

Carbon Footprint of the

conference Africa Works;29and 30 October 2012,

Zeist, The Netherlands

December 2012


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Soil & More International Page2

Title

Carbon footprint of the conference AfricaWorks; 29 and 30 October 2012, Zeist, theNetherlands

Author Soil & More International

T: +31 (0) 880 079 [email protected]

Copyright No part of this publication may be reproducedin any form by print, photo print, microfilm orany other means without permission of Soil &More International.

Disclaimer Neither Soil & More International, nor itspartners, accepts any liability whatsoever forany direct or consequential loss howeverarising from any use of this document or itscontents or otherwise arising in connectionherewith.

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approval of the assessed parties.

Contactaddress

Soil & More InternationalHoofdstraat 24NL 3972 LA DriebergenThe Netherlands

T: +31 (0) 880 079 500F: +31 (0) 180 638 343W: www.soilandmore.com


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Table of Contents

Table of Contents ................................................................................. 3

1. Summary ....................................................................................... 52. Introduction .................................................................................... 5

3. Methodology and Approach ............................................................... 5

3.1 Methodological Approach ........................................................................ 5

3.2 System boundary .................................................................................. 6

3.3 Scopes ................................................................................................. 6

3.4 Data sources ......................................................................................... 7

3.5 Emission factors .................................................................................... 7

3.6 Exclusions ............................................................................................. 7

4. Greenhouse gas inventory and results ................................................ 8

4.1 Gas Consumption .................................................................................. 8

4.2 Electricity Consumption .......................................................................... 8

4.3 Transport of participants ......................................................................... 9

4.4 Transport of staff ................................................................................... 9

4.5 Transport Catering ............................................................................... 10

4.6 Hotel-stays ......................................................................................... 11

4.7 PR materials ....................................................................................... 11

4.8 Waste and wastewater ......................................................................... 12

4.9 Miscellaneous ...................................................................................... 12

5. Summary of results ....................................................................... 13

6. Climate neutrality and Communication ............................................. 15

References ........................................................................................ 16


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List of Abbreviations

CH4 Methane

CO2 Carbon DioxideCFCs Hydrofluorcarbons

CO2e Carbon Dioxide Equivalent

Defra United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

EF Emission Factor

EIA Energy Information Administration

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization

GHG Greenhouse Gas

GWP Global Warming Potential

IEA International Energy Agency

IPPC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

ISO International Organization for Standardisation

N2O Nitrous Oxide

PAS 2050 Publicly Available Specification

pkm passenger kilometre

UNEP United Nations Environmental Program

UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

U.S. DOE U.S. Department of Energy

VER Voluntary Emission Reduction

Vkm Vehicle kilometre


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1.SummaryThe global climate is changing, as confirmed by numerous official sources such as theInternational Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This change is the result of CO 2e emissionscaused by human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels or the cutting down of trees.

Naturally, each event leads to various activities that result in CO2e emissions (e.g. cardriving, land and air travel, energy consumption). These GHG emissions end up in theatmosphere and contribute to climate change.

This assessment covers the carbon footprint of the conference Africa Works! 21st centurytrends held in the Hotel Theater Figi in Zeist, the Netherlands, on 29 and 30 October2012. Emissions caused by organization and realization of the event amount to 226,811kgCO2e. Determined emissions will be offset through Soil & More carbon credits. Thus, theconference will be a climate neutral event.

2.IntroductionThis report summarizes the results of the carbon footprint of the international conferenceAfrica Works! 21st Century Trends (in the following referred to as Africa Works!),organized by the African Studies Centre (ASC) and the Netherlands-African Business Council(NABC) in cooperation with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Agentschap NL. Theaim of the conference was to shed some light on the positive trends that are unfolding onthe continent, showing that Africa provides endless opportunities. By bringing togetherDutch and African companies, government officials, policy makers, academics and othersinterested in Africa, the organizers aimed to identify and understand Africas 21st centurytrends. The conference took place on 29 and 30 October in Hotel Theater Figi in Zeist, theNetherlands.

3.Methodology and Approach3.1 Methodological Approach

For the GHG Inventory of the conference, the approach outlined in the Greenhouse GasProtocol1 was applied. The GHG Protocol is an internationally acknowledged standard forcorporate GHG emissions reporting which was created by the WBCSD (World BusinessCouncil for Sustainable Development) and the WRI (World Resource Institute). Under theGHG Protocol, all GHG emissions are converted into CO2e equivalents.

Greenhouse gases are defined as atmospheric gases responsible for global warming andclimate change. There are several greenhouse gases, all having a different impact onclimate change - expressed as the Global Warming Potential (GWP).

This study includes three greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), andnitrous oxide (N2O). Identified greenhouse gases are converted into CO2e by multiplyingthem with their respective GWP value. Below table shows the GWP values of greenhousegases within the scope of the study:

1 The Greenhouse Gas Protocol - A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard. Revised Edition. WBCSB & WRI.


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Type of gas Chemical formula GWP 100

Carbon dioxide CO2 1Methane CH4 25Nitrous oxide N2O 298Table 1: Greenhouse gasses included in this study with their GWP value.

3.2 System boundaryThe term boundary refers to the set of criteria specifying which activities due to theorganization and realization of an event are accounted for in the carbon footprint of thisevent. Once the system boundaries have been defined, the greenhouse gas emissionsarising during the different activities of the event are identified.

The following potential emissions sources of this event were identified and analysed:1. Electricity and heating2. Transport of participants3. Transport of staff

4. Transport catering5. Hotel-stays6. PR material7. Waste and wastewater8. Miscellaneous2

3.3 ScopesIn line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocols approach, emissions were assigned to three

different scopes in accordance with the level of control an organisation or organiser has overthem:

Scope 1: Scope 1 emissions include the directGHG emissions of an event. Theseemissions arise from sources that are owned or controlled by the organiser and/oractivities that he fully controls.

Scope 2: This scope accounts for all indirect emissions resulting from purchasedelectricity consumed during the event. The electricity is brought into the boundary ofthe event but the emissions physically occur at the facility where electricity isgenerated (i.e. a source controlled by another company).

Scope 3: Scope 3 emissions include other indirect GHG emissions caused by theevent. These emissions are consequences of the activities of the event but occur atsources owned or controlled by another company.

Together these three scopes constitute a comprehensive framework for calculating theCarbon Footprint of an event. In below table, emissions caused by the conference Africa

Works! are allocated to the three different scopes.

2Emissions due to printing of PR materials, the user phase of PR materials where applicable, the end of life phaseof PR materials as well as emissions related to food and drinks consumed during the event.


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Table 2: Allocating GHG emission sources to three different scopes.

3.4 Data sources

Wherever possible, primary activity data provided by a representative of the organiser wasused to carry out this GHG inventory. All required data was gathered via questionnaires

especially designed for this purpose. In case primary data was not available, secondary data(such as databases, studies, reports) was used. Assumptions were only made if nosecondary data was found and/or the source of secondary data did not meet requiredquality criteria.

3.5 Emission factors

Emission factors were carefully chosen and are as accurate as possible regardinggeographical area and the activity in question. Emission factors used in this study areprovided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); the United NationsFramework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); the Paper Task Force; the CO2Prestatieladder; the United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

(Defra), as well as independent studies. Only the most recent emission factors were usedfor this GHG inventory. In case several emission factors were available, the highest andmost specific of all reliable and trustworthy emission factors was used.

3.6 Exclusions

The following sources of emissions are not included in the carbon footprint: Emissions from the production of capital goods (like trucks, buildings, equipment,

etc.); Human energy requirements.

Scope Emission Source

Scope 2 Gas consumptionScope 2 Electricity consumption

Scope 3 Transport of participants

Scope 3 Transport of staffScope 3 Transport catering

Scope 3 Hotel stays

Scope 3 PR MaterialScope 3 Waste Management and DisposalScope 3 Miscellaneous


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4.Greenhouse gas inventory and resultsTo calculate the GHG emissions (carbon footprint) of the event, all potential sources ofgreenhouse gases were broken down into several emission groups: Gas; Electricity;

transport of participants; transport of staff; transport catering; hotel-stays; PR materials;waste and wastewater; and emissions belonging to the category miscellaneous.

4.1 Gas ConsumptionDuring the event, a certain amount of gas was consumed to heat the building. Data requiredto determine emissions related to heating are the energy source and the quantityconsumed. According to the organizer, 2,000 m3 gas was consumed during the event AfricaWorks!. Unfortunately, the supplier of the gas could not provide any exact information onthe GHG emissions caused by the production of its gas per defined entity (emission factor).It is, however, known that no green energy was purchased. Based on this information, anappropriate emission factor was chosen to account for GHG emissions caused by gasconsumption.

Gas Consumption

Consumption Unit EF UnitEFSource

GHGemissions Unit

2,000 m3 2.02 kgCO2e/m3gas IPCC 4,040 kgCO2e

Subtotal emissions gas 4,040 kgCO2e

4.04 tCO2e

Table 3: GHG emissions caused by gas consumption.

4.2 Electricity ConsumptionDuring the event, a certain amount of electricity was consumed. Data required to determineemissions related to electricity consumption are the energy source and the quantityconsumed. According to the organizer, a total amount of 2,500 kWh electricity wasconsumed during the event. The energy supplier of Hotel Theater Figi is Nuon.Unfortunately, Nuon could not provide any exact information on the GHG emissions causedby the production of its electricity per defined entity (emission factor). According toinformation received by the organizer of the event, no green energy (energy generatedfrom renewable sources) was purchased. Nuon provides information as to the generation ofits energy on the companys website.3 Based on this information, an appropriate emissionfactor was chosen to account for GHG emissions caused by electricity consumption.

3http://www.nuon.nl/veelgesteldevragen/overzicht/Hoe-wordt-Nuon-Stroom-opgewekt.jsp?from=FAQ&itemcategory=FAQ


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Electricity Consumption

Consumption Unit EF Unit EF SourceGHGemissions Unit

2,500 kWh 0.455 kgCO2e/kWhCO2Prestatieladder 1,138 kgCO2e

Subtotal emissions electricity 1,138 kgCO2e

1.14 tCO2e

Table 4: GHG emissions caused by electricity consumption.

4.3 Transport of participantsIn total, 552 participants were present at the event, about 249 of whom attended bothdays, whereas about 98 only attended day 1 and about 129 only attended day 2. All datarequired to calculate transport related emissions were obtained via optimized questionnairesfrom a representative of the organiser. People were traveling by airplane, car, train, as wellas other means of public transport. As an additional service to the delegates, two minibuseswere running between the train station in Zeist and the venue. All emissions were fullyaccounted for. In order to also cover emissions due to delegates travel from the airport toZeist, a taxi ride for those traveling by aircraft was assumed. The total emissions due toparticipants travel amount to 217,997 kg CO2e. Each participant is thus responsible forabout 394.92 kgCO2e.

Transport of participants

Means of

transport

Number of

km EF Unit EF Source

GHG

emissions Unit

Plane* 198.444 different4 kgCO2e/km Defra 2012 209,329 kg CO2eTrain 42.740 0.0675 kgCO2e/km Defra 2012 1,633 kg CO2eCar 30.000 0.233 kgCO2e/km Defra 2012 7,018 kg CO2eMinibuses 125 0.135 kgCO2e/km Defra 2012 17 kg CO2eSubtotal emissions transport of participants 217,997 kg CO2e

218 t CO2e*The emissions include also emissions due to transport to the airport and back.

Table 5: GHG emissions caused by transport of participants.

4.4 Transport of staffAccording to an organisers representative, 29 people were involved in the support of theevents organization (3 technicians, 25 catering people and 1 security person). Theemissions due to their travel to the event and back home are calculated based on

information provided by the organizer. All 25 people of the catering staff travelledapproximately 30 km one way: 15 people travelled by train, 8 people by bike, and 2 peopletravelled by car. The technicians all travelled by car and covered approximately 15 km oneway, and the security staff travelled 6 km by bike. All 29 people involved in the support of

4Depending on the flight distance (one way flight), different emission factors apply. A so called uplift factor as wellas the RFI (radiative forcing index) also need to be accounted for. Emission factors were sourced from Defra 2012(domestic flights: 0.20124 kgCO2e/km; short haul flights (economic):0.10946 kgCO2e/km; long haul flights(economic): 0.09549 kgCO2e/km). Please note that for different flights classes, different emission factors apply.5 For international trains: 0.01715 kgCO2e/km (Defra 2012).


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the events organization travelled two days to the event and back. The GHG emissionscaused by the travel of staff to and from the event amount to 219 kgCO2e.

Transport of staff

Number ofstaff

One way

distance(km)

Means oftransport EF Unit EF source

GHGemissions Unit

15 Cateringstaff 30 train 0.067

kgCO2e/km Defra 2012 121 kg CO2e

8 Catering staff 30 bicycle 0.000kgCO2e/km Defra 2012 0 kg CO2e

2 Catering staff 30 car 0.234kgCO2e/km Defra 2012 56 kg CO2e

3 Technicians 15 car 0.234kgCO2e/km Defra 2012 42 kg CO2e

1 Security Staff 6 bicycle 0.000kgCO2e/km Defra 2012 0 kg CO2e

Subtotal emissions transport of staff 219 kg CO2e

0,2192 t CO2e

Table 6: GHG emissions caused by transport of staff.

4.5 Transport CateringThree different companies delivered soft drinks and beer, food as well as technical supportduring the event. All goods were transported in trucks; one coming from Nieuwegein andtraveling to the event three times in total, another one also coming from Nieuwegein buttraveling to the event only one time, and a third one coming from Maarssen and traveling tothe event once as well. To account for all GHG emissions related to these transportactivities, the total amount of kilometres covered by all three trucks was multiplied by anappropriate emission factor. The trucks return (from the event back to where they came

from) was also taken into consideration.

Transport Catering

NameCateringCompany

Number oftruckrides(return)

One waydistance(km) EF Unit EF Source

GHGemissions Unit

Inbev 6 23 0.726kgCO2e/km

Defra2012 99 kg CO2e

Sligro 2 23 0.72kgCO2e/km


Hulskamp 2 6 0.72kgCO2e/km


Subtotal emissionstransport catering 144 kg CO2e

0.144 t CO2e

Table 7: GHG emissions caused by transport/catering.

6 Average for trucks with cross vehicle weight of between >3.5-7.5 tones with average load on board.


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4.6 Hotel-staysThere is always a certain amount of emissions related to hotel-stays, such as emissions dueto electricity consumption, water heating for showering, etcetera. According to anorganisers representative, people have stayed 166 nights in a hotel during the conference.In order to calculate emissions related to these hotel-stays, the total amount of nights was

multiplied by the average GHG emissions related to a night-stay in a European hotel. Thetotal emissions due to the hotel-stays during the summit are calculated to be 647 kg CO2e.

Hotel stays

Totaldays/nights EF Unit EF source GHG emissions Unit

166 3.9 kgCO2e/nightSustainable TravelInternational 647 kg CO2e

Subtotal emissions hotel-stays 647 kg CO2e

0.65 t CO2e

Table 8: GHG emissions caused by accommodation.

4.7 PR materialsIn order to promote the event, a certain amount of PR materials was produced, such as forinstance banners, posters, flyers and brochures. Required information on dimension,material, weight and amount of each promotional material was provided by a representativeof the organiser. In order to calculate the emissions related to all PR materials, the totalweight of each of the different types of promotion material was multiplied by a relevantemissions factor. Emissions due to the printing process (in case of paper based materials)as well as emissions caused by the end-of-life phase of PR materials are excluded here;however, these emissions are taken into account undermiscellaneous.

PR Material

TypeTotal weightin kg EF Unit EF source

GHGemissions Unit

Brochures 2.49 1.44 kg CO2e/kgPaper TaskForce 3.58 kg CO2e

Posters 8.02 1.44 kg CO2e/kgPaper TaskForce 11.55 kg CO2e

Flyers 1.94 1.44 kg CO2e/kgPaper TaskForce 2.80 kg CO2e

Goody bags 13.50 1.44 kg CO2e/kgPaper TaskForce 19.44 kg CO2e

Banner 2.88 1.44 kg CO2e/kg Paper TaskForce 4.15 kg CO2eSubtotal emissions PR material 42 kg CO2e

0.042 t CO2e

Table 9: GHG emissions caused by PR material.


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4.8 Waste and wastewaterDuring the event, a certain amount of waste and wastewater was produced. The emissionsdue to waste and wastewater are calculated based on the average daily Dutch waste andwastewater emissions per person. These average emissions were multiplied by the totalamount of days delegates have visited the conference as well as 0.57. This approach was

chosen because it proved to be impossible to receive reliable primary data of all waste typesproduced during the event.

Waste & Wastewater

Days EF Unit 1/2 day GHGemissions

Unit

725 0.935 kg CO2e/ person/day 0.5 339 kg CO2eSubtotal emissions waste & wastewater 339 kg CO2e

0.339 t CO2e

Table 10: GHG emissions caused by waste and wastewater.

4.9

Miscellaneous

In this category, emissions related to printing process and user phase of PR materials areaccounted for. Also covered within this category are emissions caused by the end of lifephase of PR materials as well as emissions related to food and drinks consumed during theevent. To take all these emissions into consideration, 1% was added to the total result ofthe final carbon footprint. By adding a certain percentage to the total carbon footprint, it isensured that the inventory is carried out in a conservative manner (principle of the mostconservative approach) and therefore results in an over rather than an under estimation ofthe GHG emissions caused. In this assessment, GHG emissions of the categorymiscellaneous amount to 2,246 kgCO2e.

7 Only half of the daily emissions (12 hours instead of 24 hours) were accounted for, as remaining emissions arealready considered under hotel-stays or do not need to be accounted for in this carbon footprint.


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5.Summary of resultsThe total carbon footprint of the event was calculated to be 226,811 kg CO 2e, which, whenrounded, amounts to 227 tons of CO2e. Below table and graph show emissions per sourceas well as the total carbon footprint.

Summary of the results

Scope Source of emissions GHG emissions Unit Share

Scope 2 Heating (Gas) 4,040 kgCO2e 1.8%Scope 2 Electricity 1,138 kgCO2e 0.5%Scope 3 Transport of participants 217,997 kgCO2e 96.1%Scope 3 Transport of staff 219 kgCO2e 0.1%Scope 3 Transport Catering 144 kgCO2e 0.1%Scope 3 Hotel stays 647 kgCO2e 0.3%Scope 3 PR material 42 kgCO2e 0.0%

Scope 3 Waste and wastewater 339 kgCO2e 0.1%Scope 3 Miscellaneous 2,246 kgCO2e 1.0%Total carbon footprint 226,811 kgCO2e 100%

226.811 t CO2e

Table 11: Summary of results of the carbon footprint, shown per emission source.

Graphic 1:Contribution of each emission source to the total carbon footprint.


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The results show that most of the emissions, namely 96.1% of the total carbon footprint,are due to transport of participants. This value is typically the highest when calculating anevent carbon footprint, which is usually followed by the value showing emissions causedby energy consumption (typically between 2 and 3% of the total footprint).

According to the GHG Protocol, all determined emissions are assigned to three different

scopes: scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3. In this assessment, only energy related emissions(electricity and gas) belong to scope 2, while all others are scope 3 emissions. No scope 1emissions need to be accounted for in this carbon footprint.

Below table and graph show results of the emissions per scope.

Type of emissions Scopes GHG emissions Unit Unit

Direct Scope 1 - kgCO2e - tCO2eIndirect Scope 2 5,178 kgCO2e 5.178 tCO2eIndirect Scope 3 221,634 kgCO2e 221.634 tCO2e

Table 12: Summary of results of the carbon footprint, shown per scope.

Graphic 2:Contribution of each emissions scope to the total carbon footprint.


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6.Climate neutrality and Communication

The carbon footprint of the conference Africa Works held in Zeist on October 29 and 30,2012 will be offset through the purchase of Soil & More carbon credits. To neutralise the

events carbon footprint, the organiser of the event will purchase an amount of 227 carboncredits (equals 227 tons of CO2e)8 from Soil & More International.

Soil & Mores carbon credits are generated through composting projects in developingcountries, where green waste is composted to ensure soil fertility. During the especiallydesigned composting process, a significant amount of methane9 is avoided and carboncredits are generated.

Soil & Mores emission reduction projects and carbon credits are regularly verified by TVNord Cert GmbH, a third party accredited by the UNFCCC.

The organizer of the event is allowed to use below label for communication purposes:

8A carbon credit is a GHG emission reduction of one ton. It thus equals a reduction of 1 ton of CO2e into theatmosphere. Therefore, emissions (226,881 kgCO2e) were converted into tons of emissions (226.881 tons CO2e)and then rounded up (227 tons CO2e).9Having a 25 times more harmful effect on the climate than carbon dioxide (CO2), methane is a strong greenhousegas.


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ReferencesAdeme (2011) Analyse compare des impacts environnementaux de la communication parvoie lectronique.

Defra (2012) 2012 Guidance to Defra/DECCs GHG Conversion Factors for CompanyReporting.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2006 IPCC Guidelines for NationalGreenhouse Gas Inventories http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/index.htm

ISO, International Standard on Environmental Performance Evaluation, (ISO 14044),

International Standard Organization, Geneva.

ISO 14044:2006(E) International Standard; Environmental management Life cycleAssessment Requirements and guidelines. ISO 2006.

PAS 2050:2008, Specification for the assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissionsof goods and services, Carbon Trust.

Sustainable Travel International official website:http://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org/

UNFCCC website:http://unfccc.int/di/DetailedByCategory/Event.do;jsessionid=BE363D9AE7922CF97D36B6B

9FDCE4207.diprod01?event=go

Central Intelligence Agency website:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2119.html

Website energy provider Nuon:http://www.nuon.nl/veelgesteldevragen/overzicht/Hoe-wordt-Nuon-Stroom-opgewekt.jsp?from=FAQ&itemcategory=FAQ

Stichting Klimaatvriendelijk Aanbesteden en Ondernemen (Juli 2012)CO2-Prestatieladder. Generiek Handboek, Versie 2.1

Paper Task Force: Paper Task Force Recommendations for Purchasing and UsingEnvironmentally Preferable Paperhttp://calculator.environmentalpaper.org/documents/813_PTFcomplete.pdf

Website Africa Works:http://www.africaworks.nl/
http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/index.htmhttp://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/index.htmhttp://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2119.htmlhttp://calculator.environmentalpaper.org/documents/813_PTFcomplete.pdfhttp://calculator.environmentalpaper.org/documents/813_PTFcomplete.pdfhttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2119.htmlhttp://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org/http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/index.htm

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