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New AFS Tool to Estimate GHG Emissions

M. Authors

Due to the ever-growing concern of climate change, businesses are increasingly pressured to measure and reduce their carbon emissions. One of the primary ways to do this is through greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting. For the energy-intensive metalcasting industry, accurately estimating GHG emissions is a critical but complex exercise. AFS’s Air Quality Committee recently released a new tool to help metalcasters navigate this challenge: the “AFS Guidance on Estimating Scope 1 and 2 GHG Emissions.” This document equips metalcasters with simple and practical steps to estimate their GHG emissions, empowering companies to meet customer demand for GHG data and identify their carbon footprint.

What Are GHGs?

GHGs are gases that trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change. These gases include naturally occurring substances like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), as well as man-made chemicals like hydrofluorocarbons (HCFs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs). The AFS Guidance focuses on the three GHGs most relevant to the metalcasting industry: carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

GHG Accounting: Why It Matters

GHG accounting refers to the process of calculating the amount of GHG emitted by a company during its operations. This includes emissions from both internal activities, such as fuel combustion, and external activities, such as the emissions associated with electricity production or the company’s supply chain. As more and more companies endeavor to quantify the carbon footprint of their products, metalcasters and other members of complex supply chains are being pulled into GHG accounting requirements. Companies are increasingly recognizing the need to reduce their emissions for environmental or competitive reasons, and to meet customer demand for lower-carbon products. Creating an accurate inventory of GHG emissions is typically the first step in the journey to reduce carbon emissions. 

The AFS Guidance Document: An Essential Tool for Metalcasters

The AFS Air Quality Committee developed the guidance document, “AFS Guidance on Estimating Scope 1 and 2 GHG Emissions,” to support metalcasters who may not have a background in GHG or who are attempting to estimate GHG emissions for the first time. The primary goal of this Guidance is to give metalcasters the knowledge and tools they need to estimate their Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect) emissions. 
The Guidance breaks down these concepts in simple terms, providing a thorough explanation of each “scope” and step-by-step instructions through various estimation tools. By following the steps in the Guidance, metalcasters can quickly and confidently develop a basic GHG inventory to meet customer requirements or support carbon reduction efforts.

A Practical Approach to GHG Estimation

One of the most useful aspects of the AFS Guidance is its detailed explanation of GHG estimation methodologies. For Scope 1 emissions, the document discusses tools like the AFS GHG Emission Estimation Tool – a simple spreadsheet that allows users to input fuel usage and automatically calculate emissions from fuel combustion (originally developed for GHG reporting requirements). The Guidance also addresses the U.S. EPA GHG Emission Factors Hub, a more advanced resource with up-to-date emission factors and global warming potentials for various sources. For Scope 2 emissions, the Guidance walks users through the process of estimating GHG emissions from electricity consumption. It covers how to use tools like the EPA Power Profiler and the EPA GHG Emission Factors Hub as part of a location-based estimation methodology.

Moving Beyond the Basics

While the Guidance is primarily intended to be a starting point for those new to GHG accounting, it also includes additional considerations for companies looking to expand their efforts. This section helps metalcasters think beyond basic GHG estimation and offers advice on how to refine their methodology to develop a more comprehensive GHG inventory over time. The Guidance also provides additional resources for those looking to add to their knowledge of carbon accounting.

The AFS Guidance on Estimating Scope 1 and 2 GHG Emissions is an easy-to-use resource that enables AFS Members to develop an accurate GHG inventory. Whether driven by customer demand, regulatory pressures, or a desire to contribute to environmental sustainability, this document offers a practical approach to carbon accounting that will benefit metalcasters of all sizes.

The “AFS Guidance on Estimating Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions” can be found here: https://bit.ly/AFS-GHG-Tool. Or go to the AFS digital online library, sign in, and search “GHG Guidance".