Emissions Reduction Strategies Flashcards

A cement manufacturer replaces a portion of clinker with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash or slag. Which emission source is most reduced?

Answer: Process CO2 from limestone calcination

Clinker production releases CO2 through calcination of limestone (CaCO3 → CaO + CO2); replacing clinker with SCMs directly reduces this process emission.

Which regulatory mechanism requires large GHG emitters to hold permits for each ton of CO2e emitted and allows trading of these permits between participants?

Answer: Cap-and-trade (Emissions Trading System)

Cap-and-trade systems set an overall emission cap, distribute or auction allowances, and allow covered entities to buy and sell permits, creating a market price for carbon.

What is the primary purpose of an internal carbon price (ICP) within a corporate emission reduction strategy?

Answer: To signal the cost of carbon in internal investment decisions, incentivizing low-carbon alternatives

An internal carbon price assigns a monetary value to GHG emissions, making low-carbon options more financially attractive when evaluating capital projects or operational decisions.

Reducing 'vampire loads' or standby power consumption in office equipment is an example of which emission reduction approach?

Answer: Energy efficiency — behavioral and equipment management

Eliminating standby power waste through smart power strips, power management settings, or equipment shutdown policies reduces electricity consumption, lowering Scope 2 emissions.

A company reports that it has achieved 'net zero' emissions. According to the GHG Protocol and SBTi, what two conditions must be met simultaneously for this claim to be credible?

Answer: Achieve deep reductions across all Scopes (≥90%) AND neutralize residual emissions with permanent carbon removal

Credible net zero requires deep value chain emission reductions (at least 90%) plus high-quality permanent carbon removal to neutralize unavoidable residuals — not just offset purchasing.

Which approach to reducing Scope 3 Category 11 (use of sold products) emissions involves redesigning a product so it consumes less energy during customer use?

Answer: Eco-design / product design for energy efficiency

Eco-design reduces emissions embedded in the customer use phase by engineering products to consume less energy or use lower-GWP materials during operation.

In the hierarchy of emission reduction strategies, which approach should be prioritized FIRST before considering carbon offsets?

Answer: Avoiding and reducing emissions through operational changes and technology adoption

Best practice follows the mitigation hierarchy: avoid and reduce emissions first through operational improvements and clean technology, then offset only residual unavoidable emissions.