Climate Change Strategies

Climate Change has been referred to as the most significant environmental issue that the world has ever faced. Scientists around the world agree that our climate is getting warmer. The 20^th century was the warmest globally in the last 600 years. Most scientists now believe that the global warming trend has been caused by human activities and it is not just a naturally fluctuating temperature change. Levels of heat-trapping gases, known as greenhouse gases (GHGs), have increased in the earth’s atmosphere, and it is generally accepted that they are contributing greatly to net global warming.

Carbon dioxide is the most notorious of the GHGs, and the consumption of carbon-based fuels is the most significant man-made contributor to carbon dioxide emissions. Canada produces just 1.8% of the world’s total GHG emissions, but it ranks second only to the U.S. in emissions per capita.

Under an international agreement known as the Kyoto Protocol, Canada is committed to achieving a 6% reduction in emissions of six GHGs below 1990 levels. However, in real terms, Canada will have to reduce its emissions 24-28% below currently projected 2008-2012 levels, due to increases in national emissions primarily due to economic growth in the 1990s.

Future government and/or marketplace actions to address GHG emissions will have different impacts on different companies, even within the same industry sector, depending on a company’s specific GHG emission profile. Thus, some companies are more susceptible to potential future actions on GHG emissions than others. For this reason, GHG emissions can represent a hidden corporate asset or liability, and the management of this issue is another element of corporate risk management.

Pinchin Environmental offers services to assist organizations in the strategic management of GHG emissions. We can help organizations to develop baseline data to identify where they stand today, and subsequently to map out a strategy to deal with potential marketplace changes. We have technical staff with competency in developing credible GHG emission data, and senior personnel capable of translating this information into business terms. A summary of the range of services is shown below.

Strategic Management Services offered by Pinchin Environmental

• Quantification and verification of GHG emission baselines, current inventories and emission forecasts
• Development of practical, cost-effective strategies for GHG emission management
• Development of Climate Change Action Plans for the Voluntary Challenge and Registry (VCR)
• Internal reviews and progress reports based on Action Plans
• Climate change education and awareness programs for clients
• Internal workshops and training programs
• Advising clients on government programs involving climate change