The right consultant is key to climate change strategy

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: outset and not changed half way through. Speaking to more than one consultant is helpful. At the same time, he cautions, “The cheapest consultant may not necessarily represent the best value. Make sure you evaluate the quality and experience of your consultant alongside the price.”

Carbon footprinting is the entry point for laying down an emission reduction strategy. Typically the process begins by doing surveys to find out energy usage, its break up and quantifying the total carbon emissions and figuring out the scope for its reduction. It is usually followed up by setting targets, devising strategies for reducing emissions and in some cases by selling carbon credits and finally reporting progress. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which has been developed by the World Resource Institute and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development, is a comprehensive accounting framework for GHGs measurement.

At the basic level, it can mean either replacing energy intensive equipment or improving the way equipment is used to reduce energy consumption without affecting the performance. The common energy guzzlers are buildings themselves. Buildings accounts for 30-40 % of global energy use, according to the United Nations Environment Programme and Sustainable Buildings & Construction Initiative. Air-conditioning account for a major chunk of energy consumption. For example, 49% of energy demand at Infosys is due to air-conditioning, according to a study by the Centre for Social Markets.