Introduction
When documenting CO₂ emissions, it's essential to distinguish between fossil fuel-derived CO₂ emissions and biogenic CO₂ emissions. According to the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, biogenic CO₂ emissions—such as those from fermentation processes—should be reported separately from fossil CO₂ emissions. This article will guide you through the process of documenting biogenic CO₂ emissions in the KEY ESG platform, including how to attach supporting documentation.
What Are Biogenic CO₂ Emissions?
Biogenic CO₂ emissions are those that originate from biological sources, such as plants, animals, or microorganisms. Common examples include emissions from the fermentation of agricultural products like corn. These emissions are considered part of the natural carbon cycle, as the CO₂ released during these processes was previously absorbed by the biological material during growth. This makes them distinct from fossil CO₂ emissions, which are derived from burning fossil fuels.
For more details, refer to the GHG Protocol’s guidance on biogenic emissions and their section on accounting for CO₂ from biomass.
Key Considerations for Reporting
Separate Reporting: Biogenic CO₂ emissions should be reported separately from fossil CO₂ emissions in your organisation’s disclosures. They should not be included in the total for Scope 1 fossil emissions but should be documented as part of the total CO₂ footprint.
Platform Guidance: In the KEY ESG platform, the biogenic CO₂ can be added under the commentary section at the bottom of the 'Process Emissions' category, specifying that these emissions are biogenic and providing a brief explanation of the source (e.g., "CO₂ emissions from the fermentation of corn").
Step-by-Step Guide to Documenting Biogenic CO₂ Emissions
Access the 'Process Emissions' Category:
Log into the KEY ESG platform.
Navigate to the 'Process Emissions' section under your Scope 1 emissions reporting.
Input Fossil CO₂ Emissions:
If your process emissions are only from biogenic sources (e.g., fermentation), enter '0' for the fossil CO₂ emissions value.
Add Commentary for Biogenic Emissions:
Scroll to the bottom of the 'Process Emissions' section.
In the commentary field, include details about the biogenic CO₂ emissions. For example:
"The CO₂ emissions from the fermentation process are biogenic, originating from corn fermentation. As per the GHG Protocol, these emissions are part of the natural carbon cycle and should be documented separately from fossil emissions."
Attach any relevant supporting documentation, such as the mass balance calculations or third-party validation reports, by using the attachment option.
Review and Save:
Double-check that the fossil CO₂ emissions are recorded as '0' and that the biogenic CO₂ details are accurately reflected in the commentary.
Click 'Save' to ensure that the information is recorded correctly.
Worked Example
Suppose your organisation operates a bioethanol plant where CO₂ emissions arise from the fermentation of corn. These emissions total 89,479,499.71 kilograms of CO₂. According to the GHG Protocol, these are classified as biogenic CO₂ emissions. You would enter '0' for fossil process emissions and include the following commentary at the bottom of the 'Process Emissions' section:
"These CO₂ emissions result from the fermentation of corn during bioethanol production. As per the GHG Protocol, they are biogenic emissions and are documented separately from fossil CO₂. Total biogenic CO₂ emissions are 89,479,499.71 kg."
Conclusion and Next Steps
Following these steps ensures that your organisation correctly documents biogenic CO₂ emissions in line with the GHG Protocol, helping to maintain accuracy in your carbon footprint reporting. For further assistance, please reach out to KEY ESG support via the in-platform chat or email us at support@keyesg.com.