CHI’s carbon footprint tracker: Environmental awareness simplified

Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) further strengthened its commitment to sustainable development by creating a customized worksheet- the first of its kinds in the Philippines- that would allow CHI employees to keep track of their monthly carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is the total set of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from an organization’s use of machines or implementation of a task or an activity.

footprint. For electricity emission, CHI used the emission factor for the Visayas grid instead of the aggregate factor for the Philippines to get accurate results. This is because different areas in the country use different energy sources, and therefore have varying GHG output.

Land-transportation emission used fuel-based computation to factor the area’s traffic conditions, while emission for air transportation was calculated based on GHG Protocol. GHG Protocol is the most widely used accounting too to quantify and manage GHG emissions. LPG emission, computed using the established Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodology, was based on a standard 11-kilogram LPG tank.

The CO2 emission computation worksheet was presented on July 29 during a staff meeting, with CHI president Francis Monera encouraging employees to set a target using the worksheet. He said by computing individual carbon footprints, everyone will be aware of their impact on the environment and would be more mindful of using resources at the office and at home. To help CHI plan for the program’s next steps, all employees should submit quantifiable carbon footprints by the end of the year. In 2010, the company plans to set guidelines and offer helpful tips on how employees can further manage and reduce their carbon footprint.

CHI started its journey toward sustainable development when it acquired certifications for its integrated management systems. The company acquired an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2000 certificate for its quality management system, an ISO 14001:2004 certificate for its environment management system, and an Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Services (OHSAS) 18001:2007 certificate for its occupational health and safety management system.

ISO 14001:2004 requires the company to improve its pro-environmental policy, while ISO 9001:2000 guides the company in improving its products and services. OHSAS 18001:2007 guides the company in identifying risks and hazards that might affect its employees’ performance and output.

In 2007, the company adopted a triple-bottom-line approach to performance reporting using GRI Third Generation (GRI G3) reporting standards.