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Craig Dun
12+ years as a carbon accountant, carbon management expert and Director/Founder of CLD Carbon Ltd. I measure carbon emissions for organisations of all kinds!
Craig Dun is a freelance consultant with a focus on climate change, carbon management, and sustainability, boasting extensive experience in carbon reporting, accounting, and developing management plans.
With previous experience working at Sustainable Scotland Network, Craig specialized in mandatory public sector climate change reporting, overseeing a network of 180 bodies and providing training, guidance, and support to ensure timely submission of reports.
Craig's key skills encompass climate change reporting inclusive of QA and auditing, carbon management planning, adaptation, renewable energy policy, and developing climate change governance models.
His early career as an Excel spreadsheet modeller equipped him with the proficiency to create advanced, tailored Excel tools aiding organizations in tracking carbon usage, managing reduction projects, and monitoring carbon targets.
Academically, Craig holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Applied Mathematics from Glasgow University and a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Mechanical Engineering with Merit from the University of Strathclyde.
He has worked in various capacities at organizations such as South Pole, Simply Sustainable, CLD Carbon, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Ricardo-AEA, and AEA Technology.
Highlights
As with every year, the release of the 2024 GHG conversion factors has introduced some changes with important implications for organisations aiming to meet their decarbonisation goals.
Here’s a quick look at the key updates and their potential impact:
Key Changes in GHG Conversion Factors
Electricity Grid Factor: ⚡️➡
Change: The electricity grid factor (kgCO2e/kWh) for 2024 has remained at the same levels as the 2023 factor. This is notable given the 7% increase from 2022 to 2023. Some were expecting a drop in 2024, this has not materialised.
Reason: Continued reliance on gas and coal generation, with a reduction in renewable energy contributions, likely driven by geopolitical factors and national policy.
Implications: Organisations must find emission reductions in other areas (fuels, waste, business travel) as the previously steady decrease in grid factors is not currently observed.
Waste Factors - Non-Landfill Disposal: 🗑️ ⬇
Change: Many non-landfill waste factors have decreased by approximately 70%.
Reason: Correction of an error affecting transport emissions for recycling and EfW (Energy from Waste) factors.
Implications: Companies will see a reduction in waste emissions from recycled waste.
Flight Emission Factors: ✈️ ➡
Change: Flight emission factors remain at 2023 levels. Between 2022 and 2023, short haul increased by 21% and long haul by 35%. A bounceback in 2024 to 2022 levels has not occured as some expected.
Reason: Reduced passenger numbers post-COVID.
Implications: Businesses should reassess travel policies, consider virtual meetings to minimise travel-related emissions, and avoid first and business class travel.
Delivery Vehicles Emission Factors: 🚘⬆
Change: Emission factors (kgCO2e/km) for conventional fuel vehicles have increased by 8-11% across various van types.
Reason: Methodology changes in the NAEI reflected in the conversion factors.
Implications: Companies with large fleets or significant transportation activities will be impacted.
Takeaway: 🌱🔍
Focus on Consumption and Activity: Companies should prioritize reducing overall consumption and improving efficiency. Relying on emission factors to decrease year-on-year is risky; proactive measures are essential.
For more information on what these changes mean for your organisation, or if you simply want to chat, please reach out.
#electricity #energy #carbonemissions #conversionfactors #businesstravel #ESG #carbonfootprint #renewables #gas #strategy
As sustainability becomes an increasingly important issue for businesses, it's crucial to approach carbon reduction in the right way. In my opinion, the key is to MEASURE⚗>> MANAGE♨ >> REDUCE🎯.
MEASURING your carbon footprint is the first step to developing effective carbon reduction plans. Next, focus on Carbon MANAGEment, including monitoring emissions, sustainable governance, and communications. Only then can you take meaningful steps to REDUCE emissions and set long-term carbon reduction targets.
...And before you know it'll be time to MEASURE again... 😉
Some tips! 💭 💭 💭
🌍 Treat your carbon plan like you would any project. Build a team, communicate roles and responsibilities clearly, set expectations, get board level buy in. Ensure key dates are communicated clearly, check in with the team regularly, motivate and reward progress. Simply setting a target and hoping you achieve it in 5-10 years time simply isn't enough.
🌏 Don't make the mistake of jumping straight to the REDUCE stage without knowing your starting point or having good management structures in place. Reduction plans are hard enough to stick to, so it's important to get off on the right footing.
If you're looking to improve your carbon reduction strategy, get in touch to chat more or email [email protected].
#carbon #emissions #netzero #sbti #carbonaccounting #emissionsreduction #footprint #data #visualisation #carbonfootprint
