CHAPTER 14 Performance measurement 60314.52 Business sustainability LO 4
The carbon disclosure project (CDP) encourages companies to disclose their impacts on the
environment and to take action to reduce them. Visit its website at http://www.cdproject.net/en-US/
Pages/HomePage.aspx.
a. Identify the types of activities it performs and list some companies that disclose their carbon
emissions.
b. In 2012 there were 4112 companies reporting their impacts (compared to 235 in 2003).
Suggest why companies would make such voluntary disclosures.
c. Suggest why the not-for-profit CDP would be more successful at reducing and reporting
greenhouse gas emissions than the international Kyoto Protocol.Decision-making activities
14.53 Read the following article.
Beginning with the June 28, 2007 issue, Rolling Stone magazine became the first mass-marketed
magazine to print on carbon neutral paper. The special June issue of the magazine included a
series of features devoted to the climate change issue, including a broad-based interview with
former Vice President Al Gore, and an in-depth report on global warming solutions by environ-
mental advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Studies have demonstrated that paper manufacturing accounts for the majority of a publi-
cation’s total carbon footprint. Rolling Stone prints on Catalyst Cooled paper, an Electracote™
lightweight coated paper, manufactured in Port Alberni, British Columbia. Catalyst Cooled paper
adds no net carbon dioxide to the environment.
How is this accomplished? Well before the climate change issue had captured the public’s
attention, Catalyst Paper undertook a thorough review of its operations, with an eye to identifying
emissions reductions opportunities. As a result, the company was able to reduce its greenhouse
gas emissions by approximately 70 per cent compared to the 1990 Kyoto Protocol baseline year,
equivalent to taking 250 000 cars off the road every year. These direct greenhouse reductions
were accomplished through a range of measures, including energy efficiency, and replacing a
significant portion of fossil energy use with biofuels.
To address the residual greenhouse emissions footprint for the paper produced for Rolling
Stone magazine, Catalyst engaged ERA Ecosystem Restoration Associates Inc. (ERA), a recog-
nised pioneer in community-based climate mitigation programming. ERA, whose commu-
nity-based programming is directed toward restoring forest ecosystems, offset the remaining
direct greenhouse emissions associated with paper production through a carefully chosen forest
ecosystem restoration project in the District of Maple Ridge, British Columbia. ERA is also
exploring and developing opportunities for ecosystem restoration and avoided deforestation pro-
jects in South America and Africa.
In addition to the positive impacts this programming has on atmospheric carbon, ecosystem
restorations offer a range of environmental co-benefits, including: improved storm-water man-
agement, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, native biodiversity restoration, and endangered
species refuges.
Socio-economic co-benefits include local employment, a boost to local economies supporting
the restorations, and education.What has been the response?
While some organizations resist the concept of offsetting, informed individuals and estab-
lished commentators realize that offsetting, while not the entire solution, represents an essential
element of sustainability and climate mitigation. Furthermore, as in the case of Catalyst Paper,
offsetting generally follows voluntary efforts by companies and organizations to reduce their
environmental footprints. In practice, offsetting companies are usually already at the top of the
list of environmental performers.