Carbon Footprint Estimation of an Indian Thermal Power Plant …
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studies in this line also has been made. Sustainable development goals were used
as a guideline for assessing sustainability with the help of Life Cycle Assessment
approach for a electrolytic hydrogen manufacturing [18]. A more updated recent draft
prepared by the United Nations Life Cycle Initiative has established a link between
the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals and the pathways in which life
cycle create an impact. This draft was prepared based on a project to create robust
links between the SDGs and LCA and to develop a methodology for measuring and
reporting on companies’ contributions to the SDGs [19].
Various methods of calculating CF of product already exist as revealed in the
review of literature, though variations exist in manner or form of their implementation or operation. Amongst the several models for measuring Product Carbon footprint (PCF), Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) model is one of the most standardized
and widely used ones. The outline or framework of a variety of LCA models has
been prescribed by a number of organizations and bodies of international repute
namely Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) 2050 by British Standard Institute
in 2008 and revised in 2011; Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol by World Resource
Institute(WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
in 2011; ISO 14067 Carbon Footprint of product by International Organization for
Standardization in 2012 and revised version in 2018 [20]. PAS 2050 helps towards
quantification of CF at a product level, GHG Protocol requires quantification and
public reporting of GHG inventories of products. ISO 14067 based on LCA Standards IS0 14040 and 14044 emphasizes on quantifying and reporting CF of product
addressing the issue of impact on climate change [21].
Review of literature reveals that though greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have
been estimated for a number of industries based on various methodologies including
LCA approach, but studies showing impact of carbon—di—oxide (CO 2 ) on SDGs
at each stage of the LCA is still at a rudimentary stage and hard to find specially
for Indian industries. This issue needs to be addressed given the rise in emissions propelled by coal-fired power plants in a developing economy like India and
importance of achieving SDGs by resource-intensive and GHG emitting industries.
3 Goals and Objectives
The goal of this study is the life cycle assessment of a non-renewable resource (coal
and oil)-based new power plant to quantify CO 2 emission resulting at the different
stages of its life cycle. The emission is being assessed in terms of carbon dioxide and
expressed as ton carbon equivalent (tCO 2 e). The results of the study aim to identify
the ‘hotbeds’ so that steps can be taken to achieve reduction in carbon—di—oxide
(CO 2 ) emissions and also to make an assessment of the impact of such emissions on
SDGs at each stage of the LCA. The low carbon initiatives or green options adopted
by the power plant to reduce negative environmental impacts and attainment of SDGs
by the unit have also being discussed. Finally, based on the results and low carbon
97
studies in this line also has been made. Sustainable development goals were used
as a guideline for assessing sustainability with the help of Life Cycle Assessment
approach for a electrolytic hydrogen manufacturing [18]. A more updated recent draft
prepared by the United Nations Life Cycle Initiative has established a link between
the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals and the pathways in which life
cycle create an impact. This draft was prepared based on a project to create robust
links between the SDGs and LCA and to develop a methodology for measuring and
reporting on companies’ contributions to the SDGs [19].
Various methods of calculating CF of product already exist as revealed in the
review of literature, though variations exist in manner or form of their implementation or operation. Amongst the several models for measuring Product Carbon footprint (PCF), Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) model is one of the most standardized
and widely used ones. The outline or framework of a variety of LCA models has
been prescribed by a number of organizations and bodies of international repute
namely Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) 2050 by British Standard Institute
in 2008 and revised in 2011; Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol by World Resource
Institute(WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
in 2011; ISO 14067 Carbon Footprint of product by International Organization for
Standardization in 2012 and revised version in 2018 [20]. PAS 2050 helps towards
quantification of CF at a product level, GHG Protocol requires quantification and
public reporting of GHG inventories of products. ISO 14067 based on LCA Standards IS0 14040 and 14044 emphasizes on quantifying and reporting CF of product
addressing the issue of impact on climate change [21].
Review of literature reveals that though greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have
been estimated for a number of industries based on various methodologies including
LCA approach, but studies showing impact of carbon—di—oxide (CO 2 ) on SDGs
at each stage of the LCA is still at a rudimentary stage and hard to find specially
for Indian industries. This issue needs to be addressed given the rise in emissions propelled by coal-fired power plants in a developing economy like India and
importance of achieving SDGs by resource-intensive and GHG emitting industries.
3 Goals and Objectives
The goal of this study is the life cycle assessment of a non-renewable resource (coal
and oil)-based new power plant to quantify CO 2 emission resulting at the different
stages of its life cycle. The emission is being assessed in terms of carbon dioxide and
expressed as ton carbon equivalent (tCO 2 e). The results of the study aim to identify
the ‘hotbeds’ so that steps can be taken to achieve reduction in carbon—di—oxide
(CO 2 ) emissions and also to make an assessment of the impact of such emissions on
SDGs at each stage of the LCA. The low carbon initiatives or green options adopted
by the power plant to reduce negative environmental impacts and attainment of SDGs
by the unit have also being discussed. Finally, based on the results and low carbon