Simply put, no.
GHG emissions refers to a group of gases in the atmosphere that can and have changed the Earth’s climate, there are six including carbon dioxide, methane, NOx, but for simplicity and ease climate scientists group the impact of all into one global warming potential (GWP) unit of measure refer to as ‘CO2 equivalent’, or CO2e in metric tonnes. These GHG gases do occur naturally, but they have increased in the Earth’s atmosphere, in fact concentrations are dangerously high for these GHG. It is now almost totally undisputed – humans have increased the concentration and impacted the Earths climate! How? Simply put, various reasons, but the single biggest factor is the human combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas (including LNG, and LPG!). So, the solution here is really starkly simple, STOP BURNING FOSSIL FUELS, NOW!
Enter the climate fuel of choice for the UK Gd+. It has a science-based full lifecycle carbon footprint of 5-15 g CO2e/MJ, that’s up to 98.5% lower compared to pure diesel in terms of GHG Scope 1 emissions. The life cycle analysis, or ‘LCA’ reviews the total carbon foot from the waste collection point and transportation to site of the fuel’s manufacture and back to the country of sale all the way up last mile of delivery to your site.
REDII equation for any LCA maths fans, please be aware both EU RED II and UK RTFO use the same GHG calculation methodology.
Fossil fuel comparator is the average carbon intensity of petrol and diesel and is currently set by the REDII Administrator at 94g CO2e/MJ.
GHG emissions from the production and use of biofuels shall be calculated as follows:
E = eec + el + ep + etd + eu - esca - eccs - eccr
Where:
• E = total emissions from the production of the fuel before energy conversion • eec = emissions from the extraction or cultivation of raw materials
• el = annualised emissions from carbon stock changes caused by land-use change
• ep = emissions from processing
• etd = emissions from transport and distribution
• eu = emissions from the fuel in use
• esca = emission savings from soil carbon accumulation via improved agricultural management
• eccs = emission savings from carbon capture and geological storage
• eccr = emission savings from carbon capture and replacement
Tailpipe emissions refer to the exhaust post-combustion of any fuel. These include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, sulphur, particulate (soot) matter etc. But do note that the carbon dioxide referred to here is not the same as CO2e for GHG-emissions reporting (see above) on global climate change impact.
Tailpipe emissions are also critically important too. They pollute the air we breath and can cause various health issues. If these can be reduced combined with CO2e GHG emissions, we are heading in good direction. Letting the planet breathe better again!
Both tailpipe and GHG emissions savings/reductions are vital for any business sustainability and environmental social governance (ESG), don’t you just love all these mnemonics!