2015 Volume 11 Issue 2 Pages 142-146
In recent years, certain methodologies using LCA-based approaches to calculate avoided GHG emissions have been proposed in Japan. For instance, methodologies to calculate avoided GHG emissions from the products manufactured by the chemical industry and the electrical and electronics industry have been proposed. Also, Kawasaki City and Shiga Prefecture have established programs which calculate avoided GHG emissions and which incorporate the results in their planning and reporting systems designed to stimulate the regional industry. This move has taken place elsewhere as well. For instance, the International Council of Chemical Associations（ICCA）and the chemical sector of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development（WBCSD）have published guidelines on how to calculate avoided emissions, and the GHG Protocol have reviewed the methodologies. Globally, the interest in those methodologies is increasing. However, the methodologies currently proposed are specific to certain industries, and at present there’s no consensus on the methodologies. Given this background, and together with examples of the guidelines developed by the respective industries and local governments as well as the concepts on GHG emission reduction contribution methods, the Study Group on avoided greenhouse gas emissions, set up within the Institute of Life Cycle Assessment Japan, have debated what the best evaluation methods should be and published the “Guidelines for assessing contribution of products on avoided greenhouse gas emissions”. The Calculation Guidelines are explained in details in this paper.
