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Methodology for Carbon Footprint Calculation Towards Sustainable Innovation in Intangible Assets

Author

Listed:
  • Edurne Loyarte-López

    (Vicomtech, 20009 San Sebastián, Spain)

  • Mario Barral

    (Vicomtech, 20009 San Sebastián, Spain)

  • Juan Carlos Morla

    (Sonder Consulting, 48630 Elexalde—Gorliz, Spain)

Abstract

Calculating the carbon footprint is fundamental to understand how an organization’s activities impact global sustainability. The main challenge is how to calculate it when environmental aspects are intangible assets. The present paper investigates in what ways the environmental effects of 13 aspects in relation with R&D activities in an applied research center could contribute to sustainable development. For this purpose, we described methodology to routinely measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and calculate the carbon footprint (CF) of all research activities related to intangible assets (R&D projects, researchers’ knowledge and software libraries) with real-time data being provided. Selection of conversion factors to express all GHG emissions are described, in particular those related to air travel on account of its greatest contribution to CF. In addition, these data were used as a factor in assessing the environmental impact of the center, under ISO 14001. As a result, our center can manage its CF and make decisions about how to enhance sustainability awareness at all levels of the organization and gradually improve CF data, of which the main contributors were transportation and travel (66.4%) and electricity (33.1%) in 2018.

Suggested Citation

  • Edurne Loyarte-López & Mario Barral & Juan Carlos Morla, 2020. "Methodology for Carbon Footprint Calculation Towards Sustainable Innovation in Intangible Assets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:4:p:1629-:d:323531
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pasquale Marcello Falcone, 2019. "Tourism-Based Circular Economy in Salento (South Italy): A SWOT-ANP Analysis," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-16, July.
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    2. Sabrina Bresciani & Francesca Rizzo & Alessandro Deserti, 2022. "Toward a Comprehensive Framework of Social Innovation for Climate Neutrality: A Systematic Literature Review from Business/Production, Public Policy, Environmental Sciences, Energy, Sustainability and," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-21, October.
    3. Veronika Jezkova & Zuzana Rowland & Veronika Machova & Jan Hejda, 2020. "The Intrinsic Value of an Enterprise Determined by Means of the FCFE Tool," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-13, October.
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    9. Farah Mneimneh & Hasan Ghazzawi & Seeram Ramakrishna, 2023. "Review Study of Energy Efficiency Measures in Favor of Reducing Carbon Footprint of Electricity and Power, Buildings, and Transportation," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 447-474, March.

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