In this way, we would like to share this honour with you and inform you about the Norssken Foundation while our logo is in Times Square in New York.

Contents

• What is the Norssken Foundation?
• Areas of work of the Norssken Foundation
• What is the Impact100 List that ecording is on?
• Which Companies are Selected for Impact100?
• Why Was ecording Selected for the Impact100 List?

What is the Norssken Foundation?

The Norrsken Foundation is a non-profit, non-religious and non-partisan organisation dedicated to helping entrepreneurs from around the world solve the world’s greatest challenges such as poverty, famine, mental health, pollution and climate change.

It was founded in June 2016 by Niklas Adalberth, founder of Klarna, a financial technology company.

The organisation runs an accelerator programme for start-ups and operates co-working spaces in Stockholm, Sweden, Kigali and Rwanda. In 2020, their offices, called Norrsken House, hosted more than 450 entrepreneurs from more than 130 companies.

Areas of Work of the Norssken Foundation

The Foundation manages Norrsken House in Stockholm, Sweden, Europe’s largest centre for technology and impact initiatives, and Norrsken House in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa’s most prominent start-up centre. 

He is developing Norrsken VC, a $130 million impact VC fund investing in the best entrepreneurs solving global challenges using technology, and Norrsken22, a $200 million growth fund supporting exceptional entrepreneurs building Africa’s new tech unicorns. 

He also leads the Norrsken Impact Accelerator, one of Europe’s leading Accelerator programmes for early-stage startups.

What is the Impact100 List that ecording is on?

Impact100 is an annual list of the world’s most promising impact initiatives, compiled by Norrsken and its nominated partners.

The list aims to highlight the power of entrepreneurship to drive positive change and encourage individuals brave enough to try to change the world for the better.

Which Companies are Selected for Impact100?

It means being selected for the Impact 100 list:

• Companies that make a positive global impact are an intrinsic and non-negotiable part of their business model.

• High-risk, high-potential startups that aim to leverage scalable technology to do business and create a positive impact.

• Businesses with a scalable business model and a proven ability to combine growth with positive global impact.

• Companies that have brought to market at least one MVP product (a product with the most basic features required for launch and testing) and/or have raised at least Series A financing.

• Companies making measurable, positive progress against 17 sustainable development goals

• Companies that have the potential to become unicorn ventures in the future, whose work can positively impact the lives of 1 billion people

Why Was ecording Selected for the Impact100 List?

Founded in 2017, ecording aims to bring solutions that can create change and impact with the butterfly effect to humanity with innovative technologies and to support the fight against the climate crisis in the world by using the power of technology.

ecording started developing ecoDrones in 2017 to prevent deforestation and biodiversity loss. With ecoDrones, the unmanned aerial vehicles we developed in Turkey, we aimed to support reforestation and biodiversity efforts in the world by using technology by shooting seed cannons into hard-to-reach areas. 

In 2021, we focused on reducing carbon emissions and developed ecordingApp. In ecordingApp, we aimed to ensure that environmentally friendly activities that people can implement in their daily lives become a habit through a rewarding system with tasks for the benefit of the Earth. 

Our main motivation was to show people the tremendous change we can create even with a carbon footprint reduction of only 1% per year individually, and to present that we are the actual solution with our actions.

We will support our fight against the climate crisis, which started with ecoDrones and continued with ecordingApp, with alternative technologies that we will develop within the framework of the critical thresholds that form the limits of our planet until 2030. 

From 2030 to 2050, we are determined to repair the damages caused by the climate crisis together with all our stakeholders!

As stated in our manifesto called “mission2030 pursued by ecording“, we carry out all our activities within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and believe in the power of our global impact. 

The post We Were Selected to the Impact100 List: What is Norssken Foundation? first appeared on ecording.

The 2023 Climate Conference, COP28 for short, will be chaired by Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, the world’s third-largest fossil fuel producer. The fact that it will be held in Dubai and chaired by a fossil fuel company executive has already made COP28 very controversial.

While tracing the 2023 Climate Conference, if you want to learn about the COP issue in all its details from the very beginning, if you are curious about the impact of COP28 at the point we have reached towards combating the global climate crisis, this article is for you.

Contents

• Following the Climate Summit: What is the COP Summit? What Does COP Stand For?
• How often is the COP held? Where is the 2023 Climate Change Conference?
• What will be the Priorities of the 2023 Climate Change Conference?
• Expectations from the 2023 Climate Change Conference: Can We Save the World?
• Can We Save the World at the 2023 Climate Summit?

Following the Climate Summit: What is the COP Summit? What Does COP Stand For?

The COP Summit, “Conference of the Parties”, is an international climate conference organised annually by the United Nations. The conference is attended by all countries that have signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), an international agreement that entered into force in 1994.

In this context, the title ‘COP’ refers to all parties, including world leaders and heads of state, and the process of reviewing and implementing the rules of the convention.

Parties to the Convention have committed to take voluntary measures to “prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human-induced) interference” with the climate system.

How often is the COP held? Where is the 2023 Climate Change Conference?

A COP meeting is held annually unless the Parties decide not to hold it.

The first COP meeting was held in Berlin, Germany in March 1995. Since then, important meetings have included COP3, where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted, COP11, where the Montreal Action Plan was produced, COP15 in Copenhagen and COP17, where the Green Climate Fund was established. In addition, COP21, where the Paris Agreement was signed, which aims to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100 and to take action to adapt to the already existing climate change impacts, has an essential place in the fight against the global climate crisis. 

The 2023 Climate Change Conference, or COP28 (28th meeting), will occur in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December 2023.

What will be the Priorities of the 2023 Climate Change Conference?

The 2023 Climate Change Conference aims to focus on solidarity between the countries of the North and South and the energy transition, the United Arab Emirates spokesperson said.

He explained his other priorities as follows:

• Creating a more inclusive and accessible conference,
• Supporting mitigation solutions to raise targets,
• Focus on progress towards Global Goal conditions for adaptation and adaptation finance,
• Advance the operationalisation of the loss and damage fund established at COP 27,
• Ensure fairer access to climate finance.

Expectations from the 2023 Climate Change Conference: Can We Save the World?

At the beginning of 2023, the announcement that oil CEO Sultan Al Jaber would chair the United Nations Climate Conference COP28 surprised the climate community. Al Jaber is the chairman of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, the world’s third-largest fossil fuel producer.

In the process starting in May 2023, names from the climate community and around 40 ministers from around the world will come together in Berlin for the Petersberg Climate Dialogue. This meeting, which is little known outside diplomatic circles, is an integral part of the road to the 2023 Climate Change Conference. Here, ministers and diplomats are setting priorities for the big climate conference in Dubai. 

Fossil fuel phase-out and renewable energy targets are on the agenda. Ministers should make good use of this opportunity and set clear expectations. 

Worldwide expectations are as follows:

To limit global warming to 1.5°C, COP28 should make effective decisions to ensure the equitable phase-out of all fossil fuels, including coal, oil and gas, and set a renewable energy installation target of 1.5 Terawatts (TW) per year for 2030 and beyond.

COP28 will also be the moment when the first Global Stocktake will take place. In other words, how close we are to the targets set in the Paris Agreement will be collectively assessed. (Spoiler: We are far away.) 

Simon Stiell, Secretary of the UN Climate Directorate-General, emphasises the urgent need for a “course correction”. (1) What makes sense is to offer a feasible 2030 target for renewable energy as a solution to fossil fuels, the leading cause of the climate crisis.

Therefore, the following decisions are expected to be taken within the scope of Climate Summit 2023:

• First, the decision to phase out all fossil fuels fairly and equitably before 2050. Significant reductions are expected to be achieved to stabilise the global average temperature at 1.5°C, with at least a 43% reduction in fossil fuel use compared to 2019.

• A global target of 1.5 terawatts (TW) of renewable energy installations per year from 2030 will be set, with sub-targets for wind and solar energy.

• It is also necessary to incorporate the technological possibilities of achieving the 1.5°C target, as recently demonstrated by the IPCC.

All three objectives should be supported by funding and provide accountability and concrete follow-up to implement them.

The Mitigation and Just Transition Work Programme of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) can provide such a follow-up. Of course, the Just Energy Transition Partnerships and the accompanying financial commitments should be aligned with these targets.

As it is known, the clean energy efficiency and renewable energy targets recently assessed by the IPCC and IEA require an annual investment of 4.5 trillion USD globally for the 1.5°C scenarios. 

This may seem like a huge amount, but these are investments, not costs. Such investments bring numerous environmental, social and economic benefits, such as lower fossil fuel import prices, significantly reduced health costs and the avoidance of external impacts such as climate damage and conventional air pollution caused by fossil fuels.

Can We Save the World at the 2023 Climate Summit: What are the chances of COP28 in Dubai phasing out fossil fuels and realising an effective renewable energy target?

At the last climate conference in Egypt, more than 80 countries demanded a phase-out of all fossil fuels. However, the Egyptian COP Presidency did not favour this demand, citing countries such as Saudi Arabia and Russia that did not agree to the agreement.

A strong united coalition is needed to phase out all fossil fuels and for a renewable energy target. 

The support of more than 80 countries provides a strong basis for achieving this.

The post 2023 Climate Change Conference COP28: What is COP and Can it Save the World? first appeared on ecording.

Why is measuring the social impact of an organisation or company’s activities important? This question has been seriously addressed by organisations and companies for several years. In our article, we provide a detailed SROI guide.

Contents

• What is SROI?
• Why Is SROI (Social Return on Investment) Analysis Important?
• Social Value Principles
• Why are Social Value Principles Important?

What is SROI?

SROI is the world’s most widely used impact analysis framework for understanding social value, managing and maximising social impact. (1)

Why Is SROI (Social Return on Investment) Analysis Important?

Social Return on Investment (SROI) measures the social, environmental and economic value created by a business or project. SROI considers the financial returns generated by an investment and the social and ecological consequences it produces. This involves identifying the social and environmental impacts of an investment and then comparing these impacts with the cost of the investment. 

A ratio obtained as a result of SROI analysis is an indicator of the benefits created against the costs. For example, a 2:1 ratio indicates that $2 of social value is created from a $1 investment. Calculating SROI can help to discover the financial value of impact, as well as communicate impact and influence strategy.

SROI analysis;

• It is based on results: For example, a company invests in renewable energy to reduce its carbon footprint. It installs solar panels around its office and uses this energy in its facility. The output of this project is the number of solar panels installed, but the outcome is how much carbon emissions these panels prevent. SROI emphasises that social value should focus on outcomes rather than outputs.
• Stakeholder-specific: This methodology calculates the social return for each stakeholder separately. In this way, it is possible to easily involve stakeholders in the process of identifying and valuing results.
• Expressed in financial terms: Results and investment amounts can be measured in non-financial units, but all values in the SROI must be expressed in a common unit. Money is the most widely recognised way of measuring value.
• It can be calculated for past and future activities: You can analyse the SROI of an activity retrospectively. However, it may be easier to estimate SROI at the planning stage than to calculate past activities’ impact. This can help an organisation establish results-based objectives and enable it to collect accurate data to measure results.

In our example above, how would you value the total carbon emissions of solar panels in TL/Dollars? The SROI analysis suggests identifying the indicators of the outcome (e.g. reduction in electricity payments due to the energy provided by the solar panels and reduction in taxes due to the reduction of the carbon footprint) and then finding the relevant people to measure the value of the indicators in USD/TL.

You can also ask yourself: How can you separate other factors that might influence the desired outcome? For example, a national increase in literacy should be subtracted from the calculation of the impact of reading lessons on literacy.

The SROI process generally includes the following steps:

• Identify stakeholders: Identifying all stakeholders affected by the investment includes investors, the business or project and the wider community.
• Mapping results: Mapping all results produced by the investment, including both positive and negative results.
• Assigning value to results: Assigning a financial value to each outcome using methods such as market valuations or pay-for surveys.
• SROI calculation: Calculating the SROI by dividing the social and environmental value generated by the investment by the cost of the investment.
• Communicating results: Communicating SROI results to stakeholders such as investors, business or project leaders and the wider community.

Overall, SROI is a valuable tool for impact investors seeking to assess their investments’ social and environmental impact. Investors can help make informed investment decisions and promote positive societal and environmental change by considering financial returns and broader societal implications.

Social Value Principles

The Social Value Principles are a code of ethics that organisations and individuals can follow to create a positive social impact. The principles are based on the idea that businesses are responsible for contributing to society beyond making profits or pursuing self-interest. 

The Social Value Principles, which consist of 7 principles that can be followed to create a positive social impact, can be listed as follows:

1. Fairness: Fairness refers to equal treatment of all individuals and equal opportunity. Companies can implement the principle of fairness by adopting fair recruitment practices, promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and ensuring equal access to resources and benefits. For example, a company may establish a scholarship programme to support disadvantaged students, thus promoting a fair approach to education.
2. Accountability: Accountability involves taking responsibility for one’s actions and communicating the impact of those actions. Institutions and organisations can apply the principle of accountability by regularly reporting their social and environmental performance, assessing negative impacts and considering stakeholder feedback. A civil society organisation can ensure transparency by disclosing how donations are used and submitting annual reports.
3. Transparency Transparency involves being open and honest in communication and decision-making processes. Organisations can practice transparency by sharing information about their policies, practices and performance with stakeholders. For example, a non-profit organisation can transparently present its operations by disclosing how donations are used and financial statements.
4. Community Engagement: Community engagement involves actively engaging with local communities and addressing their needs and goals. Organisations can promote community engagement by supporting local initiatives, collaborating with community organisations and involving community members in decision-making processes. For example, a company can encourage employees to volunteer in community projects or sponsor community events.
5. Environmental Sustainability: Environmental sustainability involves minimising negative environmental impacts and promoting the responsible use of natural resources. Organisations can implement environmental sustainability by adopting environmentally friendly practices, supporting nature conservation efforts, and reducing waste and pollution. For example, a hotel can reduce its carbon footprint by implementing energy-saving measures, using renewable energy sources and installing energy-efficient appliances.
6. Ethical Governance: Ethical governance involves establishing and maintaining ethical standards in the business operations of organisations. It is important to promote integrity, prevent corruption and ensure compliance with laws and regulations. For example, a company may have a set of codes of conduct that guide the behaviour of its employees and may include policies against bribery and conflicts of interest.
7. Stakeholder Engagement: Stakeholder engagement involves actively considering the perspectives and contributions of all individuals and groups affected by an organisation’s activities. Organisations can encourage stakeholder engagement by gathering feedback, conducting surveys and involving stakeholders in decision-making processes. For example, a city government may organise public consultations to gather the views of residents on urban development plans.

Why are Social Value Principles Important?

Social Value Principles are important because they help organisations and individuals positively impact society. Businesses that follow these principles can build trust with their customers, employees and stakeholders, enhance their reputation and increase their brand value. The Social Value Principles can help guide individuals’ personal decisions and actions, thereby contributing to a more just and equitable society.

Companies can integrate these principles into their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes or sustainability initiatives to address environmental impact. Individuals can integrate these principles into their lives by supporting local businesses, volunteering in civil society, or participating in community activities.

These seven Social Value Principles help organisations and individuals maximise their social impact. Applying these principles in different contexts, such as corporate social responsibility programmes, personal decisions and community engagement, can contribute to a more just, equitable and sustainable world.

The post Meet SROI (Social Return on Investment) in 4 Headings first appeared on ecording.

Composting is the science and art of turning once-living organic waste into a rich, nutritious soil supplement. This article focuses primarily on composting methods you can implement in your home.

Contents

• What is Compost?
• Why is Compost So Important?
• How to Make Compost: Components of Compost
• What Can You Compost?
• What You Cannot Compost?

What is Compost?

Composting and composting is a natural recycling process. Organic materials such as leaves and food waste decompose spontaneously in nature over time and become valuable fertilisers for the soil. 

This is where composting comes into play: By accelerating this process, we support the transformation of organic matter by bacteria, fungi and other living organisms.

The resulting material is called “compost”, which resembles fertile garden soil. This compost, known as “black gold” among farmers, contains plant nutrients. It can be used in gardening and agriculture.

Organic waste can be processed in various ways, from large industrial plants to small community-based composting systems.

Why Is Compost So Important?

• Reduces Waste Amount

Composting is a great way to recycle the organic waste we produce at home. Food scraps and garden waste comprise more than 28% of our “rubbish”. (1)

Food waste is not only a huge burden on the environment but also costly to process. Home composting allows us to divert some of this waste from landfill and turn it into a practical and nutritious substance for our gardens.

• Reduces Methane Emissions

If the food we waste were a country, it would be the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States. This alone is enough to show the seriousness of the situation, because the food we waste produces greenhouse gases equivalent to about 3.3 billion tonnes of carbon, and it does this by producing methane gas in the airless environment of a landfill.

Methane has an effect 86 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. This gas is responsible for more than 25 per cent of climate change. (2) But the good news is that reducing methane emissions is one of the most effective steps we can take to help slow the rate of global warming. This benefit of composting is too great to ignore.

• Improves Soil Health 

Composting food waste and other organic materials instead of throwing them away can contribute to the creation of nutrient-rich soil. Compost can serve as a healthy alternative to chemical fertilisers. Like pesticides, chemical fertilisers are produced with fossil fuels. Producing them causes greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming.

Generally more effective than conventional fertilisers, compost contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, the three essential nutrients for agriculture. In addition to these nutrients, which are essential to support healthy soil, compost is known to improve soil structure. 

In this way, the soil can better store nutrients and water and becomes more resistant to plant diseases. As a result, this helps support crops and achieve higher yields of vegetables, flowers, fruit and other crops.

• Provides Water Saving

When the soil experiences a lack of water, agriculture and ecology can be adversely affected. Fortunately, better water retention is one of the other environmentally friendly benefits of compost. 

Compost not only supplements the nutrient content of soils but also increases their water-holding capacity. Compost can hold 20 times its weight in water, so adding just 1% organic matter to the garden can help the soil hold thousands of gallons of extra water. In an increasingly arid world, this is another composting benefit that is needed.

• Prevents Erosion Hazard

Drier soils are more prone to erosion, where soil is washed away by wind or rain and washed away from the landscape. As a further benefit of compost, adding compost to the soil increases the amount of organic matter, which helps to reduce erosion. 

Controlling erosion can help reduce water pollution, promote healthy plants and provide many other environmental benefits.

According to the US Composting Council, the composting process reduces soil erosion in several ways. (3) It increases water absorption, allowing water to penetrate the soil instead of being rapidly removed. 

It therefore slows down the flow of surface water. Compost also holds the soil together, especially on sandy soils prone to erosion. You can think of fresh compost as a “glue” that can hold the soil together thanks to the humus produced during the decomposition process of organic matter.

How to Make Compost: Components of Compost

Organisms that break down waste organic matter need four essential elements to survive: nitrogen, carbon, air and water. All compostable materials contain carbon, but also varying amounts of nitrogen. 

Successful composting is about using the right combination of materials. It is necessary to achieve the best carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and to maintain the right amount of air and water. The ideal carbon-to-nitrogen ratio should be 25 to 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen. 

If carbon is high, the disintegration time is prolonged. Too much nitrogen-containing material can create a slippery, wet and foul-smelling pile. These problems can be easily solved by adding carbon or nitrogen-containing material, as needed.

• “Green” Ingredients for Nitrogen

Nitrogen is an essential element for the growth and reproduction of plants and animals. A higher nitrogen-to-carbon ratio is usually found in fresh organic materials. Some green household materials include waste grass, food scraps and coffee grounds.

• “Brown” Ingredients for Carbon

Carbon is also vital and is found in brown plant material. Carbon is the food source for decomposers. Brown materials include dead leaves, twigs and paper.

• Oxygen and Water

Decomposers, like other organisms, need oxygen and water. For fast composting, it is necessary to provide the right amount of air and water. Optimal air flow can be achieved by layering materials, dividing materials into small pieces and turning the piles regularly. The ideal pile should be wet like a squeezed sponge in terms of water.

• Heat

Hot composting is a process in which green and brown materials, with a balance of air and water, create ideal conditions for the growth of aerobic organisms. Aerobic organisms (species that reproduce in oxygenated environments) reproduce by breaking down waste, with an optimum temperature between 54 and 60 degrees Celsius. 

• Regular Ventilation

Aeration promotes an aerobic environment, which speeds up the composting process and reduces odours. It is recommended to aerate your pile once a week in summer and every three to four weeks in winter. You can increase the natural airflow by adding pipes or large rods.

• Maintaining Humidity Level

Moisture is essential for composting – your pile should always have the texture of a squeezed sponge. A pile that is too dry can slow composting, while a pile that is too wet can create an anaerobic environment, cause bad odours and slow decomposition. If your pile is dry (or add more wet material), water it; if it is too wet, add carbon-heavy brown materials.

• Size

The ideal size for a compost bin or heap is 0.9 cubic metres. To add food or garden waste to your bin or heap, first cut it into smaller pieces. The smaller the pieces, the faster the decomposition. The main rule is not to add anything thicker than a finger thick.

• Location

The ideal compost location is a dry and shady area. If you live in a damp location, avoid placing your pile under gutters or in places with poor water drainage; otherwise, the pile can get too wet. If you live in a sunny location, find a shady spot so the compost does not dry out too quickly and you do not have to add water constantly.

• Compost Start-up and Maintenance

To build your pile, add the green and brown materials alternately in thin layers and finish the last layer with brown. You can keep adding materials until you reach the best height of 0.9 metres. 

Add water to the pile as needed as you layer it. Then leave the pile for four days to allow initial decomposition. You can then ventilate it regularly and check the humidity level.

What Can You Compost? 

• Waste grass
• Withered leaves and small twigs
• Wood chips and sawdust
• Saman 
• Fruit and vegetable waste
• Coffee grounds, filters, tea bags
• Cardboard rolls
• Waste in the dryer and vacuum cleaner hopper
• Fireplace ash
• Waste from houseplants
• Nuts in the shell
• Shredded newspaper
• Cotton and woollen cloths

What You Cannot Compost? 

• Dairy products. May cause odour and attract harmful organisms.
• Medicated garden residues. Chemicals can kill beneficial compost organisms.
• Coal or barbecue ash. Both can contain substances that can be harmful to plants.
• Plants that are diseased or infested with insects. 
• Pet faeces. It may contain parasites, bacteria or microbes harmful to humans.
• Meat scraps or fish bones. They can cause foul odours and attract harmful organisms.
• Twigs or leaves of the black walnut tree. May release substances harmful to other plants.
• Vegetable oil, animal fat or any type of used fat. It can cause foul odours and attract harmful organisms.

The post Compost 101: What is Compost and Where to Start? first appeared on ecording.

However, this protocol has three different “scopes”: Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3. In this article, we will examine what each scope represents, why carbon emissions are different, and the environmental impacts of these differences.

Contents

• GHG Protocol: What is the Protocol on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction and Greenhouse Gas Impact?
• Direct Emissions: What are Scope 1 Emissions?
• Indirect Emissions: What are Scope 2 Emissions?
• What are Scope 3 Emissions?
• Why is it Important to Understand Scope 1, 2 and 3 Emissions?

GHG Protocol: What is the Protocol on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction and Greenhouse Gas Impact?

The GHG Protocol on Mitigation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Greenhouse Gas Impacts is an international agreement and framework document on monitoring, reporting and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. The GHG (Greenhouse Gas) Protocol was adopted in Kyoto in 1997 and entered force in 2005. The primary purpose of this protocol is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and to bring the countries of the world together in the fight against climate change. 

It especially targets industrialised countries committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon emissions are divided into three groups within the framework of this protocol. Greenhouse gas scope 1, scope 2, and scope 3 emissions are calculated separately.

The main components of the GHG Protocol are:  

1. Targets and Commitments: The Protocol requires participating countries to set specific targets and commitments. These targets specify how much greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced in a given period.
2. National Monitoring and Reporting: Participating countries are obliged to monitor and report their greenhouse gas emissions. This requires them to report and monitor their emissions regularly.
3. Trading and Mechanisms: The Protocol promotes economic requirements such as emissions trading and clean development mechanisms. This offers financial incentives to support emission reduction efforts.
4. Implementation of the Protocol and Compliance: Countries that violate the Protocol may face a specific penal mechanism.

GHG Protocolprovides a basis for adopting more inclusive and up-to-date agreements on combating climate change from 2020. Within the framework of the Protocol, carbon emissions are assessed under three scopes. 

This enables companies to understand their entire value chain emissions, make the most accurate greenhouse gas emission calculations and focus on reducing carbon emissions in the most efficient way.

Now let’s take a closer look at what Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions are and understand them more clearly with examples:

Direct Emissions: What are Scope 1 Emissions?

Scope 1 carbon emissions are emissions under the direct control of an organisation. Greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by a company. 

For example, emissions from company buildings and vehicles, equipment or chemical processes directly related to the organisation’s activities are categorised as Scope 1 emissions. 

As these emissions are directly linked to the organisation’s activities, they are considered to be under the organisation’s direct control. Renewable energy use and energy efficiency are important to reduce such emissions.

Indirect Emissions: What are Scope 2 Emissions?

Scope 2 carbon emissions are not under organisations’ direct control but depend on their activities. They are the emissions a company causes indirectly when producing the energy it purchases and uses.

These emissions result from energy purchased from external sources for electricity, heating or cooling. For example, the electricity that a company purchases from a local energy supplier to meet its electricity needs can lead to Scope 2 emissions. 

Scope 2 emissions can be reduced by energy efficiency efforts or by purchasing electricity from renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels.

What are Scope 3 Emissions?

Scope 3 carbon emissions represent indirect impacts of organisations and emissions at the end of the value chain. 

All other indirect emissions occurring in the value chain that are not produced by a company itself in all processes from the production, transport and use of its products, and are not the result of activities arising from assets owned or controlled by it, fall within the scope of Scope 3 emissions.

For example, waste and emissions generated by a company’s consumers when using its products, business travel, employees’ journeys between home and work, and carbon emissions emitted in distribution and transport processes connected to suppliers and customers are assessed under Scope 3. 

To reduce such emissions, the supply chain needs to be made sustainable, products need to be suitable for longer use and recycling strategies such as refilling need to be implemented.

Why is it Important to Understand Scope 1, 2 and 3 Emissions?

Understanding and reducing carbon emissions individually and corporately plays an important role in combating the global climate crisis. Companies that consider Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions have the opportunity to realise their sustainability goals more effectively. 

Strategies to reduce carbon emissions can provide long-term financial benefits for businesses as well as reduce environmental impacts. This is an essential step towards building a cleaner environment and a more sustainable future for future generations.

There is a large and complex problem of greenhouse gases, also known as carbon emissions. It urgently needs to be reduced in the fight against the global climate crisis. It is necessary to categorise it as Scopes 1, 2, and 3 within the scope of the GHG Protocol to calculate carbon emissions accurately and find the most effective solution by dividing the problem into parts. 

In this way, a holistic strategy can be drawn with different action plans. In addition, by reporting on all three emission scopes, companies can see the big picture on carbon emissions and express their commitment to reduce their impact on the environment in a more concrete way. 

The calculation of carbon emissions within the framework of Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 with the GHG Protocol enables an in-depth understanding of all relevant activities that make up the value chain of a company, such as operations, product life cycle, supply chain, stakeholder relations, as well as finding effective solutions.

The post GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol): Why Are Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 Carbon Emissions Not the Same? first appeared on ecording.

Simple yet effective changes can assist in implementing Zero Waste policies, enhancing environmental awareness culture, and boosting business productivity. In this article, we’ll share tips on developing a waste-free office policy and increasing efficiency in your workplace.

Contents

1. Why Should We Switch to a Zero Waste Office?
2. 7 Suggestions for Zero Waste in the Office

Why Should We Switch to a Zero Waste Office?

Implementing Zero Waste in the office can increase efficiency and productivity in the workplace, as well as contributing to the environment:

• Environmental Protection: A zero waste office helps consume less natural resources and reduce waste. This protects the environment by reducing the amount of waste and its negative impact on the environment.

• Cost Savings: Waste reduction strategies can reduce costs for the business. At the same time, utilizing waste through recycling and recovery can provide a source of income.

• Reputation and Customer Attractiveness: Zero waste practices demonstrate the business’s environmental awareness and commitment to sustainability. This strengthens the reputation of the business, providing a valuable opportunity to attract environmentally friendly and conscious customers and clients.

• Legal Compliance: In some regions, zero waste practices may become legal requirements. By adopting zero waste policies, the business complies with legal regulations.

• Employee Satisfaction: Environmentally friendly practices can help employees feel better at work and contribute to the company culture. A sustainability-focused work environment can increase employee engagement and satisfaction.

7 Suggestions for Zero Waste in the Office

1. Papers Out, Digitalization In

One of the easiest ways to reduce waste in the office is to reduce paper use.is to reduce. Encourage those who try to share documents digitally rather than printing them. This both saves paper and reduces the need for physical storage space.

It is important to adopt a paperless policy to reduce paper usage. Encourage employees to engage in digital transformation processes such as using electronic signatures, storing files digitally, and electronically transmitting invoices and receipts. Digitalization speeds up business processes and facilitates access to information for everyone in the office.

If You Must Use Paper,

• Use a smaller font
• Fit more text by narrowing margins in documents
• Do not use cover sheets on faxes. Instead, use an adhesive label on the first page of faxes.
• Buy products in bulk to minimize packaging
• Set computers and copiers to print automatically, double-sided
• Remove duplicate names and outdated entries from mailing lists
• Reuse envelopes by placing a label on the old address
• Reuse file folders and shipping boxes
• Shred newspapers and reuse them for packaging

2. Get Recycling Bins and Reduce Disposable Products

Install designated recycling bins for paper, plastic, glass and other recyclable materials.Place these boxes with labels in easily accessible places in the office.

To further reduce plastic waste, encourage employees to bring reusable water bottles and coffee mugs. Make it easy for employees to fill their bottles and mugs by providing filtered water stations and coffee machines. Reduce the use of single-use plastic products (plastic forks, straws, cups, etc.).

3. Review Your Packaging and Purchasing Preferences

An important way to reduce packaging waste in the office is to encourage sustainable purchasing practices. Prioritize suppliers and vendors that offer minimal or recyclable packaging. Opt for bulk buying and products made from recycled materials to reduce individual packaging.

By making sustainable purchasing choices, you can minimize the amount of waste entering your office and contribute to a circular economy.

4. Use Eco-Friendly Office Supplies

There are many sustainable substitutes for common plastic office supplies, such as plastic-bound colored pencils.

You can use reusable paper clips or push pins instead of metal ones. A bucket of plastic pens can be replaced with a refillable fountain pen or a box of wooden pens. You can also switch from plastic cellophane tape to paper tape that contains soluble materials.

5. Consider Joining WWF Turkey’s Green Office Diploma Program

With the Green Office-Green Transformation program that WWF Turkey has been running since 2011, institutions are encouraged to make environmentally friendly choices.

The program aims to reduce the impact of offices on nature, and WWF officials provide guidance on natural resource use, waste management and purchasing processes.

For detailed information: Green Office Diploma Program

6. Turn Off Electronic Devices

Forming a habit of switching off your desk lamp, devices, and desktop computer will result in substantial energy savings over time. With everyone in the office on board, the savings and benefits will escalate further. 

Ensure to unplug devices like printers when not in use, as they still draw power even when idle.

7. Make Sustainability a Habit in Your Employees with ecordingApp

ecordingApp is a mobile application that allows you to earn ecoPoints when you take steps against the global climate crisis by performing tasks that benefit the world. With these points, you can meet your own needs and contribute to the environmental needs of the world.

ecordingApp was designed as a tool that empowers brands and institutions to combat the global climate crisis. In this way, you can ensure that your employees acquire sustainable living habits in their daily lives and get closer to your company’s sustainability goals.

Step into sustainable living by having fun as a team while creating a zero waste office environment with ecordingApp.

Contact us.

The post Zero Waste Office: 7 Suggestions for a Sustainable Business Life first appeared on ecording.

For the last decade, electric vehicles have been in vogue as a pivotal technology to reduce carbon emissions and oil use and combat climate change. With the worldwide stock of electric cars expected to rise to over 145 million by 2030, many car manufacturing companies such as Jaguar, Audi, GM and Mercedes have pledged to switch to fully electric car production within the next five to ten years. (1) 

At the same time, many countries, especially EU countries, are encouraging the purchase of electric vehicles. While this so-called “environmentally friendly” transport alternative is spreading day by day, everyone is questioning the same thing: How sustainable are electric vehicles really?

While experts generally agree that rechargeable vehicles are a more climate-friendly option than regular cars, they have some environmental impacts depending on how they are charged and manufactured. This article has prepared a guide to some of the biggest concerns and how they can be addressed.

Contents

• A Quick Reminder: What is an Electric Car?
• Environmental Impact: Electric vs. Petrol Car
• Let’s Summarise the Pros and Cons of Electric Cars

A Quick Reminder: What is an Electric Car?

Plugging in their transport is a new concept for most people who are used to filling up fossil fuels to get from A to B. With a dashboard that looks like a giant smartphone, electric cars can seem like something from the future.

Yet their technology is not new. Like your average automatic transmission car, an electric vehicle starts with the ignition, accelerates with the accelerator and stops with the brake. The main difference from a petrol car is the design of its engine.

Electric vehicles run on batteries that need to be recharged periodically, using a charging station connected to the electrical power supply. This is familiar to many because it is the same way we charge our phones and computers.

Most electric vehicles use a lithium-ion battery with a relatively simple design. The engine of a comparable internal combustion engine vehicle has around 2,000 parts, while an electric vehicle engine has only 20 moving parts. 

What are the main differences between electric vehicles?

• They work quietly.
• They can accelerate more easily without gear shifts.
• Extremely hot or cold weather can drain the charge faster than mild weather.

Environmental Impact: Electric vs. Petrol Car

The pollution caused by petrol vehicles is not limited to the exhaust from the tailpipes. The extraction of petrol, its refining into fuel and its transport to petrol stations also generates large amounts of carbon emissions and air pollution. 

Today, even though petrol car manufacturers have reduced CO2 emissions, the production process continues to have a negative impact on the environment.

On the other hand, producing electric car batteries also creates emissions. Due to the complex manufacturing process, an electric car can use twice as much energy during production as a petrol car, emitting more CO2.

Nevertheless, electric vehicles remain the cleanest option for transport, as the way they operate is much more sustainable overall. Due to their use of electricity as fuel, driving compensates for high production emissions. 

On average, an electric car produces half the carbon emissions of a petrol car over its lifetime and performs completely better in terms of sustainability.

When electric vehicles reach the end of their service life, the upcycled battery can be upcycled so that it can be reused many times. On the other hand, up to 90 per cent of battery materials can be recycled.

Electric cars alone are not a magic solution to address climate change. However, they are a valuable tool for reducing emissions from transport and a much more sustainable alternative to fossil-fuelled cars. 

Although their production and end-of-life have a negative impact on the environment, their carbon footprint is much lower than that of fossil-fuelled vehicles when their overall life cycle is taken into account.

With innovation in the sector advancing at a rapid pace, tomorrow’s electric vehicles are likely to widen the sustainability gap compared to today’s petrol vehicles.

A survey in Turkey shows consumer interest in electric and hybrid vehicles is growing rapidly. Compared to last year, the rate of consumers who say the next vehicle they will buy will be hybrid or electric has increased to 27%. 

Moreover, with the entry of Tesla, the leading electric vehicle manufacturer, and TOGG, a locally produced electric vehicle, into the Turkish market, 29% of consumers say they will definitely buy an electric or hybrid vehicle in the future. In comparison, this rate rises to 90% when the price offer is attractive. 

Let’s Summarise the Pros and Cons of Electric Cars

Cons

• Entirely electric vehicles work thanks to the lithium batteries inside them. However, the production of these lithium batteries can cause excess carbon emissions. 

• Most electric vehicle batteries are produced in China, South Korea and Japan. These are economies where carbon utilisation in electricity generation (rather than renewable sources) is generally quite high.

• One of the most important disadvantages of electric vehicles compared to petrol-powered vehicles is their short range when fully charged. Therefore, vehicles with ordinary internal combustion engines are currently better for long-distance journeys.

Pros

• Electric vehicles emit no CO2 from the tailpipe when they are in operation. This means an enormous reduction in emissions: Driving an electric vehicle saves an average of 1.5 million grams of CO2 per year. (2) 

• Electric cars produce no emissions during use, which means they do not contribute to air pollution. This is especially important in cities where air pollution levels can be dangerously high.

• Electric vehicles use less energy because they have fewer parts and feature regenerative braking, a system that retains energy during braking and is more resistant to wear and tear than conventional brake discs.

• Another significant advantage of electric vehicles is that they do not need to be filled with gas or petrol, which are becoming increasingly expensive. Unlike gas-powered cars, electric vehicles contain two to three times fewer engine fluids such as oil, transmission fuel and coolants that must be changed regularly. This dramatically reduces fuel, repair and maintenance costs.

• Electric cars run very quietly, which significantly reduces noise pollution.

The post The Myths and Realities of Electric Cars: Are They Really Good for the Environment? first appeared on ecording.

In this article, we will examine the contributions of forests and trees from the cities we live to our health, from the water we drink to the air we breathe, with scientific data.

How Much Oxygen Does a Tree Produce?

Trees are our greatest weapon against the global climate crisis, the devastating effects of which we are witnessing frequently these days. Therefore, it is very important to know the life potential that a tree can produce for us and the planet.

Although most oxygen is produced by marine organisms such as phytoplankton, trees play one of the most important roles in maintaining oxygen levels in the atmosphere. But how much oxygen does a tree really produce?

We know that the average person consumes about 550 litres of oxygen daily. However, this amount can vary depending on the person’s daily activity level and environmental factors.

Trees also affect the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere. A tree’s annual oxygen production varies depending on its species, age, health and environmental conditions. Also, trees do not produce the same amount of oxygen throughout the year; since oxygen production depends on sunlight, they produce less oxygen at night.

Generally, older and more mature trees produce more oxygen. For example, a mature oak tree can produce about 100,000 litres of oxygen per year. This amounts to about 274 litres of oxygen per day, representing a significant part of a person’s daily requirement. 

Some tree species, especially pine, beech, spruce and maple, tend to produce more oxygen than others.

As a result, healthy forests not only support biodiversity but also play an essential role in regulating oxygen levels in the atmosphere and providing a source of clean air for people.

Approximately How Much Carbon Dioxide Can Trees Absorb from the Air?

In addition to producing clean oxygen by filtering pollutants from the air, trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it to build their leaves, branches, trunks, roots and soil.

An estimate of carbon per hectare is summed with average planting densities to determine how much carbon dioxide a tree can absorb. Thus, an average tree is estimated to absorb an average of 10 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year during the first 20 years of growth.

How do trees clean the air? 

In addition to releasing clean oxygen for us to breathe, trees play a critical role in improving air quality by removing air pollutants and greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

Planting trees helps to improve air quality through three main effects:

1. Reduces the amount of pollutants by lowering the air temperature.
2. Reduces energy consumption from polluting sources by reducing energy use in buildings.
3. Removes pollutants directly from the air.

The two main types of pollutants that trees remove from the atmosphere are: 

• Gaseous air pollution: The tiny pores on tree leaves, the stomata, breathe in air containing toxic pollutants. Once absorbed, the gases, including pollutants such as SO2, NO2, CO and ozone, diffuse and break down on the inner surfaces of the leaves.

• Particulate matter: Trees remove some particulate matter from the air by temporarily capturing it on the vegetative surfaces of their leaves. When it rains, these particles are washed off the tree and transported to the soil or dissolved in rainwater.

How Trees Affect Water Quality and Access

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, a mature deciduous tree can hold more than 15,000 litres of water per year. But how do they achieve this?

Trees, like us, rely on water for survival and have several mechanisms to help them absorb it. Water in the soil is absorbed through tiny hair-like roots. 

Once inside the root system, it is drawn along the tree trunk up to the leaves. Trees can also absorb water directly from the air through their leaves, but a higher percentage of water uptake comes from the roots.

How does water move from the roots of a tree, through the wood tissue and up to the leaves? 

To understand this requires an understanding of the internal mechanisms of a tree. Like our blood circulatory system, plants have an internal network known as “plumbing”, known as xylem and phloem tissues. 

These tissues start at the roots and extend upwards along the trunks of the trees, branching out and eventually attaching to each leaf.

They Also Prevent Flooding

Trees filter pollutants by absorbing water and reduce flood risk by reducing the velocity of rainwater. After large rainfall events or flash floods, trees absorb significant amounts of rainwater through their roots, reducing the risk of damage to ecosystems and infrastructure. Over time, this water is released back into the soil and air through transpiration.

Improving Water Quality

Trees reduce erosion and flood risk by filtering excess sediment, nutrients and toxins before they enter waterways. This protects the health of water sources.

The post How Much Oxygen Does a Tree Produce? How Trees Can Contribute to the Planet? first appeared on ecording.

Without radical action, the amount of plastic in the oceans is expected to triple by 2040. However, with a major transformational change, this amount can be reduced by 80 per cent. One of the most effective ways to reduce the use of plastic is to switch to refillable, reusable and refillable packaging.

In this article, we examine refill and reuse solutions and examine some of the conscious brands with refill products in Turkey.

Contents

• What is Refillable Packaging?
• Why Refill?
• What is the Contribution of Refillable Packaging to the Planet?
• Brands with Refillable Products

What is Refillable Packaging?

Refillable packaging, or refill products, is a system that allows users to continue using a product without creating new waste. This means that instead of buying a new packaged product to replace the depleted contents, the existing one is refilled and used. This approach is both practical and sustainable and minimises the negative impact on the environment by reducing the waste and energy required to produce new packaging.

Why Refill?

Plastic pollution has become a very visible indicator of the damage we as humanity have caused to the planet we live on and to other living creatures on this planet. Most of us have surely encountered the sad images of plastic pollution in the oceans, seas, rivers and our natural environment.

Our small changes as individuals really do work. But we can’t do it alone, we need collective action. To indeed “turn off the tap” on plastic pollution, companies need to stop producing so much plastic and keep fossil fuels underground. 

Major brands, businesses and retailers must invest in reuse and refill systems instead of using single-use packaging to reduce plastic pollution.

• For the Oceans

Worldwide, 8 – 12 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean annually. Every year, 100,000 marine mammals, turtles, and 1 million seabirds die from plastic pollution. (1)

Studies have shown that 90% of birds in the ocean have plastic in their stomachs. By choosing refill products, we can be part of the solution, not the problem.

• For the Planet

Most plastics are petroleum products and their production requires energy. The plastics industry is therefore one of the sectors where urgent action is needed to tackle the climate crisis. Refilling offers the opportunity to move away from dependence on the fossil fuel economy. Giant companies that feed the world with fossil fuels for energy also supply plastic raw materials. To put a “stop” to the global climate crisis, we have to curb this plastic madness.

• For Our Health

Plastic pollution is also a human health problem. Because microplastics are now circulating in our blood.

Plastic products contain chemical additives and these substances inevitably lead to serious health problems.

What is the Contribution of Refillable Packaging to the Planet?

According to a report for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, buying refills instead of new ones can reduce CO2 emissions by 70%, energy use by 65% and water use by 45%. (2) 

Refillable packaging forms part of the circular economy model, which encourages using, sharing, reusing, repairing and recycling materials and products for as long as possible.

The “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” campaign is an example of this model, as it encourages the reuse of materials and suggests recycling them when they can no longer be used.

Refill products are based on the idea of encouraging consumers to think about the use of natural resources. In this way, people are made more aware of the impact of their consumption habits on the environment.

This shift in consumer priorities is helping brands to think about how they can extend the life of their products and packaging, as well as their environmental impact.

Brands with Refillable Products 

1. The Purest Solutions

The Purest Solutions Ecological Refill Packaging is a packaging alternative that enables products to be presented in an environmentally friendly way using refillable packaging. 

This type of packaging can be recycled without harming the environment, minimising the use of plastic waste. The Purest Solutions offers its customers the convenience of refilling their products, allowing them to consume 77% less plastic. 

These ecological replacement packs are designed to be able to fill the original pack twice and aim to reduce the amount of waste by taking measures against environmental impacts.

2. Atelier Rebul

Adopting an environmentalist approach since its inception, Rebul has become part of an eco-friendly product movement by promoting the principles of ‘Refill/Reuse/Reduce’.

Cologne and ‘Signature Collection’ perfume bottles have designs that can be refilled in stores. In addition, liquid soaps offered in “Refill” packaging are produced using 78% less plastic than standard 250 ml packaging.

These new packs allow you to refill your favourite liquid soap, reuse existing bottles and reduce packaging waste.

3. ebebek

ebebek encourages the recycling of plastic, glass and metal packaged products. With the Packaging Recycling Piggy Bank, everyone who shops at the Istanbul Bostancı store can contribute to nature and benefit from discounts.

In addition, with the Baby Me Detergent Filling Station, consumers can fill their empty bottles with detergent, fabric softener, pacifier bottle cleaner, and stain remover products from Baby Me, ebebek’s own brand.

4. OMO 

Migros and OMO collaborated and launched the Refilling Unit. This unit aims to reduce plastic production and reduce the amount of plastic waste. 

This unit, located in the Ataşehir MMM Migros store, allows consumers to fill empty OMO Liquid Detergent bottles and buy products at more affordable prices. The pilot application aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste per year and this project aims to be extended to other stores.

The post What is Refill and How Can It Contribute to the Planet? first appeared on ecording.