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Guide to accounting for avoided GHG emissions in waste recovery and recycling. Good practices and application to different sectors (version 1.0)

Summary

To stimulate innovation in low-carbon solutions, companies must be able to calculate and communicate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions avoided by their solutions, particularly in the recycling and waste recovery sector, a key sector in the circular economy. However, there is still a lack of standardised guidance on the specific methodological choices to be made. RECORD proposes here in its version 1.0, a specific avoided emissions accounting guide for the recycling and waste recovery sector. It has been developed through a rigorous literature review followed by consensus building among stakeholders in the recycling and waste recovery sectors.

This work allowed 1) to build a common methodological framework for calculating avoided GHG emissions based on consensus, 2) to apply these requirements in the calculation of Reference Emission Factors in 12 sectors, 3) to collectively validate allocation keys to attribute avoided emissions among value-chain actors, and finally 4) to formulate recommendations for credible and transparent communication on the subject of avoided emissions. An analysis of the approaches taken by the NZI and the WBCSD and available at the time of the RECORD guide’s release complements this guide.

This guide is therefore a key step towards a robust and shared use of avoided GHG emissions in relation to the circular economy.

Keywords: Emissions évitées, Recyclage, Analyse du Cycle de Vie, Bilan GES Corporate, Avoided emissions, Recycling, Waste valorisation, Life Cycle Assessment, Corporate GHG emissions
/en/key-subjects/6/248-avoided-ghg-emissions-in-waste-recycling.htm

Publication date: October 2022

Achievement: WeLOOP, EcoAct

Reference: RECORD, Guide to accounting for avoided GHG emissions in waste recovery and recycling. Good practices and application to different sectors (version 1.1), 2023, 117 p, n°21‑1026/1A


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