Applications

North East Benchmarking Project, Autumn 2009

Objective:

Identify and scope a methodology to globally benchmark emissions from key NE manufacturing sectors.

Background and Rationale:

The NE England Emissions Trajectories Report (1) found that manufacturing contributes to around 70% of all carbon dioxide equivalent emitted in the NE. However, a report by SEI and Experian (2) found that emissions on a global basis will continue to increase with economic growth, irrespective of where manufacturing takes place and greenhouse gases are emitted. Reducing manufacturing to reduce emissions in the NE region would only lead to increases in emissions elsewhere.

Instead, there is a need to better understand the nature of emissions from NE Region and how they compare against other producers of similar goods elsewhere:

• Is manufacturing in the NE more carbon efficient than in other global regions, or countries e.g. China?
• What steps could be taken to increase the carbon efficiency of NE manufacturing?

Tasks / Methodology:

Given the short amount of time available, benefits will be maximised by focusing on developing a methodology and identifying potential data sources, rather than producing a full report on NE manufacturing emissions. It is intended that this work would provide a platform for the region to commission future research if desired. Specific tasks are to:

• Develop and specify a methodology to compare the carbon intensity of production in the NE against other regions. Other related indicators, including fuel intensities, should also be considered.
• Identify potential data sources (official statistics, trade data, etc,) that could be used to apply the methodology for major polluting sectors in the NE.
• As far as possible, illustrate the approach using a major polluting sector in the NE as a case study, e.g. the chemicals or metals sector, exploring the underlying reasons for behind differences in emissions levels.

Benefits to Region:

The outputs of this project will contribute towards the evidence base for the forthcoming regional strategy. As an exploratory and scoping exercise, the project limits the risks to the organisation associated with commissioning a larger and more detailed report.

(1) North East England Greenhouse Gas Emissions Baselines and Trajectories Study, January 2009
(2) Assessing the Impacts of Economic Growth on Consumption and the Environment, April 2009