Green house gases in the context of HPP Đerdap I company sustainability

Abstract

In the context of the intensification of international climate policies and the growing ecological awareness of consumers, the quantification of a company's carbon footprint has become an imperative for sustainable business. This paper explores the challenges of decarbonization with a particular focus on indirect emissions within the value chain, which often make up a dominant share of a company's total emissions. The focus of the research is on a specific category - employees' commuting. The aim of the paper is to analyze and compare the emission levels of equivalent carbon dioxide (eqCO2) using different types of transport and energy sources. The methodology is based on the simulation of the transport of 400 employees over a distance of 20 km, with a comparison of 100 passenger cars, 4 buses and rail transport. It uses diesel fuel versus an electric drive powered by different sources (coal, hydropower, solar energy). The results indicate drastic differences in emissions. While the use of 100 diesel-powered cars generates the largest footprint (342 kg eqCO2 per day), switching to electric rail or bus transport powered by renewable energy sources (hydro and solar) reduces emissions to a minimum (below 6 kg). Even when using electricity obtained from coal, mass transport shows significant advantages compared to individual vehicles. The conclusion is that strategic decisions on corporate mobility are key to achieving carbon neutrality and aligning with the global goal of limiting the temperature rise on the globe by 1.5°C.