Environmental Accounting at SEI
Our team has particular expertise in analysing carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG), emissions related to consumption patterns and systems of production. Our methodology enables us to calculate the embodied emissions associated with different social groups, industrial sectors and geographical areas.
The methodology that underpins REAP is in constant development and can be applied at a national level. The Defra funded embedded carbon emissions indicator project illustrates how we have used a multi-regional input-output model in the UK. The results show the GHG emissions embedded in UK imports from different world regions over a period of 12 years (1992 - 2004).
Recent projects include a Defra funded review of methods to measure the embodied GHG of products and services. This was undertaken to support the British Standards Institute PAS 2050 on measuring embodied GHG emissions in products and services. We are currently contributing to efforts initiated by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBSD) to develop GHG accounting standards at the product and supply chain levels.
Development of UK CO2 emissoins from 1992 to 2004 according to different accounting principles (note that scale does not start at zero). Source: Development of an embedded carbon emissions Indicator. A research report to Defra by SEI and the University of Sydney. Published by Defra, 2008
Current Projects
- SKEP Project: The Environmental Impact of Trade (EIPOT)
- WWF Project: 'UK Trends' Report
- The Footprint of Consumption in Victoria and Queensland
Recent Projects
2007 - 2008
2005 - 2006
REAP Petite has been updated and improved.
To download a free copy click here
If you are a license holder, contact SEI to get your new version.
SEI have just released a policy brief on Scotland's Footprint.
Our study has shown that Scotland's carbon footprint has grown by 11 per cent since 1992.
The figure includes greenhouse gases released overseas during the production of goods later consumed in Scotland and so is the most accurate gauge of the country's emissions to date.
While emissions generated in Scotland fell by 13 percent between 1995 and 2004, when trade is taken account, greenhouse gases rose by 11 per cent over the same period.
The full policy brief can be found on SEI's website.
An article has also be published in the Sunday Herald and can be found here.
The NHS England successfully launched their Carbon Reduction Strategy ‘Saving Carbon, Improving Health' on 27th January 2009. SEI contributed to the evidence base for the strategy, carrying out a consumption-based carbon footprint of the NHS England, who represents 25% of England's public sector emissions. The first part of the project examined historical emissions and identified the drivers behind a rising carbon footprint. This forms the first report published in 2008. The second phase of the project projects future emissions and models a range of policy options and their carbon reduction potential.
Further information can be found at the NHS Sustainable Development Unit website
Our phase 1 report for the NHS England carbon analysis project is available online.
This report provides a 2004 baseline for the NHS, a time series and a supply chain analysis of the pharmaceutical and medical equipment sectors (the highest impact procurement sectors of the NHS England).
We are in the process of developing a carbon scenario tool to contribute to the NHS England Carbon Strategy and target setting. The deadline for this is January and another report will be issued. We are also looking into repeating the study for the NHS Scotland, Wales and NI.