DENR to measure Metro LGUs’ ‘carbon footprint’

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be measuring the greenhouse gases generated by Metro Manila’s 16 cities and one municipality to determine just how much each area contributes to pollution and global warming.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the DENR recently signed

a memorandum of understanding with the Manila Observatory for the conduct of the study.

“We intend to undertake under this project an inventory of greenhouse gases or carbon footprint down to the level of local government units (LGUs). And this effort is going to be a milestone as this is the first of its kind in the world,” Paje said.

A “carbon footprint” is a measure of the impact of human activities on the environment, specifically on the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) produced by daily activities such as burning fossil fuels which causes global warming and eventually leads to climate change.

“This project will entail an inventory of GHG starting in November or December for the entire National Capital Region, and in January or February 2012, for each city or municipality in the region. The inventory is expected to be completed within 12 to 15 months,” Paje said.

Scientists and environment experts will look at the cities’ energy use, transport system and waste management in their inventory of greenhouse gases. They will also track GHG emissions within and across city boundaries.

Data from the project will be used as benchmark data for all sustainable development efforts within Metro Manila. It is also expected to help local government officials manage future emissions and offset their carbon footprint by participating in activities such as, among others, the National Greening Program.

The DENR also hopes that the carbon footprint inventory project will encourage LGUs to adopt the concept of carbon banking. The idea is to cut carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere by using greener technologies.