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
The use of REAP in Scotland has been reviewed by the EPSRC ISSUES Project who look at urban sustainability.
"The Sustainable Urban Environments Programme is an EPSRC funded portfolio of research looking at ways of improving sustainability in the urban environment." (taken from www.urbansustainabilityexchange.org.uk, July 2010)
The full report titled "The Process of Knowledge Transfer from Researcher and Policy Maker to End-User" provides an analysis of the footprinting work done in Scotland and the use of REAP by Scottish Local Authorities. It is available here.
REAP Version 2
Please contact us to get your latest copy of REAP. Read the full news article by clicking more below to find out about the updates and what the type of licence you require.
See the REAP pages for details about licence costs and training packages.
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.