UPSC Prelims 2021 Q29: Environment & Ecology – Climate Change & Greenhouse Gases
- (a) assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world
- (b) enabling commercial farming entities around the world to enter carbon emission trading
- (c) enabling governments to assess the overall carbon footprint caused by their countries
- (d) assessing the overall carbon footprint caused by the use of fossil fuels by the world in a unit time
Answer: (a) assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world
Explanation
Common Carbon Metric (UNEP-SBCI)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Standardised methodology to measure and report GHG emissions from building operations (energy use during occupancy). |
| Issued by | UNEP - Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative (UNEP-SBCI) in collaboration with SBTool and WGBC. |
| Metric | kg CO2 equivalent per square metre per year (kg CO2e/m2/year). |
| Why buildings? | Buildings account for ~40% of global energy use and ~30% of GHG emissions. |
| Adoption | Used by UNEP, World GBC, LEED, and national green building councils. |
Answer: (a) assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Common Carbon Metric is a UNEP-SBCI methodology for standardised measurement of GHG emissions from building operations - a critical sector at ~40% of global energy demand.
- (b) Incorrect. Agricultural carbon trading uses metrics like Verra VCS, Gold Standard - not CCM.
- (c) Incorrect. National carbon inventories use IPCC Guidelines for National GHG Inventories, not CCM.
- (d) Incorrect. Fossil fuel emissions globally are tracked via IEA World Energy Outlook and BP Statistical Review.
Key point
Common Carbon Metric = UNEP-SBCI standard for building operations GHG measurement. Unit: kg CO2e/m2/year. Buildings = 40% of global energy, 30% of emissions - hence the focus. Used by LEED, World GBC.
Remember
The Common Carbon Metric, supported by UNEP (through the Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative, UNEP-SBCI), is developed for assessing the carbon footprint of BUILDING OPERATIONS around the world. Unit is kg CO2e/m2/year. Correct answer: (a).
Common mistakes
- Confusing CCM with IPCC national inventory guidelines. CCM is BUILDING-specific.
- Not knowing buildings are the biggest energy-consuming sector globally.
- Missing that India has IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) and GRIHA (national rating), which use methodologies similar to CCM.
Exam tip
Building energy standards: LEED (US), BREEAM (UK), IGBC/GRIHA (India), Passivhaus (Germany). UNEP-SBCI's Common Carbon Metric is the international harmonising tool. Aligned with WorldGBC's Net Zero Carbon Building Commitment.
Sources
- UNEP Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative (UNEP-SBCI) - Common Carbon Metric Protocol
- World Green Building Council - Building Emissions Reporting