Introduction
Carbon footprint refers to the amounts of greenhouses gases emitted in supporting direct or indirect human activities. The gases are in most cases are equated to volumes of carbon dioxide. The emission of gases is as result of the daily operating activities of the company including creating and provision of services to the customers. The emitted gases include methane, sulfur hexafluoride, perflurocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide. The gases have different effect on global warming making it necessary for the gases to be equated to carbon dioxide for easy comparison (Hoffman & Pew Center on Global Climate Change, 2007).
Research studies indicate that there are different blueprints depending on a given organization but the main point is that all the emissions should at least common elements including direct energy emissions, logistics, materials, freight and waste. There is need for the organization to asses the different impacts of the organization in order to identify the areas that the organization can reduce emission effectively and efficiently. Consequently, the organizations will have created the largest impact on managing pollution. This is a project paper involving the determination of best ethical practices for a company that has an objective of reducing emissions resulting from its operations (Nations Environment Program, 2010).
Ethical issues involved
There has been a question of whether carbon footprint is ethical and many research studies have proven to support the idea that carbon footprinting is ethical. Carbon footprint will help the organization to offset concentrations of carbon. Such a practice has not been common in a long period of time. However, in recent times many companies have appreciated the need for carbon footprinting in order to offset the levels of carbon and become carbon neutral. This is regarded as engaging in environmentally sound activities. The main ethical issues that are involved in carbon footprinting include environment concerns and producing safe products.
Environment issues
In carbon footprinting, the main concern for the company is the environment within which the organization is operating from. Greenhouse emissions have had a tremendous effect on the world especially global warming. There has also been an increase in the spread of diseases relating to pollution. There is the use of fuel in the manufacturing process resulting in the emission of greenhouse gases especially carbon. Consequently, there has been an increase in the emission of hydrocarbons into the atmosphere each year as there is continuous production. There is need for the company to address the ethical issues by adopting the carbon footprint project that will ensure neutralization of poisonous gases. This will result in the company having a carbon free environment (Hoffman & Pew Center on Global Climate Change, 2007).
Production of safe products
Production in an unsafe environment has a high likelihood of contaminating final products. Some elements of the harmful gases may be mixed in the various stages of producing the product. This has a harmful effect on the consumption of the final product. Consequently, consumers are at risk of contacting dangerous diseases that may even result in deformation or loss of life. It is unethical for the organization to continue with the production of harmful products that compromise the satisfaction of human wants. Carbon footprints will enable an organization to determine the concentration of greenhouse gases and make efforts to neutralize the gases. An organization that is carbon free is in a good position of offering goods that are safe for consumption (Nations Environment Program, 2010).
Key decision points
The success of an organization in achieving a carbon free environment and produce safe products depends on the decision that the company will make. Decision points include the process of production, lighting system in the organization and the goods supplied for production. The production process is the main source of the greenhouse emissions depending on the raw materials used for production. There is need to concentrate on studying the production process and identify the different stages that have the biggest impact in polluting the business environment. Another key decision point is the lighting system within the organization that also has an impac6t on the utilization of energy in the organization. There is also need to concentrate on the raw materials to ensure that there is minimal or no use of raw materials and appliances that have emission of greenhouse gases (Wilhelm, 2009).
There is need for the company to put filters in the emission pipes. There has been a public outcry that there is emission of large amounts of harmful gases into the atmosphere. Various environment groups have carried demonstrations on the street accusing the company of polluting the environment with the emission of harmful gases. The public has complained that the emissions have resulted in bad smell and diseases that have been attributed to the harmful gases. There is need to filter the waste emissions to ensure that the gases are carbon free and are harmful free. The company should even think of liquefying the gases after emission to reduce irritation that may be caused by its appearance. There is need to change the lighting system and install led bulbs that save on energy costs. The company should order raw materials that have carbon free content. This is in line with the public policy that insists on using carbon free raw materials that reduce pollution on the environment (Nations Environment Program, 2010).
Companies that faced a similar issue
Mikley manufacturers faced a similar challenge of emission of greenhouse gases that proved to be poisonous to the public. After a public outcry, the company installed filters in its emission pipes. The company identified the problem to relate to the increased usage of raw materials that had carbon content. The company made changes regarding its supplier of raw materials and hired the services of a credible company that specialized in the manufacture of carbon free products. The company also went ahead and installed filters in its emission pipes in efforts to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases that would be harmful. There were positive results from the carbon footprint results that showed low levels of carbon emission. It is almost impossible to emit carbon free gases unless the production process is discontinued something that does not make sense (Wilhelm, 2009).
Social, economic and legal issues that arise in the matter
The company has a social responsibility of ensuring that the environment is conserved. This will require that the company designs and implements environment conservation measures that will minimize environment pollution. The measures include the company installing filters on the gas emission pipes. This reduces the emission of harmful gases that eventually harm the public. Economically, the use of energy consuming bulbs has increased the cost of energy for the company. Approximately a quarter of the expenses are as a result of energy consumption. This has caused a strain on the finances of the company (Wilhelm, 2009). Legally, the company is facing a legal suit for violating environment laws that emphasize on conserving the environment.
Available options
There are two main available options including installing filters, shifting to carbon free raw materials and liquefying the gases that are emitted from the production process. The installation of filters is one of the most efficient methods of reducing harmful particles during gas emissions. The main advantage of the option is that it is efficient and effective in reducing carbon particles in the gas emissions. The method is less costly to install but records maximum performance in attracting carbon particles when the gases pass through emission pipes. It is effective in a similar sense that it can attract ninety to ninety nine percent of carbon particles. However, it is difficult to install the filters in already established pipes.
Shifting to carbon free raw materials has the advantage of reducing pollution beforehand. However, the company will incur huge costs of shifting form one supplier to another including high prices of raw materials. Liquefying the gases will ensure that the company disposes the wastes in a more friendly form and dispose the liquid in large water bodies. However, there will still be pollution from the harmful liquids that will make water unfit for consumption (Hoffman & Pew Center on Global Climate Change, 2007).
Recommendations on the course of action
I recommend that the company should install filters in the pipes. The option reduces spending on control measures and improves on reducing carbon particles that could be emitted to the environment. The company stands a better chance of reducing emission of wastes since the method is effective in attracting a large percentage of carbon compounds. The company should purchase filters and hire professionals to install them in the pipes. The pipes should have at least three filters to improve on its effectiveness (Estses, 2009).
References
Estses, J, (2009). Smart green: how to implement sustainable business practices in any industry and make money. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Hoffman, A & Pew Center on Global Climate Change. (2007). Carbon strategies: how leading companies are reducing their climate change footprint. Michigan: University of Michigan Press.
Nations Environment Program. (2010). Case for Climate Neutrality (A) – Case Studies on Moving Towards a Low Carbon Economy. New York: UNEP/Earthprint.
Wilhelm, K. (2009). Return on Sustainability. New Year: Dog Ear Publishing.
