Scottish City Region and Growth Deals: carbon management guidance for projects and programmes

3. Definitions

The following definitions have been adopted for consistency. They are based on an internationally-recognised carbon management specification (PAS 2080: Carbon Management in Infrastructure) and are applicable to all Deal projects.

• Carbon: Shorthand for all greenhouse gases emissions as defined by the Kyoto Protocol, measured in kg or tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e);
• Capital Carbon: Carbon associated with the creation, refurbishment and end of life treatment of a project, e.g. construction materials and processes. The related term 'embodied carbon' is usually used at a product or material level, whereas capital carbon will have greater relevance at a project level;
• Operational Carbon: Carbon associated with the operation of a project required to enable it to deliver its service or outcomes, e.g. electricity use or building heating;
• Whole Life Carbon: The sum of carbon from all stages of the life cycle of a project. For the purpose of this definition, this sum includes indirect changes in carbon expected to result from the project (decreases or increases), e.g. a reduction in atmospheric carbon or an increase in vehicular emissions (also referred to as End User carbon).
• Carbon Emissions Impact: The Green Book guidance equivalent to whole life carbon, which requires to be stated in the economic case for projects seeking public sector funding;
• Net Zero Carbon: Where the sum of the carbon emissions resulting from a project and the carbon it removes from the atmosphere equals zero. Noting that carbon savings against a 'business as usual' scenario do not necessarily represent carbon removed from the atmosphere;
• Carbon Control: Where project owners have the ability to manage, through direct requirement of project design and operational approach, specific objectives for capital and operational carbon emissions; and,
• Carbon Influence: Where the project may affect carbon emissions beyond carbon control, notably through the use of project buildings or infrastructure. For example, a project owner can 'control' the carbon associated with a new road (design, construction, maintenance, lighting, etc.) but can only 'influence' the carbon emitted by users of the road.