Unit of competency details

1

Map carbon sources and sinks along the value chain

1.1

Select portion of the value chain for analysis

1.2

Identify process steps along the chain

1.3

Identify the carbon-related change which occurs at each step

2

Determine nature and source for carbon emissions

2.1

Determine carbon emissions from each step

2.2

Determine source of each emission

2.3

Identify measurements available for each emission and each source

3

Quantify carbon

3.1

Quantify each emission

3.2

Determine CO2 equivalent tonnes for each emission

3.3

Determine point of obligation and total obligation, as required

3.4

Determine total carbon embodied in product

4

Recommend strategies for reducing carbon footprint

4.1

Short-list high carbon sources

4.2

Determine root cause of emissions

4.3

Identify relevant carbon sinks

4.4

Investigate methods for reducing emissions

4.5

Prepare recommendation for improvement

5

Report carbon footprint

5.1

Identify purpose of report and key stakeholders

5.2

Compile data, implications and recommendations

5.3

Consult with stakeholders, as appropriate

Required knowledge includes:

• process and changes which occur at each step in selected value chain
• carbon emission sources
• root cause analysis
• methods of reducing carbon emissions and embodied carbon
• carbon equivalence of different emissions
• relevant legislation, regulation and protocols, including greenhouse gas protocols and associated ISO standards

Required skills include:

• calculating, manipulating and interpreting numeric data, including establishing series, means and averages, correlations and rates of change
• calculation of carbon emissions, carbon footprint and embodied carbon
• interpreting specifications, operating procedures, manuals, regulations and other complex documents
• consulting with internal and external stakeholders
• analysing and problem solving
• drafting reports

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to measure carbon or carbon equivalent usage along all or part of a value chain and recommend strategies to reduce emissions.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:

• identifying and mapping portion of value chain for carbon footprint analysis
• quantifying carbon footprint, including embodied carbon into each process step
• identifying strategies for minimising carbon footprint as part of measure and report process.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

• This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
• Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.
• This unit of competency may be assessed with other relevant units addressing sustainability at the enterprise level or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit.
• The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Method of assessment

• In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.
• Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
• The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.

Guidance information for assessment

Carbon emissions

Carbon emissions means all materials which enter the process or site but which do not leave as part of the product and so includes:

• known or able to be physically measured emissions of:

• gases, vapours and fumes
• liquids
• solids

• assumed emissions through material balancing
• assumed emissions through energy loss, including heat, friction and other energy conversion yield losses
• relevant greenhouse gases, including those defined under the Kyoto protocol

Embodied carbon

Embodied carbon is the total of carbon consumed in the manufacture, use and disposal of the product expressed as CO2 equivalent tonnes

Portion of the value chain

Portion of the value chain includes:

• internal and external value chain sections