Carbon Footprint Calculator for Hotels in Hong Kong

Funded by: Enviroment and Conservation Fund, HKSAR

Study team: Joseph Lai, Francis Yik, Michael Liu

Introduction

A project entitled “Carbon Footprint Analysis of Hotels in Hong Kong” was funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Intended to probe into the sources and levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals from selected hotels, analyse their carbon footprints, and investigate into the factors and practices that can help mitigate GHG emissions or enhance their removals, the project was carried out by a study team at the Department of Building Services Engineering of PolyU.

Results

Based on the data of the hotels, analyses were carried out on the following areas of GHG emissions/removals.

Direct emissions/removals due to:

nStationary sources combustion
nMobile sources combustion
nFugitive emissions
nAssimulation of carbon dioxide into biomass through planting of trees

Energy indirect emissions due to:

nConsumption of purchased electricity
nConsumption of town gas

Other indirect emissions due to:

nMethane gas generation at landfill due to disposal of paper waste
nConsumption of fresh water
nTreatment of waste water

Click here to download the presentation file showing the project results

Calculator

For identifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions/removals of hotels in Hong Kong, this calculator was devised under the project "Carbon Footprint Analysis of Hotels in Hong Kong. The project, undertaken by a study team in the Department of Building Services Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund of the Hong Kong Government.

The core basis upon which this calculator was developed refers to the methodology and procedures contained in the Guidelines to Account for and Report on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals for Buildings (Commercial, Residential or Institutional Purposes), which was jointly published by the Environmental Protection Department and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department in 2010. The emission factors adopted in the algorithm of this calculator essentially refer to those pertaining to year 2010 or the latest figures which were publicly available at the time when this calculator was developed.

Disclaimer: This calculator is intended to serve as a reference protocol for calculating carbon footprints of hotels in Hong Kong. The designer of this calculator will accept no liability for any consequence that may arise from the use of this calculator.

Click here to download the “Carbon Footprint Calculator for Hotels in Hong Kong”. (zipped Excel file)