A brief introduction to carbon emissions

Since the Industrial Revolution, sources of carbon emissions have increased. Human activities have led to a sharp and dangerous increase in these emissions, mainly through fossil fuel combustion in the electricity and heat, transportation and industrial (consisting of manufacturing, construction, mining and agriculture) sectors.

Carbon emissions make up 97% of Singapore’s greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions cause more heat to be trapped in the atmosphere, leading to climate change. This interesting video created by researcher Antti Lipponen, from the Finnish Meteorological Institute, used publicly available data from NASA to demonstrate the rising temperatures, or global warming, across the world.

These are some of the few repercussions of global warming:

• Widespread melting of snow and ice around the world
• Rise in global sea levels
• Ocean acidification
• Coral bleaching
• Increased flooding
• Longer droughts
• More frequent cold waves and heat waves
• Stronger storms, cyclones and hurricanes

These effects, in turn, lead to a decrease in crop yield, famine, loss and extinction of flora and fauna on land and under the sea, threatened water supplies, rise in water, food and insect borne diseases, and many other issues.

What is Singapore doing to help?

Singapore experiences the effects of climate change along with the rest of the world. The buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere makes our weather hotter and raises the sea level around us too.

Reducing our carbon emissions is one important way of limiting the effects of climate change in the coming decades. As a responsible member of the global community, Singapore has pledged to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 16% below Business-As-Usual levels in 2020. The pledge, announced in 2010 ahead of the UNFCCC Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, was conditional on a legally binding global agreement. Singapore has also ratified the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1997, acceded to the Kyoto Protocol in 2006 and to the Paris Agreement in 2015.

Within Singapore, energy consumption is one of the main sources of carbon emissions. Our household appliances, transport systems, industrial and commercial activities all run on electricity and fuel.

Over the years, Singapore has switched to being less reliant on carbon-intensive fuel oil, using more natural gas instead. This means that Singapore can continue to be powered, while emitting less carbon. However, there are limits to how much further we can reduce emissions, since natural gas already constitutes more than 95% of our fuel mix for electricity generation today. Therefore, improving energy efficiency is key in our efforts to reduce emissions.

How are carbon emissions linked to my use of electricity?

Conventional electricity is generated through the burning of fossil fuels and this process results in the release of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) gases into the atmosphere. By using electricity, consumers indirectly contribute to these emissions.

How much carbon does a typical household indirectly emit from the use of purchased electricity?

Based on an average Singapore household consumption of 450 kWh of electricity per month, around 2.2 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent gases are estimated, per household, to be emitted to the atmosphere in a year.

How can I reduce my carbon footprint?

In order to reduce your carbon footprint, you first need to understand the extent of your carbon footprint. You can learn more about your estimated carbon footprint using a simple online calculator.

You can reduce your carbon footprint by making conscious and mindful decisions about your lifestyle. This would result in lower energy use, lower emissions and a better world for future generations.

Here are four ways to get you started:

What are carbon credits?

Carbon credits (or carbon offset) are credits given for greenhouse emissions reduced or removed from the atmosphere by an emission reduction project, and which can be used by governments, industry or private individuals to compensate for the emissions they are directly and/or indirectly generating.

How do carbon credits work?

While there are different types of carbon credits available in the market, they all work in similar manner. One of the most widely issued carbon credits are the Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) issues to projects developed under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program.

Through the VCS Program, more than 1,300 certified VCS projects have collectively reduced or removed over 200 million tonnes of carbon and other GHG emissions from the atmosphere.

Projects developed under the VCS Program must follow a rigorous assessment process in order to be certified and include a wide variety of technologies and measures which result in GHG emission reductions and removals. These projects are categorized by their sectoral scope, which range from renewable energy projects to land use projects.

All VCS projects are subject to desk and field audits to ensure that standards are met and methodologies are properly applied. Projects are assessed using a technically sound GHG emission reduction quantification methodology specific to that project type.

Once projects have been certified, project developers are issued VCUs, with one VCU representing one metric tonne of carbon-equivalent emissions reduced or removed from the atmosphere.

Purchasing and retiring these VCUs allow individuals and companies to offset their own emissions. Carbon neutrality is achieved when emissions are fully offset.

Parties interested in purchasing and retiring these VCUs, use the trusted and secure platform, the Verra Registry, which was launched in April 2020 and is the cornerstone for the implementation of VCS standards and programs. Geneco is one such party, and strive to provide our customers with carbon credits of similar or even higher standard of assessment and quality assurance. 

How does Geneco support the reduction of carbon emissions?

In the UK, Geneco is acclaimed for its work in recycling and renewable energy. Landfills of junk and waste are used to power homes, buses, cars and more. We have won 13 awards for our green efforts, including National Recycling Awards for both 2015 and 2016, British Renewable Energy Awards for both 2015 and 2017, and many more.

Geneco brings this same expertise to the Singapore Open Electricity Market, giving consumers a choice to build a sustainable energy future through the purchase of a carbon neutral electricity price plan.

Start your sustainable journey today by customising your green add-on for your electricity plan with Geneco’s Power Eco Add-on (Carbon Credits).

House plants are a great addition to any home – and they come with many benefits ranging from improving the air quality of your room to being a mood booster and even improving your wellbeing. A pot of monstera or a spider plant would make a great décor piece, breathing life into the corners within any home with their perky green leaves.

Despite these benefits, many might think they do not have a green thumb and would still choose to go without having any plants at home. Don’t be discouraged if you had a bad experience at your first attempt of growing a house plant. To help you on your journey to be a successful plant parent without the unnecessary struggle, here are some tips to help you succeed the smart way, not the hard way.

1. How many golden hours do you get?

Before anything else, draw your curtains wide open and figure out exactly how many hours of sunlight your room of choice normally gets as this is crucial in deciding what type of house plant to buy. Some plants can survive on less than two hours of sunlight a day, while some need up to eight hours of light.

If you spot some brown ends on the leaf of a plant, that could be a sign of scorching, which happens when there is too much sunlight and not enough water. The direction of your window would also give you an indication of how many hours of sunlight you will be getting and how strong the sunlight would be. In the same way we all have different preferences, your plants and your environment would have to be a great fit for each other so that it can thrive in your home.

2. The watering trick they don’t tell you about

Too much of a good thing can be bad, and the same goes for watering your plants. It is a common misconception that all plants need as much water as they can get. Each species of plants has their own watering needs, and many plant-health related issues start from overwatering.

Not well known to most people, the term ‘overwatering’ does not refer to the quantity of water. In fact, it is important to water the plant to the point of saturating the soil. ‘Overwatering’ actually refers to watering too many times, and depending on the plant, the appropriate number of times can range from once a day to once a month. With the right plant, you can enjoy bright green leaves while watering at a frequency that suits you.

3. Keeping away the pesky pests and other plant health problems

The health of your house plants can be severely impacted by house pests and fungi, which could be using your plant as a home, or source of food and nutrients. There are many different types of these pesky little fellas, but luckily, there are simple ways to prevent infestation:

• Isolate new plants from the rest for at least a month before putting them together. In this time, check the new plant to see if there are any bugs
• Wipe down a planter whenever you re-pot a plant
• Remove dead leaves and foliage
• Wipe your plants down occasionally with a soft cloth and lukewarm, non-toxic soap water
• Make use of a common household product to create your own natural fungicide (we found baking soda to work wonders for our plants)

Selecting your first house plants

We know the above may sound daunting and like a lot of work, but once you get the hang of it, you will be rewarded with healthy and happy plants that will brighten your home and improve your mood. To get you started, here is a list of low maintenance plants that you can consider having at home.

• Snake plant
  Snake plants are a fan favourite, because of how low maintenance they are. They require very little watering, and they do well in most conditions. Their strong green leaves feature interesting snake-like patterns, which makes every plant different from the next. Talk about a unique indoor plant! They are resistant to most pest problems, and research has shown that they have air purifying effects as well. If you are looking for a beginner plant that is beginner-friendly and easy to maintain, look no further than to explore having a snake plant as part of your starting collection.

• Spider plant
  The plant got its name from the way the little plants dangles, much like a spider web. Raising a pot of spider plant can be very gratifying, because they grow quickly and very easily. They also purify your air and remove harmful chemicals. Don’t worry about the brown tips either, it’s completely normal and is caused by the salt build up in the soil.
• Monstera
  You might have seen this guy in many interior design magazines because of its interesting appearance. With the holes in its leaves, it is no wonder that its nickname is “Swiss cheese plant”. It would turn any living area into an oasis, sitting beside your couch while you chill and relax on the weekend, giving you the tropical hotel experience right from your living room.

As we incorporate house plants into our homes and enjoy the benefits it brings to our lives, let us not forget the importance of trees and how they serve as the lungs to the earth. Not only do they help combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions, but they also form the life-support system of many wildlife species.

In celebration of our 3rd Anniversary, and as part of commitment to the nation’s #SGGreenPlan, Geneco is joining the #OneMillionTreesSG movement by planting 250 trees over the next 5 years. Be a part of this movement with us by joining in our giveaway in the post below and stand a chance to win a special eco-friendly lifestyle set, comprising of a tote bag, reusable water bottle, lunch box, cutlery set and win $30 Dairy Farm vouchers.

Together, let’s #PowerTheChange!