DAVINES FOR CLIMATE ACTION

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a climate-altering gas that naturally occurs in our atmosphere; its very high concentration contributes to global warming. However, CO2 is not the only gas responsible for the greenhouse effect, which is also caused, for example, by nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). CO2 equivalent (CO2eq) describes the impact of greenhouse gases in a single unit. For any quantity and type of greenhouse gas, CO2eq indicates the amount of CO2 that would have an equivalent impact on global warming

A carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases— primarily carbon dioxide (CO2) —released into the atmosphere by a particular human activity. When referred to a company (company carbon footprint), it indicates the total amount of carbon emissions being produced by all of the company's activities. It includes direct emissions, such as those that result from fossil-fuel combustion in manufacturing, heating, transportation, and indirect emissions associated with the production of electricity.

Global warming is the long-term warming of the planet’s overall temperature. Though this warming trend has been going on for a long time, its pace has significantly increased in the last hundred years due to the burning of fossil fuels.

Greenhouse gases are the cause of the greenhouse effect. Although many of them are found in nature, many others are synthetic. Let's have a closer look at some of the greenhouse gases:

1. Carbon dioxide (CO2): It's the most emitted GHG by quantity: in 2014, it accounted for 76% ca. of the total GHG emissions. CO2 enters the atmosphere through combustion (burning fossil fuels, solid waste, trees and other biological material) and as a result of specific chemical reactions. It is also released by natural processes such as respiration and volcano eruptions. In 2014, the sectors which emitted the most CO2 emissions have been electricity and heat production (49,09%), transport (20,45%), manufacturing industries & construction (19,96%). However, residential buildings & commercial and public services accounted for 8,80% of the total: all of us have a role in fighting climate change.
2. Methane (CH4): is mainly emitted by livestock and agricultural practices, such as ruminant digestion and manure management; it is also emitted by the production and transport of coal, natural gas and oil. Fugitive emissions of methane also result from the decay of organic waste in solid waste landfills.
3. Nitrous Oxide (N2O): is emitted by agricultural and industrial activities such as fertilizer use, combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste; N2O is also emitted through the treatment of wastewater.
4. Hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and Nitrogen Trifluoride (NF3): are emitted from industrial processes and, although usually emitted in small quantities, their global warming potential* is incredibly high. Contrary to CO2, CH4 and N2O, which are available in nature, this last family of greenhouse gases are synthetic gases used in a variety of different industrial activities. HFCs, for example, are used in refrigeration and are present in most of the air condition units worldwide.

One of the main ways to fight climate change is to increase renewable energy use, from which very little or no CO2eq is emitted. Renewable energy is energy (electricity or heat) produced by energy sources that are replenished quicker or at the same pace than they are consumed. The most common renewable energy sources are:

1. Solar energy(from the Sun hitting solar panels or thermosolar equipment)
2. Wind energy (from the wind blowing on wind turbines)
3. Hydro energy (from the water movement through turbines)
4. Biomass energy(from biomass combustion)

In Davines, we use both electricity and heat from renewable sources. Part of it is produced on-site, while the rest is purchased. The Davines Villages is equipped with solar panels and a geothermal system.