Climate change management in manufacturing industry: a greenhouse gas inventorisation and mitigation approach

Abstract

Purpose Industries worldwide have been striving to serve the increasing demand of consumers alongside providing importance to environmental issues. Yet, there are concern-raising changes on the planet, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting in a temperature rise. India remains a vital party of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change. Henceforth, the paper aims to study the increased emissions of GHG in Puducherry, an Indian Union Territory that faces tremendous pressure owing to its denser population. Design/methodology/approach The research is designed as a case study conducted in a tyre manufacturing unit in Puducherry. The industrial sector was chosen, as it is the largest contributor (78%) of the total GHG emissions. Case studies were chosen to analyse the GHG emissions and the effects of implementing the policies and imposing interventions over time. The identified areas of improvement, proposed changes and the implemented ones with the results over a three-year period have been discussed. Findings The present study’s GHG inventorisation for Puducherry paved the way for preparing mitigation and adaptation plans. A total of 21 and 48 changes were incorporated to conserve fuel and power, respectively. A significant 11% reduction in power consumption and 1,113,008/litres of furnace oil was achieved. This translates to 5,115 tCO2 and 3,306 tCO2, respectively. Practical implications This research will help to improve the importance of climate change management in the manufacturing sector, and it will pave the way for achieving effective sustainable practices. Originality/value Such case studies could cumulatively impact the policy directives/ interventions on GHG emissions. Though this seems a small leap, putting them into practice at firm levels would contribute significantly towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals.