Corum Special Provincial administration asphalt plant facility carbon footprint calculation

This study examines the concept of the carbon footprint, which is used to measure the environmental impacts of human activities. Within the scope of the study, topics such as global warming and climate change, greenhouse gases, Turkey's greenhouse gas emissions, climate change by sector, the definition of carbon footprint, its calculation methods, main components, and strategies for its reduction are addressed. Comparisons of carbon footprints in Turkey and around the world have been made, and the impacts on different sectors, asphalt plant facilities, types of asphalt bitumen, and production processes have been analyzed. Additionally, studies from the literature on carbon footprints and carbon footprint data calculated in other sectors are presented. In line with this framework, the Çorum Provincial Administration Asphalt Plant Facility was selected as a case study, and the carbon footprints of the facility for the last three years were calculated. The carbon footprint calculations were categorized into four main components: electricity, natural gas, water, and transportation, with relevant data obtained from facility officials. For the year 2023, the carbon emissions were calculated as 0.2662 Gg CO₂ from transportation, 0.107 Gg CO₂ from electricity, 0.517 Gg CO₂ from natural gas, and 0.000012 Gg CO₂ from water use. For 2022, these figures were 0.1525 Gg CO₂, 0.006 Gg CO₂, 0.348 Gg CO₂, and 0.000008 Gg CO₂, respectively. In 2021, the values were 0.2045 Gg CO₂ (transportation), 0.089 Gg CO₂ (electricity), 0.319 Gg CO₂ (natural gas), and 0.0000096 Gg CO₂ (water). The calculated results were compared with data from the literature. Furthermore, assessments and recommendations for reducing the carbon footprint from transportation, electricity, natural gas, and water usage are provided.