Title: How effective is carbon offset? Assessment of carbon dioxide reduction methods by using MCDM techniques: a case study of global automotive factory

Authors: Tolga Meriç Yanar; Alparslan Serhat Demir

Addresses: Program of Industrial Engineering, Institute of Natural Sciences, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey ' Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey

Abstract: In order to reduce CO₂ emissions, industrial enterprises try to utilise various methods such as obtaining energy from renewable power plants, afforestation and carbon offset. In this study, it was aimed to determine the most appropriate method to reduce CO₂ emissions caused by the energy consumption of an automotive industry company. With this study conducted, analytical hierarchy and multimoora methods, which are among the multi-criteria decision-making techniques, were used together to select the optimum method among the CO₂ reduction methods. As a result of the study that assesses the effectiveness of hydroelectric power station, solar electrical system, solar thermal energy system, afforestation and carbon offset alternatives from various angles, it is concluded that hydroelectric power plant is the most suitable option for ensuring CO₂ reduction for the automotive company. It has been revealed that carbon offset, which is often preferred by companies, is not such an effective alternative.

Keywords: carbon offset; CO₂ reduction; emission; analytical hierarchy process; AHP; multimoora.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2021.115115

International Journal of Global Warming, 2021 Vol.24 No.1, pp.65 - 85

Received: 29 Apr 2020
Accepted: 14 Oct 2020
Published online: 18 May 2021 *

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