Ingenieur Vol 77 Jan-Mar 2019 ingenieur 2019 Jan-March | Page 12

INGENIEUR to project developers, all in compliance with the United Nations Framework for Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC). Once carbon credits are generated, they will be tied to a cryptocurrency called ‘EPCC Coin’, which is stored on a public blockchain and traded on various cryptocurrency exchange systems. This assures purchasers that these tokens cannot be duplicated or falsified. Such a business model allows investors and the public investors to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, like hydro, wind and solar. Based on BESC’s blockchain project, the approximate energy saving per capital dollar spent is about RM0.32 for every 1 kWh a year saved through an EPC in Malaysia. If a Government- backed financial institution funded the project, as planned with USD49.3 million, it could save approximately 1.5 billion kWh per year, or 1.1 million tons of carbon credit. According to the Gold Standard organisation, energy efficiency projects could fetch approximately RM9.6 per ton of carbon 6 10 VOL 2019 VOL 77 55 JANUARY–MARCH JUNE 2013 ‟ Carbon emission trading No raindrop blames itself for the flood. credits. This could make the value of the carbon credit worth approximately RM11 million a year. Should you buy carbon credits? When you’re pottering around the house, you’re probably not thinking of melting ice caps or changes in rainfall patterns, and this is a huge challenge for climate scientists. Climate change is such a massive, world-changing issue, it’s difficult for any one of us to feel responsible. The answer is yes, but before you buy some EPCC coins, make sure that you’re not giving yourself a license to pollute. You should always try to reduce your own carbon footprint before paying someone else to reduce theirs.