What is the carbon footprint?

The carbon footprint measures the greenhouse gases emitted by a company, either directly or indirectly. It includes everything from the production of goods and services to their final consumption, assessing the company's environmental impact at each stage of the value chain.

Why manage the carbon footprint?

Adopting proactive management of the corporate carbon footprint is key for modern businesses, not only for environmental regulatory compliance but also to:

• Innovate and improve operational efficiency in sustainability.
• Save costs and optimize resources.
• Enhance corporate reputation.
• Attract customers and partners committed to business sustainability.

International regulations and standards

Complying with regulations like the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) and objectives set by Science Based Targets (SBTi) helps companies align their sustainability efforts with global standards. Tools like the carbon footprint software airCO2 facilitate this process by ensuring compliance with standards like ISO 14064 carbon footprint and the GHG Protocol emissions management.

Emissions and their scope

There are three types of scopes when measuring the carbon footprint:

• Scope 1: Direct emissions (fuel combustion, company vehicles, etc.).
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions from energy consumption (electricity, heating).
• Scope 3: Broader indirect emissions, such as transport, suppliers, product use, and waste disposal.

Scope 3 emissions are often the most significant, representing on average the largest percentage of a company's environmental impact.

Benefits of calculating Scope 3

Measuring value chain emissions offers multiple advantages:

• Identify emission hotspots.
• Detect risks in resource and energy use.
• Improve relationships with responsible suppliers.
• Find opportunities for cost reduction and energy savings.
• Generate engagement throughout the value chain, including employees and partners.

How to work with suppliers

Managing Scope 3 emissions requires involving suppliers through:

• Commercial policies.
• Training in business sustainability.
• Advanced technological tools.

Solutions for environmental management

Managing the carbon footprint is simpler with advanced tools like airCO2, a software designed for efficient carbon emission management. It complies with standards like ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocol, facilitating the measurement of Scope 3 emissions quickly, reliably, and cost-effectively.