CO2 Accounting: The Key to Sustainable Transformation for Your Business

 

CO2 accounting is a central tool for companies that want to make their greenhouse gas emissions transparent and contribute to achieving the Paris Agreement goals. Whether at the corporate or product level, accurate CO2 accounting allows businesses to identify environmental impacts and implement targeted measures to reduce emissions. Companies, investors, policymakers, and the public need clear information about CO2 emissions to support the transition to a carbon-neutral economy. Planet Now can support you with this.

 

A Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) captures all direct and indirect emissions generated by a company's business activities. In contrast, a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) focuses on the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by a specific product throughout its lifecycle—from raw material extraction and production to disposal.

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The GHG Protocol Corporate Standard and the Importance of Scopes

 

A well-established and internationally recognized framework for CO2 reporting is the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. This standard has become the most widely used foundation for CO2 accounting worldwide and divides a company’s emissions into three categories, known as Scopes:

• Scope 1: Covers direct emissions from a company’s operations, including emissions from buildings (e.g., boilers, turbines) or facilities (e.g., machinery, vehicles). It also includes process-related emissions, such as those from cement production or waste disposal.

• Scope 2: Refers to indirect emissions generated through the use of purchased energy, such as electricity, district heating, or cooling.

• Scope 3: Encompasses all other indirect emissions throughout the value chain. This includes upstream emissions (e.g., business travel or raw materials) and downstream emissions (e.g., recycling, waste disposal, or investments).

 

Regulatory Requirements and Transparency

 

In Europe, companies are increasingly required to measure and report their CO2 emissions. With the introduction of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), businesses must provide detailed information about their CO2 emissions. This applies to both the Corporate Carbon Footprint and the Product Carbon Footprint, depending on whether the focus is on the entire organization or specific products. Additionally, the EU Taxonomy and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) set strict standards to enhance climate transparency.

 

Why CO2 Accounting is Crucial

 

Many companies face the following challenges when addressing CO2 accounting due to complex regulations and requirements:

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• Cost risks: High CO2 emissions can lead to increased costs, such as carbon pricing or expensive certificates.

• Regulatory risks: Companies that fail to accurately measure and report their CO2 footprint risk fines or sanctions.

• Reputation risks: Consumers and investors are increasingly focused on a company’s climate performance. A lack of commitment to reducing CO2 emissions can weaken trust in your brand.

• Efficiency losses: Without accurate tracking and analysis of emissions, many opportunities for cost savings and process optimization go unrealized.

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Our Services for CO2 Accounting and Emissions Reduction

 

We support your company in making CO2 accounting—whether for the entire organization or specific products—transparent, improving it, and meeting regulatory requirements.

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• CO2 Accounting and Emissions Calculation: We help you accurately measure your CO2 emissions—for both your entire business (Corporate Carbon Footprint) and individual products (Product Carbon Footprint). Our calculations are based on internationally recognized standards such as the GHG Protocol and aligned with regulatory requirements like the ESRS and SFDR.
   

• Strategies for CO2 Reduction: Based on your CO2 accounting, we develop action plans to reduce your emissions. This includes optimizing production processes, utilizing renewable energy, and creating sustainable supply chains.
   

• Reporting and Compliance: We assist you in fulfilling reporting obligations according to the CSRD, ESRS, EU Taxonomy, and SFDR regulations, ensuring that your reports meet transparency requirements and adhere to regulatory standards.
   

• Investing in Climate Protection: We provide advice on investing in innovative technologies and climate protection projects that help you reduce your CO2 emissions over the long term while achieving your sustainability goals.
   

• Developing Climate-Neutral Business Models: Take the next step: We support you in developing climate-neutral business models that not only reduce your emissions but also strengthen trust among customers and investors.

 

Get in touch with us
 

Would you like to learn more about how your company can benefit from our CO2 accounting and sustainability services—both at the corporate and product level? Contact us now to discover how you can reduce your CO2 emissions while strengthening your competitiveness!