Carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) that are emitted as a result of human activities, including the production and consumption of goods and services.

It matters because these greenhouse gases are responsible for climate change and global warming, which pose significant risks to the environment, society, and economy. By measuring and reducing our carbon footprint, we can help to mitigate these risks and contribute to a more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.

As a company, understanding and reducing your carbon footprint can also provide significant benefits such as cost savings, improved reputation, and increased competitiveness in a rapidly changing market that values sustainability.

A carbon calculator is a tool that helps companies measure and track their carbon emissions, which are a major contributor to climate change. By using a carbon calculator, companies can identify the sources of their emissions and assess the impact of their activities on the environment.

The benefits of using a carbon calculator include:

• Improved understanding: By measuring carbon emissions, companies can gain a better understanding of their environmental impact and identify areas where they can reduce their carbon footprint.
• Goal-setting: Carbon calculators can help companies set targets for reducing their emissions, which can drive action and improve their sustainability.
• Benchmarking: Comparing carbon emissions against industry benchmarks can help companies understand where they stand relative to their peers and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Reporting: Carbon calculators can produce reports that can be used for corporate sustainability reporting, which can help companies demonstrate their commitment to sustainability to stakeholders and customers.

Overall, using a carbon calculator is an important step in managing a company’s environmental impact and improving sustainability.

1) Watch the training to understand the why and what of carbon accounting.

2) Fill-in the self-assessment to understand if any special situation, exclusion or calculations are relevant for you organisation.

3) Collect the data. You will need your gas, electricity, cooling maintenance reports and more.   

4) Fill-in the calculator and get direct insight in you carbon emissions. 

5) Review and share the dashboard with your colleagues and start your reduction roadmap. 

To act upon a sustainability report, you can follow these steps:

• Prioritize the areas where your company has the biggest environmental impact. This can be done by analyzing the data in the sustainability report and identifying the most significant contributors to your carbon footprint.
• Set specific goals and targets to reduce your environmental impact in those areas. These goals should be measurable, achievable, and aligned with your company’s overall sustainability strategy.
• Develop an action plan that outlines the steps you will take to achieve those goals. This plan should include specific actions, timelines, and responsible parties.
• Communicate your sustainability goals and progress to your stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, and suppliers. This will help build support and accountability for your sustainability efforts.
• Monitor and report on your progress regularly. Use the sustainability report as a baseline to track your progress towards your goals, and identify areas where you need to improve. Make adjustments to your action plan as needed.

By following these steps, you can take meaningful action to reduce your environmental impact and improve your company’s sustainability performance.