Each and every human being can take an essential role in keeping the environment as clean as possible. Due to their size, businesses have the ability to make an even bigger positive impact.
That’s why it’s vital that as a company owner, you take the time to realize what type of emissions your business’ operation is releasing into the environment. Calculating your business’ carbon footprint is the best way to determine this. Here’s how!
What Does a Company’s Carbon Footprint Mean?
During a company’s day-to-day operations, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are produced either directly or indirectly.
A company’s carbon footprint considers a company’s carbon dioxide emissions as well as other emissions including methane, nitrous oxide and sulphur hexafluoride. All of these emissions are combined in a calculation to determine a company’s carbon footprint, which is stated as CO2e.
Two different carbon footprints are produced by each company. The first, “Organizational”, refers to all of a business’ emissions whereas “Product” describes the emissions produced throughout the product’s life-cycle (i.e., from manufacturing through to consumer disposal).
Step #1: Gather the Information Required
Before you can determine your business’ carbon footprint, you need to choose a carbon calculation standard to use. The most popular standard is the GHG Protocol, an international accounting tool used to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions.
If you want to complete the calculation yourself, there are several different free online calculators that you can utilize. From Excel spreadsheet models to software programs, there are many options available to measure your company’s carbon emissions.
Overwhelmed? Hire an energy expert to complete this calculation for you!
Step #2: Complete the Calculation to Determine Your Business’ Carbon Footprint
Once you choose the standard to use, thoroughly review it to determine the emissions categories that pertain to your organization.
Determine which activities within your operations and value chain create material emissions. Consider purchased electricity, employee commuting, fuel and energy-related activities and more. Which direct and indirect emissions are your business responsible for producing?
More than likely, you’ll have to meet with your finance department and logistics coordinator to produce the energy data required for the calculation.
Knowing what to measure, how to measure, when to measure and how to store the data can be a challenge. That’s why there are energy experts like us available to complete this calculation for you!
What to Do with the Results from Your Calculation
Although it may seem like a lot of work to figure out one calculation, it’s time well spent.
Making efforts to reduce your business’ carbon footprint will help reduce environmental damage and prevent further climate change problems.
The end goal of completing the calculation should be to become carbon neutral, a position where your business’ emissions are offset to reduce its environmental footprint.
Save the Environment while Saving on Energy Costs
At the same time that you reduce your business’ carbon footprint, you can lower your company’s energy costs. Want to learn how? Contact Daisy Energy today for more information!