Guide: Calculating the carbon footprint for companies
More and more companies are faced with the task of calculating their carbon footprint and disclosing it transparently. Customers, business partners, and regulatory authorities now expect comprehensible information about the climate and environmental impact of products and services. However, recording emissions is not just a mandatory exercise to comply with legal requirements. It is increasingly becoming a decisive competitive advantage, as sustainability and transparent data are increasingly becoming key purchasing and decision-making criteria in the food industry.
Step 1: Clarify requirements and collect data
The process begins with a comprehensive inventory. Companies should clarify which sustainability measures have already been implemented, which departments are involved, and where there is still room for improvement. Particularly relevant is the analysis of so-called Scope 3 emissions, which arise along the entire value chain – for example, through purchased raw materials, packaging, or transport routes. These indirect emissions often account for the largest part of the overall balance sheet and provide valuable insights for a long-term climate strategy.
Step 2: Conducting a comprehensive analysis
Once reliable data is available, companies can conduct a comprehensive analysis. This data not only serves as the basis for internal sustainability reports, but should also be actively integrated into various business processes. It can be incorporated into purchasing systems, web shops, or supplier portals to enable transparent communication with customers and partners. At the same time, it can be used internally in product development or sales to make informed decisions and specifically leverage sustainability as a selling point. Companies that clearly communicate their carbon footprint build trust and position themselves as future-oriented market players.
Step 3: Sustainable integration into business processes
However, CO2 accounting only becomes truly effective when it is continuously integrated into business processes. Modern solutions such as Niatsu enable emissions data to be calculated automatically and scalably. This is based on a comprehensive database with over 10,000 data records on raw materials, packaging, transport routes, and production processes. With the help of automated life cycle assessments (LCA) and up-to-date satellite information from the European Space Agency (ESA), emissions are precisely recorded and regularly updated. This enables companies not only to improve their carbon footprint, but also to identify risks such as crop fluctuations or raw material shortages at an early stage and respond to these developments in a targeted manner.
Calculating the carbon footprint is therefore much more than a regulatory requirement. It is a strategic tool that creates transparency, drives sustainable innovation, and gives companies a clear competitive advantage. Data-driven platforms such as Niatsu enable complex emissions analyses to be carried out efficiently and reliably, allowing companies to achieve their climate goals while strengthening their market position.