Carbon footprint

At a time when the fight against climate change is becoming a global priority,  a carbon footrpint is becoming increasingly important. But what exactly is a carbon footrpint and why is it essential for today's companies?

A carbon foot print is a method for assessing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of an activity, organization, territory or product. It quantifies GHG emissions in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), taking into account different types of GHG, such as CO2, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), etc.

This is an essential tool for companies and local authorities wishing to commit to sustainable development and the fight against climate change. It enables them not only to measure their environmental impact, but also to implement strategies to reduce it.

To carry out such a balance sheet, companies must analyze the GHG emissions emanating from their own scope of activity and that of their third parties. These perimeters are called “scopes” and are divided into three main families: “scopes” 1, 2 and 3.

Scope 1 is the most restricted, while scope 3 is the most extensive:

Here are the steps involved in a carbon footprint :

1. Defining the scope of the study: the first step is to determine which aspects of the company will be covered by the assessment. This may include offices, factories, the supply chain, etc.

2. Data collection: the aim of this phase is to gather all the necessary data, such as energy consumption, business travel and raw materials purchases. This is generally the most time-consuming part of the process.

3. missions calculation: using standardized emission factors, the data collected is converted into tons of CO2 equivalent. Numerous tools and software packages are available for this purpose.

We decided to measure our carbon footprint in order to better understand our responsibility and act accordingly. We called on Eqlosion, a Lausanne-based company, to help us calculate our impact. Thanks to the results obtained, we were able to consolidate our CSR strategy and our commitment to the Swiss Triple Impact.

 

In summary, carrying out a carbon footprint  enabled us to:

1. Identify our main sources of GHG emissions, whether from internal operations, the supply chain or transport.

2. Set impact reduction targets, in line with the 1.5°C reduction trajectory of the Paris Agreements. By identifying sources of emissions, we can target specific actions to reduce our carbon footprint, for example by increasing the percentage of certified materials for bespoke production, or by reducing the number of business trips made by air, and thus the amount of CO2 emitted.

3. Encourage innovation.  A carbon footprint encourages us to rethink our various processes, innovate in our products and services, and adopt solutions that are more respectful of the environment and communities.

4. Coping with new legislation. As the transition to a low-carbon economy gathers pace, companies that master their carbon footprint will be better prepared to face future regulations and the potential increase in costs linked to carbon emissions.

In conclusion, the carbon footprint is a strategic tool that enables organizations to measure, understand and reduce their climate impact, while preparing their future in the face of environmental and societal challenges. In a world in transition to a low-carbon economy, carrying out a carbon footprint is no longer an option, but a necessity!

 

We invite you to download our complete carbon footprint (reference year 2022).