Decarbonization is often perceived as a constraint. Yet when it is properly structured, it becomes a strategic lever for performance, resilience, and growth.
In the first episode of D-Carbonomics, Mathilde speaks with Catherine Willemart, Head of Sustainability at IPEX (a company specializing in digital and postal communication services for businesses). Together, they highlight a key message: a carbon footprint assessment is not just a reporting exercise, it is a management tool that can transform an organization.
Why IPEX integrated decarbonization into its strategy (without obligation)
Continuous improvement
The first trigger was a corporate culture built around continuous improvement. As an ISO-certified company (9001, 14001, 27001), IPEX naturally approaches sustainability as a progressive journey: starting with environmental management and gradually expanding toward more sustainable practices.
A CEO-driven vision: business longevity depends on planetary health
The second trigger came from the CEO, Rodolphe van der Straten, who chose to make sustainability a strategic and commercial asset. One key insight from the episode is the idea that those who act first are often the ones who stay in the game the longest.
A structuring approach through certification
The third trigger was participation in a certification program requiring 10 concrete actions per year over three years, with the objective of achieving “pioneer” status. In this context, IPEX deliberately chose the carbon footprint assessment as its very first action.
➡️ Key takeaway: starting with a carbon footprint assessment is not about “producing a report”, it is about building a quantified foundation for decision-making and prioritization.
“Measure to be sure”: why the carbon footprint assessment is the starting point
One of Catherine’s key messages is simple: if you don’t know where you stand, you can’t know where you’re going.
A carbon footprint assessment enables companies to:
quantify a starting point (baseline)
identify major emission sources (hotspots)
prioritize the most effective actions
track progress over time
3 ways IPEX turned its carbon footprint into a strategic lever
Structuring a robust internal approach
The carbon footprint served as a framework for understanding, organizing, and planning. It became an internal compass: where should efforts be focused? which teams should be involved? what trade-offs need to be made?
Strengthening the commercial value proposition (tenders)
IPEX operates in markets governed by public and private tenders. The carbon footprint allowed the company to move away from “cosmetic CSR” toward a credible, evidence-based approach, grounded in concrete actions.
A key message from the episode: “It’s not about telling nice stories, it’s about doing the work and being able to prove it.”
➡️ In B2B contexts, this directly builds client trust and improves commercial performance.
Opening doors across the value chain (Scope 3)
IPEX highlights a frequently underestimated benefit: access to more reliable supplier data, particularly important given that Scope 3 emissions are significant, as is the case for many Belgian companies.
A structured approach made it possible to:
engage more easily with suppliers
access specialized contacts (e.g. sustainability managers)
receive actual emissions data directly from suppliers instead of relying on estimates
Catherine summarizes the business value clearly: time savings, greater accuracy, and increased credibility.
Beyond environmental impact: tangible business benefits
More robust tender responses
The carbon footprint improved both the quality of tender submissions and IPEX’s ability to meet CSR requirements in a structured, credible way.
A reporting accelerator (VSME / voluntary CSRD)
A very practical insight from the episode: the carbon footprint assessment represents a large share of the work required for the VSME (Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs), often described as a “voluntary CSRD”, expected to be requested from January 1st, 2026 (as discussed in the episode).
➡️ In practice: conducting a carbon footprint assessment saves significant time when responding to sustainability reporting requests from clients, partners, or the value chain.
Visibility and new opportunities
Publishing results, communicating actions, and structuring the approach increase visibility and open the door to new prospects. A strong signal mentioned by IPEX: being invited by a client to participate as a stakeholder in a double materiality assessment workshop, a clear sign of maturity and value-chain partnership.
Recruitment & engagement: work “with purpose”
The episode also highlights a clear HR benefit: sustainability becomes a driver of attraction and engagement. Most importantly, when employees understand why they are collecting data, they commit.
A concrete example: what initially felt like an additional workload in year one evolved into a structured process where data is collected regularly throughout the year, enabling smoother year-end reporting.
Human challenges: time constraints, CSR perceptions… and how IPEX moves forward
Two main challenges emerge:
Lack of time (especially for SMEs): decarbonization adds workload if not structured.
The perception that “CSR is for idealists”, while the business still needs to run.
IPEX’s response: a cross-functional team (SDG team), one representative per department, and a pragmatic approach, doing what is possible, step by step, without guilt or moralizing.
What companies can do right away (the organizational “quick win”)
While the discussion includes individual examples (mobility, food), the principles apply equally to organizations:
choose a realistic first initiative
progress gradually
prioritize consistency over ambition
seek external support when needed to save time
involve internal champions rather than relying on a single person
👉 This is exactly what a structured carbon footprint assessment enables: deciding where to act, how, and in what order.
Conclusion: the carbon footprint is not an obligation, it’s a business opportunity
This case study highlights a core insight: when used as a management tool, the carbon footprint becomes a true performance lever:
commercial (tenders)
operational (supplier data, Scope 3)
reporting (VSME / voluntary CSRD)
HR (engagement, purpose)
strategic (long-term vision)
👉 Are you considering a carbon footprint assessment, or looking to turn it into a concrete action plan?
Discover our approach and contact us.
