What is a carbon footprint calculator?
Summary
Carbon footprint software is an indispensable tool for companies wishing to measure and reduce their environmental impact. By enabling precise calculation of greenhouse gas emissions, it provides a clear view of the contribution of each activity to the organization's overall carbon footprint.
Thanks to its advanced features, it helps to identify areas for potential improvement and to develop effective strategies for reducing emissions. From data collection to results analysis, communication and progress monitoring, carbon footprint software simplifies and optimizes the environmental management process.
Start your decarbonized future in good hands
INDEX
% of article read
All you need to know about carbon footprint software
A carbon footprint calculator (or software) is a tool that enables companies and organizations to measure and monitor their greenhouse gas emissions. It provides a relatively accurate picture of the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) released into the atmosphere as a result of an organisation’s activities (energy consumption, production processes, transport, waste disposal, etc.).
A carbon footprint calculator helps identify areas where changes in behaviour, processes or raw materials can reduce emissions. The data generated by this software can be used for reporting purposes or as part of an environmental impact assessment.
Many companies have adopted carbon footprint calculators to track their emissions to meet internal targets for reducing their overall carbon footprint.
How is a carbon footprint calculated?
Calculating a company’s carbon footprint involves measuring the total amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gases emitted directly and indirectly by its activities. This data is then used to calculate the total carbon footprint of each activity, which can be expressed in tonnes per year of CO2 equivalent (CO2e).
A carbon footprint takes into account direct emissions (Scope 1), indirect energy-related emissions (Scope 2), and the remaining indirect emissions (Scope 3). The latter represents emissions emitted upstream and downstream in the company’s value chain.
Stages of a carbon footprint assessment
The quality of a carbon footprint lies in its completeness and accuracy.
To be complete, it is important to specify the scope of the analysis by listing the major sources of emissions.
The accuracy of a balance sheet depends on the quality of the activity data used and the accuracy of the associated emission factor. To do this, the company must collect activity data for each source of carbon emissions identified. Each item of data is then multiplied by an emission factor to obtain a result in CO2e. Some emission factors are more precise than others. For example, science can define the quantity of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted by burning 10 litres of diesel to travel 100 km with a high degree of accuracy. On the other hand, estimating the quantity of greenhouse gases emitted by a car travelling 100 km without knowing its fuel consumption requires the application of a generic emission factor that is less accurate.
The complexity of a carbon assessment also depends on factors such as the company’s sector of activity (service, tertiary, etc.), the size of the company, and the technologies it uses.
The carbon expert is responsible for ensuring that the various stages of the carbon footprint run smoothly. They play a vital role in implementing environmental strategies within a company.
“
Carbon footprint software provides a clear perspective on a company's environmental footprint, guiding its efforts towards sustainability.
Carbon footprint calculator: a tool for understanding, acting and monitoring
Using software to calculate the carbon footprint can help identify areas where changes in behaviour can reduce CO2 emissions.
It can also provide information that can be used to report on progress towards sustainable development goals. Carbon footprint calculators offer companies a powerful tool for managing their environmental impact and tracking their performance over time.
Simplify carbon data collection
Data collection can be a time-consuming process, requiring rigour and precision. This step is essential to ensure the accuracy of the carbon footprint data, as it will determine the effectiveness of the decisions taken afterwards.
Carbon footprint calculators enable the carbon expert to collect data collaboratively. It is a powerful tool that can help automate the process of collecting data from multiple collaborators and sources, including energy suppliers, production processes and various invoices. This is because data collection sometimes has to be carried out at several sites by different teams or service providers.
Improving communication
A carbon footprint calculator can also facilitate communication between an organisation’s different teams and sites. It enables everyone involved in and affected by environmental initiatives within a company to share information easily. This fosters collaboration between teams and helps to achieve more effective results faster.
Centralising all carbon data
The carbon footprint calculator is the central point for storing and analysing a company’s CO2e emissions data. This tool makes it possible to accurately measure the company’s carbon footprint and track its evolution.
Storing and archiving the data is a real time-saver for future carbon footprint assessments. Furthermore, the carbon expert already has a solid working base and a mapped data flow.
It is essential to consolidate the data within a single tool – the carbon footprint calculator.
Monitoring and evaluating emissions
The carbon footprint calculator can provide a real-time overview of an organisation’s CO2e emissions. It allows companies to track their progress over time and identify areas where process changes could reduce overall emissions.
The data generated by the software can be used for reporting, environmental impact assessments, or strategic decision-making.
Define sustainable objectives
By using a carbon footprint calculator, organisations can obtain accurate information about their carbon profile across all emission categories:
Procurement,
Transport & logistics,
Sales,
Product use,
End of life
This knowledge can then be used to make strategic decisions on the following points:
Identifying areas where changes in technology, raw materials, among others, can reduce emissions.
Develop strategies to meet internal targets for reducing the overall carbon footprint.
Demonstrate progress towards sustainable development objectives.
Comply with regulatory requirements and company commitments.
Adding value to the company
Today, to respond to a call for tenders, obtain financing, win new markets or simply stand out from the crowd, it is essential for companies to meet certain environmental criteria.
A carbon footprint calculator provides reports that can be used to prove that a company meets these requirements.
By integrating the quantification of greenhouse gas emissions into its processes, the company adds value to its activities. This competitive advantage can help it stand out from the competition.
Greater visibility for companies
Organising and analysing the data resulting from the carbon footprint is another challenge. Carbon footprint calculators can help carbon experts organise and analyse the data quickly and accurately, saving them time and effort.
The software can also provide information on trends over time and help identify areas where emissions need to be reduced or offset as a last resort.
Track your carbon footprint
By centralising all the company’s carbon data on a single platform, it is possible to obtain precise information on the organisation’s emissions profile to help with strategic decision-making.
With a carbon footprint calculator, it is possible to track the progress of a company’s emissions reduction efforts over time and be better prepared to meet sustainability targets and comply with ever-increasing regulatory requirements.
A carbon footprint calculator is an essential tool for any organisation wishing to reduce its impact on the environment.
Identifying emissions by site, process, activity or product
Companies that wish to adopt a sustainable approach must try to identify the emission sources that penalise them in terms of their carbon footprint. It is sometimes challenging to have a precise view of all of a company’s activities, particularly if it has a complex organisational structure, if it subcontracts certain components, or if it is present in several areas of activity.
By using a carbon footprint calculator, companies can identify the areas that are responsible for the greatest greenhouse gas emissions, such as a specific product or process, and take steps to reduce these negative environmental impacts.
For a company’s carbon expert, this is a tool that provides granular information and a more accurate view of the situation in real-time.
Save time by simplifying decision-making
A carbon footprint calculator enables companies to streamline and influence their decision-making process. Information updated in real-time on the software can help companies make decisions that are beneficial to the environment.
A carbon footprint calculator can influence decision-making in areas such as:
Organisational strategy
Production methods
Choice of energy
Transport methods
Choice of suppliers and partners
The best carbon footprint calculator on the market
Companies face major challenges when it comes to sustainability. That’s why they need to equip themselves with the best tools to achieve their objectives and adapt to an ever-changing legislative environment. Depending on the size of the company and the desired level of accuracy, these tools can range from carbon accounting software to a simple Excel sheet.
There are many carbon footprint calculators on the market, and it’s important for companies to find the one that meets their specific needs. The best tools offer detailed analysis, ease of use and other features to simplify data collection, emissions calculation and analysis, reporting and communication.
By choosing D-Carbonize, companies can ensure that they are well equipped to meet environmental challenges, anticipate the application of new regulations and achieve their goals.
Criteria for choosing a carbon footprint calculator
To choose the right carbon footprint calculator, it’s important to consider several key features:
Ease of use and user-friendly interface: you’ll want to choose software that offers an intuitive, easy-to-navigate interface.
Built-in functionality: make sure your software offers all the functionality you need to meet regulatory obligations and achieve your sustainability goals.
Ability to collect and analyse data: check that your software has all the tools you need to collect and analyse accurate data.
Security and confidentiality: make sure your software provides a high level of security to protect your confidential information.
Conformity of results: the carbon footprint calculator you choose should produce reports that comply with internationally recognised standards, including the GHG Protocol, ADEME and ISO 14064.
If you wish to internalize this process and develop your own carbon footprint software, feel free to read our article.
D-Carbonize
D-Carbonize is the best partner to help you meet your carbon footprint objectives. This solution enables you to identify the main drivers of greenhouse gas emissions, so you can put in place a sustainable and effective carbon strategy.
By offering personalised support from carbon consultants to companies, D-Carbonize helps them to meet tomorrow’s requirements.
New standards and legislation are forcing companies to invest in solutions that are responsible in terms of their impact on the climate. It is now essential to integrate carbon data into all strategic decision-making.
D-Carbonize helps companies adopt an eco-responsible approach with tools designed to simplify data collection, analysis and processing. This work on carbon emissions prior to strategic decision-making enables companies to become more competitive in their market, reduce operating costs, improve their employer brand image and meet the new standards in force (CSRD).
Our carbon consultants are on hand throughout the carbon assessment process to provide guidance, support and advice. D-Carbonize offers a comprehensive service, backed up by a powerful tool and a team of carbon experts, to help companies measure and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
To choose the right carbon footprint calculator, it’s important to consider several key features:
Reduce your company’s carbon footprint by booking a demo with our experts at D-Carbonize.
