What is a corporate carbon footprint?

When calculating a corporate carbon footprint, all greenhouse gas emissions generated within a company over the course of a year are recorded.

How is a corporate carbon footprint structured?

The structure of the CCF is defined in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Emissions are divided into three so-called “scopes”:

• Scope 1 – direct emissions: All direct emissions from operations. This includes combustion processes, direct emissions from manufacturing, and exhaust gases from the company's own vehicle fleet.

• Scope 2 – indirect emissions: Scope 2 includes emissions that are directly related to the company but occur outside the organization. This includes emissions from power plants that provide purchased energy for internal processes.

• Scope 3 – indirect emissions along the value chain: All other emissions fall under Scope 3. This refers to processes at suppliers and customers that emit greenhouse gases. This category includes, among other things, logistics and manufacturing processes at suppliers, scrap and waste, capital goods, delivery logistics to end customers, and the disposal and waste treatment of goods produced by the company.

Why is a corporate carbon footprint worthwhile for my company?

A CCF may already be mandatory for many companies. If your company falls under the CSRD directive, an annual report on the company's carbon footprint is required as part of the sustainability report. In addition, the CCF is particularly valuable for the strategic orientation of the company towards a low-carbon economy. It provides a comprehensive overview of all areas of the company, enabling holistic, long-term adjustments.