Carbon Footprint Calculator: How to choose the best tool for your business

|  October 17, 2024

🕓 Reading time 8 minutes

Table of contents

1. What does a Carbon Footprint Calculator do?

2. Carbon Footprint Calculator: Pure software or combined with consulting?

3. Requirements for the Carbon Footprint Calculator

1. What does a Carbon Footprint Calculator do?

A Carbon Footprint Calculator is a tool that companies can use to calculate their CO₂ emissions in the so-called Corporate Carbon Footprint These emissions encompass all activities along the value chain – from production and transport to the use of energy and raw materials. By collecting this data, companies can identify the areas where they generate the greatest CO₂ emissions and take targeted measures to reduce them.

A good tool not only records direct emissions (Scope 1), but also indirect emissions from energy consumption (Scope 2) and the entire supply chain (Scope 3). The goal: to make your emissions measurable and transparent in order to develop concrete action strategies for CO₂ reduction. But the tool alone isn't always enough – additional expertise is often required to correctly interpret the data and implement a comprehensive climate strategy.

2. Carbon Footprint Calculator: Pure software or combined with consulting?

Many companies face the question of whether to choose a pure software solution or a more comprehensive service that complements the software with consulting services. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages:

Pure software solution

Advantages: More cost-effective, faster to implement, suitable for companies with internal sustainability experts who already have experience in calculating emissions.

Disadvantages: Lack of individual advice and support. Companies must ensure that the data they enter is complete and usable. This can lead to accounting errors or ineffective measures if the necessary expertise is lacking. 

Software with consulting services

Advantages: The combination of a powerful carbon footprint calculator and the expertise of experienced consultants is ideal for medium-sized companies with little experience in carbon accounting. The consultants support the collection of raw data and help close data gaps. They also ensure that the calculations are accurate and comply with current legal requirements.

Disadvantages: Higher costs compared to pure software solutions, but often with significantly greater added value.

3. Requirements for the Carbon Footprint Calculator

Especially for medium-sized companies, it's important that a carbon footprint calculator is not only powerful but also easy to use. Complex and difficult-to-understand tools can hinder use within the company and reduce employee motivation.

In addition, it should comply with common standards such as Greenhouse Gas Protocol take into account in order to CSRD reporting, ESG score of banks or other stakeholder reporting to be recognized.

What you should pay attention to for user-friendliness in your company:

1. Intuitive user interface:

Employees must be able to use the Carbon Footprint Calculator quickly and easily. A clear and easy-to-understand interface reduces training effort and increases acceptance within the company.

2. Raw data acquisition with versatile input options:

A powerful tool should enable flexible data collection and provide conversion options—from exact supplier data to quantity and cost information, as well as auxiliary values to close potential data gaps. This versatility ensures that all relevant emissions can be captured, even if not all data is available.

3. Personal contacts:

Despite user-friendly software, it's important to have support if you have any questions or concerns. Personal contacts can help you clarify any confusion, interpret results, and provide tailored recommendations for action to improve your carbon footprint.

Our Solution from Green Vision Solutions offers not only intuitive software but also comprehensive advice. Our experts are on hand to answer your questions and ensure that you Corporate Carbon Footprint effectively capture and improve.

What you should pay attention to for a recognized result:

1. Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG) compliant:

A reliable carbon footprint calculator must calculate emissions according to recognized international standards such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG). This ensures that your carbon footprint is accepted by authorities, investors, and other stakeholders. A GHG-compliant tool also enables standardized and comparable emissions reporting.

2. Complete calculation of Scope 3-Emissions:

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires companies of a certain size to document their sustainability performance transparently and comprehensibly. This includes not only their own emissions (Scope 1 and 2), but also emissions throughout the entire supply chain (Scope 3) are recorded and reported. A carbon footprint calculator that complies with the CSRD must therefore be able to accurately record and systematically document these emissions data.

Conclusion: Green Vision Solutions – your optimal choice

If you are a medium-sized company and are looking for a reliable solution to CO₂ footprint To calculate emissions accurately and in compliance with the CSRD, Green Vision Solutions is the ideal choice. Our software, combined with comprehensive consulting, provides you not only with a user-friendly platform but also with the expert knowledge to effectively record your emissions. Get to know us and take the first step – with a carbon footprint calculator that is tailored exactly to your needs.