Motivations for Carbon Footprinting your Organisation

While reducing the impacts of climate change is the primary objective of carbon footprinting, we know that motivations to start this process can vary.

Take a moment to reflect on what drives your interest. Is it driven by one or more of the following?
 

Competition

Have you noticed competitors showcasing their commitment to carbon footprinting and reducing carbon emissions? Their actions might inspire you to join the movement and maintain relevance within your industry.

Supplier Pressure

Are suppliers urging you to disclose your carbon footprint or adopt a net-zero strategy? Their expectations could stem from their own sustainability goals and commitments, influencing your approach.

For example, Tesco, a partner of Compare Your Footprint, requires all UK suppliers to set targets aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative and to begin measuring and reporting their carbon footprints. You can learn more in their Impact Report. 

Investor Expectations

Did you know that 70% of individual investors believe strong Environmental, Social, and Governance practices can lead to higher returns?

Many investors will expect to see transparency in your organisation’s environmental efforts. Meeting their demands can enhance investor confidence and support your company.

Client or Customer Demands

Are your clients or customers seeking evidence of your sustainability efforts? Meeting their expectations can strengthen relationships and secure future business opportunities. 

A recent study by McKinsey & Co revealed that 66% of participants are taking sustainability into account when making purchasing decisions.

Cost Reduction

Are you aiming to reduce costs associated with your company’s emissions? Implementing a carbon reduction strategy can lead to significant financial savings while aligning with sustainability goals. 

Regulatory Compliance

Does your organisation need to meet different environmental regulations and compliance standards? Measuring and reducing your carbon footprint will ensure your organisation avoids fines and adheres to regulatory requirements like:

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

Sustainability reporting is now as important as financial reporting for organisations. Carbon accounting your company is a great start to meet various environmental reporting standards.

For more information on global regulatory compliance, read our Regulatory Compliance article. 

B Corporation Aspirations

If you are looking to gain B Corporation Certification for your organisation, carbon footprinting is a crucial step towards achieving this. Achieving B Corp certification showcases your organisation's dedication to the highest standards of social, environmental, and governance responsibility.

Scope Expansion

Have you already measured Scope 1 and 2 emissions and are now looking to include Scope 3 emissions in your assessment?  Expanding the scope of your carbon footprint analysis provides a comprehensive view of your environmental impact. To find out more about expanding your carbon footprint, read our What Next? article.

Integrating Software Solutions

You may have already managed your carbon footprinting in-house using spreadsheets but are now looking for more efficient software solution. Transitioning to specialised carbon accounting software can streamline data collection and analysis.

Shifting from Consultancy to In-House Management

Have you previously relied on consultancy services for carbon footprinting and now aim to internalise the process for cost savings and data control? Taking ownership of carbon footprinting will offer you autonomy and flexibility.

Recommendations for Change

Have you received recommendations to switch from your current carbon accounting software or provider to a more suitable option? Embracing the change based on expert advice can optimise your carbon management practices.

Here are some examples of Compare Your Footprint client motivations for carbon footprinting:

Example 1: Pressure from clients/customers to evidence green credentials

J Coffey Construction is a leading Tier 1 subcontractor to most of the UK’s leading main construction companies. J Coffey Construction identified that these clients were making net-zero commitments to meet the challenge of the Government’s Net Zero 2050 objective. 

J. Coffey, therefore, needed to Commit to the Pledge to Net Zero and develop a strategy to become the preferred sustainable Tier 1 subcontractor partner, or risk not being invited to tender for work.

Adrian Clamp, Environmental & Systems Director, talks about how they tackled the process:

Pledging to Net-Zero was easy; gathering the vast amount of relevant data with the required filtering was the challenge! Making the Pledge without a data collection platform that could handle the input was like setting sail on a gradually sinking ship! Compare Your Footprint was the answer to meeting the challenge and making our commitment a reality. And in doing so, elevating our reputation as being seen as Tier 1 exemplars to our client base. 

Example 2: Previously used consultancy for carbon footprinting and now seeking to take control in-house 

Abel & Cole is an online grocer, with sustainability embedded deep into business strategy. Their team had been working with our sister organisation, Green Element environmental management consultancy, since 2019 to conduct a full carbon footprint, as well as identifying carbon hotspots across the business. This work enabled the team to develop a robust Climate Emergency Strategy which has set them on a roadmap to achieving significant reductions.

As the Abel & Cole team became more informed about their carbon footprint, they opted to switch to using Compare Your Footprint’s carbon calculation software to take ownership of their company’s footprint and data.

Ed Layton, Sustainability and Ethics Advisor, offers his thoughts below:

The tricky and ever-changing world of emissions feels much more manageable with Compare Your Footprint by our side. Their tools are easy to use, the team is always on hand to explain the challenges and the jargon, and we really feel that with their assistance we’re taking meaningful action towards our net-zero ambitions.

Example 3: Under pressure from investors to report on carbon footprint and/or net-zero strategy

Bowmark Capital is a leading private equity investment firm specialising in services and technology companies that have significant potential for organic and investment-led expansion.

Anne Sheedy, ESG Consultant, describes Bowmark Capital’s motivation below:

We know investors are increasingly interested in the sustainability credentials of the companies they are investing into, and rightly so. By helping our portfolio companies attain the highest standards, we are not only benefiting society and the environment but also future-proofing the companies we invest in. It's been extremely helpful to work with Compare Your Footprint to support our portfolio companies to measure their carbon footprints and creating reduction strategies. This process has encouraged action and cohesion for all parties involved.

Next Up: Explore what carbon footprinting is and how it's measured in our article, Carbon Footprinting Explained.