Measuring Corporate Carbon Footprint: A Guide for Print Suppliers

In today’s business landscape, sustainability is not optional anymore. Increasing customer demand as well as upcoming laws and regulations require companies to act more responsibly, starting with transparency about your environmental impact. As a print supplier, understanding and managing your Corporate Carbon Footprint is a key step in beginning your sustainability journey. In this blog post, we’ll break down what a ‘Corporate Carbon Footprint’ is, focusing specifically on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, and provide you with practical steps to start measuring and managing these emissions.

What is a Corporate Carbon Footprint?

Corporate Carbon Footprint refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted directly or indirectly by a company’s operations. These emissions are typically measured in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). 

Three Scopes of Carbon Emissions for companies

Carbon emissions are categorized into three “scopes” based on where they originate:

• Scope 1: Direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by your company, such as fuel combustion in company vehicles or emissions from on-site manufacturing processes.
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling that your company consumes.
• Scope 3: All other indirect emissions that occur in the value chain of your company, including those from suppliers and customers.

For now, let’s focus on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, which are the most straightforward to measure and control.

Why Focus on Scope 1 and 2 Emissions?

For many print suppliers, Scope 1 and 2 emissions are a good first step to understand their environmental impact. Focusing on these areas is often the easiest place to start because:

• Direct Control: You have direct control over these emissions, making it easier to implement changes.
• Regulatory Compliance: European regulations increasingly require businesses to report on and reduce their Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
• Cost Savings: Reducing energy consumption and improving operational efficiency can lead to cost savings.

How to Measure Your Scope 1 and 2 Emissions

Measuring your carbon footprint might sound complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Identify Emission Sources

Scope 1: List all the sources of direct emissions. This might include company vehicles, boilers, generators, or any other equipment that burns fuel on-site.

Scope 2: Identify all the sources of indirect emissions. Typically, this will be your electricity consumption, but it could also include purchased steam, heating, or cooling.

Collect Data

Gather data on fuel usage for all Scope 1 sources. For example, how much diesel is used by your company vehicles each month?

For Scope 2, collect data from your electricity bills or meters. Note down the amount of energy consumed over a given period.

Calculate Emissions

Use emission factors to convert your fuel and energy usage into CO2e. Emission factors are coefficients that estimate the amount of CO2e produced per unit of energy or fuel consumed. You can find standard emission factors from sources like the UK government’s GHG Conversion Factors or other European environmental agencies.

Alternatively, you can simplify this process by using free carbon footprint calculation tools. Platforms like Persefoni, Carbon Trust, and CoolClimate Network offer accessible tools to help businesses measure their carbon footprint with ease.

Sum Up Your Emissions

Add together the emissions from all your Scope 1 sources to get your total Scope 1 emissions.

Do the same for your Scope 2 emissions.

Set Reduction Targets

Once you have a baseline measurement, set realistic targets for reducing your Scope 1 and 2 emissions. This might involve switching to energy-efficient equipment, sourcing renewable energy, or optimizing your logistics to reduce fuel consumption.

Taking the Next Step: Reduce and Report

After measuring your Scope 1 and 2 emissions, the next step is to actively reduce them. Here are a few strategies you can implement:

• Energy Efficiency: Invest in energy-efficient machinery and lighting. Consider conducting an energy audit to identify other areas where you can cut down on energy use.
• Renewable Energy: Where possible, switch to renewable energy sources for your electricity needs. Many European countries offer incentives for businesses that invest in solar, wind, or other renewables.
• Fleet Management: If your company operates a fleet of vehicles, consider upgrading to more fuel-efficient models or even electric vehicles (EVs).

Lastly, transparency is key. Many companies choose to publicly report their carbon footprint and progress towards reduction targets. This not only builds trust with customers but also positions your business as a leader in sustainability within the printing industry.

Conclusion

Starting your sustainability journey by measuring and managing your Corporate Carbon Footprint, particularly Scope 1 and 2 emissions, is a practical and impactful step. By doing so, you’re not only contributing to a healthier planet but also positioning your company for long-term success in a market that increasingly values sustainability.

At HelloPrint, we’re committed to supporting our print suppliers on this journey. We encourage you to take these first steps in measuring your carbon footprint and look forward to partnering with you as you continue to innovate and lead in sustainability. Do you have any questions or need help starting this journey? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Isabelle de Wolf on LinkedIn or through email: [email protected].

Isabelle de Wolf 
VP of Sustainability 
HelloPrint