By Julia Galante
As the world becomes more aware of its social and environmental impacts, companies are being held accountable for their carbon footprint. And there is a lot of attention paid to mitigating greenhouse gases because they are the main cause of global climate change. As is already known, changes in climate have serious and often irreparable consequences, such as rising sea levels, more frequent and severe weather events, and negative impacts on human health and natural ecosystems. Thus, it is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent the worst effects of climate change and guarantee a future for all life that inhabits planet Earth.
The carbon footprint is defined by the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted as a result of human activities: fossil fuel burning, transport, energy use, waste disposal and industrial production, among others. others. In the case of private sector companies, it is the amount of GHG they emit directly or indirectly into the atmosphere through their operations. It is understood, therefore, that measuring and reducing the carbon footprint is crucial to mitigating climate change.
Currently, it is important for a company to report and disseminate information, through reports, to its stakeholders and customers that it is a socio-environmentally responsible and transparent company, thus helping these interested parties to make decisions. Measuring a company’s carbon footprint is part of this, by providing transparency into its efforts to reduce or mitigate the impacts it generates. Reporting the carbon footprint helps set emissions reduction targets, and can help identify areas where emissions can be reduced, leading to cost savings and greater operational efficiency. Furthermore, reducing and neutralizing the carbon footprint can improve reputation and attract customers and investors.
The widely accepted Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) methodology was developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). It provides a standardized approach to measuring a company’s carbon footprint, while reporting and disclosing this information enables stakeholders to make informed decisions. The GHG Protocol consists of three scopes: Scope 1 covers direct emissions from local combustion of fossil fuels, Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased electricity, and Scope 3 covers all other indirect emissions, including those from the supply chain.
In recent years, large companies have set ambitious targets to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, Walmart has committed to reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 18% by 2025, while Microsoft has committed to being carbon negative by 2030. Many private sector companies have also started to invest in carbon offset projects to neutralize their footprint by planting trees or supporting renewable energy projects.
Today it is essential that companies set bold goals to reduce their carbon footprint, and invest in offset projects to neutralize their environmental and social impacts.
Customers, investors and the global community look to companies to take a leadership role in tackling the climate crisis. One of the solutions is the adoption of practices that allow the measurement and reduction of your company’s carbon footprint until reaching neutrality, with the validation of seals and certificates.
Neocert implements and verifies that its carbon footprint is in line with globally recognized standards and methods through the Carbon Footprint Management Standard (GPC), which is based on elements of the GHG Protocol, as well as PAS (Publicly Available) standards Specification) developed by the British Standards Institute (BSI). Neocert’s Carbon Footprint Management Program was developed in detail for companies and organizations from all sectors that wish to reduce and neutralize their carbon footprint, specific products or services, and events.
Now it’s easy to neutralize your carbon footprint and demonstrate your commitment to combating the climate crisis!
Know your emissions, establish a management program and report to society.
Learn more at our website: www.neocert.com.br/carbono/
Be a part of Neocert!
Sources:
3. An update on Microsoft’s sustainability commitments: Building a foundation for 2030.