Carbon
Empowering Businesses to Carbon Neutrality
At Susneo, our purpose and mission are to empower businesses to achieve carbon neutrality. We recognize that this is a complex journey—one that demands commitment, education, and collaborative knowledge-sharing. This forms the cornerstone of our approach, guiding our endeavor to assist companies in understanding, measuring, and reducing their carbon emissions. This page is crafted to offer you comprehensive and insightful information on key concepts and practices regarding carbon measurement and its pivotal role in today's global landscape.
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The information presented here is also comprehensively compiled in our Susneo Guide titled Carbon - The A to Z available for those who prefer a detailed, cohesive resource.
What is Carbon Footprinting?
What are the Carbon Scopes?
Understanding carbon scopes is fundamental to effective carbon management. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol categorizes emissions into three scopes:
What is Carbon Tunnel Vision?
Sustainability is about more than just carbon
Carbon tunnel vision refers to a narrow focus on carbon emissions alone, often overlooking other environmental impacts such as water usage, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. It's crucial for organizations to adopt a holistic approach to sustainability, considering all environmental aspects rather than focusing solely on carbon emissions.
The Susneo S-index has been designed to allow companies to customise the metrics that define sustainability for them.
What are Offsets?
Offsets are measures taken to compensate for emissions produced elsewhere. This can include investing in renewable energy, reforestation, or energy efficiency projects. The goal of offsets is to balance out the emissions produced by a company or individual, essentially reducing their net carbon footprint.
What are Credits?
Carbon credits represent a reduction of emissions. One credit equates to one tonne of carbon dioxide (or its equivalent) that has been prevented from entering the atmosphere. Companies can purchase these credits as a way to offset their own emissions, contributing to an overall reduction in global greenhouse gases.
Utilizing Susneo GeoCube AI, we seamlessly evaluate and quantify the carbon credits attainable from your land. Furthermore, we provide expert guidance on trading these credits within the marketplace or employing them to counterbalance your business's carbon emissions.
What are the Carbon Reporting Guidelines?
In 2024, Ireland, the UK, Europe, and other parts of the world have implemented various regulatory and reporting requirements for carbon emissions. These policies mandate companies of all sizes to accurately measure and report their emissions. This is crucial for transparency, accountability, and progress towards national and international climate goals.
Discover in-depth insights on this within the Key Topics section of our Susneo Content.
Ireland
1. CSRD & Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act:
This act mandates comprehensive carbon reporting and reduction targets for all major sectors. Businesses are required to align their operations with national carbon budgets.
2. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulations:
The EPA requires companies to report greenhouse gas emissions annually, with stricter guidelines for high-emitting sectors.
3. Sustainable Finance Disclosures:
Companies are required to disclose how their activities align with sustainable practices, including carbon footprint reduction.
United Kingdom
1. Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR):
1.This framework requires large businesses to report on energy use and carbon emissions, promoting transparency and encouraging the implementation of efficiency measures.
2. Carbon Pricing:
The UK's carbon pricing mechanism obliges companies emitting greenhouse gases to pay per ton of CO2 emitted, driving the shift towards greener practices.
2. Net-Zero by 2050:
Companies are required to disclose how their activities align with sustainable practices, including carbon footprint reduction.
Europe
1. EU Emissions Trading System (ETS):
The world's largest carbon trading system requires companies to hold permits equivalent to their emissions, incentivizing reductions.
2. Green Deal:
Part of this deal involves companies reporting their carbon footprint and adopting strategies in line with the EU's goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.
3. Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD):
Expected to be fully implemented, this directive expands the sustainability reporting requirements, including detailed reporting on carbon emissions and reduction strategies.
Global
1. Paris Agreement Compliance:
With many countries committed to the Paris Agreement, companies are required to align their operations with national pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD):
This framework encourages companies to disclose financial risks related to climate change, including those associated with carbon emissions.
3. Global Reporting Initiative (GRI):
While not mandatory, adherence to GRI standards for sustainability reporting, including carbon emissions, is increasingly expected by investors and stakeholders worldwide.
These evolving regulations and reporting requirements underscore the growing global emphasis on reducing carbon emissions. Companies that proactively measure and manage their carbon footprint are not only complying with these regulations but are also positioning themselves as responsible and forward-thinking in an increasingly environmentally conscious market.
What are the Main Carbon Reporting Bodies?
Several key organizations set standards and provide guidance for carbon reporting. These bodies are crucial in the fight against climate change, providing the frameworks and accreditation that enable businesses to report and reduce their carbon emissions effectively.
Choosing the right carbon reporting body to work with can depend on various factors, including the company's location, industry sector, size, and the specific environmental goals it aims to achieve.
What is Decarbonisation?
In 2024, Ireland, the UK, Europe, and other parts of the world have implemented various regulatory and reporting requirements for carbon emissions. These policies mandate companies of all sizes to accurately measure and report their emissions. This is crucial for transparency, accountability, and progress towards national and international climate goals.
Discover in-depth insights on this within the Industry Guides
section of our Susneo Content.
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Decarbonisation in Action: Three Industry Scenarios
At Susneo, we believe in a future where sustainable practices are the norm, not the exception. We're committed to guiding businesses in Northern Ireland and beyond towards a more sustainable, low-carbon future.
a. Manufacturing Industry
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Adopting renewable energy sources like solar or wind power.
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Implementing energy-efficient practices in production processes.
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Utilizing sustainable materials and reducing waste.
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Investing in carbon capture and storage technologies.
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Encouraging a circular economy through recycling and reuse.
b. Transportation Industry
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Shifting to electric or hybrid vehicles.
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Enhancing fuel efficiency in existing fleets.
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Investing in public transport and eco-friendly infrastructure.
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Adopting efficient logistics and route planning.
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Promoting telecommuting and flexible work arrangements.
c. Agriculture Industry
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Implementing sustainable farming practices.
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Reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
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Enhancing soil carbon sequestration.
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Adopting precision agriculture technologies.
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Promoting plant-based diets and responsible food production.
