Uncovering Key Stakeholders for Calculating Your Carbon Emissions

For many businesses, having a dedicated Sustainability Team focused solely on carbon emissions isn’t feasible. Instead, a cross-departmental working group can bridge this gap, bringing together diverse expertise to tackle the complex task of emission calculations. This article explores the essential stakeholders who can elevate your team’s efforts.

Management: The Crucial Catalyst

Gaining management buy-in is vital for the success of any emission calculation project. Their support not only legitimises the initiative but also ensures that resources are allocated effectively. Including a member of the management team in your working group can amplify commitment and drive engagement across the organisation.

Purchasing: The Emissions Insider

When it comes to Scope 3 emissions, a significant chunk of a business’s carbon footprint is often tied to purchased goods and services. That’s why it’s essential to involve someone from the purchasing department in your working group. Their insights into procurement processes and supplier relationships will be invaluable in pinpointing emissions sources and gathering necessary data.

Finance: The Data Powerhouse

A significant portion of emissions can be tracked through billed usage of utilities like gas, electricity, and water. This makes the finance department an invaluable ally in supplying crucial emission data for your calculations. Their insights are also key when exploring energy-saving initiatives, such as LED lighting or solar panels. Additionally, finance can shed light on other emission sources, like business travel and related expenses.

Logistics: The Emissions Navigator

Transportation and distribution play a critical role in your carbon emissions across all three scopes. Including a logistics team member in your working group can provide essential information about shipping methods, freight weights, and delivery processes. Moreover, your transportation partners may have valuable data on the mileage of shipments, making those connections a treasure trove of insights.

HR: The People Resource

The HR department can also be a crucial player, especially when it comes to employee engagement through surveys. They can facilitate the distribution of these surveys and provide valuable insights into carbon emissions related to employee commuting and other factors. In addition, HR is often the first point of contact for employees with questions and concerns, making them a vital link in the process.

Data Collector and Calculator: The Analytical Brain

Once all the data is compiled, you’ll need someone skilled to calculate the emissions. While using an online calculator streamlines this process, manually calculating emissions via spreadsheets can be a far more complex affair. Selecting the right person to gather the data and perform the calculations is crucial to ensuring accuracy and effectiveness.