January 8, 2025 • 11 mins
Every business talks about sustainability—but how many are actually measuring their impact? If you’re serious about reducing your emissions, it all starts with knowing your numbers. In this episode, we’ll walk you through the process of calculating your business’s carbon footprint, why it matters, and how it can become your competitive edge. 💼🌱
🌟 What You’ll Learn:
- The Basics: What is a carbon footprint, and why should businesses care?
- The Process: A step-by-step guide to calculating your emissions—from energy use to supply chain impacts. 🔍
- The Tools: Best practices and resources for measuring your footprint (no PhD in climate science required!).
- The Benefits: Why understanding your carbon footprint isn’t just good for the planet—it’s good for business too. 💡
🌿 Why You Should Listen:
- For Business Owners: Discover how measuring your carbon footprint can help you save money, build trust, and future-proof your operations.
- For Sustainability Advocates: Get the insights you need to push for transparency and real action in your industry.
- For Concerned Consumers: Learn how to identify businesses that are truly walking the talk.
✨ Key Takeaways:
- The biggest mistakes businesses make when calculating their carbon footprint—and how to avoid them.
- How small changes in your operations can lead to big reductions in emissions.
- Why transparency and accountability are the ultimate marketing tools in the sustainability era.
💬 What Listeners Are Saying: “Practical and insightful—this episode gave me the tools I needed to get started!” “I always thought measuring a carbon footprint was too complex, but now I know it’s doable and essential.”
🎧 Ready to Take Action? Don’t wait for someone else to make the first move. Whether you’re running a small startup or a global enterprise, this episode will give you the tools and motivation to start measuring—and reducing—your carbon footprint today. 🌍💼
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome back everyone to the deep dive. Ready to get into it today.
(00:02):
Definitely. Always excited to dive into a new topic.
All right, so today we're tackling something that's, well, kind of crucial for any business that's,
you know, serious about making a positive impact.
Yeah, I'd say it's pretty fundamental these days.
We're talking about measuring your carbon footprint. It's like, you know, that environmental
shadow every company has showing how much they're contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
(00:25):
We're going to explore the how to, like the methods, the tools, and even some of the challenges
you might bump into along the way. Definitely worth exploring. It's not always straightforward.
Right. And get this. Canadian SMEs alone, they generate a crazy 200 million tons of CO2E each
year. Wow, that's a pretty staggering number.
(00:45):
Think of it like, I don't know, filling up hundreds of Olympic sized swimming pools with
carbon dioxide. That's a powerful visual. Really puts it into perspective.
So let's jump in and figure out how businesses can start, you know, shrinking that impact.
Yeah, absolutely. It's all about taking action.
I think a good place to start might be with that framework, the GHG protocols, kind of the gold
(01:06):
standard, right, for carbon accounting, breaks those emissions down into three scopes, helps us
understand the different ways a business can impact the environment.
You got it. It's a great way to break down a complex issue. So scope one, right, that's your
most direct emissions. Stuff happening right under our noses. Exactly. The emissions from sources
(01:26):
your company owns or controls directly, things like, let's say, the fuel you're burning in company
vehicles or maybe on site equipment, all that falls under scope one. Okay, that makes sense. So
that's the stuff we're doing ourselves, basically. But then there's all the energy we use, like for
our offices and factories. That's where scope two kicks in. Right, exactly. Scope two is all about
the emissions that come from the energy you buy. So that's things like electricity, heating, maybe
(01:51):
you're not burning those fossil fuels directly yourself, but they're still creating emissions
somewhere else to power your business. It's important to factor that in.
Gotcha. So scope one is our direct emissions. Scope two is from the energy we buy.
But something tells me scope three is where it gets a little more, I don't know, complicated.
It does broaden the scope. You could say that. Scope three, it looks at all the other indirect
(02:15):
emissions that are happening throughout your company's value chain. So we're talking about
things like emissions from your suppliers, how much your employees travel for work,
transporting goods, even what happens to your products at the very end of their life,
how they're disposed of. It's a whole web of interconnected activity.
Well, yeah. Scope three could definitely be the biggest part of a company's footprint,
(02:35):
especially if you've got a super long and complicated supply chain.
Absolutely. And that's where things get interesting because while reporting on scope
one and two emissions, that's pretty much mandatory these days for a lot of businesses.
Scope three reporting, that's often voluntary. Okay, interesting.
But here's the thing, more and more companies are choosing to report on scope three anyway.
(02:56):
Why is that? Well, you know, it sends a really strong signal to stakeholders, shows real leadership.
Like going above and beyond saying, hey, we're really serious about this.
Exactly. They're saying we're committed to understanding and reducing our impact,
even in areas we don't directly control. I like that. So like, are there any companies that are
doing this really well that are, you know, leading the way with scope three reporting?
(03:19):
Oh, definitely. You've got companies like Patagonia, for example, they've been a real leader in this
area. They're going as far as calculating the emissions from the cotton they use in their
clothing. Wow. They trace it all the way back to the farms where it's grown. That's impressive.
So they're not just looking at their own factories, they're thinking about the entire
life cycle. But let's be real, this kind of reporting sounds like, you know, a lot of work.
(03:44):
It definitely takes effort. So is it really worth it for companies to go through all that? I mean,
beyond just, you know, looking good, what are the actual benefits?
That's a great question. And it's one a lot of businesses are wrestling with.
But honestly, measuring your carbon footprint, it's not just about checking boxes or, you know,
appeasing activists or anything like that. It's about getting valuable insights that can actually
(04:09):
help you make positive changes for your business. Okay, now that's what I'm talking about. I love
that idea. Using this data to make smart decisions, not just for the planet, but for the business itself.
Yeah, exactly. So can you give us some examples like, how can this actually translate into positive
change? Sure, think of it as like a diagnostic tool, right? Once you have a really clear picture of
(04:31):
where your emissions are coming from, you can start setting some really ambitious science-based
targets for reduction. And a lot of times the areas where you can make the biggest impact,
those are also the areas where you can actually find some cost savings.
So it's like reducing our impact can actually help our bottom line.
Often.
Tell me more.
So let's say, you know, you go through this whole process of measuring your footprint,
(04:52):
and you discover that, you know, a big chunk of your emissions is coming from the electricity you
use to power your facilities. Well, if you make the switch to renewable energy sources,
something like solar or wind power, you're not just cutting your emissions, you might actually
end up saving money in the long run. Lower energy costs, you know?
Yeah, that makes sense. So it's like being good for the planet is actually good for business too.
(05:15):
Exactly, it goes hand in hand.
Are there other examples like that, you know, where those insights can lead to cost savings?
Oh, for sure. Let's take waste management, right? A lot of companies are realizing
that if they just cut down on the amount of waste they produce, that saves them money on
disposal costs. And some are even like turning their waste into something useful, like through
(05:37):
composting or recycling programs.
So less waste equals lower costs. I'm liking this. But, you know, measuring our footprint and figuring
out where those hotspots are, that's just the first step. Right.
Then we have to actually do something to reduce those emissions.
So what are some of the things businesses can do? Where do you even start?
Well, that's where the rubber meets the road. And there are so many different options, and it
(06:00):
really depends on, you know, what industry you're in, your specific circumstances. But one thing
that's becoming super popular is setting science-based targets.
Science-based targets. I've heard that term before, but to be honest, I'm not totally sure what it means.
Yeah, so basically it's a way of setting targets for reducing your emissions that are
in line with, you know, what the latest climate science is telling us. Like, what do we actually
(06:22):
need to do to avoid the worst effects of climate change? And there are frameworks out there,
like the Science-Based Targets Initiative, SBTI for short. They give companies guidance and tools
to help them set these targets so they're ambitious, but they're also achievable.
So it's not just picking a random number, it's like really grounding your goals and, you know,
what the planet needs. I like that. But where do you even begin with that? It can feel a little
(06:45):
overwhelming. Like, where do you even focus your efforts?
I get it. There are so many things to consider. But it doesn't have to be overwhelming.
I'd say start by looking at the areas where you can make the biggest impact, right? For a lot of
businesses, that's going to be things like their energy consumption, their transportation, and
their supply chains. Okay, yeah. Those are pretty big areas. What are some companies actually doing
(07:06):
in those areas? Like, can you give us some concrete examples? Sure. So with energy,
we're seeing more and more companies switching to renewable sources. Some are putting solar
panels on their roofs or investing in wind power. Others are even looking into ways to generate
their own energy on site. Like taking their energy into their own hands. What about transportation?
(07:26):
That seems like a tough one to tackle, especially for companies that do a lot of shipping or have,
you know, big fleets of vehicles. It can be tricky, yeah. But there are definitely solutions. Like,
electrifying your fleet is huge. And we're seeing more and more electric vehicles coming out all
the time, cars, vans, even those big trucks now. Okay, so electrifying our vehicles is a big one.
(07:46):
Are there, like, smaller steps businesses can take, things that don't require such a big investment
up front? Totally. Even just optimizing your delivery routes. So your drivers are covering less
mileage or, you know, encouraging employees to carpool or use public transportation, even little
things like that can add up. And some companies are having success with things like, you know,
(08:08):
remote work policies. If people don't have to commute to the office every day, that cuts down
on emissions too. Right, that's a good point. Cutting down on travel in general can have a big
impact. What about supply chains? How can companies work with their suppliers to reduce emissions?
That's a crucial area. And it really comes down to collaboration. You got to engage with your
suppliers, figure out what their environmental practices are like, and then work together to
(08:32):
find those opportunities for improvement. So it's more than just, like, demanding that our
suppliers meet certain standards. It's about, you know, working together to find solutions.
Right, exactly. It's about building those relationships, finding that common ground.
It's about working toward a shared goal of sustainability.
So it sounds like there's a real opportunity to build, you know, stronger and more sustainable
(08:54):
supply chains when everyone's working together. But what about inside our own companies? How do
we get our teams excited about making these changes? That's where employee engagement comes in,
you know? You can have the best sustainability plan in the world, but if your employees are on
board, it's going to be tough. So it's not just about, like, top-down orders. It's about making
(09:14):
everyone feel involved. Like, they're a part of the solution. Exactly. One company that's doing a
really great job with this is Unilever. They have a whole program where employees can earn rewards
for taking sustainable actions. Rewards. Okay, I'm intrigued. Tell me more about this.
So it can be things like, you know, discounts on their products, or maybe even extra vacation days.
(09:36):
They've even made some of their initiatives into games, like friendly competitions between
departments to see who can save the most energy. Oh, I love that. It's like making sustainability
fun, not just another corporate thing you have to do. Exactly. And the results are pretty amazing.
Unilever has seen a big reduction in their environmental impact, and their employees
(09:57):
are more engaged than ever. That's so cool. It shows that even those massive global companies
can make a real difference. For sure. And, you know, it's not just about what's happening within
your company. It's about using your influence to advocate for change on a bigger scale too.
So like, pushing for policy changes, supporting organizations that are fighting climate change,
sharing our own stories to inspire others. Exactly. The more businesses that step up
(10:20):
and make sustainability a priority, the bigger the impact we can all have together.
This deep dive has given me a lot to think about. We've covered so much. From those different scopes
of emissions to all the different things businesses can do to reduce their impact.
It's been great chatting with you about this. I hope everyone listening feels like they can
actually do something. Me too. And remember, even small changes can add up, especially when we all
(10:44):
do them together. Whether it's switching to more efficient light bulbs, cutting down on waste in
your office, you know, even talking to your friends and family about this stuff, everything helps.
And if anyone's feeling inspired to learn more, check out the You Read We Write blog.
There's tons of info there and practical advice too. Thanks for joining us on the deep dive,
everyone. We'll see you next time.
Welcome back everyone to the deep dive. Ready to get into it today.
(00:02):
Definitely. Always excited to dive into a new topic.
All right, so today we're tackling something that's, well, kind of crucial for any business that's,
you know, serious about making a positive impact.
Yeah, I'd say it's pretty fundamental these days.
We're talking about measuring your carbon footprint. It's like, you know, that environmental
shadow every company has showing how much they're contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
(00:25):
We're going to explore the how to, like the methods, the tools, and even some of the challenges
you might bump into along the way. Definitely worth exploring. It's not always straightforward.
Right. And get this. Canadian SMEs alone, they generate a crazy 200 million tons of CO2E each
year. Wow, that's a pretty staggering number.
(00:45):
Think of it like, I don't know, filling up hundreds of Olympic sized swimming pools with
carbon dioxide. That's a powerful visual. Really puts it into perspective.
So let's jump in and figure out how businesses can start, you know, shrinking that impact.
Yeah, absolutely. It's all about taking action.
I think a good place to start might be with that framework, the GHG protocols, kind of the gold
(01:06):
standard, right, for carbon accounting, breaks those emissions down into three scopes, helps us
understand the different ways a business can impact the environment.
You got it. It's a great way to break down a complex issue. So scope one, right, that's your
most direct emissions. Stuff happening right under our noses. Exactly. The emissions from sources
(01:26):
your company owns or controls directly, things like, let's say, the fuel you're burning in company
vehicles or maybe on site equipment, all that falls under scope one. Okay, that makes sense. So
that's the stuff we're doing ourselves, basically. But then there's all the energy we use, like for
our offices and factories. That's where scope two kicks in. Right, exactly. Scope two is all about
the emissions that come from the energy you buy. So that's things like electricity, heating, maybe
(01:51):
you're not burning those fossil fuels directly yourself, but they're still creating emissions
somewhere else to power your business. It's important to factor that in.
Gotcha. So scope one is our direct emissions. Scope two is from the energy we buy.
But something tells me scope three is where it gets a little more, I don't know, complicated.
It does broaden the scope. You could say that. Scope three, it looks at all the other indirect
(02:15):
emissions that are happening throughout your company's value chain. So we're talking about
things like emissions from your suppliers, how much your employees travel for work,
transporting goods, even what happens to your products at the very end of their life,
how they're disposed of. It's a whole web of interconnected activity.
Well, yeah. Scope three could definitely be the biggest part of a company's footprint,
(02:35):
especially if you've got a super long and complicated supply chain.
Absolutely. And that's where things get interesting because while reporting on scope
one and two emissions, that's pretty much mandatory these days for a lot of businesses.
Scope three reporting, that's often voluntary. Okay, interesting.
But here's the thing, more and more companies are choosing to report on scope three anyway.
(02:56):
Why is that? Well, you know, it sends a really strong signal to stakeholders, shows real leadership.
Like going above and beyond saying, hey, we're really serious about this.
Exactly. They're saying we're committed to understanding and reducing our impact,
even in areas we don't directly control. I like that. So like, are there any companies that are
doing this really well that are, you know, leading the way with scope three reporting?
(03:19):
Oh, definitely. You've got companies like Patagonia, for example, they've been a real leader in this
area. They're going as far as calculating the emissions from the cotton they use in their
clothing. Wow. They trace it all the way back to the farms where it's grown. That's impressive.
So they're not just looking at their own factories, they're thinking about the entire
life cycle. But let's be real, this kind of reporting sounds like, you know, a lot of work.
(03:44):
It definitely takes effort. So is it really worth it for companies to go through all that? I mean,
beyond just, you know, looking good, what are the actual benefits?
That's a great question. And it's one a lot of businesses are wrestling with.
But honestly, measuring your carbon footprint, it's not just about checking boxes or, you know,
appeasing activists or anything like that. It's about getting valuable insights that can actually
(04:09):
help you make positive changes for your business. Okay, now that's what I'm talking about. I love
that idea. Using this data to make smart decisions, not just for the planet, but for the business itself.
Yeah, exactly. So can you give us some examples like, how can this actually translate into positive
change? Sure, think of it as like a diagnostic tool, right? Once you have a really clear picture of
(04:31):
where your emissions are coming from, you can start setting some really ambitious science-based
targets for reduction. And a lot of times the areas where you can make the biggest impact,
those are also the areas where you can actually find some cost savings.
So it's like reducing our impact can actually help our bottom line.
Often.
Tell me more.
So let's say, you know, you go through this whole process of measuring your footprint,
(04:52):
and you discover that, you know, a big chunk of your emissions is coming from the electricity you
use to power your facilities. Well, if you make the switch to renewable energy sources,
something like solar or wind power, you're not just cutting your emissions, you might actually
end up saving money in the long run. Lower energy costs, you know?
Yeah, that makes sense. So it's like being good for the planet is actually good for business too.
(05:15):
Exactly, it goes hand in hand.
Are there other examples like that, you know, where those insights can lead to cost savings?
Oh, for sure. Let's take waste management, right? A lot of companies are realizing
that if they just cut down on the amount of waste they produce, that saves them money on
disposal costs. And some are even like turning their waste into something useful, like through
(05:37):
composting or recycling programs.
So less waste equals lower costs. I'm liking this. But, you know, measuring our footprint and figuring
out where those hotspots are, that's just the first step. Right.
Then we have to actually do something to reduce those emissions.
So what are some of the things businesses can do? Where do you even start?
Well, that's where the rubber meets the road. And there are so many different options, and it
(06:00):
really depends on, you know, what industry you're in, your specific circumstances. But one thing
that's becoming super popular is setting science-based targets.
Science-based targets. I've heard that term before, but to be honest, I'm not totally sure what it means.
Yeah, so basically it's a way of setting targets for reducing your emissions that are
in line with, you know, what the latest climate science is telling us. Like, what do we actually
(06:22):
need to do to avoid the worst effects of climate change? And there are frameworks out there,
like the Science-Based Targets Initiative, SBTI for short. They give companies guidance and tools
to help them set these targets so they're ambitious, but they're also achievable.
So it's not just picking a random number, it's like really grounding your goals and, you know,
what the planet needs. I like that. But where do you even begin with that? It can feel a little
(06:45):
overwhelming. Like, where do you even focus your efforts?
I get it. There are so many things to consider. But it doesn't have to be overwhelming.
I'd say start by looking at the areas where you can make the biggest impact, right? For a lot of
businesses, that's going to be things like their energy consumption, their transportation, and
their supply chains. Okay, yeah. Those are pretty big areas. What are some companies actually doing
(07:06):
in those areas? Like, can you give us some concrete examples? Sure. So with energy,
we're seeing more and more companies switching to renewable sources. Some are putting solar
panels on their roofs or investing in wind power. Others are even looking into ways to generate
their own energy on site. Like taking their energy into their own hands. What about transportation?
(07:26):
That seems like a tough one to tackle, especially for companies that do a lot of shipping or have,
you know, big fleets of vehicles. It can be tricky, yeah. But there are definitely solutions. Like,
electrifying your fleet is huge. And we're seeing more and more electric vehicles coming out all
the time, cars, vans, even those big trucks now. Okay, so electrifying our vehicles is a big one.
(07:46):
Are there, like, smaller steps businesses can take, things that don't require such a big investment
up front? Totally. Even just optimizing your delivery routes. So your drivers are covering less
mileage or, you know, encouraging employees to carpool or use public transportation, even little
things like that can add up. And some companies are having success with things like, you know,
(08:08):
remote work policies. If people don't have to commute to the office every day, that cuts down
on emissions too. Right, that's a good point. Cutting down on travel in general can have a big
impact. What about supply chains? How can companies work with their suppliers to reduce emissions?
That's a crucial area. And it really comes down to collaboration. You got to engage with your
suppliers, figure out what their environmental practices are like, and then work together to
(08:32):
find those opportunities for improvement. So it's more than just, like, demanding that our
suppliers meet certain standards. It's about, you know, working together to find solutions.
Right, exactly. It's about building those relationships, finding that common ground.
It's about working toward a shared goal of sustainability.
So it sounds like there's a real opportunity to build, you know, stronger and more sustainable
(08:54):
supply chains when everyone's working together. But what about inside our own companies? How do
we get our teams excited about making these changes? That's where employee engagement comes in,
you know? You can have the best sustainability plan in the world, but if your employees are on
board, it's going to be tough. So it's not just about, like, top-down orders. It's about making
(09:14):
everyone feel involved. Like, they're a part of the solution. Exactly. One company that's doing a
really great job with this is Unilever. They have a whole program where employees can earn rewards
for taking sustainable actions. Rewards. Okay, I'm intrigued. Tell me more about this.
So it can be things like, you know, discounts on their products, or maybe even extra vacation days.
(09:36):
They've even made some of their initiatives into games, like friendly competitions between
departments to see who can save the most energy. Oh, I love that. It's like making sustainability
fun, not just another corporate thing you have to do. Exactly. And the results are pretty amazing.
Unilever has seen a big reduction in their environmental impact, and their employees
(09:57):
are more engaged than ever. That's so cool. It shows that even those massive global companies
can make a real difference. For sure. And, you know, it's not just about what's happening within
your company. It's about using your influence to advocate for change on a bigger scale too.
So like, pushing for policy changes, supporting organizations that are fighting climate change,
sharing our own stories to inspire others. Exactly. The more businesses that step up
(10:20):
and make sustainability a priority, the bigger the impact we can all have together.
This deep dive has given me a lot to think about. We've covered so much. From those different scopes
of emissions to all the different things businesses can do to reduce their impact.
It's been great chatting with you about this. I hope everyone listening feels like they can
actually do something. Me too. And remember, even small changes can add up, especially when we all
(10:44):
do them together. Whether it's switching to more efficient light bulbs, cutting down on waste in
your office, you know, even talking to your friends and family about this stuff, everything helps.
And if anyone's feeling inspired to learn more, check out the You Read We Write blog.
There's tons of info there and practical advice too. Thanks for joining us on the deep dive,
everyone. We'll see you next time.
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