TL;DR:
Measuring your company’s CO₂ footprint is no longer optional—it’s essential for credibility, compliance, and cost savings. It helps meet sustainability goals, attracts investors, and improves your reputation. A full footprint covers Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (energy), and Scope 3 (indirect) emissions, which are often the largest. Regreener offers easy software and expert support to guide you from data collection to action. Start small, avoid common mistakes (like ignoring Scope 3), and use the insights to reduce emissions and future-proof your business.
Why measure your company's CO₂ footprint?
Climate change is high on the agenda for customers, investors, and governments. Companies are increasingly being asked to map their climate impact. Measuring CO₂ is no longer a luxury; it's a necessity. It's the first step toward a more sustainable business and meeting future reporting requirements like the CSRD. In this guide, we show you how to get started; simply, practically, and without jargon.
What is a CO₂ footprint, exactly?
A CO₂ footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (expressed in CO₂ equivalents) emitted by your company. These emissions fall into three categories, also known as "scopes." For a detailed explanation, see our blog on Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions:
Scope 1: Direct emissions
These are emissions your company is directly responsible for, such as fuel use in company vehicles or machinery.
Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased energy
This includes emissions related to the generation of electricity, heat, or steam you purchase and consume.
Scope 3: Other indirect emissions
This is the broadest category. Think of business travel, employee commuting, procurement of goods and services, logistics, waste, and more.
Most companies only focus on Scope 1 and 2, but Scope 3 often contains the majority of your emissions.
Understanding all three scopes gives you a complete view of your climate impact and helps you make smarter decisions.
Why are Carbon assessments important for your business?
CSR and ESG alignment
Carbon assessments form the foundation of a credible sustainability policy. It helps guide your CSR and ESG strategies and supports transparent communication. This is not just about reputation—it’s increasingly a requirement in tenders and partnerships.
A footprint report also helps increase internal transparency. It shows your company takes responsibility and is committed to action. Especially in the context of sustainable business practices, CO₂ insights are essential.
Financing and investor readiness
More and more investors see sustainability as a prerequisite. According to McKinsey, ESG performance is becoming central to financing decisions. Without clear CO₂ data, you may not qualify for many types of funding.
Banks and funding agencies increasingly demand concrete sustainability data. A CO₂ analysis can make or break your financing application.
Cost saving opportunities
By measuring emissions, you identify inefficiencies: unnecessary energy use, travel, or supply chain waste. Cutting CO₂ often goes hand in hand with cutting costs.
Example: If business flights make up a large portion of your Scope 3 emissions, switching to rail or hybrid meetings can lower both your footprint and your expenses.
Reputation and market position
Customers expect companies to take responsibility. Transparent reporting makes you more appealing as a supplier or partner. According to Harvard Business Review, both consumers and B2B buyers want companies to act on climate issues.
A clear footprint report and visible progress improve your credibility—and give you an edge over less transparent competitors.
How do carbon assessments work in practice?
At Regreener, we make measuring CO₂ simple. With our own CO₂ measurement software, you can quickly and clearly map your emissions. Whether you're just starting or already collecting data, the tool provides instant insight. In additition, we recommend to follow a 5-step process.
What does a carbon assessment cost?
Costs depend on your organization's size and the complexity of your data flows. Regreener’s scalable platform allows you to start small and expand later. Contact us for a custom quote.
How to structure a carbon assessment?
A CO2 assessment follows a structured process of five steps. A good tool for visualizing CO2 emissions and the right guidance in making strategic choices are essential.
Step 1: Scoping
Before you start measuring, it is important to determine in which category (Scope 1, 2, 3) the various emissions in your business operations fall. This prevents double-counting of emissions.
Step 2: Data collection
This phase focuses on mapping your emissions. The key here is to determine what data is already available and what is missing. To do this efficiently, we recommend identifying the different "data owners" (both internal and external). This prevents the process from stalling. Data owners are the people who have access to the required data and can provide it. This includes external suppliers of goods or services to your company or the internal HR department that holds information about employee commuting patterns.
Step 3: Data conversion
Once you have collected the necessary data, you can convert it into the corresponding CO2 emissions. In many cases, this is possible by looking up the lifecycle of a product. For example, take an HP laptop.
If the specific lifecycle of your product is not available, you can also consider the average environmental impact of a laptop.
Step 4: Data analysis
We recommend using a smart, user-friendly tool for data analysis. This will provide a clear overview of your company’s carbon footprint. The tool will highlight where the "hotspots" and "benchmarks" lie. Hotspots indicate which business activities generate the most CO2 emissions, and benchmarks provide a reference point to determine how much reduction is possible.
Step 5: Set targets and take action
With a clear picture of your emissions, the next step is to make a plan. Setting reduction targets transforms your carbon assessment from a report into a strategy.
Want to know exactly how a CO₂ assessment works? This step-by-step guide explains it al.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Only measuring Scope 1 and 2
You miss the bigger picture. Scope 3 is where most emissions often lie.
No structure or overview
Many companies rely on spreadsheets or rough estimates. Without a tool, you lack clarity. Our software fixes that.
Lack of internal support
CO₂ tracking isn't a solo task. Involve teams early to get better data and commitment.
No follow-up
Measurement is just the start. You need to take action based on the data.
Trying to do everything at once
You don’t need to fix everything immediately. Focus on major emission sources first. Small steps can already make a big impact.
From measurement to action
A Carbon assessment is only useful if you act on it. Set clear goals, communicate internally and externally, and use your insights to drive smart decisions. At Regreener, we help businesses every step of the way. From quick wins to long-term climate strategies.
We assist with reduction planning, stakeholder reporting, and communications. That way, you create impact and build internal momentum.
Curious where your company stands? Book a free intake session.
Conclusion: start measuring your CO₂ footprint today
Measuring your CO₂ footprint isn’t complicated. It’s a smart step toward future-proofing your business. With the right tools and support, you can move from insight to action.
CO₂ measurement isn’t a goal; it's a means to an end. Our ultimate guide shows you how to optimize your carbon assessment.
Looking for extra info?
Explore our FAQ guide.
