Our methodology
Developed for New Zealand, aligned with global best practice.
Measurement
Our thorough methodology ensures your organisation’s carbon footprint has been independently calculated in line with international greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting standards.
Understanding a carbon footprint
An organisation’s carbon footprint is determined by its activities. Keeping the lights on in an office, running a manufacturing plant powered by diesel, staff travelling in cars or on planes, and purchasing materials to build products are just a few examples of activities that generate emissions.
GHG Protocol scopes and emissions across the value chain
Scope 1 emissions
Direct GHG emissions from sources controlled or owned by an organisation (e.g. from fuel combustion in boilers, plants, or vehicles).
Scope 2 emissions
Indirect GHG emissions from the buying of electricity, gas, or steam. While these physically occur at the source of generation, they need to be accounted for as a result of the organisation’s energy use.
Scope 3 emissions
Scope 3 encompasses emissions that are not produced by the company itself and are not the result of activities from assets owned or controlled by them, but by those that it's indirectly responsible for up and down its value chain.
How carbon emissions are calculated
We can measure these emission sources, such as the litres of petrol or diesel used, the kWh of electricity used, the distance a freight truck travelled, or the weight of steel used in construction.
Carbon emissions are calculated by applying Emission Factors to the amount of activity, for example:
100 litres of petrol* 2.46 (kgCO2e/ litre) emission factor = 246 kgCO2e
Emission Factors are nationally (and globally) derived factors representing the amount of CO2e from that source, for example, 1 litre of petrol burnt produces 2.46 kgs of CO2e.
What do I include in my carbon footprint?
Here’s a summary of what to include when mapping your carbon footprint:
Fuel sources where you directly burn or use the fuel, for example, petrol in fleet cars, diesel in machinery.
Energy sources where you use energy from a third-party energy provider, for example, your electricity and gas from your supplier.
Supply chain sources where you have purchased from a third-party supplier (significant sources only).
Fuel sources
where you directly burn or use the fuel, for example, petrol in fleet cars, diesel in machinery.
Energy sources
where you use energy from a third-party energy provider, for example, your electricity and gas from your supplier.
Supply chain sources
where you have purchased from a third-party supplier (significant sources only).
What do I include in my carbon footprint?
Here’s a summary of what to include when mapping your carbon footprint:
GHG Protocol Scopes
The following categories based on ISO 14064-1:2018
-
Direct GHG Emissions and Removals
Examples:
Fuel Use
Refrigerant Leakages
Direct Emissions and Removals from Land Use
-
Indirect Emissions from Imported Energy
Examples:
Purchased Energy
Purchased Heat
Purchased Steam
-
Indirect Emissions from Transportation
Examples:
Business Travel
Staff Commute
Freight Transport
Transport Clients and Visitors
Downstream Transport and Distribution Losses
Refrigerant Use (from chilled transport or air conditioner)
Upstream Emissions from Fuel Manufacture and Distribution – well to tank)
-
Indirect Emissions from Products and Services used by the Organisation
Examples:
Electricity Transmission and Distribution Losses
Working from Home
Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
Materials and Waste
Emissions generated through Leased Assets
General services used e.g. cleaning, consulting, maintenance, mail delivery, bank etc
Upstream Leased Assets
-
Indirect Emissions Associated with the Use of Products and Services from the Organisation
Examples:
Total Expected Lifetime Emissions from the Product Sold
End of Life Stage Emissions
Downstream Franchises/Leased Assets
Emissions from Investments (Targeting Private or Public Financial Institutions)
-
Indirect GHG Emissions
Examples:
Specific Emissions or Removals can’t fit into another Category
Reduction
As part of gaining your Climate Action Label, we will develop a Carbon Emissions Reduction Plan, to identify practical opportunities to reduce emissions, and set a reduction target.
Emission inventory
An overview of your current GHG emissions.
Timeline
A schedule outlining the sequence of actions and milestones to be achieved.
Goals and targets
Clearly defined objectives and targets for reducing GHG emissions, based on a specific time frame, such as reducing emissions by a certain percentage by a particular year.
Monitoring
Mechanisms for tracking progress towards emission reduction goals, as well as regular reporting on achieved outcomes.
Reduction activities
The actions needed to reduce emissions. This can include energy efficiency enhancements, renewable energy adoption, transport changes, waste management improvements, and more.
Financial and resource allocation
A consideration of the financial resources required to implement the plan, including budgetary allocations, potential funding sources, and cost-saving opportunities.
Carbon Emission Reduction Plan
A carbon emissions reduction plan (CER) is used as a roadmap for making decisions and prioritising actions. Your CER will contain:
Setting science based targets to reduce your emissions
We’ll help you understand what a Science Based Target is, and how your business can create a reduction target aligned to global best practice, aiming to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
Setting science based targets to reduce your emissions.
We’ll help you understand what a Science Based Target is, and how your business can create a reduction target aligned to global best practice, aiming to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
