Carbon Footprint

A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated by an organisation, product, event, or individual, expressed in metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e). It serves as the foundational metric for understanding climate impact and setting reduction targets.

A corporate carbon footprint typically encompasses three scopes as defined by the GHG Protocol:

• Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned sources
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased energy
• Scope 3: Value chain emissions (often the largest component)

Calculating a carbon footprint involves three core steps:

1. Data collection , gathering activity data such as energy consumption, fuel use, travel records, and procurement volumes
2. Emission factor application , multiplying activity data by scientifically validated emission factors (e.g., kg CO₂e per kWh of electricity)
3. Aggregation and reporting , summing emissions across all scopes and categories

Under the CSRD, companies within scope must calculate and disclose their carbon footprint following ESRS standards. The footprint also serves as the baseline for setting science-based targets and tracking progress toward net zero.

A product carbon footprint (PCF) takes a different approach, using life cycle assessment methodology to measure emissions from raw material extraction through end-of-life disposal.

Dcycle’s platform automates carbon footprint calculation by connecting directly to company data sources, applying region-specific emission factors, and generating audit-ready reports.