FAQs

CO2e is the standard measure for carbon footprints. It includes carbon dioxide as well as the other most important greenhouse gases created by human activities that contribute to climate change. These are converted to a much simpler to understand ‘carbon dioxide equivalent’, or CO2e. This makes it possible to track emissions across different activities and industries in a standardised way. It enables consistent comparison between industries, specifications, countries, and time periods while simplifying complex environmental impact assessments into an understandable metric.

Scope 1 and 2 refer to carbon emissions that an organisation directly controls. Scope 1 is on-site combustion of gas and oil, fuel for company vehicles, industrial usage of greenhouse gases such as CO2, and leakage from units such as refrigeration. Scope 2 refers to the purchase of electricity, steam, heating or cooling that was generated by a third party. Scope 3 emissoins is all other greenhouse gas emissions associated with the activity of an organisation, most notably in their upstream and downstream supply chain. Scope 3 also includes other activities such as business travel, commuting, capital goods, leases, franchises and investments – along with the processing, use and end-of-life of products sold to another organisation or to the end consumer.

Products require energy-intensive manufacturing processes, which traditionally rely on burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal. This releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere which trap more heat than normal in the atmosphere. This accelerates global climate change – so understanding and reducing a product carbon footprint means you can do something about climate change.

CarbonQuota has an extensive network of MIS and ERP integration partners – listed below and on our Partners page

• PrintIQ
• PrintVis
• Clarity software
• eProductivity Software
  • ePS Tharstern
  • ePS Technique
  • ePS Radius
  • ePS Pace
• Esko
  • Cape Prime
• mtvity
• element by DigitalSpecs
• optimus
• eHalo from aura

A carbon handprint measures the emissions reductions enabled by a product or service, as opposed to the emissions they generate themselves. In other words, rather than quantifying your own carbon footprint, it quantifies how much you help others reduce theirs.

Carbon Measured is a status where a company is actively studying an aspect of its own operations, supply chain or products to get a baseline of its carbon footprint. We expect organisations to be publicly committed to make reductions.

Carbon Reduced is where a company can show sustained reductions in its carbon footprint over time – either its own operations, its supply chain or its products. This may be in absolute terms, or based on a reduction in carbon intensity.

A sustainable individual or organisation is one that doesn’t deplete nature or natural resources faster than they re-generate, doesn’t directly or indirectly destroy natural habitat, and doesn’t compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In this way, human civilisation can co-exist with nature.

Greenhouse gases occur naturally. By trapping heat inside the Earth’s atmosphere, they help support life on Earth. However human activity, principally through burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal, is increasing the amount of these so much that we are heating up the planet faster than nature can adjust to it, thus threatening biodiversity. We are changing the climate so much that more extreme weather is occurring such as hurricanes, floods, droughts and wildfires.

The main culprit of climate change is a greenhouse gas called carbon dioxide (or simply carbon or CO2). ’CO2e’ is the standard measure for carbon emissions created by human activity. It includes carbon dioxide as well as the other most important greenhouse gases created by human activities that contribute to climate change (e.g. methane) as determined by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. These are converted to a much simpler to understand ‘carbon dioxide equivalent’, or CO2e.

Organisations that have signed up to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) are committed to making change in their operations and supply chains to reduce their carbon emissions. This must be in line with the Paris Agreement to limit global warming due to climate change to 1.5oC.

CDP is a not-for-profit charity that runs a system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to report on their environmental impacts. Through scoring and reporting, they are encouraging transparency to encourage sustainable business operations. Similarly, the GRI covers a range of topics for sustainability reporting.

ISO 14001 is an international standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). It provides a framework for companies to manage and reduce their environmental impacts, improve sustainability, and comply with regulatory requirements. This standard helps printing companies develop and implement effective sustainability strategies.

Otherwise known as the Global Goals, these are a collection of 17 interlinked targets to “achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”. Set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly, they are intended to be achieved by 2030. They cover social as well as environmental topics.

This is the process of reporting on the environmental and social impacts of business activities. Along with financial reporting, it creates the ‘triple bottom line’ against which a sustainable business is measured.

The UK’s Green Claims Code is a set of principles designed to help businesses operating in the UK market avoid greenwashing. Organisations can be held accountable by UK regulators if they fail to comply with the guidelines. Developed by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) it sets out 6 key points to check your environmental claims are genuinely green:

• Claims must be truthful and accurate
• Claims must be clear and unambiguous
• Claims must not omit or hide important relevant information
• Comparisons must be fair and meaningful
• Claims must consider the full life cycle of the product or service
• Claims must be substantiated

For further details please, go to: https://greenclaims.campaign.gov.uk/

In a traditional ‘linear’ economy items are made, used and disposed. Items often end up in landfill or are incinerated, so to replace them we will deplete or destroy more natural resources and habitats in an unsustainable way. In a circular economy we keep resources in use for as long as possible, make the most of them, and then recover the raw materials to begin the process all over again.

They are globally recognized standards that businesses adopt to demonstrate sustainability leadership. These frameworks aren’t legally required but help companies meet client expectations and build trust. Carbon footprint data is central because most frameworks require accurate emissions reporting to show real progress.

Why it matters: Adopting these frameworks can help win or maintain clients who increasingly demand compliance as a condition of doing business.

Manufacturers and service providers use these frameworks to strengthen supply chain relationships, meet customer demands, and benchmark performance. Carbon footprints matter because they quantify environmental impact, making it possible to track reductions and validate claims.

Why it matters: Compliance often becomes a competitive advantage, as many clients require these standards before awarding contracts.

Unlike regulations, these frameworks are not enforced by law. They provide structured methods for reporting and improving sustainability. Carbon footprint data is often one of the foundations for compliance, as it underpins transparency and measurable improvement.

Why it matters: For many businesses, meeting these voluntary standards is essential to maintain client relationships and secure new opportunities.

EcoVadis is a global sustainability rating platform assessing environmental, social, and ethical performance. Carbon footprints are critical because they influence the environmental score, which impacts supplier ratings and procurement decisions.

Why it matters: A strong EcoVadis score can open doors to new business and strengthen supply chain trust.

B Corp certification measures a company’s impact across governance, workers, community, and environment. Carbon footprint data is essential for the environmental section, helping businesses prove they are reducing emissions and improving sustainability.

Why it matters: B Corp status signals purpose-driven leadership and attracts like-minded customers and partners.

CDP (also known as Carbon Disclosure Project) is a disclosure system for environmental data, especially greenhouse gas emissions. Accurate carbon footprints are the backbone of CDP reporting, ensuring transparency and credibility in climate disclosures.

Why it matters: CDP scores influence customer trust and many organisations insist their suppliers participate.

Science Based Targets help companies set greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals aligned with climate science. Carbon footprint data is required to set, validate, and track progress toward these targets.

Why it matters: SBTi commitments demonstrate serious climate action and helps future-proof your business with brands increasing requiring alignment from their suppliers.

Sedex promotes responsible sourcing and supply chain transparency. Carbon footprints help manufacturers and service providers meet environmental requirements, demonstrate accountability, and strengthen trust with customers.

Why it matters: Brands are insisting on Sedex compliance from suppliers to build credibility and resilience in global supply chains.

They are voluntary commitments businesses make to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and align with global climate goals. Carbon footprint data is essential because it provides the baseline for setting and tracking progress.

Unlike mandatory laws, pledges are voluntary but often align with science-based standards. Carbon data underpins these commitments, ensuring transparency and progress tracking

A UN-backed global campaign that mobilises businesses, cities, and institutions to halve carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050 through science-aligned targets and transparent action plans.

An official UN platform where companies, cities, and organisations register climate commitments and track progress to promote transparency and accountability in global climate action.

A global campaign led by the Science Based Targets initiative urging companies to set science-based targets aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5°C and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

A nonprofit coalition of leading climate organizations working with businesses worldwide to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy through advocacy and action.