Environmental Management Consultancy Green Element has launched CompareYourFootprint, an innovative new online carbon footprint calculation service to help companies quickly reveal their carbon footprint and benchmark their performance against their industry peers.
Over 40 countries around the world now operate mandatory carbon reporting for larger businesses and with research showing that millennial consumers are 92% more likely to buy from ethical companies, there is growing need for businesses to understand how their greenhouse gas emissions, so they can put targets in place to reduce these.
CompareYourFootprint is a nifty piece of software that automatically calculates the carbon emissions produced by different areas of a business’ day to day operations, including gas and electricity use, water, catering, taxis, air travel, courier services and stationery, to name a few.
Other necessary data includes information such as the number of employees and the square footage of the firm’s premises. The business simply needs to collect this data over a time period of their choice, log into CompareYourFootprint online and upload the information in any Excel format. The process only takes around five minutes.
The service will then provide the detailed reports the company needs to analyse its carbon footprint and identify areas where emissions could be reduced. Next, CompareYourFootprint uses an amalgamation of data from various sources (collected anonymously) to enable businesses to benchmark their carbon footprint against other organisations in their sector.
Furthermore, CompareYourFootprint is compliant with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Corporate Standard, which means it’s an approved tool for use in mandatory carbon reporting.
CompareYourFootprint is the brainchild of Will Richardson, Founder and CEO of Green Element, a company that helps businesses manage a range of sustainability issues and develop a better relationship with the environment. Unlike other models and consultancies that can help a business calculate their carbon footprint, CompareYourFootprint is offered on a ‘Pay What You Think It’s Worth’ basis, even if that is just a penny.
“We’re very excited about the effect that launching Compare Your Footprint could have on the UK’s carbon emissions in the longer term,” says Will. “What we’re doing is effectively removing the cost barrier to the first step in the process, which is gaining clarity around which areas of your business are emitting carbon, and how much. Once you have this data, you’re in a strong position to make changes – for example, by reducing international travel.”
“Calculating your carbon footprint is the first step towards changing your business for the better,” Will continues. “It gives you the tools you need to save energy and money, and identify any environmental risks or problems within your organisation that are pushing up your carbon emissions. You’ll be better placed to ensure compliance with environment legislation and avoid being fined.”
“Every company – no matter how small – can benefit from becoming more sustainable,” concludes Will. “We’re confident Compare Your Footprint can play a big part in making this happen.”
For more information about Compare Your Footprint, please visit www.compareyourfootprint.com.
