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What is a carbon footprint, and how is it measured?

In this guide on what is a carbon footprint and how is it measured, we&#8217;ll cover:
<ul>
<li><a href="#what">What is a carbon footprint?</a></li>
<li><a href="#how">How is a carbon footprint measured? </a></li>
<li><a href="#seven">Seven of the best carbon footprint calculators </a></li>
<li><a href="#reduce">How can I reduce my carbon footprint?</a></li>
<li><a href="#ecologi">How Ecologi can help businesses reduce their carbon emissions</a></li>
</ul>

A simple definition is the total amount of greenhouse gases that is emitted directly or indirectly by an entity &#8211; for example, a person, product or business. In other words, it is one measure of the impact their activities are having on the environment, and how much they are contributing to climate change. 
The carbon footprint is usually expressed in terms of tonnes of ‘carbon dioxide equivalent’ &#8211; which allows us to account for the emissions of both carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Activities like travel, energy use, producing goods and services all contribute to a carbon footprint, and once you know the measure of it, the goal should be to reduce it as much as possible.
<h3>What are some examples of carbon footprint?</h3>
We usually talk about the carbon footprint of an individual or company, but it could also refer to the impact of an event, like a big music festival or sporting event for example, or of a product throughout its life cycle. 
<h3>Why is it important to measure your carbon footprint?</h3>
Measuring your carbon footprint is important because it helps you understand and take responsibility for the amount of greenhouse gases you’re releasing into the atmosphere through your activities, whether that’s indirectly or directly. 
There are many reasons why that matters, but here’s just a handful:
Heightened environmental awareness  
When you understand your carbon footprint, you become more aware of how your actions are contributing to the big issues of climate change and environmental degradation. And awareness is the first step towards action. You’ll find you become more focused on making better choices for our planet.
More responsibility and accountability
Measuring your carbon footprint encourages personal responsibility. It helps people and businesses recognise the impact they have on the environment, and fosters a sense of accountability for their contribution to climate change.
Easier goal setting
If you know about it, you can do something about it. Once you’ve measured your carbon footprint, the next step is to set goals to reduce it. For businesses it could involve switching energy providers, using more efficient vehicles or working with greener suppliers. For individuals this might involve making changes to your lifestyle or choosing more environmentally-friendly products. 
Competitive advantage for businesses  
Calculating, understanding and reducing your carbon footprint is a collective responsibility for the wellbeing of the planet. Increasingly consumers are aware of this responsibility and are choosing businesses that show a commitment to sustainability. So carbon footprinting is good business! 
Economic savings
Many actions that reduce carbon footprints, like using energy-efficient lightbulbs or electric vehicles, can also lead to cost savings. Reducing energy consumption not only benefits the environment but also lowers bills, so it&#8217;s good for both the planet and profit. Win-win!

Measuring a carbon footprint involves assessing the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by an individual or business, and it’s typically expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).

How can businesses calculate their carbon footprint?

Let’s take a look at how to calculate the carbon footprint of a company. The process of calculating a carbon footprint is very complex and methodologies vary. Companies may tailor their carbon footprinting approach based on their industry, location and available data &#8211; and it’s always advisable to work with an organisation with a carbon accounting background, to ensure you’re on the right track. 
Here’s the basic process:
Step 1 &#8211; Define boundaries
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol defines three types (‘scopes’) of emissions:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources (e.g. emissions from company-owned vehicles, or from an onsite gas boiler).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy (e.g. electricity).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Scope 3: Indirect emissions from the entire value chain, including both upstream and downstream activities (e.g. supply chain, transportation and business travel).</li>
</ul>
As well as understanding the scopes of emissions business must also define the organisational and operational boundaries of the footprint &#8211; to establish which emissions the specific entity is responsible for.
Step 2 &#8211; Identify emission sources
Determine all sources of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the defined scopes. For a company’s carbon footprint, this can include: 
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Energy consumption, including electricity, fuel, and other energy sources (this includes Scope 1 and 2 emissions).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Transportation, from owned or leased vehicles (Scope 1), as well as emissions from commuting and business travel (Scope 3).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Supply chain emissions, including raw material extraction, manufacturing, and transportation (Scope 3).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Waste management, including emissions from waste generation and disposal.</li>
</ul>
Step 3 &#8211; Collect data 
Next you need to gather data on energy use, fuel consumption, production processes, transportation methods, and any other relevant activities contributing to emissions. 
Our carbon footprinting tool, <a href="https://x.ecologi.com/business/zero" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ecologi Zero</a>, simplifies this process. After answering a few essential questions about your business, including your number of offices and employees, you can connect Ecologi Zero to your Xero accounting software to import transaction data and get emissions values for each transaction. Collecting activity data about your energy usage, vehicles, and other parts of your business will refine your carbon footprint as well. 

Step 4 &#8211; Convert data to CO2e 
Different greenhouse gases have different ‘global warming potentials’, so the next step is to convert the activity or expenditure data for each emission source into emissions (measured in CO2e), so you have a standardised measure. 
This is done using emissions factors, which are values that represent the average amount of emissions produced per unit of activity. Using these factors you can convert the data about how your business runs, into a total amount of emissions, in CO2e.
Step 5 &#8211; Calculate the carbon footprint 
Then all you need to do is multiply the activity data by the appropriate emission factor to calculate the emissions for each source. And once all these emissions are added together, voila, you get your total carbon footprint.
Step 6 &#8211; Report the carbon footprint 
Show your commitment and build trust by transparently reporting your carbon footprint and sharing your progress (even if you&#8217;re not perfect). Subscribers to Ecologi Zero Premium get an annual report included in their plan. 
Step 7 &#8211; Set goals and take action
Once the carbon footprint is measured, businesses can identify their emissions hotspots and set goals to reduce them. This might involve switching to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, or making changes in the supply chain. Identifying hotspots and setting goals is another feature included in Ecologi Zero Premium.

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Seven of the best carbon footprint calculators 

Looking for a helping hand? Here’s seven tools that can do a lot of the hard work for you: 
<a href="https://x.ecologi.com/business/zero">Ecologi Zero </a>
Ecologi Zero makes it quick and simple for UK-based SMEs to calculate their carbon footprint by integrating with Xero accounting data. Premium users can also get tailored advice to identify hotspots and benefit from an annual report to share with their community. 
<a href="https://ghgprotocol.org/">GHG Protocol</a>
Developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the GHG Protocol provides a comprehensive framework for businesses to measure and manage their greenhouse gas emissions. It offers standards and guidance for both corporate and product life cycle accounting.
<a href="https://www.carbontrust.com/">Carbon Trust</a>
Carbon Trust offers a suite of tools and calculators for businesses and individuals. Their individual calculator considers energy usage, transportation and lifestyle choices, providing a comprehensive overview of your carbon footprint. Their Footprint Expert software helps businesses measure and manage their carbon emissions, providing insights into areas where emissions can be reduced.
<a href="https://eightversa.com/services/net-zero-carbon/carbon-footprint-for-business/">Eight Versa </a>
Eight Versa is a sustainability consultancy that works with all kinds of businesses. They provide expert carbon footprinting and carbon reduction support, guiding organisations through Scopes 1, 2 &amp; 3 and creating a roadmap of decarbonisation solutions. Their methods are in-line with international standards such as ISO 14064, the Science Based Targets Initiative and GHG Protocol. 
<a href="https://www.footprintnetwork.org/">Global Footprint Network</a>
The Ecological Footprint calculator by Global Footprint Network not only calculates carbon emissions but also considers other ecological factors. It also provides an estimate of how many Earths would be needed if everyone lived like you.
<a href="https://www.myclimate.org/en/">My Climate Carbon Footprint Calculator</a>
My Climate offers a carbon footprint calculator that considers various aspects, including travel, energy and consumption. It also facilitates users to support climate protection projects.
<a href="https://myemissions.green/food-carbon-footprint-calculator/">MyEmissions </a>
MyEmissions is a leading provider of food carbon labelling, working with some of the largest food companies in the world. They’ve also published a free food carbon footprint calculator so everyone can see the impact of what they eat.

For both businesses and individuals alike, knowledge is power when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint. By going through the process of calculating your carbon footprint you’ll get a clearer idea of where your hotspots are, and therefore where you can make the biggest impact in reducing them.
For individuals it&#8217;s about making conscious lifestyle choices. For businesses it involves a combination of strategic planning, operational changes, and employee engagement. 
Ecologi Zero Premium customers receive in-depth technical guidance on how to reduce their emissions &#8211; which can vary from business to business. Here’s ten general tips that both individuals and businesses can use to minimise their environmental impact:
For businesses:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Be more energy efficient: Conduct an energy audit and invest in energy-efficient technologies and appliances.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Switch to renewable energy: Consider switching to renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Encourage cleaner commuting: Encourage hybrid working and offer staff incentives to use public transport, carpool, or bike to work.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Green your supply chain: Work with existing suppliers to reduce emissions and prioritise new suppliers who have strong climate creds.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Reduce waste: Encourage employees to minimise paper use, invest in digital technologies, and choose suppliers that use minimal packaging.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Go circular: Consider circular economy principles like product refurbishment and recycling.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Engage your team: Create a culture of environmental awareness among employees and provide training on sustainable practices.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Assess life cycles: Conduct life cycle assessments of products and services to identify opportunities for improvement, considering the impact from design to disposal.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Get certified: Seek third-party certifications like ISO 14001 for environmental management.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Collaborate and advocate: Work with industry peers to share best practices and advocate for sustainable policies.</li>
</ol>
For individuals:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Power down: Use energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs, turn off lights and electronics when not in use, and unplug chargers! </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Drop the diesel: Choose public transport, start a carpool, or even better, get on a bike.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle: Reject single-use plastics, recycle what you can, and donate or sell items when you’re done with them.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Embrace plant power: Switch to a plant-based diet (or at least eat less meat), choose locally-sourced and seasonal foods, and be mindful of food waste.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Every drop counts: Fix leaks and think about how you can limit water use (even switching off the tap while brushing your teeth helps!)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Buy green: Shop for products with minimal packaging and support eco-friendly brands.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Make your home more efficient: Insulating your walls, installing energy-efficient windows and doors, and using programmable thermostats can all make your home that little bit smarter.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Switch to renewable energy: Switch to an energy supplier that uses renewable sources, and consider installing solar panels on your property if you can.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Travel lightly: Choose direct flights to reduce emissions and consider eco-friendly accommodation. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Go minimal: Embrace a minimalist lifestyle to reduce consumption and waste.</li>
</ol>
Remember, every small effort counts, and collectively these actions will all add up to a big reduction in your carbon footprint. You have to start somewhere, so choose the changes that are easiest to get going with and you can gradually incorporate more and more sustainable switches into your day to day. 
<h3>What are the biggest causes of carbon emissions for businesses?</h3>
The biggest causes of carbon emissions for businesses can vary from industry to industry, but here’s some of the usual culprits that most businesses will need to tackle: 
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Energy consumption, including energy-intensive processes for manufacturing, heating and powering equipment, which involve burning fossil fuels.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Transportation, including fleet vehicles and the daily commuting of employees.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Supply chain, including raw material production and logistics.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Waste management, including generation and disposal.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Product manufacturing, including carbon-intensive manufacturing processes and product transportation.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Buildings, including construction, maintenance, heating, cooling and lighting.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Technology, including data centres powered by non-renewable energy sources, and the disposal of electronic equipment.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Water, including waste water treatment.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Business travel, particularly by air!</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Financial Investments, particularly if a business has investments in fossil fuel industries </li>
</ol>
Understanding the main sources of emissions allows businesses to be more strategic in pinpointing their sustainability efforts. If in doubt, start where you can make the biggest dent with the least effort!
<h3>What are the biggest causes of carbon emissions for individuals?</h3>
For individuals, the causes of carbon emissions are also very lifestyle dependent, and stem from various comings and goings of people’s daily lives. Here’s some of the main offenders:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Energy consumption, including heating, cooling, and powering homes.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Transportation, including driving and air travel. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Diet, including meat consumption and choosing food that has been transported long distances.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Waste generation, particularly the disposal of single-use plastics and sending waste to landfills.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Shopping, particularly fast fashion and excessive consumption.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Water use, including heating water for showers, laundry, and dishwashing, along with excessive water usage.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Technology, including the production and disposal of electronic devices and internet use.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Financial choices, particularly through investments in fossil fuel industries (which your pension provider could be doing without you even knowing!)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Events, particularly large scale events and celebrations, which might involve a lot of travel and consumption.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lack of awareness about sustainable practices can sometimes be a big cause of unintentionally high carbon footprints.</li>
</ol>
Ultimately it&#8217;s all about balance, and doing what you can. No-one would want to totally give up all of the above, or even be able to, but being aware of the impact of each choice is the first step to making good decisions where possible. And often there’s a win-win, as making a greener choice can also save your money or be better for your health and wellbeing.

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How Ecologi can help businesses reduce their carbon emissions

From tree planting, to funding certified climate avoidance projects, through to calculating your company’s carbon footprint, we&#8217;re your trusted partner in taking climate action. We offer a range of products and services to businesses of all sizes.  
<a href="https://x.ecologi.com/business/zero">Ecologi Zero </a>
It’s quick and simple to calculate your carbon footprint with Ecologi Zero. We take the legwork out of calculating your emissions through simple integrations, so you can focus on reducing them. Ecologi Zero is suitable for service-based small and medium businesses using Xero (other options available to larger businesses)
<a href="https://x.ecologi.com/business/business-signup">Custom climate action</a>
For larger businesses looking for a custom climate impact solution, or for those who are not sure where to start, our team of experts can create a tailored solution to suit your needs. They can support your business and find the right solution to suit your needs including calculating your business’s carbon emissions through one of our specialist partners.

To get started select your business size

Start calculating your business' carbon footprint today

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Hopescrolling: The good news timeline

It’s not all bad. While there’s a lot of negative news about the climate, let’s not forget the good stuff. Find climate wins, reasons to be hopeful and plenty of positivity in our good news timeline.

The good news timeline

Ready to make a difference for our planet? Get in touch, and let’s chat about how we can help you on your climate journey. 

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Ecologi Impact Funds: A new way to support climate action

We’ve just launched our much anticipated product, <a href="https://x.ecologi.com/solutions/impact-funds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ecologi Impact Funds</a>, a new way to maximise your business climate impact by funding multiple high-quality projects in one go whilst also spreading residual risk.
In this deep-dive, we’ll explore:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">What is an Impact Fund; </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Why they are best for our planet and how they fit into your net-zero journey;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The difference between carbon compensation and contribution approaches;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Why your business should start contributing to Impact Funds today.</li>
</ul>

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<h2>What is an Impact Fund?</h2>
Our new Ecologi Impact Funds maximise your business climate impact by funding multiple high-quality projects in one go while also spreading residual risk. 
 
The Ecologi Impact funds are carefully curated project cohorts centred around a particular theme or climate intervention. Each of our Impact Funds is carefully designed to drive progress against our three key pillars of impact: 

<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Climate: Reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Nature: Conserving and restoring nature and natural systems</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">People: Transforming society and improving lives</li>
</ol>
When you contribute towards an Impact Fund, you’re not just funding a single project in a single location. You’ll be funding a cohort of multiple different projects which might be based all over the world – but all centred around driving transformative action for our climate, nature, and people.
The cohort of projects we support within each Ecologi Impact Fund is dynamic, meaning that some projects will receive support from the Fund over an extended period, and others will receive individual grants. All projects contribute to the Fund’s core aims, and all projects are carefully vetted and selected by our expert team.

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<h2>Why are Impact Funds best for our planet?</h2>
When we think about the existing models of financing climate and nature projects, the focus is usually on one of two things: either inputs (like paying to plant trees), or certification (like carbon credits). Both of these are critical vehicles for channelling funding to incredible projects, but they don’t tell the whole story.
Take tree-planting, for example. To establish and maintain an impactful forest restoration or agroforestry project takes so much more than just planting the trees. Any one of Ecologi’s partner reforestation projects is actually doing far more than simply planting trees – and all of this costs money, which has to fit into the project’s budget. For example, project designs and associated budgets might include all of this (and more):
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Securing land tenure;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Communications and campaigns;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Logistics, vehicles and transport; </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Seed collection or acquisition;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tree nurseries and infrastructure;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Staff salaries and technical training;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Community services and outreach;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Energy provision;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tools and safety equipment;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Leadership training and capacity building;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Reinvestment into the local community;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Fencing and other critical infrastructure;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Water and irrigation;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Project monitoring and evaluation;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Outplanting of trees;</li>
</ul>
If, when we support these projects, we as funders are only thinking about this last bullet point – thinking about our role as simply “paying to plant trees” – then we are neglecting to recognise the incredible effort that goes into the truly holistic programme required to restore nature sustainably and at scale. At best, this is simple tunnel vision. But at worst, this means funders risk thinking that the only thing that’s important is how many trees were planted within the project boundary.
Our Impact Funds help to transform this mindset: decoupling funding from inputs and instead centring our thinking around strategic, thematic and carefully-curated project cohorts means that implementation partners receiving the funding are able to focus on producing restorative outcomes for ecosystems and communities. They also help our customers to understand that what we are doing in supporting restorative projects is not tit-for-tat – it’s us playing our part to restore our planet by supporting a blended range of projects which we acknowledge will have a holistic impact.
So through Ecologi’s first new Impact Funds, we’re not focusing on ‘paying to plant trees’. We’re focusing on restoring forests and landscapes.
<h3>Leading climate science is already taking this approach</h3>
Recent publications from the Science-Based Targets initiative in <a href="https://sciencebasedtargets.org/resources/files/Above-and-Beyond-Report-on-BVCM.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">their beyond value chain mitigation (‘BVCM’) report</a>, as well as <a href="https://www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2024-02/Oxford-Principles-for-Net-Zero-Aligned-Carbon-Offsetting-revised-2024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the newly-updated Oxford Principles</a> from the University of Oxford, have supported the innovative contributory approach which is exemplified in our Impact Funds. Many of our restoration partners, including <a href="https://www.internationaltreefoundation.org/news/beyond-offsets-an-alternative-approach" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Tree Foundation</a>, <a href="https://www.eden-plus.org/stories/its-time-to-go-beyond-tree-planting" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eden: People + Planet</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfBVBHNpR30" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Acción Andina</a> and <a href="https://www.weforest.org/what-we-do/our-restoration-principles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WeForest</a> have taken similar stances.
Global Forest Generation noted that:
<blockquote>In some cases reforestation may only form a small part of an ecosystem restoration project. Our activities and budgets have always reflected a holistic program with many components that we have identified as essential to effective, long-term ecosystem restoration.</blockquote>
With our new Impact Funds, Ecologi is proudly joining our friends and partners to raise our voices in a call for holistic restoration for people and our planet. <a href="https://x.ecologi.com/solutions/impact-funds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Schedule a call</a> with our experts to see how your business can start contributing to the Impact Funds, or continue reading for more of a deep-dive.

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On your business’s road to net-zero, you have two central objectives:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">First: measure your business’s emissions, set ambitious reduction targets, and reduce your emissions across all scopes as much as possible, as quickly as possible.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Then: support the global transition to net-zero and the restoration of nature by contributing to climate and nature projects around the world. </li>
</ol>
Ecologi’s Impact Funds can help you with step (2), by enabling you to <a href="https://x.ecologi.com/business/ecologi-impact-funds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">support a diverse range of projects</a> which will help to safeguard and restore nature, and scale-up carbon removal technologies. This is an alternative to traditional carbon offsetting, which is where you’d buy carbon credits equal to the emissions you produce. 
Specifically, our Impact Funds can help you align your project funding strategy to Goal #2 of the Science-Based Targets initiative’s <a href="https://sciencebasedtargets.org/resources/files/Above-and-Beyond-Report-on-BVCM.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BVCM best practice</a>, as well as centring all four of the SBTi’s core principles for BVCM: scalability, financing need, co-benefits and climate justice.

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Since 2020, at Ecologi we have also been aligning our work with the Oxford Principles, which as well as providing guidance for blended carbon credit-based portfolios which increasingly lean towards carbon removal with permanent storage, also stress the vital importance of businesses contributing to nature restoration beyond simply the purchasing of carbon credits. The Revised Oxford Principles (2024), states:
<blockquote>It is necessary to protect and restore ecosystems to achieve net zero globally and to support adaptation to climate change impacts, irrespective of whether such projects generate credits that are retired as offsets.</blockquote>
Making a contribution to Ecologi’s Impact Funds won’t reduce your emissions for you, and it won’t allow you to make compensatory green claims such as carbon neutrality. But what it will do is enable your business to do its part to support the global transition to net-zero, holistically protect and restore ecosystems, and empower people and communities – whilst you’re working on reducing your emissions.
Doing so will help you meet the BVCM criteria set out by the SBTi and Oxford Net Zero today, and we believe these contributory approaches will form the backbone of project funding obligations under new and updated standards in the future too – such as the revised SBTi Corporate Standard and the ISO Net-Zero Standard (both expected to be published in Q4 of 2025).
We can also help you if you’re looking for <a href="https://x.ecologi.com/page/schedule-a-call" target="_blank" rel="noopener">high-quality carbon removal or avoidance credits</a> for your business. And if you’re a little earlier on in your net-zero journey and you need support measuring your business’s emissions, <a href="https://zero.ecologi.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noopener">we can help with that too</a>!

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<h2>Why should my business contribute to Impact Funds?</h2>
Best for our planet. Our first company value is Planet First — and nowhere in our work is this more prominent than in our Impact Funds. We know that this strategic, holistic way of providing funding to the world’s flagship restoration projects is the right way to support projects that address climate change, restore nature and support livelihoods. This approach is innovative, transformational, and the world’s leading restoration experts support it.
Centralise your portfolio. Through our Impact Funds, you can fund a wide range of different climate and nature projects, all in one place. All of the hard work – from project selection to outcomes reporting – is done by us. You’ll have a centralised Ecologi profile where you can visualise your impact across the Funds you’ve contributed to, and deep dive on the projects supported within them.
High-integrity, high-quality projects. Our expert in-house team selects all projects and implementation partners with great care. We’ve designed state of the art methodologies that get right to the heart of a project’s potential effectiveness, and we work tirelessly with each of our implementation partners to uphold restoration best practices and exchange knowledge. That way, you know that if a project is featured in one of our Impact Funds, it’s been carefully vetted and selected as one of the leading restoration projects anywhere.
Spread funding risk. When you support projects individually, there’s always a risk that if the project you supported doesn’t achieve its goals, you’ll feel that your contribution was wasted. Through Impact Funds, the funding you contribute is spread across a range of different projects within the Fund, meaning that even in the unlikely event that an individual project doesn’t work out, your funding will still have contributed to many projects which met or even exceeded their restorative aims.
Boost your brand. Contributing to Ecologi’s Impact Funds is an excellent way to enhance your brand’s sustainability credentials. Businesses today are increasingly expected to take action on environmental challenges, and supporting impactful projects is a powerful demonstration of your commitment to the planet. In fact, improved brand reputation is the number one driver for businesses, with over <a href="https://x.ecologi.com/articles/blog/climate-comittments-report-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">34% of Ecologi respondents</a> seeing their brand elevated as a result of climate action. By aligning with large-scale, verified restoration efforts, you not only meet consumer expectations but also stand out in a competitive marketplace, leaving a lasting impression on customers.
Engage and motivate your team. Supporting Ecologi’s Impact Funds aligns with the values of today&#8217;s workforce of sustainability and social responsibility; increasing satisfaction and loyalty. According to our survey, <a href="https://x.ecologi.com/articles/blog/climate-comittments-report-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">28% of companies</a> saw improved employee retention through prioritising climate action. By contributing to impactful projects, your business will foster a purpose-driven workplace and strengthen a culture of shared environmental values.

<h2>How to support Impact Funds today</h2>
Schedule a call with our exports today, <a href="https://x.ecologi.com/page/schedule-a-call" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. In a 30 minute discovery call they can answer any questions you may have and help find a suitable solution to suit your goals and what matters most to your business. 
<h2>Our Impact Funds</h2>
We currently offer two Impact Funds, both funding a range of incredible projects with two distinct climate goals:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">UK Climate &amp; Nature Fund &#8211; Exclusively supports restoration and carbon removal efforts in the UK, such as reforestation, habitat restoration and biochar production. 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Forests &amp; Landscapes Fund &#8211; Focused on preserving and restoring natural landscapes globally, including forest restoration, agroforestry, and coastal wetland restoration.</li>
</ul>

Schedule a call

UK corporate sustainability standards explained

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In the guide we compare the strengths, weaknesses and approach to target setting, reporting and carbon offsets of the most commonly used sustainability frameworks.
In this guide we’ll cover;
<ul>
<li>What are Corporate Sustainability Standards</li>
<li>Which Corporate Sustainability Standards should UK businesses know</li>
<li>Requirements of PAS 2060</li>
<li>Requirements of ISO 14068-1:2023</li>
<li>Requirements of ISO 14064-1</li>
<li>Principles of BSI Flex 3030</li>
<li>What are EightVersa’s Natural Carbon Solutions</li>
<li>SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standards</li>
<li>How Ecologi can support your business in navigating the complexities of Corporate Sustainability Standards</li>
</ul>

<h2>What are Corporate Sustainability Standards</h2>
Many organisations worldwide have pledged to meet net-zero Emissions, aiming to help keep global warming below 1.5°C as agreed at COP15. These pledges are important, but they need clear guidelines and frameworks to ensure that sustainability strategies lead to real and measurable progress.
<h3>Why are there Corporate Sustainability Standards?</h3>
A variety of frameworks have been developed to support organisations on their journey to reducing carbon emissions. They help align companies with global climate goals, offering guidance on topics such as resource management, goal setting and reporting. Following these guidelines ensures that organisations act responsibly, and take accountability for their impact contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
To reach net zero, these sustainability standards must be widely adopted to minimise the risk of organisations participating in greenwashing and contribute to collective global action to minimise the impacts of global warming.
<h2>Which Corporate Sustainability Standards should my business know about</h2>

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<h2>What is PAS 2060?</h2>
PAS 2060 was first published in 2010, it aimed to provide the requirements for achieving carbon neutrality for products and organisations alike. After 15 years in operation, PAS 2060 will be retired at the end of 2025, and superseded by ISO 14068- 1:2023.
The standard provides organisations with a methodology for measuring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and allows for the purchasing of carbon credits to offset any emissions that can’t be reduced.
<h2>What are the requirements of PAS 2060</h2>
<h3>Measure</h3>
PAS 2060 requires organisations to first measure their carbon footprint, accounting for all Scope 1 and 2 emissions, as well as any Scope 3 emissions that constitute more than 1% of the organisation&#8217;s overall emissions.
<h3>Reduce</h3>
Organisations must then create and implement a carbon reduction plan (CRP). This plan should clearly outline specific actions and targets for reducing emissions over time.
<h3>Offset</h3>
After reducing emissions, organisations can then offset remaining emissions using third-party verified carbon credits, these can be carbon avoidance or carbon removal credits.
<h3>Document</h3>
Organisations must document their carbon neutrality initiatives in a Qualifying Explanatory Statement (QES). This should be a public document that includes key information such as the carbon footprint calculation, reduction measures and offsetting activities.
<h3>Drawbacks</h3>
PAS 2060 does not require evidence of continual improvement to the organisation&#8217;s carbon footprint, which can lead to an over-reliance on carbon offsets, as opposed to meaningful reductions in carbon emissions. Additionally, a PAS 2060 application must be accompanied by at least one year’s worth of supporting data therefore, PAS 2060 should not be considered for new clients/projects after December 2024.

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<h2>What is ISO 14068-1:2023</h2>
ISO 14068-1:2023 is a new standard under development by the British Standards Institute (BSI). As mentioned above, ISO 14068-1 replaces PAS 2060.
The standard aims to provide the requirements and guidance for achieving and demonstrating carbon neutrality. Unlike PAS 2060, the standard applies to organisations only and does not apply to products.
ISO 14068-1:2023 is a full international standard that prioritises carbon reduction initiatives. This standard requires evidence that reduction initiatives have taken place before any carbon offsetting is allowed.
<h2>What are the requirements of ISO 14068-1:2023</h2>
<h3>Measure</h3>
Organisations will need to measure their Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions under this standard.
<h3>Reduce</h3>
They will then need to set clear and ambitious targets to reduce their emissions. Whilst purchasing carbon credits to offset emissions is allowed under this standard, organisations must be able to justify why offsets were purchased instead of undertaking further emission reductions.
<h3>Offset</h3>
Carbon removal offsets are approved to offset any ‘hard to remove’ emissions, providing they are less than 5 years old. This standard does not allow for the purchasing of carbon avoidance credits.
<h3>Document</h3>
ISO 14068-1:2023 also requires a carbon reduction plan, which documents the resources necessary to successfully deliver the plan, and the individuals responsible. The continuous improvement of the subject’s carbon footprint is required to maintain a carbon-neutral status unlike PAS 2060.
<h3>Drawbacks</h3>
It could be argued that ISO 14068-1:2023 requires a deep understanding of carbon accounting, emission reduction strategies and value chain emissions. Many organisations don&#8217;t have this expertise in-house and would therefore have to appoint an external third party to support them through the process, this could result in high costs to implement this standard which new and/or small companies may not have.

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<h2>What is ISO 14064-1</h2>
ISO 14064 guides organisations in reporting their GHG emissions and removals. The primary objectives of the standard are to help organisations manage and report emissions, and set and achieve reduction targets. It is a part of the 3 part ISO 14064 standard and applies to any organisation of any size.
<h2>What are the requirements of ISO 14064-1</h2>
ISO 14064-1 is the first part of the 3-part standard, it aims to provide organisations with an approach to measure, report and verify their emissions and offsets.
<h3>Measure</h3>
Organisations must outline which emission sources and activities are included in their reporting however ISO 14064-1 does not require the reporting of Scope 3 emissions.
<h3>Reduce</h3>
ISO 14064-1 does not explicitly require organisations to reduce emissions before engaging in offsetting however it does emphasise the importance of regularly reporting GHG emissions including prioritising emission reductions.
<h3>Offset</h3>
ISO 14064-1 recognises the use of carbon offsets as a legitimate tool for managing GHG emissions however places a strong emphasis on transparency and accurate reporting. ISO 14064-1 allows for both avoidance and removal credits providing they are credible, verifiable and meet recognised standards for offset projects such as additionality and permanence.
<h3>Document</h3>
ISO 14064-1 requires an inventory management plan that outlines data collection and reporting, and regular review of the GHG inventory. Additionally, a comprehensive GHG report should be prepared to detail the organisation&#8217;s emissions and purchased offsets.
<h3>Drawbacks</h3>
ISO 14064-1 also requires a comprehensive understanding of GHG accounting. This standard is largely focused on reporting, as opposed to action. There is no mandated emission reduction meaning organisations can meet emission targets through purchasing offsets alone, limiting the overall impact on global climate change mitigation.

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<h2>What is BSI Flex 3030</h2>
BSI Flex 3030 is a set of principles that can support organisations in meeting the requirements of other initiatives such as the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). BSI Flex was developed with small businesses in mind and is primarily for use by SMEs with between 5-250 employees.
BSI Flex 3030 is also designed to work alongside formal management systems such as ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) or BS EN ISO 50001 (Energy Management). It provides high-level principles and a framework for an organisation to deliver a transition to net zero. It covers how organisations can measure their GHG baseline, set reduction targets and create a credible pathway to net zero, it does not, however, cover how to develop and maintain a formal carbon or net-zero management system which highlights its position as a high-level framework to support organisations at the start of the carbon management journey.

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<h2>Natural Carbon Solutions, Eight Versa</h2>
The purpose of Natural Carbon Solutions (NCS) is to provide businesses with a transparent way to measure, verify and evidence carbon reduction efforts. This standard covers organisations, products and events.
<h2>What are the requirements of Natural Carbon Solutions (NCS)</h2>
<h3>Measure</h3>
Under the NCS accreditation, organisations must complete a detailed assessment of all GHG emissions associated with the organisation/product/event being measured.
<h3>Reduce</h3>
NSC prioritises the reduction of emissions before any offsetting activities. The framework includes setting specific and measurable carbon reduction targets.
<h3>Offset</h3>
Offsetting emissions is considered a valid step in the journey to net-zero but only after all efforts to reduce emissions have been made. Currently, both avoidance and removal credits can be purchased to compensate for any unavoidable emissions; however looking to the future, it is likely only removal credits will be approved under this accreditation.
<h3>Document</h3>
Organisations must implement a carbon reduction plan outlining the strategies and actions required to reduce their carbon footprint. If the organisation is using carbon offsets detailed documentation must be provided evidencing the chosen project is of high quality and environmental integrity.
<h3>Drawbacks</h3>
Although this accreditation emphasises the importance of carbon reduction, there are no mandatory reduction targets in place, this could result in some organisations relying on offsets to reach net-zero.

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<h2>SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard</h2>
The purpose of the SBTi Corporate net-zero Standard is to guide companies in setting credible and measurable targets to achieve net-zero emissions. The Corporate net-zero Standard is suitable for any organisation but is particularly useful for those with large, complex operations and significant carbon emissions to ensure they commit to credible, science-based emission reduction targets.
<h2>What are the requirements of the SBTi CZS</h2>
<h3>Measure</h3>
Under the SBTi standard, companies are required to measure and record their Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
<h3>Reduce</h3>
The standard requires organisations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 90-95% by 2050 or earlier across Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
<h3>Offset</h3>
The STBi emphasises that companies must prioritise real emissions reductions and offsetting is only permitted for unavoidable emissions. The SBTi only allows for carbon removal offsets providing they do not form part of any near-term carbon reduction targets for organisations.
<h3>Document</h3>
Organisations are to document near-term (5-10 years) emission reduction targets including the percentage reduction and target years in addition to long term targets for reaching net-zero by 2050 with detailed plans for reducing emissions 90-95% across all scopes. This documentation will be formally submitted to the SBTi for validation will ensure they are aligned with the science based criteria for limiting global warming emissions.
Organisations must report annually on their emissions and progress towards meeting their targets, they are also required to publicly disclose their targets, progress and emission data.
<h3>Drawbacks</h3>
The SBTi corporate net-zero standard is a detailed initiative that requires a lot of time and resources. The standard also requires organisations to only purchase permanent carbon removal credits, which are typically more costly, and less widely available making this route less desirable and achievable for smaller businesses.

An overview of Corporate Sustainability Standards: 

<h2>Benefits to Corporate Sustainability Standards for your business</h2>
Navigating corporate sustainability standards can be a daunting process, with so many to choose from it’s difficult to know which is going to be right for your business. Understanding and adhering to these frameworks can be of great benefit to your organisation, driving greater transparency, economic benefits and the opportunity to contribute to global decarbonisation efforts.

<h2>Are you ready to take climate action?</h2>
Our team of experts can help your business tackle the hurdles of corporate sustainability standards in the UK. If this guide has inspired your business to start funding climate action, talk to our team today.

What is a carbon footprint, and how is it measured?