Carbon footprint assessment for an organization : case Korja-Kumi Oy

Abstract

Climate warming is a fundamental threat to the biodiversity of different species and human health. Various human activities increase the concentrations of GHGs in the atmosphere. GHGs directly contribute to climate change by accelerating temperature rise. Carbon footprint assessment helps companies determine the major sources of emissions and take targeted actions to reduce them. Consequently, it establishes a solid basis for sustainability analyses. Conducting a carbon footprint assessment plays a crucial role in reducing emissions but also brings extra marketing benefits to an organization.

The thesis was commissioned by Korja-Kumi Oy, a Tampere-based rubber wholesaler specializing in the production and importation of technical rubber products, the company serves diverse industrial and retail sectors both within Finland and internationally. The thesis aimed to map the environmental impact of the organization's activities through carbon footprint assessment according to the GHG Protocol, identify the major sources of emissions in 2023, and provide improvement proposals for the organization. A data collection form was created based on the project kick-off meeting where operational and organizational boundaries were defined. Korja-Kumi Oy provided the data used in the assessment based on the form. Emission factors were determined mostly as secondary data from open-source literature and databases. The developed carbon footprint calculator serves as a tool for gathering and mapping climate emissions data annually.

Assessing the comparability of carbon footprints is challenging due to variations in protocols, organizational boundaries, and emission factor estimates. Furthermore, the limited availability of studies for public access adds to these challenges. While reporting Scope 1 and 2 emissions is mandatory, including Scope 3 emissions is strongly advised for a more comprehensive assessment, as it offers additional opportunities for reducing emissions. The GHG assessment of Korja-Kumi Oy revealed that 0.9% of emissions came from Scope 1, 2.3% from Scope 2, and the majority, 96.8%, from Scope 3. Carbon footprint tools have precision limitations. Regular reviews of GHG assessments are crucial due to changing emission factors, ensuring up-to-date data for sustainability analysis. For the next assessment, obtaining precise procurement data was proposed to understand actual emissions and develop more effective measures.