Please join us in Brussels:

Carbon Accounting for Companies

December 10: Conference

December 11: Research Sessions: Supply Chain challenges as a result of CSRD and Carbon Accounting standards.

Carbon Accounting for Cities

December 10: Research Sessions: SCollaboration is a key component for Cities, Municipalities and Regions to address climate action and sustainability strategies.

December 11: Conference


Please note: The Research Sessions are organized by CarbonExperts.EU 

The maximum number of participants is 60, of which no more than 20 represent climate technology knowledge partners and the remaining 40 represent the CarbonExpertsEU ESG User Group of sustainability professionals working in various industries across Europe.


These Research Sessions are organised by CarbonExperts.eu - the pan-European expertise network bringing together Sustainability, Climate and ESG directors, managers, and specialists to share expertise, best practises, challenges and application developments, while working on Net-Zero and decarbonisation.

Attendance is reserved for ESG professionals from the CarbonExperts User Group, as well as for Knowledge Partners of the CarbonExperts network.

"Supply Chain challenges as a result of CSRD and Carbon Accounting Standards"


Bringing together sustainability professionals and climate technology specialists — To better understand and discuss ways to improve key dilemmas by providing best practices, ideas, valuable information and guidance.


Research sessions - In Brussels, Belgium as follow-up to the Carbon Accounting for Companies conference which takes place at the same venue on December 10.

(1) December 11 (09.30-10.30) — The need for product footprints from suppliers

(2) December 11 (11.00-12.00) — Millions of SMEs will be affected by implication

(3) December 11 (13.30 -14.30) — How to close the accuracy gap

(4) December 11 (15.00-16.00) — How to deal with estimates in carbon accounting

SESSION 1: 11 DECEMBER 2024, 09.30 — 10.30

THE NEED FOR PRODUCT FOOTPRINTS FROM SUPPLIERS


CASE

Supply chains form a large part of a company’s environmental footprint. Some suppliers contribute the most to a company’s footprint and are crucial for both the company’s footprint measurements and increasing its opportunities for sustainable improvements. In addition, a large number of small suppliers could have a high impact on a company’s carbon emissions.

VALUE CHAIN PROBLEM

With the CSRD’s reporting requirements, primary environmental data from these impact-heavy suppliers becomes a must-have. The CSRD highly emphasizes this crucial role of value chains in measuring a company’s carbon emissions and its complete company environmental footprint (all environmental impacts). They want this footprint information to be as robust, transparent, and accurate as possible. And not rely completely on average environmental impact outputs.

RESEARCH ASSESSMENT OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY

Both the supply and demand side have to run this part steadily and completely in synch. Companies have to request their *tier 1 suppliers to also perform environmental footprint measurements of their own product(s). This is called a ‘product footprint’, and can be fed back into the main CSRD-compliant company’s own measurements. Businesses and providers of carbon accounting software should carry out their responsibilities in a responsible and efficient manner.

SESSION 2: 11 DECEMBER 2024, 11.00 — 12.00

MILLIONS OF SMEs WILL BE AFFECTED BY IMPLICATION


CASE

Large companies and organisations become mandated to report and start to cascade carbon data requests throughout their supply chain. While mandatory disclosures typically impact only large or listed businesses, millions of SMEs will be affected by implication. The quantum of SMEs is far larger than large firms. So is the effect they have on carbon emissions.

VALUE CHAIN PROBLEM

Not only do SMEs play a critical (and carbon intensive) role in the supply chain of big businesses who are now seeking carbon reports from their suppliers, but they also account for more than 50% of global emissions. As the wider supply chain increasingly demands accountable low carbon products and services, SMEs need to engage and focus on implementing the most straight forward carbon reduction opportunities before tackling longer term more complex initiatives.

RESEARCH ASSESSMENT OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY

Both reporting companies and providers of carbon accounting software have to find ways to support these SMEs. The policy agenda appears to show interest in the size of larger firms but is less cognisant about the larger overall size of their smaller counterparts. Knowing the level and rate of emissions will function as levers for working with SMEs. How to answer their need of guidance to navigate this new area to ensure that they stay compliant and join the decarbonisation movement.

SESSION 3: 11 DECEMBER 2024, 13.30 — 14.30

HOW TO CLOSE THE ACCURACY GAP


CASE

The accuracy gap can be traced back to the methodologies and data used in emissions estimates. Companies calculate their greenhouse gas emissions using two methodologies: spend-based and activity-based. In practice, businesses will often combine these two methodologies to achieve their calculations, using what’s called the “hybrid method.”

VALUE CHAIN PROBLEM

The spend-based method uses the financial value of a purchased good or service to estimate the emissions produced. The activity-based method, on the other hand, uses the units of the product or material. Activity data results in more accurate emissions calculations per activity but is more difficult and time-intensive to source than spend-based data, especially in the value chain. Accordingly, most businesses can’t calculate their entire carbon footprints using only activity data. This is especially true for large enterprises, which have enormously complex value chains to parse.

RESEARCH ASSESSMENT OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY

The GHG Protocol’s Corporate Standard Recommends that businesses follow the hybrid methodology. This involves performing an initial spend-based carbon footprint calculation to gain an emissions overview, then supplementing this calculation with activity data, beginning with the highest-emitting suppliers. So, the hybrid method combines comprehensiveness (spend-based) and precision (activity-based). How can businesses and its software providers work together to close the accuracy gap.

SESSION 4: 11 DECEMBER 2024, 15.00 — 16.00

HOW TO DEAL WITH ESTIMATES IN CARBON ACCOUNTING STANDARDS


CASE

While much work has been done in developing and implementing carbon accounting standards, there’s clearly a need for even better accounting. For instance, the current state of calculating emissions from suppliers and other entities in the value chain is challenging. However, easing the process has come at the expense of underreported emissions by large and small organisations alike.

VALUE CHAIN PROBLEM

Over-reliance on estimates is a big problem with some of the carbon accounting and reporting standards is that they often rely on estimates rather than actual data. The GHG Protocol, in particular, has received criticism for allowing and, in some ways, encouraging companies to use industry averages for estimating their value chain emissions

RESEARCH ASSESSMENT OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY

Carbon accounting standards have helped companies evaluate their emissions, but they do leave room for inaccuracy and greenwashing. For a greener future, it’s important to revisit and continuously improve these standards. Robust standards, paired with technology, can make carbon accounting even more reliable. Companies and carbon software providers should empower companies to use accurate data and comply with standards and regulations can help effect positive change.

"Collaboration is a key component for Cities, Municipalities and Regions to address climate action and sustainability strategies"


Bringing together public sector sustainability professionals and climate technology specialists — To better understand and discuss ways to improve key dilemmas by providing best practices, ideas, valuable information and guidance.


Research sessions - In Brussels, Belgium as a precursor to the Carbon Accounting for Cities conference which takes place at the same venue on December 11.

(1) December 10 (09.30-10.30) — Collaboration is key for smaller cities and municipalities

(2) December 10 (11.00-12.00) — How to engage local small and medium-sized businesses 

(3) December 10 (13.30-14.30) — Cities should work together to shift from carbon emissions estimation to measurement 

(4) December 10 (15.00-16.00) — Fostering collaboration on common accounting and reporting rules

SESSION 1: 10 DECEMBER 2024, 09.30 — 10.30

COLLABORATION IS KEY FOR SMALLER CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES


CASE

Cities account for more than 70% of global CO2 emissions. They are clearly critical to climate action, but they are also complex and highly interconnected urban systems, defined by region, smaller cities, suburbs and municipalities. The ambition of most cities has risen remarkably to go beyond their national governments’ climate change targets. Local authorities are the main promoters of this engagement towards a low-carbon future.

PROBLEM

Cities cannot reach carbon neutrality alone. Especially the smaller cities and municipalities often lack the tools to plan and manage the transition. Many are still managing staffing and budget shortfall challenges. Smaller cities often take on sustainability projects without the funding needed to hire specialized staff and to invest in the necessary tools and carbon accounting software.

RESEARCH ASSESSMENT OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY

With any initiatives and investments aimed at reducing emissions, it’s imperative to involve stakeholders from every level. Making the most of regional and urban partnerships is key. Stakeholders and experts from carbon software providers have to choose the best methodology and develop more complex inventories and low-carbon plans.

SESSION 2: 10 DECEMBER 2024, 11.00 — 12.00

HOW TO ENGAGE LOCAL SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES


CASE

Large companies and organisations in cities and regions will be mandated to account for and report on their emissions. On the other hand, SMEs account for more than 50% of global emissions. When cities and regions implement carbon strategies, they will request carbon data from local small and medium-sized companies. So, in each region or city, a large number of SMEs will be affected by implication.

PROBLEM

Not only can it be quite challenging for cities and regions to obtain comprehensive insights in the sustainability metrics of the small and medium-sized businesses in their location — and report on those. At the same time, local governments have to look for ways to get the small and medium-sized businesses in their location up to speed on this as well.

RESEARCH ASSESSMENT OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY

Not only cities and regions, but also providers of carbon software have to find ways to support these SMEs. The policy agenda appears to show interest in the size of larger firms but is less cognisant about the larger overall size of their smaller counterparts. Knowing the level and rate of emissions will function as levers for working with SMEs. How to answer their need of guidance to navigate this new area to ensure that they will be compliant and join the decarbonisation movement of their city or region.

SESSION 3: 10 DECEMBER 2024, 13.30 — 14.30

CITIES SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO SHIFT FROM CARBON EMISSIONS ESTIMATION TO MEASUREMENT


CASE

Cities do need much more accurate and up-to-date emissions data than what they are currently working with. Using estimates makes it very difficult for cities to understand where they are starting from, let alone being able to assess the real impact of the policies that they implement. Moreover, measurement-based approaches establish credible baselines for accessing climate finance.

PROBLEM

Mostly based on activity data and carbon emission factors, estimation-based emissions calculations lack accuracy. Estimates are only as good as the inputs into the model and chosen assumptions. Additionally, estimating emissions solely from the city's operations overlooks the significant contribution of third parties, such as residents, businesses, and industries, which account for approximately 90% of emissions.

RESEARCH ASSESSMENT OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY

Cities and Regions play a crucial role in global carbon emissions reduction efforts. However, to accelerate their decarbonization, it is essential for cities to move away from estimation-based approaches and instead focus on accurately measuring and reporting their emissions, whilst at the same time tracking the decarbonization process in real-time and establishing baseline and reduction data to access climate finance.

SESSION 4: 10 DECEMBER 2024, 15.00 — 16.00 

FOSTERING COLLABORATION ON COMMON ACCOUNTING & REPORTING RULES AND METHODS FOR CITIES AND REGIONS


CASE

Sustainability transformations hinge on data and end-to-end value transparency. The availability and management of accurate, verifiable data is essential to achieving ESG metrics and shared global goals. Cities must not only use tools to record, report, and act on sustainable business data within their operations; they also share it across their local networks, suppliers and partners to unlock the potential for decarbonisation at scale.

PROBLEM

Existing city carbon accounting methods and emission scopes are making cities’ carbon neutrality goals incomparable. Carbon accounting methodologies and frameworks are a crucial mechanism to ensure that genuine GHG savings are made by cities. The GHG Protocol for Cities serves as a benchmark, but additional Reporting Guidelines are explained and discussed.

RESEARCH ASSESSMENT OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY

To reach net-zero emissions before 2050, all cities need to account for and share their GHG emissions as a first step towards reducing them. Development of carbon accounting and reporting is one of the key areas of organisations as CDP and the World Resources Institute and city networks such as Carbon Neutral cities Alliance, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and the Climate Alliance. Research is entered on how to bridge the gap between local governments and climate action, and technology and expertise.


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