Why is carbon footprint important today?
Climate change is profoundly transforming our planet and manifesting itself in increasingly frequent extreme weather events, such as more frequent floods, intense heat waves, torrential rains and rapidly changing seasons.
The carbon footprint corresponds to the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. It takes into account carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and hydrofluorocarbons, and is expressed in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. This indicator makes it possible to assess the climate impact of an individual, an organisation, a product or a service. [1]
However, in today’s market, your carbon footprint is more than just a number: it is a strategic lever for growth, compliance and reputation. [8]
Beyond the calculator: profitability analysis
Carbon footprint is not just about measuring emissions; it also involves risk management, cost reduction, business opportunities and reputation.
Companies are increasingly realising that carbon emissions reporting is much more than a regulatory requirement. It enables them to anticipate legislative changes such as the CSRD, attract responsible investors and stand out in the market. By adopting a transparent approach, they gain credibility with their customers, partners and talent, while identifying new sources of efficiency and cost savings. This proactive approach strengthens their resilience to economic and political changes and transforms climate responsibility into a real competitive advantage. [3]
Furthermore, according to a study by Ibishova et al. (2024), reducing carbon emissions significantly improves companies’ financial performance, particularly as measured by return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). [2]
From figures to strategy
Calculating your carbon footprint is an essential step, but it is only the starting point for an effective decarbonisation process. Once emissions have been identified, it is crucial to translate them into concrete, quantified reduction scenarios. We therefore move from observation to action by identifying the most significant emissions (Scope 3 hotspots). This enables us to establish a clear roadmap aligned with the company’s ESG or CSR objectives, ensuring that each initiative contributes to overall sustainable development goals. [4]
These scenarios must be tailored to the company’s specific business model, taking into account its activities, value chain and stakeholders. For example, Danish brand Ganni measured its carbon footprint and reduced its emissions by 7% between 2021 and 2023, despite an 18% increase in turnover, notably by eliminating virgin leather, which accounted for a third of its material-related emissions, while preserving its products. The company has therefore succeeded in reducing its absolute emissions in 2023 while involving its suppliers and integrating sustainability into its corporate culture. [5]
Importance of anticipation
In July 2024, Porsche had to revise its financial forecasts for the 2024 financial year downwards due to shortages in the supply of aluminium, which is essential for the production of its vehicles. This situation was caused by flooding at a European supplier’s factory, highlighting the vulnerability of supply chains to extreme weather events. [6]
This incident highlights the crucial importance for companies to anticipate climate risks and integrate resilience into their strategy. Despite growing awareness, many companies still underinvest in climate adaptation. According to a report by the Boston Consulting Group and Quantis, nearly three-quarters of companies spend less than 0.1% of their revenue on adaptation strategies, and less than 20% assess climate risks across their entire value chain. [7]
This lack of investment and systemic vision exposes companies to increased risks that could affect their long-term performance and competitiveness. The example of Porsche clearly illustrates the consequences of insufficient preparation for the impacts of climate change.
Why work with us?
At A Beautiful Green, we combine human expertise and strategy, not just technical know-how. With experience in B Corp and ESR certification, we also help companies obtain EcoVadis certification. With Tapio, we calculate your carbon footprint and transform the results into concrete actions. Agile, bespoke and collaborative, we co-develop each project so that your sustainability ambitions become a real lever for transformation.
A sustainable and responsible strategy therefore involves several steps, the most important of which is measuring a company’s carbon emissions. If you would like to find out more about the process or discuss your carbon footprint project with us, please do not hesitate to contact us!
References:
[1] https://earth.org/what-does-carbon-footprint-mean/
[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1057521924006896
[3] https://climateseed.com/fr/blog/why-measure-your-carbon-footprint
[4] https://www.greenflex.com/actualites/articles/bilan-carbone-entreprises-tout-comprendre/
[7] https://www.novethic.fr/environnement/climat/adaptation-climatique-entreprises-progres-chiffres-2025
[8] https://sbnsoftware.com/blog/how-does-carbon-footprint-tracking-support-risk-management-strategies/
Edwige Filot