Carbon footprint is a topical issue at all levels, from international to individual. Although the manufacturing sector is a key driver of economic growth, its activities also pose serious risks. Many companies are therefore implementing initiatives to promote environmental goals. It is also the case here at Chemosvit.
What is carbon footprint
The carbon footprint, or greenhouse gas emissions, is one of the important areas related to sustainability. It is the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (e.g. methane, nitrous oxide or sulphur hexafluoride) output related to the activities of individuals, households, societies and countries.
Greenhouse gases retain infrared light in the Earth’s atmosphere, preventing it from scattering in space and redirecting it back to Earth, causing warming. Climate change due to the greenhouse effect also poses a risk to business. Direct risks include, for example, resource scarcity, limited production capacity or supply chain disruption.
In the long term, therefore, companies should be incentivised to influence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their own operations and the supply chains in which they are involved.
Legislation and carbon footprint reduction
The legislative framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions was created by the European Green Deal of 11 December 2019. Its main objective is to ensure that Europe achieves zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Slovak Republic is preparing to issue the Act on Climate Change and Low Carbon Transformation of Slovakia, which will transpose the European Green Deal into Slovak legislation.
The most common methods used by companies to assess their carbon footprint are the GHG Protocol and the ISO 14064-1 methodology. Both assess a company’s total GHG emissions over a closed financial period (usually 1 year).
Projects at Chemosvit to reduce carbon footprint
Reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is also possible through carbon offset projects. There are two types of projects. The first is aimed at reducing greenhouse gases by actively absorbing them (e.g. planting trees), the second at preventing them (e.g. installing renewable energy sources).
An example of type two is a project to improve offset EB printing technology, which was implemented thanks to a partner from Japan. The advantage is that waterless offset inks are solvent-free, which means virtually zero emissions.
Another example is projects focused on green technologies – installation of photovoltaic cells, replacement of LED lighting in production halls or modernisation of air-conditioning.
As companies, we should think about what we can do to reduce the environmental impact of our business. Let’s focus on green initiatives, both internally and externally.