Every company wants to talk about “net zero.” But when it comes to actually measuring your carbon footprint, most hit a wall.

Where do you start? What data do you need? How accurate does it have to be?

We’ve pulled together the most-searched questions businesses ask when trying to measure their carbon footprint — and the answers you actually need to move from good intentions to measurable action.

1. What exactly is a carbon footprint?

A company’s carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs)

it’s responsible for — directly or indirectly — across its operations and value chain.

This includes:

Scope 1: Direct emissions from sources you control (like fuel used in company vehicles or boilers).

Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased electricity or heating.

Scope 3: Everything else — supply chain, business travel, waste, purchased goods, employee commuting, and even how customers use your products.

For most companies, Scope 3 makes up over 70% of total emissions. It’s also the hardest to track — but the most important for investors, regulators, and customers.

2. Where do we start?

Start with what you control. Collect your Scope 1 and 2 data first — that’s your internal energy, fuel, and electricity use.

Then move outward to Scope 3 — suppliers, logistics, and downstream impacts.

A good rule of thumb: begin where your largest emission sources are, not necessarily where the data is easiest to find.

Set a baseline year (typically your most recent full year of data). The British Business Bank has an excellent guide to help small and mid-sized firms get started.

3. What data do we actually need?

To get a credible footprint, you’ll need:

Energy bills (electricity, gas, heating oil)

Fuel use (fleet vehicles, generators)

Waste disposal records

Business travel and employee commuting data

Procurement spend (for supplier-related emissions)

Product or logistics data (if applicable)

It sounds like a lot, but much of it already exists in finance or operations records. The challenge is bringing it all together in one place — and that’s exactly what carbon-reporting platforms like Emerald Power

are built to do.

4. How accurate does it need to be?

Perfection isn’t the goal — progress is.

You can start with estimates or spend-based calculations (using € or £ values from invoices), then refine over time with more detailed data.

Be transparent about assumptions and data gaps. Investors and regulators care more about a consistent methodology than about mathematical perfection.

5. How do we handle Scope 3 emissions? (a.k.a. “The hard part”)

Scope 3 is the elephant in the room. It’s where most emissions sit, and where most companies struggle.

Here’s how to tackle it:

Map your value chain – Identify which activities are material (purchased goods, logistics, waste, etc.).

Engage suppliers – Ask for their emissions data or estimated intensity factors.

Use smart data collection tools – Platforms like Emerald Power can standardise and aggregate supplier data across your portfolio.

Refine annually – Improve quality and coverage as more suppliers participate.

Remember: partial data is still better than none. It gets you started on the right trajectory.

6. Why should we even measure it?

Aside from helping the planet (which should be enough), the business case is strong:

Investor and customer pressure — Disclosure is fast becoming a requirement under EU sustainability rules like CSRD and SFDR.

Operational savings — Energy and waste tracking highlight inefficiencies.

Competitive edge — Sustainability is now a decision-making factor for clients and partners.

Future-proofing — Carbon data is the new financial data: it drives risk, valuation, and compliance.

Put simply: if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it — and you can’t report it.

7. What do we do after measuring?

Once you’ve got your footprint: Set reduction targets (e.g., aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative).

Build an action plan to reduce key emission sources.

Track progress annually and update your stakeholders.

Report transparently under whichever framework applies (GHG Protocol, CSRD, or TCFD).

The first year is about building visibility. Every year after that is about driving improvement.

8. Do we need a consultant or can we do it ourselves?

Small businesses often start in-house with spreadsheets and free calculators — such as those offered by the Carbon Trust or Ecologi.

But as data volume grows — especially if you’re managing multiple sites or portfolio companies — manual tracking becomes messy fast.

That’s where digital tools come in. Carbon management platforms like Emerald Power automate data collection, calculate emissions in line with the GHG Protocol, and help you report once, reuse everywhere (investors, clients, regulators).

9. How often should we measure?

Annually is standard — aligning with your financial reporting cycle.

But leading firms track data quarterly or even in real time to spot inefficiencies faster.

If you’re reporting under CSRD, you’ll need annual disclosures anyway, so building this rhythm now saves headaches later.

10. What frameworks or standards should we follow?

Stick to recognised standards — they’ll keep you credible:

GHG Protocol

– The global standard for carbon accounting.

ISO 14064

– Certification framework for GHG emissions.

Science Based Targets (SBTi)

– For setting reduction targets.

CDP/ CSRD/ SFDR

– Reporting and disclosure frameworks.

These standards give structure — and help ensure your numbers hold up under investor or auditor scrutiny.

Final Word: Start Simple, Scale Smart

Measuring your carbon footprint doesn’t need to be a bureaucratic nightmare. The key is getting started, even imperfectly, and building maturity over time.

That’s why Emerald Power exists — to make carbon and ESG data collection effortless for asset managers, portfolio companies, and SMEs.

We help you go from data chaos to carbon clarity, without the spreadsheets.