Five Early Steps to Prepare for Your Carbon Report
Prepare your carbon report with 5 key steps: frameworks, emissions inventory, reduction targets, and tools for sustainability success.
Ava Montini
Jan 21, 2025
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Preparing a carbon report is a powerful opportunity to align your organization with forward-thinking strategies, meet stakeholder expectations, and uncover new ways to enhance operational efficiency. As sustainability continues to shape the business landscape, reporting on carbon emissions has evolved beyond compliance to become a cornerstone of long-term value creation.
The reality is clear: over 66% of the world's largest companies now disclose climate-related data through frameworks like CDP, reflecting the growing demand for transparency. In the U.S., buildings alone account for approximately 31% of total greenhouse gas emissions, making industries like real estate and property management key players in addressing climate challenges.
While the process can seem complex, it is entirely manageable with the right approach. From understanding reporting frameworks to streamlining data collection, this journey is about building a clear, actionable plan that sets your organization up for success. By focusing on key priorities and leveraging proven strategies, you can take confident steps toward creating a carbon report that reflects your commitment to innovation and leadership.
Here's how to begin:
1. Understand the Frameworks and Requirements
Carbon reporting begins with understanding the frameworks and regulations that apply to your organization. These frameworks are essentially the rulebooks that guide how you measure, calculate, and present emissions data. Choosing the right one depends on your industry, geographic location, and specific requirements from stakeholders, investors, or regulators.
For example, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) is a foundational standard that categorizes emissions into three scopes: Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased energy), and Scope 3 (all other indirect emissions across your value chain). Meanwhile, platforms like CDP and frameworks like TCFD focus on how companies disclose emissions to investors and other audiences.
The first step is identifying which frameworks are required or preferred for your organization. U.S.-based companies should pay particular attention to the SEC’s proposed rules for climate disclosures, which could require public companies to report more detailed emissions data. Additionally, consulting with sustainability professionals or using resources like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s Corporate Standard can provide clarity and structure.
Scopes 1, 2 and 3 Emissions Inventorying and Guidance | US EPA
2. Build a Comprehensive Emissions Inventory
Your emissions inventory is the foundation of your carbon report. It involves identifying and quantifying all emissions across your organization. This inventory will include direct emissions from owned assets, indirect emissions from energy use, and, if applicable, emissions from your value chain.
To start, define your organizational boundaries. Will you report emissions based on operational control (activities you oversee directly) or equity share (based on your ownership percentage)? Next, gather data from utility bills, fuel logs, procurement records, and any other relevant sources. If collecting this data feels overwhelming, prioritize high-impact emissions sources first, such as energy use or transportation, and expand from there.
Digital tools can simplify this process. Platforms like EPA’s Simplified GHG Emissions Calculator or specialized carbon accounting software can help centralize and automate data collection. Partnering with teams across your organization—such as facilities management and procurement—can also ensure data is accurate and complete.
Not all emissions are equally significant, and prioritizing high-impact areas can make your efforts more effective. By focusing on emissions sources that account for the largest share of your footprint or are most relevant to stakeholders, you can direct resources where they’ll have the greatest impact.
To prioritize effectively, consider conducting a materiality assessment. This process involves evaluating which emissions sources are most relevant to your business and stakeholders. Engaging with investors, clients, and regulators can provide additional insights into what matters most. Benchmarking your data against industry peers can also help you identify areas where your organization may be lagging or leading.
Visualizing emissions through heatmaps or similar tools can further clarify where to focus your efforts. These insights can guide decisions on upgrades, retrofits, or supply chain adjustments, ensuring your carbon reporting efforts translate into meaningful action.
Once you have a clear picture of your emissions, the next step is setting reduction targets that align with your organizational goals. These targets provide direction and accountability, signalling to stakeholders that you’re serious about sustainability.
Begin by establishing a baseline year—a starting point against which future progress will be measured. From there, set short- and long-term goals. For example, you might aim to reduce Scope 2 emissions by 25% over five years through renewable energy procurement or energy efficiency upgrades. Aligning your targets with global initiatives like the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) can further demonstrate your commitment to climate goals.
Regularly communicating progress toward these goals can help build trust with investors, tenants, and other stakeholders. Transparency about challenges and adjustments also demonstrates your commitment to continuous improvement.
Successful carbon reporting requires robust infrastructure and a knowledgeable team. Whether it’s tools for data collection or employee training, these investments can streamline the process and ensure accuracy.
Many companies start by adopting carbon accounting software, which automates data management and reporting. Platforms like Sphera, Envizi, or Ecovadis offer features that track emissions across scopes, analyze trends, and generate reports tailored to specific frameworks. For organizations with complex operations, these tools can save significant time and effort.
Equipping your team with the right expertise is equally important. Training employees on reporting frameworks, data collection methodologies, and compliance requirements can reduce reliance on external consultants over time. Partnering with third-party verification bodies can also enhance the credibility of your reports, especially if they’ll be shared with investors or regulators.
Preparing for your carbon report is about more than compliance—it’s a strategic opportunity to lead on sustainability, improve operations, and strengthen stakeholder relationships. While the process may seem complex, following these five steps will provide a clear roadmap to get started.
As you embark on this journey, remember that every organization’s path will look a little different. What matters most is taking the first step and building momentum. By investing in education, planning, and collaboration, you can turn the challenge of carbon reporting into an opportunity to create lasting value for your business and the environment.
Understanding CADR for Air Purifiers
Jennifer Crowley
Jul 30, 2023
The CADR rating is essential in determining an air purifier’s effectiveness and helps consumers compare the performance of models and brands, making it easier to find an air purifier that will meet their needs.
With the growing concern over indoor air pollution, air purifiers have become an increasingly popular appliance in many homes. However, with so many options on the market, choosing the right air purifier can take time and effort. In addition, consumers are often faced with various specifications, features, and marketing claims, making it difficult to compare different models and determine the best fit for their needs. One key factor that can help differentiate air purifiers and make the decision-making process easier is understanding the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating.
This blog will explore CADR and how it can help you choose the right air purifier for your indoor space.
What is CADR
Clean Air Delivery Rate, or CADR, is a widely recognized benchmark established by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) in the United States. This independent organization certifies and verifies the performance of air purifiers through CADR testing, ensuring that the manufacturer’s claims are accurate. This makes it easier for consumers to identify which air purifiers are the most effective in removing indoor air pollutants like dust, pollen, and smoke.
CADR evaluates the performance of an air purifier based on the amount of clean air it produces per minute and the size of the room it is intended to be used in.
CADR Certification
Air purifiers with an AHAM-verified CADR rating are tested using a standardized method. According to AHAM, a CADR figure is tested through a standardized method in a test chamber with a volume of 1,008 cubic feet. As the tested air purifier runs at full speed, the amount of dust, pollen, and smoke contaminants is continuously monitored. The air purifier’s CADR rating is calculated based on how long a unit takes to purify the air.
Understanding Why CADR for Air Purifiers is Important
The CADR rating is essential in determining an air purifier’s effectiveness. It helps consumers compare the performance of different models and brands, making it easier to find an air purifier that will meet their specific needs. For example, air purifiers with higher CADR ratings will be able to clean the air in a space more quickly than models with a lower CADR rating.
‘The higher the CADR, the better the performance.’
In addition to a CADR rating, here is a short list of the areas we recommend you consider when buying an air purifier:
Filter efficiency, size and amount of filter media
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