How can you communicate carbon footprinting results to stakeholders?

In my experience it is always good to start the presentation with 2 slides about the climate problem and the list of GHGs. There is still always someone in the room who has very limited knowledge and would feel lost during the discussions. (In the worst case that is the CEO.) So put up why we are doing it in general, what are the greenhouse gases and what are they doing, (and what not) will help to involve everyone.

To ensure that all stakeholders are interested and engaged, it is important to use simple language and avoid jargon or technical terms. Highlighting the impact of carbon footprinting on business can also be an effective way to get stakeholders interested. Emphasizing good practices and practical actions for stakeholders can also help to engage them. Good practices include identifying key stakeholders, choosing appropriate carbon metrics, creating a clear and concise report, tailoring the message to different stakeholder groups, encouraging a two-way dialogue, and utilizing various communication channels.

Know your audience is absolutely correct! understand what's important for each different stakeholder. When you talk the business people, talk about how this will impact the business and do not go too deep into the technicals. When it's to a customer, talk an example on product level footprint, compare different footprints by different products. Engage them, say that their choice matters and have an impact too. When it's to the Government/regulators, how we comply with the regulations and can contribute even further to their long-term vision/strategy. But more importantly, always listen to your audience. Otherwise you can completely miss on your delivery!

indeed clear communication is key. describing your impacts both past present and future using a relatable metric helps. for general consumer info we have used comparisons with # of trees equivolent and how many tons of CO2 a tree will absorb. compare your impact to number of cars. For corporate comparisons we continue to refer to the impact on a basic level as this information is key in various reporting systems.

Recent experience involved a detailed presentation to stakeholders where the outcomes were outlined in less technical terms and more highlights of financial implications. In each case the Q&A that followed enabled provision of further elaboration and clarifications. A detailed report followed with the assessment basis plus all the calculations for any stakeholder to obtain a second opinion if desired. In three cases that option was exercised. Result in each case was strengthening of the confidence level of the initial outcomes.

we should all shift to Science based targets SBT as the basis of targets and performance. this is a validated metric to work with.

Communicating carbon footprinting results to stakeholders effectively is crucial for raising awareness, demonstrating your commitment to sustainability, and fostering transparency. here are the key points for communicating carbon footprinting results to stakeholders: Identify key stakeholders. Choose appropriate carbon metrics. Create a clear and concise report. Tailor the message to different stakeholder groups. Encourage a two-way dialogue. Utilize various communication channels. Gather feedback and make improvements. Set carbon reduction targets and show progress. Consider third-party verification. Engage in sustainability initiatives and disclosure platforms.

When choosing carbon footprinting metrics, it is important to select the metrics that best reflect your performance, goals, and actions. You can use absolute emissions, which show the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by your activity, product, organization, or system; or you can use intensity emissions, which show the ratio of emissions to a unit of output, such as sales, production, or consumption. You can also use benchmarks, which show how your emissions compare to an industry average, a peer group, or a target. The various PCF standards give companies guidance and support the credibility of carbon footprint metrics in the marketplace, which makes them highly beneficial.

Effective carbon footprint communication requires selecting relevant metrics like absolute emissions, intensity emissions, or benchmarks. Explain scope, boundaries, assumptions, and methods used. Provide sources and standards references for transparency in conveying performance and goals.

In my experience, carbon reporting should be aligned with the appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and, more importantly, it requires a proper baseline. When companies can track results, they can effectively manage their performance and make improvements. Various ESG standards, such as GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), outline fundamental principles concerning data that can assist companies in conveying their carbon management story. These principles include data comparability, accuracy, timeliness, clarity, reliability, and balance.

Carbon footprinting is more than data. It's about the narrative. Explain why you measured emissions, what you've learned, and your reduction plans. Showcase achievements, challenges, and alignment with your vision and values. Be honest about limitations and invite stakeholder feedback and collaboration for a holistic sustainability story.

I would recommend using dashboards for monthly information and carbon emissions forecasts based on data analytics. Data integrity is a key element for this analysis and also follows the main reporting principles: comparability, accuracy, timeliness, clarity, reliability, and balance.

Storytelling is a crucial part of communicating carbon footprinting results to stakeholders. To tell an effective story, there are several good practices to consider. First, define your scope and goals, and choose appropriate carbon metrics. Second, create a clear and concise report that is easy to understand and navigate, with clear headings, subheadings, and summaries. Third, tailor the message to different stakeholder groups, and encourage a two-way dialogue. Fourth, utilize various communication channels that are most appropriate and effective for your audience, message, and budget.

Visuals enhance carbon footprint communication. Use charts, maps, diagrams, and images to illustrate data and actions. Employ colors, symbols, and labels to highlight messages, and provide context with captions and annotations. Maintain accuracy, consistency, and clarity for effective communication.

Share your impact by communicating how your carbon footprinting contributes to global and local efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and how it creates value for your stakeholders and yourself. Use examples, testimonials, case studies, or stories to show the benefits and outcomes of your carbon footprinting, such as cost savings, innovation, reputation, customer loyalty, employee engagement, or social responsibility. Express your commitment, motivation, and passion for carbon footprinting, and inspire your stakeholders to join you in your journey.

Focus carbon reporting and #climateaction on scope 1. Reducing fossil fuel use is our most urgent and measurable task. Too much time is wasted on scope 3 due to the effort put into bringing diverse supply chains up to scratch. I work with supply chains and there's good quality data out there - use it where and when you can to get off fossil fuels.

In my view the main objective is to accelerate creating a culture that support decarbonization within our organizations. To drive this culture change, there are several quick wins or easy actions that businesses can take. These include: 1. Work on your company culture: Improving your company culture can have a positive impact on employee engagement and motivation, which can lead to increased commitment to decarbonization efforts. 2. Employee Net Promoter Score: Measuring employee satisfaction and loyalty can help identify areas for improvement and increase engagement. 3. Benchmark your business: Comparing your carbon footprint to industry averages or best practices can help identify areas for improvement and set targets for reduction.

In my experience, transparency and accuracy in how you arrive to your numbers coupled with an assertiveness in defense of those numbers is critical. Many companies push projects and products with unrealistic expectations to potential customers. This can cause stakeholders to feel underwhelmed and not recognize the project which is more accurate in its representation of projected energy or emissions savings. This misrepresentation of savings diminishes the credibility of sustainability as a whole and, thus, behooves those proposing projects with environmental benefits to do so with the same commitment to quality as one would expect in a financial statement.