Carbon footprint, SBTi and EcoVadis bronze for an agency
“We care about the planet” was no longer enough.
Goahead is a small to medium-sized company (SME). It works mostly for large brands and corporations, in a typical office model. It has no production of its own and no large-scale logistics. For years it talked about its environmental values, but the team felt this was not enough.
Customers expected more, and tenders asked about the carbon footprint. Saying “we care about the planet” was not enough. The goal was to measure the footprint and also to organise the company’s climate work for EcoVadis and SBTi.
The company had no corporate carbon footprint for Scopes 1 and 2.
Its website described green actions, but without numbers or a consistent method.
It was not clear how EcoVadis and SBTi requirements apply to a small service company.
The team wanted to avoid greenwashing, because as an agency it advises clients on communication.
Four steps that suit a small team.
Kick-off and scope mapping
Organisational and operational boundaries, a map of sources typical for a service company, a timeline and roles.
Footprint for Scopes 1 and 2
Scope 1 and 2 emissions: electricity and heat in the offices and team travel. The results can be compared year on year.
Target in line with SBTi
We chose an approach that fits an SME, set a reduction target for Scopes 1 and 2 and submitted it to SBTi.
Getting ready for EcoVadis
A review of policies and practices, a list of gaps and organised evidence. The result was a bronze medal.
An office-based company should also measure its footprint.
The team used to say “as a service company we hardly emit anything”. Now it has a clear picture. Most emissions come from office energy and team travel, so that is where action makes sense.
Credibility based on data, not on claims
First corporate footprint
A complete corporate footprint, updated every year and compared year on year.
Target in line with SBTi
An emission reduction target that fits the size and type of a service business.
EcoVadis bronze medal
Outside confirmation that the ESG approach is mature and the processes are in order.
Credible messages
Consistent messages about climate action on the website and in proposals.
A stronger position
A consistent, data-based message in talks with global clients and partners.
Less greenwashing
Environmental claims based on data, a clear method and outside standards.
You do not need a large ESG team to follow good practice. What matters is the right tools and a partner who turns complex standards into a simple plan that a small team can carry out.
A small company with real ESG requirements?
We will show you how to handle the footprint, SBTi and EcoVadis without a large ESG team.