For many companies, measuring a carbon footprint still feels like stepping into the unknown. The terminology is complex, the data is scattered, and the process can seem never-ending. Yet behind that first wave of confusion lies something powerful: a structured view of where your company truly stands in its climate impact.
From our experience at Sustinere, the challenge is rarely about intent. Most businesses want to understand and reduce their footprint. The real question is how to make the process practical. Based on more than a hundred assessments across different industries, Susanna Vain shares four tested ways to simplify the journey in a practical, results-focused way.
These ideas were at the heart of Sustinere’s recent webinar Carbon footprint assessment made simple, led by Environmental Expert Susanna Vain. Known for turning complex frameworks into practical steps, she outlined a four-stage process that helps companies find confidence in their data and clarity in their decisions. With experience that spans industries and includes leading the development of Estonia’s national carbon footprint model for agriculture, Susanna has become one of the region’s most trusted voices in climate impact assessment.
1. Start with screening, not stress
Before collecting a single data point, take time to look at the big picture.
Screening means viewing your organisation through the lens of emissions: company structure, subsidiaries, ownership, and operational boundaries. Decide whether to base your analysis on operational control, financial control, or equity share.
Then map where your impacts actually occur. For many companies, most emissions hide in Scope 3 – the value chain. Screening helps you see which categories matter most and which ones you can leave aside for now. Simply understanding the bigger picture already takes away much of the pressure that often surrounds the first assessment.
In early assessments, it’s often enough to focus on direct emissions (Scopes 1–2) and upstream Scope 3 activities, leaving downstream impacts for later. The aim is not perfection but progress.
2. Choose your data approach wisely
When it comes to data, not all methods are equal.
A spend-based approach uses the euros spent on goods and services to estimate emissions. It’s quick, consistent, and works well as a first step. Especially for wide value chains.
An activity-based approach, on the other hand, uses physical units such as tonnes of material or litres of fuel. It reflects real consumption and enables proper target-setting.
Finally, a supplier-specific approach brings in verified data from your partners, such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
Each method has its place. Spend-based data helps identify high-impact areas, while activity-based and supplier-specific data build accuracy over time. What matters most is that the process remains transparent and repeatable.
3. Build habits around supplier data
EPDs are becoming a quiet revolution in climate accounting.
They offer product-level data verified by an independent third party, giving companies confidence in their calculations. Asking suppliers for EPDs is no longer an extra request. In sectors like construction and packaging, it’s becoming standard practice.
Developing a routine for collecting and storing EPDs pays off quickly. It simplifies future assessments and strengthens relationships across your supply chain. The more supplier-specific data you collect, the less time you spend guessing.
4. Let technology do the heavy lifting
Digital tools can turn a complex process into a manageable one.
At Sustinere, we built the Carbon Footprint Module within our digital workspace, Sustinere Hub, precisely for this purpose. The platform combines the rigour of the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064 with up-to-date emission factors, automated calculations, and expert support.
For companies that repeat their assessments year after year, this combination has cut costs by up to 60 percent through better data availability and quality. The platform adapts to different needs. From Scope 1–2 assessments to full value-chain calculations. That’s while keeping results verifiable, auditable, and benchmarked against peers.
From data to direction
A carbon footprint assessment is not an end in itself. It is a map for smarter decisions, clearer priorities, and long-term reduction planning. The process may seem technical, but at its core it’s about understanding your business better.
With a thoughtful start, reliable data, and the right digital tools, even the most complex footprint becomes manageable. That’s how measurement turns into momentum.