Frequently asked questions

To measure carbon footprint, you need to calculate the amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gases emitted by the entity in question.

1. First collect data on your activities that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Then calculate emissions using emission factors or other established methods to calculate the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by each activity.
3. And lastly convert the emissions of other greenhouse gases to their CO2 equivalents.

With Biocode, the calculation is fairly easy as the emission factors and the converting part is build into the tool. Users only need to enter the data from their own processes.

The different life cycles used in Biocode are: raw materials, sourcing, production, and packaging. This approach is referred to as “cradle-to-gate,” and it specifically evaluates stages up to the point where the product leaves the factory, providing insights into production-related impacts. The usage and disposal phases can be assessed separately.

Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) states that “The cut-off criterion to be applied in PEF studies is that modelled flows must account for at least 90% of the overall contributions to each of the environmental impact categories considered.” Therefore it is possible to leave something (max 10%) out from the LCA of the product. However, LCA needs to present the most relevant things in the product.

Calculating energy usage in such cases can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that life cycle assessment is called an “assessment” for a reason. Sometimes, you may need to make your best estimate and make adjustments later if necessary. One way to roughly estimate product-specific energy consumption is by considering factors such as the mass ratio of the products or the time spent in production.

Biocode’s calculation method is built upon two key standards from the ISO 14000 series. ISO 14067 serves as the international standard for calculating product-specific carbon footprints, while ISO 14040 is the international standard for conducting life cycle assessments. These standards offer general guidance on calculating carbon footprints and conducting life cycle assessments.

Furthermore, the life cycle assessment generated using the Biocode calculator aligns with the PEF and IPCC guidelines, as well as the standards from international GHG protocol, which dictate how companies should calculate and report their emissions.

For more detailed explanations, please visit the principle page.

The company’s emissions are divided into three different categories, known as ‘scopes.’

1️⃣ Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from the company’s own operations. For example, energy production, internal transportation, and manufacturing processes.

2️⃣ Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the company’s own operations. For example, heat, electricity, steam, or cooling.

3️⃣ Scope 3 emissions arise in the company’s supply chains. These indirect emissions can occur, for example, in the procurement of raw materials, the manufacturing of products, their use and disposal, or in consumer use.

In the emissions accounting webinar, we discussed in detail what the company needs to consider in GHG emissions calculation.

The company’s carbon footprint is essentially the negative climate impact caused by its own operations, which includes not only carbon dioxide but also six other greenhouse gases, each with different factors. Their combined warming effect on the climate is referred to as the carbon footprint, measured in carbon dioxide equivalent units.

The easiest way to start calculating your company’s carbon footprint is to use Biocode’s emissions calculator. Watch the video to see how conveniently the calculation can be done in Biocode.

Our Carbon Footprint Calculation Guide will also help you get started!

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) gradually imposes new calculation and reporting requirements on companies. Sustainability reporting, formerly known as responsible reporting, is divided into the following areas: Good Governance, Environmental Responsibility, and Social Responsibility.

Environmental Responsibility encompasses the calculation and reporting of emissions from both company operations and the value chain (Scope 1, 2, and 3), water usage, prevention of impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as the quantity and treatment of waste and byproducts.

Currently, Biocode allows for the calculation and reporting of emissions, and there are also plans in the product roadmap to incorporate other environmental impact calculation features.

Scope 1 emissions sources include, for example, a company’s energy production, internal transportation, and emissions generated in the manufacturing process.

Scope 2 emissions sources encompass heating, purchased electricity, steam, or cooling.

Scope 3 emissions are generated within a company’s value chains and can include emissions related to business travel, investments, raw material procurement, product manufacturing, usage, or disposal. Calculating these emissions accurately is the most challenging.

In the food industry, the majority of value chain emissions typically occur in the primary production stage. Therefore, Biocode’s carbon footprint calculation for primary production is an excellent way to track these emissions.

Carbon neutrality refers to the state where the activities of a particular entity do not increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. According to the PAS2060 standard, this includes a company’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. So, if a company manages to eliminate emissions from its own operations, it can be called carbon-neutral.

Net zero is a broader concept than carbon neutrality because it also takes into account emissions from the entire value chain, including Scope 3 emissions. This definition has been established by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi). This initiative also specifies that science-based net zero goals must align with the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Climate Agreement.

The Biocode calculator incorporates both emission factors and the conversion of all greenhouse gases into carbon dioxide equivalents. We closely monitor the regulations, protocols, and standards to ensure that the calculator is always based on the latest information. The primary guidelines guiding the calculator are the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which you can explore further on the calculation principles page.

Your username is your email address. If it doesn’t work, please reach out to us at contact@biocode.io via email.

You can reset your password on the login page by clicking on “Request a password change email.” If you don’t receive the email, please check your junk mail folder. If you still can’t find it, send an email to contact@biocode.io, and we will assist you further.

Yes, you can. However, you should know the approximate inputs, especially for the raw materials. Energy consumption and packaging can be based on similar previous assessments.

Yes, you can copy your assessments. You can either copy the full assessment or only import the answers of filled forms to a new form.

Our specialist always get you started with the calculations. Biocode’s LCA specialist verify the calculations that will be used publicly. If you want to have more products verified than is included in your plan, please contact our sales.

Farmers and producers can create Biocode account and use it for free. Everyone else can create Biocode free trial account! The trial period for food products’ calculator is two weeks, and after that you can upgrade to paid plan.

The paid licence is valid for one year. Life Cycle Analysis are typically done for the last calendar year.

If you want to cancel your paid plan, contact your sales person or send us an email: support@biocode.io.