Finnish innovation makes food production’s total emissions visible

Insufficient information about the climate impact of food products complicates effective climate action within the food industry. Biocode, the developer of a digital carbon footprint calculator, has released a feature that allows companies not only to calculate their own emissions but also those of their entire supply chain.

Sustainable food production requires eliminating fossil emissions from the food system. Meaningful climate actions are only possible if companies have reliable data on emissions throughout their supply chain.

Calculating total emissions has been a challenge in the past. Now, the Finnish startup Biocode has developed a feature in its digital carbon footprint calculator that allows food companies to easily calculate the emissions generated by their supply chain, known as Scope 3 emissions.

These indirect emissions can arise from activities such as primary production, the purchase and use of products and services, business travel, or equipment investments. Often, Scope 3 emissions constitute the most significant portion of a company’s total emissions.

With the calculator, companies gain valuable insights into where in their supply chain carbon dioxide emissions originate. With reliable data, emissions can be effectively reduced.

Meaningful climate actions are crucial as companies strive to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030.

“We need to eliminate fossil emissions. We want to provide food industry players an easy to use tools to help them identify the most effective ways to combat climate change,” says Ernesto Hartikainen, CEO of Biocode.

Reporting requirements will be implemented gradually

In addition to meaningful climate actions, legislation will soon require companies to calculate and report their carbon dioxide emissions. Sustainability reporting requirements will change in 2024 when the European Commission’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is gradually implemented.

The directive requires companies to report on corporate responsibility. This comprehensive framework also includes environmental reporting, and reporting obligations cover emissions from both a company’s own operations and its entire supply chain.

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Large companies will be required to calculate supply chain emissions starting in 2024. Companies subject to reporting requirements will need emission data from their supply chain to meet their own reporting obligations. Therefore, smaller companies should also prepare for emission reporting.

“Biocode’s carbon footprint calculator is designed to simplify the calculations for both small businesses and multinational food brands. Achieving a sustainable food system is a collective task that requires the participation of the entire food chain,” says Hartikainen.

For more information:
Ernesto Hartikainen, CEO, Biocode
+358 50 346 1035
ernesto.hartikainen(at)biocode.io