What is carbon accounting?
Carbon accounting consists of systematic methodologies, measurement and monitoring to evaluate and quantify an entity or activity’s carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e).
It is a popular way for governments, businesses and individuals to assess and report their climate impact. The benefits include maintaining compliance, minimizing risk, enhancing brand equity and reducing inefficiency.
Carbon accounting can measure all GHG emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and fluorinated gases (F-gases). Gases other than carbon are expressed as carbon equivalents.
Importantly, carbon, or more specifically CO₂, is the main GHG resulting from human activities. Carbon is sometimes used inaccurately to describe all GHG activities.
How can Sami help?
Carbon tracking is not a cost center. It is a strategic lever to win clients, strengthen environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings, reduce risk and unlock growth.
Sami is a powerful platform for simplifying carbon accounting, whether for a single site or multinational operations. Its key edge is a tailored approach with sector-specific insights and localized support for your market. The intuitive software combines with our 30-plus years of sustainability expertise to deliver a seamless, end-to-end decarbonization journey, including:
- Automated data integration (enterprise resource planning (ERP), energy, procurement, logistics) tailored to your industry
- Granular analysis by scope, site or process, with sector benchmarks to contextualize performance
- Clear visualization of emission hotspots to prioritize high-impact reductions
- Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) alignment for credible, actionable goal setting
What are the business benefits of carbon management?
- 84% of greenhouse gas-reduction actions are profitable in the long run
- Up to EUR 131 saved per ton of CO₂ avoided: limit the impact of rising carbon taxes
- 50% of supplier emissions can be reduced at no net cost, with a return on investment (ROI) between 200% to 500%
- Secure better access to financing or improved terms
- Ensure competitiveness in an increasingly competitive market
- Enhance attractiveness to draw in prospects and talent
Why SGS and Sami?
Sami sits within our IMPACT NOW for sustainability portfolio. Combining our 30 years of sustainability leadership with Sami’s cutting-edge technology, we deliver a seamless, end-to-end decarbonization journey. We turn data into action:
- Diagnostic assessments to identify key levers for reduction
- Customized action plans, co-created with industry specialists
- Economic modeling to prioritize cost-effective measures
- Ongoing support to track progress and refine strategies
Sami, supported by SGS, HEC Paris, EDF and SEPA, also recently surveyed more than 550 companies across 62 countries to produce the Carbon Footprint Radar, the first-of-its-kind picture of carbon practices. You can download it for free here.
Discover our Sami page or contact us now to discuss how Sami will empower your climate journey by helping you measure smarter, act faster and reduce for real.
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).
