Patrick Steiss, who is responsible for the project as the energy manager at Janitza, understands the crucial role data plays in this process. “To determine the carbon footprint of our company at the headquarters in Lahnau, located in the heart of Germany, every department and area had to be considered. Together with our service provider, we examined the entire supply chain from procurement and transportation to processing in Lahnau, delivery to customers, and product disposal. Using our energy management system, we collected data on energy and resource consumption in accordance with ISO 50001 and transferred it to an online tool. Climate Partner then conducted a plausibility check, followed by a detailed final report that provided an overview of all emission sources. This was a remarkable achievement accomplished in a short timeframe and through close collaboration with all departments."

Data Analysis Provides Clear Insights into Emission Sources

In order to obtain precise information about the sources of greenhouse gas emissions, 29 criteria within the defined “Scopes 1, 2, and 3” were analyzed. Additionally, data from 120 measuring devices were included, along with over 1,500 business trips and hotel stays, more than 2,600 purchased items, and 24,000 sold items. The analysis even included the meals and other products sold in the cafeteria, as well as assessing 21 types of waste. With the data collection from 2022, Janitza has established a comprehensive database and reporting processes. This foundation will enable continued data collection and analysis in the coming years. A key metric is the total emissions for 2022 across all scopes, which roughly equals the emissions of 4,100 German citizens or driving 147 million kilometers in an average car. To offset this amount of emissions, about 3.8 million beech trees would need to be planted. At first glance, this number may seem large. However, Patrick Steiss puts it into perspective: 'Compared to the daily activities of 4,100 individuals and a medium-sized, internationally operating manufacturing company, this figure is put into context. The calculation includes not just the energy consumption and material use in production but also the entire procurement of goods from other companies, all employee business trips - in essence, all business processes. While our emissions volume is not negligible, it is commendable for a company in the electronics industry. We are very pleased with this outcome."

Supply Chain Analysis: Purchased Parts Account for 99.5 percent of Carbon Emissions

An important finding: A large proportion of emissions is generated in "Scope 3" from upstream activities involving purchased products like displays or components. Combined with downstream activities, "Scope 3" emissions represent 99.5 percent of the total. In contrast, direct "Scope 1" emissions from our own vehicle fleet and heat generation are only 0.3 percent. "Scope 2" emissions from purchased energy account for just 0.2 percent. Patrick Steiss explains the notably low figures at the site: "The low 'Scope 1 and 2' emissions reflect our excellent energy efficiency, which can be attributed to the new buildings and their renewable energy supply. This includes LED lighting, comprehensive modernization of the building envelope, thermal insulation, automated lighting and door systems control, as well as solar power generation via photovoltaics and geothermal energy use. The site also benefits from purchasing green electricity generated from hydropower, a robust charging infrastructure for electric mobility, and the promotion of job bicycles. Moreover, we maintain a strong focus on energy management. Although we anticipated 'Scope 3' emissions to be around 90 percent, they actually accounted for 99.5 percent. This underscores our high operational efficiency but also indicates areas needing attention in our supply chain. Notably, 88 percent of these emissions come from production and consumption materials, specifically components that we purchase."

Janitza Recognized as a Certified Company by Climate Partner

The results of the assessment were summarized in a final report, from which specific measures can be derived. Building on the transparency created by the carbon emissions assessment, Janitza has been recognized as a 'Climate Partner certified company.' To prevent accusations of greenwashing, the balance sheet is prepared in accordance with current GHG regulations, and compliance with defined, verifiable criteria is guaranteed. This includes five specific steps on the path to achieving climate neutrality by 2030:

1. Annual CO2 balancing to determine the corporate carbon footprint.
2. Definition of specific targets.
3. Derivation and implementation of reduction measures.
4. Compensation for emissions.
5. Transparent communication.

'We will use the annual carbon footprint to monitor how emissions evolve from the base year of 2022 onwards. It also serves to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures taken. Additionally, new targets are set, and activities are defined to achieve them, aiming to continuously reduce our annual carbon emissions through our own efforts. These emissions were equivalent to those of 4,100 individuals in 2022,'” explains Steiss. The remaining carbon emissions are compensated in accordance with the Gold Standard and the criteria of Climate Partner. Such compensations include, for example, various climate protection projects such as promoting renewable energies or preserving ecosystems through reforestation projects. There are also social projects, such as providing drinking water in drought-prone regions. Janitza emphasizes sustainable and certified projects that demonstrably reduce a defined amount of emissions or sustainably improve people's living conditions. Moreover, the Climate Partner website offers public updates on the current status, similar to energy management, according to a defined set of rules.

In 2021, Janitza began a thorough examination of its corporate carbon footprint, aiming to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. To facilitate this, all company processes were analyzed at the beginning of 2023 in collaboration with the service provider, Climate Partner. The entire balancing process adhered to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the world's most recognized standard for carbon accounting. Special attention was given to ensuring a balance across all three scopes, meaning that, in addition to direct emissions from energy use, all upstream and downstream emissions along the entire value chain were accounted for. By the end of 2023, Janitza, a manufacturer of energy management systems, had completed the accounting of its carbon footprint for 2022.

Patrick Steiss, who is responsible for the project as the energy manager at Janitza, understands the crucial role data plays in this process. “To determine the carbon footprint of our company at the headquarters in Lahnau, located in the heart of Germany, every department and area had to be considered. Together with our service provider, we examined the entire supply chain from procurement and transportation to processing in Lahnau, delivery to customers, and product disposal. Using our energy management system, we collected data on energy and resource consumption in accordance with ISO 50001 and transferred it to an online tool. Climate Partner then conducted a plausibility check, followed by a detailed final report that provided an overview of all emission sources. This was a remarkable achievement accomplished in a short timeframe and through close collaboration with all departments."

Data Analysis Provides Clear Insights into Emission Sources

In order to obtain precise information about the sources of greenhouse gas emissions, 29 criteria within the defined “Scopes 1, 2, and 3” were analyzed. Additionally, data from 120 measuring devices were included, along with over 1,500 business trips and hotel stays, more than 2,600 purchased items, and 24,000 sold items. The analysis even included the meals and other products sold in the cafeteria, as well as assessing 21 types of waste. With the data collection from 2022, Janitza has established a comprehensive database and reporting processes. This foundation will enable continued data collection and analysis in the coming years. A key metric is the total emissions for 2022 across all scopes, which roughly equals the emissions of 4,100 German citizens or driving 147 million kilometers in an average car. To offset this amount of emissions, about 3.8 million beech trees would need to be planted. At first glance, this number may seem large. However, Patrick Steiss puts it into perspective: 'Compared to the daily activities of 4,100 individuals and a medium-sized, internationally operating manufacturing company, this figure is put into context. The calculation includes not just the energy consumption and material use in production but also the entire procurement of goods from other companies, all employee business trips—in essence, all business processes. While our emissions volume is not negligible, it is commendable for a company in the electronics industry. We are very pleased with this outcome."

Supply Chain Analysis: Purchased Parts Account for 99.5 percent of Carbon Emissions

An important finding: A large proportion of emissions is generated in "Scope 3" from upstream activities involving purchased products like displays or components. Combined with downstream activities, "Scope 3" emissions represent 99.5% of the total. In contrast, direct "Scope 1" emissions from our own vehicle fleet and heat generation are only 0.3 percent. "Scope 2" emissions from purchased energy account for just 0.2 percent. Patrick Steiss explains the notably low figures at the site: "The low 'Scope 1 and 2' emissions reflect our excellent energy efficiency, which can be attributed to the new buildings and their renewable energy supply. This includes LED lighting, comprehensive modernization of the building envelope, thermal insulation, automated lighting and door systems control, as well as solar power generation via photovoltaics and geothermal energy use. The site also benefits from purchasing green electricity generated from hydropower, a robust charging infrastructure for electric mobility, and the promotion of job bicycles. Moreover, we maintain a strong focus on energy management. Although we anticipated 'Scope 3' emissions to be around 90%, they actually accounted for 99.5 percent. This underscores our high operational efficiency but also indicates areas needing attention in our supply chain. Notably, 88 percent of these emissions come from production and consumption materials, specifically components that we purchase."

Janitza Recognized as a Certified Company by Climate Partner

The results of the assessment were summarized in a final report, from which specific measures can be derived. Building on the transparency created by the carbon emissions assessment, Janitza has been recognized as a 'Climate Partner certified company.' To prevent accusations of greenwashing, the balance sheet is prepared in accordance with current GHG regulations, and compliance with defined, verifiable criteria is guaranteed. This includes five specific steps on the path to achieving climate neutrality by 2030:

1. Annual CO2 balancing to determine the corporate carbon footprint.
2. Definition of specific targets.
3. Derivation and implementation of reduction measures.
4. Compensation for emissions.
5. Transparent communication.

'We will use the annual carbon footprint to monitor how emissions evolve from the base year of 2022 onwards. It also serves to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures taken. Additionally, new targets are set, and activities are defined to achieve them, aiming to continuously reduce our annual carbon emissions through our own efforts. These emissions were equivalent to those of 4,100 individuals in 2022,'” explains Steiss. The remaining carbon emissions are compensated in accordance with the Gold Standard and the criteria of Climate Partner. Such compensations include, for example, various climate protection projects such as promoting renewable energies or preserving ecosystems through reforestation projects. There are also social projects, such as providing drinking water in drought-prone regions. Janitza emphasizes sustainable and certified projects that demonstrably reduce a defined amount of emissions or sustainably improve people's living conditions. Moreover, the Climate Partner website offers public updates on the current status, similar to energy management, according to a defined set of rules.

In 2023, Janitza was able to save 426 tonnes of CO2, Photo: Janitza

Logistics as a Potential Starting Point for Reducing CO2 Emissions

As part of the data analysis, purchased products, consumables, and logistics emerged as the largest sources of carbon emissions within "Scope 3." Logistics, in particular, presents a viable opportunity for reducing these emissions. Notably, there are distinct differences within the logistics sector: the share of inbound logistics contributes only 0.4 percent, whereas outbound logistics accounts for a significantly higher 3.3 percent. One might assume that the procurement and assembly of numerous components into a single device would have a greater impact. However, Janitza primarily sources regionally, resulting in relatively low emissions from truck transports over short to medium distances. Conversely, the finished products are predominantly shipped to customers worldwide via air freight, which reflects significantly higher emission factors for different modes of transport. For example, one kilogram of air freight generates 1.43 kilograms of carbon emissions per kilometer traveled, while sea freight emits only 7.6 grams per kilogram.

Patrick Steiss identifies considerable untapped potential to further reduce the ecological footprint, not only for Janitza but also for its customers. "Our products would be in transit for longer periods. However, achieving greater climate protection requires a holistic approach to the issue. That's why we are developing new concepts, including for logistics. We are currently receiving a lot of positive feedback, especially from our European customers, which makes this topic particularly compelling. This underlines its relevance and, from our perspective, provides an excellent starting point for steering towards lower carbon emissions."

Further measures to reduce energy consumption

The manufacturer leverages the insights from the CO2 balance not only to assess the broader impact but also to implement specific strategies for reducing energy consumption. For instance, the Janitza Energy Day event this year was thoroughly assessed and certified by Climate Partner. The company is planning additional measures that will further reduce its environmental impact. Among the initial steps in "Scope 1 and 2" are the electrification of the vehicle fleet and heat pumps, expanding the company’s own power generation from photovoltaics and geothermal energy, utilizing waste heat, and enhancing energy efficiency through more rigorous monitoring and increased automation. This includes a transition from gas to 100% renewable electricity. In "Scope 3," the company aims to reduce the number of business trips by adopting more digital meetings. Support for electric vehicles is increasing, with expansions to the charging infrastructure at both the head office and the homes of field staff, and company bicycles are also being offered.

Conclusion: The Path to Maximizing Carbon Emission Reduction

Patrick Steiss summarizes: "We have not only managed to establish the carbon balance sheet within five months but also transitioned the entire company towards climate neutrality. Our immediate and overarching goal is to consistently work towards reducing CO2 emissions to the maximum extent possible by 2030. We aim for the compensation component to represent only a fraction of its current level. This commitment defines our transformation path. There is enormous interest from customers and other companies in our carbon footprint, our approach, and the insights we have gained. Our employees are constantly coming up with new ideas to act in an even more climate-friendly way. I was delighted to see such a positive response to our project. It seems we did everything right when we tackled this topic!"