A Cloud-based ERP solution for mid-market organisations
How can companies track their carbon footprint
A Cloud-based ERP solution for mid-market organisations
As we become more environmentally conscious, companies are increasingly taking initiatives to identify and offset their carbon footprints. A carbon footprint can be defined as the amount of carbon-containing greenhouse gases released into the by an activity, process, individual, or group, expressed usually as the equivalent in kilograms of carbon dioxide. One significant area of concern is the carbon emissions generated by transportation. In this blog, we look into a world of CO2 emissions, and how a forward-thinking client used the expense feature in Aqilla to monitor and manage their transportation-related carbon footprint. Anders Valum, from the Aqilla team aimed to build a web report outlining their emissions across various transport types.
Transport Types
The project's foundation relies on an analysis of different transport types that contribute to the client's carbon footprint. These include:
- Taxi
- Parking
- Train
- Plane
- Private Car
- Company Car
Expense Types
To streamline the process of tracking and categorising emissions, the project focused on updating the expense types within Aqilla. This involved categorising the emissions based on the type of transport:
- Taxi: Public Transport
- Parking: Public Transport
- Train: Public transport
- Plane: Public transport
- Car: Private car mileage
- Car: Company car mileage
Expense Claim
Vehicle Specifics
For a more accurate calculation of emissions, the project identified key details required for different vehicle types:
- Company Car Emissions: Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) for accurate identification.
- Private Car Emissions: Fuel type and vehicle size
Company cars already have their fuel type and vehicle size registered, therefore only the VRN is needed. Private cars are much more random and so, we need to provide the fuel type and vehicle size as part of the expense.
The emissions calculations were based on a combination of factors including the vehicle or fuel type and the claimed miles. Vehicle types were categorised into:
- Large Car (more than 2.0 litre or equivalent)
- Medium Car (1.4 - 2.0 litre or equivalent)
- Small Car (less than 1.4 litre or equivalent)
- Public Transport - Taxi
- Public Transport - Parking
- Public Transport - Train
- Public Transport - Plane
Fuel types considered included:
- Petrol
- Diesel
- Hybrid
- Plug-in Hybrid
- Battery Electric
- Public transport (for non-vehicle emissions)
Expense Claim Types
Lookup value for vehicle types dropdown
Lookup Values
The Carbon Footprint Web Report
The pinnacle of this project is the creation of a comprehensive web report that consolidates all of the data collected and the calculations made in Aqilla. The report provides a clear and detailed overview of the company's carbon emissions across various transport types. This particular report indicates the business miles’ carbon footprint equates to 190, signifying the impact of transportation on the company’s overall carbon output.
Query Builder
Web Report
Conclusion
As the world continues to prioritise sustainability and environmental responsibility, initiatives like this project demonstrate the commitment of businesses to reduce their carbon footprints. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies like Aqilla's expense tracking features, companies can gain valuable insights into their emissions, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately contribute to a more sustainable future. Through comprehensive reports and strategic measures, businesses can not only manage their environmental impact but also inspire positive change across industries.
