Why more and more companies are choosing ClimateCalc certification
The carbon footprint of your products calculated accurately!
At Dienstencentrum, we believe that sustainability shouldn’t just be a promise—it must also be measurable. That’s why we help companies in the creative and graphic design sectors achieve ClimateCalc certification: a European-recognized standard that calculates and independently verifies the carbon footprint of your company and products. But what does that entail, how does it work, and why should you invest in it? We explain it all in this article.
Paraskevi Koumadoraki
Author
What is ClimateCalc?
ClimateCalc is the first print-specific carbon footprint calculator, developed to help companies measure and document their environmental impact in a standardized and transparent way. Overseeing by the International Association of ClimateCalc (IACC) and active in more than 20 EU countries, it is a reliable benchmark for sustainability within the creative and graphic arts sector. Developed in accordance with Intergraf’s recommendations and verified by SGS, ClimateCalc covers at least 95% of a print shop’s emissions. Using verified data and a consistent methodology based on the GHG Protocol, ISO 14064-1, ISO 14067, and ISO 16759, it enables companies to accurately calculate their actual environmental impact.
The system is designed as a scalable model, offering both a BASIC and a FULL version, tailored to your company’s level of sustainability maturity and objectives.
With ClimateCalc, you can:
- Measuring your company’s total carbon footprint (Scope 1, 2, and 3)
- Calculate the carbon footprint of your products per order
- Seamlessly integrates with ERP systems, allowing you to calculate CO₂ emissions even during the quotation stage
- Identify realistic opportunities for reducing emissions
- Compare with suppliers and market averages
- Strengthen your sustainability and ESG reporting
- Win more clients and contracts that require verified CO₂ transparency
- Standing out from the competition—only a few can offer verified, product-level CO₂ calculations
What is included in ClimateCalc?
Based on Integraf’s recommendations regarding the calculation of CO₂ emissions in the graphic arts industry, the following parameters account for approximately 95% of total CO₂ emissions:
- Production of the substrate
- Fuel combustion
- Production of purchased energy
- Manufacture of plates, cylinders, and other imaging media
- Transportation of finished products
- Transportation of raw materials
- Company-owned or leased vehicles
- Employees' commutes
- Manufacture of inks, varnishes, toners, and cartridges
- Production of packaging materials
- Fuel production (upstream)
- Purchased energy (transmission losses)
- Production of isopropanol (IPA), alternative additives for wetting agents and cleaning agents
The most important product-related parameters pertain to the production and transport of the substrate, which are classified as Scope 3 emissions according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP). Generally, emissions within this scope account for 60–80% of a printed product’s total CO₂ emissions.
Important notes:
What to do if suppliers do not provide information about substrates
If suppliers are unable to provide CO₂ or energy data for substrates, the CO₂ & Energy RI&E offers the ideal solution. This user-friendly tool allows you to easily create your own substrate profiles, which can then be reviewed and validated by SCCI.
The tool's reference values are recognized by SCCI, and when used unchanged in ClimateCalc, no additional certification is required.
Certification of the substrates is only required when specific calculations are performed using the CO₂ & Energy RI&E tool, such as for composite materials and/or when calculating transport distances (km).
Why ClimateCalc certification is important
ClimateCalc isn’t just any CO₂ calculator. It’s a verified tool developed by industry experts and used throughout Europe to ensure that environmental claims are credible and comparable. By becoming ClimateCalc-certified, your company demonstrates that your CO₂ calculations are accurate, reliable, and independently verified—not just estimates.
Certified companies are authorized to use the ClimateCalc logo, a trusted seal of approval that demonstrates your commitment to sustainability and connects you to a growing community of forward-thinking brands leading the transition to a low-carbon economy.
How we can help you
Certification can seem complex, which is exactly why we’re here to guide you through the process. At Dienstencentrum, our experts support you every step of the way:
- Data collection & preparation:
We’ll help you collect and organize the necessary data. - Audit & Certification:
We’ll guide you through the audit process to ensure a smooth ClimateCalc certification. - Carbon footprint calculation:
Our team is here to help you use ClimateCalc correctly. - Continuous improvement:
After certification, we help you turn insights from data into actual emissions reductions.
Would you like more information about the ClimatCalc certification process?
Make your sustainability efforts both measurable and meaningful. Schedule a free consultation today and find out if and how ClimateCalc certification can give your business a credible competitive edge. Fill out the form, and we’ll contact you with no obligation.
Want to learn more about ClimateCalc for your business?
Please contact me for more information.