The Carbon Code

The Janitza path to carbon neutrality

As a manufacturer of energy measurement technology, Janitza electronics has always had a close connection to the topics of energy supply and energy efficiency.  

Our energy measurement devices make energy flows transparent. This is the most important basis on the way to carbon neutrality. Energy transparency creates clear facts and helps to summarize the complex topic in figures and make it tangible. This means we always know where we stand, where there is potential for improvement and can make important decisions for the future today.

Our Commitment to Carbon Neutrality

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    "At a time when the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly tangible, companies have an obligation to actively contribute to the solution of this global problem.

    Janitza, as a company that provides energy measurement devices and solutions for optimized energy use, has a special responsibility in this regard.

    That is why we started to reduce our carbon footprint several years ago, and will continue on this path until we are completely carbon neutral in the near future."

    Rudolf Müller, Managing Director of Janitza electronics GmbH

OUR STRATEGY ON THE WAY TO CARBON NEUTRALITY

  • Creating transparency
  • Setting targets and implementing measures
  • Compensating and communicating

    • Creating transparency

      The first step on the road to carbon neutrality is comprehensive transparency regarding carbon emissions. This includes systematically recording and analyzing consumption and the resulting emissions. The data obtained in this way forms the basis for all further measures and makes the success of the measures visible and verifiable.  

      As experts in energy measurement technology, recording carbon emissions in Scope 1 and 2 (i.e. carbon emissions that are generated directly within the company or through purchased energy) is easy for us. Since 2013, energy consumption at Janitza has been recorded and evaluated in detail as part of a certified energy management system.  

      Scope 3 emissions (which are generated within the value chain but outside the company) are more difficult to record. Janitza works closely with ClimatePartner in this area. This collaboration enables us to quantify and assess the carbon emissions of our value chain as accurately as possible.

    • Setting targets and implementing measures

      The second step is to define the company's targets for reducing carbon emissions. Janitza has set itself the goal of achieving carbon neutrality as quickly as possible and, if possible, under its own steam, but by 2030 at the latest. To achieve this, emissions from all three scopes must be reduced as much as possible and the remaining amount offset.

      Every kilowatt hour that is not consumed helps the environment more than financial compensation. In the third step, we therefore implement suitable measures to reduce carbon emissions.

      These range from large-scale projects, such as the commissioning of another photovoltaic system and the conversion of the company fleet to electric cars, to small-scale measures, such as reducing paper printouts.  

      In this way, Janitza has already reduced its own carbon emissions at various levels, always with the aim of achieving further savings in the coming years.

    • Compensating and communicating

      Unavoidable carbon emissions are offset by certified climate protection projects. These projects demonstrably reduce, avoid or bind greenhouse gases and are certified according to international standards such as the Verified Carbon Standard or the Gold Standard.   

      An elementary component of the carbon strategy is proof that the calculations of the emissions are correct and that the compensation projects also make a real, verifiable contribution to climate protection. Clear transparency along the entire path to carbon neutrality is important here. In order to meet this requirement, Janitza has its carbon neutrality certified by an independent institute.

OUR MEASURES

  • Status Quo 2024
  • PARTNERSHIPS AND COOPERATIONS
  • EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION
  • FUTURE PLANS

    • Status Quo 2024

      2013: Certified energy management system according to ISO 50001

      2016: Expansion of the PV system and heating/air conditioning via heat pump in the then new administration building

      2019: Energy-efficient refurbishment of the research and development building

      2020: Installation of another PV system and increase in efficiency through improved alignment

      2022: Certified carbon-free electricity procurement from hydropower with proof of origin

      2023: Commissioning of another PV system; conversion of logistics to a carbon-neutral transport service provider; installation of e-charging stations; switch to carbon-neutral packaging

      2024: Janitza is certified as a CO₂-neutral company by Climate Partner

    • PARTNERSHIPS AND COOPERATIONS

      Janitza is in close exchange with various partners and service providers as part of its efforts to achieve greater sustainability and on the path to carbon neutrality.

                

      • VEA: the German Association of Energy Purchasers (Bundesverband der Energie-Abnehmer e.V.) as an energy consultant for small and medium-sized businesses.
      • Reginee: the VEA's REGIonal Network for EnergyEfficiency and Climate Protection - an association of regional companies with the aim of reducing carbon emissions, sustainably lowering energy costs and tackling the path to climate neutrality.
      • The VEA's Climate-Friendly SME initiative helps small and medium-sized companies to act in a more climate-friendly way and save carbon.
      • The Corporate Network Climate Protection - an IHK platform for companies that want to actively contribute to climate protection and continuously improve their climate protection know-how. - in cooperation with LEA (Landesenergieagentur Hessen)
      • Climate Partner helps to calculate and reduce a company’s carbon emissions and finance climate projects.

    • EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION

      Achieving carbon neutrality requires the involvement of every individual in the company. This is the only way to achieve the ambitious targets in everyday life

      Some examples from Janitza's everyday life:

      Janitza supports the Jobbike. In 2022, our employees covered more than 16,000 km by bike. This corresponds to a carbon saving of 2.6 tons of carbon or 260 trees.

      Resources are conserved by reducing paper printouts and separating waste for recycling.

      The installation and release for use of the e-charging stations offers employees the opportunity to charge their e-vehicles during working hours.

      Various projects have been implemented to save electricity in everyday working life. For example, the lighting was modernized with LEDs and the control system was automated with presence detectors.

    • FUTURE PLANS

      In the long term, we want to reduce our carbon emissions to such a low level that we achieve our carbon  neutrality almost exclusively through our own efforts.  

      In the future, Janitza will also increasingly take part in collaborations and specialist forums in order to share its own experiences with other companies and support them on the path to carbon neutrality.  

      Janitza energy measurement devices, in combination with the GridVis® grid visualization software, can already be used to display energy consumption in carbon parameters. We are continuously developing our software in order to offer our customers customized solutions in the future.

WHY CARBON NEUTRALITY?

Reducing carbon emissions is not only an environmental imperative, but also an economic and social one. Companies bear a significant responsibility in mitigating climate change by promoting sustainable practices and innovations to reduce their environmental footprint while also mobilizing society towards a more sustainable future.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

  • Biodiversity: Reduced carbon emissions help preserve biodiversity by slowing climate change and thus habitat loss.
  • Sea level: A rise in global temperatures will cause the polar ice caps to melt, leading to rising sea levels, which could have catastrophic consequences for coastal communities. The lower the temperature increase, the more we can mitigate the consequences.
  • Weather extremes: Reducing emissions can reduce the frequency of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods and droughts.

IMPORTANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

  • Resource efficiency: Reducing carbon emissions, for example through more energy-efficient processes, also minimizes the consumption of other resources.
  • Brand equity: A commitment to sustainability strengthens the brand image and can increase customer loyalty.
  • Regulatory benefits: As global climate agreements progress, early adaptation to lower emissions standards can provide a competitive advantage.

FAQ

  • The carbon footprint or greenhouse gas balance sheet provides transparency about the emissions within the company and is therefore the foundation for initiatives aimed at developing and enhancing a climate strategy. It constitutes a systematic account of greenhouse gas emissions, encompassing all greenhouse gases with significant climate impact, as outlined in the Kyoto Protocol. 

    The following greenhouse gases are accounted for: 

    • Carbon dioxide (CO₂) (GWP=1) 
    • Methane (CH4) (GWP=25) 
    • Nitrous oxide (N2O) (GWP=298) 
    • Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) (GWP=23.500) 
    • Hydrofluoroarbons (FKW/HFCs) (GWP ranging from 140 to 7.000) 
    • Perfluorocarbons (CnF2n+2 − PFCs, FKWs) (GWP ranging from 6.000 to 9.000) 
    • Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) (since 2015) (GWP=17.200) 

    Although all greenhouse gases responsible for global warming are considered, the term "carbon footprint" is used because carbon dioxide serves as the reference for all included greenhouse gases. The values in brackets represent the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of each gas, with CO₂ assigned a GWP of 1 as the reference value. A GWP of 25, for example, means 25 times the greenhouse potential of CO₂. Other greenhouse gases are converted into carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e) to establish comparability. 

    In summary, the carbon footprint provides information on the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by a company, a product, a process, a project or an event. The carbon footprint is expressed in so-called CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e).  

    Janitza will be happy to support you in determining the key figures for your carbon footprint. 

  • Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) 

    The corporate carbon footprint involves the identification and consolidation of all greenhouse gas emissions produced by a company over the course of a year, resulting in a comprehensive carbon footprint. The individual carbon footprint is an important and useful tool for assessing the company's specific climate impact. With the help of the carbon footprint, suitable reduction targets and measures can be derived and presented in the sustainability report. 

    Furthermore, the carbon footprint allows for a rapid identification of the areas within the company that contribute the most to greenhouse gas emissions and where the greatest potential for reduction measures exists. This is also of great economic importance, as the biggest emission drivers are often also the biggest cost drivers in the company.  

    The regularly determined corporate carbon footprint serves as a vital indicator of the progress and success of a company's commitment to sustainability. 

    Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)  

    The product carbon footprint (PCF) refers to the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire lifecycle of a specific product. 

    The product carbon footprint takes a holistic perspective, ranging from the procurement of raw materials to delivery ("cradle-to-gate") and possibly even taking into account the useful life and disposal ("cradle-to-grave").  

    The carbon footprint of your products can also be derived from your company's carbon footprint. This enables you to quantify carbon emissions on a product or order basis and to individually identify customer orders or services in terms of their carbon emissions. In doing so, your company empowers customers to make targeted contributions to environmental conservation. 

  • The regulatory requirements for sustainability reporting are determined by the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). 

    • The CSRD will tighten up the EU's Transparency Directive and Accounting Directive, meaning that from 2024, around 50,000 companies in the EU will be obliged to submit an annual sustainability report. This applies to: 

    From 2025 (for the 2024 financial year): Companies that have already been subject to the NFRD

    From 2026: Companies that meet at least two of the following criteria: > 250 employees, > € 40 million in annual revenue, > € 20 million in total assets.

    From 2027: Stock-exchange-listed SMEs (with the exception of micro-enterprises)

    From 2029: Companies with parent companies located at third countries that generate a consolidated group revenue of > € 150 million in the EU in 2 consecutive years.

    • The new CSR directive adopts a dual materiality perspective, requiring companies to document both the impact of sustainability aspects on the financial performance of the company and the impact of the company's operations on sustainability aspects. It mandates disclosures related to sustainability goals, sustainable corporate governance, business model, strategy, and risk and opportunity management. 
    • The amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated by a company will be determined by all companies subject to reporting obligations using precisely defined metrics. Since data collection can be time and resource-intensive, it is crucial to initiate the implementation process for the CSRD as soon as possible.

    It is already clear that the CSRD will require very detailed information on energy consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions. However, often the necessary infrastructure needs to be established first, such as the installation of measuring devices and the integration of software for consumption tracking. Janitza can assist you on your journey towards carbon neutrality. 

  • At the core of corporate climate management is greenhouse gas balancing, which provides transparency about the largest sources of emissions within the company and can derive reduction potential. Approximately 75 % of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide are caused by the conversion of energy sources such as coal, oil or natural gas into electricity, heat or fuels. Therefore, the greatest potential for emissions reduction lies in this sector. 

    The climate-related reporting of companies categorizes greenhouse gas emissions into three scopes: 

    • Scope 1: Emissions directly resulting from the activities of the company itself (e.g., emissions from the combustion of natural gas in stationary equipment or diesel in company-owned vehicles). 
    • Scope 2: Emissions not originating directly within the company but associated with the production of energy consumed by the company (e.g., electricity and district heating). 
    • Scope 3: Emissions caused by the company along its value chain, such as emissions from the production of steel used by the company or emissions from employees' commuting. In some reporting standards, the calculation of Scope 3 emissions is optional. 

    Calculating emissions can often be a complex challenge that requires the support of external partners. However, the necessary metrics can be determined with appropriate measuring devices and software solutions. Moreover, if the company already has a mature energy management system in place, the additional effort for expanding into climate management is minimal. This can be achieved, for example, by configuring the measuring devices within the GridVis® software and adding the carbon footprint dashboard functionality. 

    The accounting process can be conducted either at the corporate level (Corporate Carbon Footprint, CCF) or at the product level (Product Carbon Footprint, PCF). The normative frameworks for this include the GHG Protocol, as well as ISO 14001, ISO 14064, and ISO 14067. 

    The CSRD mandates comprehensive metrics on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for obligated companies. Janitza can assist you in determining these key metrics. 

  • Climate management, including topics like resources, wastewater, and waste, is a part of environmental management, which in turn is integrated into sustainability management. Currently, unlike other areas such as energy management, there is no explicit standard for a structured climate management system. 

    However, content elements of an environmental management system according to ISO 14001 can be utilized for this purpose. Several standards exist for determining the corporate carbon footprint (CCF) and product carbon footprint (PCF), primarily the GHG Protocol, ISO 14067, and ISO 14064, which are considered the most common principles for carbon accounting or the creation of a reporting certificate or certificate. 

    The EMAS regulation (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) often forms the basis for environmental management systems. It is regarded as a voluntary standard for environmental management and was developed by the European Union. 

    Furthermore, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) of the EU regulates the disclosure of non-financial information, including climate data, for certain companies within the European Union. 

    Different standards in the fields of energy, climate, and environmental management overlap in some parts. For example, the EMAS regulation also includes the fundamental contents of climate management. Requirements and norms can also vary depending on the region and industry.

  • In order to minimize the effects of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions must be significantly reduced, and measures for climate resilience need to be taken. While sustainability encompasses many aspects, both public perception and the forthcoming CSRD directive emphasize climate protection, with a focus on energy consumption and greenhouse gas accounting. The reduction of carbon emissions is recognized as one of the most crucial levers in the business community's sustainability efforts. Additionally, other benefits are identified: 

    • You gain transparency regarding emissions within your company. 
    • You save on energy costs and reduce resource consumption – emission drivers often overlap with cost drivers. 
    • You cut costs by reducing the portion of emissions that ultimately need to be offset. 
    • You position your company in the market as a sustainable one, increasing your appeal to customers, investors, and the public. This ensures long-term viability. 
    • You secure your competitiveness by planning for the long term and incorporating a climate strategy into your business model. 
    • Various funding models are linked to the sustainability of the company.

  • An existing energy management system forms a significant foundation for expanding a climate management system, as a large portion of carbon emissions originates from energy generation for the company. Consequently, data on scope 1 and scope 2 emissions are often already available or relatively easy to determine. 

    The additional effort required for expanding into climate management is minimal, such as configuring measuring devices within the GridVis® software and adding the carbon footprint dashboard functionality. 

    Do you have any questions about this? Please feel free to reach out to us. 

    • The use of Janitza measuring devices simplifies the process of collecting emissions data for you. With GridVis® software, you can capture all relevant energy consumption data, including electrical energy, steam, gas, oil, and district heating.
    • GridVis® software enhances the level of automation in your workflow, saving you time and money.
    • You gain access to a multitude of features for analysis, evaluation, key performance indicator generation, and data visualization. Identify data trends and establish meaningful correlations.
    • Reduce the effort required to comply with legal reporting obligations and increase the sustainability of your company.
    • You have complete flexibility: If you are already using our software for your energy management, you can also use it for climate-related tasks. 
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