Carbon footprint calculation is essential for manufacturers for several reasons.

1. Environmental Responsibility: Manufacturers have a significant impact on the environment due to their large-scale production and resource consumption. By calculating carbon footprint, they can identify areas to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and become more environmentally responsible.
2. Compliance: Many countries like the EU and the US have implemented regulations that require companies to report their carbon emissions. By calculating their carbon footprint, manufacturers can ensure that they comply with these regulations and avoid potential penalties or reputational damage.
3. Cost Savings: Reducing carbon emissions often leads to cost savings in the long run. By identifying areas for improvement, manufacturers can save money while also reducing their environmental impact.
4. Reputation: Manufacturers can become more reputable and attract environmentally conscious customers by reducing their carbon footprint. Good reputation attracts good investors thereby increasing business opportunities.

In summary, manufacturers should calculate their carbon footprint to reduce costs, improve their reputation, and gain a competitive advantage. By implementing sustainable practices and reducing carbon emissions, manufacturers can not only save money but also attract a growing market of environmentally conscious consumers who prioritize sustainability in their purchasing decisions.

So how is this done?

• Define the scope of the assessment - This includes identifying the boundaries of the assessment, such as which emissions sources to include and which to exclude, and determining the period for the assessment.
• Identify the sources of greenhouse gas emissions - This involves identifying all the activities that generate emissions, such as energy consumption, transportation, raw material extraction and processing, and waste management. Once these sources are identified, make a list of all the activities that contribute to these emissions.
• Collect data on energy consumption - Gather data on energy consumption by the industry, including electricity, natural gas, and other fuels. This can be done by reviewing utility bills, conducting on-site measurements, or using energy modelling software.
• Collect data on transportation emissions - Collect data on the amount of fuel consumed by vehicles in the industry, such as cars, trucks, and Aeroplan’s.
• Collect data on raw materials and waste - Collect data on the number of raw materials used by the industry. Also, gather information on the amount of waste produced, the amount of waste that is recycled, and reused, and the amount of waste that is disposed in landfills.
• Calculate the greenhouse gas emissions - We can calculate the greenhouse gas emissions using a standardized method such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol or ISO 14064. Industries need information on emission factors to accurately calculate their greenhouse gas emissions, which can be obtained from sources such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) or other relevant government agencies. The basic formula to calculate carbon footprint is multiplying the activity (or consumption) data by its corresponding emission factor.

Review your results and identify areas for improvement - After reviewing the data and calculating greenhouse gas emissions, it is important to identify areas where the industry can improve its sustainability practices. This can include reducing waste, increasing recycling and reuse, and implementing more energy-efficient processes.

As you may recall, the purpose of calculating an industry's carbon footprint is to identify where emissions can be decreased and to create plans for minimising the environmental impact.

Reference - https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:14064:-1:ed-2:v1:en