Keva’s carbon footprint has been calculated for the first time. In 2024, the total emissions were 4 717.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Co₂-eq), which corresponds to the average yearly carbon emissions of around 500 Finns. The figure does not include emissions from investment activities.
- Although the carbon footprint calculation is only an estimate, it provides information on what Keva’s carbon footprint consists of and ways to minimize it, says Sally Londesborough from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Reuse Centre Ltd, who has made the calculation.
The carbon footprint has been calculated according to the international Greenhouse Gas Protocol standard, and the calculations are based on Keva’s own reports and bookkeeping. The figure includes the premises that are in Keva’s own use. Keva’s investment portfolio has not been included in the calculations. Investment emissions have been calculated even more extensively, and they are detailed separately in the Responsibility Report for 2024.
Comparison between organisations useless
Carbon footprints cannot be compared between organisations, as there is no exact comparative data. Different organisations can calculate their carbon footprint differently and take different things into consideration in the calculations.
In Keva’s calculation, the emissions from purchased services and products have been calculated using national input-output coefficients, which provide an approximation of the scope of emissions. According to the report by the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Reuse Centre Ltd, the greatest emissions resulted from purchased products and services, which constituted 72% of Keva’s total emissions.
The next largest source was business travelling, which accounted for 14% of Keva’s carbon footprint. The majority of this was produced by aeroplane travel.
Direct and indirect emissions
According to the GHG standard, an organisation’s carbon footprint is divided into three main categories: scope 1, scope 2, and scope 3. Scope 1 includes all direct emissions, which in Keva’s case are just 10.1 tonnes of Co₂-eq, or 0.2% of the total emissions.
Scope 2 includes purchased energy, such as emissions resulting from electricity and heating production. According to the calculation, these accounted for 222.2 tonnes of Co₂-eq, or around 5% of the total emissions. The emissions are entirely a result of district heating production, as the electricity purchased by Keva is renewable and does not produce scope 2 emissions. The district heating emissions have been calculated using the emissions coefficient provided by the energy company.
The majority, i.e. 95% of Keva’s carbon footprint, is comprised of scope 3 indirect emissions. According to Londesborough, one would need more detailed information from the service and product providers in order to better calculate and reduce these emissions.
What next?
Keva’s management group decided that Keva will monitor the development of its carbon footprint. The next calculation will most likely be carried out in two years’ time.
Sally Londesborough emphasises that the first calculation of Keva’s carbon footprint provides a rough estimate. The figure becomes more accurate over time.
- Real changes and reductions in emissions are usually slow. Therefore, calculating every two years is justified. In the meantime, Keva can request more detailed emissions data from service and product providers. This way, the calculation of the biggest emissions sources can be further specified, Londesborough envisions.