CO₂ balancing for construction companies

Scope 3 - why these emissions determine your business

Let's talk about Scope 3 emissions, because this is where the heart of the matter lies. These are all indirect emissions that occur throughout your value chain - but are not directly controlled by you. In the case of buildings, this specifically means: all materials such as concrete, bricks and façade elements, all windows and doors, cables and pipes, the entire building services from ventilation to heating - in short: everything that goes into your turnkey building.

And this is where it gets interesting for your company: Scope 3 emissions often account for 70-90% of your total CO₂ footprint. No matter how climate-friendly you run your own offices and optimize your construction sites, if you don't keep an eye on the upstream emissions of your construction projects, you're only seeing the tip of the iceberg. This is precisely why Scope 3 has become so crucial for CSRD reporting.

Our indicator model: systematically developed, tried and tested in practice

Together with our cooperation partner SBC, we have developed a CO₂ indicator model that solves precisely these challenges. The model is based on an extensive database of validated emission factors and works with proven literature values that are scientifically substantiated for various building types and construction phases. We can calculate Scope 3 emissions for defined building types - from shell construction to turnkey construction, for office buildings, residential buildings, logistics or data centers. The system is designed in such a way that it can be individually expanded for specific companies, depending on your specific requirements and building types.

Precise quantity calculation from a small amount of basic data: The model automatically calculates how much concrete, steel or cable trays are required for your building - based on building type, area and fit-out standard.

What is special about our approach is that the key figure model works on two levels simultaneously. Firstly, it allows you as a construction company to capture all your Scope 3 emissions at company level - perfect for CSRD reporting. Secondly, you can assess each building individually at project level, even if you do not yet know all the details. This flexibility is crucial because it allows you to make reliable forecasts of future Scope 3 emissions in the early planning stages and refine them later if necessary.

Closing gaps, but open to reality

Our KPI model is designed to close data gaps - but it is intelligent enough to prefer real values when they are available. The system works on the principle that it is better to have an educated guess than no data at all. The process is designed to relieve you of as much work as possible: First, we work with you to define the relevant building types and construction phases for your company, then we feed the corresponding emission factors and quantity structures into the system.

To enter a new project, enter the basic parameters - building type, size, fit-out standard, any existing certifications such as DGNB - and the system calculates the expected CO₂ emissions. Enter the area and building type and the system will provide you with a complete list of materials - from concrete and steel to cable trays and building services. The figures are based on well-founded emission factors, which we show transparently with name, quantity and unit.

However, if you have concrete values - such as the actual CO₂ emissions of a specific concrete or a particular façade - then the model adopts this real data and calculates more precisely accordingly. If it turns out that 230 tons of CO₂ are actually produced instead of the predicted 104 tons, you can simply correct these values manually. The model then recalculates all dependent values.

The result is a balance sheet that starts with rough but scientifically sound estimates and gradually develops into a well-founded statement of your Scope 3 emissions.

"The system is designed so that you can adjust the figures at any time if you have more precise data. "

Technical development: from Excel to professional software

The model is currently still running as an Excel-based tool, but we already have concrete plans for further development. Professional software is being developed, which will then also pull the appropriate emission factors directly from the database and offer an even more user-friendly interface. To be honest, Excel has taken us a long way and was ideal for the development phase, but for the future and a broader application we need a more robust, web-based solution. This will then also offer better interfaces to existing company software and facilitate integration into your existing processes.

Your benefit: Accounting without expert effort

Our indicator model is more than just a calculation tool - it is your ticket to relaxed and legally compliant CSRD reporting. You don't have to become a climate expert to create reliable carbon footprints. The system takes the complex calculations off your hands and ensures that your emissions data complies with current standards. We follow our tried-and-tested principle: you know your projects and your business, we know CO₂ balances. You take the first step with the project data, we take care of the rest.

If you would like to find out more about our CO₂ key figure model, please contact us and arrange a presentation. We will show you in detail how the system works and how it can be integrated into your existing processes. Because let's be honest: emissions can actually be calculated - you just need the right tools.