Functional Carbon Offsetting in 2024

TL/DR

• Functional GmbH set off 13 Tons of CO₂ in 2024 via ForTomorrow.
• Unfortunately, our emissions increased by 80% compared to 2023, mainly due to new computer equipment for new employees.
• Still, compared to other companies our footprint is fairly low. Read on for more details.

Development of our CO₂ emissions

In 2024, we have emitted 12,6 tons of CO₂ equaling an increase of 80 % compared to 2023. The driving force behind this development is illustrated in the following graph:

• The biggest relative and absolute increase in CO₂ emissions is from purchased goods and heating. Reducing this further is quite hard without losing our ability to work.
• Car travel saw the most significant reduction. We have successfully shifted towards more sustainable transportation.

Classification of CO₂ emissions

Most of us work remotely from home. Our standard way of travelling is by train. Thus (and because we are not a manufactoring company), compared to other companies we are not a significant emitter of CO₂.

According to a Eurostat report the average greenhouse gas emissions of an employed person in the EU in 2023 was 12,3 tons. In Germany, it was 12,0 tonnes. We produce approximately 1 ton of CO₂ emissions per employee. We consider this to be very acceptable. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any reliable data on the emissions for none manufacturing companies like us.

How can we further reduce our CO₂ emissions?

To efficiently reduce total consumption and CO₂ emissions, we have to focus on the largest contributors first and prioritize high-impact actions. However, one has to keep in mind that our emissions are already very low and therefore it is hard to reduce them even further. What we are looking at in particular:

1. Reduce Purchased Goods (54%) – Highest Impact
   • Extend usage: We are using our computer equipment as long as possible to avoid buying new ones.
2. Avoid Flights and Car Rides (15%)
   • Our flights and car rides are not down to zero yet. So there is still potential to reduce emissions.

The Certificate

If you want to know how we determine our footprint and why we opted for ForTomorrow, check out the 2023 report.