Corporate carbon footprint calculation: Automotive sub-industry sector example

The increase in industrialization and the diversification of economic activities lead to a significant increase in energy and raw material consumption and, accordingly, an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing greenhouse gas amounts deepen the climate change problem and necessitate urgent interventions for environmental sustainability. In this context, energy-intensive sectors in particular are at the center of efforts to reduce emissions. The automotive sub-industry sector stands out as a significant source of greenhouse gases due to its complex production structure and extensive supply chain. Therefore, the meticulous calculation of the carbon footprints of businesses operating in this sector in line with internationally accepted standards is considered an important step in the fight against climate change. Within the scope of this study; Category 1, Category 2, Category 3, Category 4, Category 5 greenhouse gas emissions originating from the production of the automotive sub-industry organization located in Nilüfer District of Bursa Province were calculated within the scope of ISO 14064-1(2018) Standard. The calculations were carried out manually in Excel environment based on ISO 14064(2018)-1 Standard. Special data collection forms were developed for each category and sub- category and activity data were systematically recorded through these forms. Within the scope of the calculation, the organization's 2023 greenhouse gas emission was calculated as 185,933.77 tons of CO2-eq. Category 1 emissions were calculated as 610.49 tons CO2eq, Category 2 emissions as 3869.39 tons CO2eq, Category 3 emissions as 4002.23 tons CO2eq, Category 5 emissions as 177,132.55 tons CO2eq and Category 5 emissions as 319.11 tons CO2eq. The calculations were carried out at a significance level of 95% and emission sources representing 95% of the total purchase were considered significant and included in the calculation as indirect emissions. The total cumulative uncertainty value for 2023 arising from the activities of the establishment was calculated as 5%. With the hot spot analysis carried out within the scope of the study, the five sources that contributed the most to the total greenhouse gas emissions of the enterprise were determined as purchased raw materials and materials 176405,14 tons CO2eq (94.88%), electricity consumption 3869,39 tons CO2eq (2.08%), upstream transportation 2114,83 tons CO2eq (1.14%), downstream transportation 1694,31 tons CO2eq (0.91%) and fugitive emissions 230,07 tons CO2eq (0.12%), respectively. According to the calculation results, it is seen that the total greenhouse gas emissions of the company are largely composed of indirect emissions from the supply chain. More than 95% of the total emissions consist of the processes of supplying purchased raw materials, materials and services. It reveals that automotive sub-industry companies should primarily focus on supply chain management in order to minimize carbon emissions.