Empowering SME's To Cut Carbon

The Role of SMEs in Decarbonizing the Food Sector
SMEs represent over 90% of organizations in the global food supply chain and contribute around 50% of business-driven greenhouse gas emissions. Despite their significant role, they face challenges in reducing emissions due to tight profit margins, lack of resources, and limited access to sustainability tools. Addressing these barriers is critical, as the food sector accounts for 26% of global emissions.

Breaking Down Carbon Literacy for Small Businesses

• Many SMEs struggle with navigating the complexities of carbon markets and compliance requirements.

• ClearCO2 and ClearKarma provide practical tools and educational frameworks to empower SMEs to become carbon-literate and take action on small budgets.

• By simplifying carbon accounting and sharing best practices, these platforms enable businesses to identify opportunities for emission reduction while supporting compliance and transparency.

Demystifying Carbon Credits and Savings

• The confusion around carbon credits stems from their dual usage in mandatory and voluntary markets.

• Sylvie Chin advocates for clear distinctions between "allowances" (mandatory markets) and "carbon savings" (voluntary markets).

• Certified carbon savings offer SMEs a transparent and accessible way to offset emissions while contributing to trusted, high-impact projects.

Tackling Food Waste as a Key Carbon Reduction Strategy

• Food waste contributes significantly to global emissions, with methane from rotting food being 20 times more potent than CO2.

• ClearKarma collaborates with food banks in Austria to prevent surplus food from reaching landfills, turning waste reduction into high-quality carbon savings.

• Addressing food waste has dual benefits: reducing emissions and supporting vulnerable communities with food donations.

Building Local Carbon Markets and Transparent Systems

• ClearCO2 envisions virtual, localized voluntary carbon markets where emissions can be mitigated close to their source.

• By standardizing methodologies and certifications, these platforms create opportunities for SMEs to engage in sustainability projects that align with their values and operations.

Practical Steps for SMEs to Begin Their Carbon Journey

• Start small: Waste reduction is often the simplest and most impactful first step.

• Collect data on suppliers, energy use, and production processes to identify areas for improvement.

• Adopt certified carbon savings projects and transparent systems to ensure trust and mitigate greenwashing.

• Engage customers in sustainability initiatives through clear communication and community support.

Reducing carbon emissions is no longer just a challenge for major players. With the right tools, resources, and partnerships, SMEs can play a vital role in combating climate change while driving business growth. By focusing on education, transparency, and practical solutions, ClearCO2 and ClearKarma are empowering SMEs to lead the charge in creating a more sustainable future.