At a time when sustainability is increasingly becoming a strategic success factor, managers and sustainability officers are faced with the challenge of keeping track of relevant developments, tools and best practices. Whether CSRD-compliant reporting, decarbonization strategies or sustainable supply chains – well-founded information and practical tools are the key to taking effective action.
In this article, I present a selection of resources, platforms and guidelines that are of particular interest to SMEs – compact, up-to-date and directly applicable.
Climate and CO2 calculator
Let’s start with a range of climate calculators to help you draw up a climate balance sheet. It is up to you to decide which calculator best suits your needs. Here is an overview in which some calculators have been (subjectively) evaluated according to certain criteria. Below is a (non-exhaustive) list followed by databases on emission factors:
- WWF climate calculator to determine the individual footprint. This could be interesting for your employees to get a first impression of their footprint.
- CO2 calculator for private individuals or companies –
- Support in calculating scope 1 and 2 emissions with the IZU calculator
- Support in calculating Scope 3 emissions with the ecocockpit online calculator
- Presentation of greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, CH4, N₂O) from waste management activities in the municipal sector in the province of Styria using the climate balance tool 2.0
- CO2 calculator for culture and media
- Carbon footprint calculator for cars
- Calculation of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture
- Web tool for calculating the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment plants
- Calculation of menus for restaurants
- Calculation of recipes for catering establishments
- Climate balance tool from the DFB for clubs, which was developed as part of the DFB project “ANSTOSS FÜR GRÜN – Klimaschutz im Amateurfußball”.
- Climate compass for green IT
emission factors:
- Probas database
- Gemis database
- IPCC Emissions Factor Database
- Ecoinvent (with costs)
- Ember Electricty Data Explorer (Scope 2)
- EPA (already integrated in SAP Sustainability Footprint Management, focus US)
- List of other databases from the GHG protocol
Of course, you can compile your own database, but if it becomes extensive and data on specific materials is hardly available, independent verification by external experts is advisable. This increases credibility with stakeholders and creates trust in the quality of the data collected. It also helps to uncover methodological weaknesses and provides valuable information for improving your own climate strategy.
Continue with toolboxes, guidelines and checklists
- The 2030 Agenda toolbox for cantons and municipalities offersa collection of practical measures and examples
- The Agenda 2030 toolbox for companies shows industry-specific sustainability goals and suitable measures. Focus on companies.
- EKAS box provides lots of information on occupational safety, health protection and ergonomics in the office
- Toolbox Sustainable Procurement Switzerland is a combination of the procurement tools from the “Guide des achats professionnels responsables” and the “Sustainability Compass”
- Sustainability Tool Box from Switzerland Global Enterprise, again provides various tools for companies.
- Guidelines and checklists from the German Sustainability Code and free support for companies on sustainability reporting in accordance with CSRD provide support on the topic of reporting.
- EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR): Tools for companies compiled by the IHK
- Polartstern’s guide to sustainability communication without greenwashing helps you avoid falling into the greenwashing trap.
Exciting data, maps and statistics
Sometimes you need maps, dashboards and statistics to make complex relationships tangible. Here are some tools that can help.
- Global Forest Watch provides the latest data, technology and tools to enable people everywhere to better protect forests.
- Freely accessible data from the Swiss authorities – Opendata
- World Risk Report and infographics from the World Economic Forum
- Free and open access to biodiversity data
- Data sets on the topic of water
- Data catalog from Our World in Data
- Intelligent climate information from Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S)
- “Environmental data” are current data, trends and assessments of the environmental situation in Germany
- The Atlas of Economic Complexity is a research and data visualization tool from the Harvard Growth Lab designed to understand the economic dynamics and new growth opportunities for every country around the world. (My personal tip)
Sustainability networks and events
Events allow you to exchange ideas with colleagues, gain access to current trends and best practices and find inspiration for your own work. They offer space for networking, strategic dialog and cooperation – be it on regulations such as CSRD, innovative approaches to climate protection or effective communication formats. Exchange is important. Here are some opportunities:
- AGILITA Events
AGILITA events offer the opportunity to exchange ideas with customers and our experts on new topics relating to the SAP S/4HANA cloud world. In addition to ERP-specific innovations, topics such as AI, process management, in-house developments and sustainability in the ERP context will be highlighted. To make sure you don’t miss an event, sign up for the newsletter right here.
- öbu – The association for sustainable business:
öbu is an association that supports companies and organizations to integrate sustainability into their business activities and offers various events and resources to Oebu. The annual Forum ö – this year on the topic of Data + Stories = Impact – is the highlight where many öbu members come together.
- Sustainability Network Central Switzerland (NVZ):
This network provides a platform for the exchange of expertise and experience in the field of sustainability, especially for companies and organizations in Central Switzerland.
- KONA – Competence Center for Sustainability of the Swiss Tourism Federation:
KONA promotes sustainable practices in tourism and offers, among other things, the Sustainable Tourism Days, which are aimed at tourism and sustainable development professionals Swiss Tourism Federation
- Sustainable Events Network Switzerland:
This association is committed to promoting sustainable events in Switzerland and is aimed at all types of events and participants in the event industry Sustainable Events Network Switzerland.
- Next Industries
Next Industries is the national initiative with the aim of driving forward the digital transformation of Switzerland as a workplace. Here, too, there are events with topics on digitalization and sustainability and the opportunity to exchange ideas with companies or research institutions and establish project partnerships.
- Bern Sustainability Days:
Held annually in late summer in Bern, they offer a varied program of workshops, guided tours and exhibitions on various sustainability topics in the city of Bern.
- Sustainability Week Zurich:
A student initiative that organizes a week of events on the topic of sustainability every year University of Zurich | UZH.
- Dialog 2030:
This series of events organized by the Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE) is dedicated to various aspects of sustainability and the 2030 Agenda Federal Office for Spatial Development ARE.
- Swisscleantech
Organizes various events and conferences on topics relating to the sustainable economy, including the National Wind Energy Conference and the Swisscleantech Public Affairs Circle.
- Center for Corporate Reporting (CCR)
The CCR is a member-based competence center for corporate reporting in the DACH region. They organize practice-relevant member events, publish various publications, offer tailor-made advice for members and promote networking among peers and experts.
Further sources of information:
- ESRS services a knowledge portal for sustainability managers
- EFRAG on the topic of sustainability reporting. EFRAG advises the European Commission in the form of draft European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)
- Sustainability compass of the WPK
- forum Nachhaltig Wirtschaften – Newsletter
- Environmental Dialogue Newsletter
- News on the circular economy – circular economy news newsletter or RSS
- Biodiversity: Nature Positive Initiative; https://www.getnaturepositive.ch/ and revive! A great new project for everyone who has recognized that our basis of life is at risk.
- Economist Impact – The Sustainability Project with the Sustainability Atlas
- NZZ Planet A Newsletter with publications on climate change
- ESG Today aims to provide business and finance leaders with the information they need to navigate the rapidly evolving world of sustainability.
- Overview of sustainability and carbon management software solutions(request via Swisscom)
Of course, there are many other valuable sources of information – and nothing can replace the personal exchange of experience. Because sustainability is a multifaceted topic and has different requirements depending on the industry, it is worth thinking outside the box. Which tools, data sources or events have been particularly helpful to you? Write to us – we’ll collect the tips and share them here!
