Carbon Footprint Calculation and Life Cycle Analysis
Strategies and solutions for emissions mitigation and offsetting
We calculate the carbon footprint of organizations, products, and events, and conduct life cycle assessments (LCAs) in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. Based on these results, we help each client set realistic reduction targets, register with the Ministry for Ecological Transition’s carbon footprint registry, and report their data accurately.
A carbon footprint quantifies the greenhouse gas emissions generated by an activity, expressed in metric tons of CO2 equivalent. A life cycle assessment (LCA) goes a step further and evaluates all the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its life cycle. For many companies, these are already a regulatory or commercial requirement.
Which companies are required to calculate their carbon footprint?
Royal Decree 214/2025, in effect since June 2025, requires companies that are required to prepare a non-financial report to calculate their carbon footprint annually (covering at least Scopes 1 and 2), to develop a reduction plan with a quantified target, and to publish both.
For other organizations, it is voluntary, but more and more clients, public tenders, and financial institutions are requesting it, and it is a requirement for many grants—such as those offered by the Principality—for Asturian companies to calculate their carbon footprint.
Scopes 1, 2, and 3
Scope 1
Direct emissions from sources controlled by the organization: fuel used in boilers and furnaces, the organization’s own vehicle fleet, industrial processes, and refrigerant gas leaks.
Scope 2
Indirect emissions from electricity (and, where applicable, heat or steam) that the organization purchases and consumes.
Scope 3
Other indirect emissions along the value chain: purchases, transportation, business travel, employee commuting, waste, or the use of products sold. This is usually the largest component of the carbon footprint.
How can we help you?
Services we offer:
- Calculation of the carbon footprint of a product, organization or event.
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of products and services, according to ISO 14040 / ISO 14044 standards.
- Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
- Support and advice throughout the process of obtaining and verifying the Carbon Footprint, LCA and EPD.
- TAXUS has SimaPro software, one of the most widely used LCA tools at international level, which incorporates the Ecoinvent database, widely considered to be the largest, most consistent and most transparent database on the market. This tool is used for LCA and Carbon Footprint modeling.
- Drafting of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
- Voluntary commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Carbon Offsetting: voluntary GHG emission offsetting and trading projects – emissions trading
- Projects for the allocation of greenhouse gas emissions
- Innovation in the face of climate change
- Drafting and processing of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects.
How We Do It
- Boundaries and data. Together with the organization, we define which sites and activities are included and the base year, and we collect activity data: energy and fuel bills, fleet, refrigerant top-ups and purchases.
- Calculation. We apply the Ministry’s methodology and its official emission factors and, for Scope 3 and LCAs, we model with SimaPro and the ecoinvent database.
- Reduction Plan. We propose measures ranked by cost and reduction potential, and a quantified target the company can actually meet.
- Recording and Clearing. We prepare the registration in the Spanish Carbon Footprint, Offsetting and CO2 Absorption Projects Register and, if the organization wishes, offsetting through registered absorption projects.
Why choose TAXUS for climate projects?
- Up-to-date knowledge of carbon footprint, LCA and EPD regulations and methodologies.
- Ability to combine calculation, compensation and climate communication.
- Technical support to companies and administrations.
- Experience in voluntary and mandatory mitigation projects.
- Focus on sustainability, competitiveness and responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon Footprints
What is the difference between a carbon footprint and a life cycle assessment?
The carbon footprint measures only greenhouse gases, in metric tons of CO2 equivalent. An LCA assesses all of a product’s environmental impacts (water and resource consumption, acidification, toxicity, etc.) from the extraction of raw materials through the end of its useful life. A product’s carbon footprint is, in fact, one of the impact categories in an LCA.
How long does it take to calculate a company's carbon footprint?
It depends on the number of locations, the scopes included, and how the data is organized. For an SME with scopes 1 and 2, it usually takes just a few weeks once we have the information. Scope 3 requires more work, especially when it comes to collecting data from suppliers.
Is it mandatory to register the fingerprint with the Ministry?
No, registration is voluntary. However, it allows you to use the registry’s official seal and is viewed favorably in some public bids and grant applications.
What is an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)?
It is a third-party-verified document that reports a product’s environmental impacts based on an LCA conducted according to industry-standard guidelines for that product category. It is used primarily in the construction sector, where it serves as a basis for building certifications and for bidding processes.
