CO2 footprint:
More than just a number

The preparation of a carbon footprint adds an important component to the consumption figures. This is because it is only through this that the environmental impact of the various emitters becomes clear.

The preparation of our carbon footprint is an important and complementary source of information to our consumption figures. This is because it is only through this that the environmental impact of energy consumption, the use of various dyes and auxiliaries or even business trips becomes clear. 

But measuring the impact of our business activities on the increase in greenhouse gases – and thus our contribution to climate change – is again only a limited consideration. In the concept of planetary boundaries, climate change is only one of nine dimensions. These include, for example, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification and air pollution. However, a real measurement of the impact at company level can currently be implemented mainly through the calculation of our CO2 footprint.

CO2 footprint for production at the Rheine site

Our CO2 footprint was drawn up using the "Eco-Cockpit" programme by the regional agency “Effizienzagentur NRW”. This programme is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which is a globally valid documentation instrument for recording greenhouse gases. The holistic approach looks at three different areas, the so-called “scopes”.

0

kg CO2 equivalent

Our detailed CO2 footprint incl. a description of the calculation and system limits can be found in our current →Environmental Statement.

 

What is the level of CO2 emissions in the manufacture of a bed linen set?

We can answer this question! We have already prepared over 50 product footprints for various clients. Sometimes, the information was used to decide on new projects, and sometimes to draw up their own carbon footprint. Of course, every customer always receives background information on the collection of data and the structure of the footprint analysis. This is because transparency is the be-all and end-all of determining a CO2 footprint!

Product footprint
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kg CO2 equivalent

that are created during the production of a pillow and duvet set

Raw fabric
86%
Natural gas
8%
Power
2%
Dyes and auxiliaries
1%
Garment assembly
1%

Other emitters are yarn, waste water, waste and transport.

Further articles on the topic

Planetary boundaries

Planetary boundaries are the ecological boundaries of the Earth, the transgression of which endangers the stability of the ecosystem and the livelihoods of humankind. In this concept, climate change is only one of nine ecological dimensions. These include, for example, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification and also air pollution. The planetary boundaries are intended to define a "safe space" for human action on Earth. Certain threshold values must not be exceeded or fallen short of, in order not to endanger the resilience of the Earth as a system. For some processes, there are tipping points in the Earth’s system where crossing them would cause abrupt and irreversible changes.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Planetary boundaries

Planetary boundaries according to Rockström et al. 2009

Infographic
Development of water consumption in m3

The high level of water consumption in production brings with it a corresponding volume of waste water. Compliance with the limit values from the Waste Water Ordinance is ensured by the indirect discharge permit. The daily control of the mixing and equalisation basin by our employees, as well as through the regular inspections by the responsible monitoring authorities, give us the necessary security.