IB1 Constellation members
Co-founder, crp.eco
David Wynn
Chief Commercial Officer, crp.eco
Short on time? TL/DR: Carbon accounting is often seen as a compliance exercise, but it can also help businesses identify cost savings and make better decisions. Crp.eco helps SMEs calculate their carbon emissions, produce reports and develop reduction plans. By becoming Perseus-ready, crp.eco can demonstrate its commitment to reliable data and prepare to connect its platform with financial services, creating new opportunities for businesses to access finance and turn sustainability insights into action.
Carbon accounting has traditionally been driven by a carrot-and-stick approach. As David Wynn, Chief Commercial Officer, crp.eco explains, “If a company is looking at doing their carbon accounting, it’s because they either have to or want to.” For some businesses, the motivation is regulatory compliance. Others are responding to requests from customers and suppliers, and some want to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and net zero.
The fact is, for many smaller businesses, carbon accounting can still feel like a nice-to-have rather than a business priority. Pierre Larson, Co-Founder at crp.eco wants to change that perception and show businesses that cost and carbon reporting are not mutually exclusive.
In fact, understanding where emissions come from can help businesses identify inefficiencies, reduce their carbon footprint and save money. The challenge is making carbon accounting accessible, practical and useful, particularly for businesses that lack the time or resources to navigate reporting requirements.
Why data quality matters in carbon accounting
Unlike traditional financial accounting, carbon accounting involves a degree of estimation. As David explains: “In the world of accounting, 10 is 10, but in the world of carbon accounting, 10 is around 10.”
Carbon calculations rely on methodologies, assumptions and emissions factors to translate business activities into estimated emissions. While these approaches provide a consistent basis for reporting, the resulting figures rely heavily on the quality of the underlying data.
“Calculating a final emissions figure is only part of the job. It is equally important to explain how that figure was reached, where the data came from and how reliable the calculation is”, David adds.
“For our customers who are consultants, it’s really important that the data is correct. It has to be top quality,” says Pierre.
Better data can also create opportunities to move beyond estimates. For example, accessing electricity consumption directly from a meter could provide a more accurate picture of energy use than relying on an invoice alone.
Perseus-ready
Now that crp.eco is Perseus-ready, it has external validation of its ability to provide quality, reliable data. This gives them a way to demonstrate its readiness to participate in the scheme and build new connections with financial services. By providing greater confidence in the quality of its data, Perseus readiness could help reduce friction when establishing commercial relationships and open up new opportunities.
“We followed the steps to becoming Perseus-ready, which was straightforward. Now we can provide quality data to our customers and help organisations that are guessing when it comes to carbon accounting. Ultimately, for us being able to say our platform is connected to large financiers with the ability to offer loans would be a huge win” says Pierre.