Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General

  • Footprint Intelligence is an AI-powered platform that helps organizations streamline sustainability reporting and decarbonization. It allows you to calculate carbon footprints (Scope 1, 2, and 3), collect data for CSRD and ESG compliance, plan sustainability actions, and generate audit-ready reports — all in one place.

    You can connect your data sources or upload documents, and the platform uses AI to extract, classify, and convert that data into structured sustainability outputs. It simplifies complex ESG workflows and enables real-time collaboration across departments or suppliers.

  • AI makes sustainability reporting faster, more accurate, and less manual. At Footprint Intelligence, AI is used to:

    • Extract and process emissions and ESG data from files and systems

    • Classify data according to frameworks like CSRD and GHG Protocol

    • Auto-fill missing data points and provide suggestions

    • Generate reports aligned with European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)

    This automation saves time, ensures consistency, and improves the quality of your reporting — especially for companies with complex data or multiple stakeholders.

  • The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) applies to:

    • Large EU companies with more than 250 employees, €50M+ turnover, or €25M+ in assets

    • Listed SMEs on EU-regulated markets (with phased-in deadlines)

    • Non-EU companies operating in the EU that meet certain revenue and presence thresholds

    CSRD requires reporting on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts using the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Reports must be independently assured and digitally tagged.

  • Carbon emissions are grouped into:

    • Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned assets (e.g. vehicles, on-site fuel use)

    • Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased electricity or heating

    • Scope 3: All other indirect emissions (e.g. suppliers, employee travel, product use, waste)

    Footprint Intelligence calculates all three scopes by combining your business data with global emissions factor databases — ensuring your results are accurate, complete, and CSRD-compliant.

  • Yes. Footprint Intelligence supports multi-entity, multi-location, and supply chain tracking. You can group data by department, region, supplier, or legal entity — and collaborate with internal or external stakeholders to assign responsibilities and fill data gaps. This makes it ideal for companies with complex organizational structures or supplier networks.

  • Footprint Intelligence combines flexible carbon accounting, AI automation, and collaborative features in one intuitive platform. It’s built for multiple use cases — including CSRD reporting, corporate and event footprints, employee travel tracking, double materiality, and impact planning.

    Unlike traditional ESG tools, it supports real-time collaboration, works for any organizational size, and includes AI-powered tools that automate reporting, fill missing data, and save time. All data is securely stored in the EU and structured for audit-readiness.

  • Footprint Intelligence lets you automate the most time-consuming sustainability workflows:

    • Collecting ESG and emissions data from various sources

    • Performing Double Materiality Assessments

    • Calculating Scope 1–3 emissions with verified emission factors

    • Generating reports that match the CSRD / ESRS structure

    • Assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and tracking progress

    With built-in AI, templates, and export options (Excel, CSV), your entire sustainability reporting process becomes faster, easier, and more reliable.

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

  • The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is an EU regulation that requires companies to publish standardized sustainability reports. It applies to large EU companies (with over 250 employees, €50M in turnover, or €25M in assets), listed SMEs, and certain non-EU companies operating in the EU.

    Under CSRD, companies must report on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts using the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The directive aims to improve corporate transparency and make sustainability data consistent and comparable across the EU.

  • To get ready for CSRD, companies should start by understanding their reporting obligations and conducting a Double Materiality Assessment to define what ESG topics are relevant to them. They must also begin collecting data on Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, as well as other ESG performance metrics.

    Footprint Intelligence helps simplify the process with built-in templates aligned to ESRS, AI-assisted data collection, and automated reporting tools — making it easier to comply without adding unnecessary workload.

  • ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting Standards) are the detailed reporting frameworks that support CSRD compliance. They define how companies should disclose ESG-related topics, covering areas like climate change, resource use, biodiversity, workforce well-being, and business conduct.

    Each company is required to assess which topics are material to their business through a materiality analysis — and report accordingly. ESRS ensures that sustainability disclosures are consistent, comparable, and aligned with regulatory expectations.

  • The fastest and most reliable way to create a CSRD-compliant report is by using a platform like Footprint Intelligence, which automatically aligns your data with ESRS requirements. It helps you run your materiality assessment, collect ESG and emissions data, and generate audit-ready reports — saving time, reducing costs, and ensuring compliance.

  • Footprint Intelligence offers an end-to-end solution for CSRD compliance. It includes AI-powered data collection, ready-to-use ESRS templates, and automated report generation — all in one secure platform. You can manage data collection across teams, assign tasks, and ensure your reporting is structured for external assurance. It’s a faster, smarter way to meet CSRD obligations while integrating sustainability into your core business.

SME & VSME

  • VSME (Voluntary SME Sustainability Standard) is a simplified reporting framework designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU. It helps SMEs start reporting on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance with fewer requirements than the full CSRD — making sustainability reporting more accessible to smaller companies.

  • Most SMEs are not legally required to report under CSRD unless they are listed on a regulated market. However, using VSME is strongly recommended for SMEs that want to improve transparency, meet supply chain expectations, or access financing that favors ESG-aligned businesses. Footprint Intelligence supports both VSME and CSRD-aligned reporting workflows.

  • Small businesses can start by mapping their environmental and social impacts, gathering basic data on Scope 1–3 emissions, and adopting a lightweight standard like VSME. Footprint Intelligence provides ready-made templates, AI assistance, and guided workflows tailored to SMEs — so you can get started without needing in-house ESG experts.

  • Platforms like Footprint Intelligence streamline VSME reporting by offering pre-built data collection templates, AI support for data processing, and automated report creation. This makes it possible for smaller teams to generate credible reports without heavy manual work.

  • Yes — Footprint Intelligence is designed for flexibility. The platform adapts to smaller businesses by offering affordable, easy-to-use tools for ESG reporting, carbon footprint calculations, and stakeholder engagement — all without needing extensive ESG expertise.

  • No. Footprint Intelligence is built so non-experts can confidently manage ESG and carbon reporting. With guided templates, AI support, and an intuitive interface, small teams can collect, analyze, and report data without prior sustainability experience.

  • VSME helps small businesses:

    • Start ESG reporting in a cost-effective, low-barrier way

    • Meet supply chain and financing requirements

    • Demonstrate transparency to customers, partners, and investors

    • Build internal sustainability practices on a standardized foundation

    Platforms like Footprint Intelligence make the process easier with AI-powered support and SME-ready workflows.

Product Footprint

  • A Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) measures all greenhouse gas emissions generated during a product’s lifecycle — from raw materials to manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal. Calculating PCF is essential for sustainable product design, supply chain transparency, and compliance with regulations like the CSRD.

  • Footprint Intelligence automates PCF calculations by combining your material, energy, transport, and production data with trusted lifecycle databases. This delivers faster, more accurate, and audit-ready results aligned with ISO 14067 and other leading standards.

  • To calculate a PCF, you need:

    • Material data (type, quantity, origin)

    • Energy use in production

    • Transport data (modes, distances)

    • End-of-life treatment (e.g. recycling, landfill)

    Footprint Intelligence helps organize and process this data, ensuring your assessments are accurate and compliant.

  • Footprint Intelligence uses AI-assisted data entry, lifecycle databases, and real usage data to calculate product emissions. The platform then recommends decarbonization actions based on cost, feasibility, and potential impact.

  • Yes. CSRD often requires product-level data in sectors like manufacturing or retail. Footprint Intelligence links product footprint data directly to your corporate reports, making it easy to ensure CSRD compliance and transparency.

Corporate Carbon Footprint

  • A Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) represents all greenhouse gas emissions from a company’s activities — covering direct emissions (Scope 1), indirect energy use (Scope 2), and supply chain or value chain emissions (Scope 3).

  • Calculating your CCF is key for meeting regulations like CSRD, creating decarbonization strategies, and building trust with stakeholders. It provides the baseline for ESG strategies and helps attract talent, customers, and investors who value transparency.

  • The easiest way is with a platform like Footprint Intelligence, which automates data input, maps activities to the right Scope, and uses verified emissions factors. This ensures a complete, accurate picture of your company’s carbon footprint.

  • Footprint Intelligence supports multi-entity and group-level reporting, letting you group emissions by location, entity, or business unit. This makes it easy to track emissions at both a detailed and aggregated level.

  • Yes. The platform helps you model reduction strategies, estimate costs and savings, and prioritize actions aligned with frameworks like the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

  • Absolutely. Footprint Intelligence integrates your CCF data into CSRD-ready reports and ESG disclosures — ensuring compliance, audit-readiness, and easier external assurance.

Double Materiality Analysis

  • Double Materiality means assessing both how sustainability issues impact your business (financial materiality) and how your business impacts people and the planet (impact materiality) — a requirement under CSRD.

  • It ensures your reporting reflects not only investor priorities but also societal and regulatory expectations — making it central to CSRD compliance.

  • Traditionally a time-consuming task, Double Materiality can be streamlined with platforms like Footprint Intelligence, which combines stakeholder input tools and AI-driven insights to map materiality efficiently.

  • The platform guides you through a clear, 3-step process: stakeholder analysis, identification of key matters, and creation of a materiality matrix. Outputs are CSRD-compliant and audit-ready.

  • Yes — Footprint Intelligence helps you collect stakeholder input via surveys and tools, ensuring your materiality reflects the views of employees, customers, and partners.

Decarbonization & Impact

  • AI accelerates sustainability work by automating data collection, forecasting results, and helping prioritize actions with the greatest impact and ROI.

  • Footprint Intelligence models expected carbon reductions, cost savings, and progress toward ESG targets — helping you choose the most effective initiatives.

  • Yes — Footprint ranks actions by cost, feasibility, and impact so you can focus on what delivers the greatest value for your sustainability efforts.

Employee Footprint

  • These include emissions from commuting, business travel, and remote work — often significant parts of a company’s Scope 3 footprint.

  • Tracking these emissions improves reporting accuracy, identifies reduction opportunities, and helps meet CSRD and ESG requirements.

  • Employees can report commuting and business travel data via Footprint’s in-app surveys. The platform calculates the resulting Scope 3 emissions automatically.

  • Yes. Footprint Intelligence includes tools for employees to submit data securely — boosting accuracy while protecting privacy.

  • It improves Scope 3 reporting, engages employees in sustainability, and helps companies identify ways to cut emissions and costs.

Guest Footprint

  • A guest footprint measures emissions from event attendees, vendors, or consultants — an often-overlooked contributor to Scope 3.

  • Guest-related travel, accommodation, and catering can create significant indirect emissions that CSRD and ESG frameworks increasingly require companies to report.

  • Footprint provides tools to collect attendee travel and stay data and generate guest-level or event-level carbon estimates.

  • Yes. Footprint Intelligence includes app features that let guests report travel data and engage in sustainability initiatives.

  • The platform gathers data on travel modes, accommodations, and other guest activities, converting it into carbon equivalents for comprehensive reporting.

  • Yes — Footprint Intelligence integrates guest emissions directly into your corporate reporting to ensure full Scope 3 coverage.