Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General

  • Footprint Intelligence is an AI-powered sustainability management platform that helps organizations measure, report, and reduce their environmental impact.

    The platform enables companies to:

    • Calculate Corporate Carbon Footprints (Scope 1, 2, and 3)

    • Collect ESG data required for CSRD and ESRS reporting

    • Perform Double Materiality Assessments

    • Calculate product and supply chain footprints

    • Plan and track decarbonization initiatives

    You can connect data sources or upload documents, and the platform uses AI to extract, classify, and structure sustainability data automatically. This transforms complex ESG workflows into audit-ready reports and actionable insights, while enabling collaboration across departments and suppliers.

  • AI significantly reduces the manual work involved in sustainability reporting while improving data quality and consistency.

    At Footprint Intelligence, AI is used to:

    • Extract emissions and ESG data from documents and spreadsheets

    • Classify data according to frameworks like CSRD, ESRS, and the GHG Protocol

    • Automatically structure sustainability datasets

    • Suggest missing data points or emission factors

    • Generate reporting outputs aligned with CSRD requirements

    This automation allows sustainability teams to move faster from data collection to decision-making, even when working with large datasets, complex supply chains, 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 carbon accounting, ESG reporting, and AI automation in a single platform designed for modern sustainability teams.

    Key differentiators include:

    • AI-assisted data extraction and classification

    • Built-in support for CSRD / ESRS compliance

    • Corporate and product carbon footprint calculations

    • Double Materiality Assessment workflows

    • Collaboration tools for internal teams and suppliers

    • Flexible data collection via integrations, uploads, or surveys

    Unlike traditional ESG software, Footprint Intelligence focuses on automation, usability, and real operational impact — helping companies move beyond reporting toward measurable decarbonization.

  • Footprint Intelligence automates the most time-consuming parts of sustainability reporting, including:

    • Collecting ESG and emissions data from internal teams and suppliers

    • Conducting Double Materiality Assessments

    • Calculating Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions

    • Structuring disclosures according to ESRS requirements

    • Tracking reporting progress and assigning responsibilities

    The platform combines AI-assisted data processing, structured templates, and collaborative workflows to streamline the entire process — helping organizations generate CSRD-ready reports faster and with greater confidence.

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.

  • Preparing for CSRD typically involves several key steps:

    1. Conducting a Double Materiality Assessment

    2. Mapping required ESRS disclosures

    3. Collecting ESG and emissions data across the organization

    4. Calculating Scope 1, 2, and 3 carbon emissions

    5. Preparing structured sustainability reports

    Footprint Intelligence simplifies this process by providing ESRS-aligned templates, AI-powered data processing, and automated reporting workflows, helping companies centralize their sustainability data and prepare audit-ready disclosures more efficiently.

  • 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.

  • The EU Taxonomy is a classification system that defines which economic activities can be considered environmentally sustainable.

    Companies reporting under CSRD must disclose the extent to which their activities align with the EU Taxonomy.

    Footprint Intelligence helps organizations structure sustainability data to support taxonomy reporting and regulatory disclosures.

  • The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) aims to ensure that products placed on the EU market do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation.

    Companies importing or selling certain commodities must demonstrate that their supply chains comply with the regulation.

    Sustainability platforms like Footprint Intelligence can help organizations collect and structure supply chain data required for regulatory reporting.

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.

LCA & 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 helps companies calculate Product Carbon Footprints (PCF) by combining operational data with trusted lifecycle emissions databases.

    The platform analyzes inputs such as:

    • Raw materials

    • Manufacturing processes

    • Energy consumption

    • Transport and distribution

    • Product end-of-life treatment

    Using these datasets, Footprint Intelligence automatically calculates lifecycle emissions and structures results according to recognized standards such as ISO 14067 and lifecycle assessment (LCA) methodologies.

  • 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.

  • A Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates the environmental impact of a product across its entire lifecycle — from raw material extraction and manufacturing to distribution, use, and end-of-life disposal.

    LCA helps companies understand where environmental impacts occur and identify opportunities to reduce emissions, energy use, and resource consumption.

    Footprint Intelligence supports LCA workflows by combining operational data with lifecycle databases to generate structured environmental impact assessments.

  • A Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) measures only greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product.

    A Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates a broader set of environmental impacts, including:

    • carbon emissions

    • energy use

    • water consumption

    • resource depletion

    • waste generation

    Footprint Intelligence enables companies to calculate both PCF and full lifecycle environmental impacts, helping organizations better understand and improve product sustainability.

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 to measure emissions is with a carbon accounting platform that automates data collection and calculations.

    Footprint Intelligence helps organizations:

    • Collect activity data across departments

    • Map activities to the correct Scope 1, 2, or 3 categories

    • Apply verified emission factors

    • Generate a complete corporate carbon footprint

    This allows companies to quickly establish a reliable emissions baseline, which is essential for CSRD reporting and decarbonization planning.

  • 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.

  • A Double Materiality Assessment typically involves:

    1. Identifying relevant ESG topics

    2. Engaging stakeholders to gather input

    3. Evaluating both financial and environmental impacts

    4. Prioritizing material topics in a materiality matrix

    Footprint Intelligence simplifies this process by providing structured workflows, stakeholder survey tools, and automated analysis, enabling organizations to complete their assessment faster while meeting CSRD and ESRS expectations.

  • 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 helps sustainability teams analyze large volumes of ESG and emissions data more efficiently, enabling faster and more informed decisions.

    Within Footprint Intelligence, AI supports:

    • Automated data processing and structuring

    • Identification of high-impact emission sources

    • Scenario modeling for reduction strategies

    • Prioritization of initiatives based on impact, feasibility, and cost

    This allows organizations to move from reporting to actionable decarbonization planning.

  • Footprint Intelligence enables organizations to model potential decarbonization initiatives and estimate their expected impact.

    The platform helps evaluate:

    • Projected emission reductions

    • Implementation costs

    • Operational feasibility

    • Alignment with climate targets and ESG strategies

    This makes it easier to prioritize the initiatives that deliver the greatest environmental and business value.

  • 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.

Supply Chain Management

  • For many organizations, the majority of environmental impact occurs in their supply chain, particularly within Scope 3 emissions.

    Tracking supplier sustainability helps companies improve transparency, reduce risks, and meet ESG reporting requirements.

  • Companies typically collect supplier sustainability data through surveys, reporting templates, or dedicated platforms.

    Footprint Intelligence allows suppliers to submit sustainability and emissions data directly through collaborative workflows, making data collection more efficient and transparent.

  • Footprint Intelligence helps organizations:

    • collect ESG and emissions data from suppliers

    • monitor Scope 3 emissions across the value chain

    • engage suppliers in sustainability initiatives

    • integrate supply chain data into corporate sustainability reporting.

Climate Risk Assessment

  • A climate risk assessment evaluates how climate change may impact a company’s operations, assets, and supply chains.

    Climate risks are typically divided into two categories:

    • Physical risks — such as extreme weather, flooding, drought, or heatwaves

    • Transition risks — such as regulatory changes, carbon pricing, or shifts in market demand.

    Understanding these risks helps companies prepare for long-term climate impacts and integrate sustainability into business strategy.

  • Climate change can create financial, operational, and regulatory risks for organizations.

    Assessing these risks helps companies:

    • identify vulnerabilities in operations and supply chains

    • strengthen long-term resilience

    • support ESG disclosures

    • prepare for regulatory requirements such as CSRD.

  • Footprint Intelligence helps organizations structure climate risk assessments by mapping climate risks to business activities and sustainability disclosures.

    The platform helps companies document risks, analyze potential impacts, and integrate climate considerations into sustainability and corporate strategy

ESG Ratings

  • ESG ratings evaluate how well companies manage environmental, social, and governance risks and performance.

    These ratings are commonly used by investors, procurement teams, and business partners to assess a company’s sustainability practices and transparency.

    Well-known ESG rating frameworks include:

    • EcoVadis

    • MSCI ESG Ratings

    • CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project)

    • Sustainalytics

    These assessments typically evaluate factors such as emissions management, supply chain practices, governance policies, and sustainability reporting.

  • Improving ESG ratings typically involves:

    • strengthening sustainability governance

    • collecting reliable ESG data

    • improving transparency and disclosures

    • implementing measurable sustainability initiatives.

    Platforms like Footprint Intelligence help centralize ESG data and streamline reporting processes, making it easier to prepare for rating assessments.

  • Yes. Footprint Intelligence helps organizations organize the sustainability data required for ESG rating assessments such as EcoVadis and MSCI ESG Ratings.

    The platform offers various tailored AI agents and enables companies to:

    • collect ESG and emissions data across departments

    • track sustainability performance metrics

    • document policies and initiatives

    • structure sustainability information for reporting.

    This helps organizations respond more efficiently to EcoVadis questionnaires, MSCI assessments, and other ESG rating processes.