--- title: Carbon Snapshot description: CarbonTrail is partnering with accountants to offer our new Carbon Snapshot. A first of its kind way to calculate an organisations annual carbon footprint. --- [![CarbonTrail](https://sales.carbontrail.co/hubfs/Web%20Logo%20250px.png)](https://sales.carbontrail.co/?hsLang=co) - [Solutions](https://sales.carbontrail.co/for-small-business?hsLang=co) - [For Small Business](https://sales.carbontrail.co/for-small-business?hsLang=co) - [CarbonTrail Starter](https://sales.carbontrail.co/carbontrail-starter?hsLang=co) - [For Advisors](https://sales.carbontrail.co/advisors?hsLang=co) - [For Investors and Fund Managers](https://sales.carbontrail.co/investors-and-fund-managers?hsLang=co) - [About](https://sales.carbontrail.co/about?hsLang=co) - [Pricing](https://sales.carbontrail.co/pricing?hsLang=co) - [Insights](https://sales.carbontrail.co/blog?hsLang=co) - [Contact](https://sales.carbontrail.co/contact?hsLang=co) [SIGN IN](https://app.carbontrail.co) [GET STARTED](https://sales.carbontrail.co/pricing?hsLang=co) EARLY ACCESS OFFER # CarbonSnapshot CarbonTrail is partnering with accountants to offer our new CarbonSnapshot - a first of its kind way to instantly calculate your carbon footprint.  **It takes 1-Click to connect a Xero account and get your report.** The CarbonSnapshot automatically calculates the emissions an organisation has produced during 1st April 22 - 31st March 23.  In minutes you receive an accurate carbon footprint report, including a breakdown of all emission types.  This includes value chain emissions (scope 3) which make up the bulk of a company’s carbon footprint, but are very hard to measure with manual carbon accounting. **Join the waitlist** The Carbon Snapshot is currently only available through partner accountants.  If you aren't already a partner, accountants can join our waitlist or get in touch. ![A carbon snapshot](https://sales.carbontrail.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(2).jpg?width=600&height=600&name=Untitled%20design%20(2).jpg) # CarbonTrail is transforming carbon accounting #### Generates a highly accurate view of your emissions in minutes. #### Compares your result to similar sized New Zealand organisations in your industry. #### Highlights your biggest emitting suppliers and spend categories. #### Explains how to get started on your sustainability journey. "CarbonTrail makes it really easy to look at all your data and see your biggest emission categories are, and from that you can start making a plan." Climate and Sustainability Lead Thankyou Payroll ## Why Carbon Accounting matters for SMEs Aotearoa New Zealand is setting its sights on net zero emissions by 2050.  This lofty goal is bringing about big changes for business - targeted to help the government deliver.   Carbon accounting is already a hot topic.  Regulated industries and large emitters are now mandated to measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions, and this is having repercussions for SMEs.  Big business sees their supply chain as an obvious place to start.   Procurement often requires an environmental statement, but you can soon expect to be asked for your carbon footprint and management strategy.  As the industry matures, finance experts believe SMEs will be under increasing pressure to report on and reduce their own emissions to win and retain deals. ## Common Myths ### Myth 1: There's no point measuring if you aren’t a big producer The UN has identified that more than 70% of business emissions are likely to come from Scope 3 (the things your buy and use in day-to-day operations).  When you have the full picture and can measure your entire value chain, you reveal hidden opportunities to reduce your emissions. ### Myth 2: SMEs can’t justify the effort Historically if you spoke with someone who measured their business' carbon footprint, you would probably have been shocked to discover how much time it took; combing through paper work and creating countless spreadsheets. CarbonTrail removes the effort by automatically analysing every business transaction in a matter of minutes. ### Myth 3: Carbon offsetting is the answer To carbon offset businesses 'pay' for their greenhouse gas emissions - often set at 125% of their total.  In return they receive a credit; an investment in sustainability focussed projects such as reforestation.  Whilst offsetting plays a role in reducing global emissions, it only scratches the surface of what needs to be done.  Offsetting is not a replacement for emissions reduction, and organisations should ensure the robustness of any carbon credits they purchase. ### Myth 4: Businesses should get a carbon certification The question 'should I certify' is common. We hear from business owners who are trying to ‘do their bit’, but hitting a wall. For them certification simply costs too much (many $000s) and would distract people from their jobs for too long. ISO accredited carbon certification/ reduction programmes and are rightly celebrated for their environmental leadership, however this isn’t the only option open to businesses. For most, getting a handle on their emissions and identifying reduction ‘quick wins’ is the best way to make a start. This way organisations can develop a sustainability roadmap, where a certification like CarbonZero or CarbonPositive may be in your future. In the meantime, to recognise and celebrate businesses who are on the sustainability journey, we reward our customers with a ‘CarbonAware’ badge which communicates to others that the environment is a priority to you now. ### Myth 4: Sustainability is too risky for brands The last decade has seen an explosion in consumer interest in ‘good business’ practices.  New standards like B Corporation have been huge in codifying how modern organisations should operate and have become a proxy for trustworthy brands.  Businesses see this trend and its link to the environment, but until recently transparency was hard to come by.  CarbonTrail is changing the game by giving leaders confidence; helping businesses understand carbon accounting and sustainable practices, reporting on the all emissions, and helping you find meaningful ways to reduce.   # Carbon accounting fundamentals ## What is carbon accounting? Carbon accounting is the process of measuring, quantifying and managing an organisations greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional carbon accounting delves into business expenditure and assesses the exact amount of carbon associated with each purchase. After considerable effort, this results is a highly precise picture for some types of business spending, and lots of gaps. The purpose of carbon accounting is to provide an accurate picture of, and find opportunities to reduce an organisation's carbon emissions.   ## How do you report on emissions? Businesses produce greenhouse gas emissions through their operations.  Scientists categorise emissions into three groups; Direct, Indirect and Value-chain, known respectively as scope 1, 2 and 3.  Carbon accounting asks organisations to identify all the sources of emissions associated with a business, collect and analyse this data, and then report on what they find.  The total emissions picture is known as your carbon footprint. ## Is carbon accounting reliable? Carbon accounting relies on established methodologies and protocols for calculating emissions. The most widely used is the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.  It provides guidance on how to measure and report emissions in a transparent and consistent manner, making it easier to compare  performance.  Carbon accounting data can be verified by independent third-party auditors to ensure accuracy and completeness. Verification can be relevant for organisations who need to provide assurance to stakeholders and investors about the validity of the data.   ## What can businesses do about their carbon footprint? Carbon accounting is the process of measuring, quantifying and managing an organisations greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional carbon accounting delves into business expenditure and assesses the exact amount of carbon associated with each purchase. After considerable effort, the result is a highly precise picture for some types of business spending, and lots of gaps. CarbonTrail has been created with one purpose in mind.  To get businesses quickly and accurately measuring their greenhouse gas emissions and highlighting the areas where reductions can have the biggest impact.   It solves the biggest problem - how to get started! By using information that already exists within every business, CarbonTrail calculates total CO2e emissions and analyses the emissions profile. The result is a carbon footprint in minutes.  And because businesses don't stay still, CarbonTrail continuously tracks your emissions. Whilst the aim of any climate plan should be to reduce your footprint, CarbonTrail understands that for most businesses will want to off-set some emissions.   To help, we partner with trustworthy New Zealand organisations running high quality projects that directly benefit Aotearoa.   CarbonTrail is how you can measure, manage and reduce your climate impact. CarbonTrail ## See the tool in action GET A DEMO SIGN UP © 2023 CarbonTrail Limited All rights reserved [Privacy Policy](https://carbontrail.co/legal/privacy-policy) [Terms and Conditions](https://carbontrail.co/legal/terms-and-conditions)