The direct greenhouse gas emissions resulting to a large extent from carbon dioxide emissions (CO₂) of the combustion processes operated by Clariant are directly proportional to the amount of carbon in the used fuels. To be able to make a comparable global statement, Clariant uses mean emission factors. Emissions of other greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are measured locally and integrated into the consolidated calculation of greenhouse gas emissions. Aside from the CO₂ inevitably produced by combustion, N₂O is particularly significant because of its extremely high global warming potential.

Indirect greenhouse gas emissions are predominantly generated by external energy procurement, usually in the form of electricity and steam – and thereby almost exclusively CO₂. Their emergence correlates very much with the amount produced and can be less influenced by Clariant than direct emissions. To calculate the emission amounts, country specific conversion factors are used, which are determined on the basis of the existing infrastructure in the country in question. The amount of all greenhouse gases (expressed in CO₂ equivalents) from indirect emissions decreased because of improved energy efficiency and the sale of energy intensive businesses from 0.63 million t to 0.45 million t, or from 145 to 123 kg/per manufactured ton of products between 2013 and 2015.

Clariant does not record additional indirect emissions caused, for instance, on business trips with planes or cars, due to the difficult differentiation and the cost-benefit ratio. Random checks have shown that the indirect greenhouse gas emissions caused by Clariant are insignificant in the overall context and are therefore not reported as material. For example, CO₂ emissions caused by the travelling of Clariant employees are insignificant in relation to overall emissions (< 3%). Moreover, with more than 17 000 staff, the cost of determining the CO₂ emissions generated by employees traveling to the company would not be appropriate given the level of insight this would provide. Initial calculations for preliminary products as part of the »Carbon Disclosure Project« (CDP) also point in this direction.

PwC