CO2e compensation with Aromatico

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard

We calculate our corporate carbon footprint according to the calculation standard of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard. This divides the emissions caused into three scopes:

Scope 1: Emissions originating directly from sources within the company

Scope 2: Indirectly from externally generated and purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling

Scope 3: Indirectly from other upstream and downstream processes in the supply chain.

Specific quantities of emissions are calculated on the basis of these scopes. The resulting greenhouse gases are then converted into CO2-equivalent emissions (CO2e).

The corporate carbon footprint of Aromatico

In accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol standard, we calculate the emissions from Scope 1 and Scope 2 as part of our footprint. We pursue an operational control approach for Scope 3. Here we calculate what we can control and verify operationally. This includes the transport route from the roaster, manufacturer or intermediary to us, our operational activities and the transport route to the customer's doorstep. Product-specific emissions from cultivation, production, use and disposal are not considered. You can view our documentation on the greenhouse gas balance (reference year 2023) here.

Climate protection with Northpol

NORTHPOL is our partner in the realisation of our CO2e compensation and supports us in the selection of and investment in the compensation projects. All offset projects selected by NORTHPOL are certified according to the Gold Standard. After completing your purchase, you can choose which project we invest in with the help of NORTHPOL and thus compensate for the proportion of our footprint that is attributable to your purchase.

Our CO2e compensation with (the help of) certificates

We endeavour to constantly avoid or reduce our emissions as far as possible in the future. We offset emissions that are inevitably caused by the operation of our company with certificates. The quantity of offset certificates that we acquire depends on the emissions we cause. When purchasing the offset certificates, we draw on a selection of Gold Standard-certified projects, which are selected by our partner NORTHPOL. To enable you to participate in this process, we allow you to decide which project will offset your share of our corporate carbon footprint once you have completed your purchase.

If you do not make a selection, NORTHPOL will choose a Gold Standard certified project instead. This ensures that our entire corporate carbon footprint is offset.

This is how you can participate

1. You complete a purchase in the Aromatico online shop

2. You are automatically shown a selection of equalisation projects

3. You decide in favour of one of the projects

4. Aromatico takes care of the CO2e compensation!

The different equalisation areas

Forest protection

Reforestation projects play a crucial role in the fight against the climate crisis. They help to bind CO2 from the atmosphere, restore local ecosystems and protect biodiversity. Reforestation projects convert areas that were previously degraded pastureland or fallow land into forests. Sustainable management of these areas creates jobs and thus improves the economic and social situation in rural regions.

Safe drinking water

Projects that promote water filtration bring many benefits. In addition to the availability of clean drinking water without harmful germs, which contributes significantly to the health of the population, the need for firewood and thus the massive logging in the surrounding forest areas is reduced and greenhouse gas emissions from burning the wood to boil the water are avoided. Safe drinking water therefore brings further benefits in addition to the climate effect.

Renewable energies

In contrast to fossil fuels, renewable energies such as wind power, solar energy and hydropower have the advantage that they are inexhaustible and therefore not limited. The use of renewable energies curbs climate change and strengthens environmental protection.

Efficient cooking zones

The use of efficient hobs saves on fuels such as wood and coal compared to traditional fireplaces. The environment is protected through the reduction of flue gas emissions that are harmful to the climate and health. The efficient use of fuels (such as wood) also helps to counteract deforestation.

Frequently asked questions

How serious are the projects?

The selected projects are all certified by the Gold Standard. The independent and strict quality standard was developed by environmental and development experts under the leadership of the WWF and other international NGOs and is regularly reviewed by external organisations. In addition to climate protection, other UN Sustainable Development Goals are also taken into account, such as those relating to the quality of life of local people.

How is the equalisation quantity calculated for my purchase?

We have calculated our annual greenhouse gas emissions using our corporate carbon footprint. We have offset the total quantity against the total weight of the goods sold. This allows us to determine a quantity of greenhouse gases for each basket weight. The weight of goods is a good and simple indicator, as the transport of goods accounts for a large part of the corporate carbon footprint. A higher weight of goods causes more transport emissions.

Am I now drinking “climate-neutral” coffee?

No. From cultivation, roasting and transport to preparation and disposal, coffee causes greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. We offset the portion of these emissions for which Aromatico is responsible with certificates or carbon credits. Nevertheless, greenhouse gas emissions still occur, so unfortunately ‘climate-neutral’ coffee is not possible.

I have forgotten or missed to select a project - will my share still be compensated?

Yes, the quantity of certificates or carbon credits that we purchase to offset always corresponds to the total corporate carbon footprint in a year. If individual credits are not allocated to any projects, our partner NORTHPOL selects one of the Gold Standard projects.

What does CO2e mean?

CO2e is a unit used to summarise a quantity of greenhouse gases. In addition to carbon dioxide (CO2), these include methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Each greenhouse gas contributes to the greenhouse effect to a different extent. The extent to which a gas has an effect is indicated by its global warming potential. This factor is used to make the quantities of different gases comparable in terms of their climate effect and to express them as a common quantity in CO2 equivalents (CO2e).

Who calculated Aromatico's footprint?

We have calculated our footprint ourselves in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard. To ensure that we have done everything correctly, we have had our calculations independently verified by GUTcert.

How was Aromatico's footprint calculated?

To calculate our footprint, we have opted for the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard approach. In accordance with the requirements, we have fully included emissions that are assigned to Scope 1 and Scope 2. In Scope 3, we have opted for an operational control approach, i.e. we have taken into account all upstream and downstream emission sources that we can influence. The exact calculation method can be found in the documentation. The calculation is carried out and updated annually.

How does customer participation work?

The Aromatico online coffee shop now offsets the CO2e emissions that the company generates as part of its controllable value chain and interactively involves its customers in the process. Depending on the purchase weight, the amount of CO2e to be offset and the proportion of offset certificates are calculated after a purchase in the online store. After completing their purchase, customers can choose which project will offset their share. The costs of offsetting are borne entirely by Aromatico.