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In conversation with CEO Vaughan Sharman: Why auditable carbon data is a game-changer for businesses.

We sat down with our CEO Vaughan Sharman to chat about why businesses need to get serious about their carbon data. With sustainability becoming a huge priority, Vaughan explained how having transparent, verifiable carbon data is more important than ever for staying ahead of the curve.

So, let’s dive right in—why is having auditable carbon data such a big deal for businesses right now?

VS: The short(ish) answer is that carbon data is more than just a box to check. It’s firstly about showing transparency, hitting sustainability targets, and building trust with your customers, investors, and other stakeholders. It’s also about actually being able to participate in markets and opportunities. We’ll talk about supply chains a little later, but when businesses are pitching for tenders for example, there is increasingly a requirement for their business and all those within their supply chain to have certain certifications on the way your business operates - ISO14001 for example. The only way to obtain these certifications is to submit data to an auditor. This is where we come in. The need for this kind of data is growing fast, and businesses can’t afford to ignore it anymore.

You mentioned compliance—can you explain a bit more about what that looks like, and what happens if a company doesn’t have carbon data?

VS: Sure thing. Governments are increasingly tightening environmental laws and pushing businesses to report their carbon emissions. In some countries, failing to do so can lead to fines, penalties, or possible damage to a company’s reputation. Having clear data is really important for making sure a business can meet those legal requirements. If you don’t have it, you risk running into serious issues—financially and in terms of public and customer trust.

That’s definitely a big deal. But what about setting goals? How does having this data help companies with their carbon reduction targets?

VS: It’s essential for setting goals. If you don’t know where your emissions are coming from or how much you're actually emitting, it’s tough to set realistic goals. Auditable carbon data lets businesses see exactly where they’re at in terms of emissions, and you can track progress over time. Without accurate data, you’re just guessing.

Makes sense. And what about investors and stakeholders? How does carbon data fit into that equation?

VS: ESG is becoming a major focus for investors. People want to know that the companies they’re backing are doing the right thing when it comes to the environment. If you’ve got solid data, it shows that you’re serious about your sustainability claims and aspirations. This kind of transparency builds trust—not just with investors, but with customers too. If stakeholders see that you’re measuring and reducing your carbon footprint in a verifiable way, they’re more likely to get behind your business.

Right, so it’s all about trust. Now, when we talk about supply chains, there’s a lot of focus on Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions. How does carbon data play into managing that?

VS: Supply chains are a big deal right now because a lot of emissions don’t even come directly from a company’s own operations—they come from their suppliers. To quickly lay them out, Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from your company, Scope 2 is from things like the energy you buy, and Scope 3 is everything else, like your supply chain and even employee travel. Having data lets you track emissions across all three of these categories, so you can make sure your entire supply chain is aligned with your sustainability goals. If your suppliers aren’t measuring their emissions properly, it could undermine all of your hard work.

Great, thanks. It would be good to delve into this a bit more at a later time! If we can move onto carbon offsetting and carbon credits, can you talk a bit about how carbon data comes into play there?

VS: Happy to. Carbon offsetting and carbon credit markets are growing, and it’s really important to make sure these programs are legit. It’s worth saying up front that the primary focus for businesses should be on cutting emissions, and whilst offsetting will play a role in this, it’s important to ensure that this is done in a way that isn’t greenwashing. Having the carbon data helps businesses track their emissions reductions accurately, and proves that the offset projects they’re involved in are real and effective. Without reliable data, there’s a risk that businesses might be making claims that don’t line up with the actual reductions they’re achieving. It’s really keeping everything above board and helps ensure that the carbon credits being bought or sold actually make a difference.

Ok, so it’s really about being transparent and accountable. What about the competitive side of things—can businesses use this data to get ahead?

VS: 100%. As consumers become more eco-conscious, they’re starting to care more about the environmental impact of the brands they buy from. If you can show that you’ve got accurate data, it can really set you apart in the market. It shows customers that you’re serious about sustainability. Plus, businesses that lead on sustainability often get access to new opportunities, whether that’s in the form of partnerships, funding, or attracting a loyal customer base that values the environment.

And how does this all tie into a company’s long-term strategy?

VS: Sustainability isn’t just a short-term goal—it’s becoming a central part of long-term business success. Businesses that embrace sustainability early on tend to be more innovative and efficient, which ultimately creates more value over time. Having carbon data is a key part of that—it helps you measure, track, and improve your sustainability efforts in a way that leads to real, lasting change. In the long run, businesses that take carbon management seriously will be more resilient and better positioned for future growth.

That makes a lot of sense. Finally, with more and more governments introducing carbon taxes and pricing, how can accurate carbon data help businesses navigate that?

VS: Carbon taxes are definitely on the rise, and businesses need to understand how those taxes could impact them. If you have solid data, you’ll know exactly where your emissions are coming from and how much you’re at risk for in terms of carbon pricing. That gives you the chance to make changes—whether it’s optimizing your operations, switching to cleaner energy, or reducing emissions in other ways—to keep those costs under control. It’s all about being prepared and being proactive.

Any final thoughts?

VS: Just to say that having carbon data isn’t just about compliance—it’s a real strategic advantage for businesses moving forward, and the ones that get ahead are going to thrive in the future.

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