Sustainability
Copenhagen Optimization believes that the future of the aviation industry starts with addressing climate change.
Our Council of Climate Positivity believes that every business generates carbon emissions in one way or another. Our core product Better Airport® is cloud-based – limiting a Scope 1 footprint. More importantly, we have taken a critical look at our Scope 2 and 3 emissions such as energy, food, and travel.
Being a beneficiary of EIC allows Copenhagen Optimization to set a carbon footprint baseline through EIC’s Green House Gas measuring tool. This tool enables us to track our emissions and reduction initiatives over the next five years. We are taking three steps to achieve this goal: Measure, reduce and offset.
Copenhagen Optimization is proud to operate carbon neutral but will remain critical. Being able to track and reassess at the end of the year is a start – follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on further developments.
Measure
We have calculated our emissions to create a baseline around our carbon footprint. Historical data on energy usage, lunch schedules, and business travel has been considered. Our calculations are certified by EIC and based on consultation with external parties to ensure accurate monitoring. These parties include Agreena, the Global Climate Institute, and Ramboll Management Consulting.
We are tracking our carbon footprint on a yearly basis. As of 2022, our HQ is fully powered by Ørsted’s wind energy leaving a minimal footprint of 0.2t, our meal consumption covers a footprint of 18t, and our short- and long-haul business travels concern a footprint of 211t . To cover the footprint of our employees outside of work, and to prevent underestimation, we aim to offset 688t CO2e despite having a smaller calculated footprint.
Reduce
The Danish approach to sustainable lives within our company – all of our employees take public transport or their bicycles to work as there are no parking spaces available. Employees are also periodically reminded to consider vegetarian options and bring home daily leftovers by creating ready-made packages. Other initiatives include second-chance furniture products, a centralized bin system set-up, and a preliminary cap on paper used for printing.
An integral part of our business model is travel. This concerns conferences, clients, and business development meetings with airports all over the world. Prior to travelling, we consider the necessity of the trip, the best route possible, and we purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for the duration of the entire flight through SAS – both outbound and inbound for every single employee. SAF has the same specifications as regular fuel but emits around 80 percent less CO2. The bought amount will be used to replace fossil fuel to the equivalent amount within SAS’ operations.
Offset
In parallel with reduction initiatives, we offset our remaining footprint, both at – and outside of work, by investing in the Larimar Wind Farm II project. This project is accredited by the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and reduces CO2 emissions by an average of 300k tonnes a year – the equivalent of about 900k barrels of oil. It is the first project to be traded on IATA’s new Aviation Carbon Exchange platform on which airlines can choose to offset their carbon emission as well.
The project initiator EDE Haina reinvests a yearly profit of US$ 500k in its social responsibility program, which promotes the sustainable development of 35k people in 22 communities across the provinces of San Pedro de Macoris, San Cristóbal, Barahona and Pedernales.
Sustainable airports
We acknowledge that our industry contributes to climate change – here’s what we’re trying to do about it. Copenhagen Optimization wants to help optimize sustainability efforts across the entire airport operation. We are considering several use cases which we would like to explore together with you:
- Energy management based on passenger volumes throughout the airport.
- Standardized calculations to produce quality data on climate impact.
- Infrastructure utilization conducive to resource management.
We believe that the future of our industry depends on different parties coming together to cut emissions. Are you inspired to act and identify ideas? Reach out to us here.
Internal Carbon Footprint
Our core product BETTER AIRPORT® is cloud-based – preventing a direct carbon footprint for Scope 1 emissions. Instead, we have taken a critical look at our Scope 2 and 3 emissions such as energy, food, and travel.
The company’s headquarter is fully powered by wind energy resulting in a footprint of roughly 0.2157t. Employees at Copenhagen Optimization have the option to make use of a daily lunch provider for a low rate. Based on an extrapolation of the lunch schedule, the emission for purchased meals is 18.19t. Employees are routinely reminded by the office administrators to update their lunch schedules, consider vegetarian options and bring home daily leftovers. An integral part of our core business model is travel. In 2022, we calculated a carbon footprint of 211.4t. Prior to travelling, we consider the necessity of the trip, the best route possible, and purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) when available.
Verified by EIC, our direct carbon footprint is 229.8t. To prevent underestimation, half of the original footprint is added as a buffer. In addition, the average Danish employee’s carbon footprint outside of work is considered which tops an additional 350t. The total carbon footprint of Copenhagen Optimization concerns 688t CO2e.
Copenhagen Optimization goes Carbon Neutral
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Copenhagen Optimization has taken measures to prevent offsetting our carbon footprint as much as possible.
When we require furniture for new employees, we consider second-chance or second-hand products first. We have initiated a centralized bin system and reduced the number of smaller bins next to desks. Recycling is done according to municipal and building regulations. Printing paper is limited to a set number of pages per year, per employee – minimizing paper waste. SAF is purchased for business travels when possible.
To offset our total carbon footprint of 688t CO2e, we are investing in the Larimar Wind Farm II. This project is accredited by the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and reduces CO2 emissions by an average of 300k tonnes a year – the equivalent of about 900k barrels of oil. It is the first project to be traded on IATA’s new Aviation Carbon Exchange platform on which airlines can choose to offset their carbon emission as well.
The project itself consists of fifteen Vestas V112 wind turbines, with a height of 140 meters and a generation capacity of 3.3 MW each. The project initiator EDE Haina reinvests its yearly winnings of US$ 500k in its social responsibility program, which promotes the sustainable development of 35k people in 22 communities across the provinces of San Pedro de Macoris, San Cristóbal, Barahona and Pedernales.
Copenhagen Optimization is proud to operate carbon neutral but will remain critical. Being able to track and reassess at the end of the year is a first step. For future initiatives, follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date.
Copenhagen, January 2023.
