Software developers see growing opportunities in CO2 emissions management

The analysis of CO2 emissions promises big business for software companies, Larissa Holzki and Christof Kerkmann write in Handelsblatt. They point out, however, that CO2 emissions remain difficult to measure exactly. Due to the steep rise in the price of CO2, emissions are increasingly becoming a financial burden for companies. While companies in the past focused mainly on waste reduction and with the management of hazardous substances, the focus has now shifted to CO2 emissions and embracing the circular economy. Startups and established technology companies alike are eagerly developing software that aims to measure, reduce and, if possible, even offset CO2 emissions without having to laboriously collect data from different systems. "I've been working with corporate software for almost 20 years - I've rarely seen such a hot topic," said Gunther Rothermel, head of sustainability solutions at German software giant SAP. Rothermel says annual growth of 20 percent or more is possible. Software companies offer solutions to handle business processes that offer detailed insights into production and transport, office utilisation and business travel, already covering a major part of comprehensive emission recording. "If we want to seriously implement sustainability, it has to be present in the control of business processes," says Rothermel. "Our vision is to enable holistic management of emissions."

 CO2 pricing is seen as an incentive to domestic companies to work and produce in an increasingly climate-friendly manner. Germany introduced its national carbon price on transport and heating fuels at the beginning of the year, initially charging emitters 25 euros per tonne of carbon dioxide. The price will increase to 55 euros per tonne by 2025 to induce consumers to switch to less CO2-intensive technologies, such as heat pumps and electric vehicles.