GHG Training: Insights and Practical Experience from Jonah & Aron

Calculating greenhouse gas emissions may sound technical, but at its core, it’s all about gaining insight. Where in your organisation do most emissions occur? And what can you improve?

At 2Impact, consultants Jonah Link and Aron Klinkenberg support companies of all sizes and across various sectors in identifying, collecting, calculating and analysing their emissions. In October, they will deliver a training that enables organisations to take charge of this process themselves. We spoke with them about what makes this work so engaging, the challenges that often come up, and how the training can help you map out your organisation’s emissions or optimise the process even further.

 
What makes this work enjoyable for you?

Aron: “Each phase is fun and interesting in its own way. Some companies are just starting out, so you figure out together what approach fits that specific organisation. Others are already on their way but want to go deeper. What I like about that is helping them move a step closer to the truth. Because that’s what this kind of calculation is ultimately about: understanding your emissions better, seeing where they come from, and how to reduce them.”

“For many organisations, this is still a new topic,” he adds. “So it’s also rewarding to transfer that knowledge.”

Jonah: “What I enjoy is diving into a new sector every time. You learn how things are made, where materials come from, and what factors play a role. As an advisor, you often offer a new perspective. Not just economically, but through the lens of climate and impact. That helps clients connect the dots.”

He gives an example: “At one supplement manufacturer, it turned out that the main source of emissions wasn’t the product itself, but the advice printed on the label: ‘mix with milk.’ That emission occurred on the consumer side and had more impact than the entire production process. Insights like that make the work surprising.”

 
What common challenges do you see among clients?

“Most people initially think of CO₂ or what comes out of a chimney,” says Aron. “But in reality, the majority of emissions are in the supply chain, such as purchased products or services.”

“They also often underestimate the level of detail required,” he adds. “Sometimes you really have to dig deep into the organisation to understand where emissions originate.”

Jonah: “Clients often think of the trucks outside their building, but procurement is often a bigger factor. That can be tricky, because they don’t always know what data you need or where to find it.” That’s where we step in. Helping clients uncover the necessary information is one of the best parts of the job.

 
What kinds of data are hardest to obtain?

“The deeper into the supply chain you go, the harder it gets,” says Jonah. “Especially when it comes to purchased goods and services.” And that’s not even including the challenge of identifying and applying the correct emission factors.

Aron: “Data on electricity or gas are usually available. And some sectors, like construction, are already further along in tracking or calculating the emissions associated with, for example, the lifetime use of a newly built home. Often, the more complex the supply chain, the more assumptions you have to make.”

Jonah: “You’re really dealing with two main challenges: your organisation’s internal data, and the average or sector-specific emissions for what they purchase. The latter is especially tough to get.”

 
How do you deal with uncertainties or assumptions?

Aron: “We start with a clear overview: which categories are relevant for this organisation? Then we support clients in collecting data. If the data doesn’t look right or is incomplete, we make the analysis and take the client along in the process. Sometimes that leads to better data after all. If not, we work with assumptions.”

Jonah: “It’s important to show where you currently stand and where you want to go. Many organisations begin with a rough estimate based on monetary value. Over time, you move toward physical quantities, suppliers, and specific emission factors. That’s a growth path, and it takes time.”

Aron: “Some categories are easier to manage. Take waste. Nearly every company generates it, and it’s listed on the profit-and-loss statement. Then you can ask targeted questions like: do you also have volume data per location? That helps improve the quality of the data.”

 
What makes a good emissions calculation?

“A good calculation starts with a solid methodology,” says Aron. “But more importantly, it should reflect your sustainability measures in the numbers. It should help you steer and show progress.”

Jonah: “It should also be reproducible. That way, you can track what your actions have achieved over multiple years. If you're only calculating based on spending, emissions go down only if you spend less or if average global emissions per euro drop. That’s not a very helpful indicator. But if you know how much concrete you’re purchasing, and from which supplier, you can make more informed decisions.”

 
Who is this training for?

Aron: “We focus on two groups. People who’ve already done a first calculation and want more control, and organisations that haven’t started yet but want to get a sense of how to approach a project like this.”

Jonah: “It’s important that you actually have a role where you need to work with this. It’s not a course for people who are just curious. It’s practical and hands-on.”

 
What will participants learn during the training?

Aron: “We start with the basics: the GHG Protocol, scopes 1, 2 and 3, and setting organisational boundaries. Then we move on to the data. How do you collect it, analyse it, and use it in your calculations?”

Jonah: “We also introduce tools, such as working with emission factors or choosing between software and Excel. You don’t just learn the concepts, but also how to apply them.”

 
What do you hope participants take away?

Aron: “That they know how to move forward. And that they have a clearer idea of what these calculations and analyses demand, not only from the organisation but from their own role as well.”

Jonah: “Even if you continue to work with a partner, it helps to ask better questions. That improves both the quality of the calculation and the collaboration.”

 
Why should someone join the training now?

Aron: “Because it’s no longer optional. Due to regulation, pressure from clients, investors, and many other sides, organisations are being pushed to take action on emissions—and fast.”

Jonah: “Our training is different from an online module. We bring real-world experience, work with real cases, and tailor everything to the participants’ context. That interaction is what makes it valuable.”

 
Lastly, what makes this work so engaging?

Aron: “You’re constantly learning. Every project is different. You work with finance, HR, procurement, and need to quickly switch between departments.” There may be a set process, but the way it’s carried out depends on many factors. Think of the organisation’s size, sector, structure, and how far along they are in mapping and calculating their emissions.

Jonah: “It’s a continuous learning journey. And it’s always a two-way street. We bring the methodology, the client brings the sector knowledge. That exchange creates new insights on both sides.”

 

Curious how to get started, or how to improve your current calculations?
Read more and sign up for our training here.