THE TECHNOLOGY BROOM FOR CARBON DUST

There is a famous saying: ‘Actions speak louder than words’. Carbon accounting software is the ‘action’ companies need to take to reduce their carbon footprint

Have you ever come across a hawk in a five-star beach resort that had the hotel’s badge? Have you ever passed by a liveried monkey while climbing towards the gates of a boarding school? The sight may appear strange at first, but once you get to know the reason behind choosing this unusual staff, it will all make sense. Who better than a sharp hawk to shoo away the seagulls! Who would save the kids’ food from the mischievous hands of rowdy monkeys if not a monkey on guard, appointed and trained by the school itself!

At the risk of comparing technology to animals, let us think about how far we have come on the same lane. Science, tools and tech-enabled innovations have fuelled the rise of capitalism and industrial growth. But they have also endangered the future and safety of this world by adding the weight of carbon emissions on this already crumbling planet – and through every big and small business activity. But how can one measure the impact of activities that cross the line somewhere? And how can one get a grip on the extent to which a company affects the environment as well as its capacity to help? Well, of course, the answer is technology!

The perpetrator can be the saviour again.

That should explain why carbon accounting software is not an odd word to hear these days. It is beyond lip service or some greenwashing advertisement. It is actual money backing a company’s intent to control its carbon impact. After all, software has been helping companies to measure and manage data of all stripes – from supply chains to customer sentiments, refinery value, machine downtime, accident risks and oil leakage. It can, then, measure carbon emission data too, right!

And surely much more.