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Commitment to reducing emissions, measuring footprint, and purchasing offsets for net positive impact

byNetGreen Foundation

February 25, 2025

Keeping (Net) Positive: Verdical Group’s Commitment to Carbon Positivity

Verdical Group continues its annual commitment to reducing carbon emissions, accurately calculating its footprint, and purchasing offsets to sustain a net positive environmental status.

In 2021, Verdical Group achieved a significant milestone by offsetting its entire historical carbon footprint, reaching back to the company’s founding in 2012, with an additional ten percent offset. This move positioned Verdical Group beyond net zero, establishing it as a carbon-positive company. This decision aligns with the organization’s active memberships in Amazon’s Climate Pledge, the B Corp Climate Collective, and its standing as a Benefit Corporation dedicated to social and environmental impact. As sustainability consultants, Verdical Group’s team focuses daily on promoting carbon-neutral building projects and organizing sustainable events. Since 2021, Verdical Group has calculated its annual carbon footprint, implemented policies to minimize its environmental impact, and offset any remaining emissions.

In 2023, Verdical Group expanded its calculations to include employees’ home offices alongside its corporate locations. With many employees working remotely, this new calculation more accurately represents the company’s footprint. Verdical Group’s team remains available to guide organizations through their carbon accounting processes, offering resources such as a recent white paper on the topic.

Scope 1: Direct Emissions

Scope 1 emissions originate from sources owned or controlled by Verdical Group, specifically from on-site natural gas combustion at office locations. This year, Verdical Group included its new San Diego office. Emissions were calculated based on the proportionate square footage occupied by Verdical Group employees within shared spaces. Since most team members work from home, the estimate reflects an average of one employee per office per day, accounting for occasional in-office meetings where several employees gather.

Scope 2: Indirect Emissions from Electricity Consumption

Scope 2 emissions encompass indirect emissions from purchased electricity. Verdical Group included its San Diego office data, calculating impacts based on square footage. The Power Content Label for each office’s local utility provider informed estimates regarding renewable energy use, fossil fuel combustion, and other sources, such as nuclear and hydroelectric power. For 2023, Verdical Group relied on the 2022 Power Content Label, as 2023 data was not yet available. A similar energy mix is anticipated for 2023.

Scope 3: Other Indirect Emissions

Scope 3 emissions capture indirect emissions stemming from Verdical Group’s activities but from sources outside the company’s control. The primary contributors include waste, employee commuting, procurement, and, for the first time, home office emissions.

1. Waste

Verdical Group’s waste calculations are based on individual averages per employee for 2023. Although home office energy was included, office waste estimates were used to more accurately reflect waste produced during working hours.

2. Commuting

Even with a largely remote workforce, employee travel still contributed to Verdical Group’s 2023 emissions. The impact was calculated using data from an employee survey detailing travel mileage and methods of transportation.

3. Procurement

Procurement activities, such as online purchases, team meals, and electronics, contributed to Scope 3 emissions. When specific product emissions data was unavailable, Verdical Group selected similar items by material and weight to estimate impacts. Verdical Group’s purchasing policies encourage green, third-party-certified products, green shipping options, and the return and recycling of branded items no longer needed by employees. The company recycles, composts, disposes of e-waste properly, and promotes reusing items to minimize waste.

4. Employee Home Offices

Home office emissions were included in Verdical Group’s 2023 calculations. By sampling emissions for apartments and homes, Verdical Group estimated a daily work-related emissions figure for each type of housing. The team based calculations on eight hours out of each 24-hour day, assuming a continuous 365-day work presence, to avoid underestimating emissions for employees working beyond a typical work week.

The 2023 Footprint Breakdown

Verdical Group’s 2023 footprint breakdown showcases its comprehensive approach to carbon accounting and emissions reduction. Verdical Group invites those interested in learning more about organizational carbon accounting or looking to partner on sustainability initiatives to contact them at hello@verdicalgroup.com.