Footprint vs. Handprint: The Evolution of Carbon Accounting


INHALT


Current climate strategies focus heavily on the Carbon Footprint, which measures the negative environmental impact of an entity’s activities. However, this "reduction-only" mindset often overlooks the positive climate contributions a company can make through its products and services. The emerging concept of the Carbon Handprint quantifies these positive impacts, offering a more holistic view of corporate responsibility. Comparing these two metrics is essential for developing a balanced sustainability strategy that prioritizes both harm reduction and active climate solutions.
 
AUFGABENSTELLUNG

Objectives

  • Establish clear conceptual boundaries between the Carbon Footprint and the Carbon Handprint;
  • Evaluate the different calculation standards and their practical application;
  • Examine if the Handprint is a reliable metric for companies to report their climate contributions.

Tasks

  • Conduct a comprehensive analysis of Footprint standards (e.g., Greenhouse Gas Protocol, ISO 14064/67) and recent Handprint frameworks (e.g., VTT/LUT University);
  • Map how traditional emission categories (Scopes 1–3) relate to the emerging concepts of avoided emissions (Scopes 4) and removals (Scope 5);
  • Present a case study (e.g., a renewable energy product) to show both the Footprint and the Handprint in action;
  • Identify the limitations and risks of Handprint reporting, such as double counting or lack of standardization.

Status der Arbeit:Ausgeschrieben
Schwerpunktbereich:
Gewünschter Beginn:ab sofort
Gewünschte Studienrichtung:Alle
Betreuer(in):Gerald Feichtinger   |   03842 402 6012   |   gerald.feichtinger@unileoben.ac.at

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