Growing importance of the CO2 balance: Annual Conference A³ climate neutral 2026!

Growing importance of the CO2 balance: Annual Conference A³ climate neutral 2026!

The second annual A³ climate-neutral conference will take place on March 11, 2026 at the Autohaus Reisacher Augsburg GmbH - a pioneer in sustainability. How region-a3.com reports, participants can expect an exciting program that includes both technical expertise and practical contributions.

As part of the conference, Dr. Thomas Becker, Head of the Sustainability and Mobility Department at the BMBW Group, will give a keynote speech. The topics revolve around the importance of CO2 balances, which increasingly represent a decisive economic advantage for companies. Especially in times of increasing regulatory requirements, such as the EU taxonomy and the supply chain law, precise CO2 accounting is not only becoming a requirement, but also a strategy for sustainable success.

Commitment of sports clubs

Another interesting aspect of the conference is the participation of professional sports clubs such as FC Augsburg and the Augsburger Panther, who are also actively involved in the area of ​​sustainability and will share their measures.

The conference is complemented by tours of the car dealership, where visitors can get to know the various sustainability measures on site. At the same time, workshops on sustainable business models take place, which promote professional exchange and networking among participants.

The role of carbon accounting

CO2 accounting is becoming increasingly important for companies. According to a study by PwC, around 78% of German companies with more than 250 employees plan to do a complete CO2 accounting by 2025. One example is the bakery chain “Goldkorn”, whose CEO Marina Weber is looking for a structured approach to CO2 capture. The reasons for this trend include regulatory requirements, investor demand and the opportunities to reduce costs and increase customer loyalty. This is evident in the study, which states that ESG criteria influence 65% of investment decisions and companies can save up to 15-20% of their energy costs by reducing their emissions.

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol distinguishes between three emission categories (scopes). Direct emissions, indirect emissions from purchased energy and indirect emissions in the value chain make up a significant part of a company's carbon footprint. An example from Munich, the company “TechFlow”, shows that 5% of their emissions are direct, while 60% come from the supply chain and 35% from the use of their software.

There are various methods for the practical implementation of CO2 accounting, ranging from Excel-based recordings to specialized software. There are tailor-made solutions for companies of all sizes that can determine how well they can position themselves in the market.

A suggested solution for companies could be to divide carbon accounting into three phases: preparation and data collection, calculation and analysis, and validation and reporting. However, common challenges such as data quality and the complexity of Scope 3 emissions represent hurdles that must be overcome. A strategic roadmap to climate neutrality can help overcome these difficulties and achieve long-term success.

The second annual conference A³ climate-neutral not only offers a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experiences, but also highlights important aspects of CO2 accounting, which can be a key for companies to achieve sustainable competitiveness.