At Zátiší Group, we measured all areas from our own operation, energy consumption, waste production to the footprint of our products. Today, we will focus on the phase where every single employee and their transportation data was crucial. So, how did it turn out?

In the first quarter of 2024, we took another step towards reducing our impact on the environment. We decided to start measuring our carbon footprint, including one of the biggest challenges – transporting employees to work. This step is essential not only for the company itself, but also for the entire society, as reducing the carbon footprint is a key aspect in relation to the fight against climate change, which we all see around us lately.

According to manager Olga Trnková, People & Culture Executive Manager, measuring the carbon footprint is an essential step for a company to effectively plan and implement its sustainable activities.

"Measuring the carbon footprint allows us to identify the main areas where we can reduce our ecological burden," explains Olga.

PHOTO: Olga Trnková, People & Culture Executive Manager Zátiší Group

The first step was to collect data on employee’s transportation to work. We used questionnaires in Microsoft Office 365 and the Jobka platform, which is used by approximately two thirds of our employees. Although the initial deadline was not met and the deadline afterwards was postponed multiple times, eventually we were able to get 170 responses from a total of 320 employees. The total carbon footprint associated with the journey to work is 270.9 tons of CO2e, which is roughly a percent of the company’s total footprint for 2023. The largest share of emissions comes from car trips, which represent 203.3 tons of CO2e.

Data from Zátiší Group carbon footprint report prepared by Impact Metrics from March 27th, 2024

The measurement results show that many employees do not see carbon footprint measurement as a priority. Therefore, the plan includes a whole range of communication, educational as well as activities that directly engage employees. Those include sustainability days, corporate competitions for ideas on how to reduce our impact and waste. "It is important that everyone realizes that sustainability is a priority for all of us," adds Olga.

Zátiší company plans to regularly monitor and update its carbon footprint data every year. "We want to motivate employees to consider alternatives for personal car transport to work, for example we are considering the Lítačka benefit, but we are also looking for other solutions," says Olga. Measuring the carbon footprint is important and achievable if the entire company and its employees are involved in the process.

For a long time, we have been offering a benefit in the form of Multisport cards, which allow our employees to use two hours of free riding per day on shared bikes from Rekola and Nextbike. This benefit supports ecological transport and a healthy lifestyle, which further contributes to reducing our carbon footprint.

Measuring the carbon footprint and engaging employees in activities that reduce environmental impact are key steps to achieving greater sustainability. The Zátiší company is an example that reducing the carbon footprint is possible and it motivates its employees to make conscious decisions that help protect our planet.