IBM offers carbon emission calculator

IBM has unveiled an application which allows businesses to calculate their carbon footprint.

The IBM Carbon Tradeoff Modeler calculates carbon emissions from all parts of a company and figures out the overall environmental impact of its operations.

The tool estimates the amount of carbon emitted in various business processes, such as packaging products and transporting materials.

Customers are also able to produce models of the impact of future initiatives, and calculate the costs of making improvements to cut emissions.

IBM hopes that the new tool will appeal to a business community that is increasingly looking at ways to cut carbon emissions and minimise energy costs.

"To achieve a carbon-efficient supply chain, companies need to assess the CO2 emissions impact of their end-to-end operations," said Sanjeev Nagrath, global leader of supply chain management at IBM Global Business Services.

"By incorporating research-based tools to model the cost and carbon impact of key steps in the supply chain, firms can take action to reduce CO2 emissions and influence suppliers' behaviour in reducing their own greenhouse gas emissions."

Carbon Tradeoff Modeler is part of a larger IBM programme to offer ways for businesses to reduce carbon emissions.

The company is also offering a white paper through its consulting branch which offers studies and tips on how companies can cut carbon emissions in their supply chain.