Partnership helps Estonian public sector assess, reduce carbon footprint

The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) collaborated with the Estonian government to create the country's first unified carbon footprint calculation methodology and emissions factor database. This tool allows public and private sector organizations to assess their environmental impact on a consistent basis, helping to avoid greenwashing and support EU environmental policy. Initial implementation in the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior has led to measurable reductions in carbon emissions, waste, and water consumption, with the Estonian government aiming to expand these assessments across all ministries.

• SEI developed a first-of-its-kind emissions factor database and methodological approach for Estonia, enabling both public and private sector organizations to assess their environmental and carbon footprints using a uniform basis.
• The application of the assessment method by the Ministry of Defence resulted in a 26% reduction in its carbon footprint in 2021 compared to 2019, an 18% decrease in water consumption per person, and a 10% decrease in waste generation per person.
• The unified methodology is designed to prevent greenwashing in reporting and assist organizations in complying with the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
• While the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior have already used the tool to track electricity, heating, water, fuel, and waste, the Estonian government intends for all ministries to assess their footprints to determine the total impact of the public sector.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2023). Partnership helps Estonian public sector assess, reduce carbon footprint. https://www.sei.org/features/partnership-helps-estonian-public-sector-assess-reduce-carbon-footprint/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Partnership helps Estonian public sector assess, reduce carbon footprint. 2023. https://www.sei.org/features/partnership-helps-estonian-public-sector-assess-reduce-carbon-footprint/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Partnership helps Estonian public sector assess, reduce carbon footprint |date=23 November 2023 |url=https://www.sei.org/features/partnership-helps-estonian-public-sector-assess-reduce-carbon-footprint/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2023partnership, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Partnership helps Estonian public sector assess, reduce carbon footprint}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2023}, month = nov, url = {https://www.sei.org/features/partnership-helps-estonian-public-sector-assess-reduce-carbon-footprint/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }