What is a carbon footprint of a service?
A service carbon footprint assigns greenhouse gas emissions, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), to a defined service, contract, customer account, or delivery unit for a stated period rather than to your whole-company total.
Why does a carbon footprint of a service matter to you?
Customers ask when a company total cannot identify their purchase. Microsoft's 2025 Disclosure Cycle required emissions by service, reference-unit volume, and Scopes 1, 2, and 3 categories 1 through 8. Check the current request, then use the service-level GHG accounting guide.
How does a carbon footprint of a service work?
Define the service, period, boundary, and reference unit. Measure direct activity. Allocate shared emissions with a use-based driver, such as tonne-kilometres, shipments, or staff hours. Record formulas and exclusions.
What mistakes should you avoid?
- Using revenue when shipment weight, distance, or hours better explains resource use.
- Including the customer's activity without stating the boundary.
- Sending a total without its period, reference-unit volume, allocation workbook, and source records.
Is a service carbon footprint the same as a company carbon footprint?
No. A company inventory covers the company overall. A service footprint assigns part of that total to one output without replacing the inventory.
What should you send when a customer asks for service emissions?
Send the service, period, tonnes CO2e by requested category, reference unit (service measure) and volume, boundary, allocation drivers, factor sources, exclusions, calculation file, and source records. Follow the named assurance or consultant-letter format.