CarbonQuota is on a mission to help the print, packaging and distribution sectors to respond effectively to the growing climate emergency by providing them with automated technology allowing rapid decarbonisation. Publishers have signed up to the international Science Based Targets Initiative as part of the Paris Agreement following COP21 in 2015\. They need to show how they are going to de-carbonise and these businesses are not compliant with the Targets until there is a plan in place. However, less than 1% of businesses have a credible climate transition plan to reduce their carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 in line with the Paris Agreement (Carbon Disclosure Project). This project is to develop a Scenario Planner prototype software for publishing companies. It will enable publishers to model different potential carbon reduction initiatives across their supply chain, enabling them to view the actual reduction each initiative will bring. This allows them to allocate a cost per carbon reduction initiative and therefore can more accurately plan and implement each project. In addition, an organisation will be able compile all reduction initiatives into this planner to provide the visibility of when they will hit their carbon reduction and Net-Zero targets. This replaces estimates that can provide a false narrative in the journey to reducing climate change impact. They will be able to run real-time models that show the exact impact to their emissions. None of current solutions allow for changes to variables that will re-calculate a forecast for an entire period, a singular project, or all activities for a certain client.

Human-induced climate change is caused by many factors, including the packaging sector which accounts for around 8%, similar to the impact of aviation(Deloitte). The need for this project is defined by the EU's imminent Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) that will require companies to record/document their direct and indirect CO2 emissions from 1st October 2023\. This step will pose challenges for many companies, as necessary IT solutions are lacking (KPMG). CarbonQuota has created a unique cloud-based technology platform, consisting of a database and algorithm which performs instant carbon footprint calculations. It links two organisations together to share carbon footprint data regarding paper-based print and packaging. This project is to create a prototype cloud-based software, PackPro, to link more organisations in more complex multi-tier packaging value chains for plastic, metal and aluminium packaging. This will allow end-users in FMCG Brands to eco-design products with accurate carbon footprints for the first time. We are seeking Innovate UK investment to urgently develop our platform. Our current solution can't deal with multi-tier chains in plastic, metal and aluminium packaging which is a serious limit on the market appeal and reach. This project solves this issue to expand our accessible market. This step-change in our business will expand the technology platform to deliver several outcomes: * Serve more sectors * Overhaul working practises to improve productivity * Acceleration of business growth * Attract international customers * Increased accuracy of carbon footprints for better decision making Our approach is innovative and disruptive: * Through increased automation we will reduce the use of manual data processing and Excel-based methodologies * Existing solutions tend to be defined by general scientists or consultants who don't understand sector idiosyncrasies. CarbonQuota has proven that mapping the specifics of what actually happens, and asking the right questions, is more accurate.

This application is to help accelerate the rapid de-carbonisation of manufacturing supply chains, allowing organisations to achieve carbon reduction ambitions by initiating changes in their operations and supply chains, and contribute to UK government Net Zero targets. This application is to support the development and testing of prototype carbon footprint calculator tools which specialise in the manufacturing supply chain. The grant is important because it allows us to complete this critical project faster than than would otherwise be possible, and in line with UK government de-carbonisation targets. CarbonQuota was launched in June 2020 following extensive R&D. Our work is currently being undertaken manually, using Excel-based methodologies that have been in place in the industry for 20+ years. We have identified that this process can be streamlined through technology, with experts curating toolsets to which scientists can apply carbon analysis on a much larger scale than is possible today. Our project therefore builds upon our existing capability which is calculating carbon footprints for the manufacturing sector, providing carbon reduction advice and measurement, and reporting and certifying. We will automate the processes to create actionable insight which identifies and delivers de-carbonisation opportunities in the print and packaging sector. Our focus is on B2B carbon calculators, within manufacturing supply chains -- specifically the print and packaging sector. There is evidence that the sector is prepared to invest in such schemes, which this project exploits. However, the outcome can be applied to many other sectors in future phases. It is an innovative project because we blend two skill sets in order to accelerate de-carbonisation in the supply chain -- and join them together via automation. The first skill set is experts in the supply chain, and secondly via carbon scientists who understand how to calculate carbon footprints. This proposition of blending carbon science with industry subject matter expertise allows us to be more efficient when the automation layer is added. A further innovation is in uniting the carbon reduction ambition of the corporates with real action in the supply chain. Currently, there is a disconnect between large corporations that wish to de-carbonise their supply chain, and the ability of many of their suppliers to calculate and reduce their own carbon footprint. Our project will streamline that process, enabling a significantly higher proportion of supply chains to reduce their carbon footprint. This project will also deliver education and transfer of skills in our customer base.