Autodesk takes leadership role in greenhouse gas reductions

1 min read

3D engineering design software giant Autodesk is challenging companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a new financial methodology.

Emma Stewart, senior programme lead for Autodesk's sustainability initiative, says Autodesk developed its C-~FACT (Corporate Finance Approach to Climate Stabilising Targets) to meet its own carbon emissions reduction targets. "Corporate [carbon] target setting has become a little like the Wild West, with few laws, little scrutiny, and quite a bit of aimless shooting," she says. "C-FACT takes a different approach that accommodates the normal changes to our business. And we are challenging other companies to reduce their GHGs in line with scientific and policy climate stabilisation targets of 85% by 2050." Stewart reckons that C-FACT introduces a mathematical approach that is "proportional, replicable and verifiable," as well as "non-prescriptive, flexible, and predictable". She explains that C-FACT is science-driven, business-friendly and transparent. In measuring its carbon emissions, Stewart says that Autodesk aims to lead the field in taking responsibility not just for direct emissions, but also for a wide range of indirect emissions – including business travel, leased facilities, employee commuting, major conferences and data centre vendors.