COMPARability
Carbon Footprint
Peat extraction is associated with significant emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). Using peat substitutes instead of peat can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of growing media production.
HORTICERT has developed a uniform methodology for calculating the carbon footprint, which allows for statements on the GHG savings of peat-free and peat-reduced growing media compared to conventional products with a high peat content. This also creates transparency in the market.
Climate targets
Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) verifies science-based corporate targets for reducing carbon footprints.
In the horticultural industry, more and more companies are developing climate targets that comply with SBTi guidelines. HORTICERT supports them by providing a uniform methodology for calculating their carbon footprint as well as a tool for verifying sustainability along the supply chain.
HORTICERT-certified companies can communicate their CO2 savings in their sustainability reports and at the point of sale using logos and claims.
Calculation of the Carbon Footprint
The calculation covers the entire production chain, from the production of raw materials to further processing into growing medium components to the production of the final growing medium. Emissions from transport, use and disposal are also taken into account.
Raw Material Production
The raw materials for peat substitutes are produced in different ways. Accordingly, the main causes of emissions differ depending on the raw material.
On coconut plantations, for example, emissions are caused in particular by the use of fertilizers. In the case of wood extraction, fuels for forestry machinery, among other things, must be taken into account. Green cuttings are used as a raw material for green waste compost, to which as waste no emissions are attributed.
Component Production
In the further processing of raw materials into growing medium components, emissions from the electricity consumption of production machines as well as from fuel consumption of loaders must be considered. Furthermore, for some materials, such as green waste compost and bark humus, emissions from the composting process play an important role.
Raw materials often go through several process steps before they can be used as a component in a growing medium. In the GHG calculation, the emissions of all process steps must be taken into account.
Growing Media Production
For growing media production in the growing media plant, the energy required for mixing the growing media, as well as fuel consumption by wheel loaders, is particularly important for the calculation of the emissions. In addition, emissions from packaging materials must be taken into account.
Use and Post-Use Phase of the Growing Media
Use and disposal must also be included in the calculation of the carbon footprint in order to obtain a complete picture of all the emissions caused by a growing medium. Here, further emissions occur due to decomposition processes of organic materials. In the case of the peat, these decomposition processes lead to particularly high emissions due to the carbon that is bound in the peat.
Carbon Footprint
To determine the total carbon footprint of the growing medium, the emissions of the different production steps along the supply chain as well as use and disposal are added up. In addition, transport emissions along the entire supply chain are included.
HORTICERT calculates potential GHG emission savings using a peat-based reference mix. This reference is composed of 100% peat — 50% white peat and 50% black peat — and its emissions also cover the entire production chain.
When compared to this reference mix, all peat alternatives demonstrate significantly lower GHG emissions, making them a more sustainable and environmentally friendly choice. The percentage savings can be communicated on a HORTICERT seal.