What is the carbon footprint of a corporate gift?

The carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases released during raw material extraction, production, transport, use and end of life of a product, expressed in kilograms of CO2 equivalent (kg CO2e). For a typical cotton tote bag that is around 6 to 8 kg CO2e, for an RPET backpack around 3 to 5 kg CO2e, and for a stainless steel water bottle around 8 to 15 kg CO2e, depending on weight and origin.

Why this falls under Scope 3

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol divides emissions into three scopes: Scope 1 (direct emissions, for example your own vehicle fleet), Scope 2 (the electricity you buy) and Scope 3 (all indirect emissions in your value chain). Corporate gifts fall under Scope 3, category 1 (Purchased Goods and Services). For CSRD reporting this is a mandatory reporting area. Read the details on our CSRD and ESG reporting page.

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

An LCA is a standardised measurement of environmental impact in accordance with ISO 14040 and 14044. It examines five phases: raw materials, production, transport, use and end of life. We base our material comparisons on LCA studies by Textile Exchange, the Higg Materials Sustainability Index and Ecoinvent. For large projects (from 1,000 units) we can have a product-specific LCA carried out.

Reduce first, offset afterwards

The climate principle is clear: reduce first, and only offset what remains. Reduction works through material choice (RPET, organic cotton), local production (Portugal and Turkey for textiles instead of Asia), a more efficient mode of transport (sea instead of air) and a longer lifespan (quality that lasts 5 years rather than one wash). Only when you are left with residual emissions do you choose a certified offsetting project.

Concrete levers for reduction

• Material: RPET saves 79% CO2 compared with virgin PET, organic cotton saves 46% compared with conventional cotton.
• Local production: Portuguese cotton clothing has 40% lower transport emissions than Asian production.
• Sea freight: 20 to 50 times lower emissions per kg than air freight.
• Larger batches: less packaging and more efficient shipping.
• Sustainable printing: water-based inks, and digital instead of analogue where possible.
• Quality: a sock that lasts 40 washes has a cost per wear and cost per CO2 three times lower than a cheap sock that falls apart after 10.

Carbon offsetting: how to choose a good project

Not every offsetting project is equal. We prefer projects certified by Gold Standard and the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). Quality criteria: additionality (the project would not go ahead without the funding), permanence (the CO2 stays locked away for a long time), leakage prevention (the emissions do not simply shift elsewhere) and monitoring. Ideally, choose projects with co-benefits such as biodiversity, gender equality or local employment.

Carbon neutral versus carbon offset

These terms are not interchangeable. Carbon offset only means that part of the emissions has been bought off. Carbon neutral implies structured measurement, reduction and offsetting of residual emissions. From 2026 the EU Green Claims Directive prohibits vague claims. So it is better to communicate “calculated, reduced and offset through a Gold Standard project” rather than use a generic “carbon neutral” sticker.

A practical approach in 5 steps

1. Calculate the footprint of your order (we help using LCA data from our suppliers).
2. Choose materials and origins that reduce the footprint at source.
3. Optimise packaging and transport (bulk shipping, sea freight where possible).
4. Communicate honestly about residual emissions in your annual report.
5. Offset residual emissions through a Gold Standard or VCS project.

Frequently asked questions about carbon footprints

How much CO2 does an RPET backpack emit?

Depending on weight and origin, between 3 and 5 kg CO2 equivalent per unit, measured from raw material to warehouse.

What is Scope 3 in a CSRD context?

Scope 3 covers indirect emissions in your value chain (purchases, transport, use by customers, end of life). Corporate gifts fall under Scope 3.1: Purchased Goods and Services. Since 2024 the CSRD has required large companies to report on Scope 3.

Can you provide an LCA for our order?

For larger projects from 1,000 units we can have a product-specific LCA carried out by an accredited partner. For smaller projects we provide LCA-based averages using Higg MSI and Textile Exchange data.

Is offsetting the same as zero emissions?

No. Offsetting financially neutralises part of the residual emissions, but those emissions have still been released. Full reduction at source remains the first choice.

Calculate your footprint with us

Would you like a concrete CO2 calculation for your gift project or corporate clothing range? We provide an estimate based on your material, quantity, origin and shipping. Request your CO2 calculation.