PORTFOLIO

The European and Swiss climate strategy increase the regulatory pressure on companies. They are directly mandated or indirectly urged by business partners and customers to operate more sustainably and to be transparent about it. A reliable and comprehensive inventory of carbon emissions forms the basis for the development of a successful climate strategy, ultimately driving increased sustainability within a company. Current research in sustainability reporting of Swiss small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) shows that the challenges originate in the accessibility of the data, limited personnel resources and the lack of intragroup expertise, while the pressure from B2B customers and investors is increasing.
The Zelsius project aims to significantly facilitate the process of carbon emissions reporting for Swiss SMEs, by developing a carbon management platform that connects all relevant stakeholders in the ecosystem. For SMEs the platform enables the easy and fast quantification of their carbon emissions, resulting in the final output in the shape of a standardized report according to the relevant guidelines. The SMEs can then publish their data and reports on their platform profile in order to showcase their sustainability efforts. Larger companies that are required by law to report on their carbon emissions can search through the platform for a suitable supplier with low carbon emissions and investors receive decision guidance for their sustainable investments.
Overall, the Zelsius project pursues the goal of making Swiss SMEs and the Swiss economy more sustainable through user-friendly and pragmatic carbon management.

During the first half of the project, an online calculation tool for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Scope 1 and 2 has been successfully developed and implemented into the website. It allows SMEs at any time to account for their emissions in scope 1 and 2. If the GHG balance is needed for official reasons, like for a client or an investor, it can be verified by a third party. In that respect Zelsius established a partnership with Claas Wagner from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), who acts as verifying authority.
For developing the calculation tool Zelsius was able to integrate the knowledge gained from traditional consulting activities of two SMEs in the industrial sector. In order to facilitate market entry, discussions are underway on possible partnerships with multipliers such as industry associations.
The Zelsius AG was incorporated in June 2024 and has the official status of a spin-off of the HSLU.