The buzzword sustainability
More consumers want to live sustainably, but it can be difficult to see where to start – and what companies’ sustainability initiatives really mean. It can be challenging to assess how various sustainable initiatives make a real difference. The sustainable solutions exist, but the solutions only take effect slowly because companies and consumers lack transparency and overview so that they can compare the real effects of various initiatives on an understandable basis. Recognized environmental certifications such as the EU Ecolabel and the Nordic Ecolabel are good starting points for both consumers and producers, but the very specific climate footprints, including the CO2eq load, have so far been difficult to access.
Informed foundation should boost your sustainable choice
TAKT has worked intensively to create clarity about their climate footprint. And can now present a detailed overview of CO2eq footprint for all TAKT products. The aim of the detailed CO2eq calculation is to give the consumer a factual insight into the real climate accounts when buying sustainable products. In addition, the calculations must create the right focus for further work in the company. The load contribution in the various stages of a product’s life cycle can be assessed, and now TAKT can effectively put in place where the impact can be greatest. TAKT is the first Danish company in the furniture industry that can document CO2eq footprints on all products in the range. The CO2eq mapping is an important element in the ambition to be a positive contribution to the environment and meet the commitment to an emission-free value chain by 2030.
An easy-to-understand basis for comparison with everyday activities
As an example, the oak chair ‘Cross Chair’ emits 13.5 kg of CO2eq, but what does that mean? If the same chair had been produced in the usual way, the accounts would have looked quite different. The individual sustainability choices have significantly reduced the imprint, so, for instance, the use of wood from sustainable forestry has reduced CO2eq emissions from the materials by 40%, the use of water-based oil has halved the emissions from the surface treatment, and the component-based design has more than halved the emissions during transport.
In addition to the specific climate calculations on each individual piece of furniture, it can be compared with selected everyday items – i.e. how much CO2eq the emission of a ‘Cross Chair’ is compared to a red steak or an hour of Netflix streaming. Hopefully these comparisons can help to make the understanding of climate impacts more present in everyday life, and perhaps make it easier when daily choices have to be made. With the increased transparency, the work to further reduce the specific CO2eq emissions will continue. The remaining CO2eq footprint will be compensated by purchasing certificates for CO2eq removal, so that the net contribution for each individual TAKT piece of furniture is offset.