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In sustainability, good intentions are not enough. They may sound good, but they do not create actual change. Across industries, businesses are being asked, and increasingly required, to prove their impact. While government priorities may shift, one thing remains constant: our collective impact on the planet continues. Reporting on CO₂ emissions is no longer a question of if, but when.
Setting Our Carbon Baseline
In 2024, ExpatRide published two whitepapers exploring how the relocation industry can become a positive force for the environment. We examined how we can rethink relocation by taking a holistic approach, seeing beyond the initial move and using opportunity to reduce emissions.
Before measuring our own footprint, we spent 2024 examining the wider relocation industry. This was intentional. Our impact doesn’t exist in isolation, it’s closely connected to the choices and systems across the entire mobility value chain.
By looking at the industry holistically, we saw that there is significant potential for reduction when mobility decisions are made with the full assignment in mind. For example, switching to an electric vehicle for the entire duration of an assignment can create a substantial positive impact. Similarly, choosing smaller or more efficient vehicles can noticeably reduce emissions over time.
Understanding this broader landscape helped us put our own role into context:
Only after gaining this perspective did we turn the lens inward. Measuring ourselves made more sense once we understood the bigger picture we are a part of.
In 2025, it was time to look at ourselves.
After discussing how our industry can do better, we wanted to understand how we are doing. At ExpatRide, we believe that an important step toward meaningful change is understanding where we stand.
How does ExpatRide perform when it comes to CO₂ emissions? Where do our biggest impacts lie, and how can we improve?
That’s why we’ve begun systematically measuring our carbon footprint. This will serve as the baseline for accountability and progress.
This is the first article of this mini-series, where we share our journey from measurement to movement:
1 Measuring What Matters – how we established our first carbon baseline and why it matters.
2 The Meaning behind the Numbers – what our 2024 data reveals about our footprint.
3 Turning Insight into Action – how we’re using the baseline to improve and what that means for the future.
Our goal is simple: to be transparent, to learn, and to create change. Because in the end, what gets measured, can be improved.
Why Measure at All?
You can try to reduce without measuring, but it’s like driving without a map. Measuring your current footprint turns good intentions into something tangible, showing exactly where you are and where to go next.
Understanding our carbon footprint allows us to see where emissions come from, set realistic reduction targets, and track progress over time. It also helps us prepare for upcoming sustainability regulations, as carbon reporting is quickly becoming a global business standard. The companies that start measuring now will be ready for that future, rather than racing to catch up.
There are clear advantages:
Of course, measurement isn’t without its challenges. Gathering accurate data can be time-consuming and depends on collaboration between internal teams, suppliers, and partners. Emission factors vary by region, and not all sources are easy to quantify. But despite these complexities, the choice for us was clear: measuring is no longer optional.
How to Measure?
Measuring a company’s carbon footprint isn’t just about guessing – it’s a structured process built on international standards. At its core, carbon measurement means gathering data on all activities that produce or indirectly cause greenhouse gas emissions, then converting that data into CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e**)** for comparability.
The most common framework divides emissions into three categories or scopes:
To be able to measure these it is necessary to collect data such as:
It can be complex work, full of details and data points, but it’s also incredibly empowering. Once measured, the results provide a clear picture of where your environmental impact truly lies and which actions will make the greatest difference. While it’s possible to manage the process in-house, many organizations choose to partner with specialized consultancies that focus exclusively on carbon measurement and reporting.
That’s why, in partnership with ImpactMetrics, specialists in carbon footprint analysis, we conducted our first comprehensive measurement of ExpatRide’s CO₂ emissions. The result is our 2024 baseline – a foundation for smarter decisions, greater accountability, and measurable change.
Read next week’s article to learn more about ExpatRide’s environmental impact and what that means for you and YOUR environmental impact.
Image credits
Picture by Fateme Alaei on Unsplash
Picture by acesteeld on FreePik
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