For many companies (as well as entire cities, states and municipalities), decarbonization is a very important element of meeting climate responsibility pledges, such as net-zero emissions goals. But determining if the critical benchmarks are being met is, in truth, a highly complex process that can prove difficult if done incorrectly or without the proper data; after all, businesses don’t want to be accused of “greenwashing,” i.e. merely talking about climate responsibility rather than actually engaging in it.

To help businesses better measure the results of climate-responsible actions and meet their long-term goals, Siemens (News - Alert) Financial Services recently launched the Decarbonization Business Optimizer (DBO), a cloud-based tool designed to help address the overwhelming complexity of decarbonizing buildings (and assess the financing needed) to get to net-zero emissions.

The DBO is a free, digital web tool that "removes the initial knowledge barrier and uncovers more efficient strategies to help decarbonize a company’s facilities," according to Siemens Financial Services. The scenario modeling and optimization tool aggregates and leverages data from relevant governmental agencies including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

This Siemens DBO generates cost-effective decarbonization scenarios for each facility using the address, facility size and type (for example, a hospital, office building, manufacturing plant, etc.). The estimated carbon footprint calculated for the facility (plus the energy cost) is based on data relevant to its geographic location, enabling a more accurate estimate than using country-wide averages. The tool also considers site-specific data such as the annual energy use or load profile, if available, to generate an even more accurate result.

Siemens Financial Services is offering the tool as an ideal place to start for companies that may be overwhelmed by the complexity of measuring carbon output.

“Companies, specifically those in the supply chain, are increasingly asked to report their carbon footprint to their customers. And yet, many do not even know where to begin,” said Anthony Casciano, President and CEO of Siemens Financial Services, Inc. “Our DBO addresses such barriers by taking action and puts companies of all sizes, and at all stages, in a better position to create long-term value, accelerating participation in the transition to net-zero emissions.”