Sovereign Consulting Inc., headquartered in New Jersey, is a leading environmental consulting firm specializing in environmental assessment, remediation, engineering, and construction services. With a diverse portfolio, Sovereign serves clients across the United States in sectors such as petroleum, wastewater, utilities, chemical and industrial facilities, commercial real estate, federal agencies, and other sectors.
In 2023, Sovereign partnered with Persefoni to calculate its carbon footprint. This initiative was driven by the anticipation of upcoming climate disclosure regulations, such as California’s SB-253, and growing client requests for emissions data. Beyond regulatory compliance, Sovereign sought to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and develop a practical roadmap for effective and efficient decarbonization.
Developing a transparent, auditable greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory was the first step.
Moving from spreadsheets to automated accounting with expert support
Sovereign had recently developed the proprietary Project Greenhouse Gas Emissions Tool (PGT™), a system designed to estimate and track greenhouse gas emissions and resource use during environmental remediation activities. The PGT™ enables comprehensive data collection, dynamic emissions tracking, and flexible reporting, allowing users to monitor metrics such as energy consumption, waste, water usage, and worker exposure hours. This innovative tool earned global recognition with a 2023 Sustainability Award from a major petroleum company, underscoring its impact on advancing sustainable practices.
While the PGT™ enabled Sovereign to track project-based emissions effectively, the transition to a corporate-wide GHG inventory presented new challenges. As David Billo, Office Manager and GHG team lead, explained, “After the success of developing the PGT™ to track project-based emissions, we shifted our attention to quantifying Sovereign’s corporate-wide emissions.
The team started looking for carbon accounting software to help them meet their goals, including:
- Quantifying Sovereign’s footprint through emissions factors and leading industry protocols
- Developing an in-house repository for the GHG data needed for corporate and financed emissions
- Documenting process controls to ensure the completeness, accuracy, consistency, and repeatability of calculations
- Enabling real-time analysis for emissions breakdowns in a consumable manner for internal reporting
- Providing client-facing metrics to modernize Sovereign’s service offerings with GHG data
A comprehensive, auditable greenhouse gas inventory
The Sovereign team chose Persefoni to help them streamline and enhance their GHG inventory process. They kicked off their effort by forming a cross-functional GHG inventory team that included marketing, accounting, and project management staff. This team met with Persefoni’s experts weekly so they could ask questions and address challenges promptly.
Using the platform enabled them to complete their first-ever GHG inventory and identify significant emissions sources. They were surprised to find that purchased goods and services made up 80% of their total emissions — an insight that is shaping their strategic planning.
A solid foundation for strategic planning
With the initial inventory completed, Sovereign’s team is now focused on using the knowledge gained through the process to make smart and effective carbon reductions. They’ve drafted an Inventory Management Plan (IMP) and have completed a summary report to inform internal decision-making, with the goal of finalizing a decarbonization strategy in the coming months. “The first half of the year was spent creating our initial inventory. Then we were able to work on what the data means,” said Martha Gopal, Sovereign’s IMP coordinator. “We want to use this knowledge to reduce our GHG emissions.”
The experience also enabled Sovereign to build processes for data collection and management, which will streamline calculations in the future.
Better client relationships
Mapping out a comprehensive GHG inventory has transformed Sovereign’s communication with clients and the public. Using Persefoni’s advanced carbon accounting platform, Sovereign was able to provide detailed, accurate emissions data, strengthening relationships with major clients who increasingly prioritize carbon footprint considerations in their project decisions.
Sovereign’s commitment to sustainability is evident in their transparency. After the GHG inventory development help of Persefoni, the team shared the results of the inventory on their website and plans to promote these findings more widely. As highlighted in their report, the GHG inventory delivers multifaceted benefits:
- Providing Sustainable Solutions: Sovereign’s commitment to reducing environmental impact reassures clients that its products and services are designed with sustainability in mind.
- Strengthening Relationships: Transparent reporting and a proactive approach to emissions reduction reinforce Sovereign’s reputation as a responsible, forward-thinking partner.
- Supporting Client Sustainability Goals: With many clients focused on their own sustainability efforts—especially as they prepare for regulatory requirements like California’s SB 253 & SB 261 and the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)—Sovereign’s GHG inventory helps clients achieve compliance and advance their environmental objectives.
The 2023 GHG Inventory is more than a report; it is a testament to Sovereign’s ongoing dedication to creating a sustainable future. Looking ahead, Sovereign plans to build on this foundation by developing actionable strategies for decarbonization and translating these into measurable emissions reductions.
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