What is SAP Sustainability Footprint Management?

With SFM, companies can measure, control and monitor the carbon footprint of their products - along the entire value chain.

The application makes this possible by integrating internal company data, industry averages and information from suppliers from various data sources such as SAP S/4HANA and external databases.

The major advantage: the solution offers transparency along the value chain. In this way, it supports holistic decision-making with regard to product portfolios, investments and procurement strategies.

SAP provides SFM in the cloud. The application is available as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) via the internet.

Why is Sustainability Footprint Management important?

By using various data sources and analysis tools, the SAP solution enables a transparent presentation of the environmental impact of products and business activities and supports companies in the implementation of sustainability strategies.

What are the technical requirements for using SAP Sustainability Footprint Management?

The use of SAP Sustainability Footprint Management requires a valid global account with SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP).

Companies must have data sources such as SAP S/4HANA Cloud, SAP S/4HANA or SAP ECC to integrate relevant company data.

The willingness to address the growing sustainability requirements and enable transparent reporting is also a fundamental prerequisite.

What functions does SAP Sustainability Footprint Management have?

The solution for measuring the CO2 footprint has various functions.

• Data collection and data integration

SAP SFM optimizes the data collection process through integration with SAP S/4HANA Cloud and SAP S/4HANA and the ability to connect external data sources.

The solution takes into account data from various sources, systems and formats - whether from an ERP system, a third-party solution or via file upload.

• Emission factor management

The solution helps to determine suitable emission factors for products and services and enables them to be automatically assigned to business processes.

It is also possible to import data on CO2 footprints from suppliers.

• Footprint calculation

SAP SFM calculates the CO2 footprint at product and company level. The calculation is based on incoming business and emissions data.

Flexible calculation methods enable precise quantification of the environmental impact along the entire value chain.

• Footprint analysis

Through embedded dashboards and analysis tools, SAP SFM provides detailed insights into the carbon footprint. Companies can analyze data, recognize trends and identify sources of emissions.

Footprint data can also be integrated into other analytical applications via APIs.

• Footprint integration

The integration of the carbon footprint into SAP S/4HANA and other business processes is seamless. This enables comprehensive transparency and insights into key sustainability figures.

What technology does SAP Sustainability Footprint Management use?

The architecture of SAP Sustainability Footprint Management is based on the integration of master and transaction data with SAP S/4HANA Cloud and SAP S/4HANA as well as the ability to connect external data sources via APIs.

The data is then combined with emission factors and processed in an energy flow model to calculate the carbon footprint. The calculations and results are visualized in dashboards and can be integrated into other business systems.

As a result, the solution enables efficient data collection from various sources. The management of emission factors is facilitated.

The product also provides detailed reporting capabilities and allows seamless integration of the calculated carbon footprint into SAP S/4HANA and other business processes.

What are the benefits of SAP Sustainability Footprint Management?

The following benefits illustrate how SAP Sustainability Footprint Management (SFM) helps companies achieve their sustainability goals and remain competitive.

• Greater transparency and efficiency in supply chain processes

The digital collection and analysis of sustainability data increases transparency and boosts efficiency along the entire supply chain.

• Digitalization of sustainability and development of sustainable products

By digitizing sustainability, companies can develop sustainable products and thus reduce their ecological footprint.

• Compliance with legal reporting and declaration obligations

SAP Sustainability Footprint Management's standardized reporting helps companies meet their legal reporting and declaration obligations.

• Risk reduction by identifying environmental risks along the supply chain

By identifying environmental risks along the supply chain, companies can take proactive measures to minimize these risks and protect their business operations.

• Image enhancement and competitive advantage through transparent communication

Transparent communication about improved sustainability performance helps to improve a company's image and competitiveness.

• Savings measures through optimization of resources and processes

The optimization of resources and processes leads to savings and more cost-efficient operations for companies.

What is the difference between SFM and a Green Ledger?

A green ledger enables transaction-related CO2 accounting. To this end, the green ledger consolidates and standardizes financial and CO2 data.

The SFM, on the other hand, is used to measure and thus optimize the CO2 footprint of companies.

Conclusion on SAP Sustainability Footprint Management

SAP Sustainability Footprint Management enables companies to precisely measure and control their CO2 footprint and at the same time create the basis for a sustainable business strategy by calculating the CO2 footprint.

The integration of various data sources and modern analysis tools support companies in achieving their sustainability goals and positioning themselves in an environmentally conscious business world. In addition, a transparent presentation of environmental impacts and the implementation of targeted optimization measures is made possible.

In the future, SAP SFM is expected to play an even more important role in helping companies to better understand and reduce their environmental impact. Possible trends include increased sustainability communication, integration into the supply chain and support with regulatory requirements.