Where we are: The 2024 BASF corporate carbon footprint

BASF has published a comprehensive corporate carbon footprint since 2008, the only industrial enterprise worldwide to do so. The annually updated balance gives us pointers on where the influencing factors for preventing greenhouse gas emissions are. So we can check whether we are on the right track for meeting our goals to reduce greenhouse gases.

Schematic overview: development of the BASF Group’s greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2)^a

(Million metric tons of CO₂ equivalents)

^a Scope 1 and Scope 2 (excluding the sale of energy to third parties). The target includes greenhouse gases according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which are
converted into CO2 equivalents (CO2e).
^b The figure for 2023 has been adjusted to reflect updated data.
 

We consider the whole BASF value chain and determine how many emissions are produced by which activity, from the supply of raw materials and precursors via our own production and the use of the end products we produce through to disposal of all our products at the end of their life. The analysis adheres to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol standards and the standard for the chemical industry specific to the sector published in 2013; we were closely involved in the development of this.

Greenhouse gas emissions along the BASF value chain

Balancing sets out three emission ranges (scopes):

• Scope 1 records direct CO₂ emissions. They come from emission sources at BASF sites and include for example our own production plants and plants for generating power and steam.
• Scope 2 relates to indirect CO₂ emissions produced by our suppliers in generating energy that we then purchase for our production.
• Scope 3 comprises all other CO₂ emissions produced along the value chain (e.g. with suppliers, in the use phase of the products, in disposal and in transport). These emissions are recorded in 15 different categories.

The figure below summarizes the emissions along the value chain for 2024 – emissions are given in million metric tons of CO₂ equivalents, categories within Scope 3 are shown in parentheses. Emissions in BASF production include Scope 1 and Scope 2 (market-based approach).

Scope 3 emissions along the BASF value chain in 2024^a

Greenhouse gas emissions in BASF production (GHG Protocol Scopes 1 & 2)

In accordance with the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting Standard, we report Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions separately. Regarding Scope 1 emissions resulting from the generation of energy, we also differentiate between emissions from energy production for our own consumption and emissions from energy production for sale to third parties. For Scope 2, we consider the location-based approach as well as the market-based approach. We report on all emissions from our fully consolidated companies’ production sites worldwide. The emissions of consolidated joint operations are included pro rata, based on our stake.

BASF Group’s greenhouse gas emissions according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol

(Million metric tons of CO₂ equivalents)

^a Emissions of N2O, CH4, SF6 and NF3 are converted into CO2 emissions using the global warming potential (GWP) factor. GWP factors are based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007, Errata table 2012 for the reporting year 2018, and IPCC 2014 for the reporting year 2024, in line with the requirements of the EU ETS methodology. HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) and PFCs (perfluorocarbons) are calculated using the GWP factors for their individual components.

^b Includes sales to BASF Group companies; as a result, emissions reported under Scope 2 can be considered twice in some cases.       

^c The comparative figure for 2023 has been adjusted to reflect updated data.

^d Emissions labeled with this footnote are included in our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions target.

^e The emissions are disclosed outside of Scope 1 in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Standard.
 

Here you can find an additional analysis of our Scope 1 and Scope 2 target and the alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the value chain (GHG Protocol Scope 3)

Our list of Scope 3 emissions is based on the GHG Protocol Scope 3 Standard (Corporate Value Chain Accounting and Reporting Standard). We have checked all 15 categories in this standard for relevance and report the emissions for the 12 relevant categories.

Overview of Scope 3 emissions by the BASF Group for 2024 (in accordance with the GHG Protocol)

Further information on our corporate carbon footprint can be found in our BASF group report.