| Status | |
| Owner | Stefanie Schwartz |
| Stakeholders | Marie Flourie, Alexandre Lefeu, Gilles Madjarian, Sebastien Willemse |
Succinctly describe the issue or problem statement that this Decision addresses. Why is a decision required? What business or technical problem does it address?
The management of product carbon footprint (PCF) as governments worldwide tighten climate regulations, monitoring and reducing all emissions avoids legal and financial penalties, especially in relation to Scope 3.1 emissions. Regulations focus more on reporting on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), hence PCF is not currently enforced to be provided by regulations. The key driver is the customer impact on buying decisions focusing on more PCF friendly products. It is of importance to customers striving for lower CO2 and greener products. Syensqo's aim is to take control of what is happening in the supply chain to avoid an impact on business continuity. The company needs to record and report on the activity data and emissions factor. Currently this data is built up by experts (internally and externally) or sourced from external databases.

Syensqo needs to act with its suppliers to reduce Scope 3 emissions to reach Syensqo's climate commitment and support product competitiveness. The future solution for footprint management in Syensqo needs to be determined as part of Scope 3 aligning with ERP project principles.

A decision is required as to which tools should manage the business and system process for Sustainability footprint management in line with the Syensqo Sustainability roadmap, potentially replacing current tools in the Sustainability landscape.
Summarise the recommendation being made for the reader, leaving the pro/con evaluation and exact decision-making process to the subsequent sections.
The recommendation for carbon footprint management in Syensqo is the implementation of SAP Sustainability Footprint Management (Option B).
There is an expectation that Syensqo should adopt a mainstream integrated solution for carbon footprint management. It enables Sysenqo to achieve group targets by understanding where emissions come from at operational, procurement and market level. Data accuracy is key to govern and implement the solution going forward, hence it needs to be based on an integrated data flow which represents one version of truth.
Whilst they key decision is to implement SAP SFM, it could be supplemented by the integration with SAP EHS/GHG Emissions Management in the future as the data acquisition to support SAP SFM may partially depend on S/4HANA EHS Emissions Management. It needs to be confirmed as part of detailed design, which of the current applications in the ESG landscape will be replaced by the SAP SFM solution. The future implementation of additional SAP SFM functionalities and enhanced integration with other processes as per SAP Roadmap will harmonise the ESG landscape in the process as more ESG applications become redundant.
Explain the context in which the decision is being made.
Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) is the quantity of greenhouse gas emitted to manufacture a product from cradle to the exit gate of the Syensqo plants. Due to complexity of acquiring information on the downstream part Syensqo typically provides cradle to gate PCF rather than cradle to grave. The related frameworks are mainly GHG protocol, over and above the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) and Together for Sustainability (TfS), a joint initiative of chemical companies. Sustainability footprint management in Syensqo is split as follows:
Whilst the KDD is driven by the requirements for direct emissions as part of Scope 3, the SAP SFM solution also extends to Scope 1 and 2. Hence, the following activities are to be considered as part of the scope for this KDD:

Scope 3 emissions encompass 15 different categories of emissions generated throughout the organisation's value chain, from the extraction of raw materials to the disposal of products. Scope 3.1, one of those 15 categories, specifically refers to the carbon emissions associated with the procurement of products or services. These emissions are brought in from suppliers and are often beyond the company's immediate control. Syensqo currently relies on industry data where no supplier data has been requested or supplied. Collecting PCF data from suppliers is instrumental to understand Syensqo's upstream Scope 3 baseline and measure progress. Stakeholders, including investors, customers, and regulatory bodies, increasingly demand transparency and action on Scope 3.1 emissions. PCF also needed for corporate ESG disclosures, especially 3.1. Failure to comply can lead to reputational damage and financial consequences. There is an ongoing procurement initiative in Syensqo for pressuring vendors as part of scope 3.1 emissions (purchased goods an services). Digital sustainability of the current Syensqo solution is supporting product level accounting for Sustainability. Few other companies are at the same stage. Historically PCF accounting was executed at plant or group level only, which was changed with the launch of the custom built digital PCF tool in 2022.
Syensqo carries out a cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for most of their products, representing 93% of total sales. The calculated greenhouse gas emissions are extrapolated to reach the totality of Syensqo's purchases. They include all emissions related to raw material extraction and precursor processing, indirect emissions from energy use for these operations, and transport between suppliers and to our plants.
The 2023 Syensqo Annual Integrated Report reflects the drive to manage and reduce the footprint (see References, Chapter 4. Climate and Nature - 4.1.2 Management approach). Syensqo has set a 2030 target to reduce by 23% Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions as compared to 2021 from its 'Focus 5' categories both upstream and downstream in the value chain, which represents over 73% of the total Scope 3 emissions. Syensqo's 'Focus 5' categories of Scope 3 GHG emissions are:
The list of all categories relating to Scope 3 is as follows:

In Syensqo Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions are estimated as follows:
Calculation
The calculations are fully manual today for Scope 3 with some queries developed. The calculation of Scope 3.1 emissions according to GHG Protocol can be a complex task. There is a choice of four different methods:
The calculation of Scope 3.4 and 3.9 emissions for chemical shippers generally use and activity-based calculation method to estimate transport carbon emissions. This calculation method is based on volumes, distances and emission factors for the different modes of transport. It is important to select the most appropriate emission factor values for each mode of transport. The shipper can use either a default average emission factor for each mode or emission factors specific for his operation. The default average emission factors used could be based on the average recommended emission factors (e.g. by Alan McKinnon, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK in his report “Measuring and Managing CO2 emissions” prepared for the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), see references). Syensqo uses recommended average emission factors as a default for the calculation of their transport emissions (see also references 'Guidelines for Measuring and Managing CO2 Emissions from Freight Transport Operations' by the European Chemical Transport Association (ECTA)). Currently Syensqo has engaged in a one year contract with EcoTransIT to support these calculations.
Current ESG Landscape

There are a number of applications currently in use, which support to carbon footprint management in Syensqo.
For Integration:
For Potential Replacement:
Clearly describe the underlying assumptions which informed or limited the choices available, or impacted the decision: cost, schedule, regulatory requirements, business drivers, country footprint, technology, etc. Include links as necessary. This section is important because a future change in circumstances might invalidate some key assumptions, which then prompts a decision to be revisited.
The following assumptions are underlying the SAP SFM solution recommendation to be a valid design:
Capture any constraints or limitations inherent to the recommended option. This could be aspects which, if changed or removed in future, could cause the decision to be revisited or invalidated. For example, a constraint might be that a new product has significant gaps in important functionality, which caused an older alternative to be recommended. If those gaps are closed in future, this might cause the decision to be invalidated.
Integration of the footprints into the Business Networks and SAP Sustainability Data Exchange is planned to leverage its carbon sharing capabilities.
Updated version of the existing Analytical API will be available to integrate the calculated footprints into any other analytical application for analytics, disclosure, or other purposes..
For simulating and modelling alternative scenarios we plan to provide simulation capabilities, such as what-if analyses
Describe the impact of the decision on other aspects such as other processes, infrastructure, other SAP modules or systems, data cleansing and migration, developments, automations, interfaces, in-flight projects, etc.
Carbon footprints are available in SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP), enabling users to track greenhouse gas emissions according to supply planning results.
The decision may translate into business rules which enforce the decision and will require configuration. List these business rules here. For example, "An Outline Agreement cannot be created via the RFQ process. An awarded RFQ can only result in a Purchase Order".
List the options (viable options or alternatives) you considered. These often require a longer explanation with diagrams, or references to other documents (links are best, but attachments are also possible). Use enough detail to adequately explain what you considered so that a project or business stakeholder reviewing this decision will not come back and ask "did you think about...?"; this leads to loss of credibility and questioning of other decisions. This section also helps ensure that you considered enough suitable alternatives rather than just copy/pasting SAP's recommendations.
Option A: Continue As Is
Currently this data is built up by experts (internally and externally) or sourced from external databases. There is no one version of the truth. Syensqo needs to act with its suppliers to reduce Scope 3 emissions to reach Syensqo's climate commitment and support product competitiveness. The future solution for footprint management in Syensqo needs to be determined as part of Scope 3 aligning with ERP project principles.
Decribe the option in sufficient detail for a reader familiar with the subject matter to understand it properly
SAP SFM calculates and manages carbon flows across GHG Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, integrating with SAP S/4HANA for accurate and efficient emissions calculations. The solution tracks the flows of product footprints in and out of the business, the materials used to produce it, the packaging and the transportation. As a solution for transactional carbon accounting it enables more precise and granular tracking of emissions across business operations and supply chains.
Product Capabilities
The capabilities of SAP Sustainability Footprint Management can be broken down as follows:
SAP PFM capabilities and their availability as per current release:

Business Architecture
SAP Sustainability Footprint Management is a cloud application that is built on the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP). In the application the import of data is managed calling the Data Extractor in the Sustainability Integration Component in ABAP. This reuse component is included in SAP S/4HANA and pulls the relevant business and master data from SAP S/4HANA Cloud or SAP S/4HANA system and sends the aggregated data back. Alternatively APIs can be leveraged to import data from ECC or other ERP sources, and data can further be imported via file upload. Emission Factors from own or third-party databases can be imported via file upload as well. For future releases, SAP plans an integration with SAP S/4HANA EHS Environment Management for leveraging GHG Scope 1 & 2 emission as well as waste data. Further, SAP plans an integration with the Business Networks and SAP Sustainability Data Exchange for collecting primary and actual footprint data from suppliers.
Based on the extracted and imported data the inventory scope, mappings, energy flow models, allocations, and derivations are defined and footprint calculation initiated. The calculated footprints are stored in the Footprint Inventory and can be viewed and monitored.
The Footprint Inventory is also connected back to your SAP S/4HANA Cloud and SAP S/4HANA system, so that business users can access the footprints directly in their end-to-end processes and applications. In the future, SAP plans to deliver holistic steering and analytics capabilities by connecting SAP Sustainability Footprint Management and its Footprint Inventory to SAP Sustainability Control Tower. Further, an integration of the footprints into the Business Networks and SAP Sustainability Data Exchange is planned, as well as Public APIs to connect to third-party applications for analytics, disclosure, or other purposes. An updated version of the existing Analytical API will be available to integrate the calculated footprints into any analytical application of your choice.

SAP Sustainability Footprint Management offers various options to reuse ERP data, including master data and transactional activity data (material movements). It integrates with SAP S/4HANA Cloud and SAP S/4HANA (2021 and later) out-of-the-box, while other ERP systems can be connected via public APIs. Additionally, data can be imported via flat-file uploads using templates. Freight-transport specific master data entities like plant or supplier locations can be imported via file upload. The system further offers a starter package, including location information for various transportation hubs and vehicle data for different transport modes.
SAP plans to enhance the SAP S/4HANA integration in future releases, including replicating product cost estimates for footprint calculations and reusing master data in freight transport calculations. Further, SAP plans an integration with SAP EHS Environment Management for incorporating GHG emissions calculations, and connections to Business Networks like SAP Ariba and Catena-X for data collection and sharing, supporting the PACT-Standard.
After importing business data from the ERP system, SAP SFM allows importing and managing of emission factors. The current focus is on climate change impact through Global Warming Potential (GWP) in CO2-equivalents (CO2e). TheSAP plan is to extend to other impact categories, like water or land use in the future.
Emission factors can be imported via Excel-file from primary sources, representing actual data directly from suppliers, or secondary sources, such as lifecycle assessment (LCA) databases, representing industry averages. SAP partners with ecoinvent and Carbon Minds, to provide LCA content through the SAP Store, allowing easy import into the application. Custom data can be utilised from operations or LCA software tools or estimated proxies for specific materials or activities can be used. To support the move from average to actual footprint calculation SAP plans to launch an API for sharing product footprints along the value chain, adhering to global standards like the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's Partnership for Carbon Transparency (WBCSD PACT) and the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative. This will provide direct access to supplier footprints, simplifying the mapping process and improving data quality with primary data. SAP further plan to integrate with SAP Sustainability Data Exchange to leverage its carbon sharing capabilities.
The application further provides a functionality to map emission factors to purchased products, based on imported ERP data, at different granularity. It auto-generates a mapping template with prefilled information like products, commodity codes, and suppliers. The template can be edited in-app or via a CSV file, and associate emission factors to each item via filtering and searching your imported emission factor databases for the best match. For improving this process, SAP plans to introduce automated mapping recommendations, a mapping wizard with validation checks, and an API for external providers. These improvements aim to boost user experience and automation. The goal is to achieve intelligent emission factor mapping using AI technology, allowing automatic and transparent mapping.
Changes to carbon footprint could reduce the emission factor. Optimisation of the process can lead to less consumption, measured at plant, and change of BOM based on lower conception. Otherwise it is possible to change provider for energy supplies to reduce emissions factor. Selecting suppliers with lower footprint.
Footprint Calculation
SAP SFMs goal is to address the entire product lifecycle, from cradle to grave. With the current release, SAP covers cradle-to-gate, therefore including upstream emissions from material acquisition & pre-processing and transport, as well as direct emissions related to own production activities. SAP plans to include downstream emissions (product use and end-of-life) in future releases.
Reflected on the corporate footprint, the solutions covers the corresponding GHG Scope 1, 2, and 3 categories related to material, freight transport, and facilities. More Scope 3 categories associated to downstream emissions and people transport are planned for future releases.
It is possible to maintain individual inventory scopes in the system to define the organisational boundaries of the footprint calculation, including companies, plants, and value chain steps.
Embedding sustainability data into core business processes support performance capabilities. The calculations integrate supplier data and existing ERP business data, which improves the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of emissions calculation and management.
The application uses energy flow models to connect energy-related elements with the resources replicated from the ERP system, which may become relevant at a future point for Syensqo. It includes energy carriers, energy sources, resources (e.g. assembly line or oven) and infrastructure (meters, process infrastructure, and facilities). These elements can be fully modelled and updated, allowing for the creation of models using a list display or a graphical flow modeler with drag-and-drop functionality. When a direct energy flow connection is unavailable, it can be set allocation rules to distribute emissions to products and GHG Scopes and Categories.
Energy Flow Model:

SAP Sustainability Footprint Management calculates a company's total carbon footprint and attributes emissions to products and corporate overhead, aiming to achieve a balanced emission level throughout all production stages. Two methods are provided:
A Sankey Diagram is the core tool for investigating emission results, offering transparency on input factors, such as purchased energy. It gives visibility to various levels of detail, including calculation data and formulas, to understand the carbon footprint emissions. The app allows publishing results to connected SAP S/4HANA Cloud or SAP S/4HANA systems.
Sankey-Diagram:

The calculation of inbound and outbound transport footprints is done by uploading CSV files containing transport information. The application uses client-specific routes or automated calculation logic based on distances to determine emissions. Data is validated, and feedback is provided for any issues. SAP plans to include calculated transport footprints in organisational footprint inventories and overall product footprints in future releases, and further plans to reuse the replicated ERP data for the calculation itself. The 'Calculate Transport Footprints - Lite' app enables quick calculations and assessments for single shipments without importing data, with results visualized in charts, tables and maps. It allows a quick comparison of emissions related to different transport mode choices (e.g. plane vs. train) and helps to make informed decisions on how to reduce your transport related carbon footprint.
Footprint Analytics is built-in for analysing the calculated footprints and gaining new insights with various dashboards including all emission inflows and outflows as well as emissions per purchased and sold products and energy consumers.
It is possible to drill down into emissions by GHG scope, category and energy source. For transport footprints there are own dynamic dashboards available with customisable charts and detailed reports on various transport relevant KPIs. Inbound & outbound transport flows and emissions can be visualised on a world map, including a heatmap to display emission hotspots.

To incorporate calculated footprints into a preferred analytical application, such as SAP Analytics Cloud or non-SAP solutions, an updated version of the OData API on SAP Business Accelerator Hub will be available going forward. For future releases, SAP plans to provide simulation capabilities for various footprint scenarios and what-if analyses, enabling sensitivity analysis and comparison of product carbon footprints. It assists in sustainable decision-making regarding product design, production efficiency, and supply sourcing.
Footprint Integration
The integration of the calculated footprints into the end-to-end business processes provides transparency and insights into sustainability metrics for all business users. From SAP SFM the footprints can be published into the connected SAP S/4HANA Cloud or SAP S/4HANA (2021 and later) system to make the information accessible to users, enabling them to incorporate these criteria into the decision-making processes.
In Purchasing, product footprints are integrated into Purchase Requisitions (PR). It allows approvers and operational purchasers to assess the environmental impact of PRs. The 'Monitor Purchase Requisition Items' app provides insights into current and future emissions, enabling proactive optimisation of the environmental footprint.
Future releases plan to integrate footprints into Purchase Orders as well. Footprints are also available in Inventory Management, starting with the 'Stock - Multiple Materials app' to provide insights into the environmental impact of stocks. Previously used for stock quantities and financial values, the app now allows for sustainability criteria in decision-making processes.
Footprints in S/4HANA Monitor Purchase Requisition App:

Transportation Management (TM) allows to calculate GHG emissions during manual planning and vehicle scheduling and routing (VSR) optimization. It is possible to specify carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per weight and distance unit for your trucks. These CO2 emissions are taken into account during manual and automatic planning and displayed in road freight orders.
Warehouse Management - Integration of footprints in Inventory Management with Stock - Multiple Materials app to provide insights into the environmental impact of stocks. Previously used for stock quantities and financial values, the app now allows for sustainability criteria in decision-making processes.
Option C: SAP EHS Environment Management
Decribe the option in sufficient detail for a reader familiar with the subject matter to understand it properly
SAP EHS Environment Management tracks various aspects of environmental impacts. Whilst only SAP EHS Emissions Management and GHG Emissions Management are relevant for the purpose of this KDD, it generally includes the following components:
Capabilities:
SAP Standard Integration:



SAP Standard Process:

SAP Roadmap:

In standard SAP the holistic Sustainability solution for Footprint Management combines various components in its architecture, which are intrinsically integrated. Whilst some of these components may be implemented in isolation, the Syensqo Sustainability Roadmap requires a combination of tools to create 'one truth'. It supports Syensqo's long-term goal to adopt a mainstream integrated solution for carbon footprint management and supports achieving group targets by understanding where emissions come from at operational, procurement and market level.
SAP SFM could be supplemented by the integration with SAP EHS/GHG Emissions Management as the data acquisition to support SAP SFM may partially depend on S/4HANA EHS Emissions Management (see SAP SFM Product Capabilities and Business Architecture diagrams). As there is no additional licence requirements, the business may in future opt to use SAP EHS Emissions Management. It should not from part of the key decision to implement SAP SFM at this point.
Outline why you selected a position. The best format could be a pro/con table (sample below), but is up to you as the author. You must consider complexity, feasibility, cost/effort to implement, but also ongoing operational impact and cost. You must consider the program principles and explain any deviations in detail. This is probably as important as the decision itself.
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Insert links and references to other documents which are relevant when trying to understand this decision and its implications. Other decisions are often impacted, so it's good to list them here with links. Attachments are also possible but dangerous as they are static documents and not updated by their authors.