Decarbonization

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂e) across the entire value chain
Eine abstrakte 3D-Illustration zum Thema Dekarbonisierung auf mintgrünem Hintergrund. Sie zeigt den Übergang von einem unteren, dunklen Ring mit schwarzen Molekülstrukturen (symbolisch für fossile Brennstoffe/CO2) hin zu einem oberen, leuchtend weißen Ring und einer schwebenden Lichtwolke mit einem kreisförmigen Pfeil, der den Prozess der Kreislaufwirtschaft und Reinigung darstellt

Decarbonization as a driver of economic success

Decarbonization involves the targeted reduction of all greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain – ranging from direct emissions within companies own operations (Scope 1) and indirect emissions from purchased energy (Scope 2) to all up- and downstream processes involving suppliers and customers (Scope 3).

Companies and organizations are increasingly viewing decarbonization as a prerequisite for resilient business models in a market shaped by rising energy prices, scarce resources, stricter regulations, and growing expectations from customers, investors, and the financial sector.

PreZero supports companies in reducing the emission intensity of economic growth through circular processes, substituting energy-intensive primary raw materials with recyclable secondary raw materials. 

Transparent, verifiable CO₂e data and the resulting measures enable measurable CO₂e emission reductions, ensuring planning certainty, efficiency gains, and long-term resilience.

Why the circular economy is key to decarbonization

The greatest lever for decarbonization lies within the up- and downstream value chain (Scope 3) – precisely where many companies reach their limits after optimizing direct emissions (Scope 1 and 2).

This is where the circular economy comes into play. By closing material loops, increasing recovery rates, and utilizing secondary raw materials, greenhouse gas emissions are avoided at the source.

PreZero turns this theory into practice: We close material loops and provide the data companies need to substantiate their Co2e savings in Scope 3.

Our role — making decarbonization possible

PreZero is your enabler for cross-system climate action. We make decarbonization manageable and leverage it as a catalyst for your resilience and long-term competitiveness. Our path toward a circular economy includes:

Circular systems that actually work

Efficient processes across the value chain

Reliable, auditable CO₂e data

How we make decarbonization work

The following areas form the core building blocks of our decarbonization approach.

Net zero by 2050

How PreZero delivers on the climate strategy of the Schwarz Group companies

Decarbonization is both part of the climate strategy of the Schwarz Group companies and a distinct, standalone operational field for PreZero. The Schwarz Groups companies Net Zero target by 2050, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), provides the scientifically grounded framework.

PreZero makes a measurable contribution by steadily reducing its own operational emissions while providing solutions that help customers reduce, manage, and report their Scope 3 emissions by substituting primary raw materials and fossil fuels with secondary raw materials.

This contribution is made visible through Avoided Emissions and is reported as an additional metric, without being offset against Scopes 1–3.

Overview of the earth from space

Climate strategy

Decarbonization is part of the climate strategy of the Schwarz Group companies and a distinct operational focus for PreZero at the same time. Based on the SBTi-validated net-zero target for 2050 of the Schwarz Group companies , PreZero reduces its own emissions and enables customers to achieve measurable reductions in Scope 3. This makes decarbonization a driver of competitiveness and long-term viability.

More about our climate strategy
PreZero Grafik zum Thema vermiedene Emissionen: Vergleich der CO2-Reduktion durch nachhaltige Kreislaufwirtschaft in Glaszylindern

Avoided Emissions – how circularity reduces emissions

Avoided Emissions occur whenever we bypass the energy-intensive primary production of raw materials and replace them with circular solutions.

This happens specifically when recycled materials substitute primary raw materials, or when energy is recovered from waste instead of fossil fuels.

Learn more about Avoided Emissions
PreZero Infografik zur digitalen Kreislaufwirtschaft: Laptop-Illustration mit grünem Recycling-Symbol auf dem Bildschirm

WasteEcoSavings – CO₂e reporting for more service-level transparency

Companies depend on concrete, service-level CO₂e data to make economically sound decisions.

WasteEcoSavings is a data-driven solution that translates your waste and recycling streams into precise CO₂e metrics.

Customer-specific data from the downstream supply chain is made transparent and audit-ready. The generated data reports make circular economy achievements measurable and fulfill the requirements for Scope 3.5 and CSRD reporting (E5), as well as ESG ratings.

More about WasteEcoSavings

Advancing decarbonization with purpose

Decarbonization is a long-term transformation process. PreZero supports companies from analysis through implementation — with a practical approach, reliable data, and measurable economic value.

Start the conversation today and make decarbonization work for your business

FAQ: Decarbonization — what it means for your business

Decarbonization means systematically reducing greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂e) — not just in a company’s own operations, but across the entire value chain. 

For companies, it is now a decisive factor in gaining market access, cost control, financing, and long-term competitiveness.

Because it reduces dependence on energy and raw material markets, makes supply chains more resilient, and provides greater predictability around regulatory requirements. 

This makes decarbonization a prerequisite for strong, future-proof business models.

PreZero provides specific, service-level CO₂e data. 

This gives customers a clear view of the emissions related to waste management, recycling, and recovery services — broken down by material stream, site, and treatment.

The data is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, ready for audit, and suitable for CSRD reporting.

PreZero has its strongest impact in Scope 3, particularly in two key categories:

  • Scope 3.1 – Purchased goods and services: by increasing the use of recyclates and secondary raw materials instead of primary materials
     
  • Scope 3.5 – Waste generated in operations: through optimized collection, recycling, material recovery, and energy recovery.

These are areas where emissions can be clearly measured, reduced, and reported.

PreZero is a circular economy company that provides sustainability solutions that help companies with decarbonization end to end. 

Every emissions reduction achieved with PreZero’s systems has a direct impact on the customer’s Scope 3 footprint. 

That makes decarbonization manageable, verifiable, and economically valuable.