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Sustainability Goals
As a company providing EV solutions, Mer faced growing pressure from customers and investors to enhance its sustainability program. Mer aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2033, and has been carbon neutral in its operations since 2023.
The Challenge
They had previously purchased carbon credits, but lacked the in-house carbon market expertise needed to evaluate the quality or alignment of their purchases with their long-term decarbonisation strategy.
As a result, Mer needed a partner that could provide a transparent and credible approach to carbon credit procurement without putting strain on internal resources, while also not compromising on quality. This led them to look for a platform that could protect against greenwashing risks and uphold its position as a sustainability leader in the EV industry.
The solution: Collaboration with Senken
Mer partnered with Senken due to our uncompromising approach to quality. Every project Senken offers has to pass through our rigorous AI Quality Framework, which uses custom AI models to screen projects based on over 600 data points, ensuring that every credit sold meets the highest standards. Less than 5% of projects successfully pass this vetting process.
Senken's vetting protocol has saved me from potential greenwashing risk and gave me peace of mind to propose the portfolio to my management. They found the perfect portfolio pleasing our management, impact goals, as well as marketing.
— Felix, Head of Sustainability at Mer
Senken aligned Mer’s long-term carbon strategy with key scientific standards, incorporating frameworks such as the Oxford Principles, Core Carbon Principles, and ICROA approved methodologies. In addition to this, Senken also provided tools and expert guidance to help Mer to plan and execute on their sustainability strategy. This included assistance with marketing, reporting to internal and external stakeholders, and complying with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and ESRS Standards.
Implementation and Experience
The onboarding process began with a free analysis of Mer’s previous carbon credit portfolio to identify potential greenwashing risks and refine their existing strategy in-line with their ambitious climate targets. The assessment helped to determine key priorities for Mer’s portfolio by focusing on:
- Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Proximity to its offices in Germany, UK, and Scandinavia
- Cost and budget considerations
Senken also provided educational support, guiding Mer through relevant policies such as the Green Claims Directive, as well as understanding the pros and cons of different types of carbon credits. This ensured that the company made informed decisions about carbon credit investments.
Senken explained which policies are relevant for Mer and the optimal split between avoidance and removal projects.
— Felix, Head of Sustainability at Mer
Results and Impact
Mer’s updated carbon credit portfolio with Senken strikes a balance between 3 main criteria:
- Projects with an average cost of around €25 per ton of CO2.
- Locations in Germany, UK, and Scandinavia.
- Alignment with 17 SDGs.
Additionally, Senken provided machine-readable data outputs to streamline Mer’s compliance with CSRD reporting requirements. The company has successfully achieved carbon neutrality for its operational Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and remains committed to its ambitious 2033 net-zero target.
Senken's reporting data has saved me countless hours; not manually entering data or downloading files is a huge win.
— Felix, Head of Sustainability at Mer
Key Takeaways
- Mer transitioned their carbon credit strategy to a structured, high-quality portfolio aligned with its long-term decarbonisation strategy.
- Senken’s 600+ data-point vetting protocol ensured that Mer avoided greenwashing risks and only invested in scientifically verified projects.
- The portfolio balanced cost (€25+ per ton), regional relevance (Germany, UK, Scandinavia), and impact (17 SDGs) to meet Mer’s sustainability goals.
- Senken’s automated reporting tools saved Mer’s sustainability team countless hours of manual work while improving stakeholder communication and ensuring compliance with regulations such as the CSRD.