For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), updating annual carbon footprint data is a critical step to accurately measure emissions and track progress over time. With Breeze, Pro Plan users and above can seamlessly update their carbon footprint data and ensure they’re set up for the new reporting year. Follow the steps below to update your emissions data and gain valuable insights into your sustainability efforts.

Step 1: Confirm Boundaries, Sources, and Places

Before you start updating, it’s essential to confirm that your boundaries, sources, and places have not changed since your last report. If you’re unsure what these terms mean or how to set them up, refer to our comprehensive guide on calculating emissions to ensure all elements align with your current operations. If you find that any changes are needed, update them on the Map page within your Breeze account.

NOTE: If you are adding a new Source (Learn more about Sources here), it needs to be set up in Breeze before you can import data.

Step 2: Set the Correct Reporting Year

To make sure your updates are correctly assigned, complete the previous reporting year and set the new one as Current. This step is vital because any new data points you import will automatically apply to this year. For a more detailed overview of how to manage reporting years, see this article.

If there have been significant changes: Use the Import Template to Start from Scratch (Optional)

If you’re updating your data from scratch, you can use Breeze’s built-in Data > Import Template feature. This feature provides you with a ready-to-populate spreadsheet that includes a list of all your sources. You’ll simply fill in the appropriate Places and Data Points to begin.

Step 3: Start with Last Year’s Data (Recommended)

For most users, it’s more efficient to start with last year’s data. Here’s how to get started:

1. Navigate to Map > Exports (or find it on the Home screen sidebar).
2. Download the “All Data Points - Simple Report” in CSV format.
3. Open the file and filter it to show only data from the previous reporting year. Delete any other rows to keep things clean.

Preparing the File for Import

Now that you have your data file, you’ll need to format it for this year:

1. Leave only the following columns in the file for a seamless import:
   • Source
   • Place
   • Start Date
   • End Date
   • Usage Quantity
   • Usage Unit
   • Notes
2. Delete last year’s usage values. Then, update the dates, and add your new usage quantities.
3. Save your file and use a descriptive filename to easily identify it later.

Step 4: Import Your Data Back into Breeze

Once your file is ready, navigate to Data > Import in Breeze and follow the prompts to upload your data. Take a moment to review the data after it’s uploaded. A quick quality check ensures that everything is accurate and aligns with your reporting needs. You can find more on our recommended QAQC steps in the emissions calculation guide.

Step 5: Finalize and View Your Footprint Report

After uploading and confirming your data, complete the reporting year. Once everything is finalized, go to Home > Footprint to view your updated annual carbon footprint report. Updating your annual carbon footprint data with Breeze allows you to stay informed about your progress and maintain an accurate emissions record year over year. This guide ensures you can easily update your records and continue your journey toward sustainability!

By following these steps, SMEs can efficiently manage their carbon data in Breeze, helping them monitor their environmental impact, make data-driven decisions, and work toward a more sustainable future.

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