Since its launch in 2022, Belgium’s ClimateCamp has grown rapidly and now supports more than 800 companies. Having started out by targeting the brewing sector in particular, the company has broadened its scope to include the agri-food industry, packaging companies and others. The company’s collaborative SaaS platform is dedicated to managing and reducing carbon emissions within supply chains.

ClimateCamp, which employs 18 people, has announced a €3.5m fundraising round led by Expon Capital and supported, the company says in a press release, by a mix of private capital and government grants from VLAIO, Luxembourg’s economy ministry, KBC, PMB and Birdhouse Ventures.

“ClimateCamp is the best platform for large-scale collaboration with suppliers,” says CEO and cofounder Stijn Gysemans. “Our goal is to unite one million companies by 2030 around common climate goals, joint action plans and real emission reductions.”

When it comes to reducing carbon footprints, the stakes are high and the opportunities particularly interesting for ClimateCamp in a context where reducing emissions is an imperative (although reporting obligations still mainly concern large companies).

The devil’s in the value chain

For most companies, 85% of emissions come from their value chain, i.e. not just from the activity itself but from associated activities such as transport, distribution, waste disposal, etc. “To achieve effective reductions, companies need to involve their suppliers in calculating emissions, setting targets and implementing reduction strategies,” says the company. “Direct supplier involvement and collaborative decarbonisation are precisely what sets ClimateCamp apart from its competitors.”

“We are investing in ClimateCamp because reducing Scope 3 emissions is one of the biggest sustainability challenges, and they have designed an intelligent and scalable solution,” comments Expon Capital managing partner Marc Gendebien. “Their platform quickly engages suppliers, simplifies carbon tracking and helps companies turn their sustainability goals into action. We are delighted to support their journey via the Digital Tech Fund.”

In broad terms, the platform works in three main stages: calculate, commit and above all reduce. With an understanding of their carbon footprint, companies can work with their suppliers to set reduction targets and track progress directly on the platform.

ClimateCamp is keeping a close eye on regulatory developments. “The European Union is considering a possible rollback on CSRD reporting obligations, while the US has taken steps to withdraw from the Paris Agreement,” says the press release. “In response, the sustainability community is gradually shifting its focus away from regulatory imperatives alone to concrete emissions reductions--a development that ClimateCamp actively supports.”

This article in French.