Innovation

CarbonSifr is a transformative platform designed to help businesses incorporate sustainability into their operations seamlessly. Recognizing that many companies aspire to reduce their environmental footprint but struggle with execution, CarbonSifr automates carbon footprint measurement and provides tailored decarbonization strategies. The AI-powered system identifies emission hotspots, particularly in logistics and energy use, and recommends effective interventions such as transitioning to renewable energy and optimizing supply chains.

For emissions that cannot yet be eliminated, CarbonSifr facilitates the purchase of verified carbon credits, supporting initiatives like reforestation and renewable energy projects. The platform's intuitive dashboard enables real-time tracking, fostering a culture of continuous sustainability improvement. This ensures that climate-conscious strategies become an integral part of corporate operations rather than isolated initiatives.

Beyond technology, CarbonSifr plays a critical role in fostering a behavioral shift toward climate accountability within the business sector. By eliminating logistical barriers to carbon management, the platform enables companies to move beyond environmental aspirations and actively participate in sustainable change.

Inspiration

CarbonSifr’s inception was not driven by a single event but rather by recurring trends in business and consumer behavior. The founders, having experience in industries such as food delivery, observed a rising demand for sustainable business practices but also identified a gap in the tools available to implement them. As co-founder Onur shared, “We help businesses to measure and reduce their emissions…so we made our diagnosis; we said, look, there is an intention-action gap in the region when it comes to climate.”

One pivotal moment came by the request of a restaurant owner who sought sustainable packaging options. This simple but recurring inquiry highlighted a broader market need: businesses wanted to be more sustainable but lacked the resources and infrastructure to do so effectively. Similarly, an initiative within Talabat, where customers could opt out of receiving plastic cutlery, demonstrated that given the right tools, consumers would actively make eco-conscious choices. Over 50% of users selected the “no cutlery” option within months, reinforcing the idea that behavioral nudges could drive environmental action.

Recognizing this potential, CarbonSifr was built to simplify emissions measurement and reduction, using AI to automate data collection and provide real-time, actionable insights. The founders believed that if sustainability efforts were made convenient and transparent, businesses would be more likely to adopt them.

Overall impact

CarbonSifr has created both immediate and long-term impacts within the UAE and beyond. In the short term, the platform has enabled companies to make significant reductions in their carbon footprints by optimizing energy use, improving supply chain efficiencies, and offsetting unavoidable emissions. Businesses using CarbonSifr have reported measurable improvements in sustainability performance, aligning with global climate standards and enhancing their corporate reputation.

Long-term, CarbonSifr’s influence extends beyond individual companies, fostering a regional shift in sustainability practices. By making climate action accessible and financially viable, the platform is gradually embedding sustainability into business cultures. Additionally, CarbonSifr has expanded into Saudi Arabia, where it is partnering with major corporations to drive decarbonization efforts. This scalability highlights the platform’s potential to revolutionize emissions tracking across industries and geographical regions.

Business benefit

CarbonSifr not only contributes to sustainability but also enhances business efficiency and profitability. By streamlining emissions measurement and reduction, the platform allows companies to lower operational costs and meet regulatory sustainability requirements. Businesses that engage in climate-positive actions through CarbonSifr gain access to green financing opportunities, as financial institutions are increasingly rewarding sustainability efforts with lower interest rates.

An example of CarbonSifr’s impact in practice is its collaboration with Mastercard, which integrates carbon footprint tracking into the transactions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). This initiative enables businesses to align their financial decisions with sustainability goals while unlocking new economic opportunities. By leveraging CarbonSifr’s insights, companies can reduce emissions while simultaneously improving brand value, customer loyalty, and employee engagement.

Social and environmental benefit

CarbonSifr extends its impact beyond business operations by encouraging broader climate action among consumers. Through its partnerships, such as the initiative with Careem to introduce “eco-friendly” ride options in Abu Dhabi, CarbonSifr empowers individuals to make sustainable choices in daily life. This has resulted in tangible environmental benefits, with over 200 tonnes of CO₂e offset in Dubai within the first three months of implementation.

Additionally, CarbonSifr collaborates with environmental organizations like Emirates Nature-WWF to support carbon offset initiatives, such as mangrove reforestation projects that enhance biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. By democratizing access to sustainability solutions, CarbonSifr is helping both businesses and individuals contribute to global climate action, creating a ripple effect that extends across industries and communities.

Interview

Onur Elgun, CEO and Co-Founder