Farm-Focused Startup Tackles CO2 Emissions in Supply Chains.
Root is a startup that focuses on tackling the complex issue of Scope 3 emissions, particularly in agricultural supply chains, which contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While many carbon accounting platforms have concentrated on Scope 1 (direct emissions from company-owned sources) and Scope 2 (emissions from energy used by a company), these cover only about 25% of global emissions. The bulk of emissions, categorized as Scope 3, are hidden in supply chains and are notoriously difficult to track. This is where Root aims to make an impact.
Root’s platform, RootOS, helps food and beverage companies collect precise, primary data on their agricultural supply chains, offering a more granular and accurate approach to emissions tracking. Unlike traditional methods that rely on secondary data and industry averages, Root allows companies to model each product’s environmental footprint by gathering detailed, specific data directly from suppliers, such as farmers. This enables companies to identify “emission hotspots” in their supply chains and make more informed decisions to reduce their carbon footprint.
Root was co-founded by Eric Oancea and Maurice Hensl, and its platform has quickly gained traction since its launch in October 2023. The startup already works with more than 10,000 farmers and counts several major food industry players among its clients, although it has not disclosed their names. The company recently raised an €8 million seed round led by Christoph Janz at Point Nine, with additional participation from Project A, HelloWorld, Arc Investors, and other prominent startup operators.
One of Root’s key differentiators is its ability to provide tailored, farm-specific data rather than relying on generalized benchmarks. For example, the carbon footprint of a liter of milk or a piece of aluminum can vary greatly depending on numerous factors such as farming practices, feed types, and fertilizer use. Root’s platform captures these nuances, offering more accurate emissions data that can help companies make better decisions.
Root’s platform is designed for use by sustainability and procurement teams at large food companies, who can use it to interact with their suppliers and obtain relevant data. It can integrate with farm management systems to pull in necessary information, which is then processed through Root’s carbon calculator. This results in a tailored score for each supplier, reflecting the actual conditions and practices on their farms.
Currently, Root operates in the German-speaking DACH region and some Eastern European countries, but it has plans to expand across Europe. By focusing on agricultural supply chains, Root is addressing a critical gap in the market, helping companies to more effectively manage their environmental impact and work towards decarbonizing their operations.
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