Kolsquare launches open-source tool to track the carbon footprint of influencer marketing campaign

Kolsquare, Europe’s leading Influencer Marketing technology and a certified B Corp, has partnered with climate analytics specialist SAMI to create the first open-source tool that helps brands, agencies, and creators better understand the environmental impact of their influencer marketing campaigns.

According to recent data published by the UN, the digital economy, including devices, data centres and ICT networks currently accounts for up to 12% of the global energy use. With a market value that exceeded $ 24 Billion in 2024, and over 54% of Influencer Marketers planning to expand their business even further in 2025, the Creator Economy is undeniably a contributor to global CO₂ emissions.

“Our industry is built around growth and scalability—so it’s even more important to scale responsibly,” said Quentin Bordage, CEO and Founder of Kolsquare. “You can’t improve what you can’t measure –  that’s why quantifying the impact of our actions is the first step in understanding where emissions come from and what can be done to reduce them.”

How it works

Kolsquare’s Carbon Footprint Calculator analyses elements of a campaign, such as travel, the environmental impact of social media platforms (TikTok has a carbon footprint of 57.6g per hour of browsing, the equivalent of charging a phone 7 times),  product shipping, accommodation etc, and gives a reading measured gEqCO₂ which stands for grams of CO₂(carbon dioxide). It’s a complex process as many elements are involved.

“There are limitations and evaluating your carbon impact will never be 100% accurate. However, measuring and calculating it allows us to see where we can make changes to reduce or offset it by planting trees or carrying out other similar activities. The more we know about the carbon impact of our activities, the more we can do to reduce it.” said Michella Saliby, Chief Product Officer at Kolsquare.

How Ibis Styles campaign reduced carbon footprint

A recent campaign led by Kolsquare partner Greenstory for Ibis Styles illustrates how accurate measurement and data-driven choices can help reduce the environmental impact of influencer marketing:  By prioritising local travel over flights, the campaign saved 1.968 tons of CO₂—the equivalent of an average household’s energy consumption for three months.

“We are not just a data-driven company; we are also purpose-driven, and we know that transparency is essential for making informed decisions,” added Bordage. “Beyond individual campaigns, this initiative also aims to quantify our industry’s footprint as a whole—so we can drive positive change for the future together.”

To complement the Carbon Footprint Calculator, Kolsquare has developed an in-depth whitepaper, featuring expert insights, case studies, and best practices on how to run Influencer Marketing campaigns with a lower environmental impact.

Beyond measurement, the guide seeks to raise awareness about climate change and highlight how influence can be used more responsibly.

“Let’s not forget that influencers have enormous power to spark conversations and raise awareness about important issues, including sustainability,” concluded Bordage. “By integrating them into our sustainability journey, our industry amplifies its voice, opening the conversation and inspiring others to play their part. Every step, every data point, and every individual counts—let’s work together to use #InfluenceForGood.”

Both the calculator and the whitepaper are available.

About Kolsquare

Kolsquare is Europe’s leading Influencer Marketing platform, a data-driven solution that allows brands to scale their KOL Marketing strategies and implement authentic partnerships with KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders).

Kolsquare’s technology enables marketing professionals to easily identify the best content creators’ profiles by filtering their content and audience and to build and manage their campaigns from A to Z, including measuring results and benchmarking performance against competitors.

Kolsquare has built a thriving global community of influencer marketing experts and offers hundreds of customers (Coca-Cola, Netflix, Sony Music, Publicis, Sézane, Sephora,, Lush, Hermès…) the latest Big Data, AI and Machine Learning technologies to drive inspiring partnerships, tapping into an exhaustive network of KOLs with more than 5,000 followers in 180 countries on Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), Facebook, YouTube and Snapchat.

As a Certified B Corporation, Kolsquare has been pioneering Responsible Influence by championing transparency, ethical practices, and meaningful collaborations to inspire change.

Since October 2024, Kolsquare forms part of Team.Blue, a leading digital enabler for businesses and entrepreneurs across Europe made up of over 60 successful brands in the fields of web hosting, domains, e-commerce, online compliance, lead generation, application solutions, and social media.

About Quentin Bordage

Quentin Bordage is the founder and CEO of Kolsquare, Europe’s leading Influencer Marketing platform and a certified B Corp. Passionate about media, technology, and digital influence, he has spent over a decade shaping the industry and advocating for responsible influencer marketing.

Beyond business, Quentin is committed to driving positive change. He is an ambassador for the Surfrider Foundation, actively promoting ocean conservation, and the founder of 1% for Social Dilemma, a foundation dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of social media. He leads by example in sustainable business practices, always seeking ways to minimise environmental impact—whether through Kolsquare’s B Corp certification or his commitment to eco-conscious travel, avoiding travel and systematically opting for trains over flights when possible.