The Role of LoRaWAN in Decarbonization: how to calculate the carbon footprint and reduce it with IoT

How LoRaWAN closes the “pain” of carbon accounting

The standard calculation formula looks simple: emissions (CO₂e) = activity × emission factor. The problem with this calculation lies in “activity”: manual data collection and one-off exports create gaps, and tariff changes and weather fluctuations make year-over-year comparisons unreliable.

LoRaWAN solves this through energy-efficient long-range connectivity and deep signal penetration by IoT devices. Radio modules on water, gas, heat, and electricity meters, as well as street-lighting controllers, transmit telemetry automatically—hourly or daily—forming the basis for greenhouse gas monitoring. 

The data goes to a data analytics platform, where a load profile is created for each point and an aggregated picture for the city is built by blocks, departments, and assets.

From the perspective of ESG protocols and MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) principles, this provides three wins: continuity of measurements, traceability of sources, and independently verifiable calculations. 

The shift from estimates to actual readings makes it possible to correctly separate Scope 1 (direct fuel combustion, gas leaks), Scope 2 (electricity and heat from outside), and Scope 3 (contractor transport, procurement, losses in networks), and to see the effect of measures not at the end of the year but within weeks—supporting sustainable development and pathways to carbon neutrality.

Where exactly IoT reduces the carbon footprint

Lighting. Dimming and “light on demand” reduce kWh on arterial roads and in courtyards—an immediate energy efficiency gain. For this task, Jooby controllers and luminaires with real-time control link lighting levels to traffic, weather, and schedules. Electricity savings directly convert into Scope 2 reduction—and are an example of carbon reduction with sensors that can be achieved through environmental monitoring systems.

Water and heat. Jooby radio modules for water/heat meters, together with LoRaWAN gateways and the Jooby RDC Dashboard, detect leaks and overheating, reducing pumping and heat losses. That means lower electricity consumption by pumps and less fuel in boiler houses—a contribution to Scope 1/2 driven by smart meters and IoT sustainability projects.

Gas distribution. Smart Jooby radio modules for gas meters not only automate accounting but also record consumption anomalies and tampering. Timely leak detection cuts direct methane emissions (a potent greenhouse gas) and improves the balance—strengthening climate tech practices alongside environmental monitoring systems.

Buildings and sites. Hourly profiles at electricity/heat inlets make it possible to shift loads, switch off “parasitic” consumption, and correctly calculate CO₂e for each department and multifamily building—an operational layer for smart city carbon management that can integrate renewable energy where applicable.

How to calculate and prove the result

Start with an inventory of measurement points and the assignment of emission factors (gas, heat, water/wastewater). Then build a “baseline” from real data over 3–6 months: kWh, m³, Gcal, and corresponding CO₂e, supporting LoRaWAN carbon footprint accounting.

Any measure (for example, implementing dimming on 500 poles) should have a KPI passport: expected energy savings, calculation methodology, control windows, and tolerances. LoRaWAN is helpful in this respect as it allows you to see “spurts” and degradation of effect immediately: if the lighting profile shifts due to seasonality or nonstandard work, this is visible on the dashboard, and corrective action can be taken at once, without waiting for the annual report—demonstrating IoT sustainability projects enabled by IoT devices.

Jooby products in the decarbonization contour

In the “field” layer, Jooby radio modules for water, gas, heat, and electricity meters are used, as well as controllers and sensors for street lighting. Transmission is carried out through Jooby Gateways (LoRaWAN), and collection and analysis take place in the Jooby RDC Dashboard, where individual dashboards by asset, anomaly alerts, reports, and export to corporate BI systems are available. 

This stack covers two directions at once: high-frequency carbon accounting (by consumption) and reduction initiatives (through operating-mode control) — a practical path for IoT sustainability projects within low power wide area networks.

Implementation plan: from pilot to city program

Pilot and baseline. Select 2–3 domain scenarios (streets, water distribution, heat points), and install 200–300 Jooby devices and 1–2 LoRaWAN gateways. Fix the initial CO₂e based on actual readings. Approve methodologies for converting to carbon footprint—groundwork for smart city carbon management.

Scaling and MRV. Replicate successful scenarios quarter by quarter. Introduce MRV regulations: reporting frequency, independent random verification, storage of “raw” data—strengthening environmental monitoring systems and greenhouse gas monitoring.

Economics and regulation

LoRaWAN minimizes OPEX (no frequency subscription fees and a battery autonomy of devices for 7–15 years), and CAPEX can be allocated by asset—thanks to modularity. In ESG/CSRD reporting the advantages are tangible: you get primary hourly time series, unified methodologies, and transparent tracing of data sources. This simplifies access to green financing, reduces the risk of challenges to calculations, and speeds up approval of energy-modernization programs—practical IoT decarbonization solutions that support carbon reduction with sensors.

The use of smart devices and the LoRaWAN network allows municipalities to obtain transparent data on the carbon balance and a controllable reduction trajectory; utilities reduce losses, smooth load schedules, and obtain current data on CO₂e reductions; residents get safer, more comfortable streets with predictable bills. 

IoT based on LoRaWAN and the Jooby product line make it possible to move from talking about decarbonization to making it happen in your businesses daily operations: calculating the carbon footprint correctly and reducing it where it yields the maximum effect—quickly, measurably, and with payback confirmed by data—advancing green IoT technology and IoT sustainability projects across urban programs.