Carbon footprint: definition and example

You have probably already heard of the carbon footprint of a product or activity. Since 2010, it is even mandatory for companies with more than 500 employees. But do you know exactly why you should do one? What is an ADEME Carbon Footprint? Do you know how to calculate it? All the answers are in this article.

The Bilan Carbone is a diagnostic tool for greenhouse gas emissions.

What is a carbon footprint?

  The carbon footprint is a methodology for diagnosing, measuring and analyzing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is targeting companies, public institutions and local authorities. The list of gases taken into account in the greenhouse gas emissions balance is set by order of the Minister of Ecology. This list includes carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3).  

What is the objective ?

  Accounting for the various greenhouse gases emitted by an organization's activities allows us to understand and analyze their impact. The use of these methods allows us to respond to environmental issues and to move towards a low-carbon economy. Information: there are 4 methods available in France to perform a carbon footprint. See this link for more details.  

What is an ADEME Bilan Carbone?

  The Bilan Carbone was created by Jean-Marc Jancovici between 2000 and 2003 within ADEME, the French Environment and Energy Management Agency. It is also known as the Agency for Ecological Transition. This government agency has distributed this tool and registered the trademark. Since 2011, the management of carbon footprints has been entrusted to the Bilan Carbone Association. The Bilan Carbone was designed as a tool to account for greenhouse gas emissions related to a product or an activity over a given period of time. The emissions of six different gases are accounted for according to a public and standardized methodology, in order to be accessible to all. This method is the most widely used in France and is referred to as the ADEME Carbon Footprint. Please note: ADEME's Carbon Footprint is the most widely used method in France.  

Why do it ?

  The mandatory application of regulations obliges companies to carry out a carbon footprint of their activity. But for companies that are not subject to these obligations, there are still relevant reasons to do so. Firstly, carrying out a carbon footprint, even if it turns out to be positive or negative, is a good way to prepare for future regulatory constraints and changes of practices. It allows you to analyze your activity or production over a defined period of time and to draw the appropriate conclusions. Also, taking stock of the environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions allows you to obtain a precise balance sheet. Thanks to this, you will be able to define ways to improve. Let's take the example of energy consumption. If you act efficiently, you will reduce your impact based on electricity consumption as well as your budgetary expenses. Having an overview of your activities and their impacts can lead to a more environmentally responsible management. Finally, performing this type of assessment and positively changing its impact by improving its practices is also good for the public image of the company.  

Who should carry out carbon footprint assessment?

  According to the Grenelle II law of July 12, 2010, carrying out a carbon footprint is mandatory for :

• Private companies with more than 500 employees in France ;
• Companies with more than 250 employees in the French overseas territories ;
• Public institutions with more than 250 employees;
• Local authorities with more than 50,000 inhabitants (regions, municipalities, departments, etc.);
• State services.

  The carbon footprint must be updated every 4 years for legal entities under private law. And every 3 years for the State, local authorities and other public entities. However, the accounting of GHG emissions is not the only element of this regulatory assessment. The report must also include a summary of the actions taken to limit GHG emissions, as well as the measures decided and planned for the future for the company, local authority or establishment. If the realization of the GHG assessment is compulsory, the use of the ADEME method via their brand Bilan Carbone is not. It is possible to use other methodologies, authorized by international agreements. Practical information: the control of greenhouse gas emission assessments is ensured in the region by agents authorized by the regional prefect, in accordance with Article R. 229-50-1 of the Environmental Code. Beyond being a simple mandatory analysis tool, the report must be part of a long-term, more environmentally responsible approach by the company or local authority.  

Who can do a carbon accounting?

The carbon footprint is not a method reserved exclusively for local authorities or large companies. In fact, a smaller company or even an individual can carry out their assessment using the same method. The interest consists in the creation of a precise assessment of its impact on the environment or its consumption of energy and resources. To finalize, the axes of improvement can be put in place to reduce emissions and make savings.  

How to calculate the carbon footprint ?

  The 6 steps defined by ADEME are :

1. Prepare
2. Collect the data
3. Calculate the carbon footprint of your entity
4. Present the carbon footprint
5. Plan its reduction actions
6. Launching the action plan

  To see the steps in detail, you can consult this link.  

How to make the carbon footprint of a company ?

  To carry out its greenhouse gas emissions assessments (BEGES), the company must follow the steps for collecting data and calculating emissions provided by the appropriate tools. The methodology is to follow all the flows that serve the company's activity:

1. Energy flows ;
2. People flows;
3. Material flows;
4. Waste flows.

  You can consult this document for more information on flows and emission factors. By listing all the flows of the activity, the next step will be to quantify the GHG emitted by each flow for the reporting year. For example, how much fuel does the company use to heat its premises? How much waste do we produce? How far do employees have to travel to work, and what means of transport do they use? The accounting of CO² can be done with the help of a conversion tool, which reports the equivalent in CO² of each unit of each flow. If, for example, your offices consume 1000 reams of A4 paper in a year and the impact of one ream is 3.5 kg of CO2, you can calculate the impact of this flow for the year. This data collection step is essential for the realization of the carbon footprint. Afterwards, you can define areas for improvement and implement a management strategy to reduce the impact of different flows.  

What is the difference with a GHG assessment ?

  As we have seen, a GHG assessment and a Bilane Carbonne are not exactly the same thing. A regulatory GHG assessment is the assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions of a company or a community. It can be carried out with the Bilan Carbone tool or with another regulatory methodology such as BEGES. The Bilan Carbone is initially a registered trademark for the GHG emissions assessment tool created by ADEME. The term has become part of everyday language as the tool is so well known. It is a lexicalized brand name that has become a common word in everyday language.  

How to calculate your ADEME Bilan Carbone?

  To carry out the calculation according to the official Bilan Carbone methodology developed by ADEME in 2004, you can contact the Bilan Carbone Association (now ABC, Association for the Low Carbon Transition) which manages this tool. It will provide you with the necessary resources and tools to carry out your assessment. The official method includes all greenhouse gas emissions, direct or indirect, for all energy, resource or material flows without which the company's activity would not be possible:

• Direct emissions are Scope 1, as defined in ISO 14069 ;
• Indirect emissions are Scope 2, as defined in ISO 14069;
• All other indirect emissions (SCOPE 3), not concerned by the regulatory obligation.

  This approach is the most widely used and undoubtedly the most complete tool for producing a BEGES. Indeed, while the regulatory method covers the minimum regulatory requirements, this tool covers all of the company's impacts. If this work can be done within the company with a simple excel table, there is now a specialized software, available from ABC.

Now you know all about the ecological footprint

Awareness of responsibility is the key to preserving the planet.

To find out more, take a look at the following articles:

‣ Circular economy: definition and example ‣ Ecology: definition and example ‣ Becoming eco-responsible: approach, gestures and examples ‣ Eco-responsible and ecological product: definition and example ‣ Ecological footprint: definition and example