To fight global warming, the Paris Agreement set a trajectory: limiting the increase in global temperature to +1.5°C.

To achieve this goal, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases is an imperative.

Succeeding requires the commitment of all actors. States, professionals, individuals: everyone can take action. Reducing your company's carbon emissions means contributing to a more sustainable future. It also means lowering your energy bill. But where do you start?

The carbon footprint is the first step in an effective energy transition strategy. What is the carbon balance? How can you quantify your company's greenhouse gas emissions? What does Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 mean?

Follow your summer series on carbon balance and prepare for your energy return.

What is the carbon balance?

The Carbon Balance^® Is a method for calculating greenhouse gas emissions established in 2004 by ADEME, the National Agency for Energy Transition in France. Its objective? Quantifying the volumes of greenhouse gases due to human activity.

Carbon balance: definition

The carbon balance measures quantities of greenhouse gases issued by the company, identifying the main sources.

This balance takes into account the total greenhouse gas emissions, direct and indirect of the company.

While carbon dioxide is the best known of the GHGs, other gases with a powerful global warming potential (GWP) are taken into account in the calculations: methane, nitrous oxide or nitrous oxide (N2O) and fluorinated gases (hydrofluorocarbons — HFC), perfluorocarbons — HFC, perfluorocarbons — PFC, sulfur hexafluoride — SF6, nitrogen trifluoride — NF3).

Carrying out a carbon footprint is the essential prerequisite for building an effective energy transition strategy. This comprehensive review helps to prioritize the most effective measures to reduce GHGs. It also makes it possible to pilot, monitor and adapt the action plan according to the results obtained.

The carbon footprint: an obligation?

As early as 2010, the Grenelle II law made the Greenhouse gas emissions balance (BEGES) mandatory for certain public and private actors. Since decree no. 2022 982 of 1^Er July 2022, the BEGES includes all direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (scopes 1, 2 and 3).

In accordance with article L229-25 of the Environmental Code, legal entities under private law employing more than 500 employees (and more than 250 overseas) must carry out a GHG assessment every four years. The deadline is reduced to three years for the services ofState, the communities and their groups with more than 50,000 inhabitants And all the persons under public law employing more than 250 agents.

This report is accompanied by a transition plan and the reduction of GHG emissions. It details the company's goals, as well as the resources allocated and the actions planned to achieve them.

Good to know: From 2025, the BEGES obligation will concern all companies with more than 250 employees and SMEs listed on the stock exchange, within the framework of the CSRD directive (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive).

Why should all businesses carry out a Carbon Assessment?

Even not subject to the BEGES obligation, all public and private organizations have a strategic, commercial and competitive interest to commit.

Carrying out a Carbon Assessment means:

• Contributing to the energy transition and reduce its impact on the environment And his carbon footprint.
• Meeting increasingly demanding expectations sustainability stakeholders, customers, partners and investors.
• Guarantee its compliance to environmental and ecological regulations.
• Enhance the image of a committed and sustainable company, deploying an exemplary CSR policy of social and environmental responsibility.
• Paving the way for energy savings, and therefore financial savings.

How to carry out a carbon footprint?

ADEME lists six steps for carrying out a carbon footprint : framing the scope, identifying carbon emission areas, collecting data, analyzing the results, developing the transition plan, publishing the balance sheet.

Categorize carbon emissions

The first step in the carbon footprint is to identify the scope of the project and the emission points of greenhouse gases from the company.

GHG emissions are classified into three categories :

• Les emissions directly linked to the company's activity, or Scope 1. This category includes GHG emissions due to space heating or the use of company vehicles.
• Les indirect emissions associated with energy consumption, or Scope 2. They are generated by the mode of production and distribution of electricity, heat, cold and steam necessary for the operation of the company, the manufacture of products and services or for company vehicles.
• Les other indirect emissions up or down the value chain of the company, or Scope 3. More complex to measure, they include GHG emissions generated by suppliers, transport, the life cycle of products, especially during their final use by customers, the acquisition of real estate or furniture or even the treatment of waste.

This distinction in 3 scopes is covered by all protocols which guide companies in calculating the carbon balance, in particular through the ISO 14064 standard.

In France, businesses are encouraged to rely on ADEME methodology, but other international frameworks exist such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) or the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

Collect data

Once the carbon emission sources have been identified, the longest and most time-consuming stage begins: comprehensive collection of a high volume of data.

The latter may already be available in the company, or to be collected from suppliers, customers, users, etc. They can be supplemented by statistical data.

All greenhouse gas emissions falling within scopes 1, 2 and 3 must be detailed. They are then verified and consolidated in order to avoid mistakes, oversights and duplicates.

Calculate carbon emissions

To measure greenhouse gas emissions, the Carbon Balance^® of ADEME uses two types of emission factors:

• The physical emission factor : more precise, this approach should be preferred as soon as possible. The calculation is as follows: GHG quantity = quantity consumed (expressed in the unit of the product) × physical emission factor (quantity of CO₂ emitted by a unit).
• The monetary emission factor : it is used when calculating the quantity of carbon emissions is difficult, especially for intangible services. The calculation is as follows: GHG quantity = price of the product or service × monetary emission factor (expressed in kgCO₂ per k€ excluding VAT).

The physical and monetary factors of products and services are available in the Imprint Base^® from ADEME or in international protocols such as the GHG Protocol.

Of dedicated tools and software facilitate calculations by drawing directly from this database. The company can also delegate the carbon footprint to a specialized consulting firm.

Analyzing and exploiting data

Data analysis makes it possible to identify the most important sources of greenhouse gas emissions. This technical step guides the drafting of the transition plan, detailing the numerical objectives and concrete measures to reduce GHGs. The company can rely on the ADEME methodology and its sector guides.

Performed every 3 to 4 years, this exercise allows you to monitoring and managing the energy transition strategy of the company, to verify the effectiveness of the measures and to adapt them if necessary.

For companies subject to the Carbon Assessment obligation, the results are published on the ADEME platform” GHG balances ”.

What are the concrete actions to reduce its carbon footprint?

Actions to reduce a company's carbon footprint depend on its size and activity. However, some concrete measures have been able to demonstrate their effectiveness. Accessible to all, they can be deployed by any company committed to reducing its carbon footprint.

Focus on energy efficiency

Controlling the company's energy consumption reduces scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions. This strategy combines energy-saving actions, adopted by employees in their daily professional life, to concrete investments in energy efficiency.

Reducing the temperature of heating and air conditioning, optimizing lighting and ventilation, turning off computer devices, insulating buildings, choosing less energy-consuming equipment...: all these choices contribute to limiting greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the amount of the energy bill.

💡 An energy consulting firm, SirEnergies supports companies in the proactive management and optimization of their energy consumption. As part of the Carbon Assessment, we can help you collect, analyze and control your energy data. Contact us

Decarbonizing uses

Decarbonization and renewable energy solutions contribute to the reduction of Scope 2 GHG emissions.

The installation of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of buildings andsolar shading in car parks opens access to green, renewable and local energy. THEself-consumption Accumulate the advantages. It secures the energy supply, reduces the electricity bill and limits carbon emissions. Professional electromobility frees the company from dependence on highly polluting fossil fuels.

Adopting low-carbon technologies improves significantly, quickly and lastingly The carbon balance of the company.

For example, photovoltaic electricity and geothermal energy emit an average of 44 to 45 g CO₂ e/kWh compared to 243 g CO₂ e/kWh for natural gas or 1,060 g CO₂ e/kWh for a coal power plant. Likewise, the carbon footprint of an electric car is on average 20% to 60% lower than that of an internal combustion car.

Reducing third party GHG emissions

Reducing Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions may seem more complex. However, mobilizing third parties is essential. Because 80 to 90% of a company's carbon emissions are generated by activities upstream and downstream of production.

Several measures allow the reduction of Scope 3 carbon emissions. In particular, the company can:

• Act on travel by encouraging carpooling and soft mobility for home-work trips, and by controlling professional mobility through videoconferencing and teleworking.
• Engage in a joint discussion with its suppliers to improve the supply chain and favour low-carbon modes of transport (train, boat, heavy transport hydrogen and bio-CNG...)
• Take care of your choice of financial, furniture and real estate investments.

Raise awareness and train its employees

The success of any transversal approach is based oncommitment of the actors concerned. The energy transition is no exception, quite the opposite! Its success involves behavioral changes and the integration of new reflexes into projects and professional relationships.

Awareness-raising and training for employees and suppliers with sustainable and eco-responsible practices is the cornerstone for building a strong corporate culture in favor of the environment.

The carbon footprint is the basis for any company that wants to adapt to global warming and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The key is a controlled carbon footprint, a limited ecological impact and a valued image.

To carry out this carbon assessment, the company is encouraged to use the Bilan Carbone methodology.^® from ADEME. Scope by scope, solutions exist for a sustainable business, with controlled energy consumption.

SirEnergies supports companies in their approach to energy optimization and sustainable transition. Make an appointment now with one of our experts to discuss your needs and build a personalized solution.