Carbon footprint: the starting point
for decarbonizing industry
The term carbon footprint is a registered trademark and corresponds to a specific methodology established by Ademe (Agence de l’Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l’Energie). The aim of the carbon footprint is to assess the quantity of greenhouse gases emitted by the company concerned, and hence its impact on the environment. The terms BEGES (bilan d’émissions de gaz à effet de serre) or GES (bilan GES) are also commonly used and can be considered as a simplified carbon footprint, as they do not take into account all the emissions studied in the carbon footprint.
Would you like to improve your industry’s carbon footprint?
What is a carbon footprint?
The carbon footprint takes into account all the company’s carbon emissions, both direct (e.g. emissions linked to heating the company’s offices) and indirect (e.g. household car use is an indirect emission for the car manufacturer).
GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions have a considerable impact on global warming, with disastrous consequences for our future:
- An increase in extreme weather events;
- Melting ice ;
- Rising waters and rising sea levels;
- The loss of biodiversity;
- Reduced water and air quality;
- And many more.
By raising awareness of the emissions generated by the company, the carbon footprint represents a first step towards change.
Carbon footprint or carbon balance: what’s the difference?
Carbon footprints and carbon footprints are two tools designed to measure greenhouse gas emissions. However, they do not take the same data into account. The carbon footprint does not include emissions related to the manufacture of imported products. These emissions can be substantial. The carbon footprint, on the other hand, is a more precise tool, as it will include this data.
Dametis works with partners to carry out carbon audits: but our primary role is to help you reduce your carbon footprint and improve your next audit!
Corporate carbon footprint: how to prepare it?
Ademe methodology
As we saw at the beginning of this article, the carbon footprint refers to a specific methodology developed by Ademe to calculate GHG emissions. Here is the method used to calculate the carbon footprint of an industry or company:
- Stage 1: Raising awareness of global warming, the greenhouse effect, its causes and consequences for people and the environment.
- Step 2: Defining the scope of the analysis.
- Step 3: Company data collection.
- Step 4: Exploiting information and results.
- Step 5: Drawing up an action plan to reduce emissions.
- Step 6: Implementing the action plan.
Deciphering the various carbon footprint scopes
A scope corresponds to a very precise perimeter. In the context of the carbon balance, a scope refers to a type of greenhouse gas emission. There are 3 scopes in the carbon balance.
Companies: is a carbon footprint compulsory?
Some organizations are required to produce and publish a carbon footprint:
- Companies with over 500 employees located in mainland France,
- Companies with more than 250 employees located overseas,
- Local authorities with more than 50,000 inhabitants,
- Public-sector organizations with more than 250 employees.
Carbon footprints must be drawn up every four years for industrial companies and every three years for local authorities. Private companies with more than 500 employees must also publish a summary of the actions they are taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
It’s also worth noting that regulations on decarbonization are evolving and becoming stricter. Until recently, these regulations were not very restrictive: the companies mentioned above were required to produce a BEGES and to draw up an action plan for Scopes 1 and 2 every four years. This assessment took into account direct emissions and indirect emissions in the energy sector only. Since January 2023, however, these companies have been required to include all significant indirect GHG emissions. The aim is to be as close as possible to reality, by taking into account more than 80% of the activity’s emissions. The action plan presented must also be more comprehensive, covering all emission items. It must also contain a detailed explanation of the resources deployed to carry out each action. Checks will be carried out on a more regular basis. It is highly likely that these regulations will continue to tighten over the next few years.
You’ve done your corporate carbon footprint and want to improve it.
Why carry out a carbon assessment in the industrial sector?
Industry is an important sector for the global economy, and the challenge today is to succeed in continuing to develop industrial activity while making it more sustainable. The carbon footprint is a first step, as it will help us to assess GHG emissions and target those areas where we can be more efficient while reducing our impact.
What’s more, carrying out a carbon footprint assessment has a number of advantages:
- Limit your impact on the environment.
- Better manage your energy consumption.
- Save money.
- Stand out from the competition.
- Improve brand image with customers and suppliers.
- Attract new candidates.
- Unite your teams internally with a new dynamic, a new motivation.
- To be able to respond to new invitations to tender, thanks in particular to our eco-responsible approach.
- Faced withrising electricity and energy prices in general, it can be interesting to measure your level of dependence on fossil fuels. This enables you to visualize and anticipate your economic vulnerability.
- Comply with regulatory requirements (depending on the nature and size of the structure).
The industrial sector really does have the power to become a major player in the ecological transition and can act on climate change. So don’t delay, and discover how Dametis can help you optimize your industrial processes to decarbonize your industry!
Who carries out the carbon assessment?
You have several options for assessing your industry’s carbon footprint:
Carry out your own in-house carbon assessment. Please note that in order to do this, you’ll need to have someone take the specific training given by the Bilan Carbone association.
Use dedicated carbon footprint software.
Call in the services of a specialized firm.
Industry, one of the 3 most polluting sectors in the world
According to data provided by the IPCC in 2014 here are the most polluting sectors worldwide:
- Heat and power generation (25%)
- Agriculture, forestry and land use (24%)
- Industry (21%)
- Transport (14%)
- Other energy production (10%)
- Construction (6%)
An updated study by Citepa in 2022 highlights this breakdown of French greenhouse gas emissions:
- Transport (29%)
- Agriculture (21%)
- Industry (18%)
- Residential (18%)
- Energy (10%)
- Waste (4%)
So there’s no doubt that decarbonizing industry has a crucial role to play in global warming.
Carbon footprint by industrial sector
Certain industrial sectors will emit more or less greenhouse gases.
For example:
-
- Intensive farming and livestock structures will emit a lot of carbon dioxide (CO2).
- Ruminant and cattle farming will emit more methane (CH4).
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are emitted by oil and mining operations, as well as landfill sites.
- The automotive and refrigeration industries emit nitrous oxide (N2O).
- The pharmaceutical industry is a major emitter of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
Help with your carbon footprint
The Bilan Carbone association, Ademe and BPI France have launched the Diag Décarbon’Action scheme, which enables companies with fewer than 500 employees to finance their first carbon audit.
The amount of financing
| Less than 250 employees | Between 250 and 499 employees |
|---|---|
| 4000/€ EXCL. TAX | 6000/€ EXCL. TAX |
| That’s how much help you’ll receive to carry out your carbon footprint. | That’s how much help you’ll receive to carry out your carbon footprint. |
How can Dametis help you improve your next carbon footprint?
Dametis can help you improve your next carbon footprint by taking direct action on scopes 1 and 2. Our experts will start by carrying out an energy audit of your company to identify the areas where you could reduce your carbon emissions: recovery of waste heat, optimization of industrial cooling, better water management, methanization, etc. We will then support you step by step in implementing your action plan. We’ll also track your results in real time, so you can easily visualize the emissions savings you’ve achieved.
