What is Bilan Carbone®?
There is no doubt that global warming is a reality, driven by rising concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) resulting from human activities. This compels us to assess our emissions using the Bilan Carbone®—an essential step for organizations committed to acting responsibly during the energy transition.
The Bilan Carbone®, also commonly referred to as the “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment” (BEGES), aims to assess the environmental impact of an organization or a product/service. This impact is measured by the amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) it emits. It helps identify the main sources of emissions and determine the actions needed to reduce its carbon footprint.
With growing awareness of the challenges posed by climate change, the issue of decarbonization has become a major global concern. Indeed, to reduce our environmental footprint, the first step is to assess the impact of our activities using the Carbon Footprint®.
The calculation of greenhouse gas emissions is divided into three scopes:
- Scope 1: direct emissions,
- Scope 2: indirect energy-related emissions,
- Scope 3: Indirect emissions related to other activities.
Allowing:
- To measure an organization's impact on the climate and the environment
- To assess progress made in reducing GHG emissions and to implement a carbon-neutrality strategy.
It is mandatory for certain categories of businesses, local governments, public institutions, and government agencies under the Grenelle II Act of July 12, 2010.
In this article, we will explore in greater detail what a Bilan Carbone® and a BEGES are, as well as the challenges and penalties associated with this process. By fully understanding this methodology—through the use of appropriate tools and the involvement of stakeholders—organizations and associations will be better equipped to act responsibly and sustainably in the face of the challenges posed by climate change.
Difference Between Bilan Carbone® and a GHG Assessment
📊 The Carbon Footprint®
The Carbon Footprint® helps identify and then calculate the total amount and breakdown of greenhouse gas emissions within an organization.
It must be carried out in accordance with approved rules and methods (in France, by ADEME) and enables companies to:
✅ To understand the breakdown of their greenhouse gas emission sources, so they can then develop a specific action plan to reduce them, particularly with regard to energy consumption and costly inputs,
✅ To anticipate fluctuations in the prices of fossil fuels and carbon-sensitive raw materials,
✅To reduce the company’s energy costs; by identifying its main sources of emissions, the company will be able to reduce them and avoid having to pay an excessively high carbon tax,
✅ To demonstrate that it has taken steps to measure its emissions with the goal of reducing them. This is often an advantage in competitive bidding processes.
📝 GHG Emissions Report
The regulatory greenhouse gas emissions inventory (GHG Inventory)—also known as the mandatory carbon inventory —is established under Article 75 of Law No. 2010-788 of July 12, 2010, known as the Grenelle II Law.
In the implementing decree for the regulatory GHG inventory, the obligations set forth pertain to emissions from:
🎯 Scope 1: direct emissions, such as those resulting from the consumption of energy resources during transportation or the use of specific tools,
🎯 Scope 2: indirect emissions, primarily from organizations’ purchases of electricity or heat,
It is recommended, but not mandatory, to take Scope 3 of the Carbon Footprint into account:
🎯 Scope 3: other indirect emissions, including digital usage, resource management, and product logistics.
However, it is strongly recommended to conduct a comprehensive carbon assessment covering all three scopes—that is, all direct and indirect emissions—since approximately 75% of an organization’s emissions are Scope 3 emissions.
Decarbonization is an unavoidable challenge—a source of structural transformation for companies and a source of purpose for employees.
The data collected is at the heart of this strategy, helping to guide current and future projects in a variety of sectors, such as transportation, energy consumption, and digital technology.
What are the regulations and penalties in France?
Since June 2011, under the Grenelle II Act of July 12, 2010, eligible entities have been required to use a specific method to conduct their carbon assessments:
👉 Every 4 years for companies with more than 500 employees—250 for overseas departments
👉 Every 3 years for municipalities with more than 50,000 residents and public institutions with more than 250 employees
This is the regulatory method established under Article 75 of the Grenelle II Act, which covers—in addition to Scopes 1 and 2— the company’s upstream and downstream activities (Scope 3) since Decree No. 2016-1138 of August 19, 2016, regarding the environmental information that must be included in companies’ management reports.
❌ PENALTIES: Under Law No. 2019-1147 of November 8, 2019, on Energy and Climate, failure to prepare or publish the GHG Emissions Report may be punishable by a fine of up to €10,000, with a maximum of €20,000 for repeat offenses.
Let’s also review the framework for systematically calculating a carbon footprint as part of ordering procedures:
“With regard to the environmental aspects that may be included among the evaluation criteria, a procuring entity is fully entitled to require, in its solicitation documents, that bidders submit a carbon footprint assessment for their bids” (reference: AN Question published in the Official Journal on: 05/28/2019 / Response published in the Official Journal on: 08/27/2019, page: 7760).
Our carbon experts are here to help you through the process: request a free and no-obligation demo of our platform. 🚀
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