Why Your Organization Should Care About Its Carbon Footprint: A Guide to Reducing Your Carbon Impact

Organizations, whether small or large, also generate greenhouse gas emissions. On a smaller scale than industries or multinational corporations, they consume resources and energy and organize events.

 

Every instance of energy use in the offices, every trip taken by a volunteer or staff member, and every purchase of goods and services—all of these factors contribute to emissions.

 

Let’s take the example of a charitable organization that holds events on a regular basis. Each of these events requires the use of facilities—sometimes heated or air-conditioned—travel for participants and staff, and the purchase of supplies. All of this has a measurable impact. Although some activities are less significant than others, it is still necessary to measure the environmental impact of each activity in order to adapt and grow effectively in the future.

 

Efforts to reduce this carbon footprint not only help protect the environment but also strengthen the organization’s positive image among its stakeholders. This demonstrates a concrete commitment to combating climate change.

 

A concrete example is the investment by Secours Catholiquein this plan to combat climate change. They support the communities most affected while implementing initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint through various local and international programs and initiatives.

The concept of carbon neutrality involves achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and the amount that is offset or removed. This goal may seem ambitious for an organization, but it is entirely achievable with the right strategy for addressing climate challenges.   Carbon neutrality does not mean reducing emissions to zero, but rather ensuring that for every metric ton of CO₂ emitted, a measure is taken to offset or reduce an equivalent amount.   The first step in combating GHG emissions is reduction. Before considering offset solutions, it is crucial to identify and minimize all avoidable sources of emissions. Once all possible reduction measures have been implemented and only unavoidable emissions remain, it then becomes appropriate to turn to offset mechanisms.   It is possible to achieve this balance by adopting solutions such as investing in carbon offset projects (e.g., reforestation, renewable energy) and participating in local initiatives that promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions while creating green jobs. In addition, certain foundations, such as Action Against Hunger, have committed to offsetting their carbon footprint by investing in community projects in the countries they support, in accordance with the recommendations of the APCC (Association of Climate, Energy, and Environment Consulting Professionals). In France, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , as well astheParis Agreement, are driving all organizations to aim for carbon neutrality by 2050. This provides organizations with a clear roadmap to align their initiatives with international standards and participate in this collective effort. To take this a step further, the Decarbo’Solution® platform offers solutions to directly integrate emissions management into the day-to-day operations of organizations. By choosing a solution like Decarbo’Solution®, an organization can not only measure and reduce its environmental impact but also select offset projects tailored to its environmental goals. This approach allows the organization to enhance its reputation as a key player in the ecological transition, while actively contributing to climate neutrality.

Conducting a greenhouse gas inventory requires a methodical and rigorous approach based on recognized standards. For organizations, this begins with identifying all sources of GHG emissions, including energy consumed on-site, travel by members or staff, and the purchase of goods or services.

 

This assessment may seem complex, but there are several solutions and platforms—such as Decarbo’Solution® (Decarbo’Solution®)—that simplify the analysis by providing automated dashboards and reports.

 

The most widely used methodology is the one proposed by theAdeme, which is based on a scope-based approach. This approach allows results to be classified by emission category, thereby facilitating the analysis of the largest emission sources. This paves the way for the development of specific strategies to reduce these significant sources.

 

By choosing a platform like Decarbo’Solution®, a foundation can follow a streamlined process, with dedicated modules for each sector and recommendations on the actions to take. The tool allows for an annual assessment based on needs and available resources, enabling the creation of a long-term strategy and the tracking of emissions trends over the years.

GHG emissions are classified into three scopes, which provide a better understanding of and allow for the prioritization of the various emission sources:

 

• Scope 1️⃣: These are direct emissions resulting from the organization’s own activities, such as vehicle use and heating offices or company facilities.

 

• Scope 2️⃣: These are indirect emissions associated with energy consumption, such as electricity or heat used on the organization’s premises.

 

• Scope 3️⃣: This scope includes all other indirect emissions, particularly those generated by purchases (supplies, equipment), travel by volunteers or staff members, and waste management.

 

Organizations with many volunteers and/or that regularly host public events may have a high Scope 3 impact, thereby requiring specific initiatives to reduce this impact on the climate.

 

For example, a sports organization that hosts international events must take into account its participants’ air travel, which is often very costly from an environmental standpoint.

 

By identifying the breakdown of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, a local government can easily prioritize the initiatives it needs to implement and gradually reduce its environmental impact, thereby strengthening its image within its community.

 

To learn more about how to calculate these emissions, visit the Decarbo’Solution® online tool, which offers modules tailored to each type of local government.

For an organization, conducting a carbon assessment can be costly. Fortunately, funding is available to support these initiatives, allowing organizations to contribute to the ecological transition without placing too much of a strain on their budgets.

 

ADEMEoffers grants and support programs for organizations committed to reducing their emissions. This financial assistance can cover part of the costs associated with assessing and implementing carbon reduction strategies. Some local governments and regions also provide financial support for initiatives that promote carbon reduction, whether through assessment measures or concrete actions.

 

For more ambitious projects, European funding such as the European Social Fund (ESF) and the LIFE program support environmental and climate initiatives. These grants can be used for projects that include conducting a carbon assessment.

 

This financial support enables organizations to launch new initiatives for ecological transition without facing excessive budgetary pressure, and to align themselves with current environmental goals.

Once your community has conducted its carbon assessment, it is essential to implement a concrete plan to reduce its carbon footprint. Strategies may vary depending on the size and type of activities, but here are some common initiatives:

 

• Improving the energy efficiency of buildings: Use LED light bulbs, install solar panels, or replace heating systems with more sustainable solutions such as heat pumps can reduce emissions by 60% to 70% compared to gas or oil heating. In France, several organizations have opted for solutions of this type, particularly for their offices.

 

• Reduce travel by opting for videoconferencing: Many charitable foundations now hold their meetings remotely to limit travel. It’s a simple solution, but one that can significantly reduce transportation-related emissions.

For example, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) uses videoconferencing to coordinate its projects worldwide. By holding remote meetings, the organization has been able to reduce the need for travel, particularly for international projects. They have committed to reducing their waste by at least 50 percent  overall compared to 2019 levels by 2030.

 

• Choose greener modes of transportation: If your volunteers or employees need to travel, encourage them to opt for low-emission transportation options, such as trains, carpooling, or electric vehicles.

Some organizations also offer incentives for using car-sharing services or provide discounted public transportation passes to their members. This not only reduces emissions from commuting but also strengthens the bonds among the foundation’s members.

 

• Optimizing the Purchase and Management of Supplies: A local government’s purchasing activities can also have a significant Scope 3 impact. By choosing local suppliers or eco-friendly products, you can reduce this impact.
  For example, some organizations now purchase their communication materials (brochures, flyers) made from recycled paper and from FSC-certified, which guarantees responsible forest management. This not only helps reduce CO2 emissions but also contributes to the preservation of biodiversity.

 

To take things a step further, the Decarbo’Solution® platform offers the Décarbon’Achats® service, which helps local governments and charitable foundations select suppliers and products based on their carbon footprint. This tool allows users to centralize purchasing data, track the associated carbon footprint, and generate accurate emissions reports for supplies.

 

By using Décarbon’Achats®, charitable foundations can also set goals for reducing their carbon footprint as part of their procurement strategies. The tool provides a comparative analysis that helps prioritize options with a lower environmental footprint and align procurement decisions with commitments to a low-carbon transition.

 

As such, Décarbon’Achats® provides valuable support for every purchasing decision, helping to optimize choices to minimize environmental impact and align with responsible development goals.

A relevant example is the WWF, which prioritizes the use of biodegradable materials for its events and engages local partners to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.