Differences Between the GHG Inventory and the Bilan Carbone®

Different reporting scopes

The main difference between the Carbon Footprint (defined below) and the GHG Footprint lies in the definition of the scope of emissions accounting.

🧑‍🏫 Defined by ADEME in 2004—even before the Paris Agreement— the Carbon Footprint is a methodology for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions for organizations. It takes into account all greenhouse gases defined by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) for physical fluxes and covers all Scopes 1, 2, and 3 as defined by the GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol).

🎯 The Three Scopes of the Carbon Footprint Assessment

When we talk about Scope 1, 2, and 3, we are referring to three different categories of emissions.

🌿 The first category, or Scope 1, covers emissions directly generated by the organization. This includes, for example, the combustion of fossil fuels in a car, or refrigerant leaks from an air conditioning system.

🌿🌿 The second category, or Scope 2, involves accounting for so-called indirect emissions related to the organization’s energy consumption. That is, emissions generated by the production of electricity, steam, heat, or cooling that the organization has consumed.

🌿🌿🌿 Finally, the last category—or Scope 3—covers other emissions. This broader category, which is often more complex for companies to account for, includes, for example, emissions related to vehicle production, buildings owned or managed by the organization, the transportation of materials, and the waste generated.

What sets the BilanCarbone® apart is that it is based on a voluntary approach; this method is coordinated and promoted by the Association Bilan CarboneⓇ, but remains closely linked to ADEME.

The BilanCarbone® is the most comprehensive method for conducting a greenhouse gas inventory. It is important to consider all three scopes in order to identify all of an organization’s emission sources.

⚠️ If not all of an organization’s emission sources are identified, emissions reductions will not be as effective, and this will limit the impact of the benefits of such an assessment.

📝 GHG Inventories and Regulations

The Regulatory GHG Inventory (BEGES), on the other hand, is a process for accounting for greenhouse gas emissions that was introduced and made mandatory by Article 75 of Law No. 2010-788 of July 12, 2010.

This requirement applies to:

• to private-law legal entities with more than 500 employees,
• to municipalities with more than 50,000 residents,
• to public institutions with more than 250 employees
• and government agencies.

🚫 Under penalty of sanctions, eligible companies are required to publish a GHG report every 4 years, while eligible local governments and other public-law entities are required to update and publish their GHG reports every 3 years.

Unlike the corporate carbon footprint assessment, its mandatory nature requires companies to conduct a GHG inventory. However, to simplify the process, it does not require the same scope of GHG reporting. It mandates the accounting of Scopes 1 and 2, while accounting for Scope 3 is only recommended.

This approach allows for a simplified initial assessment, but including Scope 3 emissions will give any company that decides to account for them a better understanding of its GHG emissions profile. Not only that, but it also offers greater potential for reduction.

A few years ago, the GHG Protocol raised the idea of a Scope 4 to enable the calculation of avoided emissions. Since then, various international methodologies and standards have addressed this issue.

➡️ The primary purpose of a GHG or carbon assessment is not simply to quantify a company’s emissions. It also helps identify the most significant sources of emissions. This process will enable the implementation of a reduction action plan that will lower the company’s environmental impact and, furthermore, lead to substantial savings on energy costs.

Whether your company chooses to conduct a Carbon Footprint Assessment or a regulatory GHG Assessment, it will always reap substantial benefits.

An Assessment Leads to a Decarbonization Strategy

Conducting an emissions assessment—whether it is a Carbon Footprint Assessment or a BEGES—involves quantifying emissions. It also requires the abilityto correctly identify the levers for action needed to effectively reduce emissions.

The fight against global warming requires a global reduction in emissions. Thus, emissions accounting makes it possible to identify the amount of emissions and take action on a specific issue.

Thus, when it comes to energy consumption, energy sources based on carbon-free technologies—such as renewable energy or nuclear power—should be prioritized over fossil fuels.

Similarly, some of the materials used contain more carbon, and others could be used.

⚠️ These examples of cost-cutting measures are not suitable for all companies, which is why it is important to conduct an assessment tailored to your specific industry—one that will ultimately enable you to develop a cost-reduction action plan.

Decarbo’Solution®, the platform that supports you no matter which assessment you choose

There are several calculation tools available on the market. Some offer a simple regulatory analysis (of Scopes 1 and 2) in an Excel format without any guidance. Others provide a comprehensive GHG inventory, as well as measures to reduce the organization’s emissions.

✅ The Decarbo’Solution® platform offers a comprehensive, fully digital service that you can use on your own, thanks to a wide range of online guides and videos.

✅In addition to calculating and tracking an organization’s total emissions based on its industry, the platform alsohelps companies determine the emission reductions needed to easily achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

✅ Decarbo’Solution® helps you define a low-carbon strategy and not only enables you to reduce your emissions but also identifies ways to make a carbon contribution once your emissions can no longer be reduced. The carbon contribution comes last! It involves investing in projects that help the community achieve a positive environmental transition. These can range from reforestation to the development of new renewable or sustainable energy sources.

👍 With the Decarbo’Solution® platform, you can intuitively conduct a comprehensive GHG inventory across all three scopes.

Our carbon experts are available to provide a free of our platform, with no obligation. 🚀

Learn more about the cost of a carbon footprint assessment and the proper use of carbon credits.