As a company, you may have already made commitments to the environment, for example through your CSR policy. But have you thought about carrying out a carbon footprint? If you haven't taken the plunge yet, discover 5 good reasons to do it!
Create your CSR report in your image!
Download our turnkey template to develop a CSR report that is perfectly suited to your business. Take action now and easily personalize your report!
With this template, you will benefit from:
- A ready-to-use structure : Simplify the creation of your CSR report with professional formatting.
- Customizable sections : Adapt each part of the report according to the specificities of your business.
- A guide to integrating your CSR initiatives : Make sure you cover all the important aspects of your social responsibility.
Download the template now! ⬇️
What is a carbon footprint?
A company's carbon footprint is a diagnostic tool for establishing the quantity of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions generated by its activities. Various polluting gases are taken into account in the calculation (methane, nitrous oxide, etc.), but for greater simplicity, the carbon balance result is expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
As a reminder, the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is responsible for the phenomenon of global warming: it is for this reason that this unit is chosen to calculate the carbon footprint.
5 reasons to calculate your carbon footprint in business
If you are not yet convinced, here are 5 good reasons to carry out a regular carbon footprint within your company.
1 — Meet legal obligations or anticipate them
First of all, some organizations have had a legal obligation since January 1, 2023 (decree no. 2022 - 982) to carry out a GES Assessment, or BEGES, every 3 or 4 years. This is the case:
- companies with more than 500 employees in mainland France or more than 250 in the French overseas departments;
- local authorities with more than 50,000 inhabitants;
- public institutions or state services with more than 250 employees;
- companies with more than 50 employees who benefit from the France Relance Plan.
Their obligation is to carry out a regulatory GHG Assessment, a slightly less complete form of the Carbon Assessment. The latter can replace the GHG Assessment since it covers the same scopes, by going further in the process. Note: a fine of €10,000 is provided for any breach of this obligation, and €20,000 in the event of a repeat offense.
If your company is not yet covered by the obligation, it may still be interesting to start this type of process, as it could be in the coming years. For example, under the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), carbon accounting will be mandatory for all companies in the European Union from 2025.
2 — Fight against global warming at your level
By carrying out a carbon footprint, you can better identify your most significant sources of emissions. This therefore allows you to establish a reduction strategy, by correctly prioritizing your actions.
By reducing your GHG emissions, you are actively participating in the slowdown in global warming. This makes it possible to meet the challenges of sustainable development, which are essential to ensure the future of the planet.
3 — Reduce energy costs
The most important sources of GHG emissions are often related to energy or transport, two items of expenditure that can be significant. By implementing a strategy to reduce your emissions, you can therefore save money.
By reducing your energy expenses, you reduce your costs and increase your efficiency, because you integrate the optimization of your resources into all your processes. At the same time, it improves the profitability of your business. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is therefore far from being a simple constraint for your company: it is also a great opportunity to reduce costs and increase the operational performance of the company.
4 — Strengthen your image
Calculating and publishing the results of its carbon footprint in complete transparency is a great opportunity for strengthen the image of your company, with all its stakeholders.
Indeed, customers are increasingly sensitive to the values conveyed by the companies they buy from. Demonstrating your involvement and revealing your commitments can therefore become a real competitive advantage. If you have professional customers, this can also be decisive: the carbon footprint is now used as a decision-making criterion in choosing suppliers.
Finally, on the job market, carrying out a carbon footprint and making a commitment to reduce emissions can improve your employer brand. This therefore makes it possible to attract more talent, who care about the values and commitments of their future company.
5 — Involve your employees
Employees need more and more to find meaning in their work, so the company has a real role to play in retaining them and making them want to get involved. It is therefore very important to carry out a carbon assessment, followed by an action plan and a real commitment to CSR.
The fact to engage your business in an effort to reduce GHG emissions can be a great opportunity to strengthen the motivation of your employees, thus improving their productivity and loyalty.
How to carry out a carbon footprint?
Carrying out a carbon footprint cannot be improvised, and must include certain key steps: mobilizing stakeholders, collecting data, calculating the footprint and converting it into CO2e, analyzing the results and developing an action plan.
While it is possible to train someone internally to carry out this work, it is often easier to contact an external firm, specialized in the development of carbon balances. Please note that subject to certain criteria, you may be able to benefit from financing assistance for your first carbon footprint: remember to inquire with dedicated organizations.
Carrying out a carbon footprint is not only an obligation: it is a real opportunity to reduce your costs, strengthen your image and involve your employees in a strong environmental approach. The benefits are numerous, so don't hesitate to get started!
Sommaire
