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 (French Environment and Energy Management Agency). The carbon footprint aims to assess the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by the company concerned and therefore its impact on the environment. The terms GHG emissions inventory (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory) or GHG inventory 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.
Looking to improve the carbon footprint of your industry?
What is a carbon footprint?
The carbon footprint takes into account all carbon emissions from the company, both direct (e.g. emissions related to heating the company’s offices) and indirect (e.g. the use of cars by households is an indirect emission for the car manufacturer).
GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions have a significant impact on global warming and have disastrous consequences for our future:
- The increase in extreme weather events;
- The melting of ice;
- Rising sea levels;
- Loss of biodiversity;
- Decrease in water and air quality;
- And many more.
By becoming aware of the emissions generated by the company, the carbon footprint represents a first step towards change.
Carbon footprint or carbon balance: what are the differences?
The carbon assessment and carbon footprint are two tools aimed at measuring greenhouse gas emissions. However, they do not take into account the same data. The carbon assessment does not include emissions related to the production of imported products. Yet, these emissions can sometimes be significant. The carbon footprint, on the other hand, is a more precise tool as it will include this data.
Dametis partners with experts to conduct carbon assessments: but our primary role is to help you reduce your carbon footprint to improve your next assessment!
Company carbon footprint: how to establish it?
The Ademe methodology
As we saw at the beginning of this article, the carbon footprint refers to a specific methodology developed by Ademe aiming to calculate greenhouse gas emissions. Here is the method used to calculate the carbon footprint of an industry or a company:
- Step 1: Awareness of global warming, the greenhouse effect, its causes, and the consequences on humans and the environment.
- Step 2: Definition of the analysis scope.
- Step 3: Collection of company data.
- Step 4: Exploitation of information and results.
- Step 5: Establishment of an action plan to reduce emissions.
- Step 6: Implementation of the action plan.
Decoding the different scopes of the carbon footprint
A scope corresponds to a specific perimeter, in the context of the carbon footprint, a scope refers to a type of greenhouse gas emission. There are 3 scopes in the carbon footprint.
Direct Emissions
Scope 1 of the carbon footprint refers to direct GHG emissions, those related to the product manufacturing. This includes: fixed and mobile installations owned by the company (e.g. emissions from ruminants, nitrogen fertilization, combustion, etc.)
Indirect emissions related to energy consumption
Scope 2 of the carbon footprint refers to indirect GHG emissions associated with energy consumption and necessary for the production of the product. For example, the electricity used by the factory that manufactured the product.
Contact Dametis to optimize emissions related to this scope.
Other indirect emissions
Scope 3 of the carbon footprint refers to all other greenhouse gas emissions that are not included in scope 2. In other words, these are the stages of the product lifecycle that are not directly related to its manufacturing (transport, sourcing, use, end of life). For example: employee travel, purchase of products and services, goods transportation, waste generation, investments, etc.
Note: The GHG inventory (which can be considered as a simplified carbon footprint) takes into account scopes 1 and 2. Scope 3, on the other hand, is optional.
Companies: Is the carbon footprint mandatory?
The realization and publication of the carbon footprint is mandatory for certain organizations:
- Companies with more than 500 employees located in mainland France,
- Companies with more than 250 employees located in overseas territories,
- Local authorities with more than 50,000 inhabitants,
- Public structures with more than 250 employees.
The carbon footprint must then be carried out every four years for industrial companies and every three years for local authorities. Private companies employing more than 500 employees must also publish a summary of the actions that will be implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
It is also interesting to note that the regulations regarding decarbonization are evolving and strengthening. Until recently, they were not very restrictive. The aforementioned companies were required to produce a GHG inventory and plan actions on scopes 1 and 2 every four years. This inventory only took into account direct and indirect emissions related to energy. However, since January 2023, these companies must now include all significant indirect GHG emissions. The goal is to be as close to reality as possible by considering over 80% of the activity’s emissions. The action plan presented must also be more comprehensive by addressing all emission sources. It must also include a detailed explanation of the means deployed to successfully carry out each action. Controls will be carried out more regularly. It is highly likely that these regulations will continue to tighten in the coming years.
You have conducted your company’s carbon footprint and wish to improve it.
Why conduct a carbon footprint assessment in the industrial sector?
The industry is a key sector for the global economy, the challenge today is to continue developing industrial activity while making it more sustainable. The carbon footprint is a first step, as by assessing GHG emissions, it will target areas where it is possible to be more efficient while reducing its impact.
Furthermore, conducting a carbon footprint has many benefits:
- Limiting its impact on the environment.
- Better managing its energy consumption.
- Achieving savings.
- Distinguishing itself from the competition.
- Improving its brand image with customers and suppliers.
- Attracting new candidates.
- Uniting its internal teams with a new dynamic, a new motivation.
- Being able to respond to new calls for tenders, particularly through the eco-responsible aspect.
- In the face of rising electricity prices and energy in general, it can be interesting to measure its level of dependence on fossil fuels. This allows visualizing its economic vulnerability and anticipating it.
- Being in compliance with regulatory requirements (depending on the nature and size of the organization).
The industrial sector truly has the power to become a key player in the ecological transition and can act on climate change. So don’t wait any longer and discover how Dametis can help you optimize your industrial processes to decarbonize your industry!
Who conducts the carbon footprint assessment?
You have several options to carry out the carbon footprint assessment for your industry:
- Use a dedicated software for carbon footprint assessment.
- Hire the services of a specialized firm.
- Conduct your carbon footprint assessment internally. Please note that to establish it, a person will need to undergo specific training provided by the Carbon Footprint Association.
Industry, one of the 3 most polluting sectors in the world
According to the data provided by the IPCC in 2014, here are the most polluting sectors worldwide:
- Heat and electricity production (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 the distribution of French greenhouse gas emissions:
- Transport (29%)
- Agriculture (21%)
- Industry (18%)
- Residential (18%)
- Energy (10%)
- Waste (4%)
It is therefore undeniable that the decarbonization of the industry has a crucial role to play in climate change.
The carbon footprint by industrial sector
Certain industrial sectors will be more or less greenhouse gas emitters.
For example:
-
- Agriculture and intensive livestock structures will emit a lot of carbon dioxide (CO2).
- Ruminant and bovine livestock farming will emit more methane (CH4).
- Oil and mining operations, as well as waste dumps emit hydrofluorocarbons (HFC).
- Automobile industries and refrigeration emit nitrous oxide (N2O).
- Pharmaceutical industry particularly emits sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).
Assistance for conducting your carbon footprint assessment
The Bilan Carbone association, Ademe, and BPI France have launched the Diag Décarbon’Action program, which provides funding for the initial carbon footprint assessment of companies with fewer than 500 employees.
Amount of funding
Less than 250 employees
- This is the amount of assistance to carry out your carbon footprint assessment
From 250 to 499 employees
- This is the amount of assistance to carry out your carbon footprint assessment
How Dametis can help you improve your next carbon footprint?
Dametis can support you in improving your next carbon footprint by directly acting on scopes 1 and 2. Our experts will start by conducting an energy audit of your company to identify areas where you could reduce your carbon emissions: waste heat recovery, industrial refrigeration optimization, better water management, methanization, etc. We will then guide you step by step in implementing your action plan. We will also monitor your results in real time so you can easily visualize the emission savings achieved.