Why carry out a carbon footprint assessment?
Summary
Carbon footprint assessment gives organizations a clear picture of their CO2 emissions, helping them to reduce their environmental impact.
In addition to complying with legal obligations, this approach improves competitiveness, reduces operating costs and enhances the attractiveness of the company to talent. By anticipating future regulations, companies can get a head start in adopting more sustainable practices.
In short, carrying out a carbon footprint goes far beyond legal compliance; it's a powerful lever for more responsible management and better overall performance.
Start your decarbonized future in good hands
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Introduction
A carbon footprint assessment, or greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory allows companies to measure GHG emissions from their activities. It also creates a strong foundation for carbon reduction initiatives.
Whether required by law, companies that reduce their carbon emissions can become more competitive by standing out from their competitors and by improving their image.
Although currently not all companies are required to carry out a carbon footprint assessment, an increasing number of companies are launching this type of project. Why is that?
Improving company performance and image
Competitive advantage
Companies that are not obliged to carry out a carbon footprint assessment but choose to do so stand out from their competitors. They also enhance their image in the eyes of customers, prospects, shareholders, and employees, who are increasingly sensitive to environmental issues.
This results in :
Greater customer loyalty
A higher conversion rate for business opportunities,
A more competitive bidding process
Greater attraction and retention of staff
Reduced costs
Another benefit of a carbon footprint is the potential to reduce operational costs. By identifying the most significant emission sources, companies can review their spending on energy, raw materials and logistics.
In addition, a carbon footprint assessment helps to generate additional financial value by :
Accessing capital at better conditions from banks and financial institutions,
Reducing the financial risk of any future taxation of carbon emissions. risque financier d’une éventuelle taxation future des émissions de carbone.
Attracting talents and improving staff retention
Companies that proactively carry out their GHG inventory show their commitment to climate protection. It attracts top-talent profiles and retains staff, as candidates are increasingly sensitive to corporate social responsibility.
In fact, a recent Deloitte study of Gen-Z and Millennials employees highlights that environmental impact is a key factor in the decision to apply for and remain within a company.
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Carrying out a carbon footprint assessment opens the way to a more competitive, more environmentally-friendly and more attractive company.
Meeting legal obligations
French law
In France, companies with more than 500 employees established in mainland France are required to carry out a carbon audit in accordance with the provisions of the Grenelle II law (article 75).
European law
The European Parliament has proposed a set of laws aimed at : enforce through legislation the objective of climate neutra
Enforce through legislation the objective of climate neutrality for the EU by 2050,
To reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels.
In addition, the European Corporate Sustainable Reporting Directive, or CSRD, just voted by the commission, impacts EU companies and will require them to calculate a carbon footprint and to draw up a reduction plan: another reason to start this project now.
The ultimate purpose of the carbon footprint: reducing greenhouse gases
Emission profile
Carbon footprint assessments make it possible to identify how much and where greenhouse gas emissions come from (manufacturing, distribution, product usage, etc.).
Once measured, it is then possible to work on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, for example by completely overhauling a company’s logistics flows to use more environmentally-friendly means of transport.
Reducing emissions
When a carbon footprint covers the entire company, it enables a detailed examination of where emissions can be reduced. This could involve, for example, eliminating a fleet of vehicles or grouping deliveries.
Companies can achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and communicate their efforts internally to staff and externally to partners.
Carrying out a carbon footprint is already a requirement in specific countries, and it is about to be introduced everywhere in Europe. For companies that are currently out of scope, starting to reduce their carbon footprint today can become a strong backbone to reduce operating costs and improve the company’s image.
Explore the concept of a carbon footprint in-depth by clicking, or read our comprehensive overview on carbon footprint calculators .
Reduce your company’s carbon footprint by booking a demo with our experts at D-Carbonize.
