CO₂ Performance Ladder
The leading European certification for carbon management. Gain strategic advantage in public procurement while driving a measurable climate transition across your entire value chain.
Insight
Determining the energy
streams and the CO₂
footprint.
Reduction
Developing ambitious goals
for carbon footprint
reduction.
Transparency
Communicating about CO₂
policies internally and
externally.
Participation
Initiating and participating in
sector initiatives.
A certified framework for strategic decarbonization
The CO₂ Performance Ladder is a management system that helps organizations reduce their carbon footprint. Originally Dutch, it has seen massive growth across Europe, particularly in Belgium, as the go-to standard for sustainability in public tenders. It is specifically tailored for companies in the construction, manufacturing, and logistics sectors.
Working with Manual 4.0 (effective Jan 2025), the ladder evaluates your performance based on four fundamental pillars. It is not just aboutreporting; it’s about a continuous cycle of improvement, data accuracy, and collaborative sector action.
The ladder levels
Three distinct stages of maturity, from internal operations to global sector leadership.
01
INTERNAL OPERATIONS
Level 1: Foundation
Focus on direct emissions and energy consumption. Mapping Scopes 1 & 2
to establish a robust baseline and initial reduction targets for your primary
business operations.
Level 2: Supply chain engagement
Extending your influence to Scope 3. Engaging with suppliers and clients to
drive emissions reduction across the entire value chain and product
lifecycle.
02
VALUE CHAIN
03
NET ZERO LEADERSHIP
Level 3: Sector ambition
The highest level of maturity. Aligning with 2050 Paris Agreement targets and
demonstrating sector leadership through innovative carbon-neutral business
models.
Why certify now ?
Winning Tenders
Procurement criterion leading to price discounts.
ESG credibility
Concrete performance for stakeholders.
Future-proofing
Anticipate regulations and carbon taxes.
300+
Certified Belgian Companies
Our 5-phase support
A structured journey to guide you from initial diagnosis to successful certification and beyond.
Scope
definition
01
Target level selection, organizational boundary definition, and project roadmap
creation.
Carbon
footprint
02
Automated and manual data collection for Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions analysis.
Reduction
plan
03
Scenario modeling, target setting (SBTi aligned), and actionable decarbonization strategies.
Engagement
04
Stakeholder
communication,
supplier training,
and internal
culture
transformation.
Certification
05
Evidence
assembly, pre-
audit check, and
on-site audit
assistance for 3-
year validity.
Active engagement from suppliers and partners is a prerequisite for achieving Levels 2 and 3 of the Ladder. The certification is valid for 3 years, with annual audits to ensure continuous monitoring of your progress and maintain your certification level.
Why choose
D-Carbonize ?
Carbon footprint expertise
Our consultants combine expertise in decarbonization, ESG structuring and certification frameworks.
B Corp certification
We apply the highest standards of social and environmental performance to ourselves.
Strategic partnership
Much more than a service provider, we become your ally in transforming constraints into opportunities.
Ready to transform your impact?
Join the global movement of businesses leading the transition to a sustainable
economy. Let our experts guide you through every step.
