Decarbonising your organisation in 4 steps
Decarbonisation is a set of measures taken by an organisation to reduce its carbon footprint (its greenhouse gas emissions) and thus combat climate change. In France, private-sector companies employing more than 500 people and public-sector companies employing more than 250 people are required to carry out an assessment of their greenhouse gas emissions using a regulatory method. To achieve the objective of carbon neutrality defined by the Paris Agreements, every organisation (whatever its size) should consider the impact of its activities and the need for a commitment to decarbonisation.
How can you assess and reduce your organisation's carbon footprint?
Carrying out a carbon assessment
Carrying out a carbon assessmentThe carbon assessment:
- provides you with precise knowledge of your greenhouse gas emissions.
- gives ways of reducing them as much as possible and allows you to measure the results obtained.
To carry out a carbon assessment:
- Define the perimeters of the carbon assessment, between the organisational perimeter (taking into account all the entities relating to the structure) and the operational perimeter (direct and indirect emissions linked to the structure’s activities).
- Call on certified professionals to help you carry out your carbon assessment. Although costly, it can be highly relevant.
- Finally, collect and analyse your carbon assessment data. These can be internal, external or statistical.
Drawing up an action plan
Drawing up an action planDo you want to draw up an action plan? Here are the steps to follow:
- Define the framework of the action plan: the person responsible, the context, the organisational and operational targets, the overall objective and the deadlines to be met.
- Build the action plan:
- Set up a steering committee.
- Structure the action plan and define all the actions to be taken.
- Validate with the management committee, communicate and implement the action plan.
Assessing and monitoring the approach
Assessing and monitoring the approachOnce the decarbonisation process has been launched, it is important to ensure that it runs smoothly.
To do this :
- Ensure effective monitoring of the approach by regularly exchanging information with the persons in charge or by using tools such as dashboards.
- Analyse the effects of the approach by comparing CO2 emissions before and after, for example.
- Quantify, aggregate and compare the effects of the actions implemented with the variations in CO2 emissions.
Communicating to inspire
Communicating to inspireCommunicating is the best way to inspire others to take a decarbonisation approach, while strengthening your employer brand and image.
Of course, make sure you communicate responsibly:
- Stay true to your vision, your values and today’s environmental, social and economic challenges.
- Be transparent and avoid greenwashing. You can promote your efforts while recognising where you need to improve.
- Design and distribute your media responsibly.
