6.3 - Renewal and continuous improvement
Why and how to continuously renew and improve the approach?
Renewal of the Approach
The organisation improves its Bilan Carbone® approach from one exercise to the next, to progressively reach higher maturity levels. Upon renewal it must:
Choose a reference exercise to use in the new GHG emission accounting. Update the reference emissions to allow a comparison between the reference assessment and the assessment carried out and thus observe the evolution of GHG emissions.
Draw on the improvement actions from the previous exercise and deepen them to properly take into account what already exists. For example on data collection, focus the reduction of uncertainty on the categories deemed significant following the last assessments. More precise activity data and better emission factors will improve the quality of the assessment and ensure the relevance of the actions conducted. The organisation can also improve the steering of the climate issue (governance, staff, etc.).
Analyse and integrate the current transition plan, or the one established at the last assessment, to ensure its continuity.
Requirements relating to the periodicity of the Bilan Carbone®
The organisation must anticipate the renewal of the approach. A Bilan Carbone® achieves maximum effectiveness if the approach is carried out annually. The organisation may however follow a different rhythm depending on its maturity level. The periodicity respects at minimum the following requirements:
Initial Level: criterion D1
The organisation must anticipate the renewal of the approach, which is carried out at minimum every 4 years for an Initial Level Bilan Carbone®.
The organisation must improve the steering of the Bilan Carbone® approach from one exercise to the next, to progressively reach higher maturity levels.
🔎 If the Bilan Carbone® is used for BEGES-R reporting, this periodicity coincides with that of the regulation for private law organisations. Note of caution for public law organisations for whom the renewal period is 3 years.
Standard Level: criterion D2
The organisation must anticipate the renewal of the approach, which is carried out at minimum every 4 years for a Standard Level Bilan Carbone®.
🔎 If the Bilan Carbone® is used for BEGES-R reporting, this periodicity coincides with that of the regulation for private law organisations. Note of caution for public law organisations for whom the renewal period is 3 years.
Upon renewal of the full Bilan Carbone®, it is expected that indicator monitoring has been carried out in a monitoring system (most significant emissions and actions implemented in the transition plan) at least between the reference year and the renewal year.
It is recommended to monitor them at a more regular frequency to maintain the dynamic monitoring of the action plan and internal carbon skills within the organisation, and therefore to gain efficiency upon renewal.
Advanced Level: criterion D3
The organisation's full Bilan Carbone® is renewed at minimum annually, but the most important emission categories and actions undertaken in the transition plan can be monitored more regularly, whether monthly or semi-annually. A monitoring system facilitating the preparation of the assessment, and the continuous monitoring of indicators relating to the transition plan must exist, enabling the organisation's overall strategy to be fed into and steered.
This allows the dynamic monitoring of the action plan and internal carbon skills within the organisation to be maintained, and therefore to gain efficiency upon renewals.
Continuous Improvement following the Bilan Carbone®
Once the Bilan Carbone® approach has been finalised (and between renewal periods), the organisation has several possibilities to go further and improve its overall low-carbon transition approach:
The implementation and steering of transition plan actions, as a priority.
The evaluation of the Bilan Carbone®: this voluntary approach allows the consistency of the assessment and the relevance of the transition plan to be verified and validated (additional documents are to be added to the presentation to make the evaluation possible).
The deepening of its accounting approach, with various available resources, such as the PCG (Plan Carbone Général), sectoral guides, among other approach improvement actions.
Preparing to reach a higher maturity level, at least on certain identified criteria. This increase in maturity takes place continuously and is anticipated. It enables the improvement of its decarbonisation and adaptation approach to guarantee the organisation's place in a future low-carbon world, notably through strategic reflections, analyses of risks and opportunities, etc.
Engaging in other methods or approaches: various methods complementary to the Bilan Carbone® exist, enabling progression along the maturity pathway.
It will be necessary to evaluate oneself during one's pathway. For an Advanced maturity level, which steers the reduction of its emissions, the organisation should engage with ACT Evaluation, to assess the credibility of the implementation of its climate strategy.
Do you have a comprehension question? Consult the FAQ. The method is living and therefore subject to change (clarifications, additions): find the change log here.
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