1.1 - Define your Bilan Carbone® maturity level
What is the organization's current and desired maturity regarding the Bilan Carbone® approach?
To define the maturity level of its organization in terms of carbon accounting and its positioning on the low-carbon transition pathway :
Is the organization carrying out its first or nth Bilan Carbone®?
What are the internal and external expectations?
What are the resources?
Will this be a first or nth awareness-raising on planetary issues?
There is a gradient of maturity levels, from the novice organization to the most experienced. To adapt to this diversity, the Bilan Carbone® method is divided into 3 main maturity levels (Initial, Standard and Advanced), which are presented here.
Initial Level: A first Bilan Carbone®
The organization's objective is to mobilise certain key teams to carry out an initial accounting of its GHG emissions, and to establish a simple transition plan associated with short-term targets. One objective of this first transition plan will be to renew the process aiming for a Standard level Bilan Carbone®.
Hierarchical involvement and governance of the carbon topic are emerging.
In general, this level is suitable for a beginner organization or a small structure with limited resources, carrying out its first Bilan Carbone®, wishing to comply with the regulatory GHG Assessment, or the Diag Décarbon’action.
⏳[WIP] Testimonials: feedback from an Initial Bilan Carbone® will be available here at the end of the experimentation phase.
Standard Level: A Bilan Carbone® with actions targeting all emissions
The objective of a Standard level Bilan Carbone® process is to perform an exhaustive accounting of its emissions, in order to establish a complete, quantified transition plan that includes medium-term targets. All stakeholders will be mobilised, whether internal or external to the organization.
Hierarchical involvement and governance of the carbon topic are increasingly integrated.
This is the Bilan Carbone® as it has historically been carried out, and concerns the majority of organizations. A Standard level Bilan Carbone® is typically an improved renewal of a previous Initial level process.
⏳[WIP] Testimonials: feedback from a Standard Bilan Carbone® will be available here at the end of the experimentation phase.
Advanced Level: A Bilan Carbone® that steers a true transition strategy
An Advanced level Bilan Carbone® is characterised by an in-depth accounting of the most significant emission categories.
The organization has equipped itself between two renewals of the Bilan Carbone® (or equips itself during the process) with an analysis of transition risks and opportunities in addition to its Bilan Carbone® process.
The organization has equipped itself between two renewals of the Bilan Carbone® (or equips itself during the process) with a genuine low-carbon transition strategy (possibly via ACT Step-by-Step or other equivalent methods). The organization can amend it, and track its evolution through regular renewal of the Advanced level Bilan Carbone®.
The Bilan Carbone® serves as an internal steering and management tool for the organization's GHG emissions. Carbon indicators feed into the organization's overall strategy. It is relevant for an Advanced level to set up a analytical carbon accounting to obtain reading keys by area of responsibility, and enabling the installation of the organization's Bilan Carbone® as a decision-making tool.
The transition plan is quantified, and sets a long-term emissions reduction objective, or even a business model transformation, made credible by a decarbonisation trajectory scheduled for the short, medium and long term. All stakeholders are mobilised.
The Advanced Level Bilan Carbone® makes it possible to meet the majority of the requirements of the CSRD ESRS E1.
Hierarchical involvement and governance of the carbon topic are priorities for the organization.
This level concerns the organizations most mature on low-carbon transition issues, having dedicated internal resources. The assessments of the Bilan Carbone® or of the organization's strategy allow to confirm this maturity.
⏳[WIP] Testimonials: feedback from an Advanced Bilan Carbone® will be available here at the end of the experimentation phase.
Requirements related to the entire Bilan Carbone® process for each maturity level
Determine the organization's maturity level
At the launch of the process, the organization must choose an appropriate maturity level, and comply with the corresponding requirements.
The organization can directly aim for the level corresponding to its objectives, needs and maturity, without necessarily starting with the Initial Level.
The organization must progress in terms of maturity at each iteration of the process, but this does not necessarily translate into reaching a higher level.
A maturity questionnaire is offered, allowing a quick estimation of an organization's maturity level at the start of the process. It is not intended to be exhaustive, but gives a first idea of the appropriate maturity level to aim for during the process:
Comparison of maturity level criteria for continuous improvement of the Bilan Carbone®
The table below aims to provide an overview of the requirements for each of the three maturity levels. This table is not exhaustive, and remains generic, each point being detailed later in the method via an appropriate sub-section.
The use of the term Initial, Standard and Advanced level Bilan Carbone® in the organization's communication is conditional on compliance with all the criteria of that level. However, it is possible for the organization to highlight the points on which it has gone further than what is required for its level, notably via the evaluation of its Bilan Carbone®.
Do you have a question about understanding? Consult the FAQ. The method is living and therefore likely to evolve (clarifications, additions): find the track of changes here.
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