5.3 - Definition of the transition pathway

How to build a low-carbon transition pathway?

Source: Freepik

The low-carbon transition pathway describes how and by what means the organisation will evolve to reach its GHG emissions reduction objective (whether short-, medium- or long-term). It is the trend of the organisation's carbon intensity.

It represents a series ofsteps linking the organisation's current state (calculated emissions profile) to its transition objectives and to the organisation's vision of itself in a low-carbon world.

These steps are calculated and defined by quantifying the reduction potentials of the actions. They help justify the achievement of the intermediate milestones of the objectives that the organisation sets itself, over a shorter or longer term depending on its maturity.

Thus, within the framework of the Bilan Carbone® approach, the pathway is considered to be defined using a bottom-up approach (so-called bottom-up): the reduction potentials of the actions make it possible to define the pathway that justifies the credibility of achieving the objective.

Exigences relatives à la trajectoire de transition

Depending on the organisation's maturity level, expectations differ:

Beginner level: criterion R1

The quantification of the overall reduction volume of the transition plan makes it possible to build a pathway using a bottom-up approach (so-called bottom-up).

The pathway is defined over 3–4 years, which is the period of renewal of the assessment.

It justifies the achievement of a short-term objective (horizon of the next assessment) consistent with the overall objective.

Intermediate level: criterion R2

The quantification of the reduction potential of the actions makes it possible to build a pathway using a bottom-up approach (so-called bottom-up).

The pathway is defined over 10 years.

It links the GHG profile and justifies the achievement of short-term objectives (horizon of the next assessment) and medium-term objectives (horizon 2030 or over about ten years) consistent with theoverall objective. This means that the total estimated reduction allows at least to follow the trend set by the objectives.

Advanced level: criterion R3

The organisation equips itself or consolidates a pathway using a bottom-up approach (so-called bottom-up) over 30 years.

The pathway incorporates intermediate reduction steps, defined thanks to the quantification of the reduction potential of the actions that the organisation undertakes. Strategic actions are included, with a more long-term reduction.

Consolidation : For this Advanced level, the organisation may base itself on its climate strategy resulting from pre-existing or complementary work. If such an approach has been followed upstream, the Bilan Carbone® is used here to steer this pathway (and possibly to evaluate or reorient it).

🔎 It is therefore recommended to rely on methods such as ACT Step by Step or equivalent.

This pathway justifies the achievement of short-term objectives (annual horizon), medium-term objectives (horizon 2030 or over about ten years) and long-term objectives (horizon 2050) consistent with theoverall objective. This means that for an Advanced level the total estimated reduction allows to do better than the trend set by the objectives.

Figure 5.3: Visual example of a low-carbon transition pathway.

🌐 English version of this image.

🔎 To express the Bilan Carbone® with an "analytical" reading, in coherence with the analytical carbon accounting, the organisation's overall pathway can be supported by pathways by analytical axes. The objectives and reduction potentials will not necessarily be the same depending on activities, teams or any other chosen analytical axes. Each manager commits to their own pathway and to their own emissions. Consolidating the pathways and actions envisaged by each manager helps to feed or verify the coherence of the overall pathway.

In conclusion and as a reminder, constructing a pathway can be a specific complementary exercise. Within the framework of the Bilan Carbone® at Beginner and Intermediate levels, the requirements are achievable because it is a translation of the quantified reduction (bottom-up approach) by the action plan. However, for the Advanced level, it will be necessary to carry out (or have carried out) a real climate strategy, such as specified in the introduction.

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All information on the operational boundary is documented and Do you have a comprehension question?Consult the FAQ . The method is living and therefore likely to evolve (clarifications, additions): find the.