The low-carbon transition pathway describes how and by what means the organisation will evolve to achieve 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 of**steps** 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.
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These **steps** are calculated and defined by the quantification of the reduction potentials of actions. They help justify the achievement of intermediate milestones of the objectives that the organisation sets for itself, in the more or less long term depending on its maturity.
It is therefore considered, within the framework of the Bilan Carbone®, that the pathway is defined in a **bottom-up approach** (so-called bottom-up): the reduction potentials of actions make it possible to define the pathway that justifies the credibility of achieving the objective.
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## Requirements relating to the transition pathway
Depending on the organisation's maturity level, expectations differ:
Beginner level: criterion R1
The quantification of the [overall reduction volume](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/methode-bilan-carbone-r-en/5-transition-plan/5.2-construction-of-the-action-plan) of the transition plan makes it possible to construct a pathway using a bottom-up approach.
The pathway is defined over 3–4 years, i.e. the period of [renewal](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/methode-bilan-carbone-r-en/6-summary-and-reporting/6.3-renewal-and-continuous-improvement) of the assessment.
It justifies the achievement of a short-term objective (horizon of the next assessment) consistent with [the overall objective](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/methode-bilan-carbone-r-en/5-transition-plan/5.1-definition-of-objectives).
Intermediate level: criterion R2
The [quantification of the reduction potential of actions](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/methode-bilan-carbone-r-en/5-transition-plan/5.2-construction-of-the-action-plan) makes it possible to construct a pathway using a bottom-up approach.
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 roughly ten years) consistent with the['overall objective](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/methode-bilan-carbone-r-en/5-transition-plan/5.1-definition-of-objectives). 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 over 30 years.
The pathway incorporates intermediate reduction steps, defined thanks to the [quantification of the reduction potential of actions](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/methode-bilan-carbone-r-en/5-transition-plan/5.2-construction-of-the-action-plan) that the organisation undertakes. Included are Strategic actions, with a longer-term reduction.
**Consolidation** : For this Advanced level, the organisation can rely on its climate strategy arising from previous or complementary work. If such an approach has been followed upstream, the Bilan Carbone® here serves to steer this pathway (and any evaluation or reorientation).
:mag\_right: *It is thus recommended to rely on methods such as* [*ACT Step by Step*](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/methode-bilan-carbone-r-en/appendices/bibliography#act-step-by-step) *or equivalent.*
This pathway justifies the achievement of short-term objectives (annual horizon), medium-term objectives (horizon 2030 or over roughly ten years) and long-term objectives (horizon 2050) consistent with the[overall objective](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/methode-bilan-carbone-r-en/5-transition-plan/5.1-definition-of-objectives). This means that for an Advanced level the total estimated reduction enables one to **do better** than the trend set by the objectives.
Figure 5.3: Visual example of a low-carbon transition pathway.
🌐 [*English version*](https://abc-transitionbascarbone.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Low-Carbon-Transition-Pathway_Trajectoire-de-transition-bas-carbone-scaled.png) *of this image.*
> :mag\_right: *To express the Bilan Carbone® with an "analytical" reading, in coherence with the* [*analytical carbon accounting*](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/methode-bilan-carbone-r-en/appendices/bibliography#guides-pratiques)*, the organisation's overall pathway can be based on pathways by analytical dimensions. Objectives and reduction potentials will not necessarily be the same depending on activities, teams or any other chosen analytical dimensions. Each manager commits to their own pathway and their own emissions. Consolidating the pathways and actions envisaged by each manager helps to feed into or verify the coherence of the overall pathway.*
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In conclusion and [as a reminder](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/methode-bilan-carbone-r-en/introduction-to-the-low-carbon-transition/how-is-bilan-carbone-r-integrated-within-a-low-carbon-transition-approach#id-4-le-bilan-carbone-r-dans-une-demarche-de-transition-bas-carbone-section-a-relire-et-finir), constructing a pathway can be a specific complementary exercise. Within the framework of a Beginner and Intermediate level Bilan Carbone®, the requirements are attainable because it is a translation of the quantified reduction (bottom-up approach) by the [Action plan](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/methode-bilan-carbone-r-en/5-transition-plan/5.2-construction-of-the-action-plan). However, for the Advanced level, it will be necessary to carry out (or have carried out) a genuine climate strategy, such as [specified in the introduction](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/methode-bilan-carbone-r-en/1-framework-for-the-approach/1.1-define-your-bilan-carbone-r-maturity-level#niveau-avance-un-bilan-carbone-r-qui-pilote-une-veritable-strategie-de-transition).
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*Do you have a comprehension question?* [*Consult the FAQ*](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/methode-bilan-carbone-r-en/appendices/faq)*. The method is living and therefore likely to evolve (clarifications, additions): find the* [*track of changes here*](https://www.bilancarbone-methode.com/methode-bilan-carbone-r-en/foreword/history-and-tracking-of-changes)*.*
