FAQ
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Your question concerns the Bilan Carbone® method:
The Version 9 method is in an experimental phase until 31/12/2024. The tools and trainings will come into effect on 01/01/2025. Until then, we welcome your feedback or questions on this form. To learn more about the engagement programme for the method rollout, click here.
Your question concerns a practical application of the method, or carbon accounting in the broader sense:
We invite you to consult the following 2 resources that are managed by the ABC:
The GCP (General Carbon Plan) which is an operational guide, with practical advice
OCP (Open Carbon Practice) which is a platform for methodological exchanges between carbon practitioners. Users of the GCP resource can report gaps, or propose improvement ideas by joining the OCP community on Slack.
The General Carbon Plan is an evolving resource that is being updated by the ABC, so some parts of the resource may undergo significant changes, notably with the arrival of this new version of the method.
Your question concerns the ABC's resources and community:
The association, its membership, its trainings, its tools or its projects: it is here.
Questions about the new method
What are the main new features between previous versions of the Bilan Carbone® method and the current one?
The major changes between version 8 (2017) and version 9 (2025) are detailed here. You can also watch the introductory webinars.
Ongoing improvements to the methodological guide are specified in the change history.
Why 3 maturity levels?
The Bilan Carbone® has always proven suitable for the need (from an initial assessment to steering an organisation's decarbonisation).
Current challenges require maintaining this flexibility while ensuring standardisation and transparency around the approaches carried out.
These new maturity levels, defined by specific criteria, make it possible to set the ambition level of the approach, and to standardise practices:
An accessible entry level: carry out an assessment corresponding to one's means (financial, human…) so as not to be blocked by a lack of resources
Adapt the method to the diversity of organisations in the field (small structure or international activities…)
Meet organisations' personalised needs: adjust the approach so that it can meet different objectives (regulatory compliance, steering internal decisions or stakeholder engagement with transparency...)
Encourage the move to action for any organisation, regardless of its maturity level and profile
What is the advantage of the new uncertainty calculation method?
Estimate uncertainties emission category by emission category for a better move to action:
Knowing the accuracy of the data and emission factors used allows control over the quality of the assessment
Global uncertainty is not sufficient for a good move to action: conversely, the new calculation method allows analysing uncertainties category by category to:
Prioritise the most impactful actions on the assessment
Implement process improvement actions for data collection
This notion of estimating uncertainty is crucial for the organisation, which until now lacked the keys to take it on. The new method, more didactic, facilitates the understanding of results derived from rigorous calculations.
How to set objectives consistent with national decarbonisation targets?
For organisations in France, they are evaluated using SNBC sectoral frameworks (comparison of the percentage reduction targets for GHG emissions), by equating the organisation's activity to a single sector (when coherent) or by taking into account the national average. For organisations outside France, the relevant national targets are to be used.
🔗 For more information: consult section 5.1 of the method.
Application of the method
How to receive official training on the Bilan Carbone® method
A first essential step to work with the Bilan Carbone®, training enables acquisition of the skills necessary to use the Bilan Carbone® methodology and tools. For quality reasons, it is a prerequisite to access the full set of up-to-date Bilan Carbone® tools.
For people trained on earlier versions of the Bilan Carbone®, an upgrade module on the new version of the method, free and mandatory, will be available in early 2025.
🔗 For more information: https://abc-transitionbascarbone.fr/agir/se-former-au-bilan-carbone/
Which tool should be used to apply the new method?
You can use:
the ABC tools : updates are underway and the tools adapted to the new method will be available at the beginning of 2025
the tools compliant with the method : follow-ups are being carried out to prepare for the renewal of compliance and for the upgrade to the new version of the method to be implemented over time
How to determine your maturity level?
You can find in section 1.1 of the method a quiz to help you know your organisation's maturity level. This quiz is based on your previous assessments as well as what you plan to implement at each stage of your next assessment.
Where to find practical implementation advice for this method?
If your question concerns a practical application of the method, or carbon accounting in the broader sense:
We invite you to consult the following 2 resources, which are managed by the ABC:
The GCP (General Carbon Plan) which is an operational guide, with practical advice
OCP (Open Carbon Practice) which is a platform for methodological exchanges between carbon practitioners. Users of the GCP resource can report gaps, or propose improvement ideas by joining the OCP community on Slack.
The General Carbon Plan is an evolving resource that is being updated by the ABC, so some parts of the resource may undergo significant changes, notably with the arrival of this new version of the method.
How to find a Bilan Carbone® provider and consultant
The ABC offers a resource for drafting a consultation specification.
ABC provides a directory of providers trained and authorised to support a Bilan Carbone® process, or its complementary resources (Bilan Carbone® Evaluation, Bilan Carbone® Collage, etc.)
🔗 For more information: https://abc-transitionbascarbone.fr/les-acteurs/annuaire-des-prestataires/
Link between the Bilan Carbone® and other methods
How does the Bilan Carbone® respond to the CSRD?
The Bilan Carbone® addresses a large part of the disclosure requirements of ESRS E1 of the CSRD, concerning climate change. The method fully addresses disclosure requirements on carbon accounting, and partially on the rest of the accounting (risk analysis, strategy definition, etc.).
In any case, it allows you to meet a large part of the requirements of this new regulation, if you are subject to it.
🔗 For more information: Webinar on the new method and section 6.2
What coexistence is there in the steps of a transition plan between ACT Step-by-Step, Regulatory GHG Assessment and Bilan Carbone®?
The Bilan Carbone® has always aimed to be a move-to-action approach. It goes beyond emissions accounting to guide the construction of its transition plan.
Coexistence with ACT Step-by-Step is useful in many aspects:
ACT is an approach dedicated to this step
at the end of the Bilan Carbone® the organisation already has a roadmap that can be re-challenged with an ACT Step-by-Step approach (an essential step to move from Intermediate level to Advanced level)
The Transition Plan of the Regulatory GHG Assessment is a requirement, to which the Bilan Carbone® responds from the Beginner level.
What comparison between Bilan Carbone® and Life Cycle Assessment?
LCAs are analyses that do not focus solely on climate. They can feed into an organisation's Bilan Carbone®.
The main difference between these two methods lies in the orientation of the Bilan Carbone® to guide towards the move to action. Indeed, since its creation it has gone beyond mere emissions accounting.
Various
What is the difference between a Bilan Carbone® and a carbon assessment? between carbon footprint and climate shadow?
Several names are sometimes used to refer to an assessment: GHG assessment, Regulatory GHG Assessment, carbon footprint, etc. The Bilan Carbone® is a trademark with strict methodological requirements to be respected.
Theclimate shadow is a completely different concept.
The resources on communication aim to clarify these denominations.
Is it possible to join ABC's future working groups?
Many projects and reflections involve the ABC community and its partners. Working groups are created on a case-by-case basis by call for applications to the association's members during the current year. If you wish to raise a topic, do not hesitate to contact the ABC team.
⏳[WIP] This FAQ will be updated progressively with questions and feedback concerning this new version of the Bilan Carbone® methodology.
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