FAQ
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Your question concerns the Bilan Carbone® method:
Version 9 of the method is in an experimental phase until 12/31/2024. 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 outreach program for the method release, click here.
Your question concerns a practical application of the method, or carbon accounting in the broad sense:
We invite you to consult the following 2 resources which are overseen by the ABC:
The PCG (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 PCG resource can report gaps or propose ideas for improvement 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 ABC 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 major changes between previous versions of the Bilan Carbone® method and the current one?
The major developments 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 history of changes.
Why 3 maturity levels?
The Bilan Carbone® has always proven suitable for the need (from an initial assessment to steering an organization's decarbonization).
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 position 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 lack of resources
Adapt the method to the diversity of organisations in the field (small structure or international activities...)
Meet organisations' personalized 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 method for calculating uncertainties?
Estimate uncertainties emission category by emission category for a better move to action:
Knowing the precision 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 for:
Prioritising the actions that have the greatest impact on the assessment
Implementing data collection improvement actions
This notion of estimating uncertainty is crucial for the organisation, which until now lacked the keys to take it on. The new, more educational method facilitates understanding of results derived from rigorous calculations.
How to set targets consistent with national decarbonization objectives?
For organisations in France, they are evaluated using the sectoral reference frameworks of the SNBC (comparison of percentage reduction targets for GHG emissions), by assimilating the organisation's activity to a single sector (when coherent) or by taking into account the general national average. For organisations outside France, the relevant national targets should be used.
🔗 For more information: consult the section 5.1 of the method.
Application of the method
How to receive official training in the Bilan Carbone® method
A first essential step to handle the Bilan Carbone®, the training provides the skills necessary to use the methodology and Bilan Carbone® tools. For quality purposes, it is a prerequisite to access all up-to-date Bilan Carbone® tools.
For people trained on previous 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 to use to apply the new method?
You can use:
the ABC tools : updates are in progress and the tools adapted to the new method will be available at the beginning of 2025
the tools compliant with the method : monitoring is carried out to prepare the renewal of conformity and for the upgrade to the new version of the method to be done over time
How to determine your maturity level?
You can find in section 1.1 of the method a quiz to help you know the maturity level of your organisation. This quiz is based on your previous assessments as well as on 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 broad sense:
We invite you to consult the following 2 resources, which are overseen by the ABC:
The PCG (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 PCG resource can report gaps or propose ideas for improvement 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 offers a directory of trained and accredited service providers to support a Bilan Carbone® approach, or its complementary resources (Bilan Carbone® Evaluation, Bilan Carbone® Workshop, 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 DRs of ESRS E1 of the CSRD, concerning climate change. The method fully addresses the DRs on carbon accounting, and partially on the rest of the accounting (risk analysis, strategy definition, etc.).
In any case, it allows you to largely meet 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 transition plan steps 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 emission 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 indispensable step to move from the Standard level to the Advanced level)
The Transition Plan of the regulatory GHG assessment is a requirement, which the Bilan Carbone® meets from the Initial level.
What comparison between Bilan Carbone® and Life Cycle Assessment?
LCAs are analyses that do not only focus 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 toward the move to action. Indeed, since its creation it has gone beyond simple emission 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 designate an assessment: Bilan GES, 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 notion.
The communication resources 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, feel free to contact the ABC team.
⏳[WIP] This FAQ will be updated progressively as questions and feedback regarding this new version of the Bilan Carbone® methodology are received.
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